Connecticut Wedding Vendor Guide: From Florists to DJs
Planning a wedding in Connecticut can feel like a whirlwind of emails, spreadsheets, and suggestions from well-meaning relatives. Sometimes, knowing who to trust or where to begin is hard. That’s why a reliable, local vendor guide isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.
At The Hops Company in Derby, we understand how overwhelming wedding planning can be. That’s why we’ve partnered with some of the most trusted and experienced Connecticut wedding vendors to ensure your day runs smoothly. From florists who know how to highlight seasonal beauty to DJs who can read the room and the weather, this guide is your all-in-one starting point for curating a wedding team that reflects you.
Why Local Vendors Make All the Difference
A wedding is personal, and so is your vendor team. When you hire Connecticut-based wedding vendors, you're choosing people who know how to navigate local weather quirks, delivery routes, and venue logistics. Many have already worked at places like The Hops Company and can offer firsthand insights on ceremony timing based on sunlight, layout options for cocktail hour, or how best to set up sound systems outdoors.
Local vendors also tend to respond quicker, be more flexible with walkthroughs, and be better equipped to troubleshoot last-minute changes (like a rain plan). And if you’re juggling family opinions or planning fatigue, having someone nearby who understands the CT wedding scene can be incredibly grounding.
Florists Who Bloom in Any Setting
Whether you dream of cascading greenery down the aisle or delicate peonies on the sweetheart table, the right florist will elevate your vision while aligning with your venue’s layout. Many couples fall in love with The Hops Company’s natural beauty, so florists experienced with outdoor installations and seasonal blooms are worth their weight in roses.
Meet some trusted CT floral artists:
Floral Designs by Justine – Justine Ramsey (@floraldesignsbyjustine)
Known for personal, poetic arrangements that complement rustic and garden-style venues.The Green Petal – Alison Baker (@thegreenpetalct)
Based in Cheshire, she specializes in traveling throughout CT for weddings of all sizes. Website: www.greenpetalflorist.comRosas Florist – Bridgeport, CT (@rosasfloristct)
Multilingual service (English, Portuguese, Spanish). 3622 Main St, Bridgeport • (203) 384‑6059 • www.rosasfloristct.comKellie Rose Florals (@kellieroseflorals)
Garden-forward, bloom-heavy arrangements. Booking now for 2026. Email: kellieroseflorals@gmail.comNatalia Eva Floral (@nataliaevafloral)
With over 15 years of experience, Natalia brings heartfelt design and resilient spirit to every event. Email: nataliaevafloral@gmail.com
A subtle tip: Choose florals based on both your color palette and the season in Connecticut. May tulips or October dahlias thrive differently in the local climate, and seasoned Connecticut florists will guide you effortlessly.
CT DJs & Bands That Bring Your Wedding to Life
Music fuels the day's emotions, such as timing the first kiss, syncing the walk down the aisle, and kicking off the dance party. In Connecticut’s varied venue spaces, it’s essential to work with entertainment professionals who can adapt quickly to acoustic needs and energy levels.
Consider these standouts:
ETA Music (@etamusicct) – Award-winning CT-based band with a dynamic range, ideal for everything from ceremony melodies to high-energy dance sets. Website: www.etamusic.com
RJ The DJ and Company (@rjthedjandcompany) – Polished Las Vegas and New York‑style entertainment minus the price tag. Website: www.rjthedjandcompany.com
Total Events Wedding Pros (@totaleventsct) – 14-time Best of Weddings winner on The Knot. DJs, photo booths, and lighting rolled into one seamless experience. Website: www.totaleventsct.com
Local Motion Entertainment (@localmotionentertainment) – With 5-star ratings across CT, this Wallingford-based team thrives on creating unforgettable dance floors. Website: www.localmotionent.com
When vetting DJs or bands, ask about experience at your venue and whether they offer emcee services, lighting coordination, and custom playlists. These “small” features can make a big difference in flow and guest energy.
Connecticut Wedding Photographers & Videographers for Every Moment
Your wedding day will move fast, filled with fleeting glances, spontaneous laughter, and quiet, unscripted joy. The right photographer doesn’t just snap photos; they preserve the feeling of being fully present.
