FACT
When you mention the word 'wedding' versus a retirement or birthday party, the price automatically jumps up.
1. Take the time to think outside the box and find locations that are atypical to weddings which is a cost saver if you are not too picky about what the place looks like.
2. Make a list will help break down what you really want versus what you don't really need.
3. For us, we wanted the Chinese food but not the Chinese banquet hall. If it wasn't for that, we would just do a Chinatown wedding.
Our List of non-negotiable:
Ability to have Open Bar/outside liquor ( always a hit for the guests)
Amount of guests it could fit (150-200)
Outside catering
Close to Boston (within 20 miles)
Have parking or garages available
With this list, it came down to 6 locations. I will share my list with you so that if you are interested you can find them in your local area.
Every location is different but you can see the price differences in each one.
Community Center
such as ELKS/American Legion Post
Pros:
- Full kitchen where the cater can do everything.
- Super affordable rental- Only $550 for 5 hours and included all the chairs/tables.
Cons:
- Too tight of a space and the ceilings were not high enough for our entrance
- Open Bar was only possible if we use their bartender ( $40) plus cost of drinks, which there was no way to really track it and could overcharge us.
- Total privacy would not be possible because they can't close the bar to the community veterans which would make for some awkwardness or party crashers.
Nightclub
Room Rental: 5000-7500/4 hours. 1000/additional hour.
Pros:
- They have a stage so if you want some separation for the bride/groom and dinner guests or if you want performances at your wedding.
- Full DJ Booth, full sound and lighting system, and sound system available.
Cons:
- Since it is a nightclub, they will definitely kick your party out by 10/11pm since they have to prepare for the clubbers.
In all honestly I felt that if we did get married at a nightclub, our friends would NOT be surprised. Especially since that is how we first met.
Hotel
Hotels can be pricey! But not only are you paying for atmosphere but also the service. Most all of these places includes a day of coordinator or some sort of event planner that helps you with your day so you don't have to worry.
For Boston Park Plaza Hotel, it's expensive, it's beautiful and it best represents Boston- Sophisticated, Elegant, Luxurious. Floor to ceiling windows, ballrooms, crystal chandeliers, and white glove service!
Room for up to 250+ guests
Cost can be anywhere between $15,000- 30,000.
We said no because the costs of bartenders and guests were around $13,000.
Boston Park Plaza Hotel
I put the library because my friends recently got married here and it's a really beautiful venue! The pricing is similar to hotel prices especially since you have to go through a specific catering company.
Library
Function Space
(e.g. Spring Step, Cyclorama, Art Studio)
These are the types of places that you wouldn't think to get married in but are actually quite popular due to price and just out of the box locations. Rentals for the location is not too bad, can range about $500-1,000/hr. Keep in mind the location may not have items such as chairs, tables, plates, etc which can increase your budget especially if you have to rent items.
For some function spaces, there is an anything goes policy so you could get away with some things that a hotel may not let you get away with ( AS LONG AS ITS LEGAL!).
Cyclorama
Spring Step
Good luck in finding your location :)
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