Candlelight Farms Inn Wedding Guide
Everything You Need to Know — Ceremony Spots, Vineyard Views, Lighting Tips & Expert Venue Insights
Candlelight Farms Inn is one of Connecticut’s most breathtaking rustic-elegant wedding venues, sitting high above Candlewood Lake with panoramic mountain views, rolling fields, and a charming farm estate setting. Located in New Milford, the property blends classic New England beauty with wide-open natural scenery, giving couples a peaceful, romantic, and private wedding experience.
The venue features historic barns, pastures, woodland trails, and exceptional sunset viewpoints—each creating a timeless backdrop for weddings and cinematic visuals. Whether you’re planning an intimate outdoor celebration or a tented reception with sweeping landscape views, Candlelight Farms provides a serene and elevated atmosphere perfect for modern rustic weddings.
From a photography and videography standpoint, this venue is unmatched in variety: lake views, meadows, tree-lined paths, barn textures, wildflowers, open skies, and some of the best golden-hour lighting in Connecticut. This guide covers everything you need to know—from the ceremony options to timeline planning—to help you envision your wedding day flawlessly.
Candlelight Farms Inn sits on 600 acres of preserved farmland above Candlewood Lake, creating a secluded estate atmosphere that feels like a countryside retreat. The venue includes the historic Inn, the stunning aviation field (a former private airstrip), the rustic barn spaces, and acres of meadows and forests.
Couples choose Candlelight Farms because it allows them to host a wedding that feels natural, authentic, and cinematic—without sacrificing comfort or refinement. Guests enjoy mountain views and open-air cocktail hours, while couples get endless photography locations across a sprawling property that feels truly private. Whether your style is rustic, country-elegant, boho-chic, or natural and timeless, Candlelight Farms adapts beautifully.
Looking for photographers + videographers for your wedding?
View our wedding portfolio ↓
The venue offers a range of ceremony locations, each with its own personality and lighting characteristics.
1. The Aviation Field (Airstrip Ceremony)
A truly unique space—this long, open field offers unobstructed mountain and sky views that create a dramatic ceremony backdrop. Ideal for couples who want something expansive and cinematic, filled with natural light and airy textures. Sunset here is spectacular, with soft warm tones sweeping across the hills.
2. The Meadow Ceremony Site
For couples who prefer nature surrounding them on all sides, the meadow creates a serene, intimate, countryside feeling. Tall grasses, soft greenery, and gentle breezes make the ceremony feel organic and romantic.
3. The Barn Front Ceremony
A charming, rustic option that uses the barn’s historic wooden exterior as the backdrop. This setting gives a warm, grounded, classic New England look. Perfect for rustic, country, or farmhouse-inspired weddings.
Lighting Notes
- The aviation field is best near golden hour when the sun is low and warm.
- Midday ceremonies in open fields require backlighting to avoid harsh shadows.
- The barn area provides more controlled lighting, ideal for softer mid-afternoon ceremonies.
- Overcast days look incredible here—the sky becomes a natural softbox.
Candlelight Farms Inn offers multiple reception options tailored to your style and guest count.
The White Barn
This classic, weathered barn provides a rustic-chic atmosphere with warm wood textures, perfect for more intimate receptions. String lights and candles transform the space into something cozy and romantic. The barn’s structure creates beautiful contrast for both photography and videography.
The Aviation Field Tent
Larger weddings often use the airstrip for a tented reception overlooking the hills. As the sun sets, the sky becomes a glow of pink and gold, and the scene transitions beautifully into an open-air evening celebration with twinkling lights and live music.
Outdoor Cocktail Hour Locations
Guests can enjoy mountain air, panoramic views, and relaxed outdoor seating. The farm’s natural landscapes create a laid-back, elevated environment that feels like a destination wedding without leaving Connecticut.
Photo + Video Notes
- Barn interiors look cinematic with warm diffusion lighting.
- Tented receptions glow beautifully with café lights after sunset.
- First dances beneath the open sky are incredible for film.
- Natural sound from the countryside enhances audio storytelling.
This venue is a dream for photo and video teams thanks to its dramatic landscapes and wide-open skies.
1. Hilltop Overlooks
Perfect for golden hour portraits and sweeping cinematic wide shots. The mountains create depth, and sunset colors are exceptionally rich.
2. The Meadows
Ideal for soft, whimsical couple portraits. Tall grasses add motion and texture, making video footage feel alive and romantic.
3. The Barns & Rustic Structures
These areas offer wood tones, lines, and natural textures that photograph beautifully.
4. The Aviation Field
The most cinematic location—long leading lines, airy compositions, and endless sky. Excellent for drone shots and dramatic walking moments.
5. Pathways, Fences & Tree-Lined Areas
Classic New England charm for portraits, detail shots, and quiet emotional moments.
6. Candlewood Lake Viewpoints
If you venture near the water, you get peaceful lakeside backdrops perfect for sunset or blue-hour captures.
Planning a Wedding at Candlelight Farms Inn?
Get custom photo + video coverage recommendations based on your venue
This venue’s elevated landscape and open fields mean light changes quickly—so timelines should maximize golden hour.
Suggested Timeline
- First Look: 3 hours before sunset (barn area or meadow).
- Ceremony: 1.5–2 hours before sunset for optimal soft light.
- Cocktail Hour: Aviation field or barn area—ideal for guest candids and drone shots.
- Golden Hour Portraits: 15–20 minutes before sunset on the hill or aviation field.
- Nighttime Shots: Use the barn exterior, string lights, or open field for cinematic silhouettes.
Why This Works
Open-air venues like Candlelight Farms become absolutely magical as the sun drops behind the hills. This flow ensures you capture the venue’s most breathtaking lighting conditions without feeling rushed.
Explore More Wedding Venues Styles!
Real Wedding Moments & Cinematic Opportunities at Candlelight Farms Inn
Weddings at Candlelight Farms feel like scenes from a countryside film—soft wind through the grass, expansive sunset skies, and emotional moments framed by rolling hills. We’ve captured drone shots sweeping across the aviation field, slow-motion walking scenes against golden meadows, and intimate garden portraits that feel timeless.
Reception entrances under a tent glow warmly as the sun sets, and nighttime celebrations under the stars create beautifully emotional visuals. The venue’s natural textures, spaces, and light combine to create a wedding film that feels organic, romantic, and effortlessly cinematic.
Frequently Asked Questions About Candlelight Farms Inn Weddings
How many guests can Candlelight Farms accommodate?
Tent receptions easily host large celebrations, while barn receptions are suited for more intimate guest counts.
Is there an indoor ceremony backup?
The barn space can serve as a rustic, weatherproof alternative.
Is the venue ideal for sunset photos?
Yes—Candlelight Farms has some of the most beautiful golden hour views in Connecticut.
Are drones allowed?
Yes, and the property is perfect for aerial cinematography.
Is the property private?
Completely—the farm’s 600 acres create a secluded, peaceful wedding environment.
Planning a Candlelight Farms Inn Wedding? Let’s Capture It Beautifully.
Candlelight Farms Inn is a dream venue for photography + videography—mountain views, wild meadows, rustic textures, and cinematic open skies that create unforgettable wedding imagery.
At Legend Photo & Film, we help couples:
- plan a timeline around the best light
- choose portrait locations that flatter
- capture cinematic, story-driven wedding films
- create natural, elegant wedding photography
- document the day with authentic, emotional storytelling
