Salty's Favorite Cape Cod Wedding Venues

Best Cape Cod Wedding Venues

Finding the wedding venue that is the perfect destination for your wedding celebration is the on the top of every couple's to-do list. With so many options to choose from, it can certainly be an overwhelming task.

Here's some initial considerations that you and your partner should mull over to narrow down your search. What's the venue's proximity to other wedding day locations? Do you want your guests to have overnight accommodations on site or near-by? Does the venue have a bridal suite or getting ready room and is it the right size for you and your attendants?

After you have set the parameters for your search, set up some site visits and go experience the venues first-hand. Here's a list of my favorite venues on Cape Cod in alphabetical order as I could not possibly rank them since they are all incredible places to photograph such momentous occasions.

Bourne Farm is one of the few truly rustic venues on Cape Cod. The historic landmark is located on over 49 acres of fields, trails and woodlands overlooking Crocker Pond. There is a barn on site but it's typically used only for cocktail hour and the main reception events are held under a tent. Wedding ceremonies that are held on site are usually set back by the stone wall. The tranquil wooded surroundings make this sacred space to tie the knot.

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Borsari Gallery is a unique rustic chic option on Cape Cod. The early 1800s post and beam barn is now an art gallery showcasing paintings depicting quaint New England coastal scenes. The venue includes the use of a spacious bridal suite to their couples. Ceremonies are typically on the lawn next to the barn followed by cocktail hour in the wine cellar and stone patio. Borsari Gallery is best suited for more intimate celebrations as they can only accommodate a guest list of 100 or less.

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Founded in 1914, Chatham Bars Inn is widely regarded as one of the most luxurious and elegant wedding venues on Cape Cod. Nestled in front of Aunt Lydia's Cove, the 5-star resort 217 guest rooms have a direct line sight view of the sand bar of North Beach. There's also 26 charming cottages atop seaside bluffs and neatly manicured gardens. This exquisite venue provides a long list of impressive amenities including farm-to-table cuisine, a heated pool with private cabanas, complimentary bicycles and fitness center. For those looking to indulge, there's 12 adult-only spa suites that feature oversized hydrotherapy tubs, saunas, steam showers, and fireplaces.

There are many different location options for wedding day festivties including the Wedding Lawn, the Chatham Bars Private Beach, the Boathouse or a tented reception on the South Lawn. My favorite spots for portraits of the newlyweds are along the beach, on the boat pier and the Shore Road overlook.

The Chequessett Club is laid-back beachfront venue overlooking Wellfleet Harbor. Most couples choose to have their ceremony on the private beach and the reception in the boathouse though there is an option to have a tented reception or utilize the clubhouse dining area. Couples who are torn between seaside views and rustic charm may find that Chequessett strikes the perfect blend of both.

See more Chequessett Club wedding photos.

Dune is the latest addition to the already phenomenal Wychmere Beach Club's venue roster. This stunning two-story venue can accommodate up to 240 guests. The rooftop terrace adorned with elegant bistro lighting looks out over panoramic views of Nantucket Sound. The interior neutral sand color palette, driftwood flooring and shiplap walls and modern furnishings provide an additional nod to the seaside motif. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide endless views of the awe-inspiring sunsets.

Lighthouse Inn is a historic venue that captures the essence of Old Cape Cod. The lighthouse, Bass River Light, and lightkeeper's house was lit in 1855 and was decommissioned in 1914 upon the opening of the Cape Cod Canal. Picturesque cottages speckle the property grounds along the Nantucket Sound shores. There's an air of nostalgia in the nautical decor and antique green and white buildings. You'll see wooden model ships, sailors and mermaids throughout the main guesthouse. Outdoor activities include tennis courts, shuffleboard court, miniature golf and a sailboat nestled on the beach for a fun photo opp. The Lighthouse Inn is able to host two events in one day and can accommodate as many as 230 guests.

See more wedding photos of Lighthouse Inn.

