4.9
Praised by couples for:
Amenities
Helpful staff
Unique aesthetic style
Unique Weddings at a Historic Estate
We had the most amazing wedding here! Brianna and the entire team were incredible from start to finish. The staff, chefs, and everyone working that night were so kind and professional, and everything ran so smoothly. The venue was beautiful, the food was amazing, and i did not have to stress! Thank you all!
Olivia R.
5.0
I have used the Great Hall a number of times for events and they have been so accommodating. There is plenty of space and with the recent renovations, it is even nicer than it was before. The grounds are well maintained. The food has been great and the staff are wonderful to work with. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
Jane C.
5.0
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA, The Great Hall at Messina College (formerly the Dane Estate), Brookline Campus is a beautiful mansion-style wedding venue that is perfectly suited to couples seeking luxury for their wedding celebration. This decadent space dates back to 1891 and sits upon 45 acres of enchanting trees and foliage, setting a magical scene for you and your guests. Couples who choose to host their nuptials here can work closely with the wedding planning team to bring their vision to life.
The Great Hall at Messina College (formerly the Dane Estate), Brookline Campus can accommodate up to 150 guests and allows couples to choose from a selection of indoor and outdoor event spaces. The Founder’s Lawn features an array of pretty rhododendron hedges, providing stunning backdrops for wedding photographs. Inside, The Foyer sets an elegant tone instantly with its French doors and marble fireplace. Further on, The Library, which was once a walk-in safe, and The Founder’s Hall are superb spaces for sophisticated occasions. These indoor areas are furnished with high ceilings, opulent chandeliers, and sweeping staircases.
The Great Hall at Messina College (formerly the Dane Estate), Brookline Campus services a wide spectrum of wedding events such as religious ceremonies, vow renewal ceremonies, civil unions, commitment ceremonies, and more. The planning team will get to know you and your partner on a personal level, building a knowledge of your individual requirements. This historic venue partners exclusively with the skilled food and beverage team at Heights Catering. They will work to curate a dream wedding menu that is flawlessly tailored to you and your dietary needs.
14+ years in business
Speaks English
Small team (2-10 members)
Amenities + details
Amenities
Dressing Room
Indoor Event Space
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Backyard
Ballroom
Estate
Garden
Historic Venue
Tented
Trees
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Cakes & Desserts
Food & Catering
Planning
Rentals & Equipment
Service Staff
Any questions?
Reviews
4.9
out of 5.041 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
The Great Hall at Messina College offers a stunning, well-kept historic space and grounds that create a beautiful wedding backdrop. In-house catering and provided linens/furniture earned high praise, and the event team and coordinator were responsive and made the day run smoothly. Best for intimate celebrations (about 65–90 guests), though suite options are limited.Review photos
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Daniel M
Highlighted review.
5.0
10/18/2024
When we visited the Great Hall we knew immediately this was where we wanted to get married. The building and grounds are absolutely stunning and it was the perfect vibe for our wed...
ding.
Brianna and her team were fantastic from start to finish. Brianna went above and beyond to answer all our questions, map out the evening, coordinate with our vendors, and make everything run smoothly on the day of!
All of our friends and family were commenting on how beautiful the space was. We loved how during the reception we could have a lively dance floor in the Great Hall while simultaneously having a chiller vibe upstairs in the library where our guests could more easily chat over drinks, coffee, or cake. The Great Hall was able to accommodate all types of guests!
We had the best day and couldn't have asked for a better space and event team!
Response from The Great Hall at Messina College on 10/18/2024
Thank you so much Dan! It was a pleasure working with you, Annina, and your families on yo...
ur special day! I am so glad you chose us to share in your celebration!
Olivia R
5.0
3/16/2026
We had the most amazing wedding here! Brianna and the entire team were incredible from start to finish. The staff, chefs, and everyone working that night were so kind and professi...
onal, and everything ran so smoothly. The venue was beautiful, the food was amazing, and i did not have to stress! Thank you all!
Any questions?
Jane C
5.0
10/09/2025
I have used the Great Hall a number of times for events and they have been so accommodating. There is plenty of space and with the recent renovations, it is even nicer than it was...
before. The grounds are well maintained. The food has been great and the staff are wonderful to work with. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
Paolo R
5.0
9/24/2025
From the moment we contacted Devanna at The Great Hall, she answered all of our questions punctually, even going above and beyond as we drew closer to our wedding day by answering ...
our queries over the weekend. When our numbers exceeded what we initially had estimated, she found solutions. She guided us every step of the way, met with us both by Zoom and in person and put our minds at ease when we had concerns. As for the venue itself, the Great Hall is an absolutely beautiful building and the grounds are gorgeous. The other venue we looked at (the Crane Estate) was also stunning but the value could not match this. We would need a thesaurus to come up with superlatives to describe our experience with Devanna and Boston College. We couldn't be happier with how everything played out on our special day.
