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Boston Wedding Photography BOSTON WEDDING VENUES NEW ENGLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Top Cambridge Wedding Venues – From A to Zebras

Hi, it’s Erin here again!  For today’s continuation of the top wedding venues in the Boston area, we’re hopping on the Red Line and heading over the Charles River to Cambridge for three of my faves:

  1. Dante Restaurant – Cambridge, MA | www.restaurantdante.com | A great venue in Cambridge is just over the Longfellow Bridge from Boston.  Part of the Royal Sonesta Hotel, Dante provides great food and a versatile event space.  Chef Dante de Magistris provides delicious, fresh Italian cuisine and some tasty looking cocktails. In addition, the space is awesome. If you’re into a set up where guests can flow from one space to another, including outdoor patios, swanky bar area, comfy lounges, and dining rooms, Dante is definitely worth putting on your list. And the location can’t be beat! You’ve got amazing views of the Charles River and Boston Skyline, which makes for some awesome wedding photos, with canals and manicured gardens just a short walk away at the Charles River Reservation and Lechmere Canal. Check out Mike and Denise’s recent wedding at Dante for more info.
BOSTON WEDDING VENUES | DANTE
  1. Museum of Science – Cambridge, MA | www.mos.org | Not only is this one of the coolest museums in the area, but it also ranks up there as one of the most unique wedding venues in Cambridge. Originally from New Hampshire, this was always the most exciting school field trip of the year for me when I was growing up.  Packed with dinosaurs, a massive Rube Goldberg machine, and an amazing interactive electricity exhibit, you’ve definitely got plenty of interesting photo opportunities at the ready if you decide to hold your wedding reception in one of the areas inside the museum (options include the museum’s Blue Wing, Riverview Café, or the entire Museum). However if you don’t want to spend your whole wedding day geeking out (which is fair…) the Museum of Science has a number of rooms that might be just what you’re looking for.  With some amazing views looking back into Boston with the Charles River spreading out beneath you, the Skyline room and d’Arbeloff Suite are a great option. Another option is the Washburn Pavillion on the back lawn of the Museum, which is a beautiful marquee tent surrounded by landscaped gardens on three sides and the Charles River on the fourth. The Museum of Science is definitely worth a look as your wedding site, whether or not your theme involves Triceratops. Check out Katie and Ryan’s recent wedding reception at the Museum of Science for a better look at the d’Arbeloff Suite and balcony!
BEST BOSTON WEDDING VENUES
BOSTON WEDDING VENUES | THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
  1. Upstairs on the Square – Cambridge, MA | www.upstairsonthesquare.com | I literally cannot say enough about Upstairs on the Square. Between the location, the flexibility of the rooms, the food, and the team, it is definitely one of my top venues in Boston or Cambridge for weddings. For the location, you’re smack in Harvard Square. Walk 2 minutes in any direction, and you can be in Harvard Yard, at John Weeks Bridge, on the banks of Charles River, or in John F. Kennedy Park. That is, if you want to leave at all – Upstairs on the Square has some of the coolest, most unique décor of any venue I’ve seen. The jade colored, high-ceilings of the Monday Club Bar adjoin the aptly named Zebra Room, done up in pink, gold and zebra, and overlooking the twinkle lights and buskers of Winthrop Square. Upstairs, you’ve got the Soirée Dining Room and Jewel Box Bar, best for seated dinners, and you are going to need to sit down for these dinners, because the food at Upstairs is amazing. Fresh, seasonal ingredients are turned artfully into amazing meals that taste like they’ve been made to order just for you. Their food is second only to their team, who are some of the best in the business.  Every member of their staff is cordial, welcoming, and helpful, and it’s no wonder that they win awards left, right and center for their hospitality. Everyone has different priorities when they’re planning their wedding, but if you’re looking for a city-based venue with delicious food, in a unique setting, with super hospitality, Upstairs on the Square has to be on top of your list. Check out Caitlin and Aaron’s recent wedding reception at Upstairs for a better look!
BOSTON WEDDING VENUES
BOSTON WEDDING VENUES | UPSTAIRS ON THE SQUARE

We’ll continue to move outside of Boston for the next post, and don’t forget to check out  Boston wedding venues part one here, but if you have questions about wedding or event photography coverage at these sites or any others, drop Roberto a line!

