Ryan Sent on 12/25/2022

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An Amazing Day

We cannot say enough about the wonderful experience we had with our wedding at Commander’s Mansion. The service and coordination was excellent and Gina went above and beyond for us. Our day was perfect and beautiful. Could not recommend more.

Nick Sent on 10/12/2022

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Gina and Team — The Best In The Business

Gina, Tammy and the entire team at the Commander's Mansion made our wedding truly exceptional. From their warm, friendly approach to planning to their candid, open communication throughout the process, we never felt out of touch or confused about when and where things needed to happen. They made us — and made all of our guests, too — feel cared for, heard and valued. We almost want to get married again if it means we get to plan another event with Gina and Tammy — they are simply that good. A beautiful venue with wonderful space, ample parking and incredible memories.

Matt Sent on 08/14/2022

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You will want to find an excuse to throw another event here

I truly cannot say enough good things about the Commander's Mansion. Thank goodness we found it! The venue is in a convenient location in the Boston area and we adored having everything - our hotel, rehearsal dinner restaurant, and after party bar - all within close walking distance, though the venue itself feels so tucked away and private. The mansion itself is beautiful, but we fell in love with the lush green of the grape arbor. The tent is also beautiful and I'd highly recommend adding the bistro lighting, which we loved. While at first we thought Commander's might be a slightly higher price point than other nearby venues we looked at, once we began getting quotes for tents elsewhere, we realized that the fact that you don't have to arrange and pay for a tent yourself makes Commander's both more affordable and easier logistically.

We worked primarily with Gina, who is a gem of a human being. She is warm, responsive, helpful, and sincerely cares about helping you make your day what you want it to be. I wish I could work with her every day!! She guided us through the whole wedding planning process and took care of so many details that allowed us to relax and really enjoy ourselves. We love her (and her dog Beans). Choosing this venue was the single best choice we made while planning our wedding. Thank you for everything!

Brittany Sent on 01/31/2022

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Amazing Experience!

We can't recommend this venue enough! My fiance and I worked with Gina and Tammy through the whole process - they were fantastic and made the whole process enjoyable. The mansion and grounds are beautiful! We had 150 guests for our October wedding. We loved that they were able to experience a different space for the ceremony (arbor), cocktail hour (inside mansion), and reception (tent). The suites were also perfect for "getting ready" photos. Our photographer had a great time finding details at the mansion for the perfect photo opportunities. Definitely check this space out!

Katie Sent on 09/27/2021

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Beautiful venue, amazing team

We decided on the Commander's Mansion mainly because of how gorgeous it was, and the fact they offer a discount for Watertown residents. I worked primarily with Gina, who is an absolute gem. She answered every question I had, and on the day of my event, took such good care of me. Because I didn't have a wedding party, I didn't have anyone to help me make things run smoothly. Gina was kind, warm, organized, and ready to lend a hand however I needed her. She checked in on me, made sure I was happy with things, and did it all with a smile on her face. We absolutely adored her. The mansion itself is a beautiful setting for a wedding. Everyone kept complimenting the venue, and it made for some amazing photos. I can't believe how inexpensive it was! Even if we hadn't had the resident discount, it would have been a steal. Absolutely no regrets, and I would recommend the Commander's Mansion to anyone looking for a lovely, affordable wedding venue. They will take great care of you, and are super easy to work with.

Ann N. Sent on 11/16/2020

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Cannot Recommend Enough

Gina and Tammy went above and beyond for our COVID-19 compliant mini-mony. I cannot thank them enough for making our 'big' little day so beautiful! I recommend to all couples looking for a all-in-one venue to handle all the curveballs with ease

Lisa Sent on 10/16/2019

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Stunning Venue

Commander's Mansion is such a beautiful venue. Our summer wedding pictures were stunning with the Commander's Mansion grounds as the backdrop. We had great communication with Gina and Tammy leading up to the wedding and all of their recommended vendors were a pleasure to work with as well! Gina and Tammy coordinated with all of the vendors to make sure everything went smoothly the day of and keep our stress levels down. I highly recommend this venue for a wedding or any other special event.

