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  3. Boston Wedding Venues
71 Reviews
4.9/5.0
$8k-$15k
For 100 Guests
75-300
Guest Capacity

About The Essex Room

Where Your Wedding Dreams Become an Affordable Reality

The Essex Room is a classic coastal venue located in Essex, Massachusetts. Previously known as Woodman’s Function Hall, this elegant banquet hall offers gorgeous views of the salt marsh. They boast expansive grounds that are perfect for an outdoor ceremony. The Essex Room wants to make your vision for your wedding day a reality.

Facilities and Capacity
Couples can accommodate up to 300 guests at this venue. There’s a beautiful seasonal garden which serves as your backdrop as you say your “i dos” outdoors. For your reception, you'll move indoors to the Essex Room which boasts a spacious dance floor and elegant decor. There’s also their iconic “Steamship Lounge” which reminds one of travel long ago.

Services Offered
This full-service, family-owned event venue located on Boston’s North Shore has been a part of the wedding industry for over 20 years. Their services include, but are not limited to:

  • Bridal suite
  • Event planning
  • Tables
  • Chairs
  • Linens
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • China
  • Setup
  • Cleanup
  • Event rentals
  • In-house caterer


Cuisine
Couples can choose between cocktail style, stations, buffet or a plated dinner. They specialize in a variety of cuisine, including American, French, Mediterranean and Asian. Sample fare includes:

  • Bacon-Wrapped Petite Filet Mignon
  • Chicken Saltimbocca
  • Roast Lobster
  • Grilled Long Bone Lamb Chops


Other Services
In addition to hosting your wedding, The Essex Room will also host the following:

  • Engagement party
  • Bridal shower
  • Rehearsal dinner
View Blog

Categories: Wedding Venue, Rehearsal Dinner

Regions serviced: Boston

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71 Reviews for The Essex Room

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4.9
out of 5.0
Rating Breakdown
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All Reviews
Bridal Suite (13)
Clean Up (13)
Event Planning (13)
Set Up (13)
Dance Floor (13)
Chairs (13)
Tables (13)
Glassware (12)
Linens (12)
Parking (12)
Bartender(s) (11)
Barware (11)
Flatware (11)
Hors d'Oeuvres (10)
Plated (10)
Tastings (10)
Furniture (10)
China (10)
Wheelchair Access (10)
Uncovered Outdoor (9)
Cocktail Reception (9)
Open Bar (8)
Event Rentals (7)
Liquor License (7)
Altar/Arches (7)
Outside Cake (6)
Champagne Toast (6)
House Wine (6)
Signature Drink (6)
Indoor (5)
Cash Bar (5)
Lighting (5)
Stations (4)
Premium Liquor (4)
Specialty Beer (2)
Specialty Wine (2)
Buffet (1)
Chair Covers (1)
71 The Essex Room Reviews
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FEATURED
5.0

Living in Texas and planning a New England wedding can be a bit of a challenge. I sent inquiries to multiple venues, all beautiful, We selected The Essex Room after a conversation with Maureen Woodman followed by a tour of the venue and the outside area. Maureen was the only person who actually called me within an hour (on a a Sunday, no less) to talk about my vision for the wedding. We first met with Faye Broderick which reinforced that we selected the right venue as I knew we were in great hands for making sure every detail was covered. In addition to Maureen and Faye, Donna Roy, Lauren Muise, Norman Lemcke and Chef Ned and the rest of the staff are INCREDIBLE. Donna was extremely responsive to my numerous e-mails and they were easy to work with to schedule to tours of the venue for a variety of vendors (florists, photographer, our officiant, etc.) for times that I was in Massachusetts. Donna and Lauren checked & double-checked all the details and coordinated / executed everything professionally and perfectly on our wedding day. They set everything up just the way we wanted with the centerpieces we brought in, didn't have to worry about anything. Norman is fun and personable and great with postings and updates on social media and a willing dog handler if you want to include your furry friend in your wedding ceremony. (Bear, our 135 lb. Mastiff, has few manners and drools on everybody so he did not participate in the ceremony, to my and Norman's dismay! ;-) This was the right decision by my husband, btw!) The ceremony on the manicured lawn was lovely, the bar service for cocktail hour and reception was terrific & the food was amazing. Our guests rave about every aspect: from apple cider donuts pre-ceremony to passed hor d'oeuvres & cheeses to clam chowder & mouth-watering filet / chicken / risotto served for the main course. Chef Ned is very talented in the kitchen and our guests LOVED talking to him about the cheeses and other menu items. Highest recommendation!

