When selecting a Boston wedding venue, couples are truly never at a loss for the beauty surrounding our historic city. Whether you’re envisioning a downtown Boston wedding venue with a city view, a waterfront venue on historic Boston Harbor, or an outdoor wedding venue North of Boston, our experienced Boston wedding planners at Whim Events have you covered with our favorite places to host a stunning celebration.
Downtown Boston Wedding Venues
The State Room
The State Room has earned its reputation as the wedding venue with the best views in Boston, and it certainly does not disappoint. Sitting 33 floors above the city, with floor to ceiling windows spanning the entire length of the space, the State Room is breathtaking from day to night.
We love working here because it offers a contemporary blank slate, allowing couples to transform it into anything they wish. Because of the venue’s versatility, it’s just as conducive to hosting a modern-chic wedding here as it is to a garden-filled romantic soiree.
The State Room has several spaces, and the Great Room & Mezzanine are most popular for ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. While their capacity is 560, the space can host more for larger conferences or be paired down for intimate events.
Photography Tiffany Von Photography. See more: Brittany & Bobby’s wedding at The State Room
The MFA
One of Boston’s most exclusive venues, The Museum of Fine Arts offers couples the chance to host their wedding in a spectacular setting. The MFA boasts some of the world’s most coveted art collections and galleries, all of which guests can admire during an event.
The outdoor Calderwood Courtyard is a beautiful oasis surrounded by ivy-clad brick walls, twinkle light trees and overhead bistro lights – a perfect place for an outdoor ceremony in the heart of the city. The Shapiro Family Courtyard (the indoor courtyard and most popular reception space) offers space for hundreds of guests, tall glass windows and the infamous Chihuly statue.
For a more intimate setting, the Rotunda is a great space for a cocktail reception, and 465 Restaurant is incredible for a private dinner. Their hospitality and in-house culinary team provided by CxRA is top notch and is always eager to customize menus in meaningful ways.
Photography Elizabeth LaDuca Photography. See more: Danielle & Kyle’s Museum of Fine Arts Boston Wedding.
Boston Waterfront Wedding Venues
The ICA
The Institute of Contemporary Art is a sleek and modern venue located in the heart of the buzzing Seaport district – a great option for city-lovers who adore art, culture, cuisine and stunning water views. What we love about the ICA is its ability to give couples a bit of everything- an open-air ceremony and cocktail hour on the Boston Harbor, time to explore unique and modern art, and all the glamour of a city wedding.
The Catered Affair is the exclusive culinary and beverage team onsite, and flawlessly manages your incredible dining and hospitality experience. And, the ICA’s in-house AV/lighting team are pros at working with the buildings’ clean lines to create a one-of-kind lighting design.
Photography Elizabeth LaDuca Photography. See more: Brianna & Drew’s wedding at ICA Boston.
The Boston Harbor Hotel
If you’re looking for a waterfront wedding venue that offers historic Boston charm, it is undoubtedly the Boston Harbor Hotel. What we love most about this venue is its all-inclusive weekend feel. BHH offers several indoor and outdoor restaurants on the property for guests to grab a drink together, and serve as perfect spots for your welcome party or brunch.
As for the wedding day, The Wharf Room accommodates up to 250 guests and offers captivating harbor views, classic interior and stunning chandeliers – equally elegant and romantic. Cocktail hour can be hosted inside the Rotunda, or outside on the waterfront patio. And of course, brunch the next day can be served in the Atlantic Room or in one many of the other salons in the hotel.
Finally, the photo opportunities at BHH are endless – charter a boat to bring you and your partner into the harbor for the ceremony, take photos with your wedding party under the historic arch, or do first looks on the Rose Kennedy greenway. A Boston Harbor Hotel wedding is the epitome of a classic Beantown celebration.
Photography Molly Anne Photography
Small Restaurant Wedding Venue
Oleana
For an intimate Boston wedding of 15-20 guests, there is no place more magical than Oleana Restaurant in Cambridge. Known for their small plates, locally sourced meats and fish, and home-grown produce from chef Ana Sortun’s farm, Oleana serves up a chance for your family and friends to enjoy a family-style meal and cozy conversation.
The back patio is a garden-oasis enclosed in overgrown trees and flowers, with cozy nooks and bistro lights twinkling above the marble dining tables. They also offer a covered section of the patio which is perfect for a lounge or interactive area, and outdoor heat lamps and an awning over the tables in case of inclement weather. The cocktails are derived from their impressive wine selection and local beers flow on tap. For the foodie who wants to celebrate over numerous courses of small plates and chat late into the night, Oleana is truly a special place.
Photography Gabby Riggieri Photography. See more: Chloe’s 21st at Oleana.
Wedding Venues North of Boston
The Crane Estate
The view from the Crane Estate makes it one of the most coveted wedding venues North of Boston. Overlooking Ipswich’s Crane Beach, you will be overcome by it’s grandeur seaside views, impeccably landscaped grounds, marvelous gardens and historical stories.