Melissa Sent on 10/08/2019

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A perfect wedding venue!

We were obsessed with the Commander’s Mansion from the minute we took our first tour. The mansion itself is gorgeous and a perfect setting for photos and cocktails. We had our reception in the tent behind the mansion, which was a perfect setting for dinner and lots of dancing!

Tammy was fantastic to work with! She was incredibly responsive and made our day feel so special and personal to us. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect setting for our specula day!

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Elizabeth Sent on 09/28/2019

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Excellent venue

Very happy with my choice of venue! The Commander's Mansion was a beautiful site and the use of the grape arbor, mansion, and tent worked out perfectly. I wanted to be sure we chose a venue accessible for wheelchairs and elderly guests, and this fit the bill, especially since the tent has solid brick underfoot rather than grass. Tammy was easy to work with and made planning a breeze. The rental fee was reasonable compared to other venues in the area, and the list of catering options was extensive enough to create real competition - we had no problem finding one we liked without spending a mint. Getting liquor from Gordon's was also a steal compared to some of the quotes I received from other venues that require beverage packages. All in all I wanted flexibility to shop around for vendors instead of having everything dictated in-house by the venue (where they'll also dictate the price, and it won't come cheap!). The Commander's Mansion was perfect.

Laura Sent on 07/15/2019

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Perfect venue for garden party wedding

We felt so fortunate to find this hidden gem of a venue in Watertown! You have access to the entire historic home and grounds when you book your wedding here. The coordinators work with you to format your perfect day, whether you want to have an indoor or outdoor ceremony/cocktail hour, or if you want to use their beautiful tent for the reception. Our guests raved about all the natural beauty of the grounds, and the exquisite interior of the home. Keep in mind, this is just a venue. Meaning, you are responsible for hiring all outside vendors (food, music, flowers, bartenders/servers, day of coordination), which can be a lot more work than other venues, but it also allows for more flexibility. Gina and Tammy were always available by e-mail and easy to communicate with! The venue also hosts an annual wedding showcase every spring, which was super fun and is were we found many of our vendors!

Melissa Sent on 07/08/2019

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Dream(y) venue right outside of Boston

We had our eye on the Commander's Mansion since before we got engaged! Going to the open house was such a coup for not only touring the venue extensively, but also meeting fantastic vendors, most of whom we ended up working with. The venue is well-priced for the greater Boston area, and the flexibility of vendor choice helps to make the day more affordable!

Working with Tammy and Gina was a total joy as we neared our wedding day. They both were very helpful and responsive in all of our questions and communications, as well as in coordination with our caterer. Everything ran very smoothly on the actual day, something I am very thankful for, as I had to let go of all control that day!

The outdoor grape arbor for the ceremony, perfectly bloomed in early June, is truly what made the venue for me. Our guests loved the history of the mansion as everyone mingled during cocktail hour. The tented reception space was perfect for our size, and allowed for a large dancing space! Truly a 3-in-1 venue across all spaces.

Meg M. Sent on 11/06/2018

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A gem of a venue

My daughter got married October 6th and had their reception at the Commanders Mansion. It was a spectacular fall day with the grounds looking beautiful and the tent beautifully set up for dinner. The cocktail hour was set up inside the mansion and then dinner and dancing occurred under the tent. The planning for this day was well over a year and we are so grateful to Tammy, Victoria and Char...…. for their assistance, flexibility and support in experiencing this wonderful event.