Profile Picture Catherine, 9/24/16, 1 Review
Category: Catering, Ceremony & Reception Venue
Services Used: Bartender(s), Liquor License, Open Bar, Premium Liquor, Uncovered Outdoor, Bridal Suite, Clean Up, Event Planning, Event Rentals, Set Up, Cocktail Reception, Hors d'Oeuvres, Outside Cake, Plated, Tastings, Altar/Arches, Chairs, Dance Floor, Furniture, Tables, Parking, Wheelchair Access, Barware, China, Flatware, Glassware, Linens
4.9

The Essex Room and staff are amazing! They made our wedding day everything thing and more. We had an unexpected hicup during pictures and they made it go as smooth as possible and made me and the bridal party feel comfortable and at ease and no one had a clue anything happened! Truly amazing! I wish I could do it all over again! They put my vision to life and the food, the guests still can’t stop talking about it! Maureen, Lauren, and Donna are the best and I hope to be in touch with them in the future! Thank you for making my wedding dreams come true! #gobingorgohome #greatestcomebackofalltime

Profile Picture Victoria, 7/13/18, 1 Review
Category: Ceremony & Reception Venue, Rehearsal Dinner Location
5.0

We had our ceremony on 06/09/18 outside in the small garden area overlooking the marsh with 24 guests, a family meal after the ceremony downstairs in the Lobster Trap Pub and then a cocktail reception for 130 guests in the upstairs function space that included passed & stationed hors d'oeuvres and desserts.
One of the biggest draws for us to this space was that we could do everything in one location and not have to move the ceremony guests from place to place.

The upstairs was decorated beautifully with the mixed combination of pictures, flowers, centerpieces & candles that we brought in with the existing decor of the room.

Donna and Lauren coordinated and managed every detail, helped with decisions, made suggestions and were so helpful in ensuring that everything was perfect and stress free for us on our wedding day, it was clear we wouldn't have to worry about a single thing!
All of the staff we encountered were incredible, so friendly, welcoming and accommodating. They also seemed to want to make sure our day was perfect for us.

THANK YOU Donna & Lauren for making me feel so special and catered too. You answered every email / question / or change to our plan politely and in a timely manner, shared your suggestions on how to achieve the feel we were hoping for and never made me feel I was asking too much.
Your personal attention to every detail was reflected in how beautiful the day was and you made our day everything we could have hoped for and more!!

I would highly recommend Donna, Lauren, Chef Ned, Maureen and the entire team at The Essex Room!!
You will not be disappointed by the level of experience, beautiful grounds, amazing food and outstanding high quality level of service you will receive from this group - they know what they are doing and it shows in the level of attention to detail that you will receive.

Profile Picture Danielle, 6/9/18, 3 Reviews
Category: Rehearsal Dinner Location
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The Essex Room Pricing

