BEST WEDDING VENUES IN BOSTON & CAMBRIDGE MA According to a Wedding Planner with 15+ Years of Experience
After planning hundreds of weddings and events over the past 15 years, we know as much as you do, that not all weddings are the same. Not all client needs are the same. And not everyone’s style is the same.
There are 4 core differences in venue needs for modern brides and grooms:
- Capacity: The average wedding in Boston has about 110 guests. However, some people are hosting weddings as small as 50, and some as large as 500+. To help you find venues that meet your capacity needs, we created a separate section for venues with a capacity over 200 below.
- Catering: While many venues require you to cater your food through them, this does not work for everyone. For multicultural weddings with specific meal items you’d want to serve, or simply wanting to choose your own (licensed) caterer who specializes in your favorite meal options, you may want a venue that gives more flexibility in the area. This is why we have a specific section below for venues that allow outside catering.
- Indoor/Outdoor: If you’re hosting a wedding in the middle of Summer or the middle of Winter then you may be seeking an indoor venue, but if your wedding is in more mild times, you may want part or all of your wedding to be outdoors. We’ve noted which venues below provide outdoor options for the ceremony or reception
- Style: Everyone’s style is unique, so we’ve provided a list of venues with different styles for you to choose from.
SECTION 1: VENUES THAT ARE CATERING HALLS
1. THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
A stunning 1895 Renaissance palace in Copley Square with marble staircases. Bates Hall with 50 foot barrel vaulted ceilings is breathtaking. The courtyard provides an elegant outdoor cocktail hour space. Supporting a cultural institution through your wedding feels meaningful.
Overview
- City: Boston, MA
- Max capacity: 300 guests
- Provides in house catering only
- Indoor and outdoor venues available
What couples love:
- A stunning 1895 Renaissance palace in Copley Square with marble staircases
- Bates Hall with 50-foot barrel-vaulted ceilings is breathtaking
- The courtyard provides an elegant outdoor cocktail hour space
- Supporting a cultural institution through your wedding feels meaningful
- Perfect for book-loving, cultured couples who want Boston grandeur
2. THE STATE ROOM
A 33rd floor venue with floor to ceiling windows and panoramic Boston views. Modern elegance with stunning city skyline and harbor views. Team is professional, organized, and handles every detail flawlessly. In house catering is consistently excellent.
Overview
- City: Boston, MA
- Max capacity: 300 guests seated
- Provides in house catering only
- Indoor venue only
What couples love:
- A 33rd-floor venue with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic Boston views
- Modern elegance with stunning city skyline and harbor views
- The team is professional, organized, and handles every detail flawlessly
- In-house catering is consistently excellent
- Perfect for couples wanting contemporary luxury with iconic Boston views
3. THE OCEANVIEW OF NAHANT
A waterfront venue on a peninsula just 20 minutes from Boston. Stunning ocean views and seaside ceremony sites. The staff is warm, accommodating, and genuinely caring. New England coastal charm without traveling to Cape Cod.
Overview
- City: Nahant, MA
- Max capacity: 250 guests seated
- Provides in house catering only
- Indoor and outdoor venues available
What couples love:
- A waterfront venue on a peninsula just 20 minutes from Boston
- Stunning ocean views and seaside ceremony sites
- The staff is warm, accommodating, and genuinely caring
- New England coastal charm without traveling to Cape Cod
- Perfect for couples wanting beachfront elegance near the city
4. THE HAMPSHIRE HOUSE
A historic brownstone overlooking Boston Public Garden and Beacon Hill. Bull and Finch Pub the inspiration for Cheers is on the first floor. Elegant period details and intimate atmosphere. Multiple event spaces for different wedding sizes.
Overview
- City: Boston, MA
- Max capacity: 200 guests seated
- Provides in house catering only
- Indoor venue only
What couples love:
- A historic brownstone overlooking Boston Public Garden and Beacon Hill
- Bull & Finch Pub (the inspiration for “Cheers”) is on the first floor
- Elegant period details and intimate atmosphere
- Multiple event spaces for different wedding sizes
- Perfect for couples wanting classic Boston charm wedding style or theme
- Perfect for modern, urban couples who want a unique Dallas venue
5. THE ESTATE AT MORRAINE FARM
A 1904 country estate in Beverly with rolling fields and gardens. Rustic elegant barn and beautiful outdoor ceremony sites. Team handles everything with warmth and professionalism. North Shore location offers countryside charm near the coast.