Last minute questions or requests were met with "sure; whatever we can do to help."
Many guests still comment as to the uniqueness of the venue and how memorable it was. We had close to 200 guests and had plenty of room to dance and socialize. I'm just sorry it is over but I know many more people who select the Commanders Mansion for any event won't be disappointed

Rekha Sent on 10/11/2018

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Our first decision as an engaged couple was to get married here! We actually met our wedding planner for the first time at the Commander's annual showcase last March. All of our vendors were so thrilled to hear we were getting married there. The venue is stunning, and very convenient for guests (just a ten-minute drive from Harvard Square, and the Residence Inn is virtually across the street). The Mansion somehow managed to be both the most flexible venue we saw (in terns of vendor selection) as well as the least expensive. We hope to be back soon :-)

Lynn Sent on 09/29/2018

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Never looked at any other venues! After attending a friend's wedding at the Commander's Mansion I knew it would be an excellent choice for our big day too. The venue offers beautiful backdrops indoor and out, is formal but relaxed, and the price for a Friday daytime ceremony and reception suited our small budget nicely. I recommend attending the annual Wedding Fair in March if you can - it was an excellent way to get to know all of the caterers and other vendors. I loved that all of them had worked at the venue before and had an excellent relationship with the ladies at the Mansion. It made planning that much less stressful knowing I was in good hands. Would highly recommend this venue to anyone looking for simple elegance and a savvy team. Great value for the Boston area!

Masha Sent on 08/20/2018

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We just got married at the Commander's Mansion on 8/12/2018. We had set our sites on the mansion from the very beginning as we knew we wanted to get married in a historic house that would be easy for our guests to get to. The Commander's Mansion has it all: a gorgeous outdoor ceremony spot, a tent already up that you can rent for the party, and a spacious historic interior -- all within 20 mins' drive from downtown Boston. Tammy and Victoria were very helpful, doing a walk-through with us and the caterer a few weeks before the wedding and helping us with the seating chart and table/chair order. They also very generously allowed us to drop off the wedding decorations a few days before the wedding. When chaos struck early on the day of our wedding (rain and a flat tire for the bride's mother), Tammy was the calm in the eye of the storm, ensuring that our ceremony was set up inside the tent without a glitch. The bridal suite and upstairs rooms provide ample space for the bridal party to get dressed and set up. We could not recommend this venue more highly! --Josh and Masha

Nicole Sent on 06/08/2016

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We loved the commanders mansion! This place was absolutely perfect. It had ambiance, character and a layout that I truly desired. So many times you go to a wedding and it is just one giant ball room, not for me. I wanted intimacy, elegance and more importantly I didn't want my guests to have to yell over the music. To note, I wanted a dance floor! The Commanders Mansion offered everything I was looking for, and at a reasonable price for "Boston" area. The staff was incredible as well, they made us feel so special. I adore Tammy. To note my husband and I were married almost 2 years ago and our guests still talk about our wedding. I am a bit of a perfectionist so this always gives me great pleasure. The first room downstairs on the left, we kept the French Doors open and had our DJ in there and setup high cocktail rounds for the Hors D'ouvres for cocktail hour. We had setup the bar in the study to the left so it was more private but accessible and guests could step out from there on the side patio. Dinner was served upstairs in each of the rooms and it offered elegance, ambiance and intimacy that I truly loved. It was meticulously done and guests mentioned they felt so special like they were out for fine dinning. Our caterers Forklift Catering did an awesome job with this. After dinner we resumed downstairs for dancing, drinks etc. One of the rooms upstairs was transformed to a lounge, it offered guests a quiet space to play board games, have a scotch and sit and chat. We also used part of the main room downstairs to have the sofa's placed so guests could sit and watch dancing while the other have of the room was reserved for dancing. Again, this is where the bar was fabulous because it was off in another room, guests could mingle and not compete with our awesome DJ. Our wedding photos were stunning because this place has so much history and stature. Book here you will be so delighted.

