Weddings
Weddings at Gillette Castle State Park
Perched on the 7th Sister hill, 200 feet over the Connecticut River is the 14,000 square foot stone wonder that is Gillette Castle. The outdoor terrace, with the Lower Connecticut River Valley as a scenic backdrop, is available to rent for small wedding ceremonies.
Availability:
The space is available to rent from June thru September, on Saturdays only. Because our first priority is to provide for the visitors to the Castle, weddings can only be held at 10:00 A.M. or 5:30 P.M.
Only the outdoor space on the terrace is available. No facilities inside the castle are provided. In the event of rain, ceremonies can be held under the cover of the side porch. There is no facility for receptions.
The guest list must be 50 people or less to account for the standing capacity of the terrace.
Fee:
There is a non-refundable, non-transferable fee of $285 to rent the terrace for a wedding ceremony.
The fee covers the following:
- Use of the terrace for one-half hour
- 20 chairs (No additional chairs may be brought in)
- Lectern
- Extension cord
- Maximum of 3 vehicles allowed to drive up the Castle driveway. (No limousines)
- Pictures may be taken on the terrace and/or Castle grounds.
- A rehearsal can be arranged, upon request, between 2 PM and 4:30 PM on the Friday before the scheduled ceremony.
Those hosting events are reminded that the park is a public facility and visitors are permitted on the grounds until sunset.
Weddings may be booked after January 31st for the upcoming season.
For questions or to apply for a permit to rent the terrace for a wedding, contact us at 860-526-2336.
Please note, the above information is for permitted weddings on the terrace, with use of the facility and assistance from park staff. As this is a state park, members of the public are allowed to hold small weddings on the grounds without getting a permit. If you choose to go that route, please make the following considerations:
The park is a public facility and all visitors are permitted on the grounds until sunset.
Private events must not block public access or infringe, in any way, on the ability for others to enjoy the park.
Gillette Castle State Park is situated in the towns of East Haddam and Lyme. Be sure to check the specific location of the ceremony to ensure you get your marriage license through the correct town. For example, the castle, Visitor Center and Ferry Landing are located in Lyme. The ponds are located in East Haddam.
Per Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies §23-4-1 - §23-4-35:
State parks and state forest recreation areas shall be open for public use daily between sunrise and sunset. Vehicles may enter daily from 8 a.m. and must leave the park by sunset.
Possession and consumption of alcohol is permitted in the park so long as the container is no more than 1 liter.
No person shall cause or allow any noise which infringes on the ability of others to enjoy state park or forest property.
Full coverage tents are not permitted in day-use areas, including, but not limited to, beaches, parking lots and picnic areas. Rigid frame (event-type) tents are not permitted to be erected on state park or forest property.
No person shall dispose of any material in a state park or forest, except in receptacles provided for such disposal.
Parking of vehicles shall be limited to such places and hours as designated by markings, signs or postings. At Gillette Castle State Park, parking is only permitted in the main lot adjacent to the Visitor Center, the dirt parking lot by the Goldfish Pond, the Upper Picnic area and the Ferry Landing.
No person may throw birdseed, confetti, rice, glitter or silly string at the rented premises.
Anyone found to be in violation of these regulations is subject to a fine.
The above list is not a comprehensive list of regulations. Please contact the park office directly if you have a question about what is permitted.
Content Updated November 2022