Weddings at Gillette Castle

You can hold a small wedding ceremony on the outdoor terrace of Gillette Castle, with the lower Connecticut River Valley behind you. DEEP rents the terrace on Saturdays from June through September, at 10 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. only, for groups of 50 or fewer. The non-refundable fee is $285 for half an hour, 20 chairs and a lectern. There is no reception space, and the castle interior is not included. Call DEEP at (860) 526-2336 to apply.

What DEEP Offers

The terrace sits on the seventh of the Seven Sisters hills, 200 feet above the river. DEEP rents only the outdoor terrace for ceremonies; no rooms inside the castle are provided. If it rains, the ceremony can move under the cover of the side porch.

Dates and Times

• Season: June through September.
• Day: Saturdays only.
• Times: 10:00 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. DEEP limits weddings to these times because visitors to the castle come first.
• Booking: opens after January 31 for the coming season.

The $285 Fee

The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable and covers:

• Use of the terrace for half an hour.
• 20 chairs (you cannot bring more).
• A lectern and an extension cord.
• Up to three vehicles allowed up the castle driveway (no limousines).
• Photographs on the terrace and the castle grounds.
• A rehearsal on request, Friday before the ceremony, between 2:00 and 4:30 p.m.

Rules to Plan Around

• Guest list: 50 or fewer, set by the standing capacity of the terrace.
• No reception: there is no facility for receptions.
• Public park: the grounds stay open to visitors until sunset during private events, so expect other people nearby.
• Castle tours: run as normal. Guests who want to see inside need tour tickets.

How to Apply

Call the park at (860) 526-2336 with questions or to apply for a terrace permit. Book early: there are only two slots on each summer Saturday.

Planning Around the Ceremony

• Guest parking is in the free main lot by the visitor center (parking); only three wedding vehicles go up the driveway.
• There is no food service in the park. A picnic area and the Grand Central picnic shelter are nearby, but DEEP says there is no reception facility (plan your visit).
• Guests arriving from the west can cross on the Chester–Hadlyme ferry during its season.