Fascination vs. Function

When it comes to where to throw the blessed event, you may have to separate the romantic from the pragmatic. For those who fall in the latter category, function halls serve their purpose. (That's why they're called "function halls.")

But honestly, do you want your wedding to be remembered as a "function?" Au contraire: You want an affair to remember.

And where might you find the perfect spot to create such a dazzling engagement? Below are a sampling of places that abound with historical, architectural or idyllic charm. Impress your friends. Give your guests something to talk about other than the consistency of the creme brulee. Make it something everyone will remember. So pass the Beluga or the Deep Woods Off and smile radiant smiles because you both exhibited enough joie de vivre to have your wedding here.

For Back Bay/Old World charm, the Gamble Mansion has no equal. Located next to the public gardens on the Commonwealth Mall, this turn-of-the-century mansion sparkles with a Louis XV ballroom, crystal chandeliers and marble fireplaces. Gold leaf on the fixtures and magnolias outside add to the elegance. The ballroom can accommodate 110 guests for a seated dinner and dancing, and coupled with the adjoining rooms can accommodate several dozen more. Prices start at $2,000 for Friday evenings, $3,000 for Saturday or Sunday events. The Gamble Mansion, 5 Commonwealth Ave., Boston; (617) 267-4430, ext. 707.

For a more intimate Victorian experience consider the College Club. Entering this circa 1900 former women's club in Back Bay is like stepping back in time. This spot is ideal for the smaller affair: It seats 50 comfortably for dinner, 75-100 for buffet. There are guest rooms available, and chef Jeffrey Peters has a wonderful reputation. Prices start at $800 ($1,000 with dancing) for an all-day rental. The College Club, 44 Commonwealth Ave., Boston; (617) 536-9510.

If you're up for a swim against tradition, the New England Aquarium offers you several options to make your wedding memorable. You can host the event outside on the Harbor Terrace, on board their ship Discovery or inside the Main Exhibit Building with thousands of your aquatic friends bearing witness. Maximum capacity: 300 guests seated with dancing. Prices start at $1,200 for 100 people or less for four hours; tent: additional $400. The New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston; (617) 973-5205.

If unusual, thought-provoking settings are your pleasure, the Fogg Art Museum and Adolphus Busch Hall and Gardens are sure to please. According to Christine Young of The Wedding Directory, "the Fogg has the air of an Italian palazzo." Located at Harvard University, it has a courtyard and art galleries and seats 130 but can accommodate up to 400 guests for cocktail receptions. Adolphus Hall was built in the grand style of a medieval hall and seats 100 guests. Prices start at $2,500 for an evening event. Harvard University Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., Cambridge; (617) 495-0350.

Want a true "grand estate" experience, with conversation pieces aplenty? The Museum of Transportation, on the grounds of scenic Larz Anderson Park, consists of a historic 1889 carriage house that seats 130 guests with dancing, 300 for cocktails. The estate is graced with an expansive lawn that can accommodate 1,000 people. Prices start at $2,000 for a Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening event; $1,250 for a weekday evening. The Museum of Transportation, 15 Newton St., Brookline; (617) 522-6547.

What could be more enchanting than a wedding in a castle? Hammond Castle Museum is a fantasy come true. Hammond's Great Hall seats 100 with dancing, 175 for cocktails. Oceanside tenting provides ample room for 200 and overlooks Gloucester Harbor. Prices start at $600 per hour for the interior (minimum three-hour rental); $400 per hour for the lawn only. Hammond Castle Museum, 80 Hesperus Ave., Gloucester; (508) 283-7673.

For an extraordinary experience laden with history and elegance, consider Mechanics Hall. This world-renowned concert hall creates a magical Victorian setting for weddings large (up to 400 guests) or small. Guests will marvel at the Great Hall's portrait gallery and Hook Organ, or bask in the warmth of intimate Washburn Hall. Call a representative to discuss pricing, which includes parking, champagne toast, tables, chairs and set-up. Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester; (508) 752-5608.

For true old New England charm and grace, go west on Route 2 to Petersham, Mass. A beautiful Greek revival mansion built in 1842, the Winterwood offers the perfect setting for a New England wedding. The house has several porches, six guest rooms and full catering on site and can seat 65 people. Outside, there's a 4-1/2 acre lawn suitable for 100 guests. An added bonus: Co-owner Jean Day makes wedding gowns. Prices for the house and grounds start at $100 for four hours. The Winterwood: 19 N. Main St., Petersham, Mass.; (508) 724-8885.

Mother nature provides the backdrop for a unique wedding experience at Cathedral of the Pines. This outdoor "cathedral" is composed of stately pines on a knoll, with a walkway leading to an altar that is framed by breathtaking views of Mount Monadnock. Non-denominational ceremonies take place every hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 1 through Oct. 31, and anyone is welcome to attend. The fee is $400. There is also a reception site with a bed and breakfast. Wedding packages start at $1,300. The Cathedral of the Pines, 75 Cathedral Entrance, Rindge, N.H.; (603) 899-3300.