Nick Sent on 03/28/2016

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We were so lucky to find the Commander's Mansion for our wedding ceremony and reception venue. The space and service provided was truly exceptional. We loved that we could customize the space for what we wanted and the Commander's Mansion was very accommodating with everything. Casey was especially helpful and knowledgeable of the space and wedding planning in general. We were very lucky to have her assistance with so many aspects of the event. I would recommend (and have already) the Commander's Mansion for anyone looking for a location to host their ceremony and/or reception (or any kind of event).

Meredith Sent on 02/17/2016

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An absolutely gorgeous venue. Lots of space, so no one feels crowd. Beautifully decorated already! The wonderful facilities managers are incredibly flexible (they even helped us move furniture around!) and responded to my millions of questions in a very timely fashion. I cannot recommend the Commander's Mansion enough. Additionally, the pricing cannot be beat. Would absolutely have another function here.

PS. There are two lovely rooms for the bride and groom to get ready and relax with their respective parties until the ceremony/reception. I felt like a queen!

Kara Sent on 09/22/2014

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Working with Tammy and Rae at the Commander's Mansion have been so excellent for our wedding. They answers all questions promptly and really go out of their way to meet all of our various requests for the reception. We are grateful for all of their help in the planning process.

The venue is classic New England and gorgeous and the tent now has a beautiful linen lining overhead. For all of that and proximity to the city, it is really the best value around!

Margaret Sent on 07/22/2014

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We had our wedding at the Commander's Mansion on Saturday May 31st. It was the most perfect day and the Commander's Mansion was the perfect venue. We worked most closely with Rae through the planning process. She was always lovely and quick to respond. She helped to guide me through the planning and allowed me to visit the mansion as much as I wanted in order to show our parents, vendors, etc. On our wedding day, we had the rooms upstairs for the wedding party to take photographs and relax while the guests arrived. We had our ceremony in the grape arbor, the cocktail hour on the first floor of the house and the reception under the tent on the patio. We got so many compliments on how elegant, classy and fun our venue was. We also definitely saved on flowers by choosing such a beautiful venue. We didn't need any flowers for the ceremony, as the arbor is beautiful on it's own. We hardly needed any flowers for cocktail hour because the house is so ornate and beautifully decorated. We also were pleasantly surprised to find out they had upgraded the tent with beautiful drapery, which looked gorgeous. I would highly recommend the Commander's Mansion as a beautiful, unique venue.

User2289907 Sent on 06/17/2014

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This is quite possibly the best venue of all time. We had our wedding there in the beginning of June and it was so incredibly beautiful! They have a brides suite, grooms suite, you rent the house and can rent the tent as well. We had our ceremony in the garden which was magnificent. Its awesome how its set in its own little area, so the wedding feels so intimate. Aside from the venue itself, Rae and Tammy are just two incredible people. They're so responsive, helpful, and flexible. I left clothes there on my wedding day and they MAILED it to me without even thinking twice! Who else would do that?!?! They went out of their way to help us in any way they could. I cant say enough good things about the Commanders Mansion- we were so incredibly happy we chose them!

Stephanie Sent on 01/11/2014

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Talk about going above and beyond! I knew I wanted the elegance of this venue for my wedding after I took a tour. Tammy and Rae were so helpful and flexible, and answered my many, many emails. They worked closely with my other vendors to create a seamless event that was absolutely magical.

The Mansion was decorated to the nines for the holiday season, and so many guests mentioned to me that it was the most beautiful and elegant wedding they had ever been to. Each room was radiant with light and decor, and we moved with ease through all the different rooms, set up so we could enjoy a photobooth in one room, cake and dessert in another, and dinner in another.

One bonus about this venue is that if you're a Watertown resident they will offer you a discount. We also booked off season and got a better rate. Lastly, there is plenty of free and convenient parking for this venue.

I am sure that it is gorgeous in any season, but it was especially warm, cozy and sophisticated for our December wedding. We will never forget our special night there, with the snow falling outside, and feeling at home with our loved ones in the Commander's Mansion.

