My son and daughter in laws wedding was held on 3/30/2025. The two most important things about the wedding are the food and DJ and I should also add wedding planner. This venue is absolutely gorgeous and the DJ was great, had the dance floor going all night. Most important was the food. From the appetizers to the main food everything was exceptional. The first clue should have been there was not steak knife to cut filet mignon, you didn't need one. This was probably the best steak I have ever had. I wish I brought a doggy bag as I had too many appetizers which were also exceptional. The wedding planner Paige was on top of everything all night. She was exceptiona. She kept things on track all night. Too bad it went by way too fast. I would highly recommended this venue. read more

We just had our wedding here and couldn't be happier. The venue is beautiful, and the garden was stunning for a fall wedding. They were replacing flowers outside the morning of just to make sure everything looked great! The food is incredible, the staff is so easy to work with and was responsive to all of our questions, and the main reception space was so easy to pivot from a nice sit-down dinner to a lively dance floor! Couldn't recommend more. read more

I use this yelp account when needed and this is one of those moments with my end of the year work experiences. I was going to give them them two stars because the place was so pretty, but as a professional make up artist as well as a guest of the bride I have to say I was really disappointed with the overall experience and how they handled every situation so I will stick with 1. Around summer of the year of 2021 the bride that hired me as a make up artist asked me to also be her guest and I was more than happy and obliged to attend. The coordinator or "owner" was very rude from the start. I blended in with the guest so she probably did not know I was there for touch ups as well. I was appalled with the experience and venue when I requested to touch up the bride. I simply ask the coordinator if I can touch up the bride before she is introduced. The coordinator replied with a "We don't have time for that and have a schedule that needs to be on point." I asked the bride if that was what she requested and she said no. I then told her her just give me a few minutes, she then replies with a rude tone "make it quick I give you 5". I was so upset that I responded with a "I only need 2". Until today out of all the weddings I did this was the only one experience I could not have stopped thinking about. Another horrible part about this venue was everything felt so rushed. Mind you I was only the make up artist not even the bride, whom I felt so bad for because she was so so utterly nice. She was a very shy type who doesn't seem to complain. I even had to remind her I am there to please her as her MUA and to help ease her into letting me know what she actually want for her makeup. So when I said you should write a review she said it's fine no point. I as a MUA who works with so many bride definitely can not let that go. Last but not least the food; taste amazing with one bite but who truly knows. The food came out I was able to get one bite, and the bouquet part came along fairly quickly afterwards. When I attend any wedding I love that part the most and decided hey why not? I asked the kind gentleman next to me if he can watch my food and replied with a yes. I came back and both of us noticed that the food was gone for all the females who went to catch the bouquet. I won't blame the gentleman for its not his job to watch my food in the first place. I know the food industry very well. Not once have I ever remove any customers plate off from their table before asking if they are all set with it. It's the venues job to teach their servers/employees to simply wait for the guest to sit down and ask them if they are finish with their dish before any type of removal. Overall if I ever see this venue as the brides location of celebration, I definitely will refuse and kindly let them know why. Good luck to other brides here and definitely happy wedding planning!!!!! read more

The Commons 1854 - The food I barely got to touch - Party & Event Planning Near Me - Topsfield, Massachusetts

How do you begin to praise a place that gave you such a story book day. We really don't think we can put into words the job the commons 1854 did! From the moment we started planning to the moment the send off everything was perfect! We first emailed them to plan a already planned wedding but covid had other plans for us. However not all things are bad if we didn't change our date we would have never found this place. From the moment we meet with Gianna and Zoe, who were our coordinators, they were amazing! Letting us plan everything the way we wanted it, yet also guiding us in the right direction. They were incredibly fast through email to respond to us with all our questions. Also their suggestions on appetizers we amazing!! When it comes to the actual day we can not say enough about the staff. Zoe was there at every moment and it felt like she never left for a second. She's there to ask if we needed anything and even brought us drinks when the wait staff had their hands full. Gianna was also amazing and even meet me there early to put the cake into the fridge what a life saver. She even removed some bikers who were gonna ruin the perfect shot. I mean what else can we say, the food was amazing, the service was amazing, the atmosphere was beautiful. Everything was honestly perfect!! Not a day goes by that days doesn't play in my head and how fun and amazing it was. We pulled off a incredible COVID wedding mask and all. And we really don't think we could have done it without the help and care from The Commons 1854. You guys are truly amazing and make dreams come true!! From the bottom of our hearts we thank you!!! 10 starts out of 10!!! read more

