Lord Thompson Manor
Lord Thompson Manor is a private estate setting for weddings tucked away in the peaceful northeast corner of Connecticut. Located down a long, wooded driveway, this 40-acre property features a beautiful manor house, lush gardens, and indoor and outdoor spaces with cozy fireplaces. Lord Thompson Manor specializes in all-inclusive wedding weekends, offering couples the unique experience of staying on-site for everything from the welcome party to the ceremony, reception, and farewell brunch.
Lord Thompson Manor Weddings
Lord Thompson Manor offers all-inclusive wedding weekends, or as my clients call them, “fancy house party” weddings. The concept of a wedding weekend is becoming more popular, offering couples the chance to extend their celebration beyond a single day. As Brides.com explains,
“Wedding weekends entail multiple days of planned events, when you are surrounded by your closest friends and family that have come together to celebrate for the wedding”
With more time to enjoy everything from welcome parties to farewell brunches, it’s a more relaxed, intimate experience. Plus, as Inside Weddings points out,
“Many estates have a limit on how many events can be held on their property each year. This means your wedding will be unique, different, and one your guests are sure to talk about for years to come”
Rehearsal Dinner and Welcome Party
The wedding weekend starts with the rehearsal and dinner at Lord Thompson Manor. After the rehearsal, the couple may host a welcome party with drinks and desserts for all their guests. Some guests can stay on-site in the 6 guest rooms, or nearby at the cottage in an additional 7 rooms.
Wedding Preparation
Half the wedding party can get ready on the big day at the charming cottage House, a white, sun-filled space with a relaxing spa atmosphere. The venue offers a range of services, including spa treatments, hair, nails, and makeup, and will arrange lunch for you, so there’s plenty of time to relax and prepare. Meanwhile, the other half of the wedding party can get ready at the manor in the bar area with it’s rich and dramatic vibe.
If the couple chooses to do a first look, the staff can arrange it in the sunken garden where the ceremony will later be held. Music will play, and VIPs can watch from the balcony.
Lord Thompson Manor Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony takes place in the sunken garden if the weather is nice, with the stunning metal arbor as the focal point and a shrub-lined aisle leading the way. The wedding party processes down a small stairway from the ivy-draped manor, making for a grand entrance. If the weather is inclement, beautiful indoor options, such as the conservatory, are available to ensure the ceremony goes on without a hitch. Once the ceremony concludes, the impeccable staff is ready with champagne for toasts, followed by a big group photo taken from the balcony.
Lord Thompson Manor Wedding Photos
The expansive grounds offer a variety of photo locations, including the gardens, the front of the mansion, a nearby forest pathway, and the grand staircase inside. There are many unique backdrops for stunning photos.
Reception
During cocktail hour, guests can mingle around the grounds, enjoy lawn games, or relax on the heated outdoor patios. Then, they’ll be invited inside for dinner, where the rooms can accommodate 220 seated guests. After dinner, everyone heads to the conservatory for introductions and dancing. Late-night eats are served to cap off the night, and guests can stick around for an on-site after-party.
History
Lord Thompson Manor was built around 1916 by Rhode Island businessman John Russell Gladding. Located in the Thompson Hill Historic District, the estate features a large, stucco-clad, main house designed by the Providence firm Jackson, Robertson, and Adams, along with Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architecture. The Marian congregation later purchased the estate in the 1930s and used it as a monastery. Today, it is privately owned and operates as Lord Thompson Manor’s wedding venue.
Lord Thompson Manor Map
My next wedding at Lord Thompson Manor? Hopefully yours!
Get in touch to learn more about my wedding photography availability and pricing.