So you've finally gotten engaged and it's time to start planning the big day. When it comes to the wedding reception, where do you picture yourselves? Are you looking for a traditional reception in a banquet hall? Beautiful water views?

There are a plethora of traditional options in the area, many of which offer full packages with food and drinks. These venues also have local partners in photographers, videographers, hair and makeup stylists, florists, DJs, and more to help streamline the process.

Today, though, many couples are exploring other venues for more intimate affairs such as libraries or theaters, river cruises or train rides, and farms, breweries, and vineyards. While these venues may allow couples to showcase more of their story and personality, they often entail a bit more legwork as details from tents to dance floors, chairs to tables, catering to bar service, and more need to be arranged separately.

BANQUET FACILITIES

Bill Miller's Castle

A rustic, elegant venue with several ceremony sites available, a gazebo, and large deck.

billmillerscastle.com

834 E. Main St., Branford | 844-284-9965

Packages from $110 to $200 per person | 203-214-8383

East Creek Landing

This 225-seat banquet hall includes a wooden dance floor, central air conditioning, and more.

eastcreeklanding.com

390 South Union St., Guilford | 203-710-3928

Fantasia

Couples will find beautiful gardens and dining room, a large dance floor, and stunning chandeliers; on-site ceremonies are offered.

fantasiawedding.com

404 Washington Ave., North Haven | 203-239-6652

Packages start between $85 and $105 per person

La Mirage

There's no site fee for ceremonies at this facility, which prides itself on its gardens, lobby with winding staircase, and state of the art restrooms.

lamirageweddings.com

111 Scrub Oak Rd., North Haven | 203-239-1961

Packages from $46.95 to $115 per person

Seasons

Formerly The Country House, this newly remodeled banquet hall has a brand new entrance, wood floors, and lighting.

thecountryhousect.com

990 Foxon Rd., East Haven | 203-467-3088

Packages starting at $79.95 per person

The WoodWinds

This European-style manor in a country setting offers on-site ceremonies and has spacious outdoor patios, elegant ballrooms, oversized dance floor, and award-winning cuisine.

thewoodwinds.com

29 School Ground Rd., Branford | 203-481-6577

Packages start at $99.99 including tax and gratuity

ON THE WATER

Amarante's Sea Cliff

This venue has water view, decks and gardens, gazebo, a spacious ballroom, and a memorable dining room with a wall of windows.

amarantes.com

62 Cove St., New Haven

203-467-2531

Packages starting at $54.95 per person

Anthony's Ocean View

Find a unique waterfront vibe with live palm trees, sunsets over Long Island Sound, a boardwalk, tiki torches, and the same chef for more than 30 years.

anthonysoceanview.com

450 Lighthouse Rd., New Haven

203-469-9010

Packages begin at $89.95 per person

Connecticut River Museum

This Essex Village spot offers riverfront buildings, beautiful grounds and boardwalk, boathouse, and docks.

ctrivermuseum.org

67 Main St., Essex

860-767-8269

$5,000 venue fee

Essex Corinthian Yacht Club

This waterfront venue on the Connecticut River with deck offers an affordable BYOB option catered by Coastal Cooking Company.

essexcorinthian.org

19 Novelty Ln., Essex

860-501-5036

$300 venue fee and catering packages starting at $35 per person

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

Get your guests out on the Connecticut River with traditional and unique venue options, including the Becky Thatcher Riverboat.

essexsteamtrain.com

1 Railroad Ave., Essex

860-767-0103

Call for pricing info

Guilford Yacht Club Events by Gourmet Galley Catering

This private waterfront venue has light hardwood floors, lots of natural light, marina and marsh views, on-site ceremonies, and custom menus.

gourmet-galley.com

379 New Whitfield St., Guilford

203 453-8995

Call for pricing info

Madison Beach Hotel

A Four-Diamond Beach Resort, the hotel has access to a private beach, bonfires on the beach, and sunrise to sunset views and hosts only one wedding per day.

madisonbeachhotelweddings.com

94 West Wharf Rd., Madison

203-868-0943

Call for pricing info

Owenego

This private beach and tennis club has 500 feet of direct waterfront, beautiful gardens and lawns, and a deck and gazebo for ceremonies.

