Attention, Massachusetts brides! If you’re in the process of crunching the numbers for your wedding at the moment, you’re not alone.
Massachusetts has long been in the top five most expensive states for weddings and is on par with the New England tradition of being a pricier place to tie the knot. But not all is lost!
We’ve gathered some of the best outdoor wedding venues in Massachusetts, because what’s better than having Mother Nature provide the majority of your decorations for you in the form of lush scenery and overflowing garden beds?
Read on to learn all that Massachusetts has to offer in the way of lovely outdoor spaces in which to exchange your vows: we’ve got gardens, waterfront properties, and historical buildings, just to name a few!
Fruitlands Museum
Just outside of the bustling city of Boston lies the gorgeous Fruitlands Museum. With pastoral views that look over the Nashua River Valley and plenty of natural, rural beauty, this is a venue not to be missed!
Immediately after entering the venue from Prospect Hill, you’ll be greeted with views of local orchards and hardwood forests- a nature lover’s dream.
Ceremonies take place in a tent in the garden adjacent to the tea room with rolling hills providing the backdrop for photos. There are 200+ acres of protected hilltop grounds!
Take in all of Mother Nature’s glory at the dinner table as well, with the catering menu consisting of fresh, local fare sustainably sourced from Gibbet Hill in Groton. Yum!
Price Range: Starts at $7,000.
Capacity: Up to 192 guests.
Find the Fruitlands Museum at Fruitlands Events or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Starting Gate at GreatHorse
Located in picturesque Hampden, MA, this stunning venue would be perfect for brides looking for a breathtaking backdrop.
Exchange your vows in the custom Adirondack gazebo with your friends and family ensconced in the intimate and charming Wedding Garden that sports a manicured lawn and chic water fountain.
Then, imagine taking in the sunset views from the covered 3,000-square-foot deck overlooking the Connecticut River Valley while mingling with cocktails!
Your guests can enjoy dinner in one of the two elegant reception rooms that feature sparkling chandeliers and a grand fireplace. These two rooms can be combined, so you have plenty of options!
The Starting Gate is also known for its comprehensive and tasty catering packages!
Price Range: Please contact the venue about pricing here.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests.
Find The Starting Gate at The Starting Gate or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Friendly Crossways Retreat Center
Craving that relaxed, outdoor, intimate, rustic wedding feel? Then check out Friendly Crossways!
Well known for its romantic outdoor ceremony settings and intimate barn accommodations, Friendly Crossways is perfect for DIY brides who want total artistic control for a smaller gathering.
This wedding venue in Massachusetts notably highlights the importance of being eco-friendly, which is a big selling point for the bride who is looking to plan her wedding as sustainably as possible.
This little gem near Harvard offers flexible wedding packages and is often booked out far in advance, so be sure to schedule a tour to learn more!
Price Range: Starts at $6,350.
Capacity: Up to 120 guests.
Find Friendly Crossways at Friendly Crossways or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Misselwood Events at Endicott College
Are you looking for expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean? If so, check out Misselwood Events at Endicott College.
Sweeping green lawns provide a perfect setting for an outdoor ceremony facing the glittering ocean. With a climate-controlled tent, you and up to 200 of your guests can party the night away regardless of the weather!
Just a short walk through French doors will open into a charming courtyard where your friends and family can take in the views.
Notably, brides and bridesmaids can enjoy the house for up to two hours before the start of the ceremony.
The Misselwood property is a wonderful location if you’re looking for that North Shore feel!
Price Range: Please contact the venue about pricing here.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests.
Find Misselwood Events at Endicott College at Misselwood or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Mansion at the Hellenic Center
When looking for outdoor venues in Massachusetts, you’ll find that the North Shore is full of dreamy venues that are brimming with potential.
The Mansion at the Hellenic Center is no different- it’s a taste of the South, and perfect for brides who are looking for a Georgian-style historical estate that includes a sculpted garden and charming veranda.
Located in the heart of Ipswich, the Mansion resides in the rustic countryside, which you’ll enjoy on the drive.
There’s a range of outdoor ceremony areas- choose from the sculpted gardens, the grand pergola, or any other location that suits your fancy!
Price Range: Please contact the venue for pricing here.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests.
Find The Hellenic Center at Hellenic Center or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House
This piece of New England history sits on a rock ledge that overlooks the Gloucester Harbor. Henry Davis Sleeper, one of America’s first professional interior designers, used Beauport as his summer home and as his getaway for entertaining visitors.
There are 40 rooms in the house that were individually designed with various inspirations in mind and no two rooms are the same!
This place is perfect for a small garden wedding ceremony, with plenty of scenic areas for photo shoots. You’ll exchange your vows with your beloved on Beaufort’s charming terrace, flanked by gardens that have been manicured to their original 1920s and 30s historical style.
There are discount rates for micro-wedding packages for up to 15 guests, so keep that in mind if you’re looking to throw an intimate bash!
Price Range: Starts at $1,200.
Capacity: Up to 50 guests.
Find Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House at Historic New England, or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Estate at Moraine Farm
With sweeping views of 175 spectacular acres, the Estate at Moraine Farm is worth some consideration if you’re looking for an outdoor wedding with a priority on scenic views (hello, Wenham Lake!)
