THIS IS THE PLACE
Planning your dream wedding? Our Director of Weddings, Christine Brush, will help you make all your dreams come true. From an intimate gathering to a once-in-a-lifetime fête, Christine will work enthusiastically to make sure your big day exceeds your expectations. Our talented Executive Chef, Adam Soliwoda, and his team prepare all of the Club’s food on premises using only the freshest, most seasonal ingredients, ensuring that everything about your wedding will be in good taste.
Whether it is a gala, corporate retreat, or Bar or Bat Mitzvah, conference, retreat, bridal or baby shower, your function will be expertly handled by our Director of Corporate and Social Events, John Ruggiero. From a small meeting to a once-in-a-lifetime party, John works enthusiastically to plan events that consistently raise the bar of excellence and address each event’s and client’s particular needs. Andy Senior and his team of servers execute each event’s plan to perfection, personalizing service, so that each guest feels particularly welcomed.
Our History
The New Haven Lawn Club, was originally founded in 1891 by a group of wealthy New Haven residents for playing tennis.
Our History
January, 1910, news article features the newly built home of the Lawn Club, which "...will no doubt be the most popular place for entertainments during the coming season."
Our History
Russell Sargent, Eli Whitney, and William Beebe were among its founding members. After being burnt to the ground in 1929, the Club was re-opened in the present Georgian mansion in 1931.
Our History
Designed by the famous New Haven architect Douglas Orr, the Club is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its architecture reflects both the Art Deco and Colonial Revival style that was popular at that time.
CLASSIC ARCHITECTURE, VINTAGE WINE, NEW CUISINE.
Lawn Club Fine Catering is a full-service events business housed within the New Haven Lawn Club. Although the Club itself is private, Lawn Club Fine Catering welcomes members and non-members alike to host special events in one or more of our events spaces. Director of Corporate and Social Events, John Ruggiero, and Director of Weddings, Christine Brush, work enthusiastically to plan events that consistently raise the bar of excellence and address each event’s and client’s particular needs.
STYLE. SUBSTANCE. PERFECT FOR YOUR MEMORIES.
The New Haven Lawn Club represents a venue and a level of service that stands out amongst others. We understand how important it is for each wedding or special event to receive the attention to detail it not only needs, but more importantly, deserves. The building is comprised of elegant rooms that will charm your guests and provide them with a change of scenery throughout the evening. Stunning, yet simple, décor ensures that everyone is able to make the space their own.
Preparations
We have the perfect spaces for you and your wedding party to prepare for your ceremony. Spend your time getting pampered here and focus on making cherished memories.
Ceremony
Our stunning art deco architecture and decor will make the perfect backdrop for your wedding, whether it’s traditional or contemporary.
Cocktail Hour
Our professional staff will tend to guests’ needs and make sure everyone is enjoying themselves. The only job the couple should have is to relax and take in their magnificent day.
Transforming the ballroom
We want your wedding to be exactly what you envision, and we will transform our ballroom to perfectly reflect your union.
Photo ops
Not only does our building make a perfect location for your wedding photos, but our convenient downtown location means you’ll be able to shoot at your favorite New Haven landmarks.
On-site parking
No one wants to walk for blocks in high heels, so start your wedding off on the right foot. Your guests will appreciate our ample off-street parking.
CLASSIC. ELEGANT. YOU BELONG HERE.