In Connecticut, where golden light filters through garden trees and each season paints its own mood, capturing those moments takes more than technical skill; it takes someone who sees the story unfolding in real time. Venues like The Hops Company, with their natural textures and open-air elegance, deserve to be documented by creatives who know how to frame not just the scene, but the soul of the day.
Here are some who deliver just that:
Kristyn Miller Photography (@kristynmillerphotography)
Emotive, artistic wedding storytelling in digital and film. Website: www.kristynmiller.com/weddings-2Rachel Marie Photos (@rachelmariephotosct)
Known for natural, romantic portraits; currently booking for 2026. Website: www.rachelmarie-photos.comEvermore Imaging (@evermoreimagingct)
A Middletown-based team that thrives on documenting authentic, unscripted moments. Website: www.evermoreimaging.comTim Costello Films (@timcostellofilms)
Cinematic wedding videos with storytelling finesse. Website: www.timcostellofilms.com
One smart move? Schedule your photo timeline around Connecticut’s “golden hour” to catch that warm sunset light across The Hops Company’s garden bridge or waterfall area.
Connecticut Wedding Caterers & Cakes for Every Flavor
One of the most enduring memories guests take home from a wedding is the meal and the care that went into crafting it. Connecticut offers a wealth of talented chefs and catering teams who approach food with love, seasonal precision, and creative flair.
The Hops Company, with its open-concept beer garden, cozy indoor options, and crafted bar program, gives couples incredible flexibility when it comes to food styling. Think gourmet sliders with craft beer pairings, late-night espresso carts, passed apps before an outdoor firepit ceremony, or beautifully plated seasonal fare beneath twinkle lights. When your catering aligns with both your taste and your venue’s flow, the whole experience becomes seamless for your guests.
And there’s real value in working with CT-based caterers, most offer tastings, personalized menu development, and familiarity with venues like The Hops Company, which can save time and eliminate day-of surprises.
Recommended Caterers:
Catering by Christine
A mobile-kitchen-based catering company known for personalized, customized service and freshly prepared food made onsite.
Website: cateringbychristine.com
Phone: (203) 331‑2051 • Email: pete@cateringbychristine.com
Instagram: @cateringbychristine_ctEmily’s Catering Group
A Bristol-based team led by chefs who prioritize seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and flawless event execution.
Website: emilyscater.com
Phone: (860) 585‑8625 • Email: rick@emilyscater.com
Instagram: @emilyscateringgroupctForks & Fingers
A farm-to-fork luxury caterer emphasizing sustainability and ethical sourcing. Chefs collaborate closely with clients to create beautiful and responsibly curated menus.
Website: forksandfingersct.com
Phone: (475) 414‑7790 • Email: info@forksandfingers.com
Instagram: @forksandfingersctMoonlight Mobile Kitchen
Since 1997, Neal and Dawn have helped couples relax and enjoy their special day with stress-free, high-quality mobile kitchen catering.
Website: MoonlightMobileKitchen.com
Phone: (203) 297‑0625 • Email: moonlightmobilekitchen@gmail.com
Instagram: @moonlightmobilekitchenSimply Delicious Catering
A mother-daughter team creating fresh, wholesome, and handmade meals using local ingredients and in-house sauces, stocks, and desserts.
Website: simplydeliciousct.com
Phone: (203) 831‑0371 • Email: simplydeliciouscatering@aol.com
Instagram: @simplydeliciouscateringSpice Catering Group
Passionate about the experience as much as the flavor, Spice works with couples to deliver thoughtful food and seamless service from first call to final toast.
Website: spicecateringgroup.com
Phone: (203) 516‑5665 • Email: info@spicecateringgroup.com
Instagram: @spicecateringgroup
Sweet Finishers:
In recent years, dessert has become more than just cake, it's a creative extension of your theme. You might opt for a cookie bar inspired by family recipes, a macaron tower to match your color scheme, or French pastries with coffee service under the stars. If you’re marrying at a venue like The Hops Company, dessert stations can easily be set up in either indoor lounges or the outdoor garden patio.
Tonie-Marie (@tonie_marie_ct)
Specializes in hand-crafted French macarons and personalized cookies. Perfect for elegant dessert tables or packaged guest favors.
Website: toniemarie.comLovely Cakes – Stratford (@lovelycakesct)
Known for rich flavors, intricate designs, and award-winning talent. All cakes are made from scratch with high-end ingredients.
