Tips For Planning an Outdoor New England Wedding

It’s not just about the dress, food and cake. Here are some often overlooked items:

1) Rain – Can you have a tent for “Plan B” or another backup such as the reception venue.
2) Heat – Is the ceremony in full sunlight? Are there shade alternatives?
3) Seating – Is it provided by the venue or do you have to make arrangements?
4) Music – Is electricity needed for a keyboard or guitar amplifier? Strings usually don’t need any power.
5) Entrance fees – Do guests have to pay to enter the park?
6) Elderly and mobility-challenged guests – Is there a clear path to the site?
7) Reserve – Can you reserve your spot? What’s the likelihood of gawkers and uninvited guests if it’s a public space.
8) Water – If it’s hot, plan on cold beverages for guests (and the wedding party during picture-taking.)
9) Umbrellas – It’s a good idea to have some on hand. Your guests will remember how thoughtful you were (musicians, too).
10) Chairs – If you’re not providing seating, you’ll still need a few chairs for guests who cannot stand.
11) Shade – Musicians require shade for their expensive instruments.
12) Shoes – High heels look great but are difficult to walk in on gravel or grass. Think about ballet flats or wedge style instead. You can change into those stilettos later.
13) Hair – It can get windy next to the ocean. Choose an easy style or use plenty of hair spray or gel.
14) Rough paths – Older relatives may need assistance on grass and gravel. Ask younger guests to look out for them and offer help.
15) Bugs – A basket full of bug spray should be available.
16) Sunblock – lotion or spray for those oceanside weddings.
17) Maps – Include a map with the invitations
18) Unity Candle – Not a good idea outside because of the wind.  Substitute sand or water-mixing with different colors for the bride and groom.

Good luck with your planning.

Carol Premack
Musician/Manager
Intermezzo Chamber Players

Venue Ideas For Outdoor Weddings in New England

New England offers beautiful settings for outdoor weddings. 80% of our summer ceremonies are held overlooking the ocean, in parks, hotel courtyards and private backyards. They can be a lot of fun, beach casual or black tie formal. Of course, you DO have to plan for the weather, elderly guests and privacy (or lack of) when choosing the perfect location.

Here are a few ideas for possible venues:

1) Sculpture park (deCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA)
2) Your parent’s beautifully landscaped yard
3) Botanical garden (Tower Hill in Boylston, MA)
4) Hotel with an outdoor courtyard (However it can get noisy if you’re next to a road)
5) Gazebo (private or community)
6) Ship (Odyssey Cruises, Spirit of Boston)
7) Campground
8) Golf Course (most have grassy areas/decks either separate or overlooking the greens)
9) Zoo
10) Historical Village (Plimouth Plantation, Sturbridge Village)
11) Church with a courtyard
12) Overlooking a pond, lake or the ocean

Good luck with your planning.

Carol Premack
Musician/Manager
Intermezzo Chamber Players

Ballymeade Country Club String Trio Wedding

I’ve been to Ballymeade Country Club in Falmouth, MA several times and was really looking forward to playing for Colleen and Bryan’s wedding. They had use of the entire building since their’s was the only event taking place today. The ceremony was held in a room with lots of windows and sunshine.

The processionals were Bach “Air” and Pachelbel “Canon in D”. The recessional was the Beatles tune “All You Need Is Love”. We moved to the club room for cocktail hour. It’s a large area with a full bar and a beautiful fireplace. There was plenty of room for us to spread out and not be in the way of guests, children running around and servers. We played a mix of light classical and old jazz standards. Dinner was in another large, airy room.

All the lovely and spacious rooms make Ballymeade one of the nicest venues in Falmouth.  You should definitely take a look if you’re planning a Cape Cod wedding.

Carol Premack
Musician/Manager
Intermezzo Chamber Players

String Trio at The Commons

Victoria and Jason chose The Commons in Topsfield, MA as the location for their October wedding. The garden is perfect for ceremonies. Since it was a warm day, we were able to be outside.

I’ve seen many unity candle lightings and sand mixings but this was the first tree planting ceremony. They filled the pot together, holding a small tree. I think the plan is to eventually replant it in their home garden as a reminder of their marriage day. I thought it was a neat idea and very “green”.

We moved inside for cocktail hour. The processionals were Handel “Air” and Pachelbel “Canon in D”. The recessional was Handel “La Rejouissance”. We played a mix of old jazz standards and popular songs during cocktail hour. It made a nice transition to dinner and a five-piece band for dancing.

Carol Premack
Musician/Manager
Intermezzo Chamber Players

String Duo at the Hawthorne Club

There’s nothing better than a sunny October day in Southern Massachusetts. Heidi and Matt were married on the deck of the lovely Hawthorne Country Club in Dartmouth. Did I mention it was a beautiful sunny day?

I know I’m repeating myself but, October is THE best month to get married. It’s usually in the upper 60s with low humidity, just perfect for outdoor ceremonies. Of course, late in the month it’s usually cooler.

Heidi chose Bach “Air” for her bridal party. She walked down the aisle to “Canon in D” by Pachelbel. The recessional was “Rondeau” by Mouret (the Masterpiece Theatre theme). Barbara Medeiros officiated and was great to work with. We played popular songs and old jazz standards during cocktail hour.