Amanda F
5.0
9/21/2025
We reviewed, contacted, or visited over 50 venues -- it is SO hard to make a decision on this. It seems like the most important decision of the entire wedding. We fell in love with...
the Great Hall at Messina College. So many reasons, where do I begin? First, price is comparable - linens and furniture are included (no need for rentals as long as you are ok with their chairs and white linens). Catering is in-house and the food is the MOST delicious wedding food I've ever had. Our guests were raving about it. First wedding I'd ever been at where I wasn't hungry later that night. They offer many food packages and are accommodating. Third - venue coordinator, Brianna, has SO much patience. She is a true professional, a great communicator, and an incredibly nice person. I was so happy to work with her over the last year. Fourth - the space was stunning; outdoor terrace for use during cocktail hour, the great hall has tall ceilings (but is a bit smaller than you think or see in photos, so the guest count really is limited to 90-ish people) - I felt comfortable with my wedding guest count of 70 - I wouldn't want much more. You have complete use of the entire first level including the library, foyer/entry, terrace, and great hall. There are plenty of bathrooms. because the space is a bit divided, the guests were very spread out - so if you're looking for a space that is more cohesive and keeps all your guests in 1 spot, then maybe not for you. It worked well for our guests though, because we had a wide variety of people (dancers, non-dancers, loungers, etc.). We had some guests playing board games in the library, others enjoying the scenery outside, and some dancing on the dance floor. I loved it, because I felt like everyone could enjoy the wedding in their own way, and I didn't have to worry if anyone was not having a good time. I couldn't recommend this venue more. Plenty of parking. Bridal suite was lovely (just lacks a bathroom). No groom suite.
This venue will truly forever be in our hearts. Definitely go with them if you are on the fence!!
Response from The Great Hall at Messina College on 09/23/2025
Thank you Amanda! It was my pleasure working with you and I am so glad we could be a small...
part of your day! -Brianna
Wenyue 闻悦 S
5.0
6/20/2025
We had our wedding here, and it was absolutely perfect. The venue is stunning — from the beautiful grounds to the elegant indoor space — and it created the ideal backdrop for our s...
pecial day.
Brianna and her team were incredible from start to finish. She was organized, responsive, and genuinely cared about making everything run smoothly. On the big day, we were able to relax and enjoy every moment knowing her staff had everything handled.
Our guests are still raving about the experience, and we couldn’t be happier. Huge thanks to Brianna and her amazing team — we highly recommend the Great Hall at Messina College to any couple planning their wedding!
Response from The Great Hall at Messina College on 09/23/2025
Thank you so much for your beautiful words! It was truly an honor to be part of your speci...
al day, and we’re thrilled to hear that the Great Hall at Messina College helped create the perfect setting for your celebration. Our team loved working with you. Wishing you both a lifetime of love, laughter, and unforgettable moments! - Brianna
Josephine S
5.0
12/22/2024
The Great Hall at Messina College team and particularly the event coordinator Brianna were a dream to work with for our wedding!
The building and grounds are absolutely stunning, ...
especially in May, but they were equally beautiful when we first toured the space in July. We immediately fell in love with the beautiful staircase in the lobby and the wood-paneled library. The great hall, where we held our dinner and dancing, was the perfect size for our wedding (about 65 people), and the beauty of the room shone without needing extra decorations.
Brianna, the event coordinator for the venue, was incredibly responsive from our first tour. She replied quickly to all our questions and was an invaluable resource in planning our day. She helped us plan out a smooth timeline during our catering tasting and ensured everything ran smoothly on the day itself. Her coordination between the catering team (In the Heights catering, which you are required to use for events there) and our other vendors allowed our wedding to run smoothly and feel seamless. So many of our guests commented on how easy everything was and how the day moved along at the perfect pace.
The catering team itself was professional, friendly, and efficient! There were plenty of appetizers to go around, dinner was served quickly and they had the cake cut and ready to go in the library at the right time. Most importantly, the food was delicious!
I honestly cannot say enough about the entire team at Messina. At the end of the night we couldn’t stop saying that everything went perfectly or that, if anything did go wrong, it was taken care of without us ever knowing!
