The Best Wedding Vendors in Essex, CT

The Best Wedding Vendors in Essex, CT

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1000+ Wedding Vendors in Essex, CT

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat 

5.0

Essex, CT
  • Venue
  • Up to 230 guests
  • Select services
  • Outdoor & indoor

We make our beautiful facilities, equipment, and catering staff available for weddings, reunions, meetings, and other events. We have four beautiful indoor/outdoor event spaces to choose from, all different and unique in their own way!

Why you'll love this venue

  • Has a dance floor for celebration
  • Provides lighting and sound
  • Space for a large guest list

Venue considerations

  • Venue feels large for events with small guest lists
  • Not for you if you are looking for something nontraditional
  • Not wheelchair accessible
I have loved coming to the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat museum since I was a child so when my husband and I got engaged, we knew we had to get married here. It was such a magical venue and was reasonably priced. They truly don't try to nickel-and-dime you like a lot of other wedding venues, they just want you to have a good experience. The bridal suite was a beautifully decorated air-conditioned train car. We also decided to add on a roundtrip steam train ride down to the CT river and a steamboat cruise as our cocktail hour (honestly didn't cost as much as you'd think...). Our reception was inside the hall and was perfectly air-conditioned and decorated. We did a buffet option and the food was good! If you decide to get married outside, just remember that it IS an active train yard so make sure your officiant has a microphone. Meredith and Tyler were very easy to work with while planning the event. I highly recommend getting married here. Oh, and your photos will look INSANE.
Kayla M., 7 months ago
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Mystic River Entertainment 

5.0

  • DJ
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Serves Essex, CT

Uniquely crafted music and purposeful lighting can empower you to create the most incredible and memorable night. Let me help you make that happen. Mystic River Entertainment is a modern DJ entertainment and lighting company for wedding and private events.

Awarded Best of Zola
Jeff was an absolutely incredible DJ! My wife and I were initially worried about people not dancing at our wedding, but Jeff completely eased our concerns and far exceeded every expectation. From the very first song, he had the dance floor packed and it stayed that way all night long. With 160 guests, I think every single one of them was up and dancing hours straight. Guests are still telling us it was the best music they’ve ever heard at a wedding, and many said they couldn't leave the dance floor because it was too much fun. It was the best night of our lives with our favorite people. Leading up to the big day, Jeff was unbelievably organized and professional. We spoke with a number of DJs, but Jeff stood out immediately as the most prepared and thoughtful. His online planning tools made the entire process seamless and stress-free, and whenever we had questions, he was always quick to respond and reassure us. He took the time to understand exactly what we wanted and then delivered beyond our wildest dreams. He created the perfect edit for our first dance and seamlessly mixed so many of our favorite songs throughout the night Jeff doesn’t just play music he created an unforgettable experience for us. We placed all of our trust in him, and he knocked it out of the park, over and over again. If we could give Jeff 1,000 stars, we would. We cannot recommend Jeff enough to anyone planning a wedding.
George, a month ago
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LA Page Makeup 

5.0

  • Beauty professional
  • Team of 13
  • Starts at $500
  • Serves Essex, CT

Hi guys! I’m Lauren and I am the owner of LA Page Makeup. I’ve been providing makeup services to CT and New England for over 14 years and have found nothing lights up my world more than serving clients and giving them the confidence to shine! I have earned my beauty and theatrical makeup certificates, as well as certificates in lash lifting and tinting, brow lamination, and more. Continued education is so important to me! My favorite part of doing makeup is the look of awe my clients get when they look in the mirror. If I can help give you the confidence and self-love to shine, I’ve done my job right!

Awarded Best of Zola
LA Page Makeup was an absolute delight to work with for our wedding day. From our very first interaction, the team was incredibly friendly, professional, and detailed in their communication, putting us at ease throughout the entire planning process. On the day of, our hair and makeup artists were so talented and truly made the getting ready period even more fun and special. They listened closely to our vision and executed it flawlessly, creating looks that were picture-perfect and long-lasting. Their attention to detail was impeccable, and we felt so cared for and beautiful thanks to their expertise. We cannot recommend LA Page Makeup highly enough - they helped make our wedding day dreams come true!
Ella B., a year ago
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Wood & Word Blooms, sola wood floral designs (faux not fresh) 

5.0

  • Florist
  • Starts at $1,500
  • Serves Essex, CT
  • Offer

🌹 WE ARE NOT FRESH FLOWER FLORISTS. WE WORK WITH WOOD & FAUX FLOWERS. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IN YOUR REPLY. 🌹 Wood & Word Blooms is run by a Jen Angle, former teacher of 20+ years and specializes in using hand-painted wood flowers along with a faux, dried and preserved florals (nothing fresh here) to bring your wedding vision to life not just for that one glorious day but forever. Besides designing for you, I also offer DIY Wood Flower Experiences to create your wedding florals alongside me in person or virtually and 1:1 sessions to help DIY brides learn to do it themselves.

