Top Wedding Venues in Connecticut (2025 Guide for Local Brides)

Looking for the best wedding venues in Connecticut? Explore popular CT wedding locations across Fairfield County, New Haven County, and shoreline towns — plus pro makeup insights to help you look flawless at any venue.

Stunning CT Wedding Location 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

Fairfield County weddings tend to have tighter timelines, early photo sessions, and elegant indoor spaces — which means your makeup needs long wear, no flashback, and a soft glam finish that holds 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 luminous cheek placement to avoid shine in midday 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 + long-wear cream blush layered with powder to keep color fresh through tears + heat.

Connecticut Shoreline Wedding Venues

Shoreline venues tend to be windy, sunny, and high-humidity. Makeup for outdoor ceremonies needs:

• tack-down sprays

• humidity-safe prep

• long-wear skin finish

• water-resistant lashes

• transfer-proof cheek/bronzer

If your venue is in:

• Madison

• Old Saybrook

• Westbrook

• Clinton

• Stonington

you need a slightly matte finish and water-resistant soft glam.

Makeup Artist Tip:
Use a waterproof tightline + sealed outer corner lashes to prevent lifting in wind.

Best Places to Take Wedding Photos at CT Venues

These add both venue keywords + bridal makeup keywords:

• Waterfront lawns

• Garden arches

• Estate steps

• Outdoor terraces

• Birch tree rows

• Ballroom window walls

Each type of location affects how your makeup photographs.
I adjust:

• glow level

• blush placement

• shine control

• lash style

• undertone balance

so you look flawless in every lighting situation.

1. The Inn at Longshore

   The Inn at Longshore is a dream come true for makeup artists and couples alike. 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. The venue's focus on locally-sourced ingredients also ensures that my clients' skin is nourished and glowing from the inside out.

2. The Branford House

   The Branford House's marble-floored foyer provides an elegant setting for wedding day makeup application, while the outdoor terrace is perfect for capturing photos of the final look in natural light. The private beach access also offers unique photo opportunities for the wedding party, and I love using the ocean backdrop to create everything from dramatic, bold makeup looks to super natural, flawless makeup with a touch of glam.

3. The Eolia Mansion at Harkness State Park

   The Eolia Mansion's gardens 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.

4. The 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.

5. The Mayflower Inn & Spa

   The Mayflower Inn & Spa's focus on using local and seasonal ingredients in their catering ensures that my clients' skin is nourished and healthy, which is essential for achieving a flawless makeup look. The private dining room is perfect for intimate wedding parties, and the garden terrace provides a stunning backdrop for natural makeup looks.

6. The Delamar Greenwich Harbor

   The Delamar Greenwich Harbor's waterfront location is perfect for creating a natural, dewy makeup look that complements the ocean backdrop. The rooftop terrace is also perfect for capturing photos of the final look in natural light, while the luxury accommodations ensure that my clients feel pampered and taken care of throughout the day.

7. The Madison Beach Hotel

   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 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.

8. The Saybrook Point Inn & Spa/Resort And Marina

   The Saybrook Point Inn & Spa's / Saybrook Point Resort And Marina’s waterfront location in Old Saybrook, CT is perfect for creating a natural, glowing makeup look that complements the ocean backdrop. This is truly one of my favorite wedding venues to work at. It’s just such a warm, welcoming location with hands-on staff. So many of my brides get married here, and they have nothing but great things to say about it. The on-site spa and fitness center also provide opportunities for my clients to relax and destress before the wedding, which is essential for achieving a relaxed and confident look. Ask for Danielle and tell her I sent you:)

9. The Candlewood Inn

   The Candlewood Inn's 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, while the focus on custom menus ensures that my client's dietary needs are met, which is essential for achieving healthy, glowing skin.

10. 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 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.

11. Anthony's Ocean View CT

    I’ve been to Anthony's Ocean View CT more times than I can count. Such a beautiful venue with gorgeous waterfront views and fanatastic food (even as a true Italian, I’ve never met one that didn’t love it:)

    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.

    
    CT 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 service, these venues go above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of the wedding day is perfect. This attention to detail is essential in creating a relaxed and stress-free environment for my clients, which is so important for achieving a flawless makeup look for those photos that will last a lifetime.

    Here are some other great resources for your search:

    Here Comes The Guide

    Connecticut Post

    Town & Country Magazine

    Wedding Rule

    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 6 months to a year or more.

    
    If you're getting married at any Connecticut venue and want soft glam that lasts through heat, humidity, tears, and dancing — without feeling heavy — I customize every bridal look for your venue’s lighting + weather.

    Check my 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.