Looking for the best CT wedding venues? Discover our favorite CT wedding locations across Fairfield County, New Haven County, and beyond… plus pro makeup artist insights to help you look flawless at any venue.
Stunning CT Wedding Venue Backdrops For Your Flawless Makeup Look
As a professional makeup artist, I have had the pleasure of working with many couples on their wedding day, and I know that choosing the right venue is crucial in creating the perfect wedding experience. There is no shortage of breathtaking CT wedding locations, and as a makeup artist, I always love working in spaces that offer a stunning backdrop for my clients' beauty transformations.
Below are some of my top picks, in no particular order:
Wedding Venues in Fairfield County, CT
As a professional makeup artist serving Fairfield County brides for over 19 years, I’ve noticed that Fairfield county wedding ceremonies tend to be outside and then the party moves inside. This means your makeup needs to last a long time, withstand the heat and humidity, and also has to hold up under indoor lighting.
If you're getting married in:
Greenwich
Stamford
Darien
Westport
Fairfield
Norwalk
your venue likely has oversized windows, white walls, and strong natural light.
This type of light is amazing for skin-focused makeup and enhances soft glam beautifully.
Makeup Artist Tip:
Finish with a soft-matte T-zone and a luminous cheek to avoid shine in mid day photos.
Wedding Venues in New Haven County, CT
New Haven County is known for:
beachfront venues
bright bridal suites
outdoor ceremonies
humid summer weather
If you're getting married in:
New Haven
Milford
Orange
West Haven
Branford
Guilford
your makeup needs humidity control + all-day longevity without feeling heavy.
Makeup Artist Tip:
Use a waterproof bronzer and long lasting cream blush topped with powder over to keep color fresh through tears and heat.
Connecticut Shoreline Wedding Venues
Shoreline venues tend to be windy, sunny, and high-humidity. Makeup for outdoor ceremonies needs:
finishing sprays
humidity-safe skin prep
long-lasting foundations that dry down
waterproof mascara on the lashes
transfer-proof blush and bronzer
If your venue is in:
Madison
Old Saybrook
Westbrook
Clinton
Stonington
you need a slightly matte finish and water-resistant makeup.
Makeup Artist Tip:
Use a waterproof eyeliner and well-glued on outer corner lashes to prevent lifting.
Best Places to Take Wedding Photos at CT Venues
Each type of location affects how your makeup photographs.
The Inn at Longshore
The Inn at Longshore is just a perfect location for makeup artists and couples. Not only is the waterfront location perfect for creating a naturally glowing look, but the indoor event spaces also offer plenty of natural light, making it easier to create flawless makeup looks. They have a large room with lots of natural light so it’s perfect for getting ready the morning of your wedding. They also let you in a lot earlier than most CT wedding venues which makes for a stress-free morning where you can relax and enjoy your time with your bridal party.
The Branford House
The Branford House located in Groton, CT offers a marble-floored foyer, while the outdoor terrace is perfect for capturing photos of the final look in natural light. The private beach access also offers beautiful photo opps for the wedding party, and I love using the ocean backdrop to create everything from dramatic, bold makeup looks to super natural, flawless makeup.
Most brides get their makeup done and get ready in a hotel like The Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, the Hilton Mysic or The Whalers Inn Hotel Of Mystic so they have good natural lighting and space to spread out and relax before the show gets started!
Photos: https://simplykstudios.com/
Branford House Groton CT Wedding
Saybrook Point Resort & Marina
The Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, voted “most romantic place to stay”, also has gardens that provide a picturesque setting for wedding day makeup application, with plenty of natural light and beautiful scenery.
The venue's exclusive access to Harkness State Park also provides endless opportunities for stunning photos in natural light, which is a dream for makeup artists who want to showcase their work in the best possible light.
I’ve done a ton of weddings here and the 80 resort rooms + Lighthouse Suite (900 square feet) with views of Long Island Sound) + 2 guesthouse suites come with full kitchens, game rooms, balconies, even butler services + Villas with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, a kitchen) are perfect for getting your makeup and hair done. They’re spacious, many have fireplaces and accommodate large wedding parties. There’s also an indoor lounge and waterside bars.
You’re gonna need to eat lunch while getting ready, and they offer both room service and have on site restaurants. The next morning brunch is award-winning and you’ll probably be hungry after all that dancing!
They also have a spa where you can relax and get a massage or pedicure before your big day which is a huge bonus. Ask for Danielle and tell her I sent you:)
Wadsworth Mansion
The Wadsworth Mansion’s five-star service ensures that my clients feel pampered and taken care of on their wedding day, which is essential for achieving an upscale wedding. It screams The Great Gatsby and offers a stunning backdrop for CT couples, both inside and out. Note: you will need outside vendors to come in, as it’s not an all-inclusive wedding venue in Connecticut. Also, they book up very quickly, so inquire early.