Response from The Great Hall at Messina College on 12/30/2024
Thank you so much for your kind words, Josephine! It was truly a pleasure to be a part of ...
your special day with Rob. We’re thrilled to hear that you loved the food! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness, and we’d love to work with you or your loved ones again in the future!
Caroline F
5.0
9/01/2023
When my husband and I started looking at wedding venues, the Dane Estate was the first on our list. After we met Devanna and got a walkthrough of the estate, we were sold. We cance...
led the rest of the tours and immediately booked our date. The estate is absolutely beautiful and easy to get to, with plenty of parking. They also took care of catering, the tent, chairs, silverware, and linens, which was a big motivating factor in our decision. There are so many details and planning that go into a wedding; it was so nice to have someone else handle the food and rentals. Due to the influx of weddings due to COVID, I had been in touch with Devanna for a year leading up to our wedding, and let me tell you, she is a saint. Incredibly kind, professional, always available to answer questions, and clearly a seasoned expert. Devanna and her team were a pleasure to work with. The whole Dane Estate/BC staff was so incredible on our wedding day; our guests were so impressed by the entire event. Our wedding was the closest thing to magic, and we’re so grateful.
Tim Y
5.0
8/11/2022
The Dane Estate was an absolutely magical venue for our wedding! It really fit the classical vibe we were going for. There are so many interesting spaces to explore - which worked ...
out really well because our more extroverted guests could dance away in the Founder's Hall dance floor while our more introverted guests could be nice and cozy in spaces like the Moncrief Library. Some other underrated nice aspects: lots of parking, right outside Boston, and near a T stop.
What really made this work though was the staff - especially Devanna and Piers. Devanna was such a professional - incredibly communicative and seasoned, she made all the venue coordination so so easy for us. Piers helped us have such a delicious menu throughout the celebration - he made great suggestions and was very accommodating for our requests.
We could not have asked for a better venue and supporting team. We are so grateful that we were able to have such a special day at the Dane Estate =)
Jennifer U
5.0
12/16/2021
Devanna was a saint from day 1! Her team of professionals made sure every step of planning was well communicated and easy (even in the middle of a pandemic!) She had fantastic vend...
or recommendations too. The day of our wedding couldn't have been more perfect. The Dane Estate has its own magic, which combined with our theme (the jazz age) and our guests, created fantastic atmosphere. We will never forget it!
Dan H
5.0
12/14/2021
The Dane Estate was a wonderful venue for our wedding! We chose the Dane Estate in January 2020 for a wedding in December 2020, but with the pandemic, everything got pushed back a ...
year which the Dane Estate was incredibly accommodating with.
Devanna was such a pleasure to work with over the last two year in helping plan the wedding, and ensure everything and everyone was where it/they needed to be!
For one final note, the venue was beautiful and required such minimal decoration, so a great place for any wedding DIYers (like ourselves) who are looking for a gorgeous venue at a great value!
Phil C
5.0
9/22/2021
The venue is beautiful with many interesting photo locations. All the indoor spaces have beautiful wood and gold finishes that inspired our decorations. The library had a piano for...
one of our band members to play during cocktail hour. The founders room fit our 70 guests, our sweetheart table, and a 13 piece brass band with enough space for dancing. Devanna was a huge help for planning the event keeping us up to date on the latest COVID news, as well as providing feedback on design and seating questions. Day of Devanna and her team made sure things went smoothly, which was a huge weight off of us. Dane Estate has Heights Catering as their sole caterer. The food was incredible and we received many complements. Jim, who was our contact for the catering, was very accommodating. Both Devanna and Jim are great resources and made planning the wedding without a dedicated planner much more manageable.
Carol H
5.0
7/06/2021
The best decision we made in the whole planning process was choosing The Dane Estate as our venue. The estate itself is beyond beautiful, both the indoor spaces and the outdoor gro...
unds. No matter which space you choose for your wedding, you can't go wrong. It blew us away at our first visit, and looked incredible on our wedding day - all our guests kept telling us how beautiful the venue was. Devanna, the coordinator there, is AMAZING. She is professional, knowledgeable, organized, and kind. She took care of all the rentals (e.g., tent, chairs) and put up all our decorations/photos/etc. exactly how we wanted. When we had to postpone our wedding from 2020 to 2021, the Dane Estate was very flexible and understanding, and they continued to be flexible as our plans kept changing (as covid guidelines changed) right up until the last minute. Because of postponing, we ultimately worked with Devanna for over two years and have only wonderful things to say. She made wedding planning, which can be overwhelming especially during covid, manageable and fun. She also gave us recommendations for other vendors early on and we ended up using a photographer, florist, DJ, and bakery from her list who were all incredible. The caterer they use (Heights Catering) is also amazing - our guests are seriously still talking about how good the food was! We will be grateful forever to Devanna and the whole staff at the Dane Estate for making our wedding day perfect!!