There are many reasons to hold your event at the New Haven Lawn Club – our knowledgeable and attentive event planners, the amazing food, our convenient downtown location, and more complimentary parking than any other venue in downtown New Haven. Still, one of the best reasons to hold your event with us is our building, a classic backdrop that can capture the style and mood of any event. The stately front entrance is surrounded by a portico with archways that overlook the front lawn. Octagonal windows and urn finials provide simple decoration to the Connecticut red brick façade. The rotunda, decorated with a crystal sunburst chandelier and featuring one of the Club’s seven wood-burning fire places, welcomes guests as they enter through our front door. The New Haven Lawn Club has six spaces for special events, including:
The Ballroom
The Club’s original social gathering room, a magnificent space with hardwood floors, a 25-foot barrel-vaulted ceiling decorated with star accents, floor-to-ceiling windows, a large wood-burning fireplace, four Austrian Art Deco crystal chandeliers, crystal wall sconces, a built-in stage, and a terrace overlooking the tennis courts. Perfect for weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, galas, all-day conferences, performances, and other large special events.Capacity –
Standing Reception: 500 guests
Theater Style: 325 guests
Seated Banquet: 250 guests
(200 guests with a dance floor)
Crescent Round: 150 guests
The Main Dining Room
The Club’s original member’s dining room, a bright room with two wood-burning fireplaces, three spectacular Waterford crystal chandeliers, regency columns with benches framing the dining area, a black and ochre checkered terrazzo floor, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the tennis courts, and doors that open out onto a terrace overlooking the tennis courts. Perfect for pre-dinner cocktail receptions, wedding ceremonies, bridal and baby showers, vendor showcases, and seated banquets.Capacity –
Standing Reception: 250 guests
Theater: 200 guests
Seated Banquet: 110 guests
Crescent Round: 88 guests
The Lounge
The Club’s original living room, a wood-paneled room with Art Deco sconces, Chinoiserie drapes, Oriental rugs, a wood-burning fireplace, and French doors that open out onto a terrace overlooking the tennis courts. Perfect for midsized lunches, brunches, corporate retreats and presentations.Capacity –
Standing Reception: 100 guests
Theater Style: 100 guests
Seated Banquet: 70 guests
Crescent Round: 42 guests
The Private Dining Room
The Club’s original informal dining room, a traditionally decorated room with toile drapes, a wood-burning fireplace, and antique buffet. Perfect for smaller meals and meetings.Capacity –
Standing Reception: 50 guests
Theater Style: 40 guests
Seated Banquet: 30 guests
Crescent Round: 18 guests
The Conference Room
A simple room with a conference table and comfortable chairs. Perfect for working lunches and small meetings.Capacity –
Seating for 12 guests
The Lower Card Room
The last remaining original Club card room, with an antique mahogany dinning set, a wood-burning fireplace, chesterfield sofa and Oriental rug. Perfect for intimate meals and meetings.Capacity –
Seated Banquet: 8 guests
For your convenience, please download our printable floor plan and directions to the Lawn Club below:
OUR TEAM
TESTIMONIALS
“VERY PROFESSIONAL AT EVERY TURN”Christine Brush is the best event planner I have ever used in 25 years of planning events. She has an eye for detail and organization and she can read a client’s needs and tastes.
“WE LOVED OUR EXPERIENCE”They focused on detail and amazing service. They made our wedding a spectacular event which we and our guests will never forget! We enjoyed working closely with them over the past year. They are not a "wedding factory" and made our wedding unique with their creative touches and experience. Thank you!
“OUR WEDDING WAS WONDERFUL!”Lawn Club Fine Catering exceeded all of our expectations. Christine’s professionalism, attention to detail and customer service were truly extraordinary. Thank you for making our wedding the best day of our lives.
“ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING TO WORK WITH!”I can’t say enough good things about her. Her attention to my needs and questions and overall professionalism brought me such comfort and ease during this planning process. Thanks, Christine!
“...EXACTLY AS WE IMAGINED”Everyone on staff from the receptionist, to the waiters, to my event coordinator, Christine Brush, was attentive to our every need. The rooms were set up exactly as we imagined … and looked spectacular.
I am always so pleased when we have a meeting at the Lawn Club. John makes everything so easy and the rest of the staff is professional and anticipates your every need. I am always nervous when we have to hold a meeting in another venue.
The evening was seamless and the food was fabulous, as fine as any 5-star restaurant could/would have served.
John Ruggiero, a man of style, grace and dedication, was absolutely amazing! He was attentive to every minute detail and anticipated every need we had for my parents’ special evening! Because of John’s unbelievable care and outstanding efforts, we will always remember my parents’ special event to be a cherished and incredible memory!
