Boston Wedding Guide

by Christine Liu - Citysearch Editor - 56 Reviews - 100 Lists

Updated: January 14, 2009

Calling all those betrothed: You've already done the hardest part--the wooing, dating, engagement--so allow us to help you with the whole wedding shebang. Even if you're not bride-groom-zilla, here are some priceless recommendations in Boston to make sure your special day goes down as smoothly as silk.

On this page:Guest Lodging, Bride Beautiful, Rehearsal Dinner or Reception.

Guest Lodging

  1. 1 Inn at St. Botolph
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    99 St. Botolph St, Boston, MA 02116 (map)

    One of the best-kept secrets in Boston, this surprisingly affordable hotel sits in a very desirable location--right on the cusp of Back Bay, South End and near plenty of shopping and restaurants. Handsome suites, in-room kitchenettes and homey-but-modern lines are niceties in this efficient space where you enter with a pass code given upon reservation--no keys required. No concierge or foofy spas on site, but perfect for those who want a suitable and stylish place to sleep.

  2. 2 4 Star Rating: Recommended Hotel Commonwealth
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    500 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215 (map)

    With its many modern accouterments--like hotel-wide WiFi, a dog friendly staff and guest room library--this Kenmore Square hotel satisfies out-of-towners with confident aplomb. Its in-house stellar restaurants, Eastern Standard and Great Bay, attract guests and locals alike, and the proximity to Fenway Park is unparalleled.

  3. 3 4 Star Rating: Recommended Liberty Hotel
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    215 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114 (map)

    Your guests will live lushly and gorgeously overlooking Beacon Hill with amenities galore. The architecturally reconstructed Charles Street Jail is a stunningly grand structure retaining artful vestiges (bars, cells, bricks) of its darker past. Restaurants Scampo and Clink, plus bars Alibi and Veuve Cliquot Lounge, render the lobby an unrelentingly trendy nightlife spot.

Bride Beautiful

  1. 4 3.5 Star Rating: Average L'Elite
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    276 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116 (map)

    Stately perched upon Newbury Street, this bridal boutique courts brides-to-be with quietly drop-dead gorgeous gowns. Personal consultants patiently navigate from Badgley Mischka to Carolina Herrera, and on-site tailors help consummate a one-of-a-kind dress. Looking for a steal? Savvy brides head to the back room for 40 to 80 percent savings off new gowns.

  2. 5 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Bella Sante
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    38 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116 (map)

    The bride can treat herself or her bevy of bridesmaids to this peaceful oasis rising above Newbury Street's most glamorous block. Get smooth and satiny with an exfoliating head-to-toe body ritual, or arrange for the expert stylists to conduct the hair and makeup for the big day. Other locations in Lexington and Wellesley make beauty all the more accessible to everyone in your party.

  3. 6 3 Star Rating: Average Priscilla Of Boston
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    801 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116 (map)

    If you want everything and a bag of luxurious chips, this bridal wear institution delivers style in spades. The designer gowns--signature lines include Priscilla, Melissa Sweet and Vineyard--aren't for the faint of pocketbook, but if cost's no object, their elegance is worth every penny. Bridesmaids and flower girls get no less than sleek silhouettes, for an entire bridal party that whispers modern opulence.

Rehearsal Dinner or Reception

  1. 7 4 Star Rating: Recommended Rialto
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    1 Bennett St (Charles Hotel), Cambridge, MA 02138 (map)

    Looking for a refreshing sense of modern, but not stifling, luxury? Guide your party to Rialto, where chef/owner Jody Adams and her team meticulously arrange an artful private gathering. Design it all, from a custom menu to what flowers will adorn the tables. From lovingly plated local seafood to decadent fried olives at the bar, it's totally up to you to dress it up or way, way down.

  2. 8 4 Star Rating: Recommended Locke-Ober
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    3 Winter Pl, Boston, MA 02108 (map)

    For those willing to go the extra mile, there's no resisting the old-world lacquer and hushed hallowedness of this circa-1868 institution. Secure a banquet room or Yvonne's three-story private club to sup on JFK's lobster stew, Dover sole meuniere or baked Alaska. Go down in history.

  3. 9 3.5 Star Rating: Average Eastern Standard
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    528 Commonwealth Ave (Hotel Commonwealth), Boston, MA 02215 (map)

    Perfect for a cheeky yet elegant dinner, this vintage-inspired brasserie at the Hotel Commonwealth doles out both fancy oysters and juicy burgers, alongside some of the finest cocktails in town. A sprawling room, warm lighting and a highly experienced staff will ensure that all enjoy the casual-yet-classy French-accented repast.