Venues that are off the beaten path

creativedoubt · June 2011

Hi, everyone!

I'm planning my wedding for next summer (date TBD,) and I've started to look into reception venues. I have two shots against me:

1. I'd love an indoor/outdoor reception (i.e. a location where the hall opens up to a large patio.) Since I'm pretty sure that's not possible, I'd love an outdoor reception.

2. I hate wedding food. I really do. I haven't been to one wedding yet where I thought the food was good. And the menus seem to be the same everywhere: prime rib, chicken, fish. I want to do something original, but most places won't let you bring in outside caterers.

I've checked out the list of venues that the Knot lists for the Boston area, but one was awful. The rest are either far away, too expensive, don't have an outdoor reception option, or don't allow outside caterers.

Does anyone know of a reception venue that isn't well known? I'm looking for something a semi-rural (Concord, Lincoln, Sudbury, etc.) but not too far from Cambridge/Somerville.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

JBs_Bride · June 2011

How much do you want to spend (either total for the reception or per person) and how many people are you planning on inviting? These two things will help people give good suggestions.

ashleye821 · June 2011

We're having our wedding at the deCordova Museum in Lincoln. Ceremony outside, cocktail hour on the terrace, and reception inside. The terrace is like a patio, right outside the gallery where we're having the reception, and we can use it during the reception as well. They have a list of preferred caterers but will let you use anyone you want, within reason of course. It's a little pricey, but PM me if you want more info.

Good luck!!

loveducks27 · June 2011

This is a bit farther than you want, but the Harding Allen Estate in Barre has a room that opens to a nice patio with a lilly pond. The outer walls can be taken out too for a more outdoor feel.

Blueyed228 · June 2011

The Barn at Gibbet Hill is pretty and has a large deck.

marshallra · June 2011

Try Arlington town hall it has a lovely garden and they let you bring in your own caterer. They have both a big auditorium room and a historic home. There is also the endicott estate in Dedham a lovely home with a large garden. Also Mass horticultural society in Wellseley and the Bradley estate in Dedham. The Codman estate in Lincoln and Gore place in Waltham. All have nice outdoor sites.

CambridgeVicky · June 2011

In addition to the Gore Place in Waltham there is the Lyman Estate and the Paine Estate. They are both really beautiful.

dparisi · June 2011

My daugher had her wedding on Thompson Island. You have the entire island for the whole day, they only do one wedding per day. They have a house you can rent ot get dressed in/stay over. They have beautiful areas for the ceremony and a huge tent for the reception. We had a clam bake and the food was awesome. Richie is the chef's name and he is so easy to work with-he will make just about whatever you want. The staff are all super efficient and friendly! The grounds are beautiful and your guests get a tour of the harbor on the way over and back. The sunsets are awesome also. This may be a bit father than you wanted to travel, but I just thought since you are looking for something a bit different, you may want to check it out.
http://www.thompsonisland.org/events-and-conferences I will be happy to answer any questions you have.

mia082683 · June 2011

Hamilton Meeting House is really quite nice. They have indoor areas and they put tents out if you want outdoor as well. It's beautiful and the catering company that works with them is AMAZING. Such unique ideas and will pretty much make whatever you want. Gourmet Delights. Very reasonable with tons of awesome foods. Grilled cheese/tomato soup shooters, fried mac and cheese, mashed potato bar with all the toppings... anything you want.

creativedoubt · June 2011

Sorry... I should have included pertinent information!

We've got a guest list of about 70. I'm willing to pare that down if I need to.

We're on a bit of a budget. I'm aiming for $5000 total for the reception, but that might be unrealistic. For now, I'm just gathering ideas and seeing as many places as possible.

Thank you for all of the great ideas!

By the way... I saw Codman Estates, and the whole experience was negative.

Sharkdiver1980 · June 2011

I know that Hammond Castle (magnolia, Ma which is technically part of Gloucester) is GORGEOUS...we took some of our engagement photos on the grounds there. They do have outdoor sitdown dinner recpetions, overlooking the ocean for a max of 90 people, and you can bring your own caterer.

http://www.hammondcastle.org/common/index.php?com=HAMM&div=AA&nav=AA&page=A13

Here are a few shots of our engaement photos that were taken there:

mia082683 · June 2011

With that budget and that number of people, I would DEFINITELY look into Hamilton Meeting House. Talk to Roxann at Gourmet Delights Catering. She's amazing and her office is in the building. It's really quite beautiful and 70 would be nearly perfect in their room.

Annakat1028 · June 2011

Not sure if it's too far but Zukas in Spencer is beautiful! It's rustic looking but modern. They have a barn or tent option and if I remember correctly, the prices weren't too bad.

michelle11988 · June 2011

I'm not sure if its off the beaten path enough or the cost of it. But I would check out Brooksby Farm in Peabody, I grew up near it and everyone raved of it but it isn't my taste. I've been to a handful of reunions and parties there and it is definitely beautiful.

krisvk10 · June 2011

Check out camp kiwanee in Hanson, MA. They have doors that drop into the floor and opens into a hge porch. Also, its on a lake and super rustic.

http://www.campkiwanee.com/

Venues that are off the beaten path

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