Author Archives: Elissa

Absolutely Unique Wedding Venues in NYC – Part 1

If the vision and vibe you and your fiance have in mind for your wedding day is far from cookie-cutter, you might want to set the tone early, starting with an unexpected or unconventional wedding venue! You know, the kind of place that makes your wedding a unique and memorable experience rather than simply an event.

Well, if you’re getting married in NYC, we’ve done some of the research for you! Here is a short (but great) list of some of the most unique, storied and jaw dropping venues in NYC!

The Beekman

If you’re any kind of a history buff, you’ll likely be amazed to know that at one time the site where The Beekman sits was home to NYC’s original theater district, and more specifically, The Chapel Street Theatre, where William Shakespeare’s Hamlet debuted in NYC in 1761! 5 Beekman Street went through several other reinventions over the years, before the Temple Court Building was erected between 1881 and 1883. The Queen Anne and Renaissance Revival style of the original section of The Beekman, along with the stunning 9 story atrium will add a dramatic atmosphere for your once in a lifetime celebration!

Seriously, the atrium boasts tile-mosaic floors and gorgeous ornate iron railings, held up by cast-iron brackets shaped like dragons. The ambience is sumptuous and welcoming, and no detail is spared in the rest of the hotel either. The luxurious vibe continues with The Bar room, then into the award winning Temple Court Restaurant, and straight into pure French elegance at Le Gratin by Chef Daniel Boulud.

The Beekman is able to host micro-weddings of up to 50, or able to host up to 90 guests for a more formal reception, with a large collection of event spaces, both intimate and more grand, and indoor and out, creating a truly bespoke affair.

The Angel Orensanz Foundation

The Angel Orensanz Foundation prides itself in maintaining the former Ansche Chesed Synagogue as a historical landmark. The former synagogue was built in 1849 and is the oldest Reform Synagogue in the US. Its distinctive neo-gothic architecture comes from the inclusive vision of the German Reform Movement, and more specifically from the synagogue’s architect, Alexander Saeltzer. The building’s design borrows extensively from the Cathedral of Cologne, the Friederichwerdeschekirche in the Mitte in Berlin, as well as most heavily from the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

What I’m saying is that this venue is gorgeous, expansive, dramatic and historic! It might be just the place to host your out-of-this-world wedding! Just look at their gallery to see what’s possible with decor lighting in this space! Incredible! And, the vibe extends beyond the exterior, when you learn more about the Foundation that curates this space.

The Angel Orensanz Foundation for the Arts was established in 1992 as an artistic and cultural resource that is open to artists, writers, thinkers and leaders from all over the world, and to the community all around us. Over the years the foundation has welcomed and been inspired by Philip Glass, Spike Lee, Arthur Miller, Alexander McQueen, Salman Rushdie, Maya Angelou, Alexander Borovsky, Elie Wiesel and Chuck Close.

And, if you have your heart set on a big wedding, The Foundations Event space can host formal receptions for up to 260 guests, so your guestlist can be just as epic as your reception space!

Stay turned in the coming weeks for parts 2 and 3 of our Absolutely Unique Wedding Venues in NYC list!

Crafting Your Personalized Wedding Playlist

However you are envisioning the music for your wedding reception — which is typically four to five hours of music, and amounts to around 80 to 100 songs if you happen to have booked a DJ. Or, alternatively, might only amount to 50-to-60+ songs (possibly broken into two sets), if you have hired a live band — there will be plenty of behind the scenes coordination with your wedding entertainment to make your reception seem seamless.

But, one of the beautiful things about your wedding reception music is that it is free to be a little bit of everything: You’re welcome, and almost expected, to skip around between quite a few different genres, decades and styles that you both love.

