Rooms/bars/small spaces to hire in Boston?
January 30, 2019 5:14 AM Subscribe
We are eloping to Boston at the end of March. Our original idea was to have the (short) ceremony at Boston Common, but it might be a very good idea to have a backup plan so there's indoor space. Trying to find somewhere that will let us do this without spending $$$ or paying for catering is giving me a headache. Any tips?
Useful info:
- the ceremony will be about 30 mins or so, which is about all we need
- there's just the couple, photographer and celebrant
- we plan to have it around 3.30
- AirBnB isn't an option (we've booked accommodation already and are travelling on early the next day, so it would make things complicated)
- we are flying in, so decorating the space ourselves isn't very easy
- but it would be OK to have a very characterful pub or bar or diner rather than something 'weddingy' - this would actually be great.
- we are obviously willing to pay but are not willing to pay the cost of hiring something for a whole night (because we don't need it) and I don't think we'd be able to drink a minimum bar tab between us
Asking here as there might be someone who rented a bar, or knows somewhere I can ask, or SOMETHING. Argh!
Useful info:
- the ceremony will be about 30 mins or so, which is about all we need
- there's just the couple, photographer and celebrant
- we plan to have it around 3.30
- AirBnB isn't an option (we've booked accommodation already and are travelling on early the next day, so it would make things complicated)
- we are flying in, so decorating the space ourselves isn't very easy
- but it would be OK to have a very characterful pub or bar or diner rather than something 'weddingy' - this would actually be great.
- we are obviously willing to pay but are not willing to pay the cost of hiring something for a whole night (because we don't need it) and I don't think we'd be able to drink a minimum bar tab between us
Asking here as there might be someone who rented a bar, or knows somewhere I can ask, or SOMETHING. Argh!
In March, I'm assuming weather is the reason you need a backup plan. How many people will be there? If it's a smallish number maybe you should consider a restaurant that has an extra room and only needs minimum notice. That way you can factor in the weather forecast a few days ahead of booking it and you don't have to think about catering or decor. Restaurants do this all the time for post funeral gatherings--limited buffet menu but sometimes more. Plenty of Boston folks on the Green might have suggestions for restaurant venues or hotels with good restaurants where you and your guests can stay.
posted by Elsie at 5:53 AM on January 30, 2019
posted by Elsie at 5:53 AM on January 30, 2019
Any tips?
You'll get better advice if you can specify where you're staying and how far you're willing to travel (in time or distance). Because of the demographics on MetaFilter, you'll get a lot of suggestions for Somerville and Cambridge. Those aren't Boston.
You also may want to specify your exact price range. "$$$" isn't helpful. Boston is an expensive city, and if you're looking to rent an entire pub or bar or diner to accommodate just four people—only two of whom are celebrating*—for just a half-hour in the middle of an afternoon, then being specific about your price range might help to develop ideas (or a conclusion that this plan isn't feasible).
* "We are eloping...there's just the couple, photographer and celebrant." I'm reading that to mean you aren't inviting guests. If you meant there won't be a wedding party, but you will be inviting guests, then a number would be helpful, as would the guests' lodging and travel plans (cars?), because again, Somerville and Cambridge aren't Boston.
posted by cribcage at 7:02 AM on January 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
You'll get better advice if you can specify where you're staying and how far you're willing to travel (in time or distance). Because of the demographics on MetaFilter, you'll get a lot of suggestions for Somerville and Cambridge. Those aren't Boston.
You also may want to specify your exact price range. "$$$" isn't helpful. Boston is an expensive city, and if you're looking to rent an entire pub or bar or diner to accommodate just four people—only two of whom are celebrating*—for just a half-hour in the middle of an afternoon, then being specific about your price range might help to develop ideas (or a conclusion that this plan isn't feasible).
* "We are eloping...there's just the couple, photographer and celebrant." I'm reading that to mean you aren't inviting guests. If you meant there won't be a wedding party, but you will be inviting guests, then a number would be helpful, as would the guests' lodging and travel plans (cars?), because again, Somerville and Cambridge aren't Boston.
posted by cribcage at 7:02 AM on January 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
Wait, so is it literally just the couple, celebrant, and photographer, no guests? Four people? And are you looking to not have to eat anything at all--not even the two of you to sit down for a meal afterwards? (xposting this questions with cribcage; this is important info)
Even if you already have accommodation, you might find that an additional AirB&B for a day/night will still be a better deal than any restaurant and/or public space.
posted by gideonfrog at 7:26 AM on January 30, 2019
Even if you already have accommodation, you might find that an additional AirB&B for a day/night will still be a better deal than any restaurant and/or public space.
posted by gideonfrog at 7:26 AM on January 30, 2019
Update from the anon OP:
OK, more detailsposted by LobsterMitten at 7:40 AM on January 30, 2019
- we are not native to the US and will be staying downtown. Our celebrant and photographer are local and would be able to travel.
