FLORENCE GRISWOLD MUSEUM WEDDING

Lucia and John opted for the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme for their wedding because Lucia grew up going to the galleries with her dad and fell in love with the impressionism – a style of painting that originated in France using bright colors, visible brushstrokes and were often inspired by landscapes.

When you are on the museum grounds, you can really envision painters overlooking the Lieutenant River and taking in the views for inspiration. So naturally, we had to use some of the galleries for their portraits! All the while respecting the artist’s work and simply using the rooms with the art as the backdrop, rather than the actual art itself.

The Florence Griswold Museum is housed in a historic 191-acre property that includes the Florence Griswold House, a stunning Federal-style building that was once home to the artist Florence Griswold and her famous artist colony. It’s a spot filled with charm and history, making it a perfect location for couples who want to tie the knot in a venue with character. The beautiful house, gardens, and galleries all combine to create a one-of-a-kind artistic atmosphere for your wedding day.

Hosting your wedding at an art museum offers your guests, your friends and family, the opportunity to experience the beauty and intellectual stimulation of fine art in a way that is immersive and engaging. It’s an experience that feels exclusive and enriching, allowing your guests to connect with the art on display while celebrating your love in a unique, sophisticated space.

The museum’s grounds are just as stunning as the art inside. The property sits on = beautifully landscaped land with mature trees, flower gardens, and a sereneview of the Lieutenant River. The gardens themselves are often used as a backdrop for outdoor events, but they’re also just a peaceful place to walk around.

You’ll find sculptures and art installations scattered around the grounds, and it’s a great place to relax, take in the scenery, and enjoy the beauty of nature. It is like something out of a romantic novel. The guests at Lucia and John’s wedding were taking so many photos of the surrounding grounds, the backdrops and the way the light danced through the trees. Truly iconic.

Their cocktail hour consisted of utilizing the rolling grassy hill grounds which lead the guests to the main building of the museum, equipped with outdoor porch-like seating and admiration for the building’s white columns. They brought an elevated element to their cocktail hour by having a champagne tower, in honor of the bride’s occupation as a sommelier and wine educator.

Being a sommelier, they valued having quality champagne and wine. During cocktail hour, the couple had a champagne tower for guests to witness before joining cocktail hour for the food and conversation. A little pro-tip: a tower of this size ends up needing 5-6 bottles of champagne in order to reach that bottom row of glasses. So bring enough to be prepared! You can even pre-fill the bottom half of the tower before starting to pour to assure it creates that cascading look that people love. Here is some advice about correctly stacking a champagne tower.

A Florence Griswold Museum wedding means making the most of the outdoor spaces, as to preserve and respect the galleries indoors. Lucia and John opted for a sailcloth tent in the outdoor patio area where guests gathered for their reception.

They had an August wedding which meant that day’s sunset timed up with the start of reception. To take advantage of the warm light, we took a moment away from the cocktail hour crowd to take some fun, playful portraits before heading to reception under the tent. The sun dipped below the horizon right as we walked back up the hill toward reception.

You do not have to invest in every aspect of your wedding day – it is totally possible to take a budgeted approach to different vendors depending on what you value. If you value timeless imagery that allows you to relive your wedding day, investing in photography is a must.

After their first dance followed a few toasts that were genuine and came from the heart. I loved seeing the reactions of siblings and other loved ones laughing and cheering.

If your venue isn’t as lush as the grounds of the Flo Gris, maybe florals are where you invest heavily. But for Lucia and John, food was top priority. They wanted delicious, intentional and thoughtful food options that both the guests and themselves actually enjoyed and would remember for years to come. They were able to feast on delicious passed appetizers, a shellfish station and ultimately indulged in whole lobsters for dinner.

Getting married at an art museum offers a unique opportunity to celebrate your union in a space that transcends the conventional, providing an experience that blends culture, art, and refinement. The venue itself contributes to an unforgettable atmosphere, offering a timeless backdrop and an experience that will resonate with you and your guests for years to come. For couples seeking a wedding that combines intellectual depth and aesthetic beauty, an art museum is an inspired choice.