Nice Restaurant for Wedding reception (Boston, New Bedford: loft, hotel, house)

[banana819]

Hi everyone!
I am hoping someone can help me. I am trying to find a restaurant/place for a small wedding reception. We are having a small wedding and there will only be about 30-40 people so we don't want anything big. We are also planning a Memorial weekend wedding, so that just adds to the difficulty in trying to find a venue just for weddings.
We are not living there, but since most of his family is in MA and mine is in NY, we figured MA would be the best. I am TRYING to find something waterfront, but not so "bar-ish." We aren't really set on a specific city, but his family is in the Foxboro area and there isn't much there.
Any advice would be great. Since I'm a NYer, I have NO idea where to begin and he hasn't lived there in so long that he doesn't really know either.
Thanks!

[Ninotchka P]

My advice is plan it in NY where you are. His family can travel from MA for it. I'm not sure I understand the logic of planning it near his family but not near yours.

I planned a wedding 2 hours away from my house and I was sooo sick of the drive back and forth by the end. And that was with a short 4 month planning period, quick decisions, and his family available to help near the wedding venue. Also small - about 50-60 people.

It doesn't seem like you're sentimentally attached to a specific venue in MA since you're here looking for location advice, so stay closer to where you are. You won't regret it.

[Parsec]

Why on earth would you plan a wedding near the groom's family instead of the bride's family? Unless you guys are from China where the son's family pays for the wedding and boys are more important than girls in the eyes of the older generation.

If you really want it on the water, may I suggest Hyatt Boston Harbor Hotel? It's near the airport across the harbor from downtown Boston so you get the view of Boston. If you have it in downtown Boston then you won't get a view of anything nice.

[lrfox]

I think Bittersweet Farm in Westport (1/2 hour from Foxboro) is a gem. It's a converted historic barn on a great plot of land in a nice seaside town.

Independence Harbor in Assonet is also very nice (around 1/2 hour from Foxboro as well). It's a pretty riverfront spot.

It would be hard not to recommend the Boathouse in Tiverton, RI/ It's right across the border from MA (about 40 minutes from Foxboro). It's a great waterfront spot.

[MikePRU]

The Museum of Science has an area on their property along the Charles River where they host events like weddings. The area for the ceremony is outdoors and then for the reception they have a nice tent. The catering is all done by Wolfgang Puck who operates the food service in the museum.

[Makolly]

Check out Lake Pearl Luciano's. It's in Wrentham, which is right next to Foxboro.
I've been to a few events there and they were all very nice and the food was very good. Last year I attended a family wedding that took place in the Tree Top Room. It's a nice size room but not too big and has a wall of glass right on the lake (although it's not on the ground level - the land slopes down near the water) and there are trees but still a nice view. I believe they also have a tented outdoor area if you are interested in that.

[Beachcomber4]

Luciano's Lake Pearl has a number of different rooms for use. BR's Monponsett in Halifax about 40 minutes from Foxboro but a nice venue.

If you want to make it a destination for everyone and keep it in MA Venezia in Boston is nice.

On the upper Cape, On Cape the Belfry Inn is not waterfront but it is a very romantic spot for a wedding. I also like Casino FX Wharf in Falmouth. It has breathtaking views of Nantucket Sound. I think there may be a small room at the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth as well.

If you want to go all out and have a truly luxurious experience with every detail taken care of for you, I would recommend the Wequassett Inn on the Harwich/Chatham line. It is amazing. They have numerous small venues to choose from and the food, service and grounds are impeccable.

Distance planning a small wedding at a restaurant won't be difficult if you work with the right people and can give up some control and trust the pros. It's not always easy.

Good luck!

[banana819]

Thank you, everyone for the replies.
I should probably clarify something first.
We live in NC. My immediate family is all in NC. My Aunts/Uncles/Cousins, etc are in NY. His WHOLE family is in MA. The main reason I planned MA is because he has so much more family to invite and it would be hard to get everyone here. He has 3 siblings, with family and his grandmother is 90 and would never be able to travel. She really couldn't go to NY either. I only have 6 people here in NC.

As I said, we're probably going to keep it pretty small, so I don't plan on having friends or family I hardly speak to.

I planned his surprise 40th birthday party in MA, so it's not impossible...but a wedding going wrong is not something you want.

I found a new place called The Cove in Fall River. It's waterfront and seems to be real pretty, but the food reviews weren't great.

I'm gonna call some of the places you guys recommended. Thanks again!!!!

[lrfox]

The Cove is OK. I've eaten there a few times and the owners are acquaintances of mine. Fall River is an old mill town and the views aren't wonderful (two 500ft cooling towers, high tension wires, and a power plant dominate the view even though images focus on the bridge and battleship). The food is actually pretty good, but service has been an issue.

If the Cove is your style, check out the Black Whale and Waterfront Grille in New Bedford. Both of those are a little better than The Cove.

[Beachcomber4]

In that case, with a few off the top of my head:

NEWPORT! Great spot for a destination wedding.
Brick Alley Pub in Newport RI (the upstairs room has a loft feel to it and looks across to the harbor)
Viking Hotel in Newport. Lovely old hotel with a rooftop venue and smaller facilities in the hotel.
Marriott Newport- love this hotel as it's on the water and the lobby has niches that are perfect for people to gather.We have had many weekends with extended family here and it's always a blast.

Not feeling it:
Atlantica- specifically the Sail Room in Cohasset- there is an Inn next door for guests who want to stay.

Some unsolicited advice from someone who has worked in the business: You and your family are travelling for this. Choose a destination that will feel special for you and bring everyone together for this happy occasion. Your husband's family will appreciate your efforts just in coming back here to get married. A lovely weekend away would be nice for everyone.