The Commons 1854 - Party & Event Planning Near Me - Topsfield, Massachusetts

The Commons 1854 was the perfect wedding venue for us. It had everything: A beautiful outdoor ceremony space with an exceptional indoor alternative, a marble cocktail hour area that fit our ~150 guests perfectly and not crowded, and a beautiful ballroom where the reception takes place. Paige was very communicative and responsive whenever we reached out and was super helpful in the weeks leading up to the wedding. We were showered with compliments all night on the appetizers and meals, which are all cooked in-house. The Commons 1854 made the planning process that much easier with all it has to offer. We can't recommend highly enough! read more

This was my husband and I first time here and we were very impressed with the building it was gorgeous the decor was Victorian which sd the building is. Our good friends Casey and Lyndsey's wedding was here and it was a blast beautiful ceremony followed by a cocktail hour and then to the reception. The staff were really nice and kept up with amazing cocktail food. They served creamy tomato soup in a shot glass with sliced grilled cheese for dipping it was awesome! While we gathered into this beautiful room for cocktails we were impressed by a soft music band. The reception was outstanding decorated and the food was perfect Filet Mignon was cooked perfectly! read more

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The Commons 1854 was an absolute dream to work with, with a special shout out to Gianna and Paige. Our journey with them started in 2018 where we planned an April 2020 wedding. After the pandemic began, our April 2020 wedding turned into a November 2020 wedding, and then turned into an October 2021 wedding. Having to reschedule an entire wedding a month before it was supposed to happen was emotionally draining, but the Commons made it so easy for us to pick a new date. We truly thought the excitement we initially had about a wedding would never return, and thought it would be impossible to still have the perfect day we had been waiting for--boy, were we wrong! The Commons team knows their stuff--they know how to help you plan, whether you're more of a DIY-er or want a lot of assistance. They know the right questions to ask to make sure your special day is truly the celebration you want it to be. While I consider myself a heavy planner, I was thrilled at the idea of being able to let them take the wheel when it got to our wedding day, and to be able to sit back and enjoy. Whether you are more traditional or looking to re-envision what a wedding can be, they are there to support you in bringing that vision to life. I have to take a moment to also talk about the food. THE FOOD. Everyone can think of a wedding they've been to where the food just wasn't very good. Being a couple that loves to eat, tasty food was really important to us. We asked the Commons to help us with a custom menu--breakfast for dinner--and they knocked it out of the park. Our guests were absolutely floored over the mini quiches and chicken and waffles during cocktail hour (I wish I could have eaten 100) and the full breakfast buffet for dinner (I also wish I could have eaten 100 slices of the maple glazed bacon). The venue itself is beautiful--it is stunning enough that you need very minimal decorations, as all spaces really speak for themselves. Our guests talked about how they loved having the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all within just a few feet of another. The day of our wedding was magical--we literally could not stop crying. It's the little things that at the end of the day, make a big difference. For example, when one of our vendors didn't show up, their team called to ensure that we still got the items we had rented from the company. After our ceremony, there was a big tray of appetizers and two drinks waiting for us, so that we could enjoy a quiet moment together before joining cocktail hour. They plated our food for us, and made sure that we were having the time of our lives the entire night. You can tell the entire team (from the coordinators, to the bar staff, to the chefs) loves their jobs. Every single person there added something special. You can feel genuine excitement radiating from them. Every day since our wedding my husband and I have been talking about how we wish we could do the day all over again, and that there is not one thing we would change. If you're looking for a gorgeous venue with incredible food and staff who want to give you the best day possible, look no further than the Commons 1854. read more

A pretty old building. Their planner was very thorough and explained pretty much everything to the point that we had no questions to ask at the end. Good for groups under 200. Their max was 190 or 200...and with that number your only option is a sit down dinner. For a buffet you'd need to come in under 150 (I think it was). They only use one caterer (Vinwood) and you can't have a cash bar. I was less than thrilled with their outdoor setting for ceremonies. It wasn't too bad but it was very small. The other option is to have the ceremony inside in the building - in their ballroom. Then guests go downstairs for cocktails while it gets switched over. There is a small balcony in the ballroom that fits about 4-5 tables, and depending on your party size you might have to put people up there. read more

