Casual South Shore Reception Venues

Inkster13

HI Everyone - looking for suggestions for venues on the South Shore.  We do not want a formal country club type wedding.  Looking for a little more laid back/casual - more of a party atmosphere/not super traditional wedding.  Ideally want a place where we could bring in our own caterer/bartender.  Looking at Camp Kiwanee this weekened.  Also Old Derby Academy has been suggested.  Anyone have any information on cost of Old Derby and what it includes?  Any other suggestions for unique venues?  Don't want to spend a forturne or have to get into a situation where we have to rent a tent/chairs etc. . . . Also - any suggestions on good and reasonably priced caterers on the south shore - not looking for traditional sit down wedding meal.  Thanks!

octnites

I went to a wedding at Lyman Allen Estate (Waltham) which was really nice, and I believe you can (or perhaps have to) bring in your own caterer for that one. They had a tent outside but cocktail hour inside, and there are various rooms to explore on the first floor of the estate.

You're also required to bring in your own caterer for The Connors Center in Dover. I wasn't as impressed with this one because I was looking for an indoor space, but their outdoor grounds are gorgeous.. would be beautiful if you're looking to do a tent.

Endicott Estate is Dedham is another one you could look at, similar to Lyman Allen.

hope that helps!

MrsBrodeurtoB

Check out Bourndale Function Facility in Plymouth! They are right on a lake and you can have your guests spend the night in the cabins and have a campfire after the wedding and they do a brunch the next day.
Also, Jones River Trading Post in Kingston has a unique feel to it, not traditional.
The Fuller Art museum in Brockton.
We are going with the Mansfield Holiday Inn. The reception room itself is pretty traditional but we love the indoor garden feel it has in the lobby area! And the price is unbeatable!
Good luck!

MrsGandthebeag

I don't have any suggestions but just wanted to say I've been to a wedding at Camp Kiwanee.  Besides my own wedding this was the best one I've ever been to.  We had so much fun.  I've also heard the same from another woman who went to a friend's wedding there.  

abbeyrd117

We are using Seadog in Hull, MA in sept. Cant bring own food/drinks, but no renting of chairs etc.

we have had some ups and downs with town permits and weight testing for the pier.  But the event room sounds like it might work for you. 

if a smaller wedding, i would have looked at beachfire restraunt in Hull as well. 

kwasiolek

I would also suggest looking at the Jones River Trading Company in Kingston. It has a very unique set-up as it is an old mill that was then an antique store and now is a function space and can definitely be casual. We looked there but ultimately went with the Red Lion Inn in Cohasset. The fee for the venue is reasonable from what I remember. They do require that you use their caterer that they have a partnership with.

peeperpeep

We are looking for the same thing and the people at Camp Kiwanee are extremely nice and helpful but we're still on the fence about it. We're also considering the Sea Dog because the view is amazing and the food is reasonable.

Not sure if going to RI is too far for you, but I've heard a lot of great things about Whispering Pines in West Greenwich. I'm hoping to get down there to look it over in the next week or so. They have cabins you can rent out for the weekend which are a lot nicer than the ones at Camp Kiwanee and I'm under the impression the facility is a little bigger - however they make you use their catering unlike CK.

jerseychic24

we are having ours at camp borndale so I have to second that rec. Its right on a lake.  You can even have a bonfire after and places for people to stay.

