The Starting Gate at GreatHorse Reviews

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.

We had the best experience at The Starting Gate for our wedding. The service and attention to detail they provided was amazing. They helped us think of all the little details and were very organized. The food was also amazing and we had so many guests tell us how beautiful of a venue it was. We were very happy with how everything on our actual wedding date turned out and they made the whole day run so smoothly. I would highly recommend The Starting Gate.

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 had such a wonderful time on our wedding day and during all of the pre-planning meetings we had. We enjoyed working with Kat and our day was seamless because of her: it helped so much to have a day-of coordinator included in our package. The venue was beautiful as always and the staff was so professional and accommodating. Our wedding guests had raved to us that this was the best wedding they’d ever been to. The food was to die for, just like the tasting! Everyone was so kind. Even though I brought quite a few decorations and had specific instructions for placement, everything was as I envisioned, and then some. The photos came out absolutely stunning thanks to the absolutely breath taking scenery. Weddings are stressful, but using Starting Gate at Greathorse made it as easy as possible because they handled all of our needs without questions. Thank you to all for an amazing memory that we will cherish forever! (Photo credit to Lemelin Photography)

My wedding was an absolute dream. Chris Sullivan and the entire staff at greathorse went above and beyond to make sure this was one of the most memorable days of our lives. My husband is French and they went the extra mile to make sure his family traveling from France felt right at home. The venue is incredible and we had the pleasure of staying in their beautiful lodging for the weekend. 10/10

Stunning venue. The staff was awesome and Chris was great!! Everyone said how gorgeous everything was and the food was amazing ! Great scenery - five stars

The Starting Gate was an amazing place to hold your wedding! The staff is absolutely amazing, they were there to answer any questions you may have during the most stressful time of wedding planning. Kat was an absolute pleasure to work with and made the day run so perfectly! The food- OMG, delicious! I have not heard one negative thing from my guests regarding the food! The atmosphere, the view, the vibe was perfect. You will not go wrong choosing this venue! 10/10!

Our daughter was married on 6/12/22 at GreatHorse. Chris Sullivan was instrumental from the very beginning. I can't say enough about her professionalism, knowledge, and event coordinating. Both myself and husband never worried for an instant, that the day would be anything less then perfect. I literally could never say enough about the extremely dedicated person she is to detail, and ensuring that your special event is done to perfection. What a pleasure it was to work with her. I would without hesitation, recommend GreatHorse for a wedding or special event. Cheers to you Chris! Miss you

I cannot say enough good things about this venue!! Chris, the coordinator, is responsive, professional, and made sure our day ran smoothly from start to end. Having a large bridal suite on site at the venue (with food & drinks provided by venue) was the perfect way to start our wedding day! The new sunset deck is stunning and made for lots of great pictures. All of the staff were so kind and professional; they truly helped make our day special. The beer wall and the champagne wall were a huge hit! We still have people reaching out to us telling us how good the food was and how spectacular the venue was!

I can't even begin to put into words how amazing working with and having our special day at The Starting Gate was! Between the attention to detail, food, and the view, it's a complete home run!!!!! There truly wasn't one thing I would change about this venue. The event coordinator Chris Sullivan makes your day run so smoothly that you don't have to worry about one single thing. Thank you Starting Gate for making all my wedding dreams come true!!

We got married in June of 2022 and cannot speak highly enough of Chris, the Starting Gate team, or the venue itself. It really was just perfect and would recommend over anywhere else. Working with Chris throughout the planning process was fantastic. She was professional, organized, knowledgeable, experienced, prompt on responses, but most of all- honest. She would give sound advice on what has worked and not worked in previous events and why. Chris was honest about prices and options with absolutely no pressure. We did not hire a wedding planner but having Chris and her team as resources was incredibly helpful as we put everything together. I don't think we could adequately express the level of attention to detail the SG staff had on the day of. The little touches of decorations, from the signature drink signs, some extra florals, and the food stations, all helped make the day as magical as we wanted. Every single person we interacted with (from the bartenders to bridal attendants to wait staff) was so nice, caring, and helpful. As we right this, we just joked that we are going to miss talking with Chris all the time! Thank you to Chris and the SG

full disclosure here- I worked with Chris and the team at the Starting gate as I am former alumni of the management team at the Great Horse clubhouse. After a 5 year hiatus away from the property and the business overall- I returned for the celebration of my Neices wedding. I feel its important to say that upfront, because I want this to this review to be as close to 100% accurate and transparent as possible. My role was clubhouse, so my interactions with Chris when I worked there were very limited. okay, now the review.

