Eight New England Venues for a Perfectly Petite Micro Wedding
Including seaside locales, enchanting estates, and chic city settings.
Whether you’re thinking of throwing a scaled-down celebration in the wake of the coronavirus or you’ve always dreamed of tying the knot in a more intimate fashion, the region is by no means lacking in one-of-a-kind micro wedding venues. Read on for eight dreamy spots that can host small groups.
Peaceful water offers a romantic backdrop for weddings at Newport Beach House. / Photo by Brooke Brady Photography. Flowers by Young Designs Floral Studio.
Fairmont Copley Plaza
You don’t need a 200-person guest list to tie the knot at this iconic Back Bay hotel. Since introducing its popular micro-wedding services earlier this year, the Fairmont Copley Plaza has happily catered to petite
parties, too, hosting ceremonies with up to 25 attendees in its chandelier-adorned ballrooms. Say “I do” with just select friends and family standing by your side, or—for an extra fee—work with the hotel’s experienced staffers to set up a livestream for guests tuning in from afar.
138 St James Ave., Boston, 617-267-5300, fairmont.com.
The Herb Lyceum at Gilson’s
Encompassing 4 acres of flower-dotted farmland in Groton, this lush property was practically made for small-scale celebrations. In addition to its herb gardens—modeled after spaces in Provence and Tuscany—and a sprawling greenhouse, the family-owned venue features a restored 19th-century carriage house with seating for up to 30. As for the meal you’ll enjoy post-vows? You’re pretty much guaranteed a mouthwatering menu, given the food is prepared by the team behind Cambridge favorite Puritan & Company.
368 Main St., Groton, 617-615-6195, herblyceum.com.
Inside the Fairmont Copley Plaza, the St. James Room beckons with oversize windows and mahogany accents. / Photo by Lena Mirisola Photography
Eustis Estate
For a romantic setting with a touch of history, consider hosting your nearest and dearest for a two-hour fete at the Eustis Estate, an antique mansion in Milton. Fittingly built for a pair of newlyweds in 1878, the expansive single-family home turned celebration spot welcomes parties of up to 10 guests. Host a private ceremony in one of the fireplace-equipped parlors or in the Great Hall, surrounded by ornate woodwork, before heading outdoors for newlywed portraits amid the estate’s 80 acres of greenery, set at the edge of the Blue Hills.
1424 Canton Ave., Milton, 617-994-6600, historicnewengland.org.
Newport Beach House
Craving a coastal vibe for your wedding day? With a variety of indoor and outdoor waterfront settings—including a lounge with a wall of retractable glass—Newport Beach House should do the trick. Book the venue’s “Private Ceremony” package, and not only will you be taking the plunge among the sights and sounds of the mighty Atlantic, you and up to 23 guests will also be treated to scrumptious small plates and welcome drinks.
3 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown, RI, 617-854-5000, longwoodvenues.com.
Josias River Farm / Photo by Elizabeth Ivy Photography
Josias River Farm
With the “Love Affair” package at Josias River Farm in Cape Neddick, Maine, you can share in your special day with up to 50 guests. The farm offers multiple ceremony and reception spots, including a restored 250-year-old barn, and 20 dazzling acres of lawns and gardens dotted with stone walls. Also available at the venue: a fire pit and cornhole sets for some outdoor fun.
171 Logging Rd., Cape Neddick, ME, 508-667-7638, mayflowervenues.com.
Boston Public Library
As far as iconic Boston backdrops go, the courtyard at the Boston Public Library is about as classic as it gets. This summer, the venue is offering brides and grooms a chance to tie the knot alongside eight guests in the open-air setting, and clink glasses afterward in a picnic-style reception with bites and bubbly from the Catered Affair. The hour-and-a-half-long affair will also include the chance to take photos in the courtyard as well as on the McKim Lobby Grand Staircase.
700 Boylston St., Boston, 617-859-2212 , thecateredaffair.com.
The Lodge at Spruce Peak / Photo courtesy of the Lodge at Spruce Peak
The Lodge at Spruce Peak
Swap vows at the foot of Mount Mansfield inside this grand hotel, which is offering a “We Still Do” micro wedding package for up to 20 guests through October 2020. Celebrations can take place at one of several indoor or outdoor venues, including the Junior Ballroom where you’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows offering mountain views, and the Village Green: the perfect place to set up some post-ceremony lawn games for your crew. Another perk? Your event booking includes custom tablescapes and a wedding cake, as well as discounted lodging and spa services during your stay.
7412 Mountain Rd., Stowe, VT, 802-282-4625, sprucepeak.com.
Atlantica
Throw a South Shore celebration overlooking Cohasset Cove with up to 50 of your closest family members and pals at Atlantica, a waterfront restaurant offering coastal-inspired fare. Make things official at the water’s edge and then celebrate in one of multiple recently renovated dining spaces that are decked out with large, wraparound windows that put the seaside setting on full display.
44 Border St., Cohasset, 781-383-0900, atlanticacohasset.com.