nwdobbins

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_casual-south-shore-reception-venues?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:89Discussion:10c954f5-c67c-4daa-8da7-521f13d97096Post:9bc3f3a5-2382-40bc-9cb2-c07add8529e2">Casual South Shore Reception Venues</a>:<div><div>
</div><div>My daughter just had her wedding at Camp Kiwanee last week.  She opted to do a BBQ buffet from Blue Ribbon BBQ - delicious!  People went for seconds, and how many wedding meals do you know where guest rave about the food?  The site was lovely, yet rustic, she purchased disposible BAMBOO plates and flatware that looked very nice...we actually purchased the glassware and linens (couldn't deal with paper & plastic - I know the camp's rustic but it IS a wedding!) and will resell on Craigslist as it was cheaper than renting, although more work for us.</div><div>
</div><div>She also contracted with a service company Simply Serving and I cannot say enough about them.  They completely set up the reception room, passed appetizers, served the buffet, then cleaned- washed,-repacked the glassware and all other supplies and loaded everything into my new son-in-law's truck!  We made sure to have a service company so we could actually enjoy the reception and I highly recommend Simply Serving!!</div><div>
</div><div>Just an FYI - if you are having alcohol you must obtain a 24 hr liquor license from the Town of Hanson (Jim at Camp Kiwanee with explain this.)  and you MUST let your guests know that if they are staying at the camp - as many of our younger guests were, extending this into a weekend-long event - that they absolutely cannot go back to their cabins for their own alcoholic beverages, they must use the bar in the reception lodge for the duration of the wedding!  This is a big issue for the camp if people do not follow this rule.</div><div>
</div><div>Great experience overall, in a lovely setting.  This is more of a DIY wedding site than many brides (and mob's) may want to tackle-creates a situation with many vendors to coordinate-here were ours</div><div>
</div><div>Camp Kiwanee - wedding/reception venue</div><div>Officiant</div><div>Caterer - Blue Ribbon BBQ - dinner</div><div>Service - Simply Serviing</div><div>Caterer - appetizers</div><div>Bakery - cake/cupcakes & setup</div><div>Photographer - Jamie Ivins (he's EXCELLENT!)</div><div>DJ </div><div>Photo Booth</div><div>Florist</div><div>Bar/bartenders</div><div>
</div><div>It was memorable and just what my daughter and her new husband wanted...it felt much more personal than traditional wedding venues (which we came to describe as the Wedding Industrial Complex ):  )</div><div>
</div><div>By the way - try the Monponsett Inn down the road in Halifax for your rehersal dinner.  They also serve a great brunch on Sunday mornings.  Our family got together for brunch the morning following the wedding before everyone headed home.</div><div>
</div><div>Hope this info helps...good luck!</div>[QUOTE]HI Everyone - looking for suggestions for venues on the South Shore.  We do not want a formal country club type wedding.  Looking for a little more laid back/casual - more of a party atmosphere/not super traditional wedding.  Ideally want a place where we could bring in our own caterer/bartender.  Looking at Camp Kiwanee this weekened.  Also Old Derby Academy has been suggested.  Anyone have any information on cost of Old Derby and what it includes?  Any other suggestions for unique venues?  Don't want to spend a forturne or have to get into a situation where we have to rent a tent/chairs etc. . . . Also - any suggestions on good and reasonably priced caterers on the south shore - not looking for traditional sit down wedding meal.  Thanks!
Posted by Inkster13[/QUOTE]

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maizymom

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_casual-south-shore-reception-venues?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:89Discussion:10c954f5-c67c-4daa-8da7-521f13d97096Post:9bc3f3a5-2382-40bc-9cb2-c07add8529e2">Casual South Shore Reception Venues</a>:
[QUOTE]HI Everyone - looking for suggestions for venues on the South Shore.  We do not want a formal country club type wedding.  Looking for a little more laid back/casual - more of a party atmosphere/not super traditional wedding.  Ideally want a place where we could bring in our own caterer/bartender.  Looking at Camp Kiwanee this weekened.  Also Old Derby Academy has been suggested.  Anyone have any information on cost of Old Derby and what it includes?  Any other suggestions for unique venues?  Don't want to spend a forturne or have to get into a situation where we have to rent a tent/chairs etc. . . . Also - any suggestions on good and reasonably priced caterers on the south shore - not looking for traditional sit down wedding meal.  Thanks!
Posted by Inkster13[/QUOTE]
We use Bryantville Deli and Catering two years ago for our sons wedding . great food can do the linens the servers and they can even do tents and table and chairs one stop shop will work your budget and they are very knowedgeable about the area.

Kat1343

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_casual-south-shore-reception-venues?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:89Discussion:10c954f5-c67c-4daa-8da7-521f13d97096Post:94bae818-6600-4d8d-a016-14f46c1c8122">Re: Casual South Shore Reception Venues</a>:
[QUOTE]We are using Seadog in Hull, MA in sept. Cant bring own food/drinks, but no renting of chairs etc. we have had some ups and downs with town permits and weight testing for the pier.  But the event room sounds like it might work for you.  if a smaller wedding, i would have looked at beachfire restraunt in Hull as well. 
Posted by abbeyrd117[/QUOTE]

. How did it wind up working out- did the town let you use the pier? We are having our reception there this Sept- and the town is saying we can't use the pier because of work being done. Woud love to know if they let you!