Pelham House Resort is a stylish waterfront venue on Nantucket Sound in Dennis Port. The rooftop bar is a fantastic perch for a smart cocktail. The patio below has built-in rectangular firepits, which are popular places for guests to gather and mingle. Pelham House hosts only one wedding per weekend and requires a full buyout of their 33 guestrooms so the couple and their guests will have exclusive access to the property throughout their wedding weekend.

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The Popponesset Inn, lovingly referred to as "the Poppy," is a classic Cape Cod destination with its signature navy and white striped awning out front. This tented venue looks out at Nantucket Sound from the private New Seabury community. The reception tent is just steps away from the sandy beach, which is convenient and ideal for the formal group photos. There's classic wooden pathways connecting the venue to the beach and a nearby footbridge that makes for an adorable location for a first look. This classy spot is perfect destination for couple's who want close proximity to the beach with elegant nautical decor.

Red Jacket Resort is a waterfront venue on Nantucket Sound. Picturesque jetties stretch out along the shoreline across from Seagull Beach. Intrepid couples will delight in walking along the rocky seawalls and be rewarded with stunning sunsets. The ceremony site is on a patch of lawn directly in front of the beach. The ballroom has a classic open concept to plenty of room for dancing. The Red Jacket can accommodate a guest list of up to 150.

Sea Crest Beach Hotel is a beachfront resort with sweeping views of Buzzards Bay. Old Silver Beach is a favorite spot for many Cape Cod visitors and this venue delivers that classic nostalgia with absolute refinement. The amenities include beach bonfires with s'mores, indoor and outdoor pools and a volleyball court. The Ocean View Ballroom offers an incredible view of the fantastic sunsets. The Oceanfront Courtyard is the ideal spot for the cocktail reception and the glass barriers provide protection from the wind. Here's a few fun facts about the Sea Crest: it started as the Old Silver Beach Club and was a playhouse and community theater for aspiring actors such as Henry Fonda, Jimmy Stewart, and Margaret Sullivan. A hurricane destroyed the club in 1938 and it was rebuilt as a dance club called the Latin Quarter. In 1963, Boston Celtics coach and president Red Auerbach bought the club with two partners and in 1971, it was converted to a year-round resort. You can see photos and memorabilia featuring Red with Celtics players in Red's Restaurant, the resort's on-site tavern.

Wequassett Resort & Golf Club is a spectacular five-star property situated on Pleasant Bay in Harwich Port. The grounds are lush with expertly manicured gardens and stonework. Wedding ceremonies are either on the Grand Lawn or Round Cove Lawn. You'll find most receptions in the Pavilion, the Garden Terrace or at the Outer Bar & Grille. Where ever you turn there's a stunning backdrop whether its botanical plantings or the expansive view of boats setting sail in the harbor. My favorite places for portrait sessions are along their private beach and under the dock to the Outer Beach shuttle.

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Willowbend Country Club is a premier private club and luxury situated on a championship golf course on Shoestring Bay. The immaculate grounds and sophisticated function areas pair perfectly with the exclusive upscale atmosphere. The elegant Grand Ballroom features picture windows that overlook onto the cranberry bog with a classic barn adorned with an American flag and accented with majestic water fountain feature. The ballroom is stately and articulated with regal drapery. The scenic New England vistas offers a wide range of event spaces with both indoor and outdoor options.

Wychmere Beach Club is another first-class waterfront venue with not one but two unobstructed scenic vantage points. The rooftop deck looks out over Wychmere Harbor where both pleasure boats and fishing vessels alike tuck in for the evening. Ceremony locations include the Hydrangea Lawn, the Rooftop Deck and the beach. Receptions are held in either the Ocean View Room or the Harbor View Room. With many different event locations available on this 15-acre property, Wychmere can host two staggered events in one evening and still provide privacy and exclusivity for each gathering. In addition to all of the event spaces, there is also a small boutique hotel with guest rooms, suites and cottages available for overnight stays.

See more wedding photos from Wychmere.