I recently got married at Turner Hill and it was just incredible. I-n-c-r-e-d-i-b-l-e. Honestly, I cannot imagine a better place to have a wedding, and my wife and I looked at a number of places before settling on Turner Hill. Turner Hill is particularly good for larger events (we had over 200 guests), but can also service smaller events. It's an old mansion (like the Crane Estate), but this place seems to have been designed for weddings or special events. Most old mansions have multiple smaller rooms, but Turner Hill has a huge ballroom that can accommodate a band and a dance floor for a large event (there are also cool smaller rooms - smoking room for the groom - changing room for the bride - library for dessert, etc.).
I have to hand it to Carol Travers, who coordinated our wedding (her cost is included in the facility fee). I have never seen someone so unflappable in organizing, finding people, getting the right people to the right places at exactly the right times, and making sure that everyone knew exactly what they were supposed to be doing. The whole thing just went off like clockwork with no need for any concern by the guests. She was very flexible in everything we wanted to do (we held a simultanous party for the kids of our guests in the groom's changing room, for example).
We had the ceremony outside in the garden, which is a great location. The rain location is inside the mansion, which would have also been great (only we lucked out and had perfect weather). Because there are a variety of large spaces (the garden can accommodate over 200, the tent can accommodate up to 250, and the mansion can accommodate around 150 seated, but many more standing) we were able to have a variety of locations, all of which were very fun and interesting for our guests.
Honestly, I have been at many weddings where people leave early, but everyone was rocking on all the way to the end. Architect friends were racing around the mansion trying to see all of the intricacies of its gilded-era designs, photographic friends were trying to capture all the beautiful grounds and lighting, active friends were jamming to the music in the great hall, cozy friends were chatting in the luxurious library, and my more relaxed friends were just hanging out on the patio, taking in the surroundings.
We are still getting notes from our guests thanking us for being invited to the wedding. More than I ever would have imagined said that it was the best wedding they had ever attended. To be honest, we didn't really go all-out on the food. I hear about these weddings that spend huge amounts on fireworks, caviar, sushi, and the like. We didn't have anything like that. Just the beautiful venue and having everything work perfectly is enough to make the event incredible.
Vinwood Caterers comes with the place, but don't worry, the food is spectacular (even though I had to run around at the event, I tried to make sure that I tasted everything). They have a deal with Turner Hill, which limits your choice in caterers, but allows them to be super-familiar with how everything is set up and how they are supposed to act. Since Turner Hill has grills and kitchens onsite, Vinwood is able to prepare huge amounts of food right onsite and serve it up fresh immediately when it is done, and you can definitely taste the difference!
We looked at the Crane Estate too (it is also in Ipswich) and decided that Turner Hill would be way better (one, it is cheaper. two, it accommodates more guests. three, a tent is already onsite. four, Turner Hill is just as beautiful).
The Crane Estate has that one great view to the sea, which makes for a few good pictures, but its not worth the money or the hassle. Go to Turner Hill instead. You absolutely won't regret it. read more