- neither of us drive, so assume it will be walking or public transport for us to get there. Fine with spending 30mins or so to get there, or an Uber. Our photographer at least will be driving (and might drive us to photo spots afterwards, depending on what we plan)
- there is literally just the two of us, no guests.
- I looked into hiring a restaurant private room (original plan was to head to the Rosebud Diner at the end of everything for classic American diner food) but wouldn't that lead to us sitting there awkwardly with the photographer whilst we eat and then heading out to take photos? It doesn't seem a good use of the time for which we've hired them and might be awkward for them too with a small group.
- we have to get a train at 9am the next day, I don't know how easy it will be to check out of the AirBnB.
- budget - think on the low side. One bar we contacted asked for $500 for an hour. That's not feasible. And yes, we are aware it's an expensive town, but if our original plan of marrying outdoors (which I've always liked the idea of, not just because of our budget) is going to be tricky, then we'll need to deal.
Technically you need a permit to get married in the Common or Public Garden.
posted by Hypatia at 7:53 AM on January 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Hypatia at 7:53 AM on January 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
The Rosebud Diner doesn’t offer classic American diner good, fwiw - it’s more over-thought, badly-executed “yankees do southern food”.... something.
“because again, Cambridge and Somerville aren’t Boston” is, while technically true, a technicality that literally only matters to people who are here and who feel strongly about how their city is superior to the others. For people who are in from out of town, they’re functionally just different neighborhoods of the same metropolis.
How about a museum? Find a quiet room at the MFA, or at the Harvard Natural History museum and do the ceremony quickly?
posted by amelioration at 9:37 AM on January 30, 2019 [7 favorites]
“because again, Cambridge and Somerville aren’t Boston” is, while technically true, a technicality that literally only matters to people who are here and who feel strongly about how their city is superior to the others. For people who are in from out of town, they’re functionally just different neighborhoods of the same metropolis.
How about a museum? Find a quiet room at the MFA, or at the Harvard Natural History museum and do the ceremony quickly?
posted by amelioration at 9:37 AM on January 30, 2019 [7 favorites]
Pick a restaurant and make a reservation for four people. Ask for a quiet corner. Problem solved.
But I'd strongly advise against marrying outdoors in March in Boston unless you can keep the ceremony to less than 5 minutes. The weather is not kind in March much of the time.
I'd honestly suggest getting a room at a proper hotel, make a big deal out of telling them you're getting married in a very small ceremony, and would they have any recommendations about where and how?
Also keep in mind MA requires a three day waiting period for a marriage license, so you're plan to come in, marry, and scoot right off won't be possible unless you take care of the getting the license in the 63 days before the ceremony. If the wedding is meant to be ceremonial and validity from the government is unnecessary, then you can ignore this bit.
I'd check out the link below regardless. There's some info. that may help you plan the ceremony piece as well.
https://www.mass.gov/guides/getting-married-in-massachusetts-before-the-wedding
posted by zizzle at 10:33 AM on January 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
But I'd strongly advise against marrying outdoors in March in Boston unless you can keep the ceremony to less than 5 minutes. The weather is not kind in March much of the time.
I'd honestly suggest getting a room at a proper hotel, make a big deal out of telling them you're getting married in a very small ceremony, and would they have any recommendations about where and how?
Also keep in mind MA requires a three day waiting period for a marriage license, so you're plan to come in, marry, and scoot right off won't be possible unless you take care of the getting the license in the 63 days before the ceremony. If the wedding is meant to be ceremonial and validity from the government is unnecessary, then you can ignore this bit.
I'd check out the link below regardless. There's some info. that may help you plan the ceremony piece as well.
https://www.mass.gov/guides/getting-married-in-massachusetts-before-the-wedding
posted by zizzle at 10:33 AM on January 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
Yeah, a private space in the city during the day for a hundred bucks or so is going to be tough. I thought $500 for an hour in a bar sounded pretty reasonable. A restaurant with a private room might do it for the equivalent of the cost of a nice meal (so a couple of hundred), even if you don't buy the meal, just pay the cash.
A local might be able to do it through someone they know--a friend of a friend who works somewhere--but coming in from out of town is tougher.
