Wedding Receptions at The Mill on the River in South Windsor, Connecticut

The Mill on the River, housed in the Old Podunk Grist Mill in South Windsor, Connecticut, is a beautiful venue for an outdoor wedding and reception. The Mill was originally built in 1750 by colonists and the Podunk Indians. It's original dam, also built by colonists and Indians, is the oldest in Connecticut. The mill was destroyed by a flood in 1750 and rebuilt in 1775. Eventually, the dam was widened, and a covered bridge was added across the dam to get from one side of the dam to the mill itself. The old mill, now converted into a beautiful restaurant which sits on the pond the dam is built on, is one of the most picturesque wedding venues in Connecticut.

The Wedding Setting

On the lawn, directly behind the Mill on the River Restaurant is a beautiful gazebo, perfect for a wedding ceremony. Chairs can be rented from the restaurant and set up in front of the gazebo for guests. A disc jockey or band can set up a microphone if the minister feels one is necessary for the ceremony. The convenience of having the gazebo right on the grounds of the Mill on the River restaurant can not be emphasized enough, especially for elderly relatives who may have a harder time driving to a church, and getting in and out of cars between a church and the reception at the restaurant.There is an actual small church, Wapping Church, which you can call to book for a wedding ceremony, up the street about one-half mile, for couples interested in getting married in a church setting. It's a quick drive to the restaurant afterward for the reception.

The Grounds

The grounds are absolutely beautiful for picture taking after the ceremony. In the summer months, there are hanging plants around the gazebo which add color. The grounds are set on a wide river with a fountain in the middle which adds a nice backdrop for pictures of the happy couple. There is also a walkway with benches and more hanging plants, any of which add beauty to wedding pictures. In the Fall, the river is edged with beautiful trees with colorful foliage. On the roadside of the restaurant, pictures can be taken in a small courtyard from which can be seen the kissing bridge, which crosses the river from the parking lot to the restaurant.The waterfall can be seen flowing under the bridge which adds beauty to the scene. Also, the mill itself is a beautiful backdrop.

Reception Room Choices

The inside of the restaurant is as beautiful as the outside, with wood paneling and candlelight everywhere. For wedding receptions, the bride and groom have a choice of two rooms, the River Room downstairs, which seats 80 people maximum. The River Room has a beautiful glass atrium which is where the food is served in a banquet style reception. Guests can look out past the atrium glass and see the waterfall flowing under the bridge. There is a small courtyard outside of this room which is perfect for taking outside pictures. And The Rafters, an upstairs L shaped area with rafters on the ceiling, which seats 125 guests. There is one room usually used for seating, and the smaller l shaped room is home to the food tables and the dance floor. This room also has a balcony off the back so guests can step outside and enjoy some fresh air while taking a dance break.

The Wedding Reception Packages

All of the reception packages at the Mill on the River include open bar and the wedding cake. The food here is absolutely delicious, including everything from the hot hors D'Ouevres to the wedding cake. Guests usually can't stop talking about how delicious the food is.The wedding couple also works with a banquet manager, who acts as a wedding planner for the reception, as well as the wedding ceremony if the couple plans to get married on the grounds. There are four banquet packages and two stations packages available that include:

An open bar and three tiered wedding cake from a variety of cakes to choose from. White table linens and the napkin color of your choice from approximately 20 colors.

Sit Down Meals

The sit-down meals include a Spumante champagne toast, 3 or 4 cold hors D'Oeuvres, depending on the package choice you choose, and eight appetizer choices. There is a choice of tossed or Caesar salad, although two extra salad choices are available with the higher priced packages. The higher packages also into 8 - 10 butler passed hot hors D'Ouevres. There is a choice of 3 entrees and a vegetarian option for the main course. And the dessert is the wedding cake and a choice of coffee or herbal teas. With the higher priced packages, there also includes a Viennese Dessert table with petit fours, and with the higher priced choices, after dinner cordials. The reception length varies from 4 - 5 hours depending on which package is chosen.

Stations Packages

The Stations Packages are buffet style with stations for different types of food. There are two types of stations packages. Both also include a three tiered wedding cake, Spumante Champagne toast, coffee and herbal tea and an open bar.

They include three cold hors D'Oeuvres, eight butler passed hot hors D'Ouevres, tossed salad and Caesar salad, three custom carved meat stations, roasted red bliss potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and a pasta station with two choices of pasta. Depending on which choice the couple picks, a raw bar and house made sushi can also be included along with a dessert table of Petit Fours and after dinner cordials.

Costs

The cost for the reception meals, depending on the choice of a sit-down meal, or stations, runs anywhere from $59.99 per person to $84.99 per person. The peace of knowing that a wedding coordinator has everything under control, and that the bride and groom don't have to set anything up or break anything down, the bar is an open bar, and the wedding cake is included in the price, is well worth the cost of having a wedding reception at the Mill on the River Restaurant in South Windsor, Connecticut.