I have an amazing family, and we've logged some incredible events in the past- But i have to say this one was the best to date. Chris and her team were flawless in their execution and went so far above and beyond all 110 guest expectations- the accolades are still pouring in from all sides of our big fussy family. The food was 5 star, the timing was perfect, the hundreds of transitions that occur with a wedding were all smooth as silk. Chris ran things from the front and absolutely knocked it out of the park for us. The staff was attentive, friendly, competent, and available. The venue is jaw dropping BTW- by far the most epic wedding setting within 100 square miles. Look no further- you've found your wedding spot.

I can’t say this enough: the Starting Gate is the best venue in Western MA. We toured twelve venues before choosing the Starting Gate from NH to RI. Of all the venues were toured they made us feel the most wanted and were hands down the most accommodating. Our wedding guests raved “this was the best service I’ve ever received.” Our coordinator Chris Sullivan Latina was so responsive and diligent. I met with her probably six or seven times before the big day (it helped choosing a venue only fifteen minutes away from home as well!) she also responds to emails and calls at lightening speed. Our flower girl and ring bearer were having a hard time getting down the aisle and Chris was so smart to dress in the same colors as the wedding party to help get them down the aisle. The food was amazing and I especially loved the sangria wall! The bridal suite is huge with great lighting! The bridal party started getting ready at 9am but they would have accommodated an even earlier start time if needed. The venue is beautiful and I loved having a different spot on site for the ceremony, the cocktail hour, and reception. There were so many different spots on the grounds to take pictures. I can’t thank Chris and the rest of the staff for my best day ever! Everyone should check out this venue for your big day!

Between the location and staff our wedding was absolutely perfect!!! Chris and her staff truly out due themselves, they did everything we asked for and then some. The venue is absolutely stunning and we couldn't have asked for a better place to get married.

I don’t even know where to begin! The starting gate from the moment we walked through their doors on our venue tour exceeded our expectations thoroughly. We started out working with Lauren who was amazing and helped us throughout our postponing of our wedding due to COVID and making sure everything we wanted was taken care of. They are so organized and really help with the stress of planning a wedding making sure every detail is thought about and discussed. When Lauren went on maternity leave we were given Chris who was just as amazing. She is organized and responsive and so sweet! She asks you what your vision is and makes sure that it’s carried out perfectly. She took care of our entire day and it went off without a hitch. Guests were talking about our wedding and how perfect is was which of course we agreed. From the ceremony to apps, dinner and beyond they made sure everything was amazing I really couldn’t have asked for a better wedding team and I can’t say enough about the staff there.

The morning of our bridal attendant Emma was outstanding serving us food and making sure our needs were taken care of. I really can’t say enough good things about this venue. If you are unsure in any way JUST BOOK IT you won’t regret your decision. The day was so perfect and I’m still in awe about how everything was excecuted! Even the tastings were amazing! We became vegetarian halfway through and we were able to do another tasting to try vegetarian options for our wedding. I could go on and on so I will stop but thank you to the staff at the starting gate you all are amazing!

The Starting Gate was the most incredible venue. From our first meeting with Lauren, she and the staff (especially Chris and Julie) paid attention to every little detail to make sure our process and the wedding day ran smoothly. Our guests loved the views, the FOOD and the entire party they put on for us. They also provided excellent vendor recommendations. Very very pleased.

Wow. I am blown away by The Starting Gate at Greathorse. My husband and I knew as soon as toured this venue that this is where we wanted to get married. Lauren and Chris are such a pleasure to work with. They have incredible organization, professionalism and attention to detail. They really made us feel special on our day and all the days leading up to our wedding. I had no doubt in my mind they would make our day everything we wanted it to be. They did more than anything I could have imagined.

If you are looking to have the most perfect wedding day look no further than The Starting Gate. We got married May 1st, 2021 and I cannot even begin to tell you how amazing they were. We were under loads of stress from having to postpone our wedding and they took almost everything off of our plate to make it so special. Our wedding coordinator was Chris Sullivan and I must say that this woman is unbelievable - every little detail of our wedding day was immaculate and went exactly as planned because she runs the show! I also want to touch on the food because it is unbelievable, every one of our guests couldn't get over how delicious it was & also the VIEWS - absolutely stunning. Thank you to everyone at The Starting Gate for the best day ever!

When we began looking at wedding venues last year, The Starting Gate at GreatHorse stuck out, based on the beautiful pictures we saw online. Seeing it in person completely sold us. After that first tour, we knew that’s where we wanted to get married. However, little did we know that the picturesque views were not even the most amazing part of having our wedding at The Starting Gate – that was hands down the staff. Everyone was amazing from start to finish – from that first tour, to our many questions regarding COVID-19 changes, to pulling off the most amazing event the day of. Chris was there for us every step of the way. She even talked us down from canceling and losing out on our deposits when we decided we wanted to move our wedding up and have an intimate, safe wedding during the pandemic. She was able to make the wedding of our dreams, even in these crazy times! I am a perfectionist and was anticipating a stressful wedding day, ensuring everything was taken care, but I didn’t have to lift a finger! I was able to relax throughout the whole day and the staff took care of everything – it looked even better than I could have imagined! Finally, I can’t forget to mention the food! Everything was incredible and all of our guests were raving about it all night. I highly recommend adding the Viennese dessert bar, and everyone loved the macaroni and cheese bar! Plus, thanks so much to the waitstaff and especially Paige for taking care of the groom – he’s a picky eater and they were all happy to give him extra of anything he wanted in substitute for something he didn’t like. That being said, all of the food was so good he even ventured to try some things he doesn’t normally eat! Thanks so much to everyone at The Starting Gate for helping us navigate this last year and helping us pull off the wedding of our dreams – we couldn’t have done it without you!

