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Eolia Mansion at Harkness State
4.8 ★★★★★ 714 Google reviews · Garden wedding venue in Waterford, Connecticut
Mansion turned park with gardens, a beach and picnic areas, plus weddings.
Plan your tour
- Pricing packages mentioned around $650 — confirm with the venue, since dates and package tiers change what's included
- Pets pet-friendly comes up in reviews — ask about having your dog in the ceremony
- Today see hours ·
- Phone +1 860-443-5725
- Website portal.ct.gov — most venues book tours right on their site
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
The setting
“I had a wonderful time wandering around the park and gardens if eolia mansion, unfortunately I didn't get to explore the interior due to it being closed when I went.”
Amenities couples mention
“Remember to take the time and smell the roses!”
“It was also nice to see people with blankets watching the sunset.”
“You can stroll the gardens or the fields along with your dog.”
What couples say again and again
“It is the perfect place for an elevated, coastal wedding that feels thoughtful and graceful (not to mention, completely gorgeous).”
“The mansion’s classic architecture and soft, historic charm make it an incredible backdrop, and the grounds offer so much space for portraits.”
“I don’t know how much it cost but let’s just say it is worth every penny.”
From the reviews
Just went to a wedding here this past Sunday and it was amazing! The ceremony was overlooking the Long Island Sound. The Garden was gorgeous!!!! I don’t know how much it cost but let’s just say it is worth every penny. Elegant, Sophisticated and the service was phenomenal.
As a Central PA and East Coast wedding photographer, I focus on creating timeless, elevated, and elegant imagery and that was SO easy to do at the Eolia Mansion at Harkness State Park. It is the perfect place for an elevated, coastal wedding that feels thoughtful and graceful (not to mention, completely gorgeous).
It was my first time visiting Harkness State Park. It's a beautiful park. My daughter got engaged there. We soon realized that it's a very popular place for photos, and photo shoots ranging from engagements, to after wedding photos. The mansions, and gardens on the property make for a beautiful backdrop.
As wedding photographers, we see a lot of different venues. We can hands down say that Eolia Mansion is one we love! The mansion is beautiful and spacious, but the grounds is where the real magic is at. The garden areas are so stunning and make for the most picturesque spots.
Getting married at Eolia Mansion at Harkness State
Eolia Mansion at Harkness State comes up for weddings — confirmed on their own site. Two things make the tour worth it. First, see the garden at the time of day and season you'd actually get married — a garden that glows at golden hour in June can look very different at noon in March, so ask what's in bloom for your date and walk the path your guests take from parking to ceremony to reception. Second, bring your real questions: the rain plan (where does the ceremony move, and does it hold everyone?), shade and bugs for a summer afternoon, the catering and bar policy, the music curfew, and exactly what's included — tables, chairs, setup, and teardown are where quotes quietly diverge. Popular garden dates book 12–18 months out, so if the tour feels right, ask what's open in your season before you leave.
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