At Beat Train Productions, we believe that the wedding playlist should be thought of as the soundtrack to the couple’s love story. Couples should consider adding more songs that resonate with who they are, as well as any songs that remind them of why they love each other, and songs that are tied to memories they have with loved ones are also super important. The music on their wedding day should be a culmination of songs that are linked to the best moments of their lives. So, after a couple of discussions everyone will have a crystal clear understanding of the overall roadmap and vibe for the day—including any must-have songs for key moments during your wedding reception (and ceremony), such as first dance songs or must-play dance floor anthems. But at some point, you also have to kick back and trust the talent you’ve booked to read the room and make that dance floor magic happen!

Playlist Inspiration

Before you hand your musical entertainment the keys, so to speak, take a moment to read through this list, of some of the most requested wedding reception songs ever! This wedding reception playlist inspiration ranges all the way from gold-standard classics to more modern dance classics, with plenty of fresh takes thrown in for good measure.. Just remember: This is your celebration. And, a good rule of thumb is, If the newlyweds are happy, it’s pretty much guaranteed that everyone will have a good time!

Most Requested Songs At Weddings:

“I Want to Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” Whitney Houston

“Dancing Queen,” Abba

“Let’s Dance!, ”David Bowie

“Dreams, ”Fleetwood Mac

“(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher,” Jackie Wilson

“Kiss,” Prince

“Once in a Lifetime,” Talking Heads

“Time After Time,” “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” Cyndi Lauper

“Rock Lobster,” The B-52’s

“Golden Years,” David Bowie

“Cha Cha Slide (Original Live Platinum Band Mix),” DJ Casper

“Crazy in Love (feat. Jay-Z),” Beyoncé

“We Found Love,” Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris

“Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift

“You’ve Got the Love,” Florence + The Machine

“Can’t Hold Us (feat. Ray Dalton),” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

“Mr. Brightside,” The Killers

“Ho Hey,” The Lumineers

“Cosmic Girl,” Jamiroquai

“Hey Ya!,” Outcast

“I Gotta Feeling,” Black Eyed Peas

“SexyBack,” Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland

“About Damn Time,” “Juice,” Lizzo

“Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God),” Kate Hill

“Rasputin,” Boney M., Majestic Remix

“Can’t Help Falling in Love,” Elvis Presley

“This Will Be (An Everlasting Love),” Natalie Cole

“Perfect,” Ed Sheeran

“Just the Way You Are,” Bruno Mars

“First Day of My Life,” Bright Eyes

We Just Got Engaged!! Now, What?!

Don’t Rush! Enjoy This Moment!

Before you and your fiance jump right into wedding planning, stop and take some time to bask in your newly engaged status! In other words, this is a huge milestone in both of your lives, so it’s important to take the time to celebrate your engagement! And we’re not necessarily talking about hosting a formal engagement party; although, those are great too!

We simply mean taking a little time as a couple to revel in – and share – your new relationship status before getting all wrapped up in the busy process of wedding planning. But, why, you might ask!? Well, because it’s a huge life event and should be properly acknowledged. Whether that means a quiet date night in with your fiancé, a casual backyard BBQ with both of your families, or maybe even a full-on catered cocktail style engagement party! Marriage is for life, there’s no need to rush!

Pick a Date (or Date Range, or Season)

Unfortunately, even if you have your heart set on a certain date, you may not know your actual wedding date for a while! Because the truth is that the day you say “I do!” depends on many factors, one of the biggest being the actual availability of your top 3 potential wedding venues. So, go in with a plan, but also be flexible!

That being said, settling on a general date range or season will allow you to get some of your planning process started. For example: “Spring 2024” or “Next fall” will give your plans a little structure, and make it seem much more real! It will also feel good to have an answer when all your friends and family members start asking, “Sooooo, when’s the big day?!” Because, trust us, they’re going to ask!!

Set Your Priorities and Budget

Setting your budget and deciding on the ‘wedding day must-haves’ should be the first items you discuss when planning your wedding! It’s crucially important that you and your fiancé start this planning journey on the same page when it comes to priorities and budget! Now is a good time to consider your overall financial situation, as well as savings, possible family contributions to the big day, as well as your current debt load (including student loans).