Awarded Best of Zola
Jen was absolutely amazing! Everything is customized to what flowers and colors you want. Jen is very go with the flow, but also can also make suggestions based on her experience. She was great when I needed to either add or subtract things as we got closer to the wedding. Overall she is fantastic to work with and the end products are phenomenal. I loved everything we got!
Erin Z., a year ago
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Anne Fitzgerald Makeup Artistry 

5.0

  • Beauty professional
  • Starts at $500
  • Serves Essex, CT
  • Offer

Anne Fitzgerald is here to help you achieve what you envision for your wedding makeup look, collaborating with you in achieving glowing skin health, scheduling a bridal makeup trial, and being a calm, confident presence on your big day.

Awarded Best of Zola
Mother of the bride here! Ann and her crew were absolutely wonderful. They showed up on time ready to get to work and made all of us look gorgeous! I received many compliments during the wedding reception as to how my hair looked, especially! I have very fine thin hair that goes flat immediately and, an in company made it look full and the style held the entire night. Anne, you need to tell me what you used on my hair!
Nancy G., a year ago
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Dawson Entertainment Production, LLC 

5.0

  • DJ
  • Serves Essex, CT

Dawson Entertainment is a DJ, lighting and photo booth company founded by Jason Dawson (DJ JD) in 2007. With his background in nightlife event production as Music Director and resident DJ at Shrine Nightclub inside Foxwoods, Jason combines the high energy, smooth transition mixing style of a nightclub DJ with the refined experience and fun playlist of a wedding DJ to keep the dance floor rocking! All of our DJ's come from this background of skilled mixing. Combine that with fun additions like Mirror Photo Booth, Uplighting and Marquee Letters and you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable event!

Awarded Best of Zola
Jason was an amazing DJ and we would work with him again! He did the music for our wedding and the sound system for our ceremony. He was very organized, professional, skilled, and easygoing. He was poised and classy throughout the wedding, and was great at gauging the vibe/adjusting the music accordingly. He followed our recommendations exactly. Our guests were really impressed and so were we! We strongly recommend him to anyone looking for a classy, professional, but warm and kind DJ!
Alex T., a month ago
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The Pavilion on Crystal Lake 

5.0

Middletown, CT
  • Venue
  • Up to 210 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $20,000

The Pavilion on Crystal Lake is a lakefront wedding venue located in Middletown, CT. The charming property offers picturesque event spaces for both ceremonies and receptions, as well as other special occasions. Couples can celebrate their love and commitment to one another with guests in the venue’s beautiful barn that overlooks Crystal Lake. To alleviate wedding-related stress during the planning process, their award-winning team is happy to assist with details big and small.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Private area for the wedding party
  • Provides lighting and sound
  • Wheelchair accessible

Venue considerations

  • Large venue, not ideal for small guest lists
  • No on-premises lodging options
Awarded Best of Zola
The Pavilion on Crystal Lake provided an excellent wedding venue experience. Their communication was clear, concise, and friendly. The venue had a warm, rustic, and intimate atmosphere that perfect. The Pavilion's wedding planners were attentive, and nothing ever occurs that they cannot handle. As a JP who has worked with them before, I know the Pavilion team will go above and beyond to support both the couple and the officiant in making the wedding day seamless and enjoyable.
Carol S. S., 10 months ago
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The Barns at Wesleyan Hills 

5.0

Middletown, CT
  • Venue
  • Up to 225 guests
  • All-inclusive
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $25,000

The Barns At Wesleyan Hills is a historic wedding venue located in Middletown, CT. With glorious topiary and glistening ponds on the grounds, this one of kind barn offers beauty both inside and outside its walls. This venue accommodates one wedding per day, allowing couples to enjoy this spectacular location and the surrounding grounds at ease. Our award winning team of professional wedding planners, chefs, wedding coordinators and mixologists are here to help make planning and celebrating your wedding a breeze! Your guests will be in awe of the timeless one of kind beauty paired with award winning farm to table cuisine and the best hospitality in CT. We are ready to help tell your story and ensure you have the best wedding ever - we are just a call, text or email away!

