Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1198098
95 95 inn with its unmistakable sense of place and permanence. "We're the opposite of a ballroom," says Clarissa Davis, Chatham Bars Inn's longtime director of catering. While Cape Cod lays claim to 400 miles of shoreline, Chatham Bars Inn is the only luxury destination on the Cape Cod where you can say "I do" with your toes in the sand of a resort's private beach. The Beach House is the ideal location for an oceanside reception, brunch, barbecue, or bonfire while the Boathouse features 20-foot vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto an adjoining deck and frame panoramic views. These waterfront facilities draw many happy couples, especially those who want a soup-to-nuts destination wedding where every need and whim will be attended to, for the guests as well as the wedding party. Chatham Bars Inn offers the convenience of a single location with the variety one would get from several different locales. "Our guests commented that our wedding [reception] felt like it was three parties in one," says O'Connell (now Doherty), whose vow ceremony took place at a nearby church. "They loved that every room had a different feel." Following a cocktail reception at the Chatham Bars Inn chathambarsinn.com main inn in a lovely traditional living-room setting, guests walking down the bluff to the dinner reception on the beach had a beautiful view of the ocean, and the after-party was in the Monomoy Ballroom, a stunning standalone venue for a rousing celebration that lasted until 1 a.m., which is late by Cape Cod standards. CBI schedules only one wedding/reception per day, so the team's undivided attention is assured. With CBI's über-luxurious spa (think Zen garden pool outside and exclusive spa suites inside) for pre-wedding relaxation and beauty treatments, there is no need to leave the property. But those up for a picturesque half- mile walk into town will delight in Chatham's lively Main Street, packed with clothing and artisan boutiques, art galleries and a wide variety of restaurants, from coffee shops to fine dining. Wedding receptions at CBI are highly customizable. Options include a private clambake or pig roast, beach bonfire with s'mores, or a croquet and mimosa brunch. CBI pays extraordinary attention to the food served at wedding receptions. "Clients are focused on cuisine more than ever," says Davis. "Quality and presentation are important—more so than if it were just a party." Led by award-winning chef Anthony Cole, CBI's culinary team regularly receives accolades, such as for using produce grown on the inn's own 8-acre farm a short drive from the resort (which, by the way, is the perfect setting for a farm-to-table rehearsal dinner). In addition to featuring fresh produce, menus are centered around locally sourced meats and seafood caught that day by local fishermen. "What we loved most about the venue is that it's classy, yet casual. It has an upscale vibe without feeling stuffy," says the new bride, who also had words of praise for CBI's ability to pivot. With Hurricane Dorian threatening to disrupt months' worth of careful planning, the resort's weddings team was "quick to come up with backup options for the worse-case scenario situation, without causing us any additional stress," she says. Thankfully, the weather cleared at the last minute.