A Cardinal House

A Cardinal House, a small Bed and Breakfast Inn specializing in small weddings, elopement ceremonies and the renewing of marriage vows, is located on Main Street in the Historic District of Glastonbury, a Connecticut River town five miles from the capital city of Hartford. The expansive manicured lawns, formal gardens, well appointed common rooms and comfortable guest rooms make A Cardinal House the perfect setting for small, intimate, private and very special ceremonies involving two to fifteen people.

The stately circa 1850 Georgian Revival is well positioned among other fine examples of seventeen and eighteenth century architecture that together defines the quintessence of small-town New England lifestyle. Three guest rooms, one with a two-person Jacuzzi tub, have queen size beds and private baths and are decorated with a combination of antiques and reproductions designed to make your stay comfortable and relaxing. The Inn is within walking distance of restaurants, coffee shops, antique shops and boutiques. We are 2 hours from New York City, Boston and Southern Vermont; 3 hours from Maine, Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard.

The purpose of A Cardinal House is to create an intimate, relaxing and memorable event without the stress and expense of a large wedding. To set the tone, there will be no other guests staying at the Inn during your wedding event so that we may focus all our attention on making your special day magical and memorable.

Michael, a retired orthodontist, is a Justice of the Peace, Nancy, with her many years in retail, is well versed in floral design and music, and Kevin, a professional chef, takes pride in creating special and unique gourmet dinners, and together, they are able to address every aspect of your special day. There are many combinations of services and amenities that are available to make your day truly special and, because each couple's needs and desires are different, it is recommended that you contact Michael and Nancy to discuss your plans.

The purpose of A Cardinal House is to create an intimate, relaxing and memorable event without the stress and expense of a large ceremony.  Ceremonies can be performed anywhere in the formal gardens, in the gazebo, under the trellis or in the well-manicured lawn or in the formal great room in front of a warm fire from the nineteenth century fireplace.

There is no residency requirement for a marriage license in Connecticut, both the Bride and Groom may live elsewhere.  In addition, there is no requirement for a blood test and there is no waiting period.  These requirements of obtaining a marriage license in Connecticut and the fact that we are within walking distance of the Town Hall affords A Cardinal House the opportunity to offer you some unique elopement packages.

"Thank you so much for presiding over our wedding ceremony - your special consultative style added so much to our special day. Thank you for a beautiful ceremony" Lisa and Ozzie 5-21-05

Deluxe Elopement Package

Requires a Connecticut Marriage License
For two  people $690.00*

Early afternoon arrival. We will walk you down to the Town Hall to obtain your marriage license

• Late afternoon marriage ceremony in the formal gardens, gazebo or Great Room. Justice of the Peace fee included
• Champagne Toast following the ceremony
• Certificate of Marriage, suitable for framing
• We will be happy to take photos or video for you using your camera equipment
• Gourmet five-course candlelight dinner, served to you  with complimentary wine, in the formal dining room
• Specialized wedding cake or dessert for two
• One night in our deluxe Ashley Guest Suite with queen size bed, two person Jacuzzi tub, TV, VCR and air conditioning
• Full candlelight breakfast in the Dining Room or on the Veranda

*does not include appropriate taxes or gratuities.

"Words cannot express how wonderful everything was - it was absolutely perfect and everything we dreamed of! We had our fairytail wedding thanks to you with a lot less stress." Suzi and Todd  8-23-04

Intimate Elopement Package

Requires a Connecticut Marriage License
For two people $475.00*

• Upon arrival, we will walk you down to the Town Clerk's office to apply for your marriage license, if needed
• Intimate ceremony in an area of your choice in or around the formal gardens, gazebo or in the Great Room.  Includes ceremony fee
• Photography and/or video service using your equipment
• Champagne Toast following the ceremony and a selection gourmet hors d'oeuvres designed especially for you by our Executive Chef, Kevin, and served on the veranda or in the dining room
• Special wedding cake with coffee and tea service
• Certificate of Marriage, suitable for framing       

*does not include appropriate taxes or gratuities

"Thank you so much for your hospitality. You made it feel like home. We couldn't have asked for a more relaxing and enjoyable stay." 
Meghan and Justin  12/8/07

Basic Elopement Package

Requires Connecticut Marriage License  
For two people $320.00*

• Upon arrival, we will walk you down to the Town Hall, if needed to apply for your marriage license
• Intimate ceremony anywhere in or around the formal gardens, in the gazebo, Great Room or Library
• Includes ceremony fee.Champagne Toast, or non-alcoholic sparkling cider, and chocolate dipped strawberries or a selection of chocolate truffles
• Photography and/or video service using your camera equipment
• Certificate of Marriage, suitable for framing

*does not include appropriate taxes

"Thank you for all you both did to make our wedding so very special.  Everything was just wonderful - exactly all we hoped it would be.  Blessings to you both, and we'll see you at our renewal of vows." Julie and Kevin  7-21-05

Elopement packages start at $320.00 and there are many combinations and amenities that  we are able to offer, and because each couple's needs and desires are different, we recommend that you contact us to discuss and design a package that reflects your special day.

Deluxe Small Wedding Package

Requires a Connecticut Marriage License
For the Wedding Couple and Up to 15. Additional guests, call for pricing

• Afternoon or early evening customized wedding ceremony anywhere in or around the formal gardens or gazebo or inside in front of a glowing fireplace in the Great Room or library
• Floral package consisting of A Cardinal House bride's bouquet and boutonniere for the groom made with fresh flowers
• Champagne Toast and hot and cold gourmet hors d'oeuvres
• Reception  in the formal dinning room, library and Great Room and on the veranda, weather permitting
• Candlelight coffee and tea service with customized wedding cake
• Certificate of Marriage suitable for framing

"We can not begin to thank you for all your warm hospitality.  You've made our weekend - and especially our wedding day - so fabulous so it truly exceeded our dreams!" Kim and Douglas 5-20-06

Basic Small Wedding Package

Requires a Connecticut Marriage License
For the Wedding Couple and Up to 15.  Additional Guests, call for pricing

• Customized wedding ceremony anywhere in or around the formal gardens or gazebo or inside in front of a glowing fireplace in the Great Room or in the cozy Library. 
• Champagne Toast following the ceremony and a Certificate of Marriage suitable for framing
• For those couples who do not want any food or have made arrangements for dinner elsewhere.

"Thank you so much for the wonderful ceremony.  you did such a great job! Also, thank you Nancy for the beautiful Unity Candle." Jeff and Shannon  8-7-04       

Renewal of Marriage Vows Package

For two people $690.00*

• Renewal of Vows Ceremony anywhere in the formal gardens, gazebo, or inside in the Great Room or Librar
• Champagne Toast followed by a  5-course candlelight gourmet dinner for two, specially prepared  by our executive chef, Kevin, and served to you in our dining room
• Photography and/or video service using your camera equipment
• One night in the deluxe Ashley Room with queen size bed, two-person Jacuzzi tub, T. V. and VCR
• Full candlelight breakfast in the dinning room or on the veranda

*does not include appropriate taxes or gratuities

"Thank you for giving us a wonderful weekend experience. You have left us with endearing memories. This great experience has truly changed our lives." Mark and Rhonda  5-27-06

All of A Cardinal House Elopement, Wedding and Vow Renewal Packages can be customized to address the individual needs of each couple.  To help plan your Special Day, we recommend that you contact Michael and Nancy.  A Special Place for Small Weddings and Elopements