All posts in June 2025

Not all love stories start in a castle. But yours could.

With the crashing Atlantic Ocean outside and sea mist kissing stone archways and centuries-old walls, Hammond Castle is more than a location; it’s a doorway. 

If you’ve ever fantasized about a ceremony enveloped in romance, intrigue, and a dash of medieval enchantment, this is your guide. From tides to table settings fit for royalty, we’ll take you through planning a Hammond Castle wedding that’s less a to-do list and more of a memory waiting to happen.

Why Choose Hammond Castle?

As a wedding location, it provides unlimited inspiration. The Hammond Castle wedding experience offers access to dramatic ceremony locations, from the private outdoor gardens to the candlelit interior corridors.  

The Great Hall, with its high vaulted ceilings, stained-glass windows, and pipe organ, practically calls for emotional vows and grand entrances. Even the smallest crannies, ivy-laden walkways, antique doors, or hidden balconies offer rich storybook-fantasy photo ops.

Take a virtual tour of the Hammond Castle Museum and begin dreaming about your day.

Securing the Date & Navigating Venue Logistics

Booking a wedding at a highly sought-after location such as Hammond Castle needs planning. The peak season for weddings (May to October) books up fast, so we always advise calling 12–18 months before to book your preferred day.

The castle has space for both indoor and outdoor weddings, but does make provision for inclement weather. The indoor areas of the venue are fairy-tale perfect, particularly the Great Hall, which provides a warm, intimate setting even during winter months. 

The castle offers stunning spaces for both indoor and outdoor weddings. For outdoor celebrations, we always recommend planning for changes in the weather. We can assist you in securing a tent to ensure your day runs smoothly, rain or shine.

Early booking also allows you to plan ahead with reliable vendors, from planners to florists to Boston catering crews familiar with the castle configuration and limitations.

For more timing tips and inspiration, learn about our seasonal wedding planning checklist.

Crafting the Perfect Castle Wedding Menu

A space this majestic deserves a menu that measures up. We think that food should reflect the style of the space, and at Hammond Castle, that translates into dramatic presentation, sophisticated flavors, and refinements of Old World sophistication.

Want a candlelit dinner with filet mignon served with rosemary jus, saffron risotto with blistered tomatoes, and fresh herb salads topped with edible flowers? Check. Dessert? Champagne-poached pears, lavender crème brûlée, or a dark chocolate torte served with raspberry coulis. Check!

Most couples have a combination: passed appetizers (wild mushroom tartlets, lobster puffs) and then plated main courses and a midnight snack station. Special diets? No issue. From vegan to gluten-free to kosher-style menus, we coordinate with couples carefully to make every guest feel welcome.

As your wedding catering staff, we also work with the facilities at Hammond Castle or build full-service tented kitchens if necessary.

Check out our event gallery to view our culinary talents in action.

Cocktails & Reception Styling

Bar experience is a huge vibe-setter, and Hammond Castle is all about embracing the theme.

A few couples offer castle-themed cocktails such as elderflower spritzes, bourbon-honey elixirs, or even apple cider-mulled wine for autumn weddings. Signature drink bars with specially designed glassware and themed garnishes, dried citrus, edible flowers, and cinnamon sticks are a crowd-pleaser.

Couple that with reception decor reminiscent of medieval refinement: extended banquet tables covered in velvet runners, goblets of etched glass, and the soft glow of flickering candles illuminating every surface.

As your caterers in Boston, we can accommodate both full bar and mocktail service, whichever you choose. We also work in tandem with local barware rental companies for specialty items.

Consider vintage cocktail trends to discover your signature drink.

Bringing in the Right Vendors

Organizing a Hammond Castle wedding is similar to producing a period movie; each element has to be in balance with the setting. That’s why selecting the right team of vendors is so important.

We highly recommend hiring a local wedding planner familiar with historic venues. They will assist with permit facilitation, timeline navigation, and day-of coordination, all vital in a space with one-of-a-kind quirks.

Other key vendors to book:

• Flower designers who appreciate a romantic, garden-inspired aesthetic
• Lighting crews to create ambient lighting for the stone walls and vaulted ceilings
• Live string performers or string quartets to provide a classic soundtrack
• Calligraphers to create medieval-style signs or invitations

Though we usually stay out of the spotlight, Johnny Burke Catering & Events is delighted to be a respected company in weddings throughout the area, including memorable ceremonies at Hammond Castle.

Contact us through our contact page or read client feedback to learn how we assist in making visions a reality.

A Fairytale Experience, Without the Stress

At Johnny Burke Catering & Events, we conjure magic behind the scenes so you can remain in the moment.

A wedding at Hammond Castle is a page in your love story that guests will be discussing for years to come. With proper planning and the right partners, this fairy tale can become a reality and worry-free. Beautiful menus and custom cocktails, seamless logistics and service, we feel privileged to help couples write the next chapter to their love story in style, substance, and a little castle magic.

Ready to bring your vision to life? Your story begins with Johnny Burke Catering & Events.

Nothing beats the cozy atmosphere of conversation within a Boston brownstone, the clinking of wine poured into crystal glasses, and the warm jazz sounds of Coltrane filtering through the candlelight. It is a quintessential luxury private dinner party experience, ageless, integrating, and intimate.

