Photo: Michelle Lange Photography
Central Boston is home to the luxury 5-star hotel Mandarin Oriental, located in the Back Bay area of one of America’s oldest cities. This one-of-a-kind hotel offers everything and more for a dream wedding, including modern multi-functional spaces that also offer private pre-function areas, an award-winning spa, a city-favorite French-inspired bistro right there in-house, and so much more. MODwedding received an extensive tour from Mandarin Oriental’s catering sales manager and wedding specialist, Emily Conroy, who offered plenty of insight and tips for our brides. “Our whole team is part of the wedding, bartenders, servers, bellman, front desk staff. We all try to give guests an experience that everybody is a part of,” she says. From your warm welcome in the lobby to the whole second floor of glamorous wedding spaces, you’ll feel the love and warm energy from this world-class Boston wedding venue.
Photo: Person + Killian Photography
Picture-Perfect Settings
The Arcade Level of the hotel offers floor-to-ceiling windows, giving the venue perfect natural lighting and a beautiful city view. Mandarin Oriental focuses on the ultimate hospitality experience with its several multi-use rooms and services that are all exclusive to you on your wedding day. Even the restrooms have an impressive parlor area for hair and makeup stations, and offers amazing studio-type lighting.
Photo: Michelle Lange Photography
Beijing Room
The Beijing Room serves as a hospitality suite to get ready in. “It’s where I like to put the bride because it gets the best light during the day,” Conroy says. Enjoy special additions to the room such as full length mirrors and steamer dress rack for any day-of accommodations. The bridal party can comfortably get ready together with an eye-catching champagne display, too!
Photo: Michelle Lange Photography
Bangkok Room
This comfortable space can be turned into whatever is needed, whether it’s a larger bridal party, a back-up room for photos if the weather isn’t up to par, and even a room for the kids at the wedding.
Photo: Person + Killian Photography
Hong Kong Room
The gentlemen in the wedding typically hang out in the Hong Kong room. It’s a relaxing area with a flat screen TV, and the Mandarin provides shoe shining and bow tie services. Conroy mentions that “the room also helps keep everyone in one place before the ceremony if on-site.”
Photo: Person + Killian Photography
Oriental Gallery: Pre-Function Area
One option for the cocktail hour space all year round is the Oriental Gallery pre-function area. Couples like to bring in lounge furniture, and the space is set up with a high low design. Plus, there’s so much outstanding surrounding artwork and decor that adds to the natural charm of the venue. “Because we’re an Asian hotel, there’s lots of Asian wheels around and brides will use those to set up place cards or memorabilia with candlelight and flowers,” Conroy says.
Photo: Michelle Lange Photography
Photo: Nicole Chan Photography
Oriental Ballroom
This 4,200 square-foot ballroom is a nice wide open space for any bride’s dream reception, and holds up to 275 guests. With the absence of pillars and columns, the Mandarin Oriental team finds flexibility in the floor plan. Lighting is key in this room, whether you’re soaking in the sunlight from the floor-to-ceiling windows or enjoying a romantic vibe with candles along the edge. The ballroom’s custom-made lighting system was designed by Massachusetts’ own lighting designer Suzanne B. Lowell, so there’s truly no limit to what this glamorous ballroom can do.
Pro Tip: The Lotus Suite inside the ballroom is the bride’s own private oasis among the craziness. During the day the suite is typically reserved for tastings and other gatherings, but comes in clutch if the bride has a dress change and needs to refresh — it’s completely private to the bride!
Photo: Nicole Chan Photography
Photo: Nicole Chan Photography
Photo: Nicole Chan Photography
Photo: Nicole Chan Photography
Photo: Nicole Chan Photography
Photo: Nicole Chan Photography
Photo: Nicole Chan Photography
The Garden: Outdoor Space
When Mandarin Oriental Boston does have an event outside, expect the royal treatment with a rolled out red carpet and staff opening all the doors for you. The Garden is in its prime when May rolls around, couples often choose to do cocktail hour outside by the brick, surrounded by the beautiful Boston buildings. “It’s a hidden gem in the middle of the city, it’s quiet out there,” Conroy says. “We’re the only five-star hotel in Boston that has an outdoor space.” Plus, if you’re big into bubbly, enjoy a champagne toast with the bridal party and take photos on the rooftop space. “Adding that outdoor element is something that a lot of people are looking for. You’re in the city but you also have that outdoor space.”
Photo: Deborah Zoe Photography
Photo: Deborah Zoe Photography
Photo: Deborah Zoe Photography
Bar Boulud
Most couples will use this high-class Back Bay bar for an after party space, post-wedding brunch or a small rehearsal dinner in the intimate space in the back. The large restaurant is such a popular neighborhood resident spot, so couples can still arrange an intimate gathering without having the whole restaurant close down. Couples will take photos in front of the wine wall, by the bar and in other picturesque areas of the gorgeous Bar Boulud.
Photo: Michelle Lange Photography
Photo: Deborah Zoe Photography
Photo: Deborah Zoe Photography
Photo: Deborah Zoe Photography
Award-Winning Spa
The Mandarin Oriental Spa is the only Forbes five-star spa in Massachusetts. The spa takes a holistic approach to wellness, focusing on body, mind and spirit. With couple suites and a spa boutique, there’s so much to do to relax before the big day. “We have our tea lounge where we host brunches, the brides can stay in this space have some lunch and champagne and have it be a little private.,” Conroy explains. “Based on what the guests needs are, we do a lot of customizations, there are not set packages.” The Mandarin Oriental team likes to meet the couple, see what they’re looking for and coordinate a custom-made package just for them.
Pro Tip: With a personal trainer on staff five days a week, find a time for a personal training session before the big day, or indulge in some group yoga with the wedding party!
Photo: Nicole Chan Photography
Photo: Deborah Zoe Photography
Expect nothing but the best at Mandarin Oriental Boston, this dream team of a staff will bring your whole dream to life, planning and celebrating with you every step of the way. This Boston wedding venue offers stylish and modern rooms like no other, making you feel right at home in a luxury setting. To learn more about Mandarin Oriental Boston, visit their website and follow them on social media:
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