Much of the property’s land is under conservation and is conveniently located just 25 minutes outside of Boston.
Fun fact: the architect for the estate’s grounds is none other than Frederick Law Olmsted, who was the genius behind planning Central Park in New York City!
What we love about the Estate at Moraine Farm is their permanent tent setup that is available from spring through fall. If you want to get the most out of your outdoor wedding, a tented venue allows guests to take in all the views while being protected from the blazing sun or occasional rain!
The Estate’s packages also include a wedding coordinator, day-of-event manager, and wedding party attendant, so you’ll be sure to be in good hands!
Price Range: Starts at $12,750.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests.
Find the Estate at Moraine Farm at Estate at Moraine Farm or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Connors Center at Boston College
Boston College alumni, this is for you! The Connors Center is a gorgeous, fully restored mansion set on 80 acres in Dover, MA.
With all the trappings of an old-fashioned estate updated to reflect our time’s modernities, the Connors Center is a unique venue worth considering on your hunt for the perfect outdoor wedding venue.
Here’s why we love it: there is a super-wide range of event spaces for you to choose from, depending on the size of your wedding.
For example, the Lower Garden is an expansive green space that can hold a large reception tent and has gorgeous stone archways and staircases that are so picturesque.
Or, maybe you want fresh blooms- take a look at St. Cecilia’s Garden which features rustic pathways and darling flower beds.
Another distinctive area at the Connors Center is the Arched Terrace. As far as outdoor spaces go, this is an unforgettable area that offers stone paths and staircases for plenty of memorable photos.
Price Range: Starts at $3,500.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests.
Find the Connors Center at Connors Center or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Glen Magna Farms
This outdoor wedding venue is located in Danvers, MA. Sitting on 11 acres of countryside, the mansion at Glen Magna Farms is a Colonial-Revival-styled event space that is surrounded by bucolic, hidden areas that are perfect for ceremonies, photos, and toasts!
We love the wisteria-covered pergolas and garden fountains that lend an air of elegance to this exclusive property.
Intimate ceremonies can take place between lush rose beds and verdant green lawns, and afterward, the party can head to a sailcloth tent for a garden party reception.
With twinkling cafe lights overhead, fresh open air, and sweeping views of the grounds, you’re sure to enjoy the timeless, classic wedding joy that Glen Magna Farms and its all-inclusive packages can provide.
Price Range: Starts at $4,000.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests.
Find Glen Magna Farms at Glen Magna Farms or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Gardens at Elm Bank
Garden venues in general are a safe bet if you’re looking for an outdoor wedding venue. With greenery and botanicals aplenty, there’s a natural romance in the air when you’re celebrating a wedding in a garden.
That being said, the Gardens at Elm Bank has it all: formal, elegant, enchanting, charming (or all of the above) you truly can choose what wedding vibe you want in a venue like this!
The stately Hunnewell Building is a restored carriage house that comes with a seasonal tent for weddings between the months of April to November.
If you’re looking for a peaceful, perfect, all-outdoor wedding experience, their Maple Grove field is where you want to be.
Don’t miss checking out the Belvedere Cocktail Space, as well as the insanely beautiful Italianate Garden!
Price Range: Starts at $4,250.
Capacity: Up to 230 guests.
Find the Gardens at Elm Bank at Gardens at Elm Bank or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Clifford Hall at Duxbury Bay Maritime School
Dreaming of an outdoor waterfront wedding? Take a look at Duxbury Bay Maritime School!
The Clifford Hall space is perfect for hosting an outdoor wedding where you can celebrate on the lawn and patio under their Sperry Tent.
Your big day can be spent entirely on the waterfront while you take in the views of Duxbury Bay, or you can choose to spend part of the day inside for dinner and dancing- anything goes!
Exchange your vows with unforgettable waterfront views providing the perfect backdrop. You truly can have the feel of the cape and islands without the hefty price tag!
With plenty of outdoor and indoor room, treat your guests to the scenic marina sights, as well as everything Duxbury Bay has to offer.
Price Range: Please contact the venue for pricing here.
Capacity: Up to 160 guests seated, 200 standing.
Find the Duxbury Bay Maritime School at Duxbury Bay Maritime School or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Inn on Boltwood (formerly The Lord Jeffery Inn)
If you’re searching for something luxurious, outdoors, and elegant, you can’t go wrong with the Inn on Boltwood in the heart of Amherst Town Center.
Formerly known as The Lord Jeffery Inn, this space features several charming gardens as well as a tented courtyard.
While there are gorgeous indoor spaces like the Dickinson Ballroom, the real selling point is the outdoor ceremony space options:
There’s a 180-person Garden Tent that is available May through October, a quaint rooftop terrace for 50 people, or a super intimate Greenhouse Room for the micro wedding of your dreams!
The Inn has fantastic offerings of all that classic New England is about, and with loads of complimentary perks in the comprehensive wedding packages, you’ll be sure to make some memories at this professional and hospitable inn!
Price Range: Starts at $7,000 for the Garden Tent.
Capacity: Up to 180 guests.
Find the Inn on Boltwood at Inn on Boltwood or check out Facebook or Instagram.