Abby Sent on 02/15/2013

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We had our ceremony in the arbor and our reception inside the Commander's Mansion. We were absolutely thrilled with the venue! Our goal was to have a wedding that felt very classic New England, but also throw a fun party. We also wanted a place where our guests could fly into Logan and not drive too far. (We had people stay in Harvard Square, which is only 10 miles away.) We got everything we wanted with the CM! Tammy and Rae, the CM coordinators, were VERY helpful during all the planning. We live on the west coast and were planning our wedding remotely. I had tons of questions and they both quickly returned emails and were always eager to help. I did a bunch of research on venues in the area and the site fee for the CM was right in line with what other places cost. The beautiful thing is that you can pick your vendors (from an extensive list). I didn't like it that at a lot of the other venues we looked at, we got locked into certain vendors, especially the caterer. The CM really wants you to have the wedding that you want. I really appreciated that! They also have a good deal going with Gordon's Liquors down the street. They supply the alcohol and you can return what you don't drink. (This definitely saved us money and the CM took care of the drop off/pick up coordination.) Being able to use the entire house is also a huge bonus. We had an hors d'oeuvres only reception and scattered tables around on both floors. There was lots of mingling. We did a slideshow in one room upstairs and a photo-booth in another. After the wedding, people really raved about being able to roam around so much. The rooms are all really gorgeous so, outside of flowers, there was very little "decorating" that we even needed to do and it still felt very elegant. We even utilized the outside porch for speeches. I knew that we'd made the right decision by selecting the Commander's Mansion, but it really did exceed all my expectations!

Jessica Sent on 09/16/2011

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The Commander's Mansion is an absolutely stunning venue but what makes it so special is the staff. My wedding was set to take place on August 28th with the ceremony in the outdoor grape arbor and the reception under the tent. Unfortunately Hurricane Irene had different plans for us. Two days before our wedding we had to figure out how to take all of our outdoor events and make them indoors. Tammy and Rae went above and beyond the call of duty. They helped us rearrange seating, they took care of redoing the order we had placed with the rental company and they even opened the mansion extra early for us so we didn’t have to be in the rain at all that day. I can’t say enough about how absolutely wonderful they are. If you want to know that you will be 100% taken care of no matter what (even a hurricane) then you must use this venue!

Sara Sent on 10/30/2010

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The Commander's Mansion was the perfect venue. The staff were amazing and accommodating. Between the lovely grape arbor and the beautiful interior, we were able to make our wedding the best day of our lives.

Suz Sent on 04/29/2009

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Rae and Tammy were very nice and easy going and helped us figure out how to plan and setup the events of the day. They worked with our financial situation. everyone had a great time and loved the location of the wedding. I would definitely recommend this place.

User2536326 Sent on 02/17/2016

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My wife and I got married at Commander's Mansion last summer, and everything about it was perfect! Casey, Tammy, and Charlene were so helpful as we figured out all of the details over many months--and our guests were blown away by how beautiful the house, the tent, the grape arbor, and the grounds are. It was everything we hoped for and more! We had such a wonderful day. If only we could do it all over again!

Katie Sent on 10/21/2007

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Beautiful location offered us a chance to hold both our ceremony and reception outdoors. They allow you to bring your own caterer and we provided our own alcohol which saved us about $4000. The mansion itself is air conditioned and the grounds are beautiful. The staff was exceptionally responsive and helpful.

Katie Sent on 10/15/2018

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The Perfect Venue!

We loved our wedding at The Commander's Mansion! It was the perfect venue for us and allows so much variety to your day without ever leaving the location. We had our ceremony in the grape arbor (which yes, grows real grapes!), cocktails inside the house, and a tented patio reception. I worked mainly with Victoria, and she was great to work with! I always got a reply within 2-3 business days, and she was very professional and thorough in the process. Commander's is a city-owned property, so there are a few rules regarding use of the property that you should fully discuss with the staff to make sure you're okay with them (bar time limits, use of the lawn, etc.) However, being that it's city-owned, you can avoid many of the miscellaneous taxes and fees that come with other wedding venues, which saves you so much! Also they pitch the tent for the whole wedding season and only charge a use fee, which saves SO much money when looking at tented receptions. Commander's was by far one of the best valued venues I looked at in the Boston area. We loved how close it was to the city, which was perfect for our out of town guests (about 20 min from Logan), and there's a brand new Residence Inn essentially across the street. What I liked best about Commander's, was that you can pick your own vendors for almost everything. This helped us save a lot of money, while also choosing vendors that we connected more with. It does add a little more work to your plate as the bride (picking each vendor vs. having one chosen for you, such as catering), but I found it fun to meet with different vendors and sample food! Overall, we had a wonderful experience with Commander's and highly recommend them as a wedding venue.

Alison Sent on 10/12/2017

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Beautiful location for our wedding. Easy to work with and were as flexible as possible - it's a city-owned property so there are some restrictions built in, but the staff is up front with everything and it was easy to work around those. Ample parking for guests and easy to get to from Boston.

Emily Sent on 12/04/2014

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Tammy & Rae were wonderful from start to finish. They can be hard to get ahold of sometimes, but coming up to the wedding day were very responsive, and before that I never had to be in touch more than once or twice before I got an answer. On the day of, Rae was very helpful in coordinating, there when you needed her but never intrusive.

The Mansion itself is a stunning location. When telling people that I was getting married there, they would often say that they had also attended a wedding at the Mansion and had a great time. The grounds and interior are beautiful, and hardly require any decorating at all for a memorable, beautiful night.

The price is one of the best points, as you can bring in all of your own vendors, there is no event minimum, and the venue being run by the city makes it very affordable. It should be mentioned that the Fire Marshal must approve all of your candle choices, and his standards are fairly strict, so that can be difficult. All in all, though, I can't imagine having gotten married anywhere else.

Amanda Sent on 08/24/2017

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The Commander's Mansion was a dream come true. The staff was professional, accommodating and experienced. The Commander's Mansion is so unique and it provided a great experience for our guests.

Mary Sent on 10/29/2016

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The Commander's Mansion is such a beautiful and versatile venue, and we are so happy to have had our wedding there. The staff was always very friendly, and worked hard to make sure our big day was everything we hoped it could be. It was such a positive overall experience and we would recommend it to anyone looking in the area for any variety of events!

Casey Sent on 01/29/2023

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3 out of 5 rating

The perfect venue!

The team at Commander's Mansion was absolutely wonderful to work with. They went above and beyond to make sure all the pieces of our day came together. It was a beautiful venue and everything was executed flawlessly! Thank you to the team!!!

Monica Sent on 07/07/2021

4.6 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Commander's Mansion Reception

The Commander's Mansion was a wonderful choice for our venue. It's a gorgeous gem of a place, hidden away from the busyness of Arsenal street in a convenient and beautiful spot. Many of our guests were able to stay within walking distance, and were able able to experience Boston without the hassle of paying for a stay in the city while still having the opportunity to easily visit and explore it. We felt the price for hosting at the Mansion was high but despite that we don't regret going through with having our event here. We just tried to cut costs in other areas.

Communication was a little difficult at first, especially as we started planning the wedding during 2020 COVID, when there was so much uncertainty and shifting regulations; I can't imagine how difficult this was to navigate for the wedding industry. However, when we had issues that mattered the staff-we worked with Gina specifically- was always quick and attentive in their replies. Communication only improved as we got closer to the wedding. She was amazing the week of the wedding and the day of- WOW. We felt so looked after, and I genuinely believe there were so many little but significant details that they attended to without any fuss that helped the day run smoothly. They were so sweet to my husband and I, as well as our wedding party, even with details such as ensuring we were well hydrated and asking how we were doing. They were eager to help from the moment we arrived from the ceremony, and so thoughtful yet non-intrusive with our guests. Nothing felt rushed or forced, which I've experienced at other weddings. I was also struck by how flexible while we were doing photos, giving us time, space and suggestions. We have so many amazing shots from that day thanks to our unique setting, both inside the mansions and on the ground. Our guests could not stop talking about how beautiful the location was.

