5.0
Verified reviews from real couples
A Historic Light-Filled Home and Formal Gardens
What a beautiful venue! Susan has been extremely helpful, communication has been great. We loved the ‘homely’ more private feel of the venue unlike hotels or golf clubs we were looking through. We had 100 guests and the space fit everything perfectly. Our weather turned out perfect but I understand they can tent the backyard if necessary (extra cost). Thank you for making our wedding feel so special, intimate, and wholesome!
Sarah C.
5.0
This is the most beautiful wedding venue and we had the wedding of our dreams thanks to Susan and her team. The garden and entire property are stunning and all of our guests can't stop talking about how beautiful it was. Meadowlands now has a special place in my heart forever. Can't recommend this place enough!
Jessica T.
5.0
AWARD WINNER
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Located in the heart of the Connecticut Gold Coast, the award-winning Meadowlands at the Darien Community Association is a one-of-a-kind venue for your magical day. From intimate and memorable ceremonies to beautiful receptions around the fountain, on the terrace, and in our historic Regency-style home, expect a magical experience that you and your guests will never forget.
At the Meadowlands at the DCA, we live and breathe connection. Bringing the community together is what we do. And your wedding is the most important community event there is - your community of family and friends. Bringing the people who matter the most to you together to celebrate is magical.
Bring the Outside In
From our gorgeous formal gardens and lush lawns to an intimate secret garden and plenty of spots for photos, the Meadowlands allows you and your guests to enjoy the outdoors in a comfortable and beautiful setting.
Designed by one of the premier landscape architects of the early twentieth century, Ellen Biddle Shipman, the formal gardens are intimate by design and create the magical moment you have imagined. Maintained by volunteers from the DCA Greenhouse Group, the Garden Club of Darien and private vendors, the gardens are the heart of our estate.
From the McKitterick Room to the Garden Wing and the Bridal Suite, every room has a view of the beautiful gardens where your guests will gather awaiting your moment.
Historic Light-Filled Home
With over 15 spaces and eight acres to bring your vision to life, natural light glows within the Meadowland’s spacious rooms, tall ceilings, large windows and beautiful wood floors and in the outdoor spaces. As part of The 203 Project: A Sustainable Showhouse at the DCA, our rooms have been newly decorated by professional interior designers, fully air-conditioned and all look out into the garden. The property has a sweeping front lawn that is fabulous for family and bridal party photos, and a secret garden is perfect for the first look.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Meadowlands at the DCA is a 15,000 square foot, Regency-style estate on over eight acres of property. The facilities include a spacious Garden Wing with attached commercial kitchen, boardroom and intimate library, and rooms which look out to its formal garden. The property also includes a working Lord & Burnham greenhouse (original to the estate), and a four-acre bird sanctuary and nature trail.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Backyard
Ballroom
Estate
Garden
Historic Venue
Trees
Venue Service Offerings
Planning
Rentals & Equipment
Awards and Affiliations
2026 'Best of Weddings'
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding
Meet the team
Susan Graham
Private Events Manager
Celebrations at the Meadowlands are like no other, from wedding ceremonies, baby showers, and milestone birthdays, to large holiday parties, receptions and community events. A longtime resident of Darien with a background in marketing and nonprofit business development, Susan Graham loves working with clients to bring special moments to life. She works tirelessly with your outside vendors to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Your private event is in very good hands with this team!
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.023 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
DCA Meadowlands is described as a stunning and intimate wedding venue with beautiful gardens and well-maintained property by reviewers. The staff, particularly Susan and Steve, are highly praised for their helpfulness, communication, and professionalism throughout the planning process and on the day of the event. The recent renovations are also appreciated, enhancing the charm and elegance of the venue. Many guests were impressed by the venue's seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, making it a perfect setting for weddings or other events.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
Sarah C
5.0
10/04/2025
What a beautiful venue! Susan has been extremely helpful, communication has been great. We loved the ‘homely’ more private feel of the venue unlike hotels or golf clubs we were loo...
king through. We had 100 guests and the space fit everything perfectly. Our weather turned out perfect but I understand they can tent the backyard if necessary (extra cost). Thank you for making our wedding feel so special, intimate, and wholesome!
