Friendly Crossways is a family owned retreat center & outdoor wedding venue conveniently located only 30 miles northwest of Boston in the rural town of Harvard. Whenever we came to Keith and Mary Helan with 'unique' ideas, their first thoughts were always "Well, how can we make this happen here?" Even though the wedding was definitely different from the one we had started to plan before the virus, we still had an amazing and safe wedding weekend.
They approached the planning of our event like experienced professionals, but also made us feel like family. The ability to enjoy the grounds for such an extended time allowed us to fully enjoy our weekend without feeling rushed or scattered. One of the hardest decisions was choosing appetizers and entrees, since all the options are creative, seasonal, local and delicious.
They approached the planning of our event like experienced professionals, but also made us feel like family. The ability to enjoy the grounds for such an extended time allowed us to fully enjoy our weekend without feeling rushed or scattered. One of the hardest decisions was choosing appetizers and entrees, since all the options are creative, seasonal, local and delicious.
Services
Within five minutes of the retreat center is the tiny New England town of Harvard with summer outdoor concerts, spectacular fall foliage, sledding on the common in the winter, and orchards full of apple blossoms in the spring. Learn about Shaker communal life and Native Americans at Fruitlands in Harvard.
The use of candles (except for religious services; talk with the managers first, please), incense, mosquito coils or any other fire or heat producing item is strictly forbidden anywhere in the facility. Please do not eat anywhere other than the kitchen, dining room or outside although water may be taken into the conference room from the cooler in the dining hall.
Spring weddings at Friendly Crossways are especially joyous coming on the heels of the winter doldrums. Blooming fruit and decorative trees will frame your elegant wedding portraits and colorful perennials soften the centuries old stone walls bordering our expansive lawns. Bring your community together to share stories and laughter under the stars and, most important, celebrate your love!
Summer wedding weekends at Friendly Crossways give you more daylight to celebrate with friends and family. Unique options for formal and family portraits include in front of a wall o' sunflowers, or by boughs laden with hydrangeas. Guests will enjoy delightful appetizers during your outdoor cocktail hour while playing lawn games on our lush green grass.
Host your memorable and romantic fall wedding at Friendly Crossways. Our 25-acre property will wrap you and your loved ones in warm autumn light, the perfect setting to capture your priceless after-wedding glow photos! After your vows are exchanged, enjoy a festive, delicious meal under your custom designed wedding tent.
Reviews (10)
Alexandra Paul
Oct 15, 2021
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We had our wedding here this past weekend (Oct 2021). We had 30 people and was everything we could have asked for. The micro wedding package fit our needs perfectly. The ceremony space is gorgeous, with so many beautiful spots for pictures. Dinner under the tent was delicious, Mary Helan the chef-owner made an incredible meal, much of it sourced from her garden and orchard. We loved Friendly Crossways especially for the retreat center which enabled us to host all of our guests who chose to spend the night with us, we moved to the fire pit after our reception and got to put off clean up until the
David Dimino
Jun 21, 2021
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I had the privilege of being a guest at a wedding held here. The day of I went for a run along the gently sloping roads leading up to the hostel. I ate breakfast in the sun on the porch. I slept in a cozy dormitory-style room with my close friends. Played volleyball, spike ball and frisbee during the in-between times. Keith told me they were a little rusty at entertaining because of the pandemic as he dug out a few frisbees for us. I never got that impression. The staff always found a way to help you in the nicest way possible. By far the most relaxing wedding I have ever gone to.
Adrienne DiMarco
Oct 15, 2020
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My fiance and I planned to get married in Italy but had to cancel our plans due to COVID. We decided to keep our original wedding date and reached out to Friendly Crossways as a backup plan. It turned out to be the best decision ever! Our wedding was absolutely perfect. We don't even want to think of it as a plan b because it was everything we could have dreamed of. Mary Helen was amazing at helping us find a way to get married safely without sacrificing the experience. We were able to have a wonderful weekend with our immediate family filled with love, joy, and the most delicious food we've every
Alex Olkovsky
Oct 10, 2020
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We booked Friendly Crossways as our wedding venue last year - we were so excited to have the beautiful grounds and entire farmhouse available to us and our guests for the entire weekend, and Mary Helan and Keith just gave us a great vibe - equal parts professional and personal!
We are even happier now with our choice. When COVID began, the team at FC outlined several options for us. We chose to move ahead with our original date and dramatically downsize our guest list. Even though the wedding was definitely different from the one we had started to plan before the virus, we still had an amazing
We are even happier now with our choice. When COVID began, the team at FC outlined several options for us. We chose to move ahead with our original date and dramatically downsize our guest list. Even though the wedding was definitely different from the one we had started to plan before the virus, we still had an amazing
Sam Musher
Jan 07, 2020
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We wanted a place to relax with our loved ones for a whole weekend, not just one evening, and Friendly Crossways was perfect for that. It was amazing to wake up the morning of our wedding already surrounded by our friends, making us breakfast! The food was delicious, the house and grounds are beautiful, and the Friendly Crossways team is warm and caring. Some advice if you have a summer wedding (ours was early July): some of the upstairs sleeping space can get very hot, and be careful about the bonfire -- the biting bugs are NOT playing around over there.
Peju Okungbowa
Dec 18, 2019
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I spent 7 nights at The Friendly Crossways while attending the Walden Woods Project Institute and I had a peaceful experience. The rooms are clean, great staff, excellent WiFi connection, large and organized kitchen, natural environment and very secure. I will certainly be back! 🙂
Thank you, Friendly Crossways Retreat Center.🙏🙏🙏
Thank you, Friendly Crossways Retreat Center.🙏🙏🙏
Maria I.
Oct 21, 2019
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William Wilkins
Oct 19, 2018
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I just completed my second stay at the Crossroads Retreat. This is a place that simply won't disappoint. A large sprawling rustic mansion with carefully nurtured open grounds. The staff is super professional, and they aim to please.
If you're having a wedding it's perfect. If you're planning a group trip, it's perfect. Some quiet time with your significant other- perfect.
It helps if you have a car, but the staff will take you between the commuter train stop and the site. As Arnold would say, "I'll be baaak!" Maybe to write one of those books that have been begging to get published.
If you're having a wedding it's perfect. If you're planning a group trip, it's perfect. Some quiet time with your significant other- perfect.
It helps if you have a car, but the staff will take you between the commuter train stop and the site. As Arnold would say, "I'll be baaak!" Maybe to write one of those books that have been begging to get published.
Noah Augustine
May 12, 2018
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We just had our wedding at Friendly Crossways last month and it was magical! The space is fantastic, and Mary-Helan make the process incredibly smooth. We loved the event itself, having everyone together in the venue and spending a whole weekend celebrating. We knew when we walked in it felt like the place, and it was fantastic!
Lauren Broccolo
Aug 30, 2017
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From the very beginning Mary Helen and Keith made us feel welcome and excited to have our wedding on their property. They were accommodating to all of our requests, including our wedding meal of pulled pork and mac and cheese. There is so much room for the bridal party to stay on site, and additional guests as needed. As our friends are from all over the country, it was perfect to be able to have everyone together from Friday-Sunday. Keith also went above and beyond to make sure that a very important light fixture was hung in the tent. Words cannot express our gratitude for making our day perfect
