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1. Estate Grandeur
If the phrase “the bigger the better” could describe your theme, look no further than Castle Hill on The Crane Estate in Ipswich. Hold your ceremony amid the dramatic furnishings of the Great House or on the beachside Grand Alleé.
2. Garden Charm
Vintage-loving brides look no further. Say “I do” in the Boston Public Garden, the country’s first botanical garden, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Monet painting. The event planners of Two Friends Coordinators directed us to this historic paradise, which requires little, if any, decoration. (617) 635-4874
3. Animal Kingdom
At the Franklin Park Zoo, pick your favorite species and exchange vows by the giraffes in Pine Knoll, across from the wild dogs in Beech Grove, or—for the couple who doesn’t mind a little monkey business—in the gorilla-filled Tropical Forest.
4. On the Water
For stunning 360-degree views of Boston Harbor, marry aboard your very own 125-foot schooner. The Liberty Clipper departs from Long Wharf for nautical nuptials reminiscent of a nineteenth-century voyage.
5. Museum Magic
Rich history and stunning architecture unite at the Peabody Essex Museum. Bookish couples can exchange vows in the Phillips Library Reading Room—a bibliophile’s dream, complete with glazed wooden bookcases and a grand staircase.
6. Through the Grapevine
No need to travel to France to wed in wine country. At Nashoba Valley Winery, a working state-of-the-art vineyard, couples can celebrate in a romantic farmhouse or outside on a hilltop orchard.
7. Inn Style
Wequassett Inn Resort and Golf Club on Cape Cod: It’s a little bit beachy with a whole lot of luxury. Host a waterfront ceremony on the manicured lawn that overlooks Pleasant Bay.
8. City Sites
Exchange vows on top of the world—well, on top of Boston that is—at the Skywalk at the Top of the Hub. Your guests will be captivated by one of the city’s best views on the 50th floor of Prudential Tower.
9. Musical Score
After marrying in a charming courtyard, artistic couples can take center stage at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center. This nineteenth-century theater can be transformed in to an elegant reception space that boasts large windows, marble flooring, and ornate ironwork.
10. Chapel of Love
Traditional brides looking for a unique setting can marry at the Old Whaling Church on Martha’s Vineyard. Declare your love for one another in this stately Greek-revival structure built by whaling captains in the nineteenth century.
-- Christa Vagnozzi
Photo: Photojenic