owenego.com

40 Linden Ave., Branford

203-488-3805

Packages start at $146 per person

Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club

Guests can enjoy panoramic views of Long Island Sound, large ballrooms with a nautical theme, and a lawn and decks.

poycc.org

294 Pine Orchard Rd., Branford

203-488-2575

Packages starting at $170 per person

The Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station

Nestled next to the opera house, this spot offers celebrations overlooking the historic Haddam Swing Bridge.

theriverhouse.com

55 Bridge Rd., Haddam

860-345-4100

Packages start at $99 per person

Saybrook Point Inn and Spa

Seaside charm, several ceremony locations, sweeping Long Island Sound views, multiple lodging options, and local food commitment are at the tip of Saybrook Point.

saybrook.com

2 Bridge St., Old Saybrook

860-388-4809

Call for pricing info

Stony Creek Brewery

Mix it up with craft beers on draft in a private celebration room overlooking brew house, with views of the Branford River and a large deck.

stonycreekbeer.com

5 Indian Neck Ave., Branford

203-433-4545

Venue fees start at $4,000

Water's Edge Resort & Spa

Parties have many options, including outdoor ceremonies and cocktail receptions by the Connecticut shoreline , three ballrooms, newly renovated guest rooms and suites, and a dedicated chef and waitstaff.

watersedgeresortandspa.com

1525 Boston Post Rd, Westbrook

860-399-5901

Packages from $109 - $149 per person

NON-TRADITIONAL

Barberry Hill Farm

barberryhillfarm.com

353 Boston Post Rd., Madison

203-245-2373

Captain Stannard House Bed & Breakfast Country Inn

stannardhouse.com

138 S. Main St., Westbrook

860-399-4634

Chamard Vineyards

chamard.com

115 Cow Hill Rd., Clinton

860-664-0299

Chatfield Hollow Farm and Inn

chfbandb.com

10 Firetower Rd., Killingworth

860-452-4147

Clinton Country Club

clintoncc.org

128 Old Post Rd., Clinton

860-669-6587

The Copper Beech Inn

copperbeachinn.com

46 Main St., Ivoryton

860-767-0330

The Dudley Farm

dudleyfarm.com

2351 Durham Rd., Guilford

203-457-0770

Field House Farm

fieldhousefarm.net

623 Green Hill Rd., Madison

203-779-9187

The Deacon – Timothy Pratt Bed & Breakfast

jamespharmacybnb.com

2 Pennywise Ln., Old Saybrook

860-395-1229

Packages start at $120 per person

The Lace Factory

thelacefactory.com

161 River St., Deep River

860-526-4445

Lady Katharine Cruises

ladykatecruises.com

26 Channelside Dr., Old Saybrook

866-867-4837

Madison Winter Club

madisonwinterclub.org

251 Boston Post Rd.

203-245-9377

Parmelee Farm

parmaleefarm.org

465 CT 81, Killingworth

203-641-2341

Sweetwater Farm

sweetwaterct.com

78 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton

860-669-9473

LOCAL FAVOR IDEAS

Bevin Bros., East Hampton

Bells

bevinbells.com

Bitty Bliss Bakeshop, North Haven

Hand-dipped cake balls and cake pops

BittyBlissBakeshop on Etsy

Just Buttons and Stickers, Branford

Custom stickers, labels, magnets

JustStickerButtons on Etsy

Painted By the Shore, Branford

Custom painted glassware and sand keepsake bottles

PaintedbytheShore on Etsy

Red Rooster Gourmet Cookies, Guilford

Cookies

redroosterbaking.com

The Roxy Grace Company, Guilford

All natural Handmade bath & body products

TheRoxyGraceCompany on Etsy

Silly Ollie, Deep River

Personalized name banners, felt flower art, hand-sewn ornaments

SillyOllie on Etsy

Three Sisters Farm, Essex

Local honey and beeswax candles

threesistersfarms.com

Treefort Naturals Soap Company, Colchester

Soap and lip balms

treefortnaturals.com

Willoughby's Coffee & Tea, Madison and Branford

Coffee and tea

willoughbyscoffee.com