Category: weddings

events, Venue, weddings

Venue Spotlight: Priam Vineyards

VENUE SPOTLIGHT • PRIAM VINEYARDS

Priam Vineyards has been a Gourmet Galley exclusive venue since the spring of 2017! We’ve had the privilege of working at their beautiful countryside event space and are truly excited to shine a light on them for those who’ve always dreamed of a Connecticut vineyard wedding.

They are:

… A 40-acre farm

… Completely solar powered

… Certified vegan

… Insecticide Free

… Sustainably grown

… 100% estate

Venue highlights:

Brand New tasting room, 2019

Tented Weddings – floored with grey rug and wood dance floor

Bistro Lights, included

Private – one event per day

75 guests, inside the Winemakers Room

150 – 300 guests, tented

300 + guests, supplemental tents required – space for up to 500

Rustic Vineyard

Country setting

Quiet/private

11pm curfew

5-hour block

Includes 3 parking attendants, restrooms, tables, and white garden chairs

2 ceremony locations

Pet friendly

Words from a past Priam groom, “the most memorable thing is the view from the top of the hill. You can see half the state; it’s so peaceful and beautiful. It’s truly a unique space that can be transformed to whatever you want. The vineyard layout is really special as well. Rolling hills that wrap around the estate and the tented event space feels like the summit of a mountain.”

Gloria Priam began planting her vineyard back in 1998 with dreams of being a grower for CT Vineyards after a long career in NYC. All of that changed once she realized the quality of product being produced from her land and Priam Vineyards was born.  After dedicating every available hour to procuring federal and state liquor licensing, the winery officially opened its doors in 2003. Today, she and co-owner, Jim Meilo continue to direct the growth of the winery business, weddings, events, and wine sales.

Located in Colchester, CT, Priam Vineyards is just 25 minutes from Hartford, Norwich, or Mohegan Sun. Looking to split your time between the quiet country and the bustling historic shoreline? Head to Mystic, just 45 minutes away where friends and family can enjoy more of the Connecticut Wine Trail, craft breweries, James Beard award winning restaurants and activities for the entire family.

 

Wedding Guilford Yacht Club
events, Venue, weddings

Venue Spotlight: The Guilford Yacht Club

VENUE SPOTLIGHT • THE GUILFORD YACHT CLUB

This stunning property is located along the Connecticut shoreline at the mouth of the West River with views of the Guilford Harbor. It is a private (and gated) picturesque venue available for private and social gatherings, corporate events, weddings, and the best part, no membership or sponsor is required (although you may want to join once you see this gorgeous club)!

Venue highlights:

Private – One event per day

Includes a bridal suite with en suite restroom

160 guests, inside

Up to 300, tented

10:00pm curfew for amplified outdoor music

No curfew in the building

Dog friendly

Second story balcony

Venue includes tables and chairs

Boutique personalized menus

Colors ceremony

Complimentary pool passes

Views of Long Island Sound

Arrive or depart by boat

No additional restrooms necessary for large parties

As a Bride, plan to relax in the bridal suite while you and your bridal party sips something bubbly, it even has its own en suite bathroom! You can relax, knowing that all of your friends and family will be greeted upon their arrival both at the gate and again at the front entrance. The Gourmet Galley team will take care of every detail, from set up to break down. If you are a Spring, Summer, or Fall couple, you’ll especially love the Great Lawn where so many seasonal ceremonies take place. It dips off into beautiful salt marshes of wind-swept cord grasses and cattails, which you’ll find, are scenic year round.

After a memorable ceremony, our team will invite guests to enjoy cocktail hour on the bluestone patio featuring your favorite small bites! This is the perfect time for some competitive lawn games or just catching up with friends and family over some of our delicious cocktails. Once cocktail hour has concluded, guests will transition to the reception area, either inside for dinner and dancing or under a tent depending on your guest count (160 inside or up to 300 outside under the tent). One thing is certain; no one will want to miss the sunset. Don’t be surprised if your photographer scoops you up during dinner for an unforgettable photo-op! They are so vivid over Long Island Sound.

Photography by Tiny Human Photography 

Venue, weddings

Gourmet Galley Partners with the Preservation Society of Newport County

Gourmet Galley Catering is elated to be named a Caterer of Choice with the Preservation Society of Newport County for 2018 bookings and beyond! It’s an exciting time for our GG family, as we simultaneously celebrate 20 incredible years in business. For those planning an event {of any kind} at one of the Preservation Society’s distinguished properties, the experienced Gourmet Galley team is prepared to turn your Newport Mansion dreams into cherished memories. If you’re new here and just so happen to be in the very beginning stages of your search for the perfect venue, well, you’re in for a treat.

From humble beginnings, operating out of a small commercial kitchen in her family home located in Quaker Hill, CT, our owner, Anna Lathrop, was a young entrepreneur with big ambitions. She has nourished the company into the facility we call home today, designed to service venues and clients across the great State of Connecticut and, now, evermore into Rhode Island! Our address may have changed over the years but one thing holds constant, our mission to serve great food from the freshest ingredients possible. Gourmet Galley is proud to be a Green Business Bureau certified caterer and we provide a fun, boutique experience with a warm, and down-to-earth approach. You can expect sophisticated, yet approachable offerings from our kitchen that your guests will rave about for years to come.

Our team is excited to bring fresh eyes and creative energy into the beautiful spaces that make up the Newport Mansions. To learn more about the Preservation Society of Newport County properties, visit Newport Mansion Weddings.

