Inexpensive Wedding/Reception Venue Near South Shore (Boston, Quincy: to rent, how much)

[perchenon45]

Hi,

My fiance and I are trying to decide if we can have a wedding and need to keep everything for 75-100 guests under $5K total, so the venue needs to be as cheap as possible. We'd like to find something on the south shore, or not too far in other directions from Boston and have it be as all-inclusive so that we don't have to rent chairs and all the other hundred other details that quickly add up. Does anyone have any suggestions for venues or pulled this off with a similar budget? We're not looking for a church wedding, so a reception combo would be great.

Thanks for any ideas.

[miu]

It depends on how much your family and friends are willing to help with the wedding day. Perhaps find a VFW hall to rent. Have a cash bar. Make your own cheese and crudite boards. And do a potluck on the food. Or if you use a caterer, skip the fancy foods. For a wedding cake, you can save a lot by getting a nice big cake from a bakery, but don't tell them that it's for a wedding.

One of my friends a long time ago, rented out a small restaurant space in Western, MA by a lake in the fall. So the restaurant wasn't busy like it usually was in the summertime. Cash bar. And the dinner was family style served roast turkey and the fixings.

Another friend got married at the Unitarian church in Groton. A small pretty church with a meeting house next to it. The dinner was in the meeting house. I don't know if the tables and chairs were rented. Dinner was buffet style Peruvian food. I remember that there was wine with dinner. Music was a prerecorded mix on a CD.

Things like having a full bar, picking pricey appetizers and entrée choices like file mignon are going to kick the bill up.

[jlyang]

Hi,
Plymouth, MA has a number of options that would fit within your budget. Isaac's was maybe $20/person a few years ago...the place looks a little dated but would get the job done. We drove around town and inquired in a number of restaurants, and it seemed that many were happy to do a wedding reception for about $30-$40 per head...can't remember their names though. John Carver Inn and Spa also does weddings, though I'm not sure if their charge is above your budget. Anyhow, I'd recommend driving around Plymouth and asking around in some restaurants there.

[Beachcomber4]

Call Trueman's Catering in Rockland. They can probably help you find an inexpensive site and help you with catering etc. Another thought is the Abington Ale House- they have a cute function room. The Common Market in Quincy was always a good spot for small events as was the Fours. I am not sure of prices but all are lower cost for dining.

[perchenon45]

Thanks for all the tips!