The Starting Gate completely exceeded our expectations! We had the wedding of the dreams October 18, 2020! Lauren and her team went above and beyond to make our day absolutely perfect!! The view, the service, the food, and the drinks were absolutely amazing! I would recommend The Starting Gate to anyone and everyone. Thank you for making our dream wedding reality!

Our experience at The Starting Gate was wonderful from start to finish, even as a couple getting married in 2020, which has come with so many ups and downs!

The Starting Gate was only the 2nd venue we looked at and we just so happened to tour during sunset and after seeing the breath taking view overlooking the hillside and the trees, we knew it was the one. We wanted to get married outside and the Wedding Garden is absolutely beautiful and we loved that we could have Cocktail Hour outside on the patio at Sunset. Their ballroom is also stunning, but we didn't end up needing it because of our modified 2020 wedding :)

Our original date for our wedding was Friday, August 21, 2020. Going into wedding planning, I really didn't want to do a Friday wedding but for a quick turnaround that was really our only option if we wanted to get married while the weather was warm enough to do the ceremony outside. It goes to show just how much we loved this place since we decided to compromise on day of the week and do a Friday just so we could have our wedding there.

From start-to-finish, our wedding planner provided by the Starting Gate, Lauren, was the most helpful, understanding, accommodating and assuring person. When the pandemic started to get serious in early Spring, we had no idea what was in store for us. As weeks and months passed without things improving much, we started to realize it was a very real possibility we wouldn't be able to have a wedding in August, and definitely not with more than just a handful of people. Lots of couples decided to postpone a full year, but we were set on getting married sooner rather than later. However, we didn't want to sacrifice having at least our family and our absolute closest friends there. Lauren was our rock throughout that whole time. We put a few back-up dates on hold at no charge and when it became clear that August 21st wouldn't be possible, we nailed down a date only about a month later and Lauren helped guide us on the logistics of postponing and then re-inviting for the new date with a smaller number of people.

There were plenty of restrictions in place for our wedding which made holding that kind of event really tricky, but everyone at the Starting Gate was flexible and gracious while also doing everything required to be able to hold a wedding safely. Our ceremony, cocktail hour, and the reception/dinner had to be outside, and the team at the Starting Gate came up with a wonderful plan and layout to make the possible. We were able to utilize the wedding garden for the rehearsal dinner, the ceremony, and the cocktail hour, as well as post-dinner for fire pits and cornhole and socializing in lieu of a dance floor. The dinner was outside on the patio at sunset which was truly breathtaking.

The week of the wedding I had tons of questions and Lauren was my go-to person; she would answer every text to her within minutes, she coordinated with all my vendors to make sure they knew what the plan was and what precautions to take, and everything went off without a hitch. Our wedding day was absolutely perfect and we wouldn't have changed a singe thing. So many of our guests have said it was the most beautiful and fun wedding they've ever been to which is a testament to what a wonderful job Lauren and the staff at the Starting Gate did for us!

My husband and I could not have picked a better venue for our special day! Little did we know that wedding planning would involve a pandemic and navigating a new world, however, Lauren worked tirelessly to ensure that our vision still came to life. We knew as soon as we walking on property that this was the spot for our dream wedding. Lauren and the team at The Starting Gate had great communication and flexibility and worked to ease our nerves and take care of all of the details for our wedding. I loved having so many options for ceremony/reception locations inside/outside or with the deck/garden, we ultimately had the perfect day and weather worked in our favor. Since the wedding we have heard nothing but rave reviews from close family and friends about how delicious the food was and how it was one of the best weddings they had all been to! I cannot recommend The Starting Gate enough to others! (photos from rehearsal dinner)

Any couple looking for a fairytale wedding should look no further than the Starting Gate. The views are breathtaking. The venue is stunning. The wedding coordinator at GreatHorse, Chris Sullivan, is amazing. No matter how many curveballs were thrown at us with the COVID restrictions, Chris was prepared to handle them and make changes she knew would not disappoint. And let me tell you, there was not one single disappointment about our day. From the bridal suite to get ready in, the ceremony under the gazebo, the cocktail hour on the deck, the endless hors d'oeuvres and passed plates of filet and scallops, the mac and cheese station, the champagne wall, the friendliest and most attentive wait staff, and the list goes on, everything was perfect. Our guests have repeatedly told us it is the best wedding they have ever been to and that the food was the best they have ever had. Thank you GreatHorse for making our wedding the best day of our lives!

