Romantic Gwyn Careg Inn Wedding | White Orchids & Garden Elegance in Pomfret, CT
Every once in a while, a wedding feels like it unfolded out of a dream—a little soft around the edges, perfectly timed with golden light, and full of genuine, joyful love. This wedding at Gwyn Careg Inn in Pomfret Center, CT was exactly that kind of day.
A classically romantic celebration with minimalist style and a lush garden setting, this wedding blended Old World elegance with effortless beauty. From the Greek Orthodox ceremony at Three Hierarchs Chapel to a glowing reception under the trees, every detail felt intentional, natural, and deeply personal. And don’t get us started on the baby’s breath clouds, white orchids, and soft candlelight at dusk—chef’s kiss.
Here’s a behind-the-blooms look at this late summer wedding at one of our favorite hidden gem venues in northeastern Connecticut.
venue: gwyn careg inn
Nestled into the quiet, winding roads of Pomfret Center, The Gwyn Careg Inn is the kind of venue you’d never stumble across unless you were invited—which, frankly, makes it even more magical.
The property, originally built in the 1700s and expanded in the early 20th century, has a distinct European manor feel. Ivy-covered brick. Forest-lined drives. Fountains. Arched stone doorways. It’s lush and lived-in in the best way, and once you step into the walled Spanish garden, you understand why couples fall head over heels for this place.
The couple leaned into the inn’s charm, keeping their color palette soft and timeless to let the venue do the heavy lifting. From the shaded ceremony path to the reception under the trees, everything about Gwyn Careg offered the ideal canvas for a refined floral story.
From the start, the couple wanted their floral design to feel refined, ethereal, and understated, but never boring. They gravitated toward white-on-white with an eye for texture and negative space, trusting us to play with form and balance to keep things visually interesting.
We used:
Clouds of baby’s breath to create a sense of air and softness.
Trailing orchids and playa blanca roses for movement and elegance.
What we didn’t use: filler. This palette was all about restraint. We let the flowers speak with space around them, avoiding the temptation to overdo it. The result? A floral story that felt calm, romantic, and totally timeless.
bouquets + boutonnieres
The day began with sweet, quiet moments: the bride and her girls getting ready in the stately guest rooms upstairs, surrounded by vintage wallpaper, tufted headboards, and soft morning light. There’s something about the way this inn holds sound—it makes everything feel calm.
The bride, radiant in a sleek off-the-shoulder gown, carried a bouquet that mirrored her minimalist-meets-romantic taste. White roses, baby’s breath, trailing orchids, and a sculptural touch of greenery gave her florals an elegant flow, with just the right amount of movement.
Meanwhile, the groom and his groomsmen were getting ready downstairs. His boutonniere was classic white with a whisper of texture—simple, masculine, and sharp against a timeless black tux.
The bridal bouquet had modern romantic energy: long-stemmed orchids, clustered garden roses, and loose greenery trailing just so. We wrapped it in soft silk ribbon and let it cascade naturally.
The bridesmaids’ bouquets were lighter, airier interpretations, mostly baby’s breath with a touch of roses—perfectly scaled to complement their pale gowns without competing with the bride.
Boutonnieres were kept clean: a white rose, a sprig of greenery, and custom ribbon accents. These clean shapes looked sharp against tuxedos and stayed fresh all day thanks to a few secret florist tricks.
ceremony
Before returning to Gwyn Careg for the reception, the couple hosted a deeply meaningful ceremony at Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Chapel in New Haven. The chapel, with its rich woodwork and iconography, offered a beautiful counterpoint to the softness of the reception setting.
We dressed the space with two large altar arrangements that combined cloudlike baby’s breath with white garden roses—creating a serene, sacred atmosphere without overpowering the space. These pieces would later be repurposed into the reception design (our favorite kind of floral efficiency).
design notes worth stealing
Thinking of a wedding at Gwyn Careg or a similar garden venue? Here are a few things this wedding did especially well:
1. Keep your palette restrained.
Sticking to shades of white and soft green allowed the natural setting to shine and made every bloom feel intentional.
2. Reuse your ceremony flowers.
We built the altar pieces to be easily moved and integrated into the reception design—no waste, all impact.
3. Let the venue set the tone.
Gwyn Careg is already a stunner. Don’t fight the setting—enhance it. This couple leaned into the venue’s European charm and kept things airy and timeless.
4. Don’t underestimate the power of candlelight.
As the sun went down, the garden transformed. The candles flickered, the florals glowed, and the whole place felt magical.
centerpieces
Let’s talk tables. This reception featured a mix of round tables and farm tables, giving the layout some visual interest. For florals, we kept it light and garden-y:
On rounds: low, lush wreaths of babys breath surrounding a handful of candles.
On farm tables: a runner-style design made from bud vases and loose blooms, tucked between floating candles in hurricanes.
The overall vibe? Soft, glowing, and not too full. The goal was to let guests talk across the table without tall pieces blocking the view—while still delivering a strong floral moment. Guests entered the lawn through the Spanish Garden—stone walls, rose trellises, and tall trees casting dappled shade. Tables were set under bistro lights, with soft linens, flickering candlelight, and low, floral centerpieces.
We brought over the ceremony arrangements and repurposed them around the reception space, giving them a second life near the sweetheart table and bar. This kind of smart floral reuse is always in style—it extends the life of your flowers and keeps the day feeling cohesive.
Later, guests danced under the stars, sliced into a classic buttercream cake, and lingered long into the evening, soaking up the warm night air and candlelight. The entire reception felt like a love letter to late summer in New England.
the vendor team
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the vendor team *
Photography: Kel C Photography | Reception Venue + Catering: Gwyn Careg Inn | Ceremony: Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Chapel | Floral Design: First Blush Weddings + Events | Event Coordination: Rachael Mary Weddings
Planning a Garden Wedding of Your Own?
We absolutely loved being part of this celebration, and we’d be honored to help bring your vision to life, too. Whether you’re dreaming of a Gwyn Careg Inn wedding, a coastal estate, or an intimate backyard soirée, we specialize in creating floral experiences that are deeply personal, effortlessly romantic, and full of natural beauty.
You can learn more about our wedding floral packages here, or just send us a note and let’s start planning something lovely.