While there is also a Barn onsite, the Great House is a National Historic Landmark, and the most popular space for weddings. The estate hosts ceremonies overlooking the Grand Allee or in the Italian Garden, cocktail hour on the Terrace lawn, dining in the elegant sailcloth tent that is permanently on-site, and dancing in the mansion.
The Crane Estate’s Great House has a capacity of 250 guests, with catering and beverage provided exclusively by Fireside Catering.
Hot tip: while we absolutely love the Front Lawn / Terrace overlooking the Grand Allee for ceremony, the Italian Garden is one of our most favorite and unexpected ceremony spots. It’s a small walk from the mansion, but guest transportation to the garden and back can certainly be arranged.
Photography White Loft Studio and Viera Photographics. See more: Eva & Kris’s Culinary-Inspired Crane Estate Wedding
The Beauport Hotel
This Gloucester hotel gets our vote for best hotel wedding venue on the North Shore. Situated on Gloucester Harbor, the Beauport Hotel feels boutique, luxurious, and extremely welcoming.
When you enter, you’ll walk up a small set of stairs that leads you into a warm and inviting lobby, complete with cozy fireplaces, soft seating, coffee, warm cookies and sweeping oceanfront views.
Because of its oceanside cozy feel, weddings at the Beauport are ideal any time of year. In the warm months, host your ceremony on the oceanside terrace, followed by an indoor-outdoor cocktail hour and dinner/dancing in their Grand Ballroom. Photos can also be taken on their small private beach. Guests can rent cruiser bikes from the hotel to explore downtown or relax with a cocktail at the rooftop pool.
In the cooler months, guests can cozy up in 1606 Restaurant and Bar for a drink, lunch or brunch. Plus, the hotel has 94 luxury guest rooms, which means everyone you love can stay onsite with you.
Photography Carly Michelle Photography. See more of Monique & Kiko’s Beauport Hotel Wedding
Greater Boston Wedding Venue
The Gardens at Elm Bank, Wellesley
Most couples seeking a wedding venue in Greater Boston want a space that is natural and moldable, yet not too far from the city. Enter the Gardens at Elm Bank, offering 36-acres of land, 12 stunning gardens and multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces. Elm Bank is just 30 minutes outside of Boston, and a true gem.
Our couples adore saying their vows in the Italianate garden, an enclosed “secret garden” with a lovely stone water fountain. Cocktail hour can be hosted in one of their gardens onsite including Weezie’s Children’s Garden, on the paths of Belvedere Garden, or on the large Maple Grove lawn.
Receptions for over 200 guests can be tented in Maple Grove, or up to 200 guests can be hosted inside in the Hunnewell Building. Hunnewell is a beautiful white-brick blank space, with an attached tent and small garden for dancing. The biggest perk of Elm Bank is the guest experience. Guests can explore all the gardens on the property (the paths are ideal for pedicabs!) and the greenhouse is a stunning spot for photos.
Photography Lindsay Hite Photography. See more: Lindsey & Gabe’s Elm Bank Wedding
Unique Boston Wedding Venue
Artists for Humanity
If you’re looking for an industrial and unique wedding venue in Boston, Artists for Humanity Epicenter is your canvas. Plus, getting married here is a philanthropic endeavor, as your rental of the space directly funds their mission of helping under-resourced teens through art and design.
The venue is vast, and can be used in multiple ways – hosting anywhere from 40-800 guests. We love its stunning white walls (filled with artwork that can stay or be removed for your event), mezzanine spaces and large galleries. The best part of this space is it’s large garage door, which can be opened up to their newly renovated outdoor patio. Gourmet Caterers is the exclusive caterer and beverage provider in-house, and their expertise and attention to detail is perfect for this space.
Photography Carla Ten Eyck Photography and Jenny Moloney Photography
Winter Wedding Venue
The Harvard Club, Back Bay
The Harvard Club of Boston is what cozy winter wedding dreams are made of. Rich in history and Boston charm, the club has hosted a long line of famous and influential names.
Ceremonies are notably done in the Massachusetts Room, atop the sleek and statement-making black and white checkered floor. From there, guests can enjoy cocktails and lounge in the Harvard Hall Foyer alongside the many fireplaces, before making their way into Harvard Hall for dinner and dancing.
Harvard Hall is a grand space, and we love saving it for the reception to make a big impact. Its high dark-wood walls, cozy fireplaces, large mantles and stunning high ceilings are perfect for twinkling candlelight and a warm amber glow. Situated in the heart of Back Bay, the Harvard Club is an easy walk to accommodations and ideal for strolling and sight seeing all of Boston’s holiday decor.
Photography Zac Wolf Photography
Your Boston & New England Wedding Planners
Ready to plan your dream Boston wedding? We’re here to craft a celebration personalized for you. Find out more about Whim Events’ wedding planning services and floral design, available in Boston, New England, and destination.