Rosecliff | Weddings, Private, and Corporate Events

Marble House Terrace | Private and Corporate Events

Chinese Tea House | Private and Corporate Events

The Elms | Private and Corporate Events

To chat with an Event Specialist, get in touch with us by emailing info@annal41.sg-host.com, give us a ring at 860-415-9589 or complete the form below. Tell us your unique story and then allow us create a direct expression {of it} through your menu and event design!

Cheers,

the Gourmet Galley Family

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local, weddings

Locally Curated Welcome Bags

Hello GG friends & Happy Spring! Today we are showing our GG love for some of our favorite local businesses. It’s getting to be that time where couples begin to delve into the smaller details on their to-do list; things like ordering that pretty gown hanger, finalizing the (finicky) escort card display, and maybe, pulling together welcome bags for out-of-town guests. Dare we share our two cents on the topic? Here is our local low-down, comment below with your own shout-outs!

Let’s start with a custom bag, something reusable because we’re into the whole “sustainable thing,” and who doesn’t love a handy tote? Our go-to screen print shop? POORMORGAN located within the heart of the Velvet Mill, of course! They’re environmentally friendly too, and we like that! You’re “Totes Getting Married” so this just makes perfect sense.

Speaking of the Velvet Mill, why not dream up a custom treat and pop it in your welcome bag with a little help from the Zest crew? Co-Owner, Gabriella loves details! She’ll have you talking through all of yours to come up with the perfect confection! Let your guests decide if they could use a sweet little pick-me-up before or after wedding festivities. We promise they’ll be by the bakeshop while they’re still in town to see what else is in Zest’s case. Zest sources local too, score for a double win!

Traveling, hotel water, and, oh yeah, all of those cocktails can really take a toll… on your skin. Dehydration creeps up on you, you know what we’re talking about! Pamper your guests by including one of Firefly Farms new Lotion Bars and support a local farmer. They are certified humane and that’s pretty cool if you ask us. (“Spread the Love” label, anyone?)

Show your guests around, give them their very own private Tour de Mystic Country with a custom map of all your favorite places; thoughtfully crafted by KRUSH Graphics. Our friend Kimberly is the creative soul behind KRUSH and her beautiful work can be found throughout the area. She’s also the brain behind a locavore movement branded as Support Local (for IG users: #ShopSupportLocal and #LocalStateofMind), because she thinks Local Matters and we do too. Be sure to click over to her online shop, a portion of every purchase goes to, you guessed it, local farmers.

***Places to highlight on your map: area vineyards and/or breweries, breakfast spots like Rise or M/Bar, brunch spots like Oyster Club or Red 36, hot spots like Engine Room for drinks and nightlife, and don’t forget our beloved Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream shop! Know what else tote bags are great for? Collecting seashells! Send them to Napa Tree Point for a beach walk and maybe they’ll catch one of those stunning Watch Hill sunsets.

Since you’re featuring a vineyard or two, why not add a CT Wine Trail Passport and a bottle to the mix? Top it with a tag that suggests a BYOB. For instance, “Take me to Ford’s Lobster,” since there’s no better spot to stop for some seriously good New England fare on the water, and to soak in those coastal views.  Your guests will thank you, just look at that lobster risotto!

You can never have too many good old fashioned bottle openers or wine keys. We love the selection at MW Coastal Goods.

You are tying the knot after all… so of course you need to include some Mystic Knotwork! We love these nautical ornaments for the simple fact that they will bring back fond memories of your celebration for years to come.

Before they bid adieu, help your guests get back on the road with a proper caffeine fix… a small gift certificate to Sift as a final token of thanks for sharing in your special day. They won’t make it out of there without something sweet or savory to go with that cup of java.

Last but not least, stop by the Eastern Chamber of Commerce and pick up some tourist pamphlets to Mystic Aquarium, Mystic Seaport, and other area attractions personalized to the recipient’s interests.

Although our list could go on and on, our hope is that YOU will share your own ideas and inspiration right here in the comments. Let’s engage! Xo

PS: RESQWATER might not be local but it certainly does the trick after a night of celebrating, grab a case and tuck one for each guest into your locally curated welcome bag.

weddings

Sue & Will

The first weekend of Fall brings about a welcome shift, a lovely jolt of energy like a second wind sending us off into the latter half of wedding season. It promises cooler days and fills our heads with colorful foliage, not to mention scrumptious new offerings to refresh our palates. Its arrival was especially sweet when with it came the wedding of a very special couple, Sue & Will.

Yes, our team was abuzz with all kinds of excitement over our celebrity Groom, but as we learned more about these two kind souls, we couldn’t contain our happiness for them. Jennifer worked closely with Sue during the months leading up to their celebration, bringing her vision to life at Saltwater Farm Vineyard.

Here are some images we are so lucky to be able to share, as shot by Joshua Behan Photography!

weddings

Laura and Tim

Hello GG friends! Oh my goodness has it been a whirlwind season! We’re having tons of fun but we thought, hey, let’s pause and take a look back on some of the special people we helped celebrate in 2016. This is why we get up and put on a pot of coffee every morning, after all.

Our first look back is of Laura and Tim who were married at the Florence Griswold Museum on the most beautiful of August days. To be quite candid, we feel this is one of the best kept secret {wedding venues} on the shoreline – great choice L&T! There are lush colorful gardens, interesting out-buildings, wooded areas, and a big open lawn along the Lieutenant River that’s just perfect for a tent. One thing is for certain, this is not your mother’s wedding hall…

Here is a quick peek into L&T’s romantic New England inspired day! We fell in love with them and of course all of her PRETTY pretty details! Thank you again for having us along and congratulations from your GG family!