Why you'll love this venue

  • Has a fun and festive vibe
  • Provides lighting and sound
  • Unique barn setting

Venue considerations

  • Best for events with big guest lists
  • Not for you if you're looking for a sleek and contemporary space
  • No on-premises lodging options
Awarded Best of Zola
This venue was my dream venue but what made it even better was they are amazing to work with. All the staff wants you to have an amazing wedding day and they work with you every step of the way. The team took everything my now husband and I wanted and turned it into a reality. I did not have to worry about a single thing the day of the wedding we told them what we wanted and they made it all come to life. Shannon, our day of coordinator and Eddie, the catering manager make sure my husband and I had anything and everything we needed from the second we stepped on the property the morning of the wedding. We are forever grateful for them, making our wedding day as magical as we wanted it to be.
Bri, 2 months ago
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Terrence Irving Photography 

5.0

  • Photographer
  • Fine art style
  • Starts at $4,200
  • Serves Essex, CT

Black Connecticut wedding photographer, purveyor of the artistically-engineered photography experience. That's a crafty way of saying, I'm a computer nerd who's pretty good at photography and believes in great service! Digital image gallery, print rights, and beautiful, physical prints included with every package. My work focuses on telling my couples’ wedding day love stories through the pictures I capture. Artwork is the goal, whether it’s a highly-stylized posed photo or a moment where a loved one is emoting.

Awarded Best of Zola
We found Terrence very early on in our wedding process. His gallery had some of the most beautiful photos we had ever seen; some were dramatic, which is what my husband loves, others were soft, warm, and candid, which were my favorites. To find a photographer that could fit both of our styles was so exciting. Terrence’s package was over our budget, in part because we were marrying in NY, so would have to pay a travel fee. I was convinced I could find someone within budget. I searched and agonized for an additional two months. Finally, my now-husband convinced me that the photos would be the one thing from the day we would get to keep forever and we sprang for Terrence and let me tell you, both of us have agreed the extra cost was more then justified. In high heat and humidity and looming storms, Terrence did everything he could to keep us on-schedule and to get incredible photos at a venue he had never even been to. We just received our sneak peak gallery and all of us are in awe of the photos he captured. We look forward to working with Terrence in the future for other big life moments, and you should absolutely book him too - engagement shoot or wedding, Terrence will capture your moment perfectly!
Amanda L., a year ago
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Everlasting Affairs, LLC 

5.0

  • Planner
  • Offers 3 services
  • Starts at $4,000
  • Serves Essex, CT

Everlasting Affairs was born out of a driving passion for the event industry and the ability to mold our clients dreams into reality. Since our inception, we’ve committed ourselves to creating impactful and one of a kind experiences for our clients and their guests, no matter the size of the event. Our team strives to meet and exceed the needs of each and every one of our clients. This is because we understand the importance of working with (not just for) our clients in order to make their events unforgettable, forging memories that last long after the last guest leaves.

Awarded Best of Zola
We could not have been happier to have Victoria on our team for our July 2024 wedding! We hired Victoria for wedding day management. She went above and beyond throughout our planning process and made us feel like we were her top priority, even though we know she works with many couples throughout the wedding season. Her organization, attention to detail, and patience are unmatched. The BEO that she creates for the wedding day was so informative and detailed and brought so much joy to this Type A bride! During planning, I was struggling with the color scheme and table design for the reception. Victoria came to my rescue and helped design our table scapes and handled all correspondence with the rentals company. The outcome was absolutely stunning and I could not have been happier. Similarly, I did not know how to go about creating the timeline for our transportation and wedding day. Victoria provided this for us and it was seamless and so easy. Our family and wedding party were so impressed with how she ran our wedding rehearsal. On the wedding day itself, she made sure that the day flowed smoothly. From collecting and setting up all of our day-of details, orchestrating the flow of our wedding ceremony, and even bustling my wedding dress, she was involved in every aspect of our day and ensured that it was perfect. My husband and I could relax and be fully present knowing that Victoria had everything under control. I cannot recommend Victoria and Everlasting Affairs highly enough!
Tess D., a year ago
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Chelsea Rush Photography 

4.9

  • Photographer
  • Classic style
  • Starts at $2,415
  • Serves Essex, CT

📸 Hi, I'm Chelsea, a wedding photographer with a love for capturing joy! With 5 years of professional experience (many more years as a hobbyist), my style mixes classic elegance with candid moments. I believe in creating a relaxed, fun environment, ensuring your special day is beautifully immortalized. Let's capture your love story! 💌

