Wedding Venues on the Water in Connecticut

Candlewood Inn sits along the shores of Candlewood Lake in Brookfield and is one of Connecticut’s most elegant lakefront wedding settings. Its west-facing ceremony lawn captures warm sunset light—the kind that wraps skin tones in soft gold and creates naturally cinematic portraits. As wedding filmmakers who have shot here, we’ve always loved the clean horizon line, private dock, and open lawn that give couples uninterrupted views for both photo and video.

Inside, the ballroom features crisp white walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a modern, bright aesthetic—ideal for natural-light photography and elevated flash work. With space for up to 300 guests, an expansive lakeside walkway, and multiple portrait locations, Candlewood Inn blends luxurious refinement with laid-back Connecticut elegance.

Why Couples Love It

• glowing sunset ceremonies
• private dock + waterfront portraits
• modern ballroom with clean tones
• drone-friendly location

Set on 10 scenic acres overlooking Lake Zoar, The Waterview is one of Connecticut’s largest and most iconic waterfront wedding venues. The property’s 44,000 square feet of indoor space blends classic architecture with modern design, giving couples an upscale backdrop that never feels overly formal. The ballroom’s signature wall of windows faces the lake, pulling in clean natural light that photographs beautifully.

Outside, manicured gardens, long walkways, and tiered landscaping create a refined environment perfect for magazine-style wedding portraits. As filmmakers, we love the venue’s wide compositions—open lawns, long lines, and soft water reflections that elevate both films and photos.

Ideal For

• large weddings (up to 700 guests)
• bright, airy photography
• sunset waterfront ceremonies
• dramatic drone footage

The Inn at Longshore is a Westport icon—an elegant waterfront venue set directly along the Long Island Sound. Sailboats drift in the background while soft ocean light washes across the property, creating timeless, editorial-quality portraits at nearly every angle.

Ceremonies take place overlooking the water, followed by cocktails on the lawn and golden-hour portraits along the shore. With white columns, large windows, and a clean coastal interior, the ballroom is exceptionally camera-friendly for both natural-light photos and cinematic flash setups.

As a bonus, the venue includes an on-site inn for getting-ready coverage and guest accommodations, making the entire day flow seamlessly.

Best Features

• long shoreline for airy couple’s portraits
• golden-hour lighting over the Sound
• spacious lawns + drone opportunities
• bright ballroom ideal for photography

Located above the Connecticut River in Haddam, The Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station offers quiet luxury with a blend of waterfront views, dramatic architecture, and complete privacy. The iconic carriage-house entrance provides a stunning arrival moment, while the weathered docks and views of the historic Goodspeed Bridge create multiple editorial-style portrait locations.

Inside, the ballroom’s high ceilings, warm neutral tones, and clean lines complement both natural-light imagery and cinematic flash setups. With room for up to 300 guests, Riverhouse is a favorite for couples wanting a timeless New England feel without sacrificing modern elegance.

Why It Photographs Beautifully

• multiple waterfront portrait areas
• river reflections that soften skin tones
• covered patio for rainy-day portraits
• balanced indoor lighting

Madison Beach Hotel offers one of New England’s most exclusive beachfront wedding experiences. With sweeping ocean views, a private beach, and soft coastal light, this venue creates a romantic, upscale, editorial atmosphere for both ceremonies and portraits.

The venue’s waterfront lawn glows during golden hour, while the rocky shoreline gives couples dramatic magazine-worthy backdrops. Inside, the ballroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows, neutral palette, and modern coastal aesthetic ensure clean, polished photos regardless of weather.

With on-site accommodations, a wrap-around veranda, and a boutique luxury feel, Madison Beach Hotel is ideal for couples wanting elevated coastal wedding imagery—from sunrise pastels to glowing sunset portraits.

For adventurous couples wanting a nature-driven celebration, Club Getaway offers a lakeside wedding experience unlike any other in Connecticut. With 300+ acres of waterfront views, forests, and mountainside backdrops, the property feels like a private destination retreat.

Ceremonies typically take place right on the lake, where soft natural light and wide scenic landscapes create airy, cinematic images. Portrait locations are endless—wooded paths, fire pits, docks, open fields, and shaded walkways.

Inside, the lodge features vaulted ceilings, string lights, and rustic-chic charm that photographs beautifully at night as ambient lights begin to glow. As filmmakers, we love the movement and authenticity this venue encourages—laughing, exploring, and capturing real moments that translate beautifully on camera.

Guilford Yacht Club is one of Connecticut’s most polished coastal wedding venues, offering expansive views over the Long Island Sound, tidal marshes, and a private marina. Sailboats drifting in the distance and the venue’s clean horizon line create soft, flattering imagery perfect for editorial waterfront portraits.

The Great Lawn provides sweeping water views and space for tented celebrations up to 350 guests, while the wrap-around terrace and vaulted-ceiling ballroom offer beautiful indoor–outdoor flow. Ocean breezes, moving foliage, and long sight lines create dynamic cinematic footage that feels modern, elegant, and classically coastal.

Mystic Seaport Museum gives couples a completely unique New England waterfront experience—historic ships, cobblestone paths, rope-lined docks, and panoramic river views. Ceremonies often take place along the Mystic River, where soft ocean light and open skies create naturally cinematic settings for photo and video.

Reception spaces like the Boat Shed and Thompson Exhibition Building offer soaring ceilings, warm wood textures, and clean architectural lines ideal for luxurious natural-light or dramatic evening imagery. For couples wanting a blend of history, romance, and one-of-a-kind scenery, Mystic Seaport delivers unforgettable storytelling opportunities.

Known affectionately as “The O,” the Owenego Inn sits directly on the Long Island Sound in Branford and blends classic New England charm with breezy coastal elegance. Ceremonies take place on the lawn above the water, where soft sea light and unobstructed horizons create bright, flattering portraits all day long.

Nearby rocky coastline provides editorial-style portrait spots without leaving the property, while the reception pavilion’s open-air design, clean drapery, and panoramic water views set a romantic tone for evening celebrations. With capacity for 200+ guests, Owenego feels timeless, natural, and effortlessly photogenic.

Located along the Connecticut River, the Glastonbury Boathouse offers a clean, modern waterfront setting with sweeping river views, bright natural light, and a versatile indoor–outdoor layout. Its contemporary architecture, neutral palette, and large windows create beautifully balanced lighting that works exceptionally well for both photography and videography.

The riverside walkway and open grounds offer multiple portrait areas, while the boathouse interior provides a polished backdrop for receptions. It’s an ideal choice for couples wanting a fresh, modern, and airy waterfront feel close to Hartford.

Saybrook Point Resort & Marina is one of the most iconic coastal wedding venues in Connecticut, known for luxury accommodations, sweeping marina views, and stunning sunsets over the Long Island Sound. Ceremonies often take place on the terrace or by the water, where sailboats and soft ocean light create a romantic, upscale backdrop that looks incredible on photo and video.

The resort offers multiple spaces — from the Lighthouse Suite to the elegant ballroom — each designed with bright coastal decor, tall windows, and natural light that works beautifully for portraits and reception moments. The marina boardwalk, docks, and nearby shoreline give you endless portrait opportunities, including golden-hour shots with reflections on the water.

For photo + video, Saybrook Point is a dream:
• natural ocean light for soft, glowing imagery
• moody, cinematic sunsets behind the marina
• wide, open waterfront for drone footage
• elegant indoor spaces for classic, timeless looks

This venue is perfect for couples wanting a refined coastal celebration with elevated photo + video possibilities, all set in one of Connecticut’s most scenic shoreline towns.