Smith Farm Gardens Reviews

Smith Farm Gardens was an absolutely perfect place for our wedding weekend! The venue is stunning and the grounds were absolutely immaculate. We were able to host our welcome party on Friday and have the wedding there on Saturday. I stayed with my bridesmaids at the house on Friday night and they have a great bridal suite for all of us to get ready on Saturday morning. Patty and Travis are outstanding to work with and incredibly easy to communicate with. They even helped us set up a chef-prepared breakfast in the house the morning of the wedding for the bridal party! It is amazing how much they have transformed the venue from the time we booked it through the wedding day. On the evening of our wedding it became unseasonably windy and cold but Travis and Peggy sprang into action and pulled down the flaps of the tent to block the wind so it wasn’t cold. They were incredibly prepared and helped make the weekend unforgettable.

We had a pretty solid idea of how we wanted to get married and what we wanted the event to be like (upscale house party, haha), and we definitely wanted to be able to stay on site and host the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception all in the same area. This estate checked all the boxes and then some.
Our wedding was definitely a smaller one with a total of just around 50 people, and we were finding that so many venues would make our party look empty because they were just too large to fill. And while Smith Farm Gardens can accommodate a large group, our small group fit just fine too! Travis is super responsive and helpful. The house itself is a living museum and is beyond beautiful. The grounds are very well-maintained and they seem to be making upgrades to it all the time.

If I could give 20 stars I would. Smith Farm Gardens was the most perfect place for our wedding - we chose it because we wanted a venue to stay the weekend at. Travis and Peggy were UNBELIEVABLY responsive, kind, and accommodating. If you are thinking about booking, DO IT!!

The house is stunning and meticulously cared for, with every amenity we could possibly need. Our wedding party stayed for the whole weekend and we hosted our rehearsal Friday night. The kitchen was huge and perfect for prep, the house has a sound system through the inside and outside that was easy to use, and the bedrooms were clean and comfortable (if lacking a little in privacy but hey it’s a party!). A major plus was the giant bridal suite which gave us a spot to get ready with every detail covered - champagne fridge included!

The gardens are to die for and the whole property is beautiful - fire pit for your guests, patios and furniture, several ceremony locations, an orchard, walking paths, and stunning gardens. We had a tent set up just next to the house. There are even brand new trailer restrooms for guests that are nicer quality than some hotels.

Beginning to end, this place is fantastic and we are so grateful that Peggy and Travis shared their beautiful home with us. I can’t say enough good things. BOOK A TOUR!!

A DREAM!!! After having to reschedule our wedding from October 2020, and finding a new venue 3 months before our postponed wedding date, Smith Farm Gardens was the absolute best to work with and I couldn't imagine our wedding any other way. The entire wedding weekend was beyond perfect. We hosted our Rehearsal Dinner on the property Friday night, followed by our ceremony & reception Saturday. Travis & Peggy were beyond accommodating and their property is just stunning. All of our guests could not stop commenting on how perfect the venue was. We stayed on property for two nights and the guest accommodations were so comfortable, spacious and had every amenity we could possibly need. The bridal suite was the perfect space for getting ready, fully equipped with closets, speakers, mini fridge for mimosas, bobby pins, chap stick, hair ties, EVERYTHING! We look forward to the opportunity to go back in the future.

When my husband and I started our search for a wedding venue, we knew our wedding-planning expectations were a little… ambitious. We wanted an intimate, 35 guest wedding in the middle of winter (so, indoors), and all within about 3 months from our engagement. While we aware that this was asking for a lot, we didn’t want to sacrifice having a “true” wedding experience - including a beautiful venue.

After many places told us that our wishes just couldn’t be fulfilled, words cannot describe what a blessing it was to discover the Peggy and Travis at Smith Farm Gardens! From the moment we saw the venue, we fell in love and knew it had to be our place! Even in the dead of winter, the grounds were story-like and beautiful, and the cozy (yet elegant) setting of the house was absolutely perfect for the intimate environment we wanted with our closest loved ones. From the bridal suite of my dreams (complete with the most glamorous full length lit up mirror) to the stunning fireplace and living room in which we held both our ceremony and reception, this place was true perfection.

While they expressed that this would be their first time putting on a winter AND indoor wedding, Peggy and Travis were amazing and never made us feel like it was impossible. They only ever showed excitement and willingness to work with us. Not only were they were they gracious and reasonable, their incredible talent and passion was so clear with every interaction we had. The result was the most gorgeous, dreamy winter wedding I still can’t believe was my own! So many of our guests have expressed that this was the best wedding they’ve ever been to, and I’m confident they’re not just saying that! I couldn’t imagine a better one myself. I want for every wedding to be as wonderful as my own, so please please please, if you have even the slightest hint of curiosity about this venue, consider Smith Farm Gardens! Indoor or outdoor, large or small - not only is this place stunningly gorgeous, but I can assure you that you will be in the very best of hands!

Tyler and I couldn’t have chosen a more beautiful venue for our wedding this past weekend. Smith Farm Gardens is absolutely gorgeous, from the sunken gardens to the orchard, to the bon fire area and wooded trails. There are endless places to take pictures and mingle and our guests raved about the farmhouse, especially when it was lit up after sunset. Everyone dreamed of what it would be like to live there.

