George Boyle
Enders Island is an 11-acre island off the coast of Mystic, Connecticut, and is home to St. Edmund's Retreat, a Catholic Community that offers hospitality to all who are seeking hope and healing. The island has a variety of retreats, workshops, and programs, with many opportunities for prayer and reflection. Enders Island is a popular destination for those seeking a peaceful and tranquil setting, with beautiful gardens and scenic views. While the island is open to the public and visitors are welcome to explore the grounds and participate in the retreats and programs offered, it is unclear if the island can be rented out exclusively for a wedding. However, there is a mention of a couple who inquired about getting married outside on the island for half an hour to an hour with a small group of people.
What You'll Learn
Wedding venue rental availability
Enders Island in Mystic, Connecticut, is a peaceful and serene wedding venue option. The island is an 11-acre gem off the coast of Mystic, connected to the mainland by a causeway. It offers breathtaking views, beautiful gardens, and a chapel, making it an ideal setting for a wedding ceremony and reception.
The island is home to St. Edmund's Retreat, a Catholic Community that welcomes people from all backgrounds. The venue features the Enders House, an early 20th-century Arts and Crafts-style mansion with mosaic floors and private baths, adding a touch of elegance to your special day. The grounds include the Our Lady of the Assumption Chapel, constructed with Connecticut fieldstone and stones from Marian Shrines worldwide, providing a sacred space for your nuptials.
The venue also offers comfortable living quarters for you and your guests during your stay. While there are no elevators on the island, handicap access is available on the first floor. St. Michael's Hall, another accommodation option, provides a more familiar retreat centre experience with shared bathrooms.
Enders Island is a unique and tranquil setting for a wedding, offering a combination of natural beauty, spiritual significance, and comfortable accommodations. The island's office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, providing a convenient time frame for planning and preparation.
Please note that while the island is open to the public and welcomes visitors, it is advisable to contact the management directly to inquire about wedding venue rental availability and make arrangements for your special day.
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Wedding accommodation options
Enders Island in Mystic, Connecticut, is a peaceful and serene island retreat, welcoming visitors of all faiths. The island is an 11-acre gem off the coast of Mystic, connected to the mainland by a causeway. It offers breathtaking views, beautiful gardens, and a variety of accommodation options for those seeking a quiet and reflective stay.
For those seeking a unique and intimate wedding experience, Enders Island can be the perfect destination. The island's website mentions that visitors are welcome to walk the garden paths and spend time in the chapel, but it does not specifically state if weddings are allowed. However, a review on TripAdvisor mentions that a couple inquired about getting married outside on the island with a small group, indicating that it may be possible to rent out the space for a wedding.
The island is home to St. Edmund's Retreat, a Catholic community offering hospitality and spiritual retreats. The Enders House, an early 20th-century Arts and Crafts mansion, features rooms with mosaic floors and private baths, providing a special and comfortable stay. The Bishop's Suite is particularly notable for its mosaic floors and private bath. St. Michael's Hall offers a more familiar retreat centre experience, although it is important to note that it has shared bathroom facilities.
The island also boasts the Our Lady of the Assumption Chapel, constructed with Connecticut fieldstone and stones from Marian Shrines worldwide. This could be an ideal setting for a wedding ceremony, providing a sacred and intimate atmosphere. The surrounding gardens with their dahlias in bloom and scenic vantage points offer additional options for wedding ceremonies and receptions.
In addition to its accommodation, Enders Island provides a variety of programs, retreats, and workshops for its guests. It is home to the Sacred Art Institute and the St. Michael Institute of Sacred Art, where guests can participate in courses on stained glass, Gregorian chant, and iconography. The island also offers recovery programs and interfaith retreats for women, families, and married couples, creating a supportive community for those seeking healing and reflection.
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Wedding ceremony locations
Enders Island in Mystic, Connecticut, is a peaceful and serene wedding ceremony location. The 11-acre island is situated off the coast of Mystic, offering breathtaking views and a variety of venues for your special day.
The island is home to St. Edmund's Retreat, a Catholic Community that welcomes people from all backgrounds. Enders Island provides comfortable living quarters, including the Bishop's Suite in Enders House, which features mosaic floors and a private bath. The early 20th-century Arts and Crafts-style Enders House is surrounded by beautiful garden paths that your guests can stroll through.
The Our Lady of the Assumption Chapel is a unique ceremony location, constructed with Connecticut fieldstone and stones from Marian Shrines worldwide. The chapel offers an intimate and sacred space for your wedding vows.
For a more natural setting, you can choose to exchange your vows outdoors, surrounded by the island's exquisite gardens. Alys VanGilder Enders, the wife of the island's original owner, Thomas Enders, had a passion for gardening, and her grandniece recalls her creating concrete pathways and placing boulders across the lawn. The garden features unique shapes, such as crescent moons, horseshoes, and hearts, with dinosaur walls backing flower beds and lining up with lampposts.