Their personalized attention and responsiveness made all the difference. They offered great advice when it came to picking caterers and other vendors as well. I am so thankful we had our reception here, and I would recommend the Mansion wholeheartedly. If you pick it, you won't regret your choice!

Dana Sent on 09/17/2017

4.6 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
3 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I can’t imagine a better place to have a wedding than Commander’s Mansion. It was the only venue we looked at and we knew from the moment we stepped in it was perfect. Victoria was amazing to work with and made us feel at ease and supported through the entire process. The best thing about the mansion is that it provided variety while being all in one location. We were able to do our ceremony out in the arbor (which is GORGEOUS in the summer/fall), the cocktail hour inside the mansion and the reception out in the tent. That allowed us to keep things interesting without dealing with the headache of transporting our guests to multiple places. Commander’s Mansion is definitely a phenomenal place to have your wedding!

Brittany Sent on 09/19/2017

4.5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
4.5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Commander's Mansion was everything we were looking for in a Boston-area venue for our mid-July wedding! Near the airport, lots of good hotels nearby, flexibility on timing and vendors (which was especially helpful in keeping alcohol costs down), and big/beautiful grounds so that different parts of the wedding could occur in different locations. We had a little trouble getting in touch initially, but everything was smooth sailing after that. We held a picnic event for our guests at the mansion the day before our wedding, and then had our ceremony (grape arbor)/cocktail hour (indoor/outdoor)/reception (tent in the back with a permanent brick floor) at the venue the following day. It was perfect for everything. The mansion is well air conditioned, which is a game changer during the summer so guests can cool off during the cocktail hour. The grape arbor was lush and beautiful for the ceremony. And the fact that we didn't have to pay separately for the reception tent made it a much more affordable venue. Would highly recommend the Commander's Mansion!

User2170751 Sent on 06/09/2015

4.4 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
4 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We had our wedding at Commander's Mansion last month and could not have asked for a more unique, beautiful venue! Throughout the months leading up to the wedding, everyone was so flexible and really helped make the process as special as possible. Tammy is so sweet and terrific!

Whitney Sent on 08/05/2014

4.4 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4 out of 5 rating

This is a lovely venue and the staff (Tammy and Rae) are fantastic! I am so glad we held our wedding here. The indoor and outdoor options are priceless in case of poor weather.

Bristol Sent on 10/20/2017

4.2 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4 out of 5 rating
Average response time
3.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
4 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4.5 out of 5 rating

This gorgeous venue is a hidden gem in the Boston area, an incredible value for the price! We loved the flexibility and variety of all the different indoor and outdoor spaces around the property. The patio tent looked very elegant. The property is spacious, comfortable, and accessible.

+2 photos

Molly Sent on 07/15/2016

4 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4 out of 5 rating
Average response time
3.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
4.5 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4 out of 5 rating

We got married at Commander's Mansion last month and couldn't have asked for a more beautiful venue. When my husband and I started looking at venues, we fell in love instantly with the Mansion. We loved that we were able to have the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception in three different places so that our guests could appreciate all the venue had to offer. We started out working with Casey, who was wonderful, and after she left our main contact person was Tammy, who was also great. At times, it did seem like we had to email or call a couple of times before we received a response, but during the week leading up to the wedding, they responded more quickly. Our only disappointment was that you have to pay extra for any time over 8 hours. This made getting ready at the mansion as we had hoped, out of our budget. Overall, a beautiful venue that feels like you're farther from the city than you really are!

