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wedding planning
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indoor spaces
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outdoor spaces
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wedding weekends
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catering and vendors
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ituated on 80 acres in Dover, Massachusetts, the Connors Center provides memorable indoor and outdoor settings for weddings—just 20 miles from downtown Boston.
The main house, rustic pavilion, and landscaped gardens accommodate both formal and informal ceremonies and celebrations, including Catholic weddings in the Chapel of St. Ignatius.
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WEDDING PLANNING n on-site team of experienced event planners works closely with each couple to tailor all aspects of their wedding. From helping narrow the exclusive caterers list during the initial planning stages to providing last-minute support, Connors Center staff members work to ensure that every event surpasses expectations.
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Emilie Wagner, bride Hurricane Irene arrived the day before our ceremony, and we were forced to change our plans. The staff was invaluable at helping us with last-minute arrangements and I was left completely stress free and able to enjoy my special day. The ceremony was really romantic, the lighting during the hurricane just gorgeous, and the atmosphere in the wedding tent warm and intimate. Many people have told me that it was the most memorable wedding they have ever been to.
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INDOOR SPACES he main house offers striking locations for indoor celebrations. The Main Parlor and Dover Parlor, with their mahogany-panelled walls and working fireplaces, provide intimate spaces for smaller ceremonies or receptions. French doors in each room open onto elevated terraces and provide unimpeded views of the woodlands beyond.
C ouples
planning a traditional Catholic ceremony
may use the Chapel of St. Ignatius, which seats up to 160 guests. A full-length window floods the altar and the space with light.
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Kibibi Ganz, bride A traditional African wedding usually takes place at the bride’s home, so we needed a site that could accommodate a large number of people but still have a strong family feel. At the start of the ceremony, the two families are not allowed to mix. We used the two beautiful parlors, and having the rooms so close to each other, located on either side of the main reception hall, worked out perfectly. Once my husband placed the ring on my finger and we were married, our families were finally able to meet each other. All our guests loved the venue.
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Kate Kausch, bride I loved the simplicity of the chapel for our ceremony. I was able to add my own touches to the space and make it really personal to us. I distinctly remember the moment when the wooden chapel doors opened and I saw my husband for the first time that day. It felt just like a movie. When we were standing in front of the altar saying our vows, there were beams of sunlight shining on us through the trees. It was as perfect and magical a moment as I could have ever imagined.
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getting ready The wedding party has access to private rooms on the second floor of the main house to dress. The expansive Sun Parlor, which overlooks the gardens and terraces, is a popular location for bridal parties to get ready. It is equipped with an en-suite bathroom, full-length mirror, and comfortable seating.
Chris Murphy,
Tim Kausch,
mother of the bride
groom
One of my favorite parts of the
It was so cool getting ready in
day was getting ready in the
the game room with all my
Sun Parlor. The bride, the
groomsmen. Everything we
mothers, and the bridesmaids
needed was right there, and
were all together. We ordered
having my friends around took
tea sandwiches, and cham-
the pressure off and stopped me
pagne, and it was one of the
from getting too nervous. My
loveliest girl times you could
best memory of the wedding?
ever want to have.
Marrying my wife.
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OUTDOOR SPACES ith its landscaped gardens, fieldstone pathways, and stone terraces, the Connors Center offers several beautiful locations for your open-air event. Many couples take their vows in the serene but striking St. Cecilia’s Garden, originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, landscapers of New York’s Central Park.
The main house’s patios and stone arches are
popular settings for cocktail receptions, from which guests often descend the stone steps to the level Lower Garden, where tented weddings for up to 200 people take place.
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Beth Bryson, bride When I saw the Connors Center, I knew right away that I didn’t need to look any further. To me, the whole atmosphere of the house and the grounds just felt very special. I knew I had found somewhere new and fresh. I chose St. Cecilia’s Garden for the ceremony because I loved the idea of being outside. The spaces are exquisite and full of interesting architectural features: beautiful flowerbeds, stone arches, and wooded pathways—everything a bride could want.
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WEDDING WEEKENDS he connors Center also hosts wedding guests for pre-wedding activities, such as picnics, barbeques, and sports and games. Playing fields, a volleyball court, and a putting green are located a short distance from the main house, while walking trails wind through the estate’s 80 acres and lead to the Charles River. The spacious grounds also provide many opportunities for relaxation and reflection.
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lodging Guests may stay overnight in one of the Connors Center’s 15 suites—six
Stenie Gullans, mother of the bride Our guests who stayed overnight at the Connors Center had a wonderful
of which are located in the main house. The remaining suites and lodging for 90 additional guests are located in an adjacent wing. Please speak with an event coordinator for further information about lodging facilities.
time! The bride and groom hosted an after-party for them in the main house. It was fantastic having the accommodations nearby, and nobody needed to worry about traveling home.
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CATERING AND VENDORS he connors Center works exclusively with a carefully selected group of celebrated caterers and vendors. These experienced partners accommodate a wide variety of tastes and styles, and are committed to providing couples with excellent service.
To book your wedding at the Connors Center or to arrange a personal tour of the property, please contact a member of our event planning team at 617–552–9210.
photography credits: David Tucker Photography www.dtuckerphoto.com p.4 (bottom right) Gary Wayne Gilbert p. 10 (top, bottom left) Hughes Photography Needham www.hughesphotography.com p.11 Justin Knight Photography www.justinknightphoto.com inside front cover; p.1 (bottom right); p.5 (bottom right); p.10 (bottom right) Kate McElwee Photography, www.katemcelweephotography.com pp.2–3; p.7 (bottom right and left); p.12 (top) Melissa Koren Photography www.melissakoren.com cover Michael Brook Photography www.michaelbrookphotography.com p.4 (bottom left); p.10 (middle) Michael Paul www.michaelpaulphoto.com p.1 (top,middle); p.5 (top); p.6 (top); p.7 (top, middle); p.8 (bottom right); p.9; p.12 (middle, bottom) Monica Z Photography www.monicazphotography.com p.8 (bottom left)
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the connor s family retreat and conference center — boston college 20 glen street, dover, ma 02030 | 617–552–9210 | meet@bc.edu | www.theconnorscenter.com