Moraine Farms: A Budget-Friendly Wedding Venue

Moraine Farm in Beverly, Massachusetts is a stunning venue for a wedding, with its historic estate set on 175 acres of land, including beautiful gardens and a lake. The grounds were designed by the same landscape architect who designed New York's Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted, and include a working farm. The estate offers a range of indoor and outdoor spaces for ceremonies and receptions, including a permanent tent installed during spring and fall, a brick patio, gardens, a tea house, and the estate house itself.

The venue is not cheap, with rental fees ranging from $2,000 to $7,000 depending on the day of the week, and food and beverage minimums ranging from $10,000 to $23,000. However, it does offer a unique and picturesque setting for a wedding, with the option to waive venue fees for remaining open dates in 2024.

Opt for a weekday wedding

If you're looking to tie the knot at Moraine Farm on a budget, consider opting for a weekday wedding. While it may be less conventional, there are several benefits to choosing a weekday over a weekend for your special day.

Firstly, let's talk about cost. Saturday is the most popular day of the week for weddings, which means it also tends to be the most expensive. By choosing a weekday, you can take advantage of lower prices. From venue rentals to food and beverage packages, you'll see significant savings. And the best part? Many wedding venues and vendors offer added incentives for filling these less popular dates, so you'll not only save money but also get some extra perks!

Another advantage of a weekday wedding is the availability of your dream venue. Popular venues often have their Saturdays booked out months or even years in advance. However, the same venues may have midweek availability, even during peak seasons, and at a more affordable price. This is especially beneficial if you're working with a tight timeline and want to tie the knot as soon as possible.

In addition to venue availability, you're also more likely to secure your preferred vendors for a weekday wedding. Photographers, coordinators, and floral designers are often booked up on Saturdays well in advance. By choosing a weekday, you increase your chances of having your first-choice vendors available. And since vendors are less likely to book those weekday dates, you'll probably get a better deal on everything from cakes to catering to coordination.

If you're planning on having guests travel to your wedding, a weekday wedding can also save them money on travel and lodging. Hotels typically have lower room rates during the week due to lower demand, and flights are usually cheaper as well. So not only will you save money, but you'll also make it easier on your guests' wallets!

Finally, a weekday wedding often means a smaller guest list. While this may be seen as a positive or negative depending on your preferences, it's worth considering. A smaller guest list can lead to more intimate celebrations, allowing you to spend quality time with your closest friends and family.

When considering a weekday wedding, be sure to give your guests plenty of advance notice so they can make the necessary arrangements to attend. An evening ceremony may also be preferable for guests with 9-5 jobs, allowing them to attend without taking time off work. Keep rush-hour traffic in mind when setting the start time to ensure your guests can arrive on time.

So if you're looking to have your dream wedding at Moraine Farm on a budget, don't overlook the benefits of a weekday celebration. With lower costs, more availability, and a cozier group of guests, a weekday wedding can be a beautiful and budget-friendly option.

Choose a date outside of peak season

Moraine Farm is a beautiful lakeside location for your wedding ceremony. The farm is located on 175 acres of land in Beverly, Massachusetts, and provides a secluded area for both small and large weddings. The peak season for this venue is May through October, so choosing a date outside of these months will help you save money on your wedding.

During the off-peak season, Moraine Farms offers the estate house for cocktail parties for up to 100 people and seated dinners for up to 50 people. The estate house is a great option for couples who desire a smaller, more intimate wedding. The estate house can be used for the ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception.

In addition to the estate house, the grounds of Moraine Farm offer several beautiful outdoor spaces for your wedding ceremony and reception. The Great Lawn and Tea House can accommodate between 80 and 250 guests, with a permanent tent in place from spring through fall. The brick patio, overlooking the lake, is perfect for cocktail hours and can accommodate up to 250 guests. The gardens and tea house provide a charming and romantic setting for more intimate ceremonies, with fountains and benches that create a lovely atmosphere for photos.

By choosing a date outside of the peak season, you can take advantage of the lower demand and potentially negotiate better rates for your wedding venue and other services. It is also important to note that the starting prices for the venue do not include service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees, so be sure to factor those additional costs into your budget.