In the chaotic rhythm of the day, entertaining with a dinner party is a treasured chance to unwind, connect with your company, and indulge in the elegance of high hospitality. It’s a celebration or merely an excuse to get your favorite people together; either way, a meticulously planned dinner party is an indulgent and intimate means of entertaining.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through it all from choosing the venue and planning the menu, through planning iconic cocktails and using innovative staff. We’ll even discuss doing it yourself or hiring the professionals. Let’s set the table for something special together.

The Foundation: Guest List, Theme, and Setting

A luxury dinner party is not about the number of guests; it’s about the quality of guests. We recommend keeping it to 8–16 guests, which allows for an appropriate pace, comfortable service, and meaningful conversation.

From there, think about the vibe you want to create: Is it a romantic dinner for your anniversary? A birthday dinner with friends and champagne? A seasonal tasting menu with wine pairings? Understanding the theme will help you shape decisions to follow.

Boston has an endless supply of venues and settings to suit your style whether it be an historic brownstone, patio courtyard. or a dining room at your own home.

Some of our favorite private spaces are:

• The French Library – a beautifully restored Victorian mansion that blends Parisian elegance with modern sophistication. 

• More Than Words – located in the vibrant South End, this urban-industrial space combines mission-driven impact with modern amenities. 

• Commonwealth Mall  – a private dinner overlooking the public garden offers a unique experience. 

Need help with your venue selection? We will coordinate with site staff and rental vendors to help realize your vision.

Building a Sophisticated Menu

The menu is the essence of any successful dinner party. We enjoy creating seasonal, chef-inspired menus that feel celebratory but not opulent.

Start with passed hors d’oeuvres. We recommend the octave of elegance: mini crab cakes, truffled deviled eggs, or crostini with whipped ricotta and fig jam. Next, the main course, a two-course choice, for example, seared scallops with cauliflower purée or a wild mushroom risotto with parmesan crisp. Let’s end sweetly, for instance, with a lavender crème brûlée or a luxurious chocolate soufflé.

We try to source locally and to meet dietary needs, vegan, gluten-free, or kosher. Dinner party catering should be elegant but also as inclusive as possible.

Browse our sample menus that have a little something for everyone to spark your ideas.

The Art of Pairing: Wines, Cocktails, and Bartending

Drinks have as much to do with the mood as food does. With our expert Boston party bartenders, you can make the evening special with custom cocktails and carefully considered wine pairings.

We love to create a signature cocktail per party. Some recent favorites include a cucumber gin spritz for a rooftop summer dinner party, elderflower martinis at a winter solstice party, and a New England bourbon old-fashioned for a fall bonfire party.

Having a cocktail catering team means your drinks are not only tasty but also expertly presented, be it smoked garnishes or coupe glasses cooled to perfection.

Service with Style: Staffing and Table Experience

Even the most stunning menu can leave a guest feeling flat at an event without the appropriate service. Our company boasts a professional staff of chefs, servers, and bartenders, all trained in fine dining etiquette and the flow of an event. We are present to read the needs, manage the pace, and, more importantly, make sure you, as the host, never lift a finger.

You would see us clearing plates quietly between courses, adjusting candles, and relocating Grandma to create a comfortable space near the window. We provide a level of warmth and professionalism, as well as an inherently detail-oriented approach to enable you to actually enjoy your party.

Bonus: We offer a Chef-at-Home experience, in which our executive chef will cook in your kitchen, plate, and introduce each course to guests. Part performance and part pampering.

Learn more about our chef-led private events.

Creating the Atmosphere 

The atmosphere is not something you purchase; it is something you create! 

From the moment your guests arrive, every detail should convey the feeling of the evening.

Let’s start with lighting. We generally recommend layered lighting: candles, some dimmable lighting, or even fairy lights for outdoor spaces. Choose music that sets the mood. Jazz, classical guitar, or a playlist created specially for the occasion all work well!

We can often overlook scent, but some seasonal flower arrangements or diffusers can help tie the experience together in a subtle way. Think lavender for spring and pine and citrus for winter.

Also consider personal touches, like custom name cards, menu cards that guests can keep, or little take-home treats. 

And because cocktail catering in Boston is part of the experience, it may be nice if your signature drink reflects the party colors or theme. 

If you need floral inspiration and are not sure who to book, we love Winston Flowers and Table & Tulip. They are a luxe event florist based in Boston.

Why Professional Catering Makes All the Difference

At Johnny Burke Catering & Events, we believe planning a luxury dinner party is about pulling together a dozen or so details into a cohesive and flawless evening. That’s where professionals matter.

With years of experience catering private events in Boston, our team at Johnny Burke Catering & Events will manage it all, from menu planning to table settings, so you can enjoy your party.

So, whether it is an anniversary, engagement, or just friends getting together, luxury is simply the ability to plan well and find suitable partners. Hosting a luxury dinner party in Boston is not as difficult as it may seem. With some good planning (and a little help from your friends), you can create an exceptionally intimate evening.

Everything matters, from dinner party catering to cocktails, ambiance to service. With a team you trust, anything is possible.

Let us help you put together your vision-beautifully, easily, and deliciously.