Awarded Best of Zola
Chelsea is AMAZING! We did our engagement shoot and wedding photos with Chelsea; my husband and I head over heels in love with how the photos came out. During all the time we spent with Chelsea, she made us feel so comfortable and natural. We loved how Chelsea let us be ourselves and captured all the beautiful candid moments of us together. She knows how to bring a good balance of candid photos and posed photos (which can sometimes feel awkward, but she made it so easy and fun!). She is insanely creative! We gave her some general direction of what photos we wanted and trusted that she could have fun and surprise us with the results. She more than delivered with this! Chelsea also is so impressive with her turnaround time for photos. Both our engagement shoot photos and wedding photos were returned to us so fast! Our wedding guests raved about the photos. We cannot wait to return to Chelsea in the future, and we wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone in need of a photographer!
Rachel d., 4 months ago
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Evergreen Farms 

5.0

Dayville, CT
  • Venue
  • Up to 150 guests
  • Raw space
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $3,000
  • Offer

Are you envisioning a wedding surrounded by the warmth of a modern barn, the charm of rustic details, and the natural beauty of a 5-acre tree farm? Look no further than Evergreen Farms, nestled in the heart of Dayville, CT, the perfect canvas for your love story. Our venue seamlessly blends rustic charm with modern sophistication, providing a timeless backdrop for your celebration. Picture-perfect settings await as you explore our expansive tree farm, a serene escape for breathtaking photo opportunities. Elevate your celebration with customizable catering options starting as low as $20 per person, ensuring a delightful experience for you and your guests. We would LOVE to hear from you!! To find out more information or to schedule a tour, you can email us at evergreenfarms22atgmaildotcom or submit an inquiry at wwwdotevergreenfarms22dotcom ! At Evergreen Farms, we're not just a venue; we're the beginning of your forever. Let us be the canvas for your love story.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Raw space for complete customization
  • Has a dance floor to dance the night away
  • Allows pets

Venue considerations

  • No all-inclusive dining options
  • No on-premises lodging options
  • Not for you if you don't want a rustic vibe
Awarded Best of Zola
Evergreen Farms was the perfect wedding venue for our special day. From the moment we first reached out, Jess and Mike were incredibly responsive, helpful, and detailed in their communication. They were flexible and accommodating, even opening the venue early to ensure our vendors had enough time to set up. The venue itself was spacious, with a beautiful rustic charm that provided a creative backdrop for our celebration. All of our guests were amazed by the stunning space, especially the large dance floor that kept the party going all night long. Jess and Mike went above and beyond to help us create the wedding of our dreams. We are so grateful for their exceptional service and highly recommend Evergreen Farms to any couple looking for a truly special venue.
Maria P., a year ago
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Smudge 

5.0

  • Beauty professional
  • Team of 10
  • Starts at $600
  • Serves Essex, CT

My name is Amber, and I'm the owner of Smudge. I have been in the industry for 10 years working weddings, editorial, and film. Weddings have been a constant throughout my career and styling brides has been my favorite type of make-up. I love being a part of someone's special day and creating a look that makes them feel like the best version of themselves. In 2018 I started Smudge, a team of on-site hair and makeup artists based in South Eastern CT, specializing in weddings. We're an onsite team that serves all of Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, and beyond. *Now booking 2025 and 2026*

Awarded Best of Zola
Working with Smudge for our wedding day makeup/hair was an absolute delight. Their communication was quick, helpful, and so nice - they were able to put me at ease when I was feeling nervous, and we had a fun, laidback time listening to music while they worked their magic. The quality of their work was impeccable, stunning, and left everyone looking model-level gorgeous. The guide on their website was really helpful in knowing exactly what they needed to make the day go as smoothly as possible. Smudge truly contributed to making our special day perfect and I can't recommend them enough!
Wendy M., a year ago
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Shakeup Makeup LLC 

5.0

  • Beauty professional
  • Team of 1
  • Serves Essex, CT

Bridal beauty with your bridal bestie, that's me! Your wedding day is ALL about feeling gorgeous, confident, and totally YOU—and I’m here to make sure of it! From the moment we start getting ready, I’m not just your bridal makeup artist—I’m your hype girl, personal beauty expert, and biggest cheerleader! Whether you need someone to keep the energy high, make sure you feel amazing before your first look, or bring all the positive vibes to your bridal party, I’ve got you covered.

Awarded Best of Zola
I cannot speak highly enough about Marisa! From the very beginning, she made me feel completely comfortable and empowered, allowing me to stay in the driver’s seat every step of the way. As someone who rarely wears makeup, I was nervous about not feeling like myself on such an important day, but Marisa listened carefully and recreated a natural yet radiant look that felt so me. I truly felt beautiful and like myself, which is all I could have hoped for. Marisa has such kind and warm energy. She was thoughtful and genuinely invested in making sure I felt my best. She even sent me off with a personalized touch-up bag complete with lipstick and other little goodies that added a really special touch. I’m so grateful to have had her as part of my special day.
Erica M., 4 months ago
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AVENTZ Co. 