Make use of the permanent tent

The permanent tent at Moraine Farms is a great option for a cheap wedding. It can accommodate up to 250 guests, and is installed from spring through fall. This spacious tent is equipped with a full wooden floor, making it a great option for dancing the night away. The tent is also adorned with bistro lighting, creating a romantic and intimate atmosphere.

To save costs, you can opt to use the permanent tent for both your wedding ceremony and reception. The tent provides a blank canvas that can be easily transformed to match your wedding theme and vision. You can decorate the tent with flowers, fairy lights, and other decorative elements to create a magical setting.

Additionally, the tent is located on the property's front lawn, nestled among the blossoming flora, woodland, and lush greenery designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. This natural backdrop will enhance your wedding photographs, providing a picturesque setting for your special day.

By utilising the permanent tent at Moraine Farms, you can create a beautiful and affordable wedding while taking advantage of the venue's natural beauty and convenient amenities.

Keep decor to a minimum

Moraine Farm is a beautiful lakeside location for your wedding ceremony. The grounds are absolutely gorgeous, and the staff is great to work with. The farm took its name from a low ridge of glacial debris, called a moraine, which Olmsted used to provide an elevated vantage point for the paths and carriage drives that looped through 75 acres of coniferous forest, passed lake and meadow views, and climbed to an overlook on the edge of the 40-acre farm. The natural beauty of the grounds and the lake was incredible and provided an excellent backdrop to any group photo.

If you are looking to save money on decor, the natural beauty of the Moraine Farm means you can keep decor to a minimum. Here are some tips for keeping decor to a minimum while still making your wedding look beautiful:

• Use the natural beauty of the venue to your advantage. The grounds of Moraine Farm are carefully designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed New York's Central Park. The gardens, tea house, estate, and surrounding areas provide plenty of options for ceremony locations, as well as gorgeous photographs.
• Opt for simple wedding decor that complements the natural setting. For example, simple wedding reception table decoration ideas can include hanging some decor overhead to minimize the number of items on the table itself.
• Use greenery and flowers sparingly and strategically. For example, instead of traditional wedding centerpieces, consider running greenery down the center of your reception tables, or use flowers and greenery to decorate the chairs for the newlyweds.
• Repurpose decor items whenever possible. For example, you can use the same flowers and greenery for your ceremony backdrop and your table centerpieces.
• Take advantage of the built-in decor at the venue. For example, the brick patio and the estate house provide charming and romantic options for cocktail hour and the reception.
• Use natural elements for your decor. For example, you can use tropical leaves as place cards, or fill bowls with seasonal fruits such as watermelons, peaches, or plums for a unique and beautiful centerpiece.
• Get creative with your lighting. String lights, papers lanterns, and disco balls can add a whimsical and elegant touch to your decor without breaking the bank.

Consider a micro-wedding

If you're looking to tie the knot at Moraine Farm on a budget, consider a micro-wedding. This intimate option can be a great way to keep costs down while still enjoying the beautiful setting and amenities that Moraine Farm has to offer.

Moraine Farm, located in Beverly, Massachusetts, is a historic estate designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The estate boasts 175 acres of carefully designed gardens, woodlands, and greenery, providing a secluded and picturesque backdrop for your special day.

For a micro-wedding, the Estate House is an ideal setting. This elegant space can accommodate up to 100 guests for cocktail parties and 50 guests for seated dinners during the off-season. You'll have exclusive use of the estate and surrounding lawns and gardens, creating an intimate atmosphere for your celebration.

The catering team at Moraine Farm, Fireside Catering, will work with you to design a customised menu for your micro-wedding. They offer a range of menu options, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices, ensuring that you and your guests have a delightful dining experience.

In addition to the Estate House, Moraine Farm offers other charming locations for your micro-wedding. The Tea House Lawn and Gardens provide a romantic setting for your ceremony, surrounded by lush greenery and offering picturesque backdrops for your wedding photos. The Brick Patio, overlooking Wenham Lake, is perfect for a cocktail hour, with exposed brick and a gorgeous view.

By opting for a micro-wedding at Moraine Farm, you'll not only enjoy a beautiful and intimate celebration but also benefit from the venue's dedicated events team, who will ensure your planning journey is stress-free. So, if you're dreaming of a wedding that combines elegance, nature, and personalised details, consider a micro-wedding at Moraine Farm.

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