Hammond Castle Museum Reviews

Deb and the entire team were amazing! They were organized, helpful, and kind. Deb helped us with finding vendors, but also about weddings in general. We had an amazing wedding.

We’ve known we wanted to get married at Hammond for years and honestly I can’t think of a better spot for us! The venue is so cool, the pictures are amazing, our guests had so much fun with the tours and the space in general. A few notes- we had a small wedding (about 60 guests) and it was a great size. More than that it can be a little tight, but still totally worth it! It can also be quite toasty in the summer, but that sea breeze makes a world of difference. Everyone at Hammond is great to work with and was so thoughtful about making sure we got everything we needed. So grateful!

My husband and I had the perfect Halloween wedding and it could not have happened without Deb and her team. We appreciate the time they spent with us in order to prep, walk through and provide confidence in holding our special day at Hammond Castle. We are thrilled and so grateful that we had the opportunity to work with them. Their kindness, helpfulness and flexibility made our experience especially easy!

We fell in love with Hammond Castle the minute we stepped onto the grounds. The castle sits on the beautiful Gloucester coastline, and immediately brought a sense of calm to us. The inside of the castle is just as magical, with so much history and cool exhibits. The museum was brought to life by Deb and her team. Deb was such a pleasure to work with, always responsive, kind, and professional. Upon our first walk through, her passion about Hammond Castle really shined through and made us so excited to get married in such a magical place. Deb was so kind and patient with us by doing multiple walkthroughs, and was so flexible and helpful to us throughout the planning process. On the day of, Deb was amazing in helping coordinate and also gave castle tours to all the guests. While the castle is a gorgeous venue, Deb and her crew really made the venue special for all the guests. I could not imagine my wedding at a different venue, and I would recommend it to everyone.

I never wanted a basic venue but I also had a budget. Not only is this place affordable, the staff are attentive and responsive.

What a unique venue this was and totally worth it!!

We used Hammond Castle Museum as both our ceremony and reception venue for our wedding in September 2019. The venue is beautiful and was really memorable for everyone. Our ceremony was on the back lawn overlooking the ocean and guests loved the sound of the waves crashing on the cliffs below. During our cocktail hour, guests got to take guided tours of the castle museum with a drink in their hand. The Great Hall easily fit our party of 75 for the reception but would feel crowded with a larger group. The staff were easy to work with, the price is reasonable and the ambiance of the castle was priceless. I would definitely recommend this vendor!

Gorgeous venue, so unique! Linda was very accommodating and helped the big day go smoothly. We got married in the off season so they were great about letting us in early for photos. It was perfect for our small intimate wedding.

The staff at Hammond Castle Museum made our day absolutely perfect, and we couldn’t have pulled off our wedding without their support. Deb in particular was extremely patient and helpful, especially since we were both completely lot and had no idea what we were doing. She went well out of her way to connect us to great vendors as well, and her recommendations proved to be spot-on. Their team cannot be understated. The venue was absolutely stunning. Everything we’d ever hoped for and more. The day was so magical! We simply couldn’t have picked a better venue. If we could do it all over, we’d do it all the same. Thank you to everyone at Hammond Castle Museum for a night we’ll never forget!

My wedding ceremony was here and it was AMAZING! it is a beautiful setting and the coordinator Linda is great. Very personable and organized.

Definately a one of a kind venue that is worth every penny!!! I grew up in Gloucester which made this even more special, but every girl wanting to feel like a princess will get her dream come true with this venue. The staff, especially Linda, were all fabulous and so accommodating. The pictures were beautiful and nothing like you will ever see anywhere else. Everyone commented at how special and gorgeous this venue was...you will not be disappointed!

Hammond Castle is a gorgeous venue! We had our wedding reception here, and it was perfect! We did a 20s themed wedding that fit perfectly with the venue, which was built in the 1920s. Linda, who is the functions director, is very helpful. You don't need much decoration since the castle is so beautiful. We highly recommend Hammond Castle!