The BPL has private study rooms that you can book in advance, but I don't think they have a lot of character; they're in the new building and very conference-style.
I've known people who got stealth married in places (like the Common), but that depends on A) a very short ceremony (like 5 minutes instead of 30) and either no photographer or a totally unobtrusive one.
posted by gideonfrog at 11:40 AM on January 30, 2019
A local might be able to do it through someone they know--a friend of a friend who works somewhere--but coming in from out of town is tougher.
The BPL has private study rooms that you can book in advance, but I don't think they have a lot of character; they're in the new building and very conference-style.
I've known people who got stealth married in places (like the Common), but that depends on A) a very short ceremony (like 5 minutes instead of 30) and either no photographer or a totally unobtrusive one.
posted by gideonfrog at 11:40 AM on January 30, 2019
With just the four of you and little interest in a meal, I'd try to guerrilla-marry someplace pretty and public like the Boston Public Library or the Statehouse (bonus: close to the Common, if it's nice out). Or if you're willing to buy drinks, the bar at someplace like the Four Seasons (next to the Garden) is nice, and tends to be quiet at that hour.
If your photographer is local, definitely ask them. They'll know cool, pretty places that don't mind people being there for pictures (and therefore maybe also a ceremony).
posted by ldthomps at 1:16 PM on January 30, 2019
If your photographer is local, definitely ask them. They'll know cool, pretty places that don't mind people being there for pictures (and therefore maybe also a ceremony).
posted by ldthomps at 1:16 PM on January 30, 2019
- AirBnB isn't an option (we've booked accommodation already and are travelling on early the next day, so it would make things complicated)
I don't quite get why this isn't an option, unless it's just financial. To be clear, you'd book it on top of your hotel, and just stay in your planned accommodation overnight.
There's Breather, but these spaces are admittedly not that pretty.
I looked into hiring a restaurant private room (original plan was to head to the Rosebud Diner at the end of everything for classic American diner food) but wouldn't that lead to us sitting there awkwardly with the photographer whilst we eat and then heading out to take photos?
No. You'd do the ceremony and then the photos (indoors or out, doesn't matter), then go back and eat your food after you dismiss the photographer. That's normally how it happens in bigger weddings, too - photos right after ceremony, while you're still clean and looking relatively good. So all things considered this is what I would o.
posted by Miko at 2:15 PM on January 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
I don't quite get why this isn't an option, unless it's just financial. To be clear, you'd book it on top of your hotel, and just stay in your planned accommodation overnight.
There's Breather, but these spaces are admittedly not that pretty.
I looked into hiring a restaurant private room (original plan was to head to the Rosebud Diner at the end of everything for classic American diner food) but wouldn't that lead to us sitting there awkwardly with the photographer whilst we eat and then heading out to take photos?
No. You'd do the ceremony and then the photos (indoors or out, doesn't matter), then go back and eat your food after you dismiss the photographer. That's normally how it happens in bigger weddings, too - photos right after ceremony, while you're still clean and looking relatively good. So all things considered this is what I would o.
posted by Miko at 2:15 PM on January 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
I have not used this site personally, but they seem to be like an AirBnB for venue rentals, maybe this will turn up something that works for you: Peerspace
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 2:20 PM on January 30, 2019
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 2:20 PM on January 30, 2019
The Elephant and Castle Bar downtown at one point had a room downstairs you could rent for $100. Haven't checked in a while though.
posted by papergirl at 5:25 PM on January 30, 2019
posted by papergirl at 5:25 PM on January 30, 2019
Weekday or weekend? If it’s available, this historical house in Arlington rents at $200/hour that time of year, normally with an 8-hour minimum for weddings but maybe they would cut a deal for just 1 room and 4 people? That page also links to less expensive but less picturesque meeting rooms. Searching other historical and town properties for meeting rooms could yield more choices. Arlington is a suburb. You can take a main subway line to Alewife, and a bus or reasonably short Lyft from there.
posted by daisyace at 4:48 AM on January 31, 2019
posted by daisyace at 4:48 AM on January 31, 2019
If I were having a stealth wedding in Boston I'd have it on the 50th-floor observation deck of The Pru.
posted by bendy at 5:36 AM on January 31, 2019
posted by bendy at 5:36 AM on January 31, 2019
I thought $500 for an hour in a bar sounded pretty reasonable.
