Reception Sites: Boston Ballrooms
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Savvy Bostonians have always known the ins and outs of large-scale partying in luxurious, old-school settings. Boston's legendary ballrooms have seen some of the most stylish celebrations in New England. Offering grandeur and grace-in environments of classic simplicity, Yankee tastefulness, or opulent splendor-your formal affair will unfold with world-class elegance in six of our favorite big day ballrooms.
The Charles Ballroom, The Charles Hotel
Appropriately situated in an offbeat, eclectic neighborhood, The Charles Hotel's ballroom, with its intentionally minimalist decor, encourages the bride and groom to express their aesthetic passions and whims when designing the look and style of their wedding reception. Spanning 4,700 square feet, the ballroom's neutral palette creates an extremely versatile space featuring custom-designed sconces, a powerful Bose sound system. Dramatic double doors open unto a convenient pre-function area with floor-to-ceiling windows that expose an interior courtyard, and beyond, views of the Charles River. The Clintons, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Barbra Streisand have tasted the charms of this exceptional party setting. Maximum capacity 150-600. The Charles Hotel (617) 864-1200; One Bennett Street in Harvard Square, Cambridge.
The Grand Ballroom, Copley Plaza Hotel
Your wedding will make history at the Copley Plaza Hotel. Since it opened in 1912, the Grand Ballroom has hosted many distinguished guests including culinary queen Julia Child and the king of debonair, Frank Sinatra. Best known for its opulent, golden decor, this Back Bay ballroom features Louis XIV-esque appointments: Glittering crystal chandeliers, mirrors, and gold-leaf accents. Overhead, a trompe l'oeil painting of a blue sky with clouds looks down on the gleaming, ornate space, to bring the serenity of the heavens indoors. A massive dance floor and a stage for an orchestra of complete the idyllic interior landscape. Maximum capacity 1,000. The Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel (617) 267-5300; 138 St. James Avenue, Boston.
The Grand Ballroom, The Four Seasons Hotel
For the young and the restless, The Four Seasons Hotel is great for chic, contemporary celebrations. One of the newer hotels in Boston, The Four Seasons still captures that ineffable Bostonian charm, as each room reflects the style of a traditional Beacon Hill home. For wedding receptions, the ballroom is more modern and sleek than older Boston ballrooms. Colored with ultra-romantic hues, the ballroom's entire wall of picture windows looks out at Boston's famous Public Garden. The view infuses the space with a sophisticated aura, recalling party scenes in Edith Wharton novels. Ed Gannon will custom-create your menu according to the wedding's style or theme. Maximum guest capacity 260. The Four Seasons Hotel (617) 338-4400; 200 Boylston Street, Boston.
Dome Room, The Lenox Hotel
The classic, European grandeur of The Lenox's Dome Room offers an intimate atmosphere, even within its fairly generous confines. While the room's greatest feature is the domed ceiling, the colors (ivories, pinks, golds, and deep blues), keep the ambiance close, warm, and comfortable. Below the domed ceiling, guests can waltz on an oval-shaped wood floor that echoes the shape of the dome itself. Your wedding package includes, but is not limited to, photography by Bachrach Studio, onsite catering by chef Bob Calderone of Anago Restaurant, a champagne toast, a custom-designed wedding cake, flowers, and a honeymoon suite with working fireplace. Maximum guest capacity 150. The Lenox (617) 536-5300; 710 Boylston Street, Boston.
Curtis Ballroom, The Gamble Mansion
Built in 1912 for the wealthy textile merchant Walter C. Baylies, the Gamble Mansion's Louis XV-style ballroom was first designed for his daughter's debutante ball. Situated near the Public Garden, this prime party place also features a marble fountain room, a library, and parlor for the reception. The interior of the ballroom is informed by ivory with gold leaf accents, a marble fireplace, crystal chandeliers, and a choir loft. Three sets of French doors open to a private courtyard-great for dramatic wedding party entrances. There are also many nooks in the mansion that can serve as a backdrop to the ceremony. Maximum guest capacity 130-200. The Gamble Mansion (617) 267-4430 ext. 802; Five Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.
The Grand Ballroom, The Ritz-Carlton, Boston
Get your glitz on at the Ritz where romance meets extravagance for a gala that satisfies your swankiest desires. The newly renovated Grand Ballroom with it gilded fixtures and opulent draperies, is only a part of what makes this Boston landmark so famous. There's a spiral staircase leading to a long foyer featuring an original fine art collection of 18th-19th century French paintings. From there, guests float to the Ritz-Carlton Room for the cocktail hour. Two sets of majestic French doors open to the ballroom, a dimly-lit space awash in rich jewel tones of dark red, wine, and gold. An orchestra seated at the back of the room, behind the dance floor, can transport guests to a grander era, when the glamorous conventions of Boston society were second to none. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue, to drive home the vibe of old-school elegance. Maximum guest capacity 300. The Ritz-Carlton (617) 536-5700; 15 Arlington Street, Boston.
