The Crane Estate Reviews
Reviews
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
-
Featured
Ashley Sent on 04/15/20241920's Speakeasy, Moody, Fall Wedding- Created by Maura, McCarthy, Event Planner
Maura McCarthy from Fireside Catering is nothing short of a wedding miracle worker. From the moment we embarked on our wedding journey, Maura was there, not just as a coordinator, but as a partner in turning our dreams into reality.
What set Maura apart was her unparalleled patience and dedication to understanding our vision. She didn't just listen; she absorbed every detail, every aspiration, and every quirk of our dream day. She met with us countless times, guiding us through the process with wisdom and grace.
Our wedding day was a testament to Maura's extraordinary talent. She took a blank canvas and transformed it into a 1920s speakeasy, a sultry, sophisticated haven that perfectly encapsulated our personalities. Gone were the stuffy formalities, replaced with an ambiance of sultry vibes and ambient lighting.
But what truly set our day apart were the details. Velvet couches, dark linens, an abundance of candles, and a grazing table fit for a king's feast. Maura's creativity knew no bounds, as she curated a menu designed for tasting and wine pairing, complete with a cigar and whiskey cart that added an extra touch of luxury.
And when the weather decided to throw a curveball with stormy conditions, Maura didn't skip a beat. She seamlessly pivoted, creating an indoor space for our ceremony and ensuring a smooth transition into the party.
Maura isn't just an expert; she's a master of her craft. She reigns in chaos, answers a million needs, and soothes anxieties with her calm demeanor. Her ability to take a vision and elevate it to the extraordinary is unparalleled.
I can confidently say that our wedding day wouldn't have been the same without Maura. She took our dreams and made them a reality, exceeding our wildest expectations at every turn. If you're looking for someone to turn your wedding dreams into a breathtaking reality, look no further than Maura McCarthy. She's a true gem in the world of wedding planning.
With lots of Love,
Ashley & Steele -
-
![Claire]()
Claire Sent on 07/05/2023Wonderful Venue, Amazing Team
We were absolutely blown away by the way everything came together at our Barn at the Crane Estate wedding in June 2023. From the delicious food and drinks from Fireside Catering to the incredible service (thanks to our bridal attendant and event manager!), all of our guests had the best time. Despite a day of nonstop rain, we walked into the Barn completely speechless to see the vision we had planned with Maura come together in such a beautiful way. Both our families and and us as the couple felt really taken care of by the team who were so attentive (more than one staff member took the time to fluff my dress for me during cocktail hour) and the flow of the night was seamless. Maura was wonderful to work with every step of the way and the wedding day felt stress free knowing she was in charge. The Crane Estate offers beautiful natural settings (even in the rain), timeless elegance, and a Coastal New England feel. We just hope we know someone else getting married there so we can attend! -
Kaitlyn Sent on 11/11/2022
Best Venue Ever
My husband and I got married at the Crane Estate last year and we still get compliments from our family and friends about how wonderful the evening was - everything from the food to the space and (especially) the views. We had the easiest time working with the Crane Estate team, too, which was incredible compared to the horror stories we’ve heard from couples during their similarly-timed pandemic wedding. The real cherry on top? Not only did they go above and beyond to make sure that we had ice cream from our family’s favorite creamery over an hour away, but they had a dedicated staff member to act as your personal “butler” that day to make sure that you have everything you need - from making sure they can grab you and your husband drinks/appetizers while you’re taking photos during cocktail hour or making sure that you and your groom do have a chance to enjoy an ice cream sundae since they want you to enjoy your day without any disturbances. I could not be happier or more grateful to the Crane Estate team - thank you so much!! -
-
![Kelly]()
Kelly Sent on 09/19/2021Beautiful Venue, Fantastic Food
Our Labor Day weekend 2021 wedding at the Barn at the Crane Estate was picture perfect! Trying to plan a wedding amidst the ever-changing rules of the pandemic was not an easy feat but Maura was super communicative and supportive. We weren't able to do any sort of menu tasting due to COVID, but the food was absolutely amazing!! Multiple guests told us it was the best wedding food they've ever had. The specialty cocktails were fantastic too! The only downsides for us were that there was no easy onsite getting ready space (for that we rented out the Cedar Hill Farm B&B in Essex and it was actually perfect) and also that the mosquitos were out during our sunset photos (however, thankfully the outdoor ceremony and outdoor cocktail hour were totally bug-free, so no guests go bit). All in all, the staff at the Barn at the Crane Estate was amazing, the setting was beyond gorgeous, and the food was wonderful. We are still on Cloud 9 from our happy day! -
![Alison]()
Alison Sent on 10/27/2019Venue is gorgeous. The staff and team are incredible.