Response from The Great Hall at Messina College on 07/08/2021
Thank you so much Carol! It was an absolute pleasure getting to work with you and Grant on...
your wedding! We thank you both so much for your patience and flexibility with all the different timelines due to covid. We're so glad you chose us!
Sarah K
5.0
7/02/2019
Booking our wedding at the Dane Estate was one of the best decisions we made. The interior of the Estate, where we held our ceremony and cocktail hour, is beautiful and feels spaci...
ous but still cozy and intimate at the same time. We held a tenured reception on the lawn and couldn't believe how stunning the interior of the tent was. Our guests also really appreciated that there is plenty of free, convenient parking . Devanna was absolutely incredible to work with. She answered all of our questions promptly and courteously and made the planning process so much easier. As our day-of coordinator, Sarah was so helpful and helped the day run smoothly. The Dane Estate was the perfect venue for our day and we couldn't be happier with our wedding there.
Laine K
5.0
11/23/2018
The Dane Estate is a true gem. It's nestled in a gorgeous college campus (meaning plenty of free parking for your guests) and has beautiful scenery, inside and out. The venue is so...
lovely just by itself, we barely even needed to decorate! We just had our DJ bring in uplighting and added centerpieces. We worked with Devanna, and she was a complete pro who helped us with every question. We only had a few last-minute inquiries, but she was able to answer every one (they even had two easels for our signs on site!). They do have required catering and cake vendors, but don't let that scare you away. Both companies were fantastic, with some of the best food I've ever had at a wedding (everyone who came agreed!). The venue offers a fantastic variety of spaces for the party. We used the Music Room for the ceremony and reception, using the library for cocktails. They flipped the room after the ceremony in under 30 minutes (wow) and it was completely transformed. We were totally taken care of and pampered at the Dane Estate (they even helped us set up our photo booth props!). If you are looking for a venue with character that will make everyone's jaws drop, this is the venue for you!
Shane H
5.0
10/18/2018
The Dane Estate was the perfect venue for our wedding. The place has such great ambiance and furnishing - it will look great even if you only add minimal decorations. The band said...
the acoustics in the ballroom were great as well. Devanna was incredible to work with!
Jessica A
5.0
10/17/2018
"Wow" is all we can say about the Dane Estate's services for our wedding.
For starters, the venue is absolutely GORGEOUS. It has this beautiful and elegant antique theme going on,...
which worked perfect for our wedding.
1. The Dane Estate works with their personal catering company, A Day To Remember. Keith, the gentleman we spoke to and who coordinated the catering, was an absolute delight, along with the head chef. I'm Armenian and my husband is Greek, so we were adamant in incorporating both cultures in our food menu. The chef did a fantastic job surpassing our expectations and produced the most authentic food possible. In fact, all of our guests raved about the food at our wedding being the BEST food they've had in all the weddings they've attended. A Day To Remember was also amazing at their time management skills. Neither of us had to worry about whether or not enough hors d'oeuvres were being passed out or when dinner was to arrive. They kept track of EVERYTHING so all my husband and I had to worry about was enjoying ourselves at our wedding.
2. We spent the entire wedding planning talking to Devanna who was so kind, patient and informative. As we drew closer to the date, there were a million and one questions I had, and she was quick to reassure me of any anxieties I had.
Our wedding was perfect and it's in large part thanks to how professional the Dane Estate and A Day To Remember were. We would confidently recommend this venue to anyone for any special occasion.
Response from The Great Hall at Messina College on 10/18/2018
Thank you so much Jessica! It was an absolute pleasure working with you, Constantine and y...
our mother! We are so happy that we could help make your wedding day exactly what you wished for!
Diana S
5.0
8/07/2018
We had the most amazing wedding for our daughter at the Dane Estate. The venue is beautiful. Devanna and her staff were wonderful, from planning to the wedding day. They seamlessl...
y took charge of everything so all we had to do was enjoy the day. The food was better than restaurant quality and the service was impeccable. I would highly recommend this venue.
Zlata M
4.0
11/13/2017
This was a very unique and cozy venue to have a wedding reception, and if I was to have another party or gathering, I would definitely choose this venue again.
I only wish that th...
e venue was more flexible with allowing their guests to choose their own catering company/bar, as that part was a little too pricey.