This was the first and only venue that we toured. After taking a tour of The Starting Gate with Lauren, we knew we could not have our wedding reception at any another venue. After speaking with Lauren on the tour, I knew I felt comfortable and could trust them with making sure y day felt special and beautiful. It was everything and more than I could have dreamed of! The views are spectacular and you will not be able to get another venue with views like The Starting Gate offers! Lauren and Chris were wonderful to work with; they truly made the wedding planning process fun and less stressful. They were extremely detailed, organized, and attentive throughout the process. The ballroom and bridal suite are elegant and cozy. There is a fireplace where our sweetheart table was setup in front and the space for the cocktail hour on the deck was classy with stunning views. Our guests did not want to leave the deck during cocktail hour because they were enjoying the space so much! Lauren and Chris want to make your day special and specific to what the couple wants, and I was grateful they took the time to do this. In addition to the facility and views, the food was outstanding!! My guests are still talking about the food and venue. I would highly recommend this venue!!

The customer service, the atmosphere the view! They truly made our dream wedding come to life. We still have our guests telling us it was the best wedding they've been to because of the atmosphere and the customer service our guests recieved. They really went out of their way to make your day extra special. I cant recommend The Starting Gate enough!

Choosing to have our wedding at The Starting Gate at GreatHorse was one of the best decisions we made. Starting with our tour of the venue and meeting Chris Sullivan, everything was first-class. Throughout the planning process, Chris and her team were extremely responsive, and helped us with all of the details. On the day of our wedding, everything was absolutely perfect. The venue was spectacular, the service impeccable, and the food delicious. Most importantly, Chris and her team handled everything so that we could relax and enjoy our special day. We truly feel that Chris and the venue helped make our wedding day one that we will never forget.

The Starting Gate was the first and only venue that my husband and I toured. We knew from the second we saw it that we needed to have our wedding there. It had everything we wanted - an outdoor wedding garden for our ceremony overlooking a BREATHTAKING view, a large open terrace for cocktail hour, a beautiful bridal suite to get ready in, and the most elegant ballroom complete with a cozy fireplace and dazzling chandeliers. Not only was the space amazing, but working with Lauren and Chris was a wonderful experience and I can't say enough good things about them. They accommodated every request we made, advocated for us when other vendors were monopolizing our time, provided timely responses to all of our emails/phone calls, and did everything in their power to make sure we were happy and taken care of. I am not usually someone who hands over the reigns easily but I had 100% confidence in them from day 1 - and they definitely delivered. Our wedding was absolutely perfect and I would highly recommend The Starting Gate at Great Horse to any couple looking for a wedding venue!

Let me start by saying this was the absolute best experience I could have ever dreamed about and the team at The Starting Gate at Great Horse went above and beyond to make sure my day was stunning, elegant, & perfect in every single way.

We had looked at several different venues to meet the needs of our 200 guest count wedding. From the first time I met Chris Sullivan, the event coordinator, I knew this was THE place. She is professional, intelligent, and she is an enjoyable woman to work with. She really took the time to understand my glitz and glam vibe. She made wedding planning FUN! She was there every step of the way, e-mail, phone calls, touching base, and making sure we were always on the same page. She made recommendations without overstepping- she knows her stuff!! She is EXCEPTIONAL and SHE is the reason that made me say yes and lock in our date! (And the beautiful venue as well of course)

At our tasting, Chris was there to guide us and give us ideas and share her experiences. She was able to get to know us and our parents a little better and we engaged in great conversation. She is down to earth and comfortable to be around. During our rehearsal she made sure she had the attention of our crazy (in a good way) bridal party. She gave us directions that were easy to follow and we knew exactly what to expect for the next day.

On my wedding day, Chris was there for all of it, the most attentive coordinator there is. She made sure we were on time. She helped with guests, she helped with our processional for the ceremony, she fluffed my veil as I walked down the aisle with my dad, she helped bustle me, she was there for introductions, she was serving on the floor with her staff, she was there moving the cake table when it was time, she made sure everyone was happy and had what they needed, she was everywhere at one time to make sure the night ran as smoothly as it did. She is the person you want on your side as a Bride!

The set up at The Starting Gate provides your guests a seem-less night from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception. The views are stunning and the entire venue is easy to maneuver and handicap accessible! The grounds are well-kept and spotless. The venue is clean inside and out. I really loved that the ceremony space was turf so that our heels didn’t sink in the grass and it fit all of my guests comfortably!