Then, prioritize having “the money talk” to come up with a ballpark budget range. Once you come to a ballpark figure, you can start brainstorming and getting in touch with vendors for pricing information. This will also help to hone your priorities, as in, “We definitely need to have a photo booth at our reception!” or “We’re not interested in having a traditional wedding cake at our reception.”

Get Organized!

As you start the planning process, you’re going to end up with a ton of ideas, checklists, vendor and venue recommendations, wedding photo inspiration, wedding magazines, bridal show tickets, contracts, etc. So, it would be prudent to figure out an organizational system ahead of time, so that you can keep track of all that information right at your fingertips! That way you’ll have it on hand when you meet with potential wedding vendors or your wedding planner. The organizational system can be a Google Document full of links, Evernote, a dedicated Pinterest board, a calendar app, a good old fashioned wedding binder or maybe you’d like to use a combination of several systems. The most important thing is that it works for you and your fiance! We promise that getting yourself organized early on in the planning process will help to minimize pre-wedding stress, so you can hit the ground running with all of those important wedding decisions!

All About Signing The Ketubah (Jewish Marriage Contract)

The Ketubah is a Jewish marriage contract, and is considered an integral part of a traditional Jewish marriage. The Ketubah outlines the agreed upon rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to his bride, and it is most assuredly not a bill of sale. In modern practice, the Ketubah has no monetary value, is an important ritual, and usually uses modern texts that stipulate equality and love within the marriage. And, it is seldom enforced by civil courts, except in Israel.

The History of The Ketubah

The Ketubah or marital contract has been an essential part of Jewish weddings for many thousands of years. There are even mentions of the wedding contract in the bible, specifically stipulating how much a groom’s family would have to pay the bride’s family upon marriage. The earliest surviving historical Ketubah is from around 440 B.C.E and is written in Aramaic.

In some Orthodox communities around the world, the text hasn’t changed, and is still written in Aramaic. However, in nonorthodox communities, couples generally use more modern (English or Hebrew) texts that speak about equality and love within the marriage. It’s also fairly common these days for the bride and groom to take on writing the contract themselves, as the Ketubah has grown and evolved to fit every couple and every ceremony. It now happily includes LGBTQ+ and non-binary couples in Reform or Interfaith ceremonies.

Much like a prenuptial agreement, the Ketubah lays out details such as what a wife gets if there is a divorce or untimely death and what the husband promises to provide to his wife, and outlines a husband’s marital obligations to his wife, it also lists all the details of the wedding: the date, the name of the bride and groom, and more.

The Ketubah Ceremony

The signing of the Ketubah takes place in a ceremony before the official wedding ceremony under the chuppah. Some couples make this an intimate family-only affair while other couples, especially Orthodox couples, do the ketubah signing at the Chatan’s Tisch (the groom’s reception, which takes place before the chuppah) Some couples even opt to do the signing the day before the wedding in a private ceremony for close family and friends.

Once it is signed the Ketubah is read out loud at the ceremony, and after the wedding it is usually framed and displayed in the newlywed’s home.

Who Signs The Ketubah?

Surprisingly, in Orthodox Jewish weddings, the Ketubah isn’t signed by the bride and groom, and is instead signed by two witnesses, unrelated to the couple. The signers in Orthodox Jewish Ceremonies also must abide by Jewish law and be male; however, in modern or reform Jewish practices, the witnesses can be anyone the couple wants. In this instance it doesn’t matter whether they are male or female or observant or not. Some couples even choose to have more than two witnesses, and it’s common for the bride and groom to both sign their own Ketubah, signifying their lifelong commitment to one another. The Rabbi or officiant also signs the document.

All About Dancing The Hora at Jewish Weddings

The Hora dance, sometimes also referred to as the chair dance, is a dance traditionally performed at Jewish weddings. During the Hora dance the newlyweds are lifted up into the air on chairs while their family and friends dance in circles around them. The couple holds hands, or each person holds one end of a handkerchief or napkin to signify their new union. It’s a very high energy affair and can go on for hours at some weddings! It takes stamina, but it’s lots of fun and is generally considered one of the biggest highlights of the entire wedding celebration!