The Essex Room Price Rates

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The Essex Room FAQ

Venue Highlights
Maximum Capacity
300
Guest Minimum
75
Event Spaces
2
Type
Ballroom, Banquet Hall, Waterfront
Style
Classic, Coastal, Elegant
Setting
Indoor, Scenic Views, Uncovered Outdoor
Peak Season Months:
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
Off-Peak Season Months:
January
February
March
December
Maximum Capacity, Rehearsal Dinner
300
Guest Minimum, Rehearsal Dinner
75
Setting, Rehearsal Dinner
Indoor, Uncovered Outdoor
Bridal Shower
Ceremony
Engagement Party
Reception
Rehearsal Dinner
Elopements
Exclusive Venue Use
Private Room
Private Section
Public Seating
Custom
Private Events
Reh. Dinner Specific
Bridal Suite
Clean Up
Event Planning
Event Rentals
In-House Bar
In-House Catering
Outside Vendors
Set Up
Wireless Internet
Accommodations
All Inclusive Packages
Cake
Liability Insurance
Lighting/Sound
Pet Friendly
Preferred Vendors Only
Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Family Style
Hors d'Oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings
French Service
Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Hors d'Oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Stations
Tastings
Family Style
French Service
Server(s)
American
Asian
French
Local
Mediterranean
African
British
Cajun
Caribbean
Chinese
Ethiopian
German
Indian
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin American
Mexican
Middle Eastern
Russian
Southern
Southwestern
Spanish
Thai
Vietnamese
Gluten Free
Kosher
Lactose Free
No Pork
Nut Free
Vegan
Vegetarian
Organic
Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Wine
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine
House Beer
House Liquor
Limited Bar
Outside Alcohol
Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Liquor
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine
House Beer
House Wine
Limited Bar
Outside Alcohol
Aisle Markers
Altar/Arches
Chair Covers
Chairs
Dance Floor
Furniture
Lighting
Tables
Tents
Aisle Runners
Audio Equipment
Centerpieces
Decor
Drapery
Photobooth
Tent Accessories
Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Chocolate Fountain
Parking
Shuttle
Wheelchair Access
Valet
7 AWARDS

Photos

103 Photos

Kate & Mike 4.28.18

6 Photos
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Erica & Brian 5.5.18

19 Photos
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+7
Photos
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3D Tours

Professional Network & Endorsements

21 ENDORSEMENTS
FEATURED
George Street loves shooting at The Essex Room! The gorgeous outdoor ceremony space and indoor reception area have great natural light that's perfect for photos. The staff of The Essex Room is also wonderful to work with, for brides and vendors alike! Couples will be in great hands here!

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George Street Photo & Video
Looking for a venue in the north shore of Massachusetts? The Essex Room is it. As a wedding videographer, they have so many great scenic spots to film in and set the scene for a beautiful day. Their staff is extremely attentive and helpful to anything you may need assistance with whether you're a vendor or potential client. I would highly recommend to any couple looking for a nautical themed wedding near the water in the renowned north shore.

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Chris Thomas Creative
The Essex Room is the perfect venue on the North Shore for wedding receptions and special events. The beautiful views capture the very essence of New England. Maureen, Donna, Norman, and all the staff are wonderful to work with and do everything they can to make each event perfect. The room takes light beautifully, allowing us to transform the mood and feel dramatically. The Essex Room is by far one of our favorite venues to light.

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Creative Light
The Essex Room is a hidden gem. I filmed a wedding there last fall and was blown away not only by the style and area (directly behind Woodmans Grill!) but also the staff and people who worked to make the couples night at The Essex Room one for the books. As a vendor I was treated with utmost care and I have been anxiously waiting for my next couple who tells me I'll be traveling to the Essex Room with them. And don't even get me started on how gorgeous Golden Hour is there. The sunset was breath taking and made for incredible shots. I highly recommend considering the Essex Room in your pursuit of a reception venue!!!

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Films by Andy
Thanks for the good word on Max. We are truly blessed and so fortunate to have him aboard. And he enjoys working with you folks at The Essex Room as well, since you take great care of your clients and ensure the day runs smoothly from start to finish. We hope to work with you more often!!

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C-Zone Entertainment
43 PROS I KNOW

Events

AUG
29
Essex Room Open House
When
Aug 29, 2018 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
(1 day event)
Where
The Essex Room
125 Main Street
Post Office Box 349
Essex, MA 01929
map
Cost
Free
The Essex Room hosts an Open House the last Wednesday of each month from 5 pm - 8 pm. All are welcome, no appointments needed. Tour the venue, garden and grounds. You will meet members of our event planning team and chefs, as well as featured wedding professionals. Follow us on Instagram for more information.
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Map

125 Main Street, Post Office Box 349, Essex, MA 01929   See On Map
978-768-7335 (phone)
The Essex Room is a wedding Event venue, caterer from Essex, MA. We service weddings throughout the local area, including North Shore, Cape Ann, and Boston. The Essex Room is a professional wedding Venue that has been part of the New England wedding industry for 20 years. We specialize in Weddings, rehearsals, all events.