We wanted our wedding to be an immersive Fairy Tale experience for our guests. As soon as we visited Hammond Castle, we ceased all searches. It was anything and everything that we both wanted. The aesthetic and the grandness of the structure and decor speak for itself, every corner will give you amazing photos. A castle on a cliff by the ocean?! A plus! A castle that comes with extremely helpful, knowledgable and friendly staff?! What else can we ask for?! Had to especially mention our venue coordinator Deb! She was there for us from start to finish. We live out of state, so her responsiveness, professionalism, attentiveness, creative suggestions and sincere advice helped us tremendously in putting our wedding together!

Now Hammond is first and foremost a museum, so there are a lot of rules and restrictions to ensure that the museum stays intact, but they are all listed and we were made aware of them from day one. This also makes it harder for vendors to work with them. They have a vendor list filled with amazing vendors to choose from, but you can also choose outside of the list, they will just have to attend an orientation meeting and abide by the castle's rules. Sounds like a lot, but it is because of these exact restrictions that people like us can still enjoy this magnificent castle after so many years!

This venue is in very high demand! We booked it well over a year in advance and by then we only have Sundays left, so don't wait too long to book this venue! :)

We were able to have all our wedding dreams fulfilled at Hammond and gave everyone involved a magical and memorable experience. It was seriously perfect and Hammond Castle will forever hold a very very special place in our hearts.

My fiance and I are planning a small elopement ceremony this August at Hammond Castle. Originally, we were just doing a photo session before our wedding at another location, but with Covid-19 we canceled our big wedding and we needed a location for a ceremony. We reached out to Hammond Castle to see about the possibility of having a ceremony during our photo session and they were so accommodating! Deb is wonderful and pleasant to work with and we highly recommend this location. Deb is also knowledgeable about the history of Hammond Castle, which was an added bonus.

I fell in love with Hammond Castle the first time we visited. My now husband and I toured many lovely venues in Massachusetts, but nothing could compare. The castle was built by an eccentric inventor, who at one time, held the most patents in the US; this really resonated with me, as I have a career in patent law. Beauty, uniqueness, intrigue, and a fascinating history- Did I mention the castle is on a cliff on the edge of the ocean? It was all the things I love the most rolled into one. My husband was hesitant because the venue doesn’t come with any of the things other venues did, but I knew this was the place for us. It’s true that having a wedding here involves a higher level of planning complexity and you will need to hire a team of vendors to bring in tables, chairs, linens, silverware, catering, bar, etc. My biggest piece of advice would be to hire a wedding coordinator or planner. We hired a team of two day-of coordinators and it was well worth the investment. You’re allowed to bring in your own alcohol, which provides major cost savings. While it does takes work to plan with so many moving parts, we are so happy we chose to marry here. Our wedding day was everything we had hoped for. I must shout out Deb Nypaver, the event manager at the castle. She was always helpful and friendly, and knows the venue better than anyone. We much enjoyed working with Deb. Her love for the castle is evident and infectious. Thank you to all at Hammond Castle and our incredible vendor team who helped bring our dream wedding to life. If you’re looking for a venue that will absolutely wow your guests, leave a lasting impression, not to mention the most gorgeous wedding photos, this is it.

We got married here about a month and a half ago and had a great experience. The planning required for this venue is extensive but definitely worth it if you're willing to put in the work. Linda is very helpful in connecting you to approved vendors and coordinating on the day-of. Our photos turned out beautiful, and our guests loved the venue.

Hammond Castle was an atmospheric and beautiful venue for our wedding. Linda, who coordinates wedding bookings, is exceptional to work with and was incredibly helpful on the day of the event. I would highly recommend Hammond Castle to any couples seeking a unique and character-rich wedding venue.

We had our wedding ceremony at Hammond Castle this past August. While Linda was a bit spacey, and sometimes hard to reach in the planning process, she was 150% on point for both the rehearsal and the ceremony. She had every detail down and was even able to turn the great hall in our dream set-up within an extremely short period time after closing.

It’s a bit pricey to rent for the just ceremony (3 hr minimum) but it’s not often that you are able to get married in a castle, never mind one built by a mad scientist. The venue is beautiful and your guests will love that they’ll enter your wedding via the drawbridge. Not to mention, even if there’s rain, you’re still able to get beautiful pictures in the courtyard!