History Of The Hora

It surprises some people to find out that the hora was not actually a Jewish dance at all until it traveled to Palestine from Romania, where Zionist pioneers, or halutzim, adopted it in the early 20th century. And, the word “Hora” comes from the ancient Greek word khoros, which is also the root of words such as “chorus” and “choir.”

In fact, traditional circle dances that have derived their names from the Greek word khoros can be found all over the Balkans and even southeastern Europe! These dances include the Turkish and Romanian Hora, the Bulgarian Horo, the Montenegrin and Macedonian Ora, and the Russian Khorovod. The dances all have a long history and are danced in a similar style!

The Hora as we know it today, only dates back to 1924 when a welcome Hora was performed for the Jewish settlers arriving in Palestine. The Hora dance then became associated with joy and celebration, and has since been performed at special occasions like weddings, both in Israel and America. In more traditional Jewish communities men and women still dance the Hora separately in their own circles, while in more modern Jewish communities men and women dance together in circles with the couple in the middle.

When Should The Hora Be Performed?

The Hora dance is generally performed during the wedding reception, after dinner and before the dance; however, there is no set rule for when in the festivities it should be completed. Many couples opt to dance the Hora as part of their grand entrance, and many couples wait until after dinner is done, and use dancing the Hora to open up the dance floor for the evening.

Who Joins In On The Hora?

The short answer is everybody who wants to and is able to, is welcome to join in! And, because all the guests are encouraged to join, it is recommended to have a large dance floor and enough space in the ballroom to accommodate the Hora dance.

Who Is Lifted Up On Chairs During The Hora?

While the couple (of course) is always lifted up on chairs, sometimes other honored wedding guests also join in! For instance, sometimes the couple’s immediate family members such as parents, and siblings are also lifted on chairs into the middle of the circle.

Who Does The Lifting?

Anybody can get in on the fun and do the honors, as long as they are strong enough! After all, It can be hard work, so it’s quite common to swap people in and out as the dance goes on. Sometimes lifters are decided beforehand while other times, lifters spontaneously run into the middle of the circle to do the honors.

Who Plays The Hava Nagila, And For How Long?

The couple can choose either a live band or a DJ for the music for the Hora! They will just have to make sure to plan it all in advance and discuss the details with their DJ or live band, i.e.: when they want the Hora to take place during the reception, what music they would like for dancing the Hora, and the crucial detail of the length of the dance as well! After all, all of these factors are variable when it comes to dancing the Hora!

But, no matter how the newly wedded couple chooses to dance the Hora at their wedding, our wish for them will remain the same! May today’s joy continue to fill your life forever! Mazel Tov! Congratulations!

The Ins and Outs of the 360 Photo Booth Experience

First things first… what have you heard about 360 Photo Booths?! If the answer is “Nothing!” Keep reading and we’ll give you the whole lowdown on how it works, what all the buzz is about, and why you need to hire one!

This new photo booth craze is sweeping the wedding and events industry, so if you hire a 360 photo booth for your wedding or your next event, you’ll find yourself right on the cutting edge of a new trend in fun and interactive event entertainment!

The most important thing to know is that 360 photo booths create an even more dynamic and engaging experience at events and weddings, than a more conventional photo booth experience. The 360 Booth accomplishes this by giving attendees a truly immersive experience they will remember forever. But, just how does it all work?!

So…What Exactly is a 360 Booth?

The 360 photo booth, also known as a 360 camera booth, is a truly amazing piece of technology that uses a rotating camera mounted onto a wheel swivel, which is set on top of a pedestal. The camera then slowly rotates around the standing platform while capturing multiple images, then the software compiles the images into a highlight reel worthy photo op that can integrate photos, video, GIFs, and maybe even slow-motion effects into the final product.