Agreed. Keep in mind that businesses have expenses—everything from heat and electricity, to staff—and that everything in the world costs more when you say the word "wedding." Also, and this may be unfair but it's true: what you're asking is unusual, and unusual requests tend to get more pushback. The suggestion above of renting an AirBNB for your half-hour is good because it matches your request with a vendor who (in theory, at least) has shown more openness to unusual profit models than a regular ol' diner that operates by flipping an "Open/Closed" sign on its door. A similar idea might be Craigslist. Write a brief, clear description of what you're looking for, and post an ad on Craigslist soliciting offers.
we are not native to the US and will be staying downtown. ... neither of us drive, so assume it will be walking or public transport for us to get there. Fine with spending 30mins or so to get there, or an Uber.
That's helpful to know. To be perfectly clear, "[f]or people who are in from out of town" like you, the differences between Boston versus what we'll call its boroughs—like Somerville or Cambridge, or like Dorchester or Roxbury, which are closer but rarely mentioned here because hey, demographics—are about logistics and mean that you'd need that half-hour and parking would be much more difficult. If you're open to a thirty-minute Uber, that will be your best bet and it does indeed make other locales feasible.
And that's important because of your budget. Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, Quincy, Chelsea, Malden, Winthrop...these are neighborhoods that fit your travel criteria and where your less-than-$500-per-hour budget will stretch farther than areas that might be trendier like Somerville or Cambridge. Again, logistics. A good photographer can give you great photos anywhere, so don't worry too much about having some kind of big, sweeping space behind you devoid of other people.
You mentioned wanting to make good use of the photographer's time. Maybe there are cultural reasons why you expect your ceremony to take thirty minutes and why you're planning to incorporate some kind of meal—and if so, disregard this—but I'd note that by modern American standards, an elopement without guests can be much quicker and can happen anywhere. With that in mind, if it's possible you won't need the full thirty minutes of photography for your ceremony, consider whether you might want to walk around or move into a different space to get more and different photos.
Speaking both as a photographer and someone who's done something very similar to what you're planning, that's what I'd recommend. Look outside the city, forget about the meal (plan one afterward, separately), find someplace where you can shoot in at least two or three different spots, and arrive early to scout them. Start with the ceremony and then move around a bit.
posted by cribcage at 7:17 AM on January 31, 2019
Agreed. Keep in mind that businesses have expenses—everything from heat and electricity, to staff—and that everything in the world costs more when you say the word "wedding." Also, and this may be unfair but it's true: what you're asking is unusual, and unusual requests tend to get more pushback. The suggestion above of renting an AirBNB for your half-hour is good because it matches your request with a vendor who (in theory, at least) has shown more openness to unusual profit models than a regular ol' diner that operates by flipping an "Open/Closed" sign on its door. A similar idea might be Craigslist. Write a brief, clear description of what you're looking for, and post an ad on Craigslist soliciting offers.
we are not native to the US and will be staying downtown. ... neither of us drive, so assume it will be walking or public transport for us to get there. Fine with spending 30mins or so to get there, or an Uber.
That's helpful to know. To be perfectly clear, "[f]or people who are in from out of town" like you, the differences between Boston versus what we'll call its boroughs—like Somerville or Cambridge, or like Dorchester or Roxbury, which are closer but rarely mentioned here because hey, demographics—are about logistics and mean that you'd need that half-hour and parking would be much more difficult. If you're open to a thirty-minute Uber, that will be your best bet and it does indeed make other locales feasible.
And that's important because of your budget. Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, Quincy, Chelsea, Malden, Winthrop...these are neighborhoods that fit your travel criteria and where your less-than-$500-per-hour budget will stretch farther than areas that might be trendier like Somerville or Cambridge. Again, logistics. A good photographer can give you great photos anywhere, so don't worry too much about having some kind of big, sweeping space behind you devoid of other people.
You mentioned wanting to make good use of the photographer's time. Maybe there are cultural reasons why you expect your ceremony to take thirty minutes and why you're planning to incorporate some kind of meal—and if so, disregard this—but I'd note that by modern American standards, an elopement without guests can be much quicker and can happen anywhere. With that in mind, if it's possible you won't need the full thirty minutes of photography for your ceremony, consider whether you might want to walk around or move into a different space to get more and different photos.
Speaking both as a photographer and someone who's done something very similar to what you're planning, that's what I'd recommend. Look outside the city, forget about the meal (plan one afterward, separately), find someplace where you can shoot in at least two or three different spots, and arrive early to scout them. Start with the ceremony and then move around a bit.
posted by cribcage at 7:17 AM on January 31, 2019
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posted by ewiar at 5:25 AM on January 30, 2019