Classic Coordinates

Dreaming of a vineyard ceremony? Fantasizing about a ballroom fete? We've sniffed out of the quintessential New England sites for every type of reception.

Photograph by Jo Cush.

Photograph by Jo Cush

Artsy Charm: DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

Lincoln, Massachusetts
Looking to make a bold statement with your venue? The contemporary setting at DeCordova should do the trick. For the most creative wedding day stills, stroll through the sculpture park and pose among some 65 interpretive pieces stationed across 35 acres. (A must-have shot is with the two 12-foot freestanding bronze hearts by artist Jim Dine.) Inside the museum’s ivy-covered brick walls is the ultramodern Dewey Gallery, perfect for dinner and dancing. The Rappaport Roof Terrace on the sixth floor offers guests a sweeping view of Flint’s Pond and the sculpture park, and is ideal for an al fresco ceremony or cocktail hour. >> 51 Sandy Pond Rd., 781-259-3661, decordova.org

 

Photograph by Snap Photography

Photograph by Snap Photography

Historical Sights: Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum

Bristol, Rhode Island
When it comes to mansions, Newport gets all of the attention. But just 15 miles north is Blithewold, a century-old English Country–style manor on Narragansett Bay. The only thing more stately than the 45-room manse are the surrounding grounds: Picture-perfect backdrops include rose gardens, bamboo groves, and a 90-foot sequoia, just one of the 50 tree species on the property. Most ceremonies are conducted in the North Garden, framed by bubbling fountains and low stone walls; cocktail hour can be spent on covered porches or the terrace, where guests will be treated to glorious sunsets and — if you’re lucky — sailboat races. Receptions are usually held in the elegant white tent with views of the Great Lawn and the bay. >> 101 Ferry Rd., 401-253-2707, blithewold.org