The 360 Photo Booth experience includes trained and knowledgeable attendants, and all of the required equipment to make sure the experience runs smoothly for the duration of your party. The 360 video booth is a fantastic option for weddings, holiday events, corporate galas, and other life events and parties.

So, if a mesmerizing, immersive and interactive, high-quality photo adventure that’s unlike anything you ever thought possible sounds good to you, please keep reading or simply get in touch to secure your date today.

Why are 360 Photo Booths so Popular?

There are several reasons why 360 spin video/photo booths are gaining popularity at events around the world:

Easy Setup!

When we arrive at your event we can be set up and ready to go super quickly, meaning less disruption if we are setting up during your event, as opposed to before. The 360 photo booth comes as a complete unit, including an all-in-one easy setup.

Lots of Fun!

Events are about cutting loose and having fun after all, and a 360 photo booth adds excitement, making users feel like the center of attention with all eyes on them! It also helps to put your guests in a party mood, which will make them ready to get down on the dance floor later on!

Gets People’s Attention

Once your guests start to see the 360 booth in action it’ll attract the crowd’s attention meaning more engagement and capturing more memories!

New and Different!

A 360 photo booth offers an entirely different experience from a traditional photo booth (even though we think they’re pretty awesome too), so it’s likely that the experience will be new to most of, if not all, of your guests, making it extra memorable and enjoyable!

ESTATE WEDDING VENUES IN BOSTON, PART 2

Like we learned last week…”Estate weddings can be beautiful, unique, and elegant affairs, and can be a real breath of fresh-air from your more typical ballroom weddings. This is true whether the estate is located oceanside, tucked away in the rolling hills of a ranch, set dramatically amongst a winery. Estate weddings have the potential to be the setting for the wedding of your dreams, and come with a number of advantages.”

So, Continuing on from last week’s feature on Estate Wedding Venues in the Boston, MA area, here are two more amazing Estate Event Venues!

Hampshire House, on Beacon Hill

The Hampshire House on Beacon Hill, was Commissioned by Bayard and Ruth Thayer. The Brahmin traditional style mansion was completed in 1911 by architect Ogden Codman Jr., who is known for his other designs of several other Newport Mansions, including The Breakers and Land’s End.

The gorgeous Hampshire House is a five-story Georgian revival townhouse that is lavishly decorated with Italian marble, ornate carved oak paneling, impressive crystal chandeliers, and grand Palladian windows. The Mansion remained the Thayer Family’s private residence well into the 1930’s, it wasn’t until the late 1940’s that the building was open to the public as a private and opulent, boutique style hotel. The owners then dubbed the mansion The Hampshire House, named after the English county of Hampshire.

Then in 1969, Thomas A. Kershaw became the owner of The Hampshire House, and throughout his ownership, opened it to the public as a restaurant and eventually as an exclusive event venue for weddings and other private functions. To this day, the decor captures the aura of those long forgotten days when the Thayers entertained house guests in their magnificent mansion in Beacon Hill. And, now you, too, can be a part of history at the Hampshire House, by hosting your wedding or celebration within its walls.

The Hampshire House is classic Boston elegance for up to 100 honored guests, and can offer the flexibility of either an intimate cocktail style reception in the Baker Bar or an elaborate celebration hosted in the Library. Or if you’re looking for something even more casual, you could host your celebration in Cheers on Beacon Hill, formerly known as the Bull & Finch Pub. The pub was the original inspiration for the classic Cheers, t.v. show, and features two oak bars, booth seating and is fully decorated with Cheers & Boston Sports memorabilia. The pub is capable of accommodating up to 85 guests for a plated meal or 135 for a cocktail style event.

No matter your choice, this venue comes with incredible views of Boston Public Garden, delicious and decadent, custom catering, classic style and a whole lot of history!

The Bradley Estate

The Bradley Estate is located less than 20 miles from Boston, and is just minutes off the I-95 in Canton, MA. The Estate has humble origins, and was once a colonial farmstead that was known as Cherry Hill Farm. The Estate underwent transformation in 1902, and started its new life as a classic country estate situated on 90 beautiful acres. For the transformation Dr. Arthur Tracey Cabot hired noted Architect Charles Platt to design the great house, including landscaped grounds, and a large complex of farm and estate buildings. Today the lovely natural setting still boasts manicured lawns, a walled garden, and a brick-edged parterre garden.

The estate stayed relatively the same until 1991, when ownership transferred to the Trustees of Reservations, and today, the Bradley Estate is open to the public and the house and grounds play host to many special occasions for both private and corporate clients. When it comes to events, seating inside the mansion is for up to 80 guests, or you can host a tented reception on the North Lawn for up to 180 guests; however, and your guests may use the terrace and gardens for either your ceremony or cocktail hour and the entire first floor of the mansion for socializing during your celebration.

Next up, we’d like to take a moment to talk about the Bradley Estate’s wonderful & exclusive, on-site caterer, Fireside Catering. Fireside is committed to creating delicious, elegant and seasonal menus, sourcing the freshest local ingredients possible. In fact, many of the ingredients come from their own farm – Gibbet Hill Farm – as well as several other local farms and suppliers to provide you with the very best local, sustainable, seasonal and delicious cuisine.

This venue is also a great choice if you’d like to have a great party, but be done a little earlier, as the venue only offers a 5-hour rental period from 5pm to 10pm; however, all events have the option of beginning half an hour earlier, at 4;30pm, thus extending the rental period to accommodate for an on-site ceremony, but all events must also conclude by 10pm.

As you can see, Boston, MA and the surrounding area is home to a collection of wonderful Estate Wedding Venues! We at Beat Train Productions believe that you can have an absolutely fantastic wedding celebration at any of these magnificent estates we’ve profiled in this Estate Wedding Venue Series!

Beat Train Wedding Trend Forecast, 2023 Edition

newlywed couple on the beat train dance floor It’s official! We’re in the midst of a huge wedding boom! And, in fact, it’s the biggest boom the wedding industry has seen since 1984! So, if you’re happily planning your wedding right now, you’re in great company, as the US saw approximately 2.5 million weddings in 2022, and we are expecting similar numbers in 2023, and likely beyond.

What’s this mean for you and your wedding? Well, for starters, it is now time to secure your venue and all your top priority vendors, since many will be busy filling their schedule for the summer/fall wedding season. It might also mean that your favorite venue/vendors are already booked for your preferred date(s), so it might be time to look at hosting a shoulder or off season wedding. Meaning, spring, late fall or winter might be a better and occasionally more cost effective option for your big day. It also means that you’ve got a host of current ‘real-life’ weddings to draw inspiration from thanks to the abundance of weddings that have taken place in the recent months.

So, whether you’re already in the throes of wedding planning or are simply contemplating future plans, you might want to include some of the awesome new wedding trends in our little list!

Unofficial Wedding Officiants

Many couples are now passing on the priest or more formal officiant options and opting for a friend or family member to marry them instead. Doing so is a good way to end up with a wedding ceremony that feels extremely authentic to who you are, making sure that the ceremony feels both personal and intimate.

Retro Style Photography

Retro-style photography is a definite 2023 wedding trend! We’re starting to see many wedding galleries full of direct flash, blur-motion, and a big return in straight up film photography. Also making a big return are small digital cameras or disposable film cameras on all the tables, so that your guests can contribute to capturing your big day!

Wedding Brunches or Luncheons

We’re seeing a big resurgence of couples planning more informal wedding brunches or luncheon receptions. Think 10am wedding ceremony followed by champagne brunch with fancy bagel or donut stations, or 11:30 ceremonies followed by a light luncheon with tea, sandwiches, salads, fruit and cake & cookie tables. But, if your heart is still set on dancing the night away, you can also host a separate late night (after 8 or 9) cocktail dance party, to keep the celebration going all day!

