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Weddings

About

The Great Hall at Messina College (formerly the Dane Estate), Brookline Campus is a historic wedding venue located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Originally built in 1891, the mansion was carefully restored to celebrate its original architecture and vintage aesthetic. This elegant setting rests on 45 acres of wooded land, to give you a stunning backdrop for indoor and outdoor events. From romantic elopements to extravagant reception, the onsite team will be ready to help you make your nuptial vision come to fruition.

Facilities and Capacity

Soon-to-be-weds will have four separate event spaces to choose from throughout these picturesque surroundings. For celebrations in the manor, guests will first be welcomed in The Foyer, which features dark oak paneling, high ceilings, and red marble fireplace. The French doors lead to the back terrace, which has views of lush forestry and natural stone details for romantic photo sessions. Beside the Foyer is the Moncrief Library, where up to 80 people can be accommodated among the one-of-a-kind decor. Through the dramatic hall of the mezzanine is the Founder’s Hall, once used as a music room, which surrounds events with sophisticated oak panel walls. Vintage chandeliers hang from a beamed and gilt ceiling, to cover you and up to 80 guests in a warm, welcoming light. Its grand double staircase makes for breathtaking grand entrances and portraits. Its doors lead to the Founders Lawn, where visitors can host outdoor ceremonies and receptions on the carefully manicured fields. Rhododendron hedges and lush trees surround the space, and act as a stunning backdrop for soon-to-be-weds at the altar. A private dressing room is also available indoors, providing a luxurious, relaxing suite for you to prepare with your wedding party.

Services Offered

The Great Hall at Messina College (formerly the Dane Estate), Brookline Campus offers multiple packages to make sure all your needs are met. The in-house catering and bartending teams can customize your menu and signature mixed drinks for cocktail hours and reception dinners. The team can handle setup and teardown of their tables, chairs, linens, and dinnerware, giving you plenty of time to spend with your loved ones.

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$5,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$3,900

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$1,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$1,000

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
China
Clean Up
Flatware
Glassware
Parking
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)
Limited Bar
Open Bar

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

4

Describe your venue:

Garden
Historic Building
Mansion

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Bar Services
Catering Services
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Family Style
Hors d'oeuvres
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Liquor
House Wine
Limited Bar
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking

What months are included in your peak season?

May
June
July
August
September
October

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
April
November
December

Reviews of The Great Hall at Messina College

Daniel
Daniel Sent on 10/17/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Dream Brookline Wedding!

When we visited the Great Hall we knew immediately this was where we wanted to get married. The building and grounds are absolutely stunning and it was the perfect vibe for our wedding.

Brianna and her team were fantastic from start to finish. Brianna went above and beyond to answer all our questions, map out the evening, coordinate with our vendors, and make everything run smoothly on the day of!

All of our friends and family were commenting on how beautiful the space was. We loved how during the reception we could have a lively dance floor in the Great Hall while simultaneously having a chiller vibe upstairs in the library where our guests could more easily chat over drinks, coffee, or cake. The Great Hall was able to accommodate all types of guests!

We had the best day and couldn't have asked for a better space and event team!
Amanda
Amanda Sent on 09/21/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Love this venue so much!!

We reviewed, contacted, or visited over 50 venues -- it is SO hard to make a decision on this. It seems like the most important decision of the entire wedding. We fell in love with the Great Hall at Messina College. So many reasons, where do I begin? First, price is comparable - linens and furniture are included (no need for rentals as long as you are ok with their chairs and white linens). Catering is in-house and the food is the MOST delicious wedding food I've ever had. Our guests were raving about it. First wedding I'd ever been at where I wasn't hungry later that night. They offer many food packages and are accommodating. Third - venue coordinator, Brianna, has SO much patience. She is a true professional, a great communicator, and an incredibly nice person. I was so happy to work with her over the last year. Fourth - the space was stunning; outdoor terrace for use during cocktail hour, the great hall has tall ceilings (but is a bit smaller than you think or see in photos, so the guest count really is limited to 90-ish people) - I felt comfortable with my wedding guest count of 70 - I wouldn't want much more. You have complete use of the entire first level including the library, foyer/entry, terrace, and great hall. There are plenty of bathrooms. because the space is a bit divided, the guests were very spread out - so if you're looking for a space that is more cohesive and keeps all your guests in 1 spot, then maybe not for you. It worked well for our guests though, because we had a wide variety of people (dancers, non-dancers, loungers, etc.). We had some guests playing board games in the library, others enjoying the scenery outside, and some dancing on the dance floor. I loved it, because I felt like everyone could enjoy the wedding in their own way, and I didn't have to worry if anyone was not having a good time. I couldn't recommend this venue more. Plenty of parking. Bridal suite was lovely (just lacks a bathroom). No groom suite.

This venue will truly forever be in our hearts. Definitely go with them if you are on the fence!!
Tim
Tim Y. Sent on 08/11/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely Magical Wedding at Dane Estate!

The Dane Estate was an absolutely magical venue for our wedding! It really fit the classical vibe we were going for. There are so many interesting spaces to explore - which worked out really well because our more extroverted guests could dance away in the Founder's Hall dance floor while our more introverted guests could be nice and cozy in spaces like the Moncrief Library. Some other underrated nice aspects: lots of parking, right outside Boston, and near a T stop.

What really made this work though was the staff - especially Devanna and Piers. Devanna was such a professional - incredibly communicative and seasoned, she made all the venue coordination so so easy for us. Piers helped us have such a delicious menu throughout the celebration - he made great suggestions and was very accommodating for our requests.