Travis and his family went above and beyond to help make our day special. They were kind enough to store our dance floor in their garage when it arrived sooner than planned. Travis also performed acoustic music for our ceremony and cocktail hour and guests LOVED him! They are an amazing family who we can’t thank enough, especially for answering the endless amount of questions I had.

I only have two really minor critiques which may help a future bride. We set up our welcome tables with programs, guest book etc. in a specific area that we assumed guests would walk by (near a parking lot entrance). We later found out that guests would be parking on the opposite side of the property and it was too late to move tables. So unfortunately everyone missed our programs and had to go back for the guestbook. My second critique is that we barely had cell reception in the upstairs bridal suite and I’m unsure if they would have provided a WiFi password. My advice would be scheduling a walk-through of the venue about a week out so all these minor issues can be worked out.

Overall, I couldn’t recommend this venue more for anyone looking for a rustic yet elegant outdoor, New England wedding!

Smith Farm Gardens could not have been more perfect for our special day! Peggy and Travis were east to work with, and clearly take pride in the house, their property, and the events they have there. We were able to do several site visits, with family and vendors prior to the event. And the wedding day could not have been more perfect! The gardens are so beautiful and you really don't need to do much to make them work for your wedding. The bridal suite was perfect for getting ready. There were more photo opps than we could take advantage of! Everything was easy and seamless and beautiful. Highly, highly recommend!

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 firepit 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, unrushed 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 miss it there!

We had the most amazing wedding at Smith Farm Gardens - I quite literally couldn't imagine a more perfect setting for our wedding. Travis is so easy to work with and cares so much about making his client's experience and wedding day amazing. The grounds are impeccable and every time we would go to tour the venue there were always multiple people working on the grounds and gardens maintain them throughout the year. Not only is the farmhouse, the cottage and the whole property breathtaking and picturesque but Travis is so kind and accommodating. There is a reason why this venue is one of the most sought after in New England. If you're thinking about booking with them just do it - you will not regret it.

Smith Farm Gardens was the best place to host our wedding. The property is beyond beautiful. They have thought of every detail. From our first visit to the actual day of the wedding, they have continued to upgrade the property. The gardens are stunning. From start to finish working with Travis and Peggy was easy and seamless. You can see how much they love sharing this property with everyone. I could not recommend Smith Farm Gardens more!!

What an amazing venue alongside an amazing family that runs the show. A venue like no other, our guests raved about the house, the grounds, and how beautiful everything was.

We could not have found a more perfect venue for our wedding day! We visited the site for the first time in the dullness of late November and somehow instantly knew it was our choice simply by the expansive grounds and beautiful architecture we saw. Fast forward nine months to our wedding day and Smith Farm Gardens was lush with greenery and the perennial gardens vibrant with color! We used the property for not only our wedding but our rehearsal dinner as well. The gorgeous historic home and grounds could not have provided a more beautiful backdrop for our outdoor ceremony and tented reception and also so many of our wedding photos. The interior home is large enough for the bride and groom and wedding party to get ready in while still remaining completely separate which was an added bonus. The bridal suite, in particular, was a perfect room for my bridal party and I to be together in the excitement of the day to come! Working with Travis throughout the process was wonderful - he was quick to respond to emails and easy to communicate with, especially as we navigated COVID wedding planning. We can’t say enough about the beauty of this venue and how immaculate and stunning this property is. We are so grateful we found this extraordinary venue which allowed us to experience the absolute vision of what we hoped for on our wedding day!

We had our wedding at Smith Farm Gardens in July of 2019, and it was the absolute perfect venue. Travis and Peggy were so accommodating, laid back, and helpful, and made working with them so simple. They did everything they could to make sure our day was perfect. The grounds are so beautiful, and they were able to accommodate everything our wedding needed. We had a large tent that was put up in the open field, and the extensive grounds made it easy for guests to spread out and enjoy the beautiful areas. We stayed at the house both the night before the wedding and the wedding night, and got ready for the wedding right at the house. The huge bridal suite and attached room perfectly fit myself and 6 bridesmaids getting hair and makeup done, but also having a place to hang out that morning. Our photographer fell in love with the venue and all of it's scenic backgrounds for photographs. We got some beautiful pictures that we will treasure forever. We had an absolute blast and we are so thankful we chose Smith Farm Gardens for our wedding!

We loved our venue! Nestled in the back roads of East Haddam, Smith Farm Gardens offered a beautiful, big space that met our needs perfectly. We loved that there was plenty of room for a tent as well as lawn games, a separate space for cocktail hour, a fire pit, and larger grounds to wander on. The house was also a perfect and charming home base for getting ready. Peggy and Travis were a pleasure to work with, and added thoughtful touches for us like flowers from their garden for our rented outdoor bathroom. We loved learning about all of the programs the grounds are used for during the day, and even enjoyed some vegetables from their farmstand in the days leading up to the event. This is a great venue; we’d highly recommend it!