Calling all Boston Greeks/ Semi-Formal location
 

Hey guys!

I'm the social chair for my sorority this upcoming semester, and in charge of planning our semiformal in November. My biggest problem so far has been finding a venue. Do any of you in the Boston are have any suggestions for a great place to hold a formal event?

Keep in mind:

• My chapter is pretty small around 60 people, so there won't be more than 120 people at the event

• I have only 2400 to spend on the WHOLE event, meaning I probably won't be able to spend over 1000 on the venue

• Personally I want a ballroom in a Boston hotel with a view, but if you know of other great places please please include

Also, if you guys know of any good transportation companies, let me know!!

Thank you!

Do you need it to be right in Boston, or is the general area fine?

I ask because our semi was at the Biltmore in Providence. It ended up being super inexpensive because we were having it on a weekday. It's got a great view. Also, Providence is much cheaper than Boston for this sort of thing and might be easier if you're providing transportation anyway...

If you don't have any luck with hotels, try some restaurants on an off-night. You won't need a huge ballroom that seats 400, so you have more options open to you. I don't know if you can get something with a view on that budget. I've been to a number of holiday parties at really nice hotels in Boston and it was easily $100-200 a head.

Thank you so much for the advice! I can't find Biltmore in Providence. I actually don't think there's Providence, RI - thats super far! If not, could you send me a googlemaps link, I might just not know where it is because I'm from the area.

Thats the other problem I have, because I'm in FL all summer the only tools I have are internet based sites and google to find a Venue. If you can think of any particular hotel or restaurant that hosts this sort of thing let me know!

thanks so much!

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Biltmore+Providence

Any restaurant or hotel will hold "this sort of thing". Ask your fellow sisters for help. Make phone calls. Ask questions. Where have you done a semi-formal before? I don't understand what is so difficult.

If I remember correctly, when I took my daughter to look at schools, it took us under 1 hour to go from Brown U in Providence to Boston and that include the time I got lost because of 1 way streets while finding our B & B.

DaffyKD

Transportation from Boston to anywhere further than, say, Watertown will destroy your budget. Stay in the city.

Look into a boat - we used to do semis on a boat all the time, and it was always a hit. There are something like 40 different ships that can handle an event your size, the internet is your friend here.

Also, obviously hotels with a 'view' will be more expensive - the ones around Logan will have something resembling a view but often be markedly cheaper, and also the waterfront/financial district is usually more price-friendly. Some will give the room free on an off night if you do catering through them, or guarantee a certain take at the bar.

Finally, there are 'conference centers' that aren't affiliated with a hotel - you'll just have to call and get rates, there's no 'set' rate, particularly given the economy. Be forewarned, some will straight-out say "no greek events" - that's partially my fault, but hey.

LOL.

That's when you call it "Mike's Birthday Party."

Definitely - hopefully that didn't need to be spelled out for our poor, semi-functional heroine, but probably best not to assume.