The venue for the Wellesley Cotillion, a parent-sponsored tradition since the 1940s to which all Wellesley public and private school juniors and seniors are invited, has been made public, and if I could get a drum roll please…
This year’s location is the Metcalf Ballroom in the George Sherman Union at Boston University. The exterior of the place is mid-century modern, perhaps not the stuff of fairy tale dreams. But as a former BU student who attended plenty of events upstairs at the Ballroom, I can testify that it’s like finding the magical door at the back of the wardrobe. Go through the door, and the fairy tale begins.
The place easily morphs from staid function room to a place where one can seriously walk it out (or something even more current), and will easily accommodate the 800 revelers expected to attend. All that’s needed is the decorating skills of a small army of parents (check), the chic frocks and up-dos of young ladies ready to dance the night away (check), and dashing young men in formal wear (check).


The Cotillion Committee has compiled the following list of Questions & Answers:
Do I need to buy a ticket to attend the Wellesley Cotillion? Yes. Students must purchase Cotillion tickets on-line by December 24, 2016. To complete the ticket purchase, attendees must register through the Cotillion website and provide contact information, including the name and telephone number of a guardian who can be reached, if necessary, during the event on January 7. The Parent or Guardian and the student must both agree to the Cotillion code-of- conduct to complete the ticket purchase. The cost per ticket is $115 and includes mandatory bus transportation to/from the venue.
Is financial assistance available? Yes, financial assistance is available. Requests for financial assistance should be send to Donna Wargo at dswargo@yahoo.com. All requests are confidential. If the ticket price is an obstacle, Cotillion organizers encourage families to inquire about financial assistance.
What are the policies for this year’s Cotillion? Mailed invitations included a copy of the 2017 Wellesley Cotillion policies. The expectation is that parents of every student/guest attending this event should have a frank discussion with their son/daughter regarding these policies and emphasize the importance of adhering to them. Wellesley’s Zero Tolerance policy applies to/from and at Cotillion.
Do I need to have a date to attend the Wellesley Cotillion? No. Students are free to choose to attend the dance as an individual, as a couple, or as part of a group.
What if I want to bring a date and he/she is not a junior or senior from Wellesley? All students who receive an invitation to the Cotillion may invite a guest, i.e. someone that is not a high school junior or senior OR someone that lives outside of Wellesley. Your invited guest must also purchase a Cotillion ticket AND register through the Cotillion website.
What is the admittance policy for the night of the Cotillion? All attendees and their guests must ride on and arrive by one of the buses that will be provided by the Cotillion Committee. Bus transportation is mandatory and is included in the ticket price. Registered students and guests will receive additional bus information including bus locations and times, arrival and departure schedules, and other bus policies that will help provide a safe and enjoyable experience.
What is the deadline to purchase a ticket to the Wellesley Cotillion? Students and guests must purchase their Cotillion ticket on-line by December 24, 2016. A maximum of 800 tickets are available and ticket sales are first-come, first-served.
Where can I purchase my Wellesley Cotillion ticket? Tickets may be purchased at the Wellesley Cotillion website: wellesleycotillion.org
Is there really a Cotillion Facebook Page? Yes, there really is. Share your thoughts and photos here: facebook.com/WellesleyCotillion2017
Contact the Wellesley Cotillion Committee: wellesleycotillion@gmail.com
Leave a Reply