Devanna was very accommodating and very pleasant to work with!
Kait N
5.0
10/06/2017
DREAM venue, dream team! Working with Devanna, Molly and Michelle was an absolutely pleasure. We were looking for a unique venue with indoor/outdoor space and the Dane fit those re...
quirements perfectly. The staff took the time to really understand our vision of the wedding, answered all of our questions in a timely manner, and helped make the day of logistics run perfectly. I could not have asked for a better venue and team. It was truly the wedding of our dreams!
Laura D
5.0
7/31/2017
Dane Estate was the perfect wedding venue! From the moment we walked into the beautiful estate and met Devanna and Michelle, we knew that this was going to be a wonderful place fo...
r a wedding. Not only is Dane Estate an exquisite home from the 1890s, but also it was a joy to work with Devanna and Michelle. We do not know how we could have held the wedding without them! They were incredibly fast to answer any and all questions we had, and they gave us superb recommendations for the band and other aspects of the wedding, big and small. Planning a wedding can be all-consuming, and Devanna and Michelle were so helpful, supportive, and creative. Along with Devanna and Michelle, the catering team was willing to personally customize the passed hors d'oeuvres, which were just delicious. The location itself was wonderful, too. Our guests loved it, and many enthusiastically asked us how we found this place. It is a particularly nice location because guests are able to explore the first floor and the grounds during the cocktail hour and dinner, if they so choose. Furthermore, it is a very comfortable environment for all ages with lots of seating throughout. Our favorite aspect of the place, however, has to be Founders Hall with its beautiful wood carvings, high golden ceilings, big windows, and ornate organ. It was the perfect room for our dinner and dancing! We could not be happier with our decision to host our wedding at Dane Estate, and we feel truly grateful that we found it. It is a spectacular place with wonderful people!
Response from The Great Hall at Messina College on 08/25/2017
We love this! Thank you so much for taking the time to write about your experience with u...
s. You and your family were truly fabulous to work with!
Lauren O
5.0
1/02/2017
I’m so happy with our choice of venue. Dane Estate is a gorgeous venue (a friend likened it to the Great Hall at Hogwarts), with so much space and nooks for beautiful pictures.
Wo...
rking with Michelle and Devanna at Dane Estate was so easy. They were always very responsive to our questions and so willing to work with us to keep costs down. In fact, we fell in love with Dane Estate, but couldn’t justify the price. Michelle worked with us to put together a package that was completely within our budget. Her willingness to work with our budget was the deciding factor in picking Dane Estate.
The food was AMAZING! We loved the food at the tasting, but were worried it wouldn’t be quite as good at the wedding (since they had to cook much larger quantities). We had nothing to worry about. We did a buffet with beef, salmon and a vegetarian option. Even now two months later, our family keeps talking about how much they liked the food. The passed appetizers and stationary displays were also very good (and well presented).
The only thing we weren’t 100% in love with was the bar. We did like that Devanna and Michelle helped up find liquor options to suit our tastes. From what we heard from our guests, one of the bartenders was very inexperienced and didn’t know how to make common drinks (vodka tonic). We anticipated this, since it was likely students at the college, but just a note. Also, we also ran out of tequila (of all things) in the first hour, so the open bar does have its limits.
Bethany S
5.0
1/02/2017
Michelle and her team were AWESOME. We live in London and planned most of the wedding from overseas, so it was a huge boon to have such a helpful, supportive, responsive venue t...
o work with. No question was too small or too silly for them. We had our ceremony in the library and reception in Founders Hall -- both such gorgeous, warm spaces, and hardly any additional decoration needed. The venue staff set up all the decor for us and broke a lot of it down, which was a big help. Food was delicious. Free guest parking was a bonus. One technical hiccup on the day, missing uplighting that we'd requested for the reception, was rectified amazingly quickly once I'd noticed it, and they refunded us for it anyway. Our guests still rave about what a great day it was, and we have the Dane Estate to thank for that! :-)
Response from The Great Hall at Messina College on 01/03/2017
Woohoo! Thank you so much :-). We loved working with you guys and are glad that your day...
was so special. Please keep in touch! Michelle and Devanna
Elizabeth D
4.0
11/29/2016
We didn't have a wedding planner through the process and we were worried about what we would need to manage on the day of. The staff on the day was SO incredible and helpful - they...
blew us away with their service (and reduced our stress!). The venue was such a beautiful setting - we were thrilled with the result (as were our guests!). Definitely recommend it!