Thanks for reading,

Erin

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BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE | DANTE

I met with Mike and Denise back in the summer of 2010 to talk about the possibility of photographing their wedding this spring at Dante Restaurant in Cambridge. Sitting down and talking with them over lunch, I knew this was going to be a fun, family-filled wedding, and that they were both going to be great fun to work with.

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BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE

Their big day seemed to come around quicker than ever and we had a sunny, cool spring day by the Charles River. Denise is a librarian at my local library and we had shot their engagement shoot at the Boston Public Library, which is the perfect place for a Boston engagement session.  It was great to see her love of books translated into their wedding day as well.  She made all of the flowers and decorations for the day, including her bouquet and the groom’s boutonnière, from old book pages. Putting her origami skills to the test, she created absolutely beautiful flowers.

BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE
BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE

On their big day, Mike and Denise were both getting ready at the Royal Sonesta and in neighboring rooms. This was a great set up, as it allowed me to move between the two very easily to get their preparation photos. Holding a wedding at Dante was a great choice. The venue is part of the Royal Sonesta complex so you don’t lose any travel time in your day and the view of Boston across the river is a stunning backdrop for any New England wedding photo. Also check out Denise’s stunning wedding dress, which had the lace from her grandmother’s wedding dress worked into the design, such a unique feature.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS BOSTON MA
BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE

After they were both ready for the day, we did their first look at the back of the Royal Sonesta in a nice area of light and that let us capture those emotions without too many distractions in the background. Doing a first look is a great way to not only share a special moment with your soon to be spouse, but it also allows you to get your formal photos and the photos of the two of you together before the ceremony, freeing up your day to be with your guests once they all arrive for the day.

WEDDING PHOTOS DANTE CAMBRIDGE MA
BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE

We headed down to the waterfront to capture Mike and Denise’s wedding portraits and to add some different locations and view point, and although it was a little bit windier and cooler, it was well worth the visit. We then headed back to the location Mike and Denise’s first look for some of the family photos as well.

BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS IN MA
BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BOSTON MA USA
BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE

The wedding ceremony was held on the open patio area just at the back of Dante and with the sun shining it was a wonderful spot. Holding your wedding on the bank of the Charles River with the Boston cityscape as your backdrop makes for an unforgettable location. The ceremony, and the rest of the day, was packed full of smiling and laughter, it truly was a very happy day all round.

BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOS DANTE CAMBRIDGE MA
BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE
BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE

After the ceremony, the celebrations moved back inside and during cocktail hour, they showed a video that featured Mike and Denise’s closest friends and family talking about their experiences of love and passing on some words of wisdom to the newly married couple to take forward into their life together. It was as funny as it was moving, and a really great touch to their day.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS IN MA
BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE

With the light of the day slipping slowly away, I stole Mike and Denise away from the festivities for another quick photo shoot down by the Charles. The setting sun was lighting up the Boston skyline perfectly and I knew it would make for some great images of the both of them together, and I hope you’ll agree I was right.

BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE

Denise changed into another stunning dress for her and Mike’s first dance, and you don’t get much more romantic than dancing the tango!

NEW ENGLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY FOR NEW ENGLAND
BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS IN MA
BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE

The party went on into the early hours of the following day and I’m sure that many moves were thrown down on the dance floor, many stories were shared and many memories were made long after I had left for the day, but at the very end of my night with Mike and Denise I stole them away for one final shot in front of the Royal Sonesta. It was something I had wanted to try for a little while, and having spoken with Mike and Denise before the wedding, they were both interested in seeing if we could get the shot. And so, the last of their Boston wedding photos I leave you with is the newly married couple with the light trails of the passing cars wrapping around them in the night.

WEDDING PHOTOS IN BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS ROBERTO FARRN
BOSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | MIKE AND DENISE

 

Thank you to Mike and Denise so much for allowing me into such a special day in your lives and allowing me to capture the images for you to remember it by.

If you are interesting in talking about photography coverage for your Boston or New England wedding day then I’m waiting to hear from you and what you have planned out. Pop on over to the contact page here and drop me a line to get going and don’t forget to “like” the Boston Wedding Photography Facebook page right here!

Cheers,

Roberto | BOSTON AND NEW ENGLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER