Boston Public Library Weddings and Elopements: A Complete Guide from a Boston Elopement Photographer
As a Boston elopement photographer, the Boston Public Library is hands-down one of my favorite spots for an elopement. It’s classy and stunning, with clean lines and elegant architecture throughout, and it’s one of those places that just feels easy. If you’re picturing a wedding day that feels intimate, lets you be completely present, and is in an iconic location… You won’t want to miss this guide to planning a Boston Public Library wedding!
Exactly How to Plan a Boston Public Library Wedding or Elopement
If you’re choosing to plan your wedding (or elopement!) at the Boston Public Library, I’ve seen exactly how days here go, so I have all the best tips.
The Boston Public Library keeps everything super simple, with a one-hour ceremony option that includes everything you’ll need for your day: one-hour access to the Guastavino Room (which is absolutely gorgeous), 12 chairs, and ceremony decor. All you really have to do is show up on time and be in love, which I know won’t be hard.
How to Get Married in Boston
Before your Boston Public Library wedding, you’ll need a Massachusetts marriage license. Couples apply together at City Hall and receive the license after their appointment. You can start the process right here by booking your appointment! Be sure to bring the $50 fee and both of your IDs to your appointment, and note that Boston marriage licenses have a three-day waiting period, then must be used within 60 days.
The Best Time for a Boston Public Library Elopement
Since they have specific packages for elopements at the Boston Public Library, they schedule the times for you. These one-hour ceremonies are offered on specific Mondays each month, and they fill up fast, so the quicker you reach out, the better!
The library offers these year-round, and since it’s indoors, any time of year is beautiful. I am partial to springtime in Boston, but honestly… You can’t go wrong here.
Getting Ready for Your Boston Public Library Wedding
Since you only have one hour of venue access, you won’t be able to get ready on-site. Don’t worry, though, there are some really gorgeous hotels nearby that make great spots! I always recommend the Charlesmark Hotel and the Lenox Hotel. They’re not only easy transportation-wise, but they also make for some insanely gorgeous photo ops.
A Sample Timeline for a Boston Public Library Elopement (That Works Great!)
The library will choose your ceremony time for you, but for the purposes of this timeline, we’ll use 10:00 am as an example. Here’s a plan that always works really well:
7:00 am: Start getting ready
9:00 am: Do a first look at the hotel
9:30 am: Head from the hotel to the Boston Public Library (with time to get city street pictures, of course!)
10:00 am: Ceremony begins in the Guastavino Room
10:30 am: Portraits around and outside of the library
11:00 am: Venue access ends, and then it’s time to celebrate!
Couples often choose to start their day at a nearby hotel, then walk to the library for the ceremony. After the ceremony, we usually take portraits around Back Bay and the Boston Public Garden. This is just an example of a timeline, and as your Boston elopement photographer, I’ll definitely help tailor it to your desires!
How to Book a Boston Public Library Wedding
The first step in planning a Boston Public Library wedding is reaching out to the library’s Special Events team. They’ll walk you through available dates, ceremony options, and event spaces. Again, I always recommend reaching out as soon as you have a date in mind, because the one-hour ceremonies are heavily sought-after.
FAQs About Boston Public Library Weddings
Do You Need a Permit for a Boston Public Library elopement?
Nope! Since everything is done through the library, there’s no need for a permit. All you’ll need is your marriage license prior, which you can start the process for here.
Can You Elope at the Boston Public Library on a Weekend?
Unfortunately, the Boston Public Library doesn’t host weddings on the weekends, only on select Mondays!
Can I Hold a Large Wedding at the Boston Public Library?
Yes! You can rent out larger spaces at the library for a traditional wedding feel. Click here for more info.
How Much Does a Boston Public Library Wedding Cost?
The one-hour ceremony package runs at just $200 for your Boston Public Library elopement but if you do choose to hold a larger, more traditional wedding here, the price goes up. For that kind of day, you’ll be looking at closer to a $10,000-$20,000 range, depending on the space you choose.
What Spaces Are Available for a Large Boston Public Library Wedding?
If you are opting for the larger private event rental, here are the options for rooms for your celebration that each have its own personality and atmosphere:
The McKim Building, which has two floors, is full of architectural details, and holds up to 1,300 people.
The Abbey Room: a dimly lit jazz bar vibe and can hold up to 150 guests.
The Guastavino Room, which is the same room that they hold elopements in. It’s giving Beauty and the Beast in the best way, and can hold up to 200 guests when you rent it out in this package!
The Courtyard is perfect for an outdoor option, holding up to 225 for a ceremony or reception surrounded by the gorgeous buildings and dreamy lighting. There’s also a tea room for the Courtyard if you want an indoor/outdoor wedding!
The Boylston St. Building is more of a modern energy and has a few different floors, holding up to 1,300 guests total.
What are the Best Photo Locations Near the Boston Public Library?
One thing I love about Boston Public Library elopements is how walkable the area is. Within a few minutes you can reach some of the most beautiful spots in Boston for portraits. Here are a few of my absolute favorite spots to hit:
Other Boston Elopement Locations
If the Public Library isn’t your elopement vibe, there are a few other Boston elopement locations that I adore. A few areas that I also love from my Boston elopement guide are the Esplanade and the Boston City Hall!
What Makes Boston Elopements Special
Boston is such a fun city for elopements. You can exchange vows in a historic building, walk through beautiful streets together, and celebrate with dinner at one of the city’s incredible restaurants, and the whole entire day will be full of joy and romance.
The Best Ways to Celebrate Your Boston Public Library Elopement
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate your elopement, Boston has no shortage of ideas. Here are a few of my personal favorites that I always love to capture!
A restaurant wedding reception – because dinner parties with your favorite people are always the vibe. I love the Glass House and Bistro Du Midi for this!
Have a photoshoot – just because our time at the library is over, we can head to some other spots for more portraits. The Boston Public Garden is truly a can’t-miss.
Go to a wine bar – whether it’s just the two of you or it’s all of your people, you can never go wrong with a wine bar celebration! Champagne toasts and smooth jazz? Yes, please.
Ashley Olafsson | Boston Elopement Photographer
If a Boston elopement that’s easy to plan and lets you focus on what really matters is your kinda day, the Boston Public Library is your place. And if you’re looking for a photographer who will capture it honestly and emotionally, you can inquire about booking me here!
Xoxo,
Ashley
