Seeking Boston/South Shore Venue Reviews & Recommendations

emawn77

I’m newly engaged and am looking for a venue, ideally a hotel, on the South Shore (but not too far south) or Boston area that could accommodate up to 350 guests for Spring/Summer2011. I am planning to contact the following locations to start and I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with any of the following venues or may have any additional suggestions. 

 

Four Points Norwood

Crowne Plaza Boston-Natick

Newton Marriott

Royal Sonesta Boston/Cambridge

Hyatt Regency Cambridge  

 

Thanks!

eeyore4771

The only place on your list that we looked at was the Royal Sonesta.  We thought it was nice as it was on the river, but we were bummed that the ballrooms were on the 2nd floor and not the top floor.  With your guest list, you can use the nicer room, but since our list was only 150 people or so, it would have cost us a lot more to use the room that we liked.

If you haven't checked it out, you should definitely look at the Seaport Hotel.  It's right off of 93 by the waterfront (really easy to get to by car or from the airport).  That's where we had our wedding, and they were amazing to work with.  You can read my review in my bio.  We used the Lighthouse Room, but you'd probably have to use the Plaza Room (I think that's the only one that can hold that many people).  If you want to check out pics, see my slideshow (link in siggy) or my album proof (link in bio by my photographer's review).  Here's their website

http://www.seaportboston.com

jonnysbride2010

The Four Points in Norwood, the Tiffany Ballroom is absolutely gorgeous! We looked there for a friend's wedding. She ultimately decided to go with Lake View Pavilion instead in Foxboro. You should check there too!

megandjay

350 is a lot of guests, is that just a guess? Or did you make a list of all the guests? Do you have a budget? At some of the hotels you mentioned you are looking at close to $50,000, just for the reception for that many guests , and that is NOT including music, photog, dress, ceremony, invites, etc. The two places in Cambridge are more expensive (Royal Sonesta is $200pp- or it was last year., the Hyatt is less.).

If you have just started planning, my 'go to' advice is to get together a written lis of all the guests names. And then figure out a budget. Remember that the reception should only be about 30%-40% of your total budget...(depending on what it includes)...

iwalktheline

i know you said not too south, but we got married at indian pond country club in kingston and it was beautiful!  we had about 200 guests, but they say the ballroom can accommodate up to 420.  I highly recommend them.  they were incredibly professional and everything went so smoothly.  i didn't have to worry about a single thing day-of.  the room has really neutral colors, so really any color pallete would work as well.

also, i don't know how big your budget is, but the state room in downtown boston was absolutely gorgeous and they should be able to accommodate your guest list as well.

hth!  good luck!!

debbiek1974

We looked at the Newton Marriot, and they were under construction when we had our appointment, and will be until at least May.  They also set our appointment for a day when all 3 sections of the ballroom were being used for meetings.  That didn't start us off too well.  At the time we were looking, we were at about 150 people (since grown), and they had a really high food minimum.  I can only imagine what it will be for your guest size!!  I don't want to seem like I am bashing them, because we actually stayed there the night we got engaged, and loved it, but also the coordinator has since gone out on maternity leave and they have someone filling in.  We are going with the Dedham Hilton, and so far the Function Manager has been great, and their prices seem very reasonable.  The only thing is, I don't know if the ballroom would accomodate 350.  Good luck!!!

emawn77

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I’m leaning towards the Four Points in Norwood; we have an appointment there next week. I was hesitant at first as my sister had her reception there in 2007 but comparing it to other places it really is the best deal for the price. Only my family was at my sister’s reception venue before and they all had a really great time – so they should enjoying coming back. When I spoke to the Crowne Plaza in Natick they had every Saturday in June 2011 open – which I thought was a little odd, it makes me wonder how good they are. They are also pretty inflexible with their packages.  

MeaghanandMichael

I went to a wedding at the Crowne Plaza and the food was delicious. That's all I got, but I think it says a lot when the food is great, especially for big numbers of people.