Enders Island also has a variety of scenic vantage points where you and your partner can share a quiet moment and take in the beauty of the island. From mid-August to mid-September, the island is in full bloom with hundreds of dahlias, adding a pop of color to your wedding photos.
Whether you choose the chapel or the outdoors, Enders Island provides a tranquil and picturesque setting for your wedding ceremony, creating lasting memories for you and your loved ones.
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Wedding reception locations
Enders Island in Mystic, Connecticut, is a peaceful and serene location for a wedding reception. The 11-acre island is situated off the coast of Mystic, providing breathtaking views and a tranquil atmosphere for your special day.
The island is home to St. Edmund's Retreat, a Catholic community that welcomes people from all walks of life. The impressive Arts and Crafts-style Enders House, with its intricate tile work and mosaic floors, offers a unique and elegant setting for your reception. The surrounding gardens, with their concrete pathways and boulder accents, provide a seamless blend of natural beauty and intricate design.
For those seeking a more intimate setting, the Bishop's Suite in Enders House offers a private bath and special touches such as mosaic floors. Additionally, St. Michael's Hall provides a more traditional retreat centre experience. The island also features Our Lady of the Assumption Chapel, constructed with Connecticut fieldstone and stones from Marian Shrines worldwide, offering a sacred space for wedding ceremonies.
Enders Island provides a variety of spiritual retreats, workshops, and programs, as well as opportunities for prayer and reflection. The island is known for its healing and hopeful energy, making it an ideal setting to begin your new life together. Imagine exchanging your vows in the beautiful chapel, followed by a reception in the lush gardens, with the gentle sea breeze and the sound of lapping waves creating a romantic ambiance.
If you're looking for a private island experience for your wedding reception, Thatch Caye in Belize offers an exclusive 11-acre island resort with 14 villas. You can rent out the entire island for you and your loved ones, accommodating up to 30 guests. With on-site wedding planning services, complimentary water adventures, and a custom reception menu crafted by their chef, Thatch Caye provides a luxurious and stress-free destination wedding experience.
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Wedding guest activities
Enders Island is a beautiful and tranquil place for a wedding. Located off the coast of Mystic, Connecticut, this 11-acre island is home to St. Edmund's Retreat, a Catholic Community offering hospitality and welcome to all. The island boasts exquisite gardens and a peaceful atmosphere, providing the perfect backdrop for a memorable wedding celebration.
Now, onto the fun part—wedding guest activities! Here are some ideas to keep your guests entertained and create lasting memories:
Outdoor Activities:
- Lawn Games: Set up outdoor lawn games like cornhole, giant Jenga, or a scavenger hunt to keep guests entertained during cocktail hour.
- Garden Exploration: Guests can explore the exquisite gardens, admire the dahlia displays, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
- Water Activities: For the adventurous ones, offer water activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, or snorkelling.
- Bonfire with S'mores: If your wedding is during the colder months, a bonfire with s'mores is a perfect way to gather guests for stories and musical performances.
Indoor Activities:
- Photo Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of moments for guests to capture in photos, such as the couple's first kiss or group selfies.
- Bingo: Provide bingo cards during the wedding toasts, and guests can mark off clichés or phrases.
- Caricature Artist: Hire a caricature artist to create unique portraits for your guests as a fun keepsake.
- Video Game Station: Set up a station with games like Rock Band, Guitar Hero, or Just Dance to entertain guests of all ages.
- Cultural Performances: Expose your heritage through cultural dances or performances, such as Hawaiian, Irish, or Spanish themes.
- Fingerprint Guest Book: Have guests leave their fingerprints on a tree drawing as a unique and messy keepsake.
- Casino Night: Set up a mini casino for guests, complete with poker tables, roulette, and blackjack.
With these activities, your guests are sure to have a memorable time at your wedding on Enders Island!
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Frequently asked questions
Enders Island is a Catholic Community that offers retreats, workshops, and programs for people seeking hope and healing. It is unclear whether the island can be rented out for a wedding. However, visitors are welcome to walk the garden paths and spend time in the chapel.
Enders Island offers daily and week-long retreats, as well as courses in Sacred Art. Visitors can also walk the garden paths, explore the Enders House, and spend time in the Our Lady of the Assumption Chapel.
Enders Island was originally owned by Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Alys Enders, who built an impressive Arts and Crafts-style house at the center of the island. The island was given to the church by Alys before her death in 1954. Today, it is home to the Society of St. Edmund, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who run recovery programs and interfaith retreats.
Enders Island offers comfortable and hospitable living quarters, with some rooms offering special features like mosaic floors and private baths. Handicap access is restricted to the first floor only, and some rooms have shared bathrooms.