Upcycled, Recycled & Rented

We’re seeing many couples embrace thrifted, borrowed or upcycled items to bring their personalized wedding ideas into reality. With the cost of living rising, many couples are more conscious of their budgets and prefer to thrift and buy used when they can. More couples are prioritizing spending more money on entertainment and guest experience and less money on decor. And, some couples would prefer to save money for things like offering an open bar, or simply saving some money for an epic honeymoon experience! We’re also finding more couples are focused on sustainability and decreasing the waste aspect of having a huge event, and are more likely to embrace consignment and thrift stores either online or in-person. Just remember to have patience and think outside-of-the-box.

Bright & Bold Decor Palettes

While white on white, minimal weddings have been super popular in the past, in the current wedding climate there’s no need to shy away from color! Go ahead and think bright, bold and energetic! Embrace it fully and feel free to include vibrant hues, contrasting metallic accents, eye-popping patterns (gasp…maybe even pattern on pattern), super saturated and dramatic decor lighting, and maybe even requesting that your guests dress in a certain color palette, or simply avoid wearing all black.

Estate Wedding Venues in Boston, Part 1

Estate weddings can be beautiful, unique, and elegant affairs, and can be a real breath of fresh-air from your more typical ballroom weddings. This is true whether the estate is located oceanside, tucked away in the rolling hills of a ranch, set dramatically amongst a winery. Estate weddings have the potential to be the setting for the wedding of your dreams, and come with a number of advantages.

So, if you’ve always dreamed of getting ready for your wedding in a suite within a historic house, or simply love the privacy and amazing photo opportunities an estate wedding provides, keep reading to hear more about two of the large assortment of amazing estate wedding venues in the Boston, MA area!

The Endicott Estate

The Endicott Estate is a gorgeous and historic architectural gem in Dedham, MA. The Estate is less than 10 miles from Boston, has the proud distinction of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is situated on over 18 acres of rolling lawns, which are surrounded by century old elms, spruce and gorgeous weeping willow trees. Dreamy!

And, that’s just the grounds. The mansion venue is a graceful three-story, 25 room Colonial Revival mansion. The mansion has been historically restored, and boasts eleven fireplaces and provides a charm and elegance one rarely finds today. The mansion is decorated in authentic period furnishings, works of art, gorgeous Italian marble fireplaces, rich wood paneling, and classic asian style carpeting.

The estate was founded in 1904 by Henry Bradford Endicott, who was also the founder of the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Corporation. The mansion, as it stands today, was actually the second home to stand on the grounds. The original homestead burned to the ground, and Henry Endicott took the fire as a divine command to rebuild – and he did, in a spectacular manner!

The estate would be perfect for hosting a traditional plated reception for up to 150 guests, or up to 200 guests for a cocktail style affair.

The Dane Estate

The Dane Estate in Chestnut Hill, MA, is an impressive yet rustic mansion, perfectly situated on 45 acres of pristine woodland, while also boasting a stone terrace, plentiful manicured lawn space, and lush gardens with gorgeous rhododendron hedges which provide a beautiful backdrop for a ceremony or tent wedding!

The mansion itself was designed in the Richardson style of architecture, and much of the inspiration was supplied by an artistic study in dragons. In fact, two dragon sculptures greet every guest at the front entrance. And, once you pass the front door you will be blown away by the rich and beautiful wood paneling, large windows, high ceilings, and grand sweeping staircases.

The Estate was founded In 1891 by Major William Cox and was first named “Roughwood”, and consisted of the mansion as you see it today, two gatehouses, a stable, a barn, a greenhouse, and chicken houses. Then in 1904, the Dane family purchased the estate and all its buildings, then over the years acquired additional surrounding parcels of land. The only major modification of the estate took place in 1951 when the gravel driveway was replaced by millstone and then paved with cobblestone, which had been removed from Boston streets, and had originally been used as a ship’s ballast.

With many varied indoor and outdoor spaces, the Dane Estate is able to host everything from small weddings for 50 guests in the Moncrief Library, all the way up to large tent weddings for 250 guests on the Founder’s Lawn. And, with your event booking you can expect to receive the use of two private dressing rooms, five hours of guest time, two hours of set up and one hour of breakdown time. As well as a one hour wedding rehearsal prior to the event at an agreed upon time, complimentary parking for your guests and the use of the tables and chairs owned by the estate.