Just make sure you’re organized and if you have a lot of guests, look for alternate parking and shuttles. We provided shuttles from our reception hall in Salem as the Castle only has 40 parking spots and the vendors and staff can take up 10 of those.

Also, if you’re looking for good vendors – I cannot speak highly enough of Greg Plowman (DJ) , Hot Shots (uplighting and photobooth) or Brianna Cox (photographer). All three of these vendors not only know Hammond Castle inside and out but are extremely professional and great to work with!

Got hitched on 06/19/11 at Hammond Castle- had both the ceremony and the reception there. Let me begin by saying that it's really like two venues in one: you get the back lawn that overlooks the ocean plus the interior of the castle. To say my guests were wowed by this place is to put it very mildly. Many of them said this was the best wedding they have ever been to- a real fairy tale setting for a wedding.

The grounds in June were lovely- we had visited the castle 4 separate times (initial visit, dropping off the deposit/ asking some questions, vendor walk through, and finally a pseudo rehearsal) all during different times of year, and I was so pleased with the way the grounds were in bloom. Our guests enjoyed just wandering around and taking pictures of everything: the drawbridge, gargoyles, the inside atrium, etc. Linda the event manager was lovely to deal with on each of these visits, and she will manage your event like it's second nature.

We got married on the lawn and had the cocktail reception there, too. We heard the ocean waves gently lapping behind us as we gave our vows. Dinner was also outside under a tent because I didn't want to waste one of the longest days of the year inside the somewhat dark castle...but it was perfect for dancing and the cake cutting later!

Hammond Castle wasn't the only venue in Cape Ann we had considered, but the castle was thousands less than, say, the Crane Estate or one of the venues at Endicott College. Both of those places have a nice historic house with an ocean view but all I could think of is "Gee, we could be renting an entire *castle* for a lot less". Plus, the castle doesn't have a liquor license which saves you serious money. Look, I'm not saying it was cheap- it's definitely not- but it's a better value than some comparable near-by places.

If you go with his venue- a few pieces of advice: get both phone numbers for Linda and the castle- the castle is a museum that is closed for much of the year, but she is there or will get back to you. Of course, there's email, too but sometimes it's quicker to go through a series of questions with her on the phone. On the big day, make sure your guests know to go over the drawbridge and not down the scary steep stairs that some of the vendors use. Some of our guests saw those stairs and skipped what could have been a fun, grand entrance. Lastly, pick a photographer who has photographed the venue before because the interior lighting can be tricky. Also they may not be aware of all the different places to pose you. For a small scale castle, it's packed with possibilities.

My husband and I had also considered Glen Magna Farms- he especially loved the formal gardens. But now we are so very glad we had it at Hammond- in 10 years our family and friends will most definitely remember their time there. There's plenty of historic houses and gardens in New England for weddings. But a castle by the sea is truly special.

Hammond Castle is a beautiful and a one of kind venue. There were so many pretty places to take pictures both inside and outside the castle that we instantly fell in love with the castle. We had both our ceremony and reception at Hammond Castle and it was amazing. Everyone loved the view of the ocean on the front lawn and how unique the castle was. Linda at Hammond Castle was great to work with. She was very helpful and accommodating during the whole wedding planning process and incredibly helpful the day of the wedding. Our day wouldn't have gone as smoothly without her.

The only difficulty we had was that you couldn't be on site at the venue before 5pm. If you want to be there earlier to do pictures or first look, it will cost extra. Other than than that, we loved having our wedding at Hammond Castle. It was truly an amazing and unforgettable place.

Helped make our day a trully majical experience! Its a freaking castle what more needs to be said!

Hammond Castle is absolutely stunning for a wedding venue. It was gorgeous for photos, and we got so many compliments from our guests throughout the night. It made our special night feel even more magical. A few things to be aware of when booking this venue:
-It is not super accessible for those who have trouble walking
-The bathrooms are pretty far away from the reception areas and there is limited signage
-Hammond provides recommended vendors, but you will need to book and coordinate with each of the vendors in order to ensure you have all of the necessary items for your wedding.

We worked with Robin Perry at A Friend of the Bride as our coordinator, and she was absolutely incredible. Highly recommend working with her if you choose to have your wedding here!

