Connecticut Wedding Group

What Connecticut Wedding Group does

Connecticut Wedding Group (legal entity Pavilion Catering, Inc.) is a Connecticut-based full-service wedding venue and event planning company founded in 1984 by Tom McDowell, with the Connecticut Wedding Group brand formed in 2008. The company operates an exclusive portfolio of four Connecticut venues: The Barns at Wesleyan Hills (historic English-style dairy barn), The Pavilion on Crystal Lake (lakeside retreat), Lyman Orchards Golf Club (orchard landmark), and Riverbend (industrial chic venue in restored mill buildings, opened December 2024). Services span comprehensive wedding planning, Month-Of and Day-Of concierge coordination, off-premise catering, and award-winning farm-to-table seasonal menus curated by in-house executive chefs.

The business model is direct-to-consumer, with couples typically engaging through website inquiries, phone contact, and in-person or virtual venue tours before booking package-based pricing tied to guest count and date selection. Reception budgets range from $15,000 to over $90,000 depending on selections. The company employs 51-100 staff including a deep culinary team, dedicated wedding planners, and event managers, all operating from the Middletown, CT headquarters (616 Long Hill Road) with a secondary office opened in Higganum in 2025.

Connecticut Wedding Group is owned by Frungillo Hospitality Group (Robert Frungillo, Owner/CEO) following an acquisition, extending the company's footprint to sister New Jersey venues Skylands Manor and The Inn at Mill Race Pond. The company has earned The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame recognition, WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards, and the 2019 ICA Catie Award for Signature Caterer, and holds memberships in Leading Caterers of America and the International Caterers Association. No external institutional funding is present in the available data.

Name

Connecticut Wedding Group

Legal name

Pavilion Catering, Inc.

Website

https://ctweddinggroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Connecticut Wedding Group operates an exclusive portfolio of four Connecticut wedding venues (The Barns at Wesleyan Hills, The Pavilion on Crystal Lake, Lyman Orchards Golf Club, Riverbend) offering full-service wedding planning, farm-to-table catering, and concierge coordination to couples planning weddings in the New England region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wedding Venue and Event Services

NAICS

Caterers (722320), Caterers (72232), Food Service Contractors (722310)

akta.pro primary industry

Full-Service Wedding Planning (HSACABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wedding & Reception Catering (HSACAGAD), Day-Of / Month-Of Wedding Coordination (HSACABAC), Wedding & Social Event Catering (THAHAKAE)

Keywords

• Wedding venue management
• Wedding planning services
• Event catering
• Farm-to-table catering
• Wedding concierge services

Headquarters

HQ city

Middletown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Wedding Venue Rental and Catering: Full-service wedding planning and execution including venue rental, farm-to-table catering, bar service, event coordination, and day-of wedding concierge services. Revenue generated through package-based pricing tied to guest count, date selection, and service level.
2. Off-Premise Catering: Catering services for events held at external venues, bringing chef-curated menus, handcrafted cocktails, and hospitality to locations of the client's choice.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Connecticut Wedding Group operates four exclusive Connecticut wedding venues combined with full-service wedding planning, in-house farm-to-table catering, bar service, and Month-Of and Day-Of wedding concierge packages. The company also provides off-premise catering for events at client-selected locations and short-term planning for couples with compressed timelines, supporting couples from initial consultation and venue tour through rehearsal and wedding day execution.

