Meghan & Peter’s Boston Public Library Wedding
A Boston Public Library wedding always feels like you’re stepping into a movie set—grand architecture, historic rooms, and that very specific “Boston elegance” that doesn’t need to announce itself. Meghan and Peter leaned into all of it in the best way: a string trio ceremony in the courtyard, cocktails under the open sky, dinner in Bates Hall, dancing in the Abbey Room, and then a proper late-night after party downstairs.
The musical brief was refreshingly clear: keep things soulful and romantic early, then build toward a full-on funk and Motown dance party. Classic hits, no slow songs once the party starts, and keep people on the floor as late as possible. We can absolutely get behind that.
The Flow: Courtyard → Bates Hall → Abbey Room → After Party
What made this night feel so special (beyond the venue itself) was the pacing. Instead of trying to do everything in one room, the evening unfolded in chapters across the library:
- Ceremony: Courtyard (with Guastavino as the rain plan)
- Cocktails: Courtyard (Tea Room as rain plan)
- Dinner: Bates Hall
- Dancing: Abbey Room
- After Party: Map Room & Tea Lounge
That structure gave the night natural momentum. Guests never felt stuck; each move felt like a “new scene,” and each scene had its own soundtrack.
Ceremony in the Courtyard: Strings + Skyline Energy
The ceremony took place in the BPL courtyard with a string trio setting the tone. There’s something about strings in an outdoor courtyard that immediately makes everything feel intentional—romantic, elevated, but still human.
Prelude music started about thirty minutes before the ceremony, drawing from a modern-classic mix (Beatles, Stevie, Coldplay, John Legend, and beyond). It felt familiar in a way that brought guests in, without ever feeling like background filler.
Processional & Ceremony Music Highlights
Meghan and Peter’s ceremony music was a great example of “classic choices, modern presentation”—recognizable songs, but with string arrangements that made everything feel fresh:
- Processional: Steve Winwood – “Higher Love” (Instrumental Affair)
- Bride’s Entrance: Vitamin String Quartet – “At Last” (with a brief pause at 0:20)
- Recessional: VSQ – “A Sky Full of Stars” (starting at 2:50 for the big upbeat lift)
That recessional cue in particular was perfect—instant joy, immediate applause energy, and a clean transition into cocktails without the room feeling like it needed to “reset.”
Cocktail Hour: Soulful, Warm, Not Too Hyped
Cocktail hour stayed in the courtyard, shifting into a keyboard/trumpet duo. Meghan and Peter asked for a very specific vibe here: 70s romantic soul, funk, Motown—groovy and warm, but not “reception-level” hype yet.
That duo setup is perfect for this: the trumpet adds personality and lift, and the keys keep everything harmonically rich and relaxed. It set a tone that felt unmistakably them—classic taste, fun energy, but always polished.
Dinner in Bates Hall: A True Boston Moment
Dinner at Bates Hall is one of those experiences guests don’t forget. It’s grand in a way that’s hard to describe until you’re in it—long tables, soaring ceilings, and the feeling that you’re eating dinner inside a landmark.
The evening began with introductions at 7:45 to “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire. Wedding party members entered as groups from either side of the room, which created a really cool “surround sound” kind of energy—like the celebration was arriving from all directions at once.
Introductions & Welcome Toast
The couple entered to a switch into The Commodores’ “Lady (You Bring Me Up)”—a smooth, classic move that fit their musical taste perfectly. Then:
“And now introducing for the first time as a married couple, Mr. and Mrs. McAuliffe!”
A welcome toast from Meghan’s father, Christopher Murray, followed shortly after, grounding the room before the night shifted toward dancing.
Dinner Music & Toasts
Dinner performance during Bates Hall was handled by a guitar/sax duo playing jazz standards—clean, classic, and perfectly scaled for a room where people are talking and taking it all in. Toasts followed after the first course:
- Best Man: Andre Joseph
- Maid of Honor: Caitlin Murray
Cake cutting happened quietly at 9:00 (no announcement), which kept the night’s pacing smooth. From there, guests flowed naturally toward the Abbey Room—where the party really began.
Abbey Room: First Dance, Parent Dances, Then Lift-Off
The Abbey Room is where the evening shifted from “beautiful” to “let’s go.” The band set the stage for a run of meaningful moments before opening the floor fully.
First dance: Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day,” performed live and shortened to a tight, intentional arrangement—two verses, two choruses, out at 2:17. It’s a perfect first dance song if you want something heartfelt that still feels upbeat.
Parent Dances
- Bride/Father: “What a Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong (full song, live)
- Groom/Mother: “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” – Stevie Wonder (shortened, live)
These landed beautifully—classic songs, timeless choices—and then the night opened up into exactly what Meghan and Peter wanted: a real dance party.
Main Dance Set: Funk, Soul, Motown, and Zero Slowdowns
From about 9:30 until 11:30, it was all about keeping the dance floor full. Meghan and Peter’s preferences were crystal clear: lean into the 70s and 80s, keep it funky and soulful, and avoid slow songs once the party is rolling.
Their must-plays were basically a blueprint for a packed floor:
- Kool & The Gang – “Get Down On It”
- Earth, Wind & Fire – “September”
- Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
Add in “Return of the Mack,” “Brick House,” “Mr. Brightside,” and “Shout,” and you’ve got the kind of set that hits multiple generations at once without losing identity.
The Transition: A New Orleans-Style Processional to the After Party
One of the coolest moments of the night came at the very end of the reception: a trumpet-led New Orleans-style processional guiding guests downstairs to the after party in the Map Room & Tea Lounge. It was a perfect way to keep the energy moving—no awkward “okay everyone… relocate,” just music leading the way.
It’s a simple idea, but it changes everything. People don’t drift—they follow. And suddenly the after party starts with momentum instead of needing to find it.
After Party in the Map Room & Tea Lounge
The after party ran from 11:35 to 1:30, with a small PA system and a curated Spotify playlist keeping things light, fun, and low-lift. After a full night of live music across multiple rooms, it was the right call: let the energy stay up, keep the vibe social, and let guests enjoy the last stretch without over-structuring it.
Final Thoughts
Meghan and Peter’s Boston Public Library wedding was the kind of event that reminds you why this venue is so iconic. The setting is stunning, yes—but the way they built the night made it feel personal and alive: strings in the courtyard, soul-forward cocktails, dinner in Bates Hall, a packed dance floor in the Abbey Room, and a brass-led processional into the after party.
It was classic Boston, but never formal for the sake of it. Just great flow, great taste, and a room full of people who wanted to dance.