The Lawn Club was the perfect venue for our staff retreat — a lovely setting, great catering, and excellent service. We would love to come back again!
I had meetings with John Ruggiero and numerous e-mails, he took care of every detail and some were difficult. But, he was always pleasant, and always said "it was no bother and he would take care of everything." All of your staff the day of the party couldn’t have been more helpful or pleasant to deal with. The food was the best, everyone complemented how great it was, our hats off to the chef. Thank You.
Lawn Club Fine Catering staff were incredible. We had a tough program advisor, and she wanted things a certain way. Several times, they dropped everything and did what we asked, with absolute professionalism and courtesy. Everyone is lovely. I love the improvements, especially the ladies' rooms. Very nice job. Thanks again, we certainly will be back.
“EVERY DETAIL WAS PERFECT”I cannot praise the lawn club highly enough. Christine and Daniella are perfect coordinators. They go above and beyond every step of the way and make the day beautiful, smooth and stress-free. The location is impressive: trust me — your guests will rave about it! The food is incredibly delicious. I strongly strongly recommend that you use this venue.
We booked Lawn Club Fine Catering for the ASID CT Student Table Top Competition. It was a fantastic event and they were a perfect venue for us! The building is beautiful and was exactly the setting we were hoping to find. The staff was great, they all were friendly, helpful and professional. I would absolutely have this event there again, and if I personally ever needed a catering hall, I would make the Lawn Club my first choice!
“THE BEST DECISION WE MADE”To say the experience was excellent is a vast understatement. The wedding director, Christine Brush, made sure everything was perfect and was with us every step of the way. We were able to get ready on-site, which I highly recommend doing. We did both our ceremony and reception at the NHLC. During cocktails, the staff flipped the ballroom and the transformation was incredible. Our wedding was perfect. The ballroom is gorgeous, the food is delicious, and the thought that went into each and every detail was brought to perfection. The trusted vendors recommended by the NHLC were all top-notch. We wouldn't have changed a thing.
John Ruggiero was very helpful and thorough, often anticipating what I would need for the event. The wait staff the evening of the event couldn't have been more professional, helpful and friendly all at the same time.
“THE WHOLE PACKAGE”The New Haven Lawn Club is not only a beautiful location ... but they go to great lengths to make your wedding plans into a seamless reality, with great attention to detail and incredibly responsive and professional staff. Christine serves as the location and wedding manager, but also performs many tasks that you would traditionally pay a lot of money for a separate coordinator to do. She has incredible taste and a sense for what will work logistically. Couples would be wise to solicit and take her advice! And the food is really incredible. Even when cooking for hundreds of guests, LCFC makes each plate look and taste like you're at a top restaurant.
NHLC helps give our event the kind of atmosphere that people remember, and provides us with the level of service we desire our guests to experience. NHLC staff is of the highest quality - thanks to everyone for a very special evening.
“MY GUESTS WERE BLOWN AWAY”The lawn club is strikingly beautiful. They vintage charm is just unlike any other venue. Christine and her staff were fantastic. She recommended many excellent vendors and she steered us in the right direction for many different aspects of the wedding. She has been coordinating for a while and it shows. My guests could not stop raving about the food! The filet was cooked to perfection! I cannot say enough about the staff at the lawn club. They were extremely accommodating and I would recommend this venue to any bride young or old. It just has that little extra magical feel that no other venue does.
I was very impressed with the entire event. From start to finish John Ruggiero was accommodating, helpful and a pleasure to work with. The food was excellent, the staff was courteous and we would definitely use your facility again and again. Hats off to you for making our winter reception something special.
GET IN TOUCH
Please contact our Director of Weddings, Christine Brush, regarding wedding packages and availability by message here, or phone Christine at (203) 777-0137. or Contact our Director of Corporate and Social Events, John Ruggiero, regarding options and availability by message here, or phone John at (203) 777-0440.