Sheryl D
5.0
6/22/2016
They were wonderful for our daughter's bridal shower in their Meditation Room @ Pine Manor. The food was absolutely delicious and displayed beautifully.. I used the coordinator's...
suggestions, and they worked out wonderfully. . The room set up lovely and the staff was efficient and easy to work with. It all came together with surprising ease. We could not have wanted a better place to host our friends for our daughter's wedding shower.
Andrea M
5.0
6/16/2016
Simply amazing. My fiance and I wanted to have an intimate wedding (70 ppl) in a unique setting. The Dane Estate is gorgeous, and perfect for medium sized groups. The staff was ...
absolutely lovely from start to finish, food was delicious and plentiful, convenient access for guests travelling to the Boston area, and the space - the SPACE. Carved wood, antique fixtures, natural light. We felt like we got married at Downton Abbey! Terrific value in terms of food and bev, organization, & professionalism. The included cake was stunning and multiple people remarked it was the best cake they'd eaten at a wedding. My fiance used to be a pastry chef and even he raved. Memories to cherish for a lifetime. Highest praise to Michelle, Devanna, and the team. Couldn't be happier.
Shelby M
5.0
6/13/2016
The Dane Estate was a beautiful setting, both indoors and out. We liked that they had many different spaces available for our full use during the afternoon and evening. (We decided...
to have our ceremony on the lawn, cocktail hour in the foyer, dancing in the main hall, dinner under a tent, and an optional play-space for children in another room.)
The staff at Dane Estate are amazing. They are very knowledgeable, but at the same time they give you a lot of latitude in your decision-making. They are very organized too, meaning that all of the details of your wedding will be remembered and noted. They respond promptly to e-mails. And they are just plain nice. Really, genuinely nice people to work with, which is important because you'll be in touch with them throughout the planning process.
Also, the food was quite good. Because the tastings are organized in small groups (you'll be with other couples who have upcoming weddings and may be ordering different items off the menu), we didn't have a chance to taste every item on our menu in advance. Food wasn't a super-high priority for us and we'd been to another wedding at Dane Estate with good food, so we didn't worry about it too much. But when our plates arrived for the meal, we were delighted by how delicious each item was.
Response from The Great Hall at Messina College on 06/14/2016
Thank you so much for your kind words! We are thrilled that we were able to help make you...
r vision a reality and that your day was so memorable. You were both an absolute pleasure to work with :-). Please keep in touch!
Anonymous
4.0
11/22/2015
We appreciated that Michelle and Lovelynn listened to and accommodated our vision of having the event spread out in order to give our wedding more of a "party" feel. They helped us...
create a seating plan that would work between the ballroom and the library, showing us different variations of high top tables, smaller round tables, and larger ten person tables.
Our guests were impressed by the space, commenting on how unique the venue was and how much space we were able to create on the dance floor (mostly due to the spread out seating plan). Definitely not the feel of a hotel ballroom!
Our appetizers and buffet style food was a big hit! There was plenty of it --some of the crowd pleasers: mac & cheese bites, grilled vegetables, the cornbread, and the sliders.
Devanna was incredibly helpful the day of the event. She was friendly,and she even got the groom a plate of food. Devanna did a fantastic job of helping to put out the centerpieces and candles.
We were happy about getting a list of the "important date timeline" upfront (re: payments and guest list due) , but wondered a little bit about the communication as the date approached. Michelle and Lovelynn "know their stuff," so maybe we shouldn't have worried; but most of the communication the week before was initiated by us. It felt a little hands off as we got close. That being said, Lovelynn and Michelle were both responsive to any email or phone call initiated by us.
The bathrooms are clean, but a bit outdated. Particularly for the men, the single stall was noted by a couple of the guests.
Overall, we were pleased with the Dane Estate. It made for a unique venue, good location, had decent food, and was a great backdrop for our fall wedding pictures.
Anonymous
4.0
11/06/2015
The Dane Estate was a very capable vendor. Their facilities are quite nice; their food was excellent; their location was excellent (beautifully green and forested but many of our ...
guests came there via the T / mass transit); they were good at helping us through the process.
They are not a cheap vendor. If you want to do it yourself, it's not a great deal. But if you want a wonderful experience without too much stress, they'll make the wedding location and food happen, and have good relations with highly-skilled vendors to handle the rest of the event for you. My one concern was that, with our wedding, there was a bit of a long tail of little questions in the last week before the wedding -- nothing big, and there are always little last-minute questions about how things are going to work the day of the event, but I like events to be very organized, and for a vendor in this price range it felt .. not bad, but maybe could be a bit better.
