Planning a Destination Wedding on Cape Cod

The destination

For some couples, getting married on Cape Cod is a no-brainer; especially for those who live on the East Coast and have visited regularly. For others, the draw of the Cape might bring them back years later, and it’s an opportunity to share this special place with their guests.

There are many wedding venues on Cape Cod, but the most well-known are hotels that offer a place to stay, full-service catering and many different venues to host a rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception and even brunch the next day.

Wedding Planners

Hiring a planner to help with your wedding planning is a big decision, but it can be worth every penny to have access to their experience, guidance through a complex process, as well access to their trusted network of vendors. Cape Cod Celebrations is the most well-known event planners and they help plan weddings almost exclusively on Cape Cod.

Wequassett Resort

The Wequassett Resort in Harwich, Massachusetts is situated on the ocean with all of the amenities you'd expect of a five-star resort: restaurants, pool, golf, tennis and a variety of room types. The oceanfront views are absolutely stunning, and the expansive event pavilion has numerous configurations to accommodate smaller weddings or up to 130+ people. What I like most about Wequassett is all of their event spaces (e.g., ceremony lawn, terrace for cocktails, pavilion or ballroom for dinner and dancing) are centralized and away from other resort guests, so it’s very convenient and private for your event.

Wequassett can be a bit pricey due to the smaller number of rooms, but there are plenty of nearby accommodations, such as the charming Little Inn on Pleasant Bay or the Pleasant Bay Village, to provide your guests with a range of accommodation options.

Chatham Bars Inn

Perhaps the most well-known resort on the Cape, The Chatham Bars Inn is a historic property with majestic views of the ocean, and has been an upscale establishment for families since the 1900’s. With over 200+ rooms and a wide variety of cottages and room types, the Chatham Bars can accommodate larger events with ease. The 25-aces resort has an on-site spa, golf course, pools, several restaurants and a private beach. Events can be held in the main Inn, or down in the function spaces on the beach. There is also a stunning ballroom called the Monomoy room, which can be used for dancing or after-parties, as well as larger corporate events.

Chatham Bars also offers unique experience for your guests, such as a beach bonfire with s’mores, lobster and clam bakes on their private beach, or the ability to have large, custom-built tents directly facing the ocean.

Additional Options

Wychmere Beach Club: Situated in Harwich on a private beach, the Wychemere Beach club caters to weddings and events, and has numerous spaces with fantastic views.

Ocean Edge Resort: Another historic property, Ocean Edge features a sprawling property with beautiful grounds, access to a private beach and on-site golf course. The historic ‘mansion’ house acts as the main inn and is a reminiscent of old Newport mansions — the perfect place for a wedding on the lawn.

Pelham House Resort: With just 33 rooms, the Pelham house is smaller, but has the ability to host events up to 250 people at their stunning ocean-front location in Dennisport, Massachusetts. It’s a central location on the Cape and provides your guests a one-stop experience for the ceremony, reception and overnight stay.

Cape Code activities for your guests

Visit Provincetown: A favorite LGBTQ+ destination at the very tip of the Cape, Provincetown is just a 45-minute drive from Wequassett and home to some of the quaintest houses in Massachusetts. Stroll the bustling Main Street or get up close to nature with a Whale Watch.

Cape Cod Bike Trail: Bike your way through forests, bogs and ponds, with a stop for ice cream along the way. The Cape Cod Rail Trail extends more than 25 miles from Dennis to Wellfleet and passes through Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and the National Seashore. Rent bikes from Brewster Cycle, which sits right on the bike trail.

Explore Chatham: Start your day at the Chatham Lighthouse and nearby Monomoy Nature preserve, then explore the galleries and shops of Chatham's classic Main Street. Kick back with a drink on the verandah at the Chatham Bars Inn, or enjoy a burger and some live music at The Squire. Check out the Chatham Fish pier for a fresh lobster roll or fish sandwich.

Day trips to Nanctucket or Martha’s Vineyard: If your guests have the time, they can plan a trip to one of the well-known islands, Nantucket or Martha’s vineyard. Fast ferries run regularly from Hyannis via Hy-Line Cruises, and take about an hour each way, but be sure to reserve in advance during the summer months.

Hit the Links: Cape Cod is the Mecca for Mini Golf, but also has many beautiful 18-hole courses. Check out Bud's Mini Golf in Harwich. Wequassett Resort guests can also book a tee time at the exclusive Cape Cod National course.