Waterfront Weddings on Cape Ann

January 11, 2023 / Cape Ann Wedding Venues

Planning a wedding can be a huge undertaking. Many couples spend months searching for the perfect entertainment, florist, menu, cake, rings, and photographer to fit their personality and style for the “big day.” One of the first and most important steps to planning a wedding is choosing a venue for the ceremony, reception, or both!

Gloucester and Rockport, Massachusetts on Cape Ann offer some truly breathtaking and unique wedding options for couples looking to have a waterfront wedding. 

Who wouldn’t want the natural beauty of the blue ocean with sailboats, waves, and lighthouses dotting the horizon in every wedding shot? Whether you love the tangy scent of ocean salt or a seaside breeze and gorgeous vistas, Cape Ann can deliver some of the most spectacular waterfront wedding options around. 

Here are a few options that will have you saying “I Do” to a waterfront wedding right here on the North Shore. 

Beauport Hotel Gloucester

Just steps away from the ocean, the Beauport Hotel in Gloucester offers not only stunning ocean views but award-winning service for couples tying the knot. 

With four lavish event spaces both indoors and outdoors, a spacious honeymoon suite, and nearly one hundred luxurious guest rooms, the Beauport is the place for weddings if you are seeking a ceremony or reception right on the water. 

You will simply be in awe of the sweeping views of picturesque Gloucester Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean which make for the perfect backdrop for your celebration and photographs that will be cherished for years to come. 

Whether you are planning an intimate family affair or a grand reception, Beauport’s Event Services Team will guide you through every step of the journey. 

Hammond Castle Museum

Located on the rocky coastline of the Atlantic is the exceptional venue known as Hammond Castle Museum. Built in the late 1920s, the museum features breathtaking views of Gloucester Harbor, a drawbridge, and historic arches which are the perfect setting for capturing life’s special moments.

Not only is the waterfront a perfect backdrop for any wedding but the interior is wonderfully unique as well. Exchange your vows in the majestic Great Hall with all your friends and family or choose a Petite Wedding package for a more intimate and non-traditional ceremony. A Highlights Tour of the museum offers entertainment for your guests while you take your photographs on the Ocean Lawn or under the stunning arches.

Hammond Castle is such a unique and welcoming venue that invites its guests to explore the Renaissance Dining Room, the Library with the “whisper” ceiling, or the courtyard lush with greenery and a pool. Visit their website or call (978) 283-2080 to inquire about availability.


Cape Ann Cruises 

Celebrate your special day on the water with Cape Ann Cruises. This one-of-a-kind venue offers services for both ceremonies and receptions on the WEJACK, an exquisitely built wooden boat located in Gloucester Harbor. 

Weddings through Cape Ann Cruises include a tour of historic Gloucester Harbor with scenic lighthouses, Ten Pound Island, beaches, mansions, castles, and amazing views of schooners and fishing boats that will delight your guests. Their certified wedding planner will help you determine the food services while the boat is at anchor as well as customize your cruise locations or activities including whale watching, a lighthouse tour, or watching the sunset on the water. Choose your own officiant or they can offer an officiant to perform your ceremony – the captain of the boat! 

Talk to their team about your catering options, music, or entertainment, and get started planning your special day on the water as you “take the plunge” in matrimony. 

The Emerson Inn 

Located in scenic Rockport, Massachusetts, the Emerson Inn offers a perfect blend of traditional elegance, stunning scenery, and impeccable service. This impressive inn on Pigeon Cove has recently been restored to the beauty of yesteryear and truly embraces its 150-year history. 

The Emerson Inn offers year-round wedding packages that can be customized to your event needs. The Sales and Events Manager will work with you to plan an intimate or traditional wedding ceremony and reception or even help you plan an elopement for 20 of your closest friends and family. 

Enjoy a beautiful ceremony on the oceanfront lawn followed by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the Oceanview Terrace. You set the course and the Emerson Inn will help you make it your perfect day! 

Cape Ann Marina Resort 

Situated directly on Annisquam River that meets with the Atlantic Ocean mere feet away, Cape Ann Marina and Resort offers not only a spectacular waterfront backdrop for your big day but amenities such as options for hosting both the ceremony and reception as well as an indoor and outdoor venue options. 

Choose the Compass Room for your intimate gatherings or the Waterfront Pavillion for larger gatherings right on the water. The marina will serve as the perfect spot for your group photos and dance the night away with live entertainment and all of your friends and family all just feet from the water. The Resort planning team will help you choose the menu from locally sourced food, yummy menus, stunning presentations, and fine service. Hotel accommodations are also available at the resort for your party. 

If you’re looking for a waterfront wedding venue, look no further than the splendor of Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Filled with beauty, history, and simply stunning views, these waterfront options will be sure to inspire your guests and make your day unforgettable.