Product overview

Connecticut Wedding Group operates as a unified wedding services platform offering exclusive venue management, comprehensive planning services, and culinary offerings. The company manages a portfolio of four distinct venues: The Barns at Wesleyan Hills (historic English-style dairy barn), The Pavilion on Crystal Lake (lakeside retreat), Lyman Orchards Golf Club (orchard landmark), and Riverbend (newly opened industrial chic venue). Services include wedding planning, Month-Of and Day-Of Wedding Concierge packages, off-premise catering, and award-winning seasonal farm-to-table menus. The company also offers short-term wedding planning for compressed timelines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Barns at Wesleyan Hills Historic English-style dairy barn venue offering authentic beauty and rustic elegance for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Bookable as a standalone venue rental paired with catering and planning services for couples seeking a barn aesthetic.
• The Pavilion on Crystal Lake Lakeside retreat venue featuring views of Crystal Lake, outdoor ceremonies under pine trees, receptions with picture windows, and patio space with handcrafted cocktails. Bookable as a standalone venue.
• Lyman Orchards Golf Club Iconic Connecticut landmark venue offering quintessential New England scenery, orchard-to-table dining experiences, and outdoor celebrations under the stars. Bookable as a standalone venue rental.
• Riverbend Venue Newly opened industrial chic wedding venue blending raw industrial beauty with elevated wedding day style, located in restored late-19th-century mill buildings in Higganum, CT. Bookable as a standalone venue rental.
• Wedding Planning Services Comprehensive wedding planning services covering venue selection, menu design, timeline creation, vendor coordination, and day-of coordination for couples across all Connecticut Wedding Group venues. Sold as a standalone service package.
• Month-Of Wedding Concierge Comprehensive month-of coordination package including personalized wedding experience creation, in-person walkthrough and virtual call time with the planner, vendor collaboration, final prep and rehearsal coordination, and anniversary getaway benefits. Sold as a standalone service tier.
• Day-Of Wedding Concierge Wedding day support package providing venue access from 9 a.m., ten hours of personalized assistance, stylized decor management, wardrobe and food/beverage service attention, and seamless vendor coordination on the wedding day. Sold as a standalone service tier.
• Off-Premise Catering Full-service catering and planning for events held at external venues, bringing chef-curated menus, handcrafted cocktails, and hospitality to client-selected locations. Sold as a standalone service offering.
• Seasonal Farm-to-Table Menus Award-winning farm-to-table cuisine featuring New England's seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, with customized sit-down, buffet, and cocktail-hour menus for spring, summer, autumn, and winter weddings. Sold as a standalone catering menu package.
• Short-Term Wedding Planning Expert planning service for couples with shorter timelines (eight months or less), offering customized timelines and dedicated support to enable last-minute wedding planning. Sold as a standalone service offering.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple venues named to The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Frungillo Hospitality GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobert Frungillo, Owner/CEO of Frungillo Hospitality Group, acquired Connecticut Wedding Group as part of his family company of venues. Frungillo Hospitality Group operates several distinctive venues in New Jersey including Skylands Manor and The Inn at Millrace Pond, which are referenced as sister properties. The two groups collaborate on executive chef initiatives and share best practices across operations.
• Powerstation EventscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPowerstation Events is the exclusive entertainer at The Barns at Wesleyan Hills and preferred partner at The Pavilion on Crystal Lake and Lyman Orchards Golf Club. Their divisions include Grace & Gold Studio (photography), In Bloom Event Designs (florals), and Powerstation Events photography/videography services. Rich Gumpert leads their team.
• David Jason EntertainmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning DJ entertainment company established in 2019, featured as a preferred entertainment partner for Connecticut Wedding Group venues.
• Grace & Gold StudiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDivision of Powerstation Events providing wedding photography and videography services. Offers comfortable, fun, heartfelt experiences with variety of styles and techniques.
• Daphne & Dean PhotographyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHusband-and-wife photography team with cozy, natural, and organic style. Known for making camera-shy individuals comfortable and focusing on genuine emotions and in-between moments.
• Ashley Abel PhotographyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning photographer with 10+ years experience capturing wedding moments. Known for laid-back demeanor, bright and airy style, and attention to detail.
• Nick Cinea PhotographyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecializes in clean, timeless photography with natural poses that capture authentic personalities. Provides clear posing direction for comfortable, confident photo sessions.
• Nick Rezendes PhotographyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull-time wedding photographer based in Connecticut who loves capturing real emotions. Creates fun, lighthearted atmosphere and understands wedding stress.
• In Bloom Event DesignsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFloral design team by Powerstation Events with unique approach to event florals. Specializes in understanding the style of CT Wedding Group venues.
• The Green PetalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCustom wedding florist with highly personalized services. Inspired by color and mixing different textures of botanicals. Specializes in The Barns, The Pavilion, and Lyman Orchards.
• Floral Designs by JustineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal sourcing, grows own flowers, brings unique custom designs. Nature inspired, lush floral art style working with couples from beginning to end.
• Floral Designs by MelissaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFairfield County based floral design studio servicing CT and parts of NY, MA, RI, NJ. Specializing in luxury wedding and event floral design with 25+ years experience.
• The Li'l Plant ShopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWedding florist combining fresh florals with rich botanical textures and live plants. Creates magical, memorable designs that can be deconstructed post-wedding.
• Hilton Garden Inn WallingfordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred hotel partner with two-night minimum for room blocks. Located off I-91 in Wallingford, CT with indoor pool.
• Inn at MiddletownminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoutique hotel in Middletown ideal for rehearsal dinners, late night celebrations, and farewell brunches. Walking distance to shops and restaurants on Main Street.
• Specialty TransportationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransportation partner since 1993 providing safe, clean, comfortable transport. Experienced with CT Wedding Group venues and understands policies and procedures.
• Gateway LimousineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransportation provider since 1989 offering limousines, party buses, and shuttle buses. Full service from reservations to fleet services to trained chauffeurs.
• Lindsey LimousineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner35+ years in business, largest fleet of vehicles in Connecticut. Focus on safety, convenience, and comfort with real-time reservations and GPS tracking.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Park Chateau Estate & Gardens: New Jersey luxury wedding estate combining exclusive venue, on-site catering, and planning services. Closest geographic and model comparable to CT Wedding Group's full-service venue-plus-catering-plus-planning proposition within the broader Northeast market.
• Oheka Castle: Iconic Long Island luxury wedding venue offering full-service catering, planning, and accommodations. Comparable as a high-end, exclusive, multi-package wedding estate competing for the same premium Northeast couple demographic.
• The Venetian (Garibaldi Premier Events): New Jersey-owned luxury wedding venue with in-house catering, planning, and concierge offerings. Direct comparable on multi-venue regional operator model serving premium weddings in the Northeast.
• The Legacy Castle: New Jersey full-service wedding venue combining French-inspired architecture with in-house catering, planning, and accommodations. Comparable to CT Wedding Group as a vertically integrated, premium Northeast wedding estate.
• The Ashford Estate: New Jersey all-inclusive wedding estate with on-site catering and day-of coordination. Comparable to CT Wedding Group's barn/property plus bundled services model for premium weddings.

Peers

• Marcia Selden Catering:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ctweddinggroup
• Instagraminstagram.com/ctweddinggroup
• Pinterestpinterest.com/ctweddinggroup
• Xx.com/ctweddings
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ctweddinggroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Connecticut Wedding Group