Over the years, I have photographed at so many different wedding venues – around the world in Europe, and in our very own Connecticut. As a wedding photographer in Hartford CT, one full service wedding venue that is always a pleasure to visit, is La Bella Vista in Waterbury.
If you’re imagining a day where you can celebrate your ceremony, cocktail hour and reception in one place with lots of local hotel accommodation and really delicious food with incredibly attentive staff, this may be for you. La Bella Vista is a little fragment of Italy right here in Connecticut. They blend timeless charm with modern sophistication and location wise, it’s really a hidden gem.. All at once, it is warm, friendly, and grand.
Marissa and Charlie were looking for magic! They wanted an intentional day surrounded by their closest loved ones, and a team of vendors that took the time to really get to know them! Read more about what made La Bella Vista the perfect venue for them, and why it might be just what you’re looking for!
A Place That Has It All
I love La Bella Vista Waterbury because it is a “one-stop” venue. You can do everything in one location, from the ceremony to the reception and all the amazing pictures. For couples, this helps the day feel less hurried and more laid-back. There are hotels very close by for you to spend the morning getting ready. However, La Bella Vista also has getting ready suites if you’d like to wait to put your dress on until you arrive at the venue or if you just need a place that you can relax for a moment, privately. They only take one wedding at a time, so you never have to worry about a secondary event taking place and they have unusually long reception times (up to six hours) if you want to dance the night away!
To top it off, their made from scratch cuisine is absolutely delicious. They have amazing appetizers, meals that are custom to each guest (you can actually request how you would like your filet cooked), interactive dessert stations, and fabulous service.
Finally, before we dig into the details it is also worth mentioning that as a full service wedding venue, in addition to their own catering set-up, they include all service, culinary, and bar staff, a personal Maître D’ for the bridal party and planning support. Todd and Tricia in particular are two of my most favorite members of La Bella Vista team!
La Bella Vista’s premier ceremony space and grand foyer
Imagine a private courtyard with beautifully laid stonework, a 30 foot water feature backdrop, white pergola, and plenty of greenery, along with rows of white chairs arranged precisely and a stone archway covered with flowers and foliage. It accommodates beautiful ceremonies, and when you have dramatic cloud coverage, it is absolutely gorgeous. In case of inclement weather, they also have a stunning grand foyer with high ceilings and a dramatic marble turret as the focal point and backdrop. It is perfect for the guest experience as you transition from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception. This is often overlooked at some venues. At La Bella Vista you feel like everything is cohesive but you’re still experiencing so much visual interest and aesthetic transitions.
While it is a beautiful space to exchange vows, it is also a great space for an outdoor cocktail hour! It is easily accessed from the indoor cocktail lounge. They can easily accommodate a DJ or Band set up and from a photography perspective it is wonderful because it is very easy to access each side of the ceremony and get close without feeling like you’re in the way of guests viewing the ceremony.
The Grand Ballroom
The grand ballroom has gorgeous ceiling draping, a show stopping marble dance floor, and gorgeous chandeliers along with an in room bar. Additionally the champagne chiavari chairs and beautiful sweetheart table make the room elevated but still perfect for personalization with florals. You really don’t need more than that. It is a huge space that can accommodate up to 500 guests, but for maximum guest enjoyment they cap weddings at 300. That way even when the dance floor is packed, it is still comfortable. For smaller weddings, they can easily partition the rooms so you don’t feel as though you have too much space. It is so wonderfully customizable.
Although the area feels airy and open because of the high ceilings, the warm lighting keeps it comfortable. As a photographer, I find it absolutely perfect. Big enough to catch broad dance floor images, it also features lovely decorative corners like the in room bar and details for those delicate, quiet moments—like a dad toasting with watery eyes or a grandmother holding her granddaughter’s hand.
Oh, and the dance floor. Couples LOVE having their first dance here. From first dances to full-fledged dance parties, the aesthetic of the space is always on point. I have photographed whirling twirls, happy leaps, and some of this space’s finest candid dance moments.
Why La Bella Vista
The team at La Bella Vista make the day absolutely seamless, and the guest experience is top notch! I really can’t say enough about it. To recap the amazing spaces:
- The Private Courtyard
- The Grand Foyer
- The Grand Ballroom
- The Cocktail Lounge
- The Getting Ready Suites
Additionally, there are so many wonderful areas for photos. If you want to stay exceptionally close to the venue there is a lovely wrought iron archway in the back of the venue which is great for privacy as well as being a covered area in case of rain. The ivy wall, ceremony pergola, and stonework provide additional photo opportunities as well as the grand foyer. If you’re willing to venture out there is beautifully manicured landscaping and foliage of which to take advantage.
Why Couples Love La Bella Vista Waterbury
Over the years, I have observed how comfortable couples feel at La Bella Vista Waterbury. The team is professional, friendly, and efficient, which equals a wonderful experience for the couple and their guests.
You are not hurried from one half of the day to the next – they are experts at weaving enough time for your transitions throughout the day so you never feel rushed. They’re akin to having a seasoned planner on your team. Though they have an efficient model, they also ensure there’s room to customize each event to their unique couple’s tastes. One couple had their guests arrive with a gentle performing string quintet by the ceremonial arch. Another used the patio for cocktail hour and a first dance, and a live saxophonist was also there. The venue lets you make it your own.
Thinking About La Bella Vista Waterbury?
I can’t recommend La Bella Vista Waterbury enough if you want your wedding in Connecticut and you want a gorgeous, serene, and utterly charming venue.
This is one of those locations where time slows down, and you really enjoy every part of the day. La Bella Vista takes care of you like a family. It is perfect for pictures and memories, and most importantly, it is a wonderful spot to spend one of the most important days of your life.
Every time I shoot here, I count my blessings—not only for the beauty but also because I get to document actual love stories where couples are focused on creating an intentional day surrounded by their closest friends and family. Seriously, pinch me!
Reach out, whether you’re considering La Bella Vista Waterbury for your wedding or simply gathering ideas. I’d be delighted to share more details, answer your questions, or showcase past wedding galleries. Visit my website to learn more about what I can do for you! Who knows? With my camera in hand, you can find me, ready to capture your special day!
Happy planning! Remember, the best wedding photos come from places—and people—filled with passion and joy for their wedding day AND for their marriage.
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Full Vendor Team:
Venue: La Bella Vista Weddings @labellavistaweddings
Photography: Catherine Johanna Photography
makeup: Face Forward by Em McNulty @emmcnultymakeup
hair: Cashmeir Bridal @cashmeir_bridal
florist: Roma Florist @roma_florist
Officiant: Donna
Baker: Modern Pastry Shop @modern_pastry_shop_inc
Dress: Lastrina Girls Bridal Salon @lastrinagirlsbridalsalon
Suit: Mens Warehouse @menssuitwarehouse
stationer: Truly Engaging @truly.engaging
DJ: DJ Ruggz @iamdee_ruggz_a2q
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