New Haven Lawn Club
New Haven Lawn Club, located in New Haven, CT offers an elegant and sophisticated art dedo architecture and is perfect for creating a soft, glowy makeup look that complements the candlelight. It houses multiple rooms, a ballroom and the building itself is the perfect backdrop for photos. Fun fact: it was originally opened in 1891 for tennis wealthy tennis players.
Contact Karen DeForge, Director Of Weddings for more information.
New Haven Lawn Club
New Haven Lawn Club, located in New Haven, CT offers an elegant and sophisticated art dedo architecture and is perfect for creating a soft, glowy makeup look that complements the candlelight. It houses multiple rooms, a ballroom and the building itself is the perfect backdrop for photos. Fun fact: it was originally opened in 1891 for tennis wealthy tennis players.
Contact Karen DeForge, Director Of Weddings for more information.
The Madison Beach Hotel By Hilton
The Madison Beach Hotel's beachfront lawn is perfect for creating natural, beachy makeup looks, while the grand ballroom provides an elegant setting for wedding day makeup application. The rooms are spacious, have breathtaking views of the water (with large balconies) and they even offer fireplaces which are so cozy for those getting married in the cool fall or winter.
The focus on locally sourced ingredients in the catering also ensures that my clients' skin is nourished and healthy, which is essential for achieving a flawless makeup look.
Highly recommend booking early, as they book up very fast.
The Candlewood Inn
Candlewood Inn is a family owned, romantic wedding venue on Candlewood Lake in CT. It’s scenic waterfront location in Brookfield is perfect for creating a natural, dewy makeup look that complements the lake backdrop. The tented pavilion is also perfect for capturing photos of the final look in natural light. They cater to up to 235 wedding guests so you can invite all your closest friends and family. You also get:
An Event Coordinator for before the wedding and day-of coordination (you may still want to hire an independent planner)
2 personal bridal attendants
A bridal suite (keep in mind that wedding makeup starts very early so make sure to ask when they’ll allow you in if you’d like to get your makeup and hair done there)
Butler passed hor d’oeuvres
Premium five hour open bar and a bottle of wine on each table
And more
Pricing depends on the time of day, day of the week, time of day, guest count
The Water's Edge Resort & Spa
The Water's Edge Resort & Spa's focus on luxurious accommodations and top-notch catering in Westbrook ensures that my clients feel pampered and taken care of throughout the day. The beachfront lawn and garden terrace with gazebos provide stunning backdrops for natural, glowing makeup looks, while the on-site spa and fitness center provide opportunities for my clients to relax and destress before the wedding. This venue has become one of my second homes and you really feel like you’re on a island retreat here.
The Tyde At Walnut Beach
I’ve been to The Tyde At Walnut Beach (Milford, CT) more times than I can count. Such a luxurious, upscale venue with gorgeous beachside waterfront views and fantastic food. You seriously feel like you been jetted off to a tropical island on vacation here. They have a bridal suite for the girls AND guys and the views from each room go on for days. It’s a newer wedding venue so everything is crisp & shiny with modern glamour. Tell Rosa Maria I sent you!
In addition to their stunning backdrops and luxurious amenities, these venues offer something that other wedding venues in Connecticut do not: a sense of exclusivity and elegance. These venues have a reputation for hosting high-end events and weddings, which adds to the overall sense of luxury and glamour that couples are looking for on their special day.
Makeup Artist for Your Connecticut Wedding
As a CT based makeup artist, I also appreciate the attention to detail that these venues offer.
From locally-sourced catering to personalized coordination services, these venues go above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of the wedding day is perfect. This attention to detail is so important in creating a relaxed and stress-free environment for my clients, which is critical for achieving a flawless makeup look for those photos that will last a lifetime.
Here are some other great resources for your search:
Now that you know the best CT wedding locations that offer exclusive and elegant settings for stunning weddings, keep in mind that most makeup artists book out much further in advance than you’d think … typically 9-12 months to a year or more.
If you're getting married at any Connecticut venue and want wedding glam that lasts through heat, humidity, tears, and dancing, I customize every bridal look for your venue’s lighting + weather.
Check Jenn’s availability for your wedding date →
Your big day will be magical no matter which CT wedding venue you choose
Overall, there is no shortage of CT wedding locations that offer stunning backdrops and top-notch amenities for couples on their special day.
As a professional makeup artist, I appreciate the attention to detail and sense of exclusivity that these venues offer, which adds to the overall sense of luxury and glamour that couples are looking for on their wedding day.
Choosing one of these venues ensures that the wedding day is not only beautiful but also stress-free and unforgettable for everyone involved.