The culinary team here is outstanding. The entire night we received nothing but compliments on the hordeurves passed during cocktail hour to the main entrees to even the way the cake was presented. You can tell the chef takes pride in what they do starting with the fine details in how the meals are plated to the raspberry coulis spread on our cake plates! Presentation, taste, attention to detail again all 10/10 just like Chris.

The morning of the wedding my bridesmaids and I got ready in the gorgeous bridal suite. It is spacious and has two bathrooms which was fantastic! — Kat helped take care of us- she served us our light breakfast spread, cleared our messes, made sure lunch was served and always knew when to bring more champagne. The spread was unbelievable, delicious, and even the small details like the cute napkins and signs for food were so nice! Kat was polite and she was discreet in a way that you knew she was there if you needed anything at all. She was fabulous & and she made my morning stress free! She was there not just in morning but for the evening as well. She made sure my fiancé didn’t see me before I walked down the aisle and that guests weren’t in the reception area went I went down for first look with my dad. She is fantastic at what she does.

The bartenders and wait staff at The Starting Gate were above and beyond as well. They were pleasant and funny!! They made great drinks and every time I looked they always had smiles. They engaged in conversation with my guests and it looked like they were having fun too. Guests would get up to use the restroom or bar, and wait staff would notice and their settings would be scraped clean of crumbs and napkins neatly placed. The wait staff was on the floor but never in the way. The entire team, just nothing but great things to say.

The team here pays attention to the little details and this matters. Did I mention my husband also had a broken leg and they made sure he was comfortable the whole night? Providing us a golf cart with a personal driver, making sure he had something to lean against at the outdoor ceremony space and turning the fire place off for a moment while we ate to give him a break from sweating in his tux! Seriously who could ask for more. This venue is TOP NOTCH from the location, views, dish ware and glasses, options they provide, service, team and wedding coordinator - I couldn’t have dreamed of a more perfect experience nor a more magical evening.

Thank you thank you thank you to the entire Starting Gate team for making the small details matter and for being exceptional throughout the entire process🤍 Chris, Kat, waitstaff, bartenders, culinary team, everyone part of my night, you are absolute perfection- truly the best place and will forever hold a special spot in my heart.

Our wedding was absolutely perfect! The staff was amazing to work with from beginning to end. They handled every detail to the fullest and made the whole experience stress free and gave us a wedding our guests couldn't stop talking about. I would highly recommend this venue to anyone.

We got married at Great Horse in late August and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. The staff is incredibly attentive, the grounds are beautiful, and the food was delicious. We would definitely recommend Great Horse to anyone looking is Western Mass!

The GreatHorse was absolutely amazing. I worked with Chris and Lauren and they made my day unforgettable. All the staff there is great, the food was fantastic. I could go on for days about this venue. I will always recommend the GreatHorse!

If you are looking for a beautiful location, amazing food and drinks, excellent service, very responsive event managers, and hoping to have a wedding day that you and your guests continue to relive and think about after, the Starting Gate is the place to go! My husband and I have nothing but positive things to say about every aspect of the Starting Gate and the people that work there. We had the privilege of working directly with Lauren Pastoreck from the very beginning of booking our wedding day and we would not have been able to have as perfect of a day without her. Chris Sullivan also played a strong role prior to the wedding in ensuring all of our food from appetizers, to the main course were absolutely perfect. Both were by our side throughout our wedding day making sure we were taken care of, and that every detail within our wedding was in the perfect spot. The Starting Gate is a beautiful place with spectacular views, but what separates this venue from most is the staff and people you get to work with while planning your big day as well as the staff that are working on your big day. We are still getting feedback from various guests expressing how beautiful the location was, how amazing every aspect of the wedding was, along with how friendly and awesome the staff and bartenders were! My husband and I are typically not people to promote or share anything, but we feel inclined to share how amazing the Starting Gate is, because the next bride and groom that selects this location will not be disappointed! We had the best day of our lives and are thrilled that our guests have expressed similar feelings! Thank you Starting Gate, thank you Lauren and Chris, and thank you to the staff for helping us have a picture perfect and unforgettable wedding!

The Great Horse is a fantastic venue. It is truly a fairytale and every single detail is executed to perfection. The coordinator and staff make you feel like you are extremely important and are very responsive and want to make you happy. If you have the money, there is no better place in western Mass.

Gorgeous views. Food is incredible. Venue coordinator Chris Sullivan made the evening run like a dream. DO NOT HESITATE TO BOOK!!

