Smith Farm Gardens — Attraction in East Haddam

Smith Farm Gardens was the first and only venue we toured when planning our May 2025 wedding. After weeks of research & outreach to venues in the New England area, we came across their listing on Wedding Wire and fell in love with everything they had to offer. We visited on a cold day in December and even then, we recognized the beauty of the grounds and could picture our day there. Peggy was so kind, and it was clear how much love & care goes into maintaining & updating the property. Despite the dreary winter day, she expertly explained which flowers & plants would be in season during our wedding month, and helped us envision how things would flow. We were instantly sold.

Communication with Travis was equally as great throughout the entire planning process. He answered each & every question we had. There were a lot of logistics, but everything was handled extremely well. We took advantage of their “DJ Light” package and were generally happy with how the playlists we put together were used throughout the day. Peter was a wonderful emcee and fulfilled all of our requests. We also found our caterer (Kelli’s Kitchen), rain tent (CT Rental Center), & lighting (EZ-Occasions) vendors through Smith Farm Gardens’ preferred vendor list, which was a huge help.

We decided to rent the farmhouse & cottage for overnight accommodations. It was awesome having access to the grounds from the day before through until the morning after the wedding. Our rehearsal went smoothly, and our family & friends enjoyed hanging out at the house the night before. The bridal suite is such a defining feature of the house. Getting ready onsite was ideal and it was nice having such a lovely place to do it in. We also enjoyed our first night as a married couple in the cottage - it is a beautiful space & so peaceful in the gardens.

While we dreamed of having our ceremony on the farmhouse porch & cocktail hour in the garden, the weather had other plans and we pivoted to renting an additional tent from CT Rental Center to attach to the main reception tent. The Smith Farm Gardens staff was super helpful in not letting the rain ruin our day. Richard, the groundskeeper, worked tirelessly to ensure the chairs, tables, bars, lighting, and rentals we selected (including the garden cart & tent draping) were set up properly & to our specifications. In the end, both tents served as a romantic little oasis for us & our guests with the farmhouse & gardens as the perfect backdrop through the mist.

Overall, I can’t say enough good things about this venue. We're so happy with our choice to get married here, and loved seeing our vision come to life at Smith Farm Gardens!

Photo credit: Kate...

TL, DR: This place was absolutely perfect for our wedding and I can't recommend it enough.

We just had our wedding at this venue last weekend. It was perfect. I've been planning my wedding for over a year from Los Angeles and had to do everything via email. Nothing about Smith Farms disappointed when I finally saw it in person.

The planning process was so simple. Peggy and her son, Travis, run point on that and both are very responsive to email. Every time I had a question or request, they got back to me quickly and were accommodating. (Need to change your rehearsal time? No problem. Need to drop something off early? Sure!)

Peggy takes incredible pride in her home and every tiny corner was impeccably prepared. To say the home and grounds are stunning is an understatement. I will never forget peeking out the window of the bridal suite just an hour before the ceremony and seeing Peggy making sure every tiny stick was removed from the area I'd walk through!

Speaking of the bridal suite... SO perfect. The house is huge. The guys dressed on one side of the house and the ladies took over another. We had music running through the awesome sound system and sipped champagne from the bridal refrigerator. Seriously, EVERYTHING was thought off!

During the evening, Travis ran the fire pit where everyone gathered when they needed a break from dancing. We rented the house for the night of the wedding and the following night, which I would highly recommend. The next morning, we had a lazy, un-rushed time getting up and enjoying breakfast. Then throughout the day, our family and friends rejoined us for a bit of an informal reception. We played the lawn games that the property provides and wandered the gorgeous gardens and orchard.

Peggy stays on the property during rentals and was totally out of sight. Honestly, I found it kind of comforting, with a property that old and huge, that someone knowledgeable was available if we had a pressing question. This place has been her family's home forever and yet she's willing to open it up and share it with others without hovering or being overprotective. I couldn't do that if I had a place this stunning!

I could go on for hours about this incredible weekend, but I'll stop. The guests couldn't stop talking about the venue. The ability to rent it for the entire weekend gave us a slow-paced, relaxed event. We're already joking about how we want to rent it again for a five-year reunion. Ugh, I...

When it comes to finding the perfect outdoor wedding venue, you'd be hard-pressed to find a place that rivals the sheer beauty, charm, and hospitality of Smith Farm Garden. Our special day there was nothing short of magical, thanks to the perfect weather and the warm, welcoming embrace of our hosts.

From the moment we arrived at Smith Farm Gardens, we were awestruck by the natural beauty that surrounded us. Nestled in the heart of East Haddam, this venue boasts stunning landscapes that are a dream come true for any couple seeking an outdoor wedding. Butterflies flying, birds humming, lush greenery, and a picturesque log house, created an enchanting backdrop that set the stage for our fairytale wedding.

What truly made our experience unforgettable, however, was the incredible weather we were blessed with on our special day. Mother Nature smiled upon us, gracing us with clear skies and a gentle breeze. The sun bathed our ceremony in a warm, golden light, making every moment feel like it was plucked straight from a storybook. Our guests were as delighted as we were, and we couldn't have asked for more perfect conditions for our outdoor celebration. To this day, they rave about about beautiful and magical our wedding was!

The true heart of any wedding venue lies in its hosts and staff, and this is where Smith Farm truly shines. From the very beginning of our planning process, the team went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and supported. Their attention to detail, professionalism, and genuine care for their property made our vision left completely at ease. It was evident that they take immense pride in what they do.

Smith Farm Garden is a slice of wedding paradise. Perfect weather, a breathtaking backdrop, and a team of dedicated professionals made our special day a dream come true. We couldn't have asked for a better wedding venue, and we are eternally grateful to, Travis, Peggy, and the entire team for their exceptional hospitality and unwavering commitment to making our wedding day absolutely perfect. If you're searching for an enchanting outdoor wedding venue where your dreams can come to life, look no further than Smith Farm. It's a place where love blooms, memories are made, and happily ever...