Swept Away

Page 5 of 5

Chatham

By Sascha de Gersdorff

Less bustling than Falmouth, prettier than Sandwich, and classier than P-town, Chatham sits on Cape Cod’s picture-perfect elbow. On the shore, the historic Chatham Lighthouse looks out over Nauset Beach, while inland, hedges shield weathered summer homes, and ponds are dotted with fishing boats. But it’s the stellar shops, eateries, and hotels that set Chatham apart from other Cape towns. Its main street is lined with white steepled churches, but those wanting a beach wedding should book the grande dame of Cape resorts, the Chatham Bars Inn.

Venues
Accommodations: Chatham Bars Inn (see caption below); Cranberry Inn, 508-945-9232, cranberryinn.com
Rehearsal dinners: Wequassett Resort & Golf Club, Chatham, 508-432-5400, wequassett.com
Ceremony spots: Chatham Bars Inn; First Congregational Church of Chatham, 508-945-0800, chathamcongregational.org
Reception sites: Beach House Grill at the Chatham Bars Inn
After-party: Chatham Squire, 508-945-1111, thesquire.com

Vendors
Band: The Cape Cod Slackers, 508-362-8656, slackersatwork.net; White Heat Swing Orchestra, 617-354-7213, havetodance.com/whiteheat
Cake: Delicious Desserts, 508-540-3352, deliciousdesserts.net
DJ: DJ Danny Walsh, 508-394-5504, djdannywalsh.com
Florist: Clementine Florals, 508-413-2481, clementinefloralstudio.com; Le Jardin Blanc, 508-485-8445, lejardinblanc.com
Hairstylist: Bridal Hair Professionals, 508-430-1092; Christine Sweeney-Melton, 508-548-3015
Makeup: Lisa George, 508-790-7235, lisageorge.com
Photographers: Vince DeWitt, 508-432-2526, vincedewittphoto.com; Kristin Spencer, 401-617-5962, kristinspencer.com
Tent: Under Cover Tent, 800-439-8368, undercovertent.com

Photos from top: The sprawling Beach House Grill has polished wood floors and ceiling fans made from real sails. Its indoor-outdoor seating and prompt service set the scene for a seaside reception. Chatham Bars Inn, Shore Road, Chatham, 508-945-0096, chathambarsinn.com. Locals and tourists mix at the Squire, where many a wedding party has celebrated well into the night. There's even a blue-tiled "dog bar" outside for Fido. Chatham Squire, 508-945-1111, the squire.com.

When wedding guests find Candy Manor treats in their welcome bags, the goodies don't last long. We suggest the peanut butter fudge nuggets. Chatham Candy Manor, 508-945-0825, