There’s something magical about stepping into a space and knowing it’s the one. At The Hops Company, we’ve seen that moment again and again. The quiet breath of relief, the beaming smile, the wide eyes when couples tour The Garden at The Hops or The Lodge at The Hops for the first time, it’s more than pretty flowers or rustic charm. It’s the sense that everything’s been thought through, that your wedding can feel peaceful, intentional, and entirely yours.

What follows is a real look behind the curtain: how we bring weddings to life, from the first conversation to the last sparkler send-off. If you're dreaming of a Connecticut wedding filled with natural beauty, thoughtful planning, and that grounded feeling of "this is us," you’re in the right place.

From Beer Garden to Wedding Haven

The Hops Company began as a community-focused beer garden in Derby, Connecticut. What started as a place to gather with friends has evolved into one of the most beloved wedding destinations in the state. Over the years, couples have asked if they could get married among the trees, beside the fire pits, under the twinkling lights, and we listened.

The Garden at the Hops was born: an outdoor wedding space framed by seasonal blooms, flowing water features, and private nooks that feel worlds away from the everyday. Then came The Lodge at the Hops, a warm, welcoming indoor venue that brings rustic elegance to life with high ceilings, exposed beams, and massive stone fireplaces. Today, couples can say “I do” in the garden, celebrate under a tent or inside the lodge, and move seamlessly between spaces without losing the atmosphere.

And all of it? It still feels like home.

Building Your Vision: Where Planning Begins

Wedding planning starts when you secure your date, but that doesn’t mean you have to know every detail immediately. We guide you through the process one thoughtful step at a time. Our collaborative approach makes it feel manageable and even fun.

As you begin shaping your day, we help you explore foundational questions like:

What season and time of day reflect our personalities best?
Do we envision a more intimate celebration or a grand affair?
Are we drawn to open-air settings, or would we feel more at home indoors?
What personal touches or cultural traditions do we want to highlight?

From there, we work together to map out a customized timeline, keeping your priorities at the center. You’ll have access to tools like vendor coordination schedules, layout templates, and contingency guides so everything flows from vision to execution without chaos. You can learn more about our step-by-step approach through our wedding planning resources.

The Garden in Motion: Seasonal Setups and Natural Design

The Garden at The Hops is different every time you see it. That’s because we design the space with your wedding season in mind, leaning into nature’s rhythms and colors to create a setting that feels both curated and completely alive.

In spring, we highlight delicate florals and fresh greens, often pairing them with soft linen textures and tents that let light stream in. Summer weddings make use of our flowering archways, bright seasonal blooms, and longer days, ideal for golden hour portraits before the evening cools and the fire pits light up. Come fall, the foliage around the property explodes in shades of amber and wine, while cozy accents like vintage lanterns and wooden signage bring depth and warmth.

Even the infrastructure blends in thoughtfully: hidden speakers for vows that carry clearly, overhead twinkle lights that glow long after the sunsets, and covered cocktail areas where guests can linger, laugh, and toast you with local brews. Behind it all is a team prepping chairs, laying aisle runners, trimming florals, and checking the forecast one last time so the only thing you’re thinking about is walking down that aisle.

Couples often make the most of the seasonal charm. Christina and CJ’s vibrant summer wedding embraced playful details and surprise moments, while Alicia and Brian’s romantic fall celebration highlighted the warmth and elegance of early autumn.

The Lodge: Rustic Elegance, Year-Round

Step inside The Lodge at The Hops, and you’ll feel it instantly: the warmth, the invitation to stay awhile, and the way light filters through the high windows. This space is for couples who love the charm of a rustic barn wedding but want the elegance and ease of a professionally managed venue.

Because The Lodge at The Hops is fully climate-controlled, it’s a favorite for winter weddings, cozy fall receptions, and summer couples who want indoor comfort without sacrificing style. You’ll find handcrafted wooden tables, iron chandeliers, and a layout that adapts to you. Need a private suite for touch-ups? Done. Want space for a string quartet, plus a dance floor? Absolutely.

We’ve designed the space to hold both large celebrations and smaller, more intimate affairs with equal grace. The layout shifts based on your guest count, your vendor needs, and even the flow you want between ceremony, dinner, and dancing. And because it’s so versatile, many couples use both venues. They do the ceremony in The Garden, reception in The Lodge, for a day that evolves beautifully.

Some, like Megan and Matt, opted for a sleek, modern take on rustic charm, while Laura and Bill’s whimsical garden wedding flowed seamlessly between indoor and outdoor spaces, capturing the best of both.

The Wedding Day: What You’ll Feel and What We Handle

It’s the wedding morning. You’ve woken up excited, maybe a little nervous, and the hum of setup has already begun somewhere in the distance. This is where our behind-the-scenes efforts shine.

Our team has already walked the property and cross-checked the timeline for the tenth time. Florals are arriving and being placed; linens are steamed; sound checks are underway. And you? You're relaxing, laughing with your friends, taking photos, maybe sipping coffee in the getting-ready suite.

Every minute of the day is accounted for, but not in a rigid way. We anticipate transitions: where your guests will go after the ceremony, how we’ll shift the lighting as evening falls, when the DJ needs power, and where the sunset hits just right. If a guest needs help finding the restroom, they’re gently guided. We're already adjusting if the flower girl changes her mind at the last second. And if a storm threatens your outdoor plans, your tent is already ready, your ceremony is moved indoors, and your peace of mind is untouched.

What you feel is a calm confidence: everything is working exactly as it should, because people who care are making it so.

Real Weddings, Real Emotion

It’s one thing to imagine it and another to see it come to life. Our past couples have created celebrations that feel as distinct and dynamic as their love stories. Some have gone bold and modern, like Megan and Matt’s elegant garden ceremony with clean lines and neutral tones. Others have leaned into playful romance, like Christina and CJ’s summer celebration with food trucks and a surprise ice cream truck from the bride’s family.

Fall couples like Alicia and Brian embraced the serenity of early autumn with creamy florals and soft lighting under the trees. Laura and Bill brought whimsy with movement and color, while Julia and Nick’s classic summer wedding turned the property into a timelessly elegant backdrop.

The common thread? Every wedding here feels genuine, grounded, and joy-filled. That happens when a venue allows you to bring your full self and supports that vision with thoughtful care at every turn.

You won’t find marble staircases or chandeliers here. Instead, you’ll find something that feels far more personal: open skies, warm wood, laughter bouncing off stone walls, paths lit with string lights, and the soft rustle of trees at dusk.

Couples choose us because they’re looking for something real, a space that feels naturally beautiful without being overdone, a team that says “yes, we’ve got you” at every turn, and a venue that’s flexible, supportive, and steeped in hospitality. Whether you envision a laid-back summer celebration, a candlelit fall evening, or a cozy winter gathering indoors, we offer the structure and heart to make it all happen.

Final Thoughts

We invite you to tour The Garden at The Hops and The Lodge at The Hops, walk the paths, and imagine your guests arriving. Check out our wedding planning checklist or schedule a private consultation. Talk with our team and share your ideas, hesitations, and hopes.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. We believe in grounding your wedding in what feels true to you while flawlessly supporting the logistics, timeline, and experience.

When it’s all said and done, we want you to feel what so many couples have felt here before: that this was exactly where we were meant to be.

Behind the Scenes: How We Bring Real Weddings to Life at The Hops Company