Fees for Bradley Estate and Commanders Mansion in Watertown

GardenBride2012

I was wondering if anyone knew the rental fees for either of these locations for late fall - I would consider doing a Friday, Sunday or winter month if there were reduced rates for this.

Anyone have any thoughts on either location ? I have a small budget and have a friend with a catering company - so it would be great if either location allows you to pick any caterer and you don't need to pick off a list they provide. Thanks!!

gentel.smith

Have you contacted either of these places? That is probably your best bet to get the specific information you are requesting....I did speak with the Commander's Mansion, but their rental fees are different depending on which part of the house you are looking to rent, and I believe they have a list of caterers you need to choose from. Not many of these kind of places allow you to choose your own caterer.

GardenBride2012

I will probably hear back from them on Tuesday - I was just hoping that someone here might have already had a wedding at either place and could give me an idea on the catering situation and/or fees - I am trying not to get my hopes up because we have a strict budget and most places we have liked have a 6-7k rental fee. If we could find a place that has a rental fee of 3k or less that would be great. We are looking for an estate type venue where we could also have the ceremony on site. So far we've looked at the Codman estate, Elm Bank, and Endicott Estate - Elm Bank was nice but I felt the rental fee was high. Thank you - all info is helpful.

marshallra

Both places will allow you to bring in your own caterer. It is wide open at the Bradley estate, a little more limited in Watertown but I think they will work with you. My numbers are a little old (2010) but they should give you an idea. The commander's house was 4000 for a Saturday, Friday or Sunday 350 per hour with a 4 hour minimum. The tent is an additional fee depending on numbers. The rental does include tables and chairs and the use of the entire building. You can also keep going all night since there are no noise restrictions. It is a pretty very Victorian building with lots of upstairs cozy rooms -all furnished with antiques you can actually use and large rooms down stairs to set up with dining, dancing etc. The Bradley estate only rents one wedding per weekend so the price is the same for any weekend day. They were at 3800. The house holds 100, after that you have to do a tent which you have to rent .You have to end by 11 inside 10 outside. I don't think that they have any tables or chairs. I do know however that during the week the rental used to be considerably less. Also a very pretty house-more of a mansion less historical. I also have a suggestion for you; the Robbins house next to the old Arlington Town Hall. It is an 1800 house and rents for 2000 until November 1 and from thanksgiving through New Years, 1600 from November 1 through April ( excluding the holiday time) There are a few other Historical houses around but a lot depends on your numbers and where you'd like to be. There is Stonehurst in Waltham or the Winsor House in Duxbury. Also the Lyman house should be reopening soon. If you goggle Historic homes in MA you can find a lot. Good luck!!!

GardenBride2012

Marshallra thank you so much!! Exactly what I was looking for - I will definitely check out Stonehurst and Robbins house as well. Thank you again !