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!