There is no venue better than The Starting Gate. We had a long engagement and toured this venue before they had done many weddings. I could not even wait until we were off the property to email them to book it, I was so blown away! When you first arrive, you drive through iron gates onto the perfectly manicured grounds that overlook the most amazing view you will ever see. This venue is not a typical “banquet hall” facility and every detail down to the type of linen they use for the tables is perfect. The floors are not the ugly carpet you would normally see, the chandeliers and really just the entire room is gorgeous and the bridal suite is to die for. The views from the deck and the wedding garden are breathtaking. Then there is Chris Sullivan. She is an absolute professional, there is no one better at their job and no one else who will help you create the perfect day like she can. She will make you feel like the most important bride she is working with and will ensure every single detail is exactly how you want it. She really is so much more than just your coordinator!! Lauren and the rest of the Starting Gate team are also there to help you every step of the way!! The food is AMAZING and the options are endless. My now husband is a professional cook and he was blown away by all the food, our guests ate so much and are still commenting on the quality of food, service and the beautiful views! Chris and her team ensured the entire day and planning process was unbelievably smooth and relaxing for all of us. She learned my personality throughout my planning process and suggested things she knew I would love (we had a wine wall at cocktail hour!!!!). What you get with the package (valet, the beautiful bridal suite, customized menus to name just a few things) is unbelievable and unlike anything we saw touring other venues. Their preferred vendor list is all you will need, they work with the absolute best. If you are lucky enough to find and book this venue, I promise you will not be disappointed and you will be hearing how your wedding was the best wedding ever and “over the top” (in the best way!) all night!!! They also have public events so you can go back and relive your special day after it’s all over!! We also had our rehearsal dinner at the venue on the deck and it had the same quality and level of service as the day of the wedding. Our wedding would have not been the same if we had gone anywhere else and we feel so grateful for everything they did for us.

Couldn’t have imagined a better place to celebrate our big day! Chris Sullivan listens to your wants and brings them to life! She is the best and so organized! Thank you to Chris and all the staff for making our celebration a dream come true!

We met with the event manager who was super friendly, informative and bent over backwards for us. We had already booked a different venue and date but were so blown away by the facility and the event manager that we ended up booking with them.

The Starting Gate was the very first venue tour I booked when planning my wedding and it was the ONLY venue tour I needed. We were blown away with the immaculately kept Great Horse grounds and the stunning views from the top of the country club. You can tell this venue strives to provide the utmost quality in everything they do. Chris and her team were incredible to work with. They helped answer and address any questions I had and went above and beyond to help me organize all last minute details.

The food provided by The Starting Gate's own chef is AMAZING. The Starting Gate hosts a individual tasting and listens to any and all changes you'd like to have. Our guests are still talking about the amazing filet they had at our wedding!

The bridal suite is beautiful and the perfect place to get ready, take pictures, and be pampered at the start of your day. We were treated to a fun breakfast spread and mimosas as soon as we arrived. Chris helped take care of every little detail for the remainder of the day from drink orders and hors d’oeuvres for the bridal party during pictures, to fixing my veil, to addressing any detail-oriented concerns I had. She was on top of it all so that we could enjoy our big day!

The Starting Gate truly exudes luxury and makes any event feel very exclusive. I hope to attend more events at The Starting Gate so we can enjoy the amazing venue, service, and food again!

My husband and I got married @ GreatHorse on 6/30/18 and we could not have had a better day. From the very first day we set foot into the venue we knew it was for us. My ENTIRE experience with Chris was amazing. She wrote back to every single email I sent to her quickly and always answered our questions. She was accommodating and patient with me during some of my indecisive moments and everything turned out to be even better than I imagined it would. The food is insanely delicious, the venue is stunning and the customer service is top notch. Not one staff member there misses a beat on anything. Our guests are still raving about our day and it was over 2 months ago! We wish we could have our wedding day over and over again, it was a blur but it was absolutely amazing. Thank you x's a million to Chris and ALL of the staff at GreatHorse for giving us the wedding of our dreams. You are truly amazing at what you do!
- Mr & Mrs. Copeland <3

This venue is absolutely beautiful! Chris and her team make it so easy to plan your wedding. She was so helpful from the moment I walked in. The service provided was superb and the food is delicious! Everyone couldn't stop talking about it! Chris is the most organized person and will make anything happen! I would host any event at the Starting Gate.

From our first meeting with Chris and her team to the last dance The Starting Gate at GreatHorse exceeded all of our expectations. Not only is the venue stunning but the quality of the service is top notch. Chris and Lauren made the planning process fun, easy and we looked forward to every meeting we had with them. They did not miss any detail and even contacted all of our vendors the week of the wedding to confirm arrival times. We knew from the tasting that our guests were in for a treat with the quality and portion size of the food. The food on our wedding day was phenomenal along with the servers and bartenders who were polite and attentive to everyone’s needs. We still to this day continue to receive many compliments about the dinner and appetizers.
I can’t recommend the Starting Gate enough, our wedding day was magical and perfect in every way. The venue is gorgeous, the bridal suite is beautiful and the view is spectacular even in the misty rain that we had. Chris and Lauren, thank you for your undivided attention and meticulous wedding planning. You made us feel like we were the only wedding that you were working on and we miss seeing you. If anyone is looking for a beautiful venue and want to work with people who truly love what they do, please check out The Starting Gate. I can promise you that you won’t be disappointed.