-- Allison Micarelli
The Charles Ballroom, The Charles Hotel
Appropriately situated in an offbeat, eclectic neighborhood, The Charles Hotel's ballroom, with its intentionally minimalist decor, encourages the bride and groom to express their aesthetic passions and whims when designing the look and style of their wedding reception. Spanning 4,700 square feet, the ballroom's neutral palette creates an extremely versatile space featuring custom-designed sconces, a powerful Bose sound system. Dramatic double doors open unto a convenient pre-function area with floor-to-ceiling windows that expose an interior courtyard, and beyond, views of the Charles River. The Clintons, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Barbra Streisand have tasted the charms of this exceptional party setting. Maximum capacity 150-600. The Charles Hotel (617) 864-1200; One Bennett Street in Harvard Square, Cambridge.
The Grand Ballroom, Copley Plaza Hotel
Your wedding will make history at the Copley Plaza Hotel. Since it opened in 1912, the Grand Ballroom has hosted many distinguished guests including culinary queen Julia Child and the king of debonair, Frank Sinatra. Best known for its opulent, golden decor, this Back Bay ballroom features Louis XIV-esque appointments: Glittering crystal chandeliers, mirrors, and gold-leaf accents. Overhead, a trompe l'oeil painting of a blue sky with clouds looks down on the gleaming, ornate space, to bring the serenity of the heavens indoors. A massive dance floor and a stage for an orchestra of complete the idyllic interior landscape. Maximum capacity 1,000. The Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel (617) 267-5300; 138 St. James Avenue, Boston.
The Grand Ballroom, The Four Seasons Hotel
For the young and the restless, The Four Seasons Hotel is great for chic, contemporary celebrations. One of the newer hotels in Boston, The Four Seasons still captures that ineffable Bostonian charm, as each room reflects the style of a traditional Beacon Hill home. For wedding receptions, the ballroom is more modern and sleek than older Boston ballrooms. Colored with ultra-romantic hues, the ballroom's entire wall of picture windows looks out at Boston's famous Public Garden. The view infuses the space with a sophisticated aura, recalling party scenes in Edith Wharton novels. Ed Gannon will custom-create your menu according to the wedding's style or theme. Maximum guest capacity 260. The Four Seasons Hotel (617) 338-4400; 200 Boylston Street, Boston.
Dome Room, The Lenox Hotel
The classic, European grandeur of The Lenox's Dome Room offers an intimate atmosphere, even within its fairly generous confines. While the room's greatest feature is the domed ceiling, the colors (ivories, pinks, golds, and deep blues), keep the ambiance close, warm, and comfortable. Below the domed ceiling, guests can waltz on an oval-shaped wood floor that echoes the shape of the dome itself. Your wedding package includes, but is not limited to, photography by Bachrach Studio, onsite catering by chef Bob Calderone of Anago Restaurant, a champagne toast, a custom-designed wedding cake, flowers, and a honeymoon suite with working fireplace. Maximum guest capacity 150. The Lenox (617) 536-5300; 710 Boylston Street, Boston.
Curtis Ballroom, The Gamble Mansion
Built in 1912 for the wealthy textile merchant Walter C. Baylies, the Gamble Mansion's Louis XV-style ballroom was first designed for his daughter's debutante ball. Situated near the Public Garden, this prime party place also features a marble fountain room, a library, and parlor for the reception. The interior of the ballroom is informed by ivory with gold leaf accents, a marble fireplace, crystal chandeliers, and a choir loft. Three sets of French doors open to a private courtyard-great for dramatic wedding party entrances. There are also many nooks in the mansion that can serve as a backdrop to the ceremony. Maximum guest capacity 130-200. The Gamble Mansion (617) 267-4430 ext. 802; Five Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.
The Grand Ballroom, The Ritz-Carlton, Boston
Get your glitz on at the Ritz where romance meets extravagance for a gala that satisfies your swankiest desires. The newly renovated Grand Ballroom with it gilded fixtures and opulent draperies, is only a part of what makes this Boston landmark so famous. There's a spiral staircase leading to a long foyer featuring an original fine art collection of 18th-19th century French paintings. From there, guests float to the Ritz-Carlton Room for the cocktail hour. Two sets of majestic French doors open to the ballroom, a dimly-lit space awash in rich jewel tones of dark red, wine, and gold. An orchestra seated at the back of the room, behind the dance floor, can transport guests to a grander era, when the glamorous conventions of Boston society were second to none. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue, to drive home the vibe of old-school elegance. Maximum guest capacity 300. The Ritz-Carlton (617) 536-5700; 15 Arlington Street, Boston.
-- Allison Micarelli