Newbury Boston Wedding (Formerly The Taj Boston)
Venue: The Newbury Boston (formerly The Taj Boston)
Band: East Coast Soul – Stax Ensemble
Couple: Korneila & Torben • Year: 2010
Some weddings have a way of feeling effortlessly elegant from the first moment to the last, and this celebration at The Newbury Boston — known then as The Taj Boston — was exactly that kind of day. Set right in the heart of Back Bay with views overlooking the Public Garden, the hotel offered the perfect mix of classic Boston charm and timeless sophistication for Korneila and Torben’s celebration.
Even as a throwback to 2010, this wedding still feels beautifully evergreen: thoughtful details, intimate moments, and a packed dance floor powered by East Coast Soul’s Stax Ensemble. It’s the kind of event that reminds us why Boston weddings have such a special place in our hearts.
A Boston Landmark Wedding Venue
Whether you know it as The Taj or as The Newbury Boston, this Back Bay icon has long been one of the city’s premier wedding venues. Steps from the Public Garden and surrounded by classic Boston brownstones, it’s a setting that instantly elevates the entire wedding experience. From the moment guests arrive, they’re stepping into something that feels polished, celebratory, and perfectly “Boston.”
For couples planning a luxury Boston wedding, the Newbury offers incredible indoor spaces, flawless service, and a layout that transitions seamlessly from cocktails to reception — everything you need for a musically driven night.
Cocktail Hour at The Newbury Boston
While East Coast Soul wasn’t part of the ceremony for this event, we stepped in for a relaxed, jazz-leaning cocktail hour. This is one of our favorite ways to start an evening at this venue — the ambiance of the Newbury pairs beautifully with soulful instrumentals and classic jazz standards.
The Stax Ensemble curated a warm, inviting musical backdrop with selections inspired by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and other timeless artists. Guests sipped cocktails, caught up with friends, and settled into the evening — a perfect transition from the emotion of the ceremony into the celebration ahead.
Reception: Formalities and Flow
The reception opened with East Coast Soul handling MC duties, welcoming guests and guiding the formalities with the same ease and attentiveness we bring to modern-day weddings. Even back in 2010, our approach was the same as it is now: clear communication, warm energy, and keeping the night moving without stealing the spotlight.
Korneila and Torben shared their first dance early in the evening — a moment that always feels like the emotional heartbeat of a wedding day. With the lights low and guests circled around the dance floor, it was a beautiful, intimate pause before dinner service began.
Dinner at The Newbury Boston
After the first dance, guests were seated for dinner while the Stax Ensemble took a short break. Dinner service at this venue always feels elevated and intentional, and this event was no different. Once guests were well into their meals, the band returned to the stage, ready to shift the evening from formal to festive.
The Dance Floor: Classic Soul Meets Timeless Boston
When the Stax Ensemble launched into the dance portion of the night, the floor filled instantly. We opened with vintage soul favorites — Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye — the kind of songs that bridge generations and get everyone relaxed and moving.
From there, the set evolved into a mix of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Prince, and other high-energy classics. Toward the end of the night, we brought in more contemporary selections for a final push of sing-along anthems. Guests danced nonstop from the first beat to the final note, and we kept breaks to an absolute minimum to honor the momentum and excitement in the room.
A Timeless Boston Wedding
Looking back, this wedding still lands as one of those quintessential Boston nights: a historic venue, a warm and stylish couple, and a dance floor that never let up. Whether known as The Taj or now as The Newbury Boston, this hotel remains one of the most elegant wedding locations in the city — and it was an honor for East Coast Soul’s Stax Ensemble to be part of Korneila and Torben’s celebration.
A huge thank-you to Korneila and Torben for inviting us into such a beautiful day, and to Douglas Depres for the stunning photography that captured it all.