Elm Bank String Trio Wedding

Elm Bank in Wellesley has some of the most exquisite gardens in New England. That’s not really a surprise since the Massachusetts Horticultural Society owns and runs it. Brides and grooms can count on beautiful flower beds beginning in late spring, throughout summer and into fall.

Jen and Sol’s wedding was in September and the garden’s didn’t disappoint! The ceremony was held on the patio of the old mansion. Cocktail hour was in the Children’s garden, a short walk down the road. Guests took another short walk to the reception site. (Elm Bank has a cart available for mobility-challenged guests.)

Jen and Sol chose Handel “Air” and “Bridal Chorus” for the processionals. The recessional was “Alla Hornpipe”. Light classical and old jazz standards were played during cocktail hour

Carol Premack
Musician/Manager
Intermezzo Chamber Players

Late September Wequassett Resort Wedding

Julia and John had a spectacular day for their wedding by the water. John is originally from Turkey so part of the ceremony was spoken in Turkish.

About half the guests were from Turkey, too. Julia and John chose the beautiful “Air on the G String” by Bach and “Canon in D” by Pachelbel for the processionals. There is a long stairway that the bridesmaids and bride descend, so we are able to play longer versions of each piece. Some venues have very short aisles which means shortened renditions of the music. Of course, our string trio can make anything work even if it’s only for a minute. The recessional was “Ode To Joy” by Beethoven. We played a mix of light classical, old jazz standards, tangos and popular tunes for cocktail hour.

No matter how many times we play at the Wequassett Resort, it never gets old. Kalson Pang and his terrific staff make our job easy.

Carol Premack
Musician/Manager
Intermezzo Chamber Players

September Weddings in Massachusetts

September is a spectacular month to get married outdoors in New England. It still feels like summer (most of the time,anyway) but without as much heat and humidity. Of course there are going to be a few days that are uncomfortably warm but most brides aren’t complaining.

Amanda and William had a perfect day for their early September wedding at the Robert Treat Paine Estate in Waltham. It’s an historic old mansion with a lovely lawn for ceremonies. The “living area” inside the house is great for receptions. The bridal couple asked a friend to officiate, so she applied for a “day-of license” to do this. She knew the couple really well and had some great personal storied to tell during the ceremony.

Amanda chose Largo from “Winter, the Four Seasons” by Vivaldi for the bridal party entrance. She walked down the aisle to the traditional “Bridal Chorus” (Here Comes the Bride). Allegro from “Autumn”, the Four Seasons, was the recessional. For cocktail hour, she chose a mix of light classical, old jazz standards and Broadway tunes.

Our string trio included two violins and cello. This is a terrific combination for any style of music.

Carol Premack
Musician/Manager
Intermezzo Chamber Players

Where to Wed

Wedding season is starting to wind down and I thought I’d share a few ideas about venues. If you haven’t already booked a spot for your wedding, here are a few real gems.

My all-time favorites on Cape Cod are the Wequassett Resort and Chatham Bars Inn. Both have beachfront areas for ceremonies. The Wequassett has a fantastic view of Pleasant Bay from both the lawn and terrace. If it rains, you can have your ceremony on the covered terrace and still enjoy beautiful scenery.

If you’re looking for something closer to Boston, there are several historical houses in the surrounding towns. The Pierce House in Lincoln is next to a pond and park with plenty of green lawn. A garden makes a lovely backdrop for the ceremony. The tented patio is great for dinner and also serves as a “Plan B” location in case of rain. The Codman Estate, also in Lincoln, has its own Italian garden that’s perfect for ceremonies. A carriage house for receptions is just a short walk down the road. There’s also a large meadow across the way where you and your guests can mingle during cocktail hour.

Going north to Beverly are Misselwood and Tupper Manor, both located across the road from Endicott College. Eash has a lawn for ceremonies with views of the ocean. Misselwood has a tent for dinners while Tupper Manor offers large windowed rooms inside.

A little further north, near Gloucester, is Hammond Castle. It truly looks like a castle and has a lawn area for ceremonies and cocktail hours. Inside is a very large room for dinner and dancing. You can have your

ceremony in this room, too. There’s a wonderful staircase leading up to a landing which serves as the “altar”.

It’s great for seeing what’s happening and hearing every word said by the bride and groom.

If you haven’t yet set the date or booked a venue you might want to take a look at these. All have been “tested and approved” by our string duo, trio and quartet.

Carol Premack
Musician/Manager
Intermezzo Chamber Players

String Trio at Searles Castle

Ashley and Jeff’s wedding was held on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon. Jeff is a New Orleans guy while Ashley is from Boston. They met while Ashley was spending a few weeks in the “Big Easy”. The two of them quickly saw that they wanted to spend their lives together. Jeff agreed to move to Boston (let’s see what he has to say after the fourth snow storm next winter!). Of course, the only colors possible for the wedding were purple and gold (Saints football team). The groomsmen looked great.

Searles Castle in Windham, NH has a pretty garden near the main house that is perfect for ceremonies. I’m sure their photos will be the best since Lauren from Person & Killian took them. Ashley chose “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and “Trumpet Voluntary” for the processionals. Allegro from “Spring, the Four Seasons” was the recessional. Afterwards we continued to play a couple of Bach’s “Brandenburg Concertos” while the guests moved to the reception tent.

Carol Premack
Musician/Manager
Intermezzo Chamber Players