4.8

  • Planner
  • Offers 4 services
  • Starts at $2,700
  • Serves Essex, CT

AVENTZ Co. - curating eclectic, eccentric, and elegant event experiences for all, while celebrating individuality and creativity. Abby your planner has over 10 years in the event industry and has worked in every aspect of the event industry before becoming an event specialist. At AVENTZ Co., we genuinely care about you, your event, and your guests. Our goal is to ensure that your special day is not only fun and memorable but also safe and stress-free.

Awarded Best of Zola
My husband Alex and I got married in June of this year at Eolia Mansion. After nearly two years meticulously planning our big day I just knew that we needed the right person to help us pull it off, and wow did Abby exceed expectations and boy did we wish we had worked with her earlier on. Abby truly went above and beyond for us from helping with our timelines and floor plan, to executing our decor and managing vendors on a VERY short load in/load out window, to instructing our family/friends. To this day our close friends and family continue to say how amazing Abby was and have had nothing but the highest words about what an incredible job she did so that we could all just be in the moment and enjoy our special day!! Just to top it all off at the very end of the evening my husband accidentally left his keys behind and Abby drove out of the way to drop them off at our after party. Thank you Abby for everything!!
Caitlyn and A., 2 months ago
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HairstylesCo. 

4.9

  • Beauty professional
  • Starts at $150
  • Serves Essex, CT

Hey there! I'm Meghan, the founder of HairstylesCo! Want to know a little about how it all started? As a kid growing up in the 90s, barbies, Polly pocket, basically any doll that allowed you to customize the hairstyle…you name it, I had it. Picture this tiny girl holding a barbie styling head, running as fast as her 7 year old nugget legs would carry her. All to show her mom the “twist braid” hairstyle she spent hours “creating”. Guess you could say I knew my path all along…Fast forward to hair school, 15 years ago. First day-I knew I was in the right place! Now to describe my style-I'd rather give you a visual.

Meg's work speaks for itself - she is so talented at what she does! She was amazing to work with from the first time I reached out to her to the big day. I sent over some ideas prior to my hair trial and after sharing a picture of my dress, she helped me pick the perfect style to match it. It made the trail so easy and minimal changes had to be made to achieve the perfect look. On the big day, she was on time, professional, and so much fun to work with. My hair tends to get frizzy very easily when it's down (in this case half down), but she made sure it stayed looking amazing all night long, despite lots of dancing and even some rain in the evening. I cannot say enough good things about her! She's so talented and made me feel so beautiful on my wedding day. I highly recommend her to everyone and anyone looking for a hairstylist for their wedding!
Kat B., a year ago
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Evermore Beauty 

5.0

  • Beauty professional
  • Starts at $375
  • Serves Essex, CT
  • Offer

Evermore Beauty, based in Ellington, Connecticut, is a beauty service that provides on-site wedding day makeup and hair. The company is owned by Eve Grenon, who is a certified makeup artist and has been doing makeup professionally for over 13+years, specializing in bridal. She understands how it's one of the biggest days of your life which is why she specializes in bulletproof bridal makeup. Makeup that will last throughout all emotions and weather. She’s also teamed up with Megan O’Neill, who’s 18+ years behind the chair has provided amazing hair styling, intricate updos and long lasting curls for all types of hair types and weather!!

Awarded Best of Zola
Eve and Megan were incredible to work with!! I HIGHLY recommend Evermore Beauty! From the start, Eve was responsive, organized, and knowledgeable. I don’t use a lot of makeup usually, and she gave me a look that felt glamorous AND natural. I never wanted to take it off after the trial and wedding, I loved it so much! And it stayed on all day without a single worry. Eve gave me a touch up kit that I never even had to use, which was a really sweet touch. My hair was also incredible thanks to the talented Megan! She gave me so much volume, which is hard to do with my hair, and I got so many compliments! Both Eve and Megan are not only talented, but also very kind and fun! You will not regret having Evermore Beauty be a part of your big day :)
Alyssa Z., a year ago
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First and Last Productions LLC 

5.0

  • Videographer
  • Cinematic style
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Essex, CT

WHOLEHEARTED WEDDING FILMS -- I have filmed & produced over 350 weddings to date and enjoy capturing all of the beauty and magic of a wedding day. My style ranges from cinematic to classic to documentary so what I offer is a bit of everything for your viewing pleasure. Go to my website and read my reviews from my couples... it will tell you everything you need to know about me and my business. I look forward to possibly filming your big day!

