Old Sturbridge Village

One of the most magical venues in which to celebrate a wedding is the Old Sturbridge Village located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.This outdoor living history museum is a fascinating replica of a typical New England town during the years 1790 to 1840, an important era between the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution. It was particularly interesting, as the everyday lives of New Englanders were transformed by the rise of commerce, manufacturing, agricultural and transportation improvements, the pulls of emigration and urbanization, and the tides of educational, political, aesthetic, and social changes.

Walking through the village you will discover more than 40 original buildings including homes, meeting houses, a district school, country store, lawyer's office, bank, printing office, carding mill, sawmill, gristmill, pottery, blacksmith shop, shoe shop and cooper shop, parsonage, knight store, tin shop, and the town pound. You will also come in contact with many historically costumed individuals performing their daily tasks, working a farm, baking, and performing various mid-1800s duties.

Ceremonies generally take place in the meetinghouse one hour or more after the Village closes. As the grounds of the Village are beautifully landscaped, and it is a Museum first and foremost, no outdoor ceremonies are permitted.

The reception can take place in one of the Village's taverns--the Bullard Tavern that has a capacity of roughly 200 and located within the Village, or the new Tavern located at the museum's entrance, that has a higher capacity. The latter is also very spacious and presents a most romantic ambiance with its working fireplace and early 19th century decor.

A horse-drawn surrey/sleigh can transport you and your guests to the meeting- house and the Tavern. The surrey comes complete with a costumed driver, and is available prior to the ceremony for photographs. When the ceremony ends, the bride and groom can enjoy a private ride through the Village lasting ten to fifteen minutes.

You can well picture how beautiful it must be, when a horse-drawn carriage transports the bride and her party to the meeting- house, and when paths are lit by candle lanterns. All of this set against the backdrop of an authentic early 19th century early American village.

It surely is, as the museum states,"a step back in time for a wedding that will be truly timeless, unforgettable, historical-and all yours."

The Village provides its own catering service and bar service. Among the choices of entrees are: roast turkey breast, with sausage stuffing, cranberry chutney and giblet gravy, baked scrod, with caper berries, and lemon beurre blanc, Atlantic salmon baked in pastry with spinach cream, roast loin of pork, with apple cider gravy, grilled filet mignon, with brandy and wild mushroom glaze, and surf and turf of petit filet mignon served with two baked stuffed shrimp. There is a very extensive choice of hors d'oeuvres and appetizers, as well as desserts.

Ample opportunities exist to take photographs. Some of the most popular sites are: Salem Towne House Garden, the Bullard Tavern, and the Center Meeting House.

Oh yes, one remark in parting, when you celebrate your wedding at Old Sturbridge, you and your guests experience an 1830 American village for an entire evening!

In addition, you won't run into any other bridal party on the premises, nor will you have to be concerned that the DJ or orchestra in the next room will drown out your own music. Now that's something to think about.

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