The Crane Estate is breathtakingly beautiful. We loved that it felt like we were in Europe, while only having to travel one hour from Boston. Maura and the Fireside Catering team were incredible. They went above and beyond to make sure that we could execute all of the details that we wanted. We were able to customize menu items, bring in specialty foods, and tailor the look of the wedding with a lot of flexibility. Maura made it all happen, graciously working with us via conference calls, extra meetings, and late night e-mails. She was so kind, understanding and professional. We had absolute confidence going into the weekend that the event would run flawlessly, which really is priceless. We cannot recommend this venue and the Fireside Catering team enough! -
![Amy]()
Amy Sent on 07/03/2016Castle Hill at Crane Estate was such an amazing place to get married. I was planning my Massachusetts wedding from California and only had time to visit a few venues in person on my short trip east. Crane Estate was on that short list and the second my husband and I pulled up to it, we knew this was it. This location is breathtaking and I highly encourage everyone to visit. I grew up in Cape Ann and hadn't heard of this place before wedding planning. It is truly a historic gem.
The staff are industry professionals. My day of coordinator was Heather. She was so helpful and responsive every step of the way. My wedding ran very smoothly and my guests were in awe of how gorgeous this venue is. I loved getting married here and I would highly recommend this venue. -
![K & A]()
Kira Sent on 10/15/2013We had a beautiful, outdoor wedding at the Crane Estate on October 4, 2013. The entire day at the Estate was flawless, from beginning to end. The staff worked so hard to make sure that everything was the exact way we wanted it, and we are so grateful for that.
Our event coordinator, Ashley DiCarlo, was outstanding during the entire planning process. She was seemingly always available to answer questions, offer input and otherwise help guide us in the process. She made excellent recommendations and offered suggestions that were truly helpful. The day of, we did not have a single thing to worry about because Ashley took care of everything on our behalf.
The Crane Estate is the most beautiful venue imaginable, and our guests were absolutely marveling at the elegance and opulence. We are so happy with every aspect of our wedding day and absolutely recommend this venue to any brides looking for sophistication, elegance and breathtaking views on your wedding day! -
User1242748 Sent on 07/15/2013I had a Friday afternoon wedding at the Casino Complex at the Crane Estate. Since I was only having the ceremony there, I got a discounted rate. Ashley was awesome at meeting with me, answering all my questions quickly, and getting everything set up the way I wanted it. Heather was the day of coordinator, and she was very organized, and everything went smoothly.
Pros:
-Breathtaking view.
-Private rooms set aside for bride and groom.
-Lots of free parking.
-Good service.
-Beautiful rain backup location.
Cons:
-Tourists wandering about the area occasionally got in the way, or in the pictures, I even found some wandering around the bridal suite. Heather put up signs telling people to stay away, but people just love gawking at weddings.
-Not much nearby, the salon we used was 30 minutes away, and hotels were hard to find. -
User1950286 Sent on 07/01/2018We loved our wedding at Crane Estate. The staff were amazing, attentive, and helpful. Our wedding guests loved the view. It was an excellent venue for the ceremony and reception. We loved the food. You have to use their caterer and it was totally worth it. You cannot do a rehearsal on site but we picked an officiant who was familiar with doing weddings at the Crane Estate and we rehearsed at the restaurant we booked for the rehearsal dinner.
-
-
![Kayla]()
Kayla Sent on 01/14/2016The Crane Estate is one of those venues that transports you back in time. The architecture and natural beauty of this place was exactly what my husband and I were looking for. The rolling hills was a gorgeous backdrop to our ceremony and we were fortunate that the weather was in our favor that day. Heather was amazing to work with and was able to answer any questions for us. Our only issue was we couldn't extend the time of the event as we got closer to the wedding date, so I would consider knowing in advance if this is something you would want to do. -
![User1633207]()
User1633207 Sent on 05/27/2014The Crane Estate is a fairy-tale, dream venue. It is so gorgeous and the staff specializes in perfection. My husband and I worked with Francie and Heather, and there is nothing I wouldn't trust them with. We both felt so confident that they were both working hard on our behalf to make the day as seamless and beautiful as possible. They have very strict policies on the grounds, but it is ultimately for the benefit of the couple and for future brides and grooms. My fiancé and I had two issues come up on the grounds of the estate which were upsetting, but the staff made the situation right and made sure our wedding was perfect. -
![tande]()
Elpi Sent on 10/09/2009The venue managers at Crane Estate- ask to work with Ashley! She's done so many weddings at the Estate and I felt comfortable working with her the whole time. They do have some specific house rules, so read up before you sign the contract. My guests still come up to me and tell me how beautiful the venue was.
Are you interested?
Are you interested?