The Pond House Cafe

Restaurant / Private Dining in West Hartford, CT. Wedding venue pricing, packages and fees.

• Estimated cost: $20k–$39k est. total for 120 guests
• Capacity: up to 160 guests
• Services: Dinner, Brunch
• Address: 1555 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117

Located at 1555 Asylum Avenue in West Hartford, Connecticut, the Pond House Cafe operates as a restaurant wedding venue within Elizabeth Park. The current structure was built in 1959 to replace a circa-1870 Victorian mansion and underwent a complete renovation in 1996–1997 before opening as a public restaurant and banquet center in 1998. For indoor events, the Garden Room features a fieldstone gas fireplace, high ceilings wrapped in twinkle lights, and floor-to-ceiling cathedral windows. A private terrace opens directly off this room to overlook the adjacent pond, while the surrounding park grounds offer additional ceremony sites, including a rose garden, a shade garden, and a perennial garden with a gazebo. The venue accommodates up to 160 seated guests or 130 standing, with packages that include on-site dining, rental facility access, and a custom wedding cake from Creative Cakes by Donna.

Food

Plated or buffet dining featuring passed hors d'oeuvres, choice of salads, pasta/soup starters, and entrées (beef, poultry, seafood, vegetarian). Includes wedding cake.

Packages

• Dinner Reception: $95.50-$191.23 — Based on package choice (Standard, Matinee, Daffodil, Winter) and entrée selection. Buffet options range from $105.99-$135.22/pp.
  Includes: 4 or 5 hour facility rental, 7 or 8 passed hors d'oeuvres, Plated or buffet dinner, Wedding cake from Creative Cakes by Donna, Chiavari chairs and floor-length white or ivory linens
• Brunch Package: $79.99 — Flat per-person rate for 3-hour brunch reception
  Includes: 3 hour facility rental, 1/2 hour cocktail reception, 7 passed hors d'oeuvres, Choice of two brunch entrées (one breakfast, one lunch) and one carved item, Wedding cake from Creative Cakes by Donna, Chiavari chairs and floor-length white or ivory linens

Taxes and fees

• Service Charge: 20%
• CT State Sales Tax: Varies

Good to know

• A 20% service charge and CT state sales tax are added to all final bills.
• Food and beverage minimums vary based on the month, day, and time of day of the event.
• All deposits are non-refundable and split into three equal payments.
• On-site ceremony pricing varies by day and time ($500 - $1,500).
• Permit required from the City of Hartford for garden ceremonies or photos in Elizabeth Park.

Common questions

How much does a wedding at The Pond House Cafe cost?

Based on The Pond House Cafe's published pricing, a dinner reception for 120 guests comes to about $20,000–$39,000 in total, including the venue's own service charges, fees and tax. Your actual quote will depend on date, season, menu and final guest count.

How many guests can The Pond House Cafe hold?

The Pond House Cafe can host up to 160 guests seated, or 130 for a standing reception.

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More: Wedding venues in Connecticut · Connecticut wedding venue pricing report