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My husband and I had our reception here last week and I have to say; Gianna is absolutely incredible. She became our main coordinator throughout the planning process (sometimes you work with everyone, and everyone was amazing). We met with Gianna most frequently because my husband and I like face-to-face meetings, and she was more than happy to accommodate; even if the meeting really could have been over the phone or via email. She really went above and beyond with every detail with us and making sure we were comfortable with our choices, and even when we had several last minute changes. We had multiple guest add-ons and deletions less than a week, and even the night before/morning of our wedding day and The Commons was so accommodating. They never once made us feel like an annoyance and inconvenience, even though we knew these changes must be irritating (they were annoying to us!) Gianna's excitement for our day was infectious and her help placing our decorations throughout the venue was beyond our wildest expectations. Her thoughtfulness knows no bounds. We had a Harry Potter themed cocktail hour/reception, and had included some costume Potter eyeglasses for decorations -- when we pulled up after our ceremony, the staff that greeted guests at the door were wearing them. That was such a sweet, kind, and thoughtful gesture. A big thank you to the good sports that were wearing them as well. The wait staff were amazing as well, attentive and unobtrusive. And also didn't take mine or my husbands plates! That way we could still pick at our meals throughout the night. Honestly I could go on and on about how wonderful this venue and the staff is. The last two things I will recommend spending the extra money on are definitely the Black Tie Espresso service and the gelato bar. They were a HUGE hit and just really really high quality. So yummy!!!! read more

Truly, The Commons 1854 deserves more than 5 stars as they went above and beyond the call of duty for our wedding. The staff, including Gianna, Johanna and Kristi, were an absolutely breeze to work with and were so responsive that we would have our email questions answered sometimes within minutes. We also want to commend them for being 100% LGBT friendly and treating these 2 brides like absolute queens! On our wedding day our vision turned into reality as the setup was impeccable and the coordination (of 2 brides!) was on point. Our bridesmaids and even our photographer noted to us that they had never seen such outstanding service before. Our coordinators went so far as holding shade umbrellas for us during moments that we were stuck in the sun and magically producing ice cold glass of water or towels for us moments before stepping out for the ceremony. They were everywhere and yet not in our way at all, like magicians! The food was unbelievable and rivaled a high end restaurant. The filets were cooked to perfection, not an easy task at that number I imagine. The dinner is one of the main parts of a wedding that most guests end up having an opinion on and our guests made a point to come and tell us how much they loved their meals. My brother-in-law went so far as saying it was the best filet he's ever had and wanted the staff to personally compliment the chef. We also loved their hors d'oeuvres which were creative (heart shaped grilled cheese with tomato soup shot!) and passed around generously. We also got amazing reviews on their parmesan bowl in which they served the Caesar salads --- my favorite. A final note about the property itself: it is GORGEOUS! We had our ceremony in the outside garden which is so beautiful that it needs no extra floral arrangements. The inside of the building itself is gorgeously classic but still has a lot of character. We simply can't speak highly enough of The Commons 1854 and its staff and are so very happy that we chose them for our special day. We will never forget how well they treated us. read more

We held our wedding reception here, and it was outstanding, start to finish. The planner's organization is spot on, and she keeps things going without feeling at all rushed. Everything was exactly as she said it would be, no surprises. The location was so beautiful on its own that it required almost no additional decoration (we only had centerpieces, and the flowers from the church were brought over). That saved a lot of money and effort. They also have very good relationships with other vendors, and we ended up purchasing our liquor and our flowers through people they recommended. The location itself also held great appeal. During the cocktail hour, we were taking pictures in the garden right outside. It was so nice to be able to mingle a little and enjoy the weather while still getting the family photos done. Because of the location on the Topsfield Common, people could wander in and out and enjoy a little break from dinner or the music. I've also attended a wedding at this venue. I would say, both as a bride and as a guest, I felt that everything was done very professionally. And frankly, compared to what else is available, the beauty of the venue and the class of the staff make this an absolute bargain. read more

Our phenomenal wedding reception was at the Commons. I would recommend it to anyone. The caterers are phenomenal, and while they have a very interested menu with lots of choices, we had the freedom to design a menu of our own - we had 2 kinds of sliders, mini pizzas, a few types of mac and cheese, grilled veggies, and corn on the cob. EVERYONE complimented how good the food was. My one regret was somehow failing to have a to-go container made for my husband and I - we didn't eat a thing! The Commons does not allow cash bars, but they DO allow you to supply your own alcohol, a huge money-saver. The bartenders can make anything you want as long as you provide the ingredients. They have sour mix, olives, juices and sodas, everything necessary for mixed drinks. The building itself is beautiful. We took advantage of the balcony and had a 'head section' rather than a head table, with all of our bridal party and their significant others, as well as close cousins. That worked out very well. Logistically, Johanna, my on-site coordinator, was flawless. She corralled the bridal party when it was time for announcements, let me drop off the alcohol and favors a few days prior with instructions of how they should be arranged, and even put my and my bridesmaids' bouquets in vases to decorate the mantle during the reception. Clean-up was a breeze with the venue's help. I have been to a LOT of weddings growing up, more than many people, and know what works and what does not work. Our wedding was perfect in almost every possible way, in part because of the Commons. read more