We could not have asked for a better venue and supporting team. We are so grateful that we were able to have such a special day at the Dane Estate =)
Dan
Dan H. Sent on 12/13/2021
5 out of 5 rating

The Dane Estate: A Gorgeous Venue That's Easy to Work With

The Dane Estate was a wonderful venue for our wedding! We chose the Dane Estate in January 2020 for a wedding in December 2020, but with the pandemic, everything got pushed back a year which the Dane Estate was incredibly accommodating with.

Devanna was such a pleasure to work with over the last two year in helping plan the wedding, and ensure everything and everyone was where it/they needed to be!

For one final note, the venue was beautiful and required such minimal decoration, so a great place for any wedding DIYers (like ourselves) who are looking for a gorgeous venue at a great value!
S
Sarah Sent on 05/12/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful Venue

Booking our wedding at the Dane Estate was one of the best decisions we made. The interior of the Estate, where we held our ceremony and cocktail hour, is beautiful and feels spacious but still cozy and intimate at the same time. We held a tented reception on the lawn and couldn't believe how stunning the interior of the tent was. Our guests also really appreciated that there is plenty of free, convenient parking . Devanna was absolutely incredible to work with. She answered all of our questions promptly and courteously and made the planning process so much easier. As our day-of coordinator, Sarah was so helpful and helped the day run smoothly. The Dane Estate was the perfect venue for our day and we couldn't be happier with our wedding there
S
Shane Sent on 10/18/2018
5 out of 5 rating

5/5 Would Recommend for Any Formal Gathering

The Dane Estate was the perfect venue for our wedding. The place has such great ambiance and furnishing - it will look great even if you only add minimal decorations. The band said the acoustics in the ballroom were great as well. Devanna was incredible to work with!
D
Diana Sent on 08/05/2018
5 out of 5 rating
We had the most amazing wedding for our daughter at the Dane Estate. The venue is beautiful. Devanna and her staff were wonderful, seamlessly taking charge of everything so all we had to do was enjoy the day. The food is better than restaurant quality and service was impeccable. I would highly recommend this venue.
L
Laura Sent on 07/31/2017
5 out of 5 rating
Dane Estate was the perfect wedding venue! From the moment we walked into the beautiful estate and met Devanna and Michelle, we knew that this was going to be a wonderful place for a wedding. Not only is Dane Estate an exquisite home from the 1890s, but also it was a joy to work with Devanna and Michelle. We do not know how we could have held the wedding without them! They were incredibly fast to answer any and all questions we had, and they gave us superb recommendations for the band and other aspects of the wedding, big and small. Planning a wedding can be all-consuming, and Devanna and Michelle were so helpful, supportive, and creative. Along with Devanna and Michelle, the catering team was willing to personally customize the passed hors d'oeuvres, which were just delicious. The location itself was wonderful, too. Our guests loved it, and many enthusiastically asked us how we found this place. It is a particularly nice location because guests are able to explore the first floor and the grounds during the cocktail hour and dinner, if they so choose. Furthermore, it is a very comfortable environment for all ages with lots of seating throughout. Our favorite aspect of the place, however, has to be Founders Hall with its beautiful wood carvings, high golden ceilings, big windows, and ornate organ. It was the perfect room for our dinner and dancing! We could not be happier with our decision to host our wedding at Dane Estate, and we feel truly grateful that we found it. It is a spectacular place with wonderful people!
T
T Sent on 04/09/2017
5 out of 5 rating
The event was a great success. Everything was beyond everyone's expectations.
One of my guest said:
"One of the best party I've ever been to. The warmth, the fun, the humor, the love, the food, the venue, the planning, the music...
The glow remains with me and lights my thoughts".
The service was great and the food was exquisite. We did not choose the most expensive food menu as it was birthday, not a wedding. But chicken and fish (halibut) were not to forget. My guests were very much impressed!
M
Magda Sent on 04/04/2017
5 out of 5 rating
We were delighted by our entire experience with the Dane Estate. During the planning process, Michelle and Devanna were extremely helpful, upbeat (even when faced with our numerous questions), and very responsive.

The event at Dane Estate exceeded our expectation. Our entire family was thrilled with the bar mitzvah party; the food was excellent, the venue looked wonderful, and Erin (as well as the other staff at the site that evening) was an enormous help. The kids all loved the layout of the Dane Estate, as they felt they could have their own space to dance and have fun. Our friends and relatives raved about the party too. And most importantly, the bar mitzvah boy was over the moon with the entire event--kudos to everyone at Dane Estate on a job well done! I would definitely plan another event here in the future!


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Awards

51
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

6 Endorsements
DJ Photo Booths DJ Photo Booths Photo Booths

The staff are very professional. The venue is beautiful. They will make sure you have the best day of your life. DJ Photo Booths highly recommends The Dane Estate at Pine Manor College. www.facebook.com/djphotobooths

Just Bloom'd Weddings Just Bloom'd Weddings Wedding Florists

Beautiful campus and venue for the perfect wedding. Staff is awesome!!

Jared Charney Photography Jared Charney Photography Wedding Photographers

Working at this magical site can make one feel like they have been transported to England with its architecture and landscapes. Lovelynn Jensen runs an incredible show there!

Map

The Great Hall at Messina College frequently asked questions

The Great Hall at Messina College includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
The bar service starting price at The Great Hall at Messina College includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • Limited Bar
  • Open Bar
The space offered by The Great Hall at Messina College for wedding events is known for:
  • Garden
  • Historic Building
  • Mansion
The Great Hall at Messina College offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
The Great Hall at Messina College offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
The Great Hall at Messina College offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
  • Wifi
The Great Hall at Messina College is recommended by 96% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.8 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.9 in average response time, 4.8 in quality of service, 4.8 in flexibility, 4.8 in professionalism and 4.7 in value.
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