Stay tuned until next Monday, for Part 2 in our Boston Estate Wedding Venue Series!

Just Say No To Wedding Day Drama!

The time from the moment you decide to tie the knot, until the very last moments of your honeymoon, should be a joy filled, fun, exciting and memorable era for you and your fiance!

But wedding planning can get a little complicated, when you or your fiance come from a family with divorced parents, separated parents or blended families. Which could mean that engaged couples may also need to navigate an emotionally charged landscape of unspoken rules, misunderstandings, or hurt feelings. This can add a lot of tension to an already emotional time!

The reality is, that in many couples these days, one, or both parties, have divorced parents, bonus parents and likely step Brothers and Sisters to consider. And, seeing as some couples may not have separated or divorced on good terms, there could be calls for increased sensitivity, diplomacy and boundaries during the wedding planning process.

Whether parents have separated recently or have been apart for many years (or decades), your wedding, your loving relationship and your upcoming nuptials can bring up a lot of strong, and at times unresolved, emotions. And, these feelings might take everyone by surprise in their strength!

It’s no wonder that wedding planning and trying to make your divorced or separated parents feel included can feel like it creates a lot of added pressure on you. It does! But, we’ve come up with a few ways to help take the pressure off!

Set and Share your Expectations Early!

Cutting through the (often) complex dynamics that exist between divorced, separated or remarried parents requires forward thinking, along with a big dose of sensitivity/tack!

To that end, when people are surprised or put on the spot, they’re much more likely to bring unproductive/unhelpful emotions/ideas out in the open, especially when it comes to a grand, formal (and highly emotional) occasion like a wedding.

The key is sidestepping that, is to be upfront with everyone as early as possible, meaning:

– Keep tensions low by communicating your expectations openly and honestly to your parents and your wedding planner (if you have one) at the start of the wedding planning process, or even include it in the phone call announcing your engagement.

– Talk individually with all of your parents and step parents and be upfront about your hopes and plans for them on your big day.

– Do not, in any circumstance, spring things on them in a group setting or with their ex-spouse in attendance. Do not put them on the spot!

– Give a heads-up/parent primer to your fiance, bridesmaids, wedding party, siblings, and other key family members. If you do that, they will likely be able to help to make uncomfortable situations a little more bearable in the leadup to your wedding, and on the big day.

– Also take some time to think about all of the pre-wedding gatherings and their impacts too. Things like engagement parties, the hens/buck’s night, bridal shower, as well as wedding dress shopping are other times and occasions you may need to consider the emotional impact of including (or excluding) one parent/step parent might have on the other.

Give Everyone Something to Contribute

People can be so strange! If they feel that you’ve given them too much responsibility, they’re likely to be unhappy, but on the flip side, if you don’t give them enough responsibility, they’ll often feel that their contributions are unimportant or the relationship is not valued in the way they would like it to be.

So, please take time to consider parents that are not going to be included in the ceremony entrance or processional, make sure to give them some opportunities to help with different, but equally important jobs and try to include your step-parents too, if applicable/possible!

There’s lots of opportunity to help everyone feel included: From readings during the ceremony to toasts at your wedding reception, to helping set-up decor before the celebration, ask your parents and step-parents to help with tasks that make them feel both involved and valued during the leadup to and on your actual wedding day.

It might seem like more work for you, but it will pay off in a big way!

Be Strategic With Seating

Allocating specific seats for (at least) your immediate families, from the ceremony right up to the reception, means that:

– Everyone will know where they need to be.

– No one will waste time/energy trying to second-guess what you want.

– Uncomfortable/problematic interactions are minimized or avoided altogether!

– Everyone’s anxiety and sense of authority will be kept in check.

Bottom line: The less problematic contacts need to interact, the less there’ll be to worry about.