We had our wedding reception here on 10/22/10, a Friday evening. There were about 125 people total in attendance, and we went with a buffet of prime rib and Tuscan chicken. The cocktail hour was downstairs, and dinner and dancing was upstairs, with a few cocktail-height tables on the balcony for people to take it all in. I wouldn't change a single thing! Johanna, our coordinator, was fabulous. Frank and Kristi, the owners, are fabulous. The location is gorgeous, right downtown Topsfield, not on top of the fairgrounds. The food was AMAZING-- their in-house catering team is outstanding. Everyone that was there raved about the food, the experience, and how much fun they had. We were able to bring in our own alcohol, which was a huge money-saver, and we also got to decide what was there (lots of microbrews!) The DJ sets up perfectly on stage, and I imagine a band would have plenty of space there as well. For what you get and the ambiance and overall amazingness (really, I can't think of another word!), The Commons is an absolute bargain, and I would recommend it to anyone getting married on the North Shore. Once you've booked The Commons, book all my other vendors too-- I loved them all! read more

Had my wedding ceremony and reception here in 2002. It rained so we had the cocktail hour downstairs. We had 75 guests, sit down meal. Fantastic location. On-site wedding coordinator was great. Food was delicious. Balcony was great for the photography to take a group picture of everyone who attended. Lots of fun! read more

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My daughter got married there this month and we had a wonderful day. We had decided on this venue back on Nov 2016 after visiting many venues. Giana was wonderful helping my daughter and I working out all the details up to the big day. They boasted about their food, and they were not wrong, from the cocktail hour, when many venues have a small tray of cheese and crackers, ours was a table of many trays of cheese, fruit and crackers. So impressive and delicious. All the food was so good, the salad, the raspberry sorbet, the filet mignon, chicken Florentine, eggplant rollatini, wedding cake and ice cream sundae bar. our guests left stuffed and that is rare as most wedding food is just blah. The venue itself is beautiful, classy and modern. I highly recommend this venue, they know how to do weddings, the price is reasonable and what you get back is a wonderful day you will always treasure. read more

My husband and I had our daughter and son in laws wedding reception at the common last weekend ,from start to finish it was the most elegant and beautiful wedding I have ever attended,the staff was so amazing all night the food was supreme and plentiful our wedding coordinator kept everything moving I will never forget this night it was EPIC. Marianne G read more

I held my wedding here in October 2009. While planning the wedding the staff was extremely helpful and answered all my questions quickly! I was a very unorganized bride, but it didn't seem to bother them, which was helpful because I did not need any additional craziness! All of my guests thought it was just amazing and they never have been to a better wedding in their lives! The food, atmosphere, setting, decoration was just ultimate perfection. It had a true romantic feeling. I could not have been happier with everything! Thank you to The Commons! You made my day more dream like than I could have ever imagined. I hope I get invited as a guest to a wedding that is held here so I can just sit back and enjoy everything stress free!!!! -Joe and Sheena October 2, 2009 read more

It all started when my mom and I did our first meeting, I remember the owner was so friendly and pretty much hand feeding us samples of food. I even went home with a little sample platter! I was impressed then and everything got better and better! Gianna, our wedding coordinator, was absolutely amazing. Every staff member we encountered was so nice and you can really tell they enjoy where they work...which says a lot about the owners! The food was amazing, the gelato bar was by far my favorite! read more

My wife Michelle and I recently got married at the Commons. I will keep my review short and to the point: The Commons was a fantastic wedding venue to deal with in every way, and I can't recommend them enough. Johanna was amazing to deal with, and is on top of every single issue (even before it becomes an issue). She always took the time to answer our questions throughly, and always had great advice on the logistics of planning a wedding. On our wedding day, it was completely flawless, everyone who works at the Commons is top-notch. We never had to worry about a thing, Johnanna and her staff made sure it was a memorable day for us. If you're looking for a great wedding venue with an awesome staff, the Commons is your place, I can't recommend it enough. read more

When planning our dream wedding, my husband and I knew we wanted a venue that reflected our classic, elegant style with a New England feel. The Commons 1854 was the first venue we looked at, and we could not get it out of our heads. From the beautiful garden ceremony space, to the elegant ballroom, to the historic barn across the street, this venue fulfilled our rather long wish list! Johanna is the most amazing, organized and dedicated person I have ever met. I contacted her numerous times throughout our 19 month engagement, and she always responded promptly. She always had time for me, even when she was planning her own wedding! She really listened to our vision, as well as offer up suggestions and alternatives when we needed them. During the week of the wedding, we were able to bring in all our decorations so we would have nothing to worry about the day of. When my bridal party and I arrived two hours before the ceremony, Johanna was there offering beverages with a smile. My husband and I were adamant about not seeing each other before the ceremony, and Johanna was in constant contact with the groomsmen to make sure we didn't run into each other. The ceremony in the garden was perfect, and Johanna and the wait staff were there immediately after with beverages and appetizers. Our signature drinks were mixed perfectly, and the appetizers were incredible. The reception space was unbelievable, and our up lighting was gorgeous. The wait staff were so attentive and efficient; glasses were constantly being filled and the meal ran so smoothly. They even kept our food hot while we were greeting our guests. The food was PERFECT; we had four choices and each one was delicious. Even after the reception ended, they packed up our leftover dessert for us to bring home, and even handed our wine to our parents while we waited for our shuttle. In short, The Commons 1854 went above and beyond to give us the most perfect wedding day. My husband and I wish we could do it all over again! We were able to sit back, relax, and truly enjoy our wedding, and we will cherish those memories for years to come. read more

Had my wedding here over ten years ago so things might have changed since. Was totally against this place but was outvoted by my wife and mother-in-law. First problem: No handicap access. I had several relatives that had trouble walking and this place had narrow stairs everywhere. It was deemed "Historic" so they were not allowed to put ramps in. They claimed they could help people up stairs but that wasn't good enough for me. I was told I could hire professionals to help people up the stairs but I would have to pay for it because the owner's hands were tied due to "insurance reasons". Second problem: Wedding Planner. Looks like they changed wedding planners since I was there. Which is good because the one I got was really annoying. Felt like she was shoving stuff down my throat and not letting us choose what we wanted. Also kind of treated us like children during and after the ceremony. Regarding the food. You have to use their caterer and were not allowed to bring one in. Their way or the highway. Did not like being told who I could hire. In closing I will probably not recommend this place. I suggest you attend the tasting there and check with your relatives especially handicapped ones to see if they can climb 2 or 3 flights of steps before coming here. This is just my opinion. You might have a better experience. read more

I attended a wedding here last night and it was perfect. This place is beautiful. The setting is a charming New England square and the building is elegant inside and out. My friends had the rehearsal dinner at a rustic roomy barn across the street. It was casual and quaint. The overall service here is excellent. i was in the bridal party and they would bring food and water to us as we took pictures outside during the cocktail hour. The ceremony and reception were held in the same room but you would have no idea! Overall the food was great although my entree was a bit bland. My friend did have a slight issue with her dress. When she dropped it off she asked them to hang it right away and found out that it had been sitting around for a few hours and got wrinkly. Fortunately, they were able to take care of it and everything the day of the wedding was perfect. As I said, overall it was a great experience, excellent staff, excellent atmosphere! read more

The food is excellent and plentiful. Great service by people who have a smile on their face and are interested in ensuring that people have a great time and are well fed. Johanna, the wedding planner/coordinator was spectacular. She has control of every detail and ensures that the wedding proceeds effortlessly. Great deal to be able to bring in liquor though the bar does close an hour before the wedding ends. read more

I was in a particularly interesting situation - I currently live in Seattle but my fiancé and I grew up north of Boston. With all of our family living there, we decided to do the wedding back east and, rather blindly, chose The Commons as our venue. Based on pictures and feedback from friends who had either had weddings or been to a wedding there, we loved how it didn't feel like a typical country club or hotel style wedding venue. Let me tell you that the venue itself is GORGEOUS (it underwent a major overhaul in March with new paint, light fixtures, carpeting... its stunning) and the staff was amazing. Johanna, my wedding planner, worked with me any way she could to ensure that I felt rest assured things were going smoothly from 3000 miles away. When my big day finally came, the venue was perfect, the food was phenomenal, Johanna kept us and our guests on schedule to the minute, and the staff was accommodating and pleasant the entire night. Obviously I am biased, but it was the best night of my life. I am still having guests reach out to us about how wonderful the food was and how it was one of the best put together weddings they had ever been to. I would highly recommend them!! read more

Amazing! I had my wedding there two years ago and everything was perfect! From the staff to the food to the services was more than pleased. My guest are still talking about my wedding! read more

I went to see this place for my wedding and the wedding planner Johanna was so rude. It turned us off so much that I would never want to work with somebody like her. She was snippy and she kept answering her cell phone! Judging from the other reviews she may have been having a bad day, but she needs to act like a professional, especially when you are spending so much money and it's your special day. She turned us off to the whole place and I wouldn't recommend the place to anyone as long as she is working there. read more