Zoe S
5.0
10/25/2015
I had an amazing experience working with the event staff at The Dane Estate. Michelle, Michelle, and Lovelynn were extremely professional, prompt at responding to all my last minut...
e bride questions, and seemed truly eager to make sure that my fiance and I had an amazing day that was both beautiful, fun, and completely "us". The location is gorgeous and elegant--ornate woodwork, beautiful antiques etc. All my guests are also still raving about the food (especially the risotto). From the waitstaff and bartenders to the chef and event staff everyone we worked with was professional, personable, and exceeded expectations. I would recommend The Dane Estate to anyone looking to host a function--we had the day I had always dreamed of and the venue and the staff helped us make that happen.
lauren M
5.0
9/18/2015
The Dane Estate was more than I could have ever imagined. The staff, especially Michelle, are helpful, kind, accommodating, and prompt. The Estate itself is beautiful and breatht...
aking. My guests were enamored by it as was our photographer. Our guests were calling after the wedding raving about the food. One guest couldn't finish her meal and even asked for it to go! Chef Patrick definitely delivered. He too was very accommodating and made the most amazing butternut squash polenta. (Seriously, if you book here, ask him to make it.) You will not be disappointed by anything the Dane Estate has to offer and it is reasonably priced. We hope that someone we know gets married here so we can experience it again!
Stacy C
5.0
12/23/2014
We had our wedding reception at the Dane Estate on 12/13/14 and it truly was the best day ever. Michelle, Lovelynn and their staff worked their magic and created an amazing settin...
g for our winter wedding.
Michelle made everything so easy for us, from when we booked the Dane Estate up through the night of the reception. She was so organized and helpful and answered all of our questions and really guided us through the whole process, making it easy and stress-free. When we arrived at the reception, we loved being able to walk around and see how everything came together.
In addition, we loved how much we got for what we paid for. Dinner, cake and open bar really made the Dane Estate such an amazing value, especially based on the incredible location (just outside of Boston in Chestnut Hill). The food was delicious and we also did a chocolate fountain (through Dane Estate) which all of our guests absolutely loved and raved about.
One other thing about the Dane Estate that makes it so amazing is that there are so many amazing spots for photos. The main dining room has dueling staircases and amazing chandeliers that just make for incredible photos. When you walk into the Dane Estate there is also a large staircase with a large window and wrap around bench at the top- which my bridal party was able to take great photos from. There are also amazing spots outdoors to take incredible photos.
We could not have asked for a better day and we are so happy that we picked the Dane Estate as the location to have our wedding reception!!
Annie P
5.0
11/15/2014
The Dane Estate is such a breathtaking venue! We fell in love with it the moment we saw it. The price was much better than other places we looked, and it included catering, cake, a...
nd linens. The food was tasty, the cake was gorgeous and delicious, and everything went so smoothly!! Michelle and Lovelynn were wonderful! I must say Michelle really is on top of things - even our officiator, who's done many many weddings, said she was one of the best wedding coordinators he's ever seen! She even saved the day on the wedding with her wedding emergency kit when the top button on my dress wouldn't button up! Would recommend it completely!
Anonymous
5.0
10/13/2014
The event staff at the Dane Estate were truly spectacular. The setting was beautiful for a wedding but Michelle and Lovelynn made sure that the day ran smoothly from start to finis...
h. In the planning stages they were always just an email or phone call away. I would recommend this beautiful venue without reservation!
Viet N
5.0
9/22/2014
Michelle and Lovelynn were great people to work with. Michelle helped with the overall planning of the day and she always kept us up to date with things. She was always responsive ...
and helpful with any questions that we had. They were able to explain everything and they never pressured us.
The venue is gorgeous. There were many places where our guests were able to relax and chat. We had our ceremony by the pond, which was very scenic. One thing to be aware of is that the walk to the pond from the manor is somewhat long and steep.
As for the food, the passed hors d'oeuvres were great. I had higher expectations for the main dinner based on the tasting though.
Jill L
5.0
7/04/2014
We had an incredible wedding celebration at the Dane Estate at Pine Manor College! The place is ideal for a gorgeous indoor and outdoor wedding ceremony and reception. We were able...
to utilize both spaces well and all guests expressed that we chose a spectacular setting! We felt fully supported in the planning process and execution the day of the wedding. Great staff to work with throughout! They were flexible and accommodating with our vision of the wedding day. Everything was included, which made it affordable and easy for the planning and relaxing the day of the event. Overall, people were pleased with the stationary and passed appetizers. We loved the make your own salad station. However, the main course dinners left something to be desired. We had high expectations of food based on the menu descriptions, past reviews, and excitement of staff, however we felt those expectations were not fully met. Overall, we were extremely satisfied with the wedding venue, happy we chose this site, and highly recommend it to others.
Molly
5.0
6/26/2014
We had the most amazing experience working with the Dane Estate for our wedding. They are incredibly professional and everything was of the highest quality. We also loved that the ...
package is very inclusive - food, beverage, cake, and a fantastic wedding coordinator. The venue is quiet and secluded but was about a 10 minute ride from the Holiday Inn Brookline. There are so many beautiful photo opportunities on their well manicured property that even includes a small pond. Everything was great and everyone was thrilled!
Richard R
5.0
12/17/2013
When my husband and I were evaluating options for the wedding venue, the one thing we knew we wanted was a dueling staircase. From the moment we entered The Dane Estate through t...
he Ferry Foyer and passed through the Library on our way to Founder’s Hall, we both knew this was the place we would be married. The wood carved walls, gold gilt ceilings and alabaster chandeliers all enhanced the grandeur of the staircase in Founder’s Hall and the estate. The grounds were a perfect setting for all the family photos and many special ones of just the two of us.
The options were overwhelming, but Lovelynn and Michelle guided us through to create a wedding beyond anyone’s imagination.
Not only did we get the staircase, we worked with an outstanding staff of people that we now consider friends. We were amazed at how much effort the Dane Estate Staff put into helping us make our vision a reality. Michelle, Lovelynn and the entire staff were professional, caring and attentive to our every need.
Michelle, Lovelynn, Ashley and Chef David helped us create a menu that was truly amazing and mouthwatering.
Our wedding was a formal event that surpassed anything we could have ever dreamed was possible. As our guests entered Founder’s Hall for the ceremony and celebration, they gasped at the class, style and elegance. Most important The Dane Estate helped us fill the rooms with family and friends and more love than any two people could have asked for. Our lives will be forever touched by memories they helped us create. Our family and friends continue to compliment the venue and are still talking about the evening.
Thank you Lovelynn, Michelle and all the staff, our wedding was truly a night to remember.
Rick & Bob
phyllis e
5.0
12/09/2013
A fabulous space for a small wedding (we had 70 guests). Warm, inviting and great for pics. The staff was exceptional! Accomodating, helpful, nice, and with great follow-through. T...
he food was everything we had asked for; honestly we could not have been happier!
Laura B
5.0
10/24/2013
When my now-husband and I were looking for a venue for our wedding ceremony and reception, we wanted: 1) beautiful grounds for an outdoor ceremony and photographs, 2) a lovely and ...
unique building for an indoor reception, 3) good food, and 4) organized, easy-to-work-with staff. We got all of that at Pine Manor. Michelle was our day-of coordinator, and the staff member with whom we dealt with the most. She and her boss Lovelynn were both wonderful. They guided us through every step of the process, from choosing menus, to figuring out setup of the space, to logistics. They were quick to respond to all our questions, and when the day of the wedding came, I felt like I really could just let Michelle handle everything. She and her staff did an amazing job of setting up all our decorations, which we provided ourselves instead of having them come from a florist or other professional. I'm generally nervous about delegation, and feel that "if you want something done right, do it yourself." After my wedding, though, I feel confident in saying, "if you want your wedding done right, have Michelle at Pine Manor do it." Considering all the work they did there, and considering the amount of stuff we got (LOTS of food, open top-shelf bar, linens, day-of coordination, cake from an excellent bakery, plenty of hand-holding), I would say that Pine Manor is also a good value for the money. Michelle made us feel so welcome and so valued, and I will always be grateful to her and the rest of the Pine Manor staff for helping to make my wedding absolutely amazing.
Jennifer B
5.0
11/01/2012
Pine Manor is a breathtaking location. It captures the feel of New England, with pine-filled surroundings and a fantastic manor house emphasizing beautiful carved wooden architectu...
re. My husband and I were married in the library, a lovely smaller room perfectly sized for our intimate ceremony. We then had a larger party in the ballroom, which is exceptional for the pipe organ covering one entire wall.
We chose this venue in part because so many wedding necessities were available on-site; they have their own caterer, waitstaff, tables and chairs, linens, table settings, dressing rooms, and a day-of wedding coordinator on staff. Not having to search and compare vendors for these things saved us a lot of headaches.
The staff is very accommodating, reliable, and professional. I was especially pleased at how they handled our special needs for the menu; I have a family full of people with celiac disease, and Pine Manor made sure that nobody got glutened. They took good care of us, and made sure we had an awesome wedding!
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