Jessica T
5.0
9/29/2025
This is the most beautiful wedding venue and we had the wedding of our dreams thanks to Susan and her team. The garden and entire property are stunning and all of our guests can't ...
stop talking about how beautiful it was. Meadowlands now has a special place in my heart forever. Can't recommend this place enough!
Any questions?
Beryl S
5.0
6/23/2025
DCA was simply a dream location. The house has just been renovated and spans multiple rooms, including a large reception room and beautiful garden with gorgeous pink rhododendrons ...
in May. We worked closely with Susan who immediately understood what we were looking for and helped us tie everything together leading up to the wedding, including with the venue walk through and rehearsal. On the day of, another member of DCA staff Courtney helped ensure we had everything we needed from the venue side. Overall the staff at DCA were welcoming, flexible, and efficient. We highly recommend DCA as a wedding venue!
Owen T
5.0
6/12/2025
This was the perfect venue for our wedding. Susan was great to work with in planning, and Lorraine was terrific on the day. The recent renovations are excellent and elevate the spa...
ce even further. The ability to have inside and outside space that flowed together was fantastic. What was especially great for us was that all the rooms stayed open during the reception, enabling guests to find quiet spots away from the dance floor if they wanted. We could not have imagined a more perfect place and would absolutely recommend it to anyone considering it!
Brittany Q
5.0
5/20/2025
We cannot recommend DCA Meadowlands enough for your special day! From touring the venue, working with different vendors, and executing our wedding vision, Susan and Steve were ther...
e to help at every step.
The gardens are intimate and tended to with care, which served as our ceremony backdrop and cocktail hour. The indoors were just as stunning with the recent updates, each room being charming and dreamy. The venue is personal and timeless, and the pictures do not do its beauty justice.
DCA Meadowlands, Susan and Steve, and the rest of the team there have such a special place in our hearts. Our wedding was everything we hoped for, and more. Thank you!
Martha T
5.0
5/19/2025
Susan, the I just wanted to take a moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you did to make our wedding at the DCA so incredibly special.
Your time, coordinat...
ion, and especially your patience with me throughout this process meant more than I can say. I know how stressful planning a wedding can be, but working with you made it all feel so much easier—and even joyful. You were a calm, kind presence through it all, and I truly appreciated every email, every answer, every thoughtful suggestion.
Our family and friends were in awe of the space—they kept saying it was one of the most beautiful places they’d ever seen. We felt so lucky to have been there, especially with the pink flowers in bloom (which we were told only happen for those magical two weeks!). What perfect timing!!
We’ve already seen some preview photos from our friends, and we’re beyond excited to see the professional ones—they look absolutely stunning.
I also wanted to say how thankful I am that you recommended Lorraine( our linen and day coordinator). She was truly amazing to work with—so attentive, calm, and helpful all evening. I appreciated her so much, and she made such a difference in how smoothly everything went.
Thank you again, Susan. You have helped us so much, and I’m so grateful to have had the chance to work with someone as lovely as you.
Kenzie R
5.0
4/18/2025
Our experience with DCA has been a dream come true. The venue is stunning, every room is picturesque enough for its own photoshoot. We had our ceremony in the Mckitterick (sp?) roo...
m, and fit approximately 60 chairs comfortably. It was a small wedding but could not have been more perfect. The reception was in the garden wing, which was also perfect. We were able to fit 8 large tables (supplied by DCA) around the perimeter and have the center open for dancing. We had access to the venue from 12pm - 11pm after paying the fee for an extra hour. I had my hair and makeup done in the morning before arriving so as to have plenty of time for photos. There's a beautiful bridal suite and groom's lounge on the second floor that made for some great "getting ready" photos. Since our day was April 12th, it was a bit icky outside and so we did the first look in the foyer. The staircase is another stunning location for photos I highly recommend. Anyway enough about photo ops, DCA is nicely managed and becoming an extremely popular venue. We had guests that were so impressed by this gem that they wanted to book a private tour. Since the whole place was redone by some local interior designers last year, it's hardly recognizable from the older photos online. Darien is of course a beautiful town, and DCA is tucked away in a residential neighborhood. For guests taking a train up from the city, it was a breeze, taking just over an hour from Grand Central. We had guests driving from upstate NY and Massachusetts as well as guests flying in to JFK from across the country. Our hotel block was at the Residence Inn at Stamford Downtown, which we also highly recommend, and this is a central location that has valet parking and a beautiful lounge, only about 15 minutes from DCA.
Ajay B
5.0
12/03/2024
Absolutely wonderful and beautiful space. The people we coordinated with were incredible and so easy to work with our multicultural wedding. Highly recommend to anyone looking to g...
et married at a great price and wonderful service! I would rate it higher than 5 stars if I could
The best part is that the people behind this space also do a lot of community work within Darien. Couldn’t have been happier with this experience on our special day!
Kalynn M
5.0
11/08/2024
We got married at DCA a few weeks ago, and we cannot say enough incredible things about Susan, Steve, and the venue. Our guests are still talking about how incredible the space and...
decor was. We could not be happier!
Chloe T
5.0
9/27/2024
Everything was smooth since day one! Communication was easy and always in a timely manner. Everyone involved was so kind and helpful every step of the way. Not to mention the venue...
is stunning and unlike most other venues in the area. This place has charm, class, elegance, and comfort all in one. I would recommend this venue to anyone getting married in the near future. DCA Meadowlands thank you for making our special day flawless and one we and our guests will never forget!
Nicole C
5.0
2/22/2024
This venue truly is a hidden gem for anyone looking to bring in their own vendors, you cannot beat the price for the value!
We changed our venue to DCA Meadowlands 6 weeks out fro...
m our wedding day and it was the best decision we could have made! Susan and Steve at DCA are the dream team! Every interaction from the moment we booked the venue was so helpful. Multiple walk throughs for us and our vendors to make sure things ran smoothly the day of, constant communication amongst questionable weather the day of, and flawless execution the day of our wedding!
Our guests had the best time and the landscape provided for beautiful photos. Susan and Steve can answer any question you may have and make sure to work with your vendors so the day runs without a hitch! We can't say enough good things about our saving grace of a venue with the DCA Meadowlands!
Photographer: Shaina Lee Photography
Planning/Coordination: Of Elegance, Weddings & Events
Catering: Braca Latin Catering & Colony Grill Pizza Truck
Benjamin S
5.0
11/02/2023
Our experience at the DCA Meadowlands was wonderful! The property is tucked in the charming neighborhoods of Darien, CT and only five minutes from I-95. The mansion has quintessent...
ial New England character. Guests enter a beautiful foyer with a large, curved staircase (perfect for the bride and or wedding party to descend). Directly adjacent to the foyer, is The McKitterick Room—with two fireplaces and French doors facing the gardens. We were married in this room due to rain and it was a perfect back-up plan. Our guests commented that it was the most intimate wedding they had seen! Our original plan was to get married in the garden, where beautifully landscaped flowers and greenery surround a fountain. Fortunately, it was dry enough for us to take pictures in the garden after the ceremony. Nearly every room on the first floor faces the garden (imagine an “L” shape surrounding the garden). By opening the French doors of each room, our guests seamlessly flowed between indoors and outdoors during the 90-minute cocktail hour.
Our reception was held in The Garden Wing. We easily fit 10 tables including a long 18-person table for the bridal party (115 guests). Our DJ sat atop the stage, which allowed ample room to dance. Our bar was in the next room over, very convenient for guests to grab cocktails. During the reception, we opened the French Doors to the garden. Our guests, my wife and I enjoyed conversation and drinks in the cool Autumn weather in between dances (we were married 9/23).
Most importantly, the team at the DCA is incredible! Susan, the Private Events Manager, is a great partner throughout the end-to-end planning process. She offered creative suggestions to maximize the space, was highly accessible, and made herself available for multiple vendor meetings. She works well with other vendors (caterer, wedding planner, photographer, florist, etc.), which allowed for everyone to work as a team. Steve, the facilities manager, was imperative to the wedding’s success. He has long-standing relationships with local vendors, including the police department. He was crucial in ensuring our plan was executed properly and safely. When we arrived two days later to pick up our decorations, he had packed up everything in boxes for our convenience. The service at the DCA is extremely professional and personal. My wife and I loved working with Susan and Steve.
I felt the venue was priced very fair and, therefore, a tremendous value. I highly recommend the DCA Meadowlands.
Narelle S
5.0
10/29/2023
We were married in July this year at beautiful Darien Meadowlands. We made the booking at the last minute as our other venue was not going to suit us with the heat and recent wildf...
ire smoke. Susan at DCA saved the day and booked us in for the date we needed. Our experience at the house was outstanding! The facilities are excellent and the gardens delightful. We had our ceremony in the garden near the fountain, our cocktail hour on the terrace and the dinner and dancing in the spacious banquet room. Our guests loved the open space and proximity to the other rooms filled with flowers and deserts. The photos are perfect with the elegant colonial house as a backdrop. This place is spectacular, the management is attentive and welcoming. DCA will always be a special place for us!
Hannah S
5.0
11/29/2022
The DCA was a perfect venue! Everything about the garden and house is stunning - only small touches were needed to bring our vision to life! The DCA team were so communicative, eas...
y and understanding to work with, we can't thank Laura and the team enough for everything! Don't hesitate to book the DCA for your wedding, you won't regret!
Matthew L
5.0
11/06/2022
It was such a wonderful wedding for us and thanks to the DCA Meadowlands Team for making it that way!!
We were really impressed with the garden, ambience, decor, service, coordina...
tion, and positive attitude from the DCA Meadowlands Team 🙂
Looking forward to planning any future events with you, and we will definitely recommend you to others.
Lily W
5.0
8/06/2021
It is hard to imagine a better venue at which to be married! We were truly shocked that the place was even available for booking; after walking the grounds I would have guessed it ...
would be booked 2 years in advance AND that it would cost over twice what it does for a day's use.
Our guests were stunned at how beautiful, elegant and accessible the grounds are! The garden is spectacular. The rooms of the mansion are impeccable, inviting and ideal for a wedding or most any formal celebration. The place is just gorgeous!
And not least, the staff are warm and accommodating! We were allowed to visit, re-visit and tour the mansion and grounds several times before the actual event.
Book this place! And ask yourself as we have, why doesn't EVERYONE get married here! Truly a hidden gem.
-Lily & James Handel
Gabriela S
5.0
11/11/2020
Outstanding service!
We’ve planned our wedding originally outside in a park only to learn three days ahead of our day that it would snow (Yes, snow in October). In a panic I did my...
research and found the DCA. They immediately got back to me and helped me getting everything up and running within less than 3 days. They were incredibly professional, absolutely uncomplicated, and very welcoming. Plus made sure everybody was safe.
All of this during a global pandemic.
Highly recommend the team and the location.
We were able to take such wonderful pictures in the rose garden! If I’d done my research sooner I would have planned to go with the DCA right from the beginning.
Thank you DCA team for making our day special!!!
Christina N
5.0
10/13/2020
The DCA was perfect for our wedding! It is a New England estate with a beautiful garden and reception space. We were able to decorate to make it our own, while maintaining the hist...
orical aesthetic and beauty . Laura was wonderful! She helped make our dream wedding happen, despite the constraints presented by the pandemic. It was very affordable and allows for personalization for a crowd large or small! We cannot thank them enough for everything they did to accommodate our requests and vision!
Kayla G
5.0
4/06/2020
We would highly recommend the DCA Meadowlands for any of your event needs. We got married there this past July and couldn't have asked for a more beautiful location. From the cerem...
ony in the Formal Garden, to taking photos in the Secret Garden, to dancing the night away in the Garden Wing, the Meadowlands was everything we were looking for. Laura was a pleasure to work with and make planning a wedding from out of state much less stressful. We loved the flexibility of bringing in our own vendors and our own decorations. Having access to the whole mansion gave everyone the opportunity to explore the grounds and mingle.
It was the hottest day of the summer on the day of the wedding and the Meadowlands staff were extremely cooperative and helpful with our last minute adjustments, including taking photos of the garden to send to us so we could prepare where to put seats in the shade as well as being on site for box fan deliveries. The Garden Wing and upstairs air conditioning were real life savers and worked really well despite 105 degree heat! We loved the uniqueness and beauty of the DCA Meadowlands and can't wait to visit again.
Cindy O
5.0
10/13/2019
We knew from the moment we first saw this absolutely gorgeous venue that it would be the perfect place for our wedding. We were glad, but not surprised, that our feelings were con...
firmed by our guests as nearly all of them commented on how beautiful the DCA is and how gorgeous of a setting it provided for our wedding. Everyone at the DCA was an absolute pleasure to work with and helped to make our day that much better. We wish we could do it all over again just so we can spend another day at the DCA!
Ozden T
5.0
7/10/2019
We had our wedding reception at the DCA on June 15th, and I can't say enough about the venue and how perfectly our wedding night went. In the beginning, we found and wrote to the v...
enue through the Knot, and Laura, the Event Coordinator, promptly responded and invited us for a tour. Once we visited the mansion, it was like love at first sight. The mansion is so cozy and charming. It has a lovely garden which is beautifully designed from top to toe. Everything about the venue was so positive and appealing. All in all, the venue was the first and the last place that we had a visit, and we directly booked the mansion without hesitation, which was one of the best decisions we have ever made. In our wedding night, our guests fell in love with the venue as well. We are still hearing great comments from families and friends about how everything was so perfect about our wedding. We had our ceremony and the cocktail in the garden, and the reception in the McKitterick Room. Everybody enjoyed the garden while they were sipping their drinks on a nice summer night, followed by dinner in the McKitterick Room. Everything went so smooth and pleasant.
Beyond all, I would like to give a special thanks to Laura for her patience while I was bombarding her with questions. Until the wedding, my husband's and my work schedule were quite packed. Whenever I emailed her or requested for something, she was always nice and very responsive and never said no. Her help lifted a weight off our shoulders. Also, whenever we visited the DCA to plan the event, the Facilities Manager was so helpful as well. He kindly responded to what we have asked for. He greatly helped us make everything worry-free.
Great people, great place. Thanks so much again to the DCA for making our special night as what we totally hoped for.
Emily B
5.0
7/04/2018
We just had our wedding at the DCA and I can't say enough good things about it. The grounds are gorgeous, the rooms are spacious and charming, and the staff is incredible. We ended...
up hiring their Catered Events Coordinator, Laura Boulton, as our day-of wedding coordinator, and she was an absolute MVP, liaising between all our vendors. She was so hands on and kind and organized, it was just a pleasure. She worked so hard to make sure that our vision (a low-key, backyard BBQ vibe) was executed) was realized. Some things to know about the venue--there are large, park-like grounds, a bird sanctuary, and an inner courtyard/garden with lovely plantings; the main reception room is air conditioned; the bathrooms are cute, the caterer's kitchen is large, there's AMPLE parking, and the venue itself comes with a number of tables, chairs, plates, etc. It's an amazing value and kind of a ridiculously good value for what you get.
Shavon B
5.0
7/05/2017
Our original wedding venue was no longer an option 11 days prior to our wedding date June 10th. Our original venue was a beautiful farm in northern CT, but it was devasting to fin...
d out less than 2 weeks before our. Wedding that the farm was never allowed to hold wedding ceremonies / receptions. We had an awful experience there. We almost ended up cancelling the entire wedding because it was nearly impossible to find a replacement venue and change the entire functionality of our wedding in less than two weeks. My husband found The DCA Meadowlands on The Knot and reached out. Thank God he did. We met Laura and she was so kind and helpful. She was dedicated to helping us secure the DCA and our wedding was saved! The DCA is beautiful, I wish we had enough time to take advantage of the entire property with our photographer. The garden is the absolute selling point, every brides dream! The dressing room was beautiful and spacious. Our photographer was in love with the lighting lol. Thank you so much to The DCA for saving our day!
Want to book a visit?
Start the convo
*=Required
Use this secure form to reach out and share your wedding vision.
The Meadowlands at the DCA
Susan Graham
|
Manager
Typically responds within 24h
Wedding vendors in Darien
The Meadowlands at the DCA
Why use The Knot to message vendors?
Messaging our verified vendors on The Knot is free, safe and secure. Conveniently track vendor messages and planning details all in one place. Our mobile apps make it easy to stay in touch with vendors while you're on‑the‑go. For personalized pricing and package details, sending the vendor a message is the fastest way to get info.