Overview
- City: Beverly, MA
- Max capacity: 200 guests seated
- Provides in house catering only
- Indoor and outdoor venues available
What couples love:
- A 1904 country estate in Beverly with rolling fields and gardens
- Rustic-elegant barn and beautiful outdoor ceremony sites
- The team handles everything with warmth and professionalism
- North Shore location offers countryside charm near the coast
- Perfect for couples wanting New England farm elegance
SECTION 2: VENUES THAT ALLOW OUTSIDE CATERING
PERFECT FOR CLIENTS WITH PARTICULAR CATERING & CULTURAL NEEDS
1. THE ESTATE AT PLAINFIELD
A historic estate in Plainfield NH with stunning mountain views. Beautiful gardens and elegant manor house. New Hampshires lower costs make this a budget friendly option. Perfect for couples wanting New England estate elegance with vendor freedom.
Overview
- City: Plainfield, NH
- Max capacity: 250 guests seated
- Allows outside catering
- Indoor and outdoor venues available
What couples love:
- A historic estate in Plainfield, NH with stunning mountain views.
- Outside catering allowed.
- Beautiful gardens and elegant manor house.
- New Hampshire’s lower costs make this a budget-friendly option.
- Perfect for couples wanting New England estate elegance with vendor freedom.
2. LYMAN ESTATE (THE VALE)
A 1793 Federal style mansion in Waltham with 30 acres of gardens. Historic New England architecture and beautiful grounds. Managed by Historic New England affordable and stunning. Great for history loving couples with catering control.
Overview
- City: Waltham, MA
- Max capacity: 200 guests seated
- Requires outside catering
- Indoor and outdoor venues available
What couples love:
- A 1793 Federal-style mansion in Waltham with 30 acres of gardens.
- Outside catering required.
- Historic New England architecture and beautiful grounds.
- Managed by Historic New England – affordable and stunning.
- Great for history-loving couples with catering control.
3. THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
Reception with views of the Charles River and Boston skyline. Unique science exhibits as your backdrop. Educational and fun. Perfect for science loving couples wanting something totally different.
Overview
- City: Boston, MA
- Max capacity: 400 guests seated
- Allows outside catering through approved vendors
- Indoor venue only
What couples love:
- Reception with views of the Charles River and Boston skyline.
- Outside catering allowed through approved vendors.
- Unique science exhibits as your backdrop. Educational and fun.
- Perfect for science-loving couples wanting something totally different.
4. TOWER HILL BOTANICAL GARDEN
A 132 acre botanical garden in Boylston 45 minutes from Boston. Stunning gardens and panoramic views. Natural beauty with total vendor freedom. Perfect for garden loving couples on a budget.
Overview
- City: Boylston, MA
- Max capacity: 250 guests seated
- Requires outside catering
- Indoor and outdoor venues available
What couples love:
- A 132-acre botanical garden in Boylston (45 minutes from Boston).
- Outside catering required.
- Stunning gardens and panoramic views.
- Natural beauty with total vendor freedom.
- Perfect for garden-loving couples on a budget.
5. FORT PHOENIX
A historic fort and waterfront park in Fairhaven with ocean views. Beach ceremony sites and covered pavilion. City managed and very affordable. Great for couples wanting coastal New England with complete catering control.
Overview
- City: Fairhaven, MA
- Max capacity: 300 plus guests seated
- Allows outside catering
- Outdoor venue with covered pavilion
What couples love:
A historic fort and waterfront park in Fairhaven with ocean views. Outside catering allowed. Beach ceremony sites and covered pavilion. City-managed and very affordable. Great for couples wanting coastal New England with complete catering control.
This venue list only scratches the surface on amazing venues in the area.
We have access to dozens of venues in the area, and when you book the Wedded Details Full Wedding Planning package, we can send you a custom venue list to choose from that meets your specific wedding needs in as short as 5 business days!
BOOK FULL PLANNING NOW, AND GET YOUR CURATED VENUE RECOMMENDATIONS IN 5 BUSINESS DAYS OR LESS
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