Address: 195 Charles St, Stratford • linktr.ee/lovelycakesWildflower & Whisk (@wildflowerandwhisk)
Not just a bakery, this CT/NY-based studio offers fully styled dessert experiences with floral integrations and layered textures.
linktr.ee/wildflower_whisk
To enhance the guest experience even more, consider adding something interactive like a coffee cart, prosecco bike, or hot chocolate station. Many of the caterers listed here and The Hops Company team are happy to coordinate those kinds of elevated touches that make your celebration feel complete.
Connecticut Bridal Beauty, Decor & Personalized Touches
Beyond the venue and vows, the beauty of your day lives in the small, sensory details like how you felt walking down the aisle, how the lights glowed during your first dance, how your guests smiled taking home something thoughtful. This is where the magic of personal styling, imaginative décor, and fun extras come together to create a wedding that’s unmistakably yours.
Hair & Makeup Artists
Your beauty team isn’t just there to apply blush or secure your updo, they’re often the first calming energy you’ll experience on the big day. Choosing artists who truly listen, adapt to your personal style, and work well with timelines can shape how the morning feels and how confident you look in every photo.
Brooke Noelle Beauty (@brookenoellebeauty)
Offers luxury, skin-first bridal makeup designed to enhance your features, not mask them. Also provides lash extensions for lasting impact.Blush Beauty Lounge (@blushbeautyloungect)
Connecticut’s favorite pink salon, known for trendy cuts, bridal coloring services, and full wedding hair/makeup packages.Nina – Fairfield Hair Stylist (@nasitraco)
A styling artist known for custom bridal hair transformations that are polished, romantic, and red-carpet ready.
Suppose you're planning an outdoor wedding like many do at The Hops Company’s garden space. In that case, it's worth asking your stylist about humidity-proof looks, hair changes between ceremony and reception, and touch-up timelines for photos.
Event Decor & Rentals
Designing a space that feels intentional and cohesive can completely transform even the most naturally beautiful venue. Rentals and décor help build out moments like the altar, sweetheart table, and guest experience zones with storytelling style.
Alpha-Lit Ridgefield (@alphalitridgefield)
Specializes in oversized marquee letters and numbers, perfect for initials, hashtags, or custom messages that pop during golden hour.Greenery & Champagne (@greeneryandchampagne)
Full-service event design including balloons, custom signage, lush floral installs, and chic backdrops that make every photo shine.RICO Events (@ricoevents_ct)
A one-stop-shop for lighting, DJ setups, photo booths, and special effects, all managed with event-day precision. linktr.ee/ricoeventsJT Art & Design (@jt_art_and_design)
Live caricature artist adding fun, keepsake experiences for guests. Offers people, pets, and venue sketches. Website: jt-artanddesign.com
Décor and rentals can guide the flow of the day, provide cozy corners for conversation, or create surprise moments of delight. Details like a floral welcome sign or lounge-style seating by the firepit can make your wedding feel immersive and intentional.
Interactive Extras
Adding personality through experience-driven moments is a trend that’s here to stay. Whether it’s a mobile prosecco bar or a photo bus that doubles as a guestbook station, these extras add warmth and fun to your celebration.
Fizzy Memories (@fizzymemories)
A vintage-chic company offering a 1976 VW Photobus named Wanda and a 1962 Tap Truck named Pearl—perfect for cocktails, photos, and guest interaction. Website: fizzymemories.com
From beauty to entertainment, the small touches matter just as much as the major elements. Surround yourself with vendors who not only match your aesthetic, but who understand the rhythm of a wedding day and bring a sense of joy to every step.
Final Thoughts
Your wedding is a reflection of your story and the vendor team you choose will help bring that story to life with care, creativity, and clarity. Whether you're tying the knot in a Connecticut vineyard, a coastal inn, or a garden venue like The Hops Company, these local experts have the skill and heart to make your vision real.
Start by connecting with vendors who speak your style, understand your venue, and can navigate Connecticut’s unique character. When you need referrals, timeline help, or just someone to walk the space with, The Hops Company is always here to support your planning process with local insight and welcoming warmth.
You’ve got this. We’re with you. Ready to meet your dream team? Contact The Hops Company today to schedule a tour or connect with these top-tier CT wedding vendors.