Rachel Sent on 06/30/2009

4 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
3 out of 5 rating
Value
4.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4 out of 5 rating

We stumbled on the Commander's Mansion one day when we lived in Watertown and got lost on the way to Panera. It's a unique, beautiful venue, and everyone told us how much they loved it, and they appreciated being able to wander around inside and out, and not be stuck in one room the whole day. We did not have our ceremony here, but we did utilize the grounds for photos, and we had the reception inside the mansion, which helped force us to keep our guest list small, since the ballrooms only hold 88 people, tops (we had 84 and it was a little tight).

Our communication leading up to the event was fabulous, and Rae was so sweet and responsive. She told us about the Watertown resident discount, which saved us 20%, and all we needed was a "sponsor" who lived in Watertown. She was also very quick to respond to emails and help me with layout and logistics ideas. We also met Tammy a couple days before the wedding, and she was equally sweet and helpful.

However, on the day of the wedding we had a different staff person working our event, which disappointed me a bit, since we had worked so closely with Rae. This other staff person couldn't figure out the A/C, so I was stuck upstairs in the sweltering heat getting ready. Then at the end of the night, we were the only ones left (my husband, my parents and I) and we were looking for her to thank her for her help, and she was nowhere to be found. When we did find her, I told her that my husband was upstairs looking for her, and she says "yeah, well I was cleaning up vomit in the bathroom, so oh well". Ok, sorry that one of my guests got sick, but, um... really? I'm in my wedding dress, and you're going to complain about vomit? It just seemed like she didn't need to complain to the bride. She also told us we weren't allowed to bring the leftover alcohol with us that night, which was about 6 or 7 half-full bottles, and that we'd have to come back on Tuesday to get it. Well, my husband went to pick it up on Tuesday, and it was all gone. Not that it's a big deal, but it was just the third in a string of behavior that was so different from what my planning process with the mansion had been like.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend the mansion, as it is a beautiful spot, and very unique.

Helen Sent on 11/20/2007

4 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
3 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We had a great time at the Commander's Mansion for our wedding ceremony and reception. The reason why I gave it 3 of 5 stars for professionalism, there was some staff turnover that resulted in a few mishaps here and there, but things worked out for the most part.

Jennifer Sent on 01/04/2009

3.8 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
3.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
3.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
3 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4 out of 5 rating

This venue is definitely a hidden gem and everyone truly enjoyed the reception. The mansion is run by the city of Watertown and does suffer from a few bureaucratic snags: I found that communication was key! Although you can bring in all your own vendors make sure you ask permission from the Mansion before you book them! Compared to other like venues in Massachusetts, this home is much better preserved and offers a lot more flexibility and is very close to downtown Boston.

User2339186 Sent on 09/27/2015

3.4 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
3 out of 5 rating
Average response time
2 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
3 out of 5 rating
Value
4.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4.5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely beautiful venue -- our guests were amazed, and the whole environment made our wedding really special. We had our ceremony in the arbor, cocktail hour in the house, and reception outside in the tent. The house and arbor are both spectacular. We are also Watertown residents, so we got a discount (I definitely recommend this venue for Watertown folks). It is on the grounds of Athena Health, so you might get a discount there if you work there (it is worth asking!).

Since this is a historic estate administered by the town, there are a lot of bureaucratic tasks that you will have to do yourself. ex: getting permits and such from the office in Watertown. We did feel that because of this the staff seemed to be working against us at times instead of with us. This is our first time getting married and my husband and I planned the entire wedding ourselves, so we needed a bit more guidance than the CM was willing to give. We also felt that they seemed to be working against our vendors at time too. That being said, they ended up being extremely flexible and friendly the week of the wedding, and the woman who was on staff the night of was helpful.

All in all I would definitely recommend this place due to the ambiance, but know that you might have more administrative challenges to overcome. I've never been married anywhere else, so maybe this is just how it is!

Commander's Mansion Reviews

Reviews

Commander's Mansion