To know Julius is to appreciate his kindness and creative brilliance. When we began our wedding vendor search in 2021, I felt overwhelmed, but Julius came highly recommended. After seeing his work, we knew he had to be part of our special day. From our first conversation, he was responsive and made planning easier. On our wedding day, he captured every moment flawlessly, leaving a lasting impression on everyone. Post-wedding, he kept us updated on the video editing process, providing quick trailers and all the raw footage. Julius even sent us physical drives and a video moment book, making the experience feel personal and special. Reliving those moments has been a joy. If you’re considering a videographer, trust me: "do the video."
Melissa L., a year ago
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Rudbeckia Florals 

5.0

  • Florist
  • Starts at $1,500
  • Serves Essex, CT

There’s a reason we’re drawn to flowers. It’s the same reason we’re drawn to the mountains, the sea and everything in between. Hi! I'm Rebecca, owner of Rudbeckia Florals. With a lifelong admiration for nature, Rudbeckia florals is an ode to this. Designs give into the will of each stem and petal to create arrangements lead by shape and texture.

Awarded Best of Zola
We are so glad that we hired Rudbeckia Florals for our wedding! Rebecca was able to quickly capture our initial vision in a creative mood board, which made it easy for us to provide feedback. We were really impressed with how she seamlessly worked with our wedding planner and other vendors to ensure her florals and the flowers in rented items (e.g. arch and pillars) were cohesive in color and style. All of the florals Rebecca created were so beautiful and several of our guests stated that they were the best they have ever seen. I would highly recommend her for any future events!!!
A&R B., a year ago
Sterling Flower Farm 

5.0

  • Florist
  • Starts at $2,000
  • Serves Essex, CT

Whether you need flowers for a small elopement or an elaborate celebration, we want to make your wedding flowers as special and unique as your love. We hope you will choose to celebrate the environment when you celebrate your special day by choosing our Connecticut-grown flowers. I treat the flowers with preservatives to help them last for your special day, rendering them non-organic.

Awarded Best of Zola
We had a wonderful experience with Sterling Flower Farm for our wedding! They were extremely responsive, easy to work with, and friendly throughout the entire process. Communication was a breeze - they always got back to us promptly with quotes and were able to answer all of our questions. On the day of our wedding, the flowers arrived on time, fresh and fragrant. The bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces were gorgeous and exactly what we envisioned. Their arrangements really brought the whole wedding together and enhanced the venue beautifully. For the high quality of flowers and customer service, we felt Sterling Flower Farm offered excellent value for our wedding budget. We wholeheartedly recommend them for any special event needing florals!
Jennifer G., a year ago
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Chad Whelan 

5.0

  • Videographer
  • Documentary style
  • Starts at $2,600
  • Serves Essex, CT

Upbeat storytelling. Free-form and organic. Specializing in short form vignette wedding films and classic full length documentary edits. I have a true journalistic shooting style which means I will never be directing you or posing shots. I want you to be as natural as possible around me and want those candid moments to reflect in your final edit. You will find my videos to be much more on the upbeat side than most without the extensive use of voice throughout the video.

We hired Chad pretty last minute- only about two months ahead of our wedding- because I read a bunch of articles from newlyweds that said not having a videographer was their top regret. Was it an overreaction on my part? Maybe. But I am really glad that we ended up having Chad capture our wedding day. He was really helpful and knowledgeable, and was able to work with us despite our short timeline. He was also very reasonably priced, and we were able to get a great package with extended time on a special. We are so pleased with how our video came out-- we were even surprised to see that there was some beautiful drone footage of the town we got married in! He has a great eye for capturing beautiful moments and putting them together in a way that is pleasing and that will last for a lifetime!
Emily C., 2 months ago
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Wendy Clare Designs 

5.0

  • Event extras
  • Gifts and favors
  • Starts at $16
  • Serves Essex, CT

Hi! My name is Wendy and I am the owner, head designer and founder of Wendy Clare Designs. I am a mom of two, who loves the sea and all things coastal, beautiful things, as well as upcycling. In my shop, which I founded in 2022, I have combined all three of these passions. I have always loved working with my hands, and am so happy to now be able to make beautiful things for you, your event and your home my full time career (after some unsatisfying ones as a lawyer and teacher).

