Where you choose to get married is a HUGE deal! It sets the tone for the entire event. If you pick a wedding that screams classical, traditional elegance – putting mason jars on the table with wildflowers might not really work. Just like getting married in a vintage Dior dress might seem odd at a barn.
So in order to help out all those brides to be… here are my top ten favorite wedding venues in New England.
Please note: These are in no particular order
Alden Castle – Brookline, MA
The Wannabe Princess
Alden Castle, located just outside of Boston, is the perfect venue for every little girl or boy that dreamed of being a prince or princess. With stunning chandeliers and an actual ballroom – you can’t get more royal than this.
Tips for Guests: Bring your a-game! This isn’t the dress from the back of the closet kind of venue. Take advantage of the environment – its the perfect opportunity to wear a floor length gown worthy of the Oscars red carpet.
Edgewood Manor – Providence, RI
The Simple Classicists
Edgewood Manor, located minutes from downtown Providence, has all the elements of a classic. The reception hall is roomy and bright and offers traditional charm and a formal environment.
Tips for Guests: Take the gondola ride! I mean short of going to Italy, where else can you do that?
Inn at Mystic – Mystic, CT
The True New Englander
The Inn at Mystic is a perfect combination of everything you love about New England. The venue itself is a luxurious mansion set a top sprawling hills, on the water, surrounded by trees… Like I said – true New England.
Tips for Guests: There’s a horse drawn carriage on the grounds. Yeah, you read that right.
John Peters Estate – Blue Hill, ME
The Outdoorsy Types
John Peters Estate is a stunning brick building situated in the exact kind of atmosphere you’d expect from Maine – beautiful fields on the water.
Tips for Guests: Wear long boots or high pants if the wedding is during the warmer months, big fields with high grass attract ticks – and that is NOT a favor you’d want to bring home from the wedding.
Willowdale Estate – Topsfield, MA
The Elegant Romantics
Willowdale Estates is known for their “tent” weddings. The set up is beautiful and elegant in a semi-traditional way, but a nice alternative for those not ready to getting married in the woods or a church.
Tips for Guests: If the wedding is in October – try to stay for the fair. The Topsfield Fair is a great time for everyone – animals, food and live entertainment.
hree Chimneys Inn – Durham, NH
The Rustic Retreaters
Three Chimneys Inn is rustic, charming and VERY stereotypical NH. This little inn is tucked away in Durham – home of UNH – and has amazing food!
Tips for Guests: If the wedding you’re attending is at the beginning or end of a school year – book your accommodations early! Parents hog the hotels to help their kids move in on campus.
Slater Mill – Pawtucket, RI
The History Buffs
Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI was the first cotton mill in the US – it’s even been designated an historic landmark.
Tips for Guests: Make a weekend of it! The Mill is always running special events like Poetry nights, readings and even Paranormal Investigation nights.
The Chanler – Newport, RI
The Timeless Dreamers
Perfectly timeless and overflowing with old time elegance, The Chanler is a beautiful place for a wedding. Completely renovated in the early 2000’s, the Chanler offers top class amenities and old world charm.
Tips for Guests: Plan for traffic for summer weddings – Newport is an incredibly popular vacation spot in the summer months for out of towners.
Trapp Family Lodge – Stowe, VT
The Rural Charmer
Sprawling on a mountain side – the Trapp Family Lodge is the ideal setting for a wedding year round, but especially in the winter.
Tips for Guests: Winter wedding – bring your ski’s! Stowe has some of the best skiing and snowboarding in New England.
Alyson’s Orchard – Walpole, NH
The Hipster Classics
While getting married in an orchard with mason jars on the table has become the epitome of Hipster chic as far as weddings goes – Alyson’s Orchard is my personal favorite on this list. (I’m renewing my vows here in June!)
the apple picking is fabulous, the reception hall is stunning and the staff couldn’t be more accommodating.
Tips for Guests: Try the apple sangria. Seriously.
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