So many of my guest raved about how cool and awesome the Hammond Castle Museum was for a wedding site. My ceremony was outside on the back lawn over looking the ocean, cocktail hour wan in the indoor courtyard, and the reception was in the Great Hall. It's a site worth seeing just to check it out.

As for planning a wedding it wasn't the easiest because it's only open seasonally and it doesn't have a full kitchen, nor tables, chairs, plates, utensils, etc. Ipswich Clambake was awesome at catering it because they brought their own grills and equipment. As for decorating, that was the easiest since the venue is a museum and I didn't have to decorate the Great Hall :) . I only decorated the table tops and the arbor on the seaside lawn for the ceremony.

I was so moved by how beautiful it was to walk out of a castle, overlooking the ocean, gazing down to see all of my family and friend smiling back at me, as I walked towards my loving, soon to be, husband.

The Justice of the Peace, Rick Perry, and his son John, our DJ, along with the Director of the castle, Linda Rose, made the night run smoothly and gave us extra attention to details that we needed. Being announced into the Great Hall through iron doors atop a grand staircase created a memorable event. It was truly an amazing night. Thank you, to everyone involved, I couldn't have done it without you!

Hammond Castle is a truly unique venue, and we are very glad to have found it. The visuals were as breathtaking as we'd hoped, and we have beautiful photos and videos to prove it. All the guests were amazed and said they'd never seen anything like it. The size is probably the biggest problem with this venue - you can only squeeze so many people in the Great Hall (I'd say 80 comfortably, 90 a bit squished).

Trying to turn over the room from ceremony to reception was also a challenge, as there was nowhere for all the guests to go during the transition. We ended up sending them to the front lawn, which was pretty chilly in October. We used 2 long banquet style sets of tables, and had most of them set and pushed to the sides of the room during the ceremony. That helped save a lot of time in between. The coordinator, Linda, did not believe this setup would work and was a bit challenging in this respect. We stuck to our guns and did our own measurements. To her credit, when it did work on the day of the wedding, she came right up to me and admitted she had been wrong!

The other difficulty was also mentioned in someone else's review - they are very strict about when you can get on premises and start taking photos. Linda wanted an extra $500 to arrive at 4:30pm and do some outdoor shots. Having already paid $5000 for the night, that seemed a bit nickel-and-dime to us, just to stand on their lawn. We went to Fort Stage park instead and got some amazing photos by the water. It worked out in the end, but was very stressful the day before.

It is expensive, but not as much as it could be. Once you factor in being able to choose your own caterer and baker - AND bring your own alcohol - the price isn't very different than the usual per-head cost at a hotel. I encourage you to do the math before discounting the castle as out of your budget. However, make sure you count renting your own tables, chairs, linens, and speakers.

Hammond Castle is honestly the most beautiful venue I have ever seen and it was a privilege to have our wedding there. We knew we wanted something original other than the typical country club or hotel wedding. The second my husband and I saw Hammond Castle we knew it was the one. We decided to have the ceremony inside the grand hall and the cocktail hour/reception outside under a tent. The reception was truly magical with the twinkle lights under the tent (we used Seacoast tent rental) and the waves crashing on the rocks just next to us. I can confidently say all of our guests were in awe of the venue. For many, this venue isn’t possible because it has a maximum capacity of 120 people. For us this was perfect because it meant only our closest friends and family were there. Also, it means that it’s a venue that’s not used too often which still makes it original.

My one main complaint with the venue is they won’t allow you to go onsite the day of the wedding until 5pm – ceremony starts at 6pm. This leaves barely enough time for pictures and it’s such a beautiful site I would of liked to have gotten more pictures at it. We ended up doing our first look nearby though. The only other complaint was that the function director, Linda, told us that there was an event there on Friday so we had to do our rehearsal on Thursday. This meant that people had to spend more money for an additional day at our hotel. Right before the rehearsal, she asked why we weren’t having it on Friday which meant that she either lied about the event that was scheduled or it was cancelled and she didn’t bother to tell us.

Other than that it was the perfect venue and we couldn’t have been happier with our choice.