Mystic Seaport- Boat Shed

bobby12

Hey all, my fiance and I are interested in the Boat Shed for our reception, but we haven't seen any mention of Amy (from Coastal Gourmet) as a wedding coordinator. Has anyone had any experience with her? Any information would be appreciated because we want to make sure we have a helpful coordinator.

Also, anyone have anything I should know about the Boat Shed as a venue? Good/Bad experiences and the like would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Bobby

Vanessa630

We have had a great experience working with Alyson who does the River Room at Mystic Seaport but I've never worked with Amy.  Way way back when we were looking at venues, we originally thought we were interested in the Boat Shed but it's really casual/informal so we looked at the River Room instead. It still has the Seaport feel, but it's inside. We also also reserved the North Lawn and have cocktail hour on the patio.
Also, Coastal Gourmet has DELICIOUS food, and their cakes are unreal as well.

Good luck and keep us updated!

jacki8788

I'm a Mystic Seaport bride also! Amy is our coordinator, and I think there's one other girl on here who has Amy as her coordinator as well. She was helpful in giving us options as to where to have the ceremony on site--we thought the North Lawn fee was ridiculous, and weren't crazy about the church, so she suggested we have our ceremony at the gazebo in the Seaport. It's not the prettiest gazebo, but our florist is going to put flowers along the top/front to make it pretty. She was also pretty understanding about our budget, and tried to do what she could to keep our costs down. I haven't spoken to her since we booked, but I think we're going to start planning the details early next year. We're having the reception in the River Room; we had the same thoughts as the previous person about the Boat Shed--it's pretty informal, and you have to rent a dance floor and all silverware/plates etc., which I think would actually make it more expensive. I think it's possible to make the Boat Shed look really nice, but again--that would make it more expensive. I prefer the River Room--it has the same "feel" of the Seaport, and you can always take pictures around the Seaport and by the water. The River Room was just easier and more affordable for us--plus the patio is great for the cocktail hour!

Hope that helps! Good luck

RNJade

I am very interested in the river room as well. Does anyone know if its truly afordable? I know they have minimums to meet and I am just wondering if the minimums include tax and gratuity added on? We are willing to pay the north lawn fee because we just loved it. I want to have it on a saturday but see that the minimum is only $6,000 on friday which is way cheaper..I am in the midst of signing contract and just want to be sure I am not going to spend way over what I am budgeting...

Agnieszka Chwiedz

Depending on the time of year, the minimums range as well. Our wedding is in April on  a Saturday and our min is only 6000 somehow for the River Room..... We are working with Alyson so far she's been great!  But I imagine if the boat requires you to rent stuff then the north lawn does as well?

bobby12

"I am very interested in the river room as well. Does anyone know if its truly afordable? I know they have minimums to meet and I am just wondering if the minimums include tax and gratuity added on? We are willing to pay the north lawn fee because we just loved it. I want to have it on a saturday but see that the minimum is only $6,000 on friday which is way cheaper..I am in the midst of signing contract and just want to be sure I am not going to spend way over what I am budgeting..."

From what we understood, the tax and gratuity are not included in the minimum, so you have to be sure to add that onto the $6,000.

chrissybug17

I attended a wedding at the boat shed. It was an evening reception, it was beautiful but a seagull landed on the cake and took a bite out of it and the "floor" in the dining are was crushed sea shells. Very hard to walk for the buffet and hard on the high heels....

jacki8788

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_mystic-seaport-boat-shed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:87156173-cad0-4a20-bb0f-626c923e0f74Post:7d76b7d5-2707-43a6-87c7-5deed311ee5d">Re: Mystic Seaport- Boat Shed</a>:
[QUOTE]"I am very interested in the river room as well. Does anyone know if its truly afordable? I know they have minimums to meet and I am just wondering if the minimums include tax and gratuity added on? We are willing to pay the north lawn fee because we just loved it. I want to have it on a saturday but see that the minimum is only $6,000 on friday which is way cheaper..I am in the midst of signing contract and just want to be sure I am not going to spend way over what I am budgeting..." From what we understood, the tax and gratuity are not included in the minimum, so you have to be sure to add that onto the $6,000.
Posted by bobby12[/QUOTE]


I don't have our contract in front of me, but I'm pretty sure tax and fees aren't included. Their service fee is also 20% (a little higher than most places) and I don't think they charge you gratuity when you sign the contract (but it's expected that you'll pay this later). The minimums are lower for Fridays (also Sundays, I think) and for the off-season, November-April.

c_meahan

I'm also a River Room bride for next April. I've been working with Amy and so far she has been great, but obviously we're still a ways out. I thought the River Room was affordable, we are doing stations which is more expensive, but when I saw the cost for the sit down dinner it was wayyyyy cheaper, much more affordable. But I have always had my heart set on stations. If you contact them, they will send you their information with prices, etc.

Trishnickstage

do guest s have to pay to get into the seaport that day/evening as well