Skip to main content
Weddings

About this vendor

No photo yet

No owner details yet.

No business details yet

9 years in business

We speak English

7 team members

The Starting Gate is a luxury, 5-star venue in Hampden, MA. It sits on the picturesque grounds of GreatHorse Country Club, one of the most premium clubs in New England. Events at The Starting Gate are nothing short of unforgettable. We host only one event daily, providing the privacy and focused attention that you and your guests deserve.

Our outdoor wedding garden is ready to host your ceremony, offering unrivaled views of the golf course and the Pioneer Valley. In inclement weather, our spacious 3,000-square-foot, four-season deck ensures that the beauty of your celebration remains uncompromised. Our grand ballroom can seat anywhere from 30 to 300 with a dance floor and is adorned with exquisite Swarovski crystal chandeliers, a gorgeous stone fireplace, high vaulted copper ceilings, and beautiful exposed beams.

Our food and beverage minimums are structured based on the day and month of your event. You can expect a 5-hour wedding event in addition to your 30-minute ceremony. We offer a menu tasting approximately six months before your wedding to ensure that your culinary selections are exactly what you expect for your perfect day. Did you know that food has been the top-notch feature at weddings over the past few years? The reason for this is simple––people love tasty food and that is what to expect when hosting your wedding at The Starting Gate. It is important to note that our wedding package does not include our venue fee, MA State tax or administrative fees. Additionally, we offer various catering menus and can easily craft a customized package to fit your specific desires.

The venue fee encompasses all day access to the bridal suite, complete tableware, and silverware, elegant shantung linens, tables with beautiful gold chivari chairs, and complimentary valet parking for all your guests. Our professional, seasoned Catering Managers will work diligently to help you plan the wedding of your dreams!

Pricing information

$20,000 starting price $20,000 starting price
$60,000 average price $50,000 average price
Reception
$6,500 starting price
Ceremony
$850 starting price
Bar service
$56 per person
These prices are available for the months of May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Dec.

Availability

No availability details yet

Looking for the perfect match?

Continue browsing vendors

FAQ

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?

$6,500

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

$5,000

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?

$850

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

$850

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
China
Clean Up
Event Planning
Flatware
Glassware
Lighting/Sound
Linens
Parking
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Cake Cutting
Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$56

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

Bartender(s)
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Open Bar
Signature Drink

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

35

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

2

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Banquet Hall
Country/Golf Club
Garden

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
Clean Up
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Liability Insurance
Outside Vendors
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

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

What event items are available?

Altar/Arch
Audio Equipment
Chairs
Dance Floor
Lighting
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Valet
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

May
June
September
October
December

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
April
July
August
November

Still have questions?

Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!

Wedding couple

Reviews of The Starting Gate at GreatHorse

This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

Powered by AI

The Starting Gate at Greathorse is highly praised by multiple reviewers for its stunning aesthetics, exceptional service, and delicious food, making it a dream wedding venue. The staff, particularly Samantha and Kathryn Scott, are commended for their professionalism, attention to detail, and helpfulness throughout the planning process and on the day of the event. Guests were impressed by the venue's beauty, seamless execution, and customization options, creating unforgettable memories for the couples. Overall, reviewers highly recommend The Starting Gate for a memorable and smooth wedding experience in Western Massachusetts.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

The Starting Gate at Greathorse is highly praised by multiple reviewers for its stunning aesthetics, exceptional service, and delicious food, making it a dream wedding venue. The staff, particularly Samantha and Kathryn Scott, are commended for their professionalism, attention to detail, and helpfulness throughout the planning process and on the day of the event. Guests were impressed by the venue's beauty, seamless execution, and customization options, creating unforgettable memories for the couples. Overall, reviewers highly recommend The Starting Gate for a memorable and smooth wedding experience in Western Massachusetts.

Weddingwire
5.0/5 64 reviews
Google
4.8/5 78 reviews
Lindsey
Lindsey Sent on 11/30/2024
5 out of 5 rating

A dream come true

Our wedding at The Starting Gate was an absolute dream come true! The venue is so stunning with breathtaking views all over. The staff went above and beyond to ensure everything was flawless. Chris was so attentive to us throughout the night, and ensured we were balancing eating with socializing (which is hard to do!) Everyone was so accommodating, organized, and attentive to every detail. Kathryn Scott, specifically, was a true lifesaver, always available to answer questions and offer expert advice. We really could not have gotten through the day and whole planning process without her. The venue provided customization services for us which was a game-changer with our seating chart, specialty drinks, etc.

Our guests couldn’t stop raving about the beauty of the venue and how smoothly everything ran. The food was incredible, and the entire ambiance set the perfect tone for our celebration.

If you’re looking for a venue that combines stunning aesthetics with outstanding service, this is really it. We are so grateful for the unforgettable memories created here and would recommend it a thousand times over!
Jill
Jill Sent on 12/03/2024
5 out of 5 rating

The Best Place to Elevate an Event

I have now held my second very large upscale Shopping Event for Shriners Children’s New England at The Starting Gate at Greathorse and I couldn’t be more pleased with the entire process and experience. I work extremely closely with Samantha and she is absolute delight. She is professional, knowledgeable, very helpful and knows and sees my vision and executes it beautifully. This event is such a success because of the Venue and it runs so smoothly because of Samantha and the entire staff and crew that works behind the scenes. I am already excited for my third charity event at the most stunning Venue in Western Massachusetts. We are so lucky to have this gem in our neighborhood.
Jaclyn
Jaclyn Sent on 11/27/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Everything was perfect!

If you’re considering getting married or having an event in Western MA, look no further than this absolutely stunning space. Our guests are still talking about the food, the views (especially that sunset!!), and how much fun they had, and over three months have passed since our wedding day. Not only was all of that amazing, but I can’t emphasize enough the professionalism and quality at the Starting Gate. Everyone that we worked with (and the team that worked our event) with was kind, friendly, and helpful — not only to us, but to all of our guests. I have to call out a very special person that went above and far far beyond for us, Kat Scott. I truly don’t know what I would have done without her. She kept everything organized and thought of everything; any time I had a question or concern, she was responsive and helpful. Looking back on the day, there isn’t one thing I would have done differently, and so much of that was with Kat’s direction and coordination. I also want to thank Chef Carlos for the amazing food and attention to detail on our wedding day. Each and every thing that came out of the kitchen was truly delicious!
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

64
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
illustration message review

Are you interested?

Map

Location

Schedule a visit

Get an in-person vibe check and have your questions answered in real time.

Wedding couple

Why use Weddingwire to message vendors?

  • Messaging our verified vendors on WeddingWire is complimentary, safe, and secure.
  • Effortlessly manage vendor communications and planning details in one centralized location.
  • Our mobile apps ensure you can stay connected with vendors anytime, anywhere.
  • For customized pricing and package information, messaging the vendor directly is the quickest way to get the details you need.

Other vendors in Springfield for your wedding

Wedding Venues