Great gift for bridal shower attendees. Was able to rush ship. Great quality! Fairly priced Everyone loved them and the individual personality of each pattern
Julia, 4 months ago
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Brianna Ritoli Photography LLC 

5.0

  • Photographer
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $3,500
  • Serves Essex, CT

I was born and raised in the smallest little state, Rhode Island! With that comes a huge appreciation for the coast and a realization that magic can be found in even the smallest of details. Growing up in a small town where time seems to go by slower helped me learn the value of genuine connections which have now become apart of who I am.

Awarded Best of Zola
Brianna Ritoli Photography LLC was an absolute pleasure to work with for our wedding. From the very first interaction, Brianna was proactive, helpful, and extremely professional. She took the time to understand our vision and let us enjoy our special day while seamlessly capturing the essence of it all. The quality of her work was simply beautiful and fun. The photos came out awesome and we had so much fun with her as our photographer. Brianna's approach of taking our lead and letting us be present on our wedding day was invaluable, and we are thrilled with the memories she was able to preserve for us. We cannot recommend Brianna and her team highly enough!
Mishaune B., 5 months ago
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Chocolate Rose Bakeshop 

5.0

  • Cakes & desserts
  • Starts at $120
  • Serves Essex, CT

Welcome. When I first started my story, it started out with me as a young adult and starting my adventure down the road of cake artistry. Then I dug a little deeper and gave thought to what probably sparked my interest in cake decorating. Chocolate Rose Bakeshop is Griswold, CT’s fav Custom & Special Occasion Cakeshop. Our creations may look too good to eat, but they taste too good NOT to! At Chocolate Rose we take pride in creating cakes that not only look too good to eat but taste too good NOT to!

Awarded Best of Zola
We loved our cake!!! It was so moist and delicious, we ate off of it for days after the wedding and it was still just as good!! Erin was so easy to work with and so kind, we can’t recommend her enough!!
Samantha D., 9 days ago
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Poquonnock Plains Urban Farm 

5.0

  • Florist
  • Starts at $2,500
  • Serves Essex, CT
  • Offer

Couples who value local and sustainable and want their wedding or event to reflect who they are, choose PQ Urban Farm Flowers. My designs are known for their romantic, whimsical, and lush aesthetic. My work is perfect for a couple who wants a fairytale, garden, or organic minimalist wedding I am happy to work with any vision you have for your special day. As a flower farmer and floral designer, I am an expert in seasonally grown flowers. Show me your look and color pallete and I will choose the perfect in season flowers. Expect a collaborative approach as I will work with you to create a floral vision that reflects your style and budget.

MaryAnn is the most pleasant human being on earth to work with. Her whimsical style to her homegrown blooms brought the sweetest pop of zest to our wedding day. She is so helpful to plan ideas to make your vision truly come to life and turn out better than expected. My wedding was perfect in every way, I can only pray our marriage blooms as beautiful as these florals!
Rebecca C., 4 months ago
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ALM Photography 

5.0

  • Photographer
  • Photojournalistic style
  • Starts at $1,250
  • Serves Essex, CT

Hi, I'm Tony, owner of ALM Photography.. I'm a seasoned photographer with over 10 years of wedding experience specializing in true to life, unfiltered wedding photography. With more than 25 years of dedication as an emergency room nurse, I bring a unique perspective and a keen eye for detail to every shot. Brides and grooms-to-be, as you prepare for your special day, trust me to capture the magic with skillful artistry and heartfelt sincerity. Let my background as both a caretaker and visual storyteller ensure that every moment is beautifully preserved, creating lasting memories for years to come.

Awarded Best of Zola
From the moment we reached out to ALM Photography, Tony was incredibly responsive, timely, and professional in his communication. His attention to detail was evident throughout the entire process. The photos he captured of our wedding day were truly stunning, and we were amazed at how affordable his services were. He made sure to take photos of our parents and guests, as well as all the little details that made our day so special. The only thing we would have liked is if he had taken more photos of us with our wedding party and our children, I am honestly a bit bummed about that. However, I suppose I should have paid closer attention to that to ensure that was done. Overall, we are thrilled with the memories Tony helped us preserve from our wedding day. We highly recommend ALM Photography to any couple looking for an experienced, talented, and customer-focused photographer.
Jenn B., a year ago
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Kelli's Kitchen 

5.0

  • Caterer
  • Starts at $85
  • Serves Essex, CT

It is our mission at Kelli’s Kitchen to provide you with a wow factor through the elegance of our food, and the excellence of our service. Kelli has been cooking for over 20 years teaching her homeschooled children and their friends how to cook a wide array of culinary delights, from simple, tasteful appetizers to mouthwatering entrees. In that time, Kelli found her joy and artistic ability through food. That same creativity and hospitality is emanated through our food and staff to create a personalized, unforgettable experience at your event.