I went to see The Starting Gate at GreatHorse on a whim. I wasn't sure that a golf course would be what I was looking for when I imagined my "rustic yet elegant" wedding. My now husband and I drove through the gates it felt like we were on top of a massive mountain. The view was straight out of a magazine (which is exactly what my guests still tell me). I was greeted by Chris and Lauren to show us around the grounds which had everything we needed from an elegant suite to get ready in, the picturesque wedding garden, and incredible
reception room all in one! Driving from Boston was difficult for meetings during the week but Chris was more flexible than I think anyone else would have been with us! I was NOT an organized bride at all and she was there to help me every single step of the way! She was in contact with all my vendors double checking the details. She knew what my themes were and what I imagined and inserted small details throughout the entire experience that made me feel like I was the ONLY bride in the world she was dealing with!

It had a 70% chance of raining on my wedding day and all I wanted was to get married in the wedding garden and despite some quick sprinkles Chris made it happen! She promised she wouldn't make it be indoors until the very last second and the weather held out! I swear that she called upon the giant rainbow herself!

Food was so important to our family and my guests have not stopped talking about how amazing ours was! The chef was incredible! I'm sure a lot of brides are told that their food was the best their guests have ever had, but I honestly have heard it so much! Guests drinks were never empty and the service from all of the employees was exemplary. I wouldn't change one detail about my experience at GreatHorse. Such a hidden gem! Thanks so much Chris, Lauren, and everyone else at The Starting Gate for helping make my wedding better than anything I could have imagined!

My husband and I had our wedding reception at GreatHorse in October. Chris and her team were wonderful from our first tour to our last dance. The building is spectacular and our guests raved about the food. GreatHorse knew what our needs were going to be on that day before we did, and met them before we could articulate them. GreatHorse was truly a dream wedding.

I got married here this fall and can't say enough good things about it!!! The venue was beautiful and the staff was excellent. I worked primarily with Chris and she couldn't have been more accommodating. I would highly recommend this venue!!!

The Starting Gate at GreatHorse helped us have the most perfect wedding day. The venue itself is absolutely stunning, the bridal suite is to die for, but most importantly, the staff there is superb! Chris Sullivan made sure that the day of the wedding ran flawlessly and kept to the schedule. The food was incredible and all our guests were extremely impressed. We were also impressed by the food tasting which was completely private and we got to pick what we wanted to try in advance. The chef prepared everything for us right there and we had a personal server pouring the wine pairings. We could not have asked for a more perfect day!

Since we first day saw the Starting Gate we feel in love with it. Working with Chris Sullivan was awesome, she helped make our special day a huge success! The staff was very professional, everyone complimented on the food, the service, and how great the view was. Thank you again for making our day extra special for us!

Cannot say enough good things about this amazing venue. Chris Sullivan made everything so much easier for us, since we are living out-of-state - we couldn't have done it without her. She and her team made the wedding flawless. The food is excellent, we had a signature drink, and they accommodated our ideas for a s'mores bar and late-night breakfast food snacks. There just is no better venue in Western Mass in terms of scenery, professionalism, service, quality...their slogan is right on, it's different at Greathorse.

From the moment our wedding day began Chris, and her team did everything they could to make our day perfect. We arrived early in the morning to get ready in the bridal suite. Through out the day we always had champagne, and different things to eat, such as an impressive cheese tray, and delicious sandwiches. The venue itself is beautiful, but then we you add all the personalized details, it's breath taking. Our food was incredible, and our guests are still talking about it. The Starting Gate went above and beyond in making our wedding everything we dreamed off,

Everything about The Starting Gate at GreatHorse experience is exceptional. The whole process was streamlined and simple. The service can't be topped; the view is phenomenal; the food is outstanding. Chris made the reception seamless and took so much pressure off myself and my family on the day of the wedding. I was thoroughly impressed and so were all of my guests. I'm beyond thankful for the beautiful day they helped me create. Words can't express how special my wedding was.

The Starting Gate at GreatHorse in Hampden, Ma is an incredible wedding venue.
From the moment you arrive at the majestic gates topped with gas flames you know that the GreatHorse team is going to transport you into another world. As you drive up the roadway you experience the beautiful maintained greens of the golf course and the stunning architecture of the buildings with breathtaking views of the Pioneer Valley. As the mother of the bride and someone who worked in the wedding industry for 20 years, I’m not easily wowed and all I can say is “WOW”!

We were in awe of the beauty of The Starting Gate. The detail in the high copper ceilings, the gorgeous chandeliers, the beautiful stone fireplace, the spacious wrap around deck overlooking the views and the sides that can go up an down to accommodate the weather without taking away from the view (even the rest rooms are stunning)! We were sold, but that was only the beginning.