Awarded Best of Zola
Kelli catered to us for our June 2024 wedding. The team flowed so effortlessly together between hors d’oeuvres, entrees and desserts. Our cake was AMAZING! Such a unique flavor: blueberry lemon lavender. They provided us with buffet style—honey glazed salmon, chicken cutlets, string beans, and a salad with this phenomenal home made dressing!!! Favorite dessert was the mini cheesecake bites. The rustic decor and naked styled cake was exactly our vision. Kelli was very attentive to our needs from checking in while I was getting ready and providing drinks and hors d’oeuvres and guiding us through the transitions of the wedding. We got rain towards the end of the evening and the team did such a good job covering and moving tables and decor around. We didn’t have to lift a finger. They cleaned up fast at the end too. Kelli’s kitchen is the quickest yet most organized catering service we’ve ever had! Thank you Kelli and team for making our night so special and tasteful!
Alesia F., a year ago
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True Colors Productions 

5.0

  • Videographer
  • Storytelling style
  • Serves Essex, CT

My name is Taylor — I’m a husband, father, teacher, ocean lover, and videographer / editor based out of CT and Cape Cod. I’ve been passionate about photography for as long as I can remember, and deep down I’ve always felt that capturing moments was in some way my calling. A few years ago I began to realize that photographs — even the most compelling ones — are not able to tell an entire story. They provide a powerful glimpse, frozen in time, but even the best photographs are unable to preserve memories and emotions the way that films can.

Awarded Best of Zola
I can't say enough great things about Taylor! I knew from our initial call that I wanted him on our vendor team and I couldn't be happier with my decision! His films capture the elegant and timeless vibes I was hoping for and he was an absolute joy to plan and work with. Taylor and my photographer blended seamlessly and teamed up on the big day to work their magic. Our social media reel is my favorite thing to watch now and we're so excited to see the final product! Taylor is truly gifted and I would highly recommend him to any bride!
Lindsay C., a year ago
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The Mansion At Bald Hill 

4.9

Woodstock, CT
  • Venue
  • Up to 200 guests
  • Select services
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $1,750

The Mansion at Bald Hill is a historic, private mansion that serves as a premier wedding venue, gourmet restaurant and B&B in South Woodstock, Connecticut. The mansion is a historic landmark that offers a private, quiet getaway – making it the perfect venue for your wedding day. The team of award-winning chefs uses the highest quality of fresh, organic and local ingredients to create unique seasonal menus personalized for you. The mansion hosts six elegant guest rooms for overnight stays, and has beautiful grounds and gardens where you will celebrate your special day.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Has a dance floor to dance the night away
  • Provides setup and cleanup
  • Allows pets

Venue considerations

  • Best for events with big guest lists
Awarded Best of Zola
We couldn’t have asked for a better venue for our wedding! We wanted a venue with history, beautiful views, affordable, and only had one wedding a day -- and we got it! From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the stunning scenery and beautiful architecture. The staff was incredibly accommodating, the bartenders were so thoughtful. One brought in mint from her garden, as mojitos were my favorite drink! While there were a few moments of uncertainty and lack of communication in the planning process, it didn't take away from the magic of the day. The outdoor ceremony space was perfect, surrounded by lush greenery and gorgeous views. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about how beautiful everything was! Inside, the reception area was equally impressive, with plenty of room for dancing and celebrating. The food was absolutely delicious, and they offered a variety of options that everyone loved. The attention to detail was evident in every aspect, from the decor to the service. Overall, our experience at this venue was nothing short of magical. We feel so lucky to have chosen this place to start our new chapter together. Highly recommend it to any couple looking for the perfect and affordable wedding venue!
Camille B., a year ago
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Sarah Mariah Bridal 

5.0

  • Beauty professional
  • Team of 1
  • Starts at $725
  • Serves Essex, CT

Hello! My names Sarah Mariah and I have been styling bridal hair for 10 years! I am based in CT, but I travel all over New England and beyond! My goal is to make you feel as beautiful and confident as possible on your special day!

I hired Sarah to do my hair for my rehearsal dinner, and I wish I could have used her on my wedding day too! We spoke about what I was looking for and I showed her some photos for inspiration and she matched my vision perfectly! She had great suggestions and advice to ensure I got the perfect look and something that would last the whole night outdoors. Since then, I have hired her for other big events too and referred her to my family and friends. She is reliable, easy to talk to, and very talented. Trust me, you are in good hands!
Caroline, 9 months ago

Essex, CT reception venues by style

Outdoor spaces
Outdoor spaces