Throughout the planning stages the Catering Manager, Chris Sullivan and her team (Meghan, Lauren and Cathy) guided us effortlessly. They were friendly, efficient and organized. Their knowledge and suggestions all made for the perfect day. We had the pleasure of getting ready in the most elegant bridal suite and the staff saw to our every need. I was pleasantly surprised to see the whole management team on the day of the wedding, executing the details flawlessly!

Chef, Chris Cote’s culinary expertise and special touches did not go unnoticed. The fresh foods made onsite, the plate presentation, and flavor was truly five star and had all of our guests raving.

Thank you to the whole team for making our daughter and son-in-law’s wedding a spectacular event!

Still receiving feedback from guests on how amazing the venue was and how courteous, friendly and professional the staff was. There was never a shortage of food and the bars were perfectly placed so that there were never lines. Dinner came out promptly and everyone was served at the same time.

Chris is absolutely phenomenal. Loved working with her. The staff and their attention to detail is impeccable.

Best day ever! We cannot say enough about this venue. Cathy and all of the staff was so wonderful throughout the whole process. We have gotten so many compliments from our guests saying it was the best wedding they have ever been to. Thank you for the perfect wedding day!

I got married here back in October. It was absolutely stunning! And when I mean it couldn't have been more perfect I mean it! The food was amazing, the service was amazing, and the wedding planner Chris was awesome! I wouldn't get married anywhere else!!!! It was seriously perfect. It was everything I ever wanted! Thank you again GreatHorse for an amazing time!!!!!! :-)

Everything was perfect. Very professional. Easy to work with. The staff at The Starting Gate at Great Horse was very knowledgeable.

My husband and I were fortunate enough to be the very first wedding at The Starting Gate at GreatHorse and will be forever grateful for the entire experience. The venue itself if top quality in every way possible...the view, the amenities, the staff; I could go on and on. The event coordinator was very organized, professional, accommodating...just a pleasure to work with! The food...is amazing! The Chef creates food that is sure to excite anyone's palate. I would highly recommend the Starting Gate at GreatHorse to everyone!

This place was fantastic! It was absolutely beautiful, the food was wonderful, and the staff was perfect! We even stayed longer than we planned, and they worked with us without a problem! The pasta station was a complete hit with our guests, and we had beautiful pictures with the sunset. Thank you for making our day perfect!

The Hampden Country Club was an excellent choice. The venue is beautiful and the scenic view is outstanding. They were excellent to work with and gave great insight to many items we would have either not thought about or that we may have made less than perfect choices.

The food is absolutely wonderful as they make it to order. It's not sitting around waiting for the bride and groom to arrive, drying out the food. Their packages include the wedding cake and they will make your cake to order - give them a picture of what you want and they'll make it. Ours was gorgeous and it's the first time I've ever heard of people telling the bride and groom that the cake was awesome!

They have many bridal packages to pick from and their pricing is very competitive.

The staff are there to help you with your choices, make recommendations and help you out in any way they can throughout your day.

Highly recommended!

Exceptional people to work with. They took care of every detail so I didn't have to. Wonderful food and atmosphere.

It's easy to see why my husband and I fell in love with this venue... The Starting Gate is absolutely stunning. However, we knew we couldn't get married anywhere else once we met Chris Sullivan, the manager of catering. Chris, Meghan, and Lauren did an outstanding job helping us with every single detail-- I can't say enough good things about those 3! Just when we thought it couldn't get any better, we met Chef Chris. Not only did the food taste phenomenal, he takes great pride in the presentation of every single dish! The entire night, Chris and the girls kept everything running smoothly and my guests didn't stop complimenting me on the service of the wait staff. When you set your wedding or event date at The Starting Gate at GreatHorse, you are in the BEST of hands.
(Ladies- just wait until you see the bridal suite!)

It's pricy, but you can't beat the views, the food, the service, the private bridal suite with two bathrooms, the grounds and being the only wedding of the day. Cathy, Chris, Lauren & staff were amazing and we don't regret a single penny!

My husband and I worked with Lauren to plan our intimate July 31st 2020 wedding of 40 people. Lauren was very accommodating and worked with us providing suggestions and taking our requests since we were planning during tricky covid restrictions. Lauren helped ease the stress of our wedding day- and we had little to nothing to worry about when it came to pulling everything together for our big day. On the day of our wedding many of our guests marveled at the location, sunset views, and food served. The Starting Gate and GreatHorse is truly topnotch and sets your wedding day apart from all the rest!

Great place to get everything you need for a wedding. They have an amazing view of the Pioneer Valley. The price per person includes wedding cake, amazing food, and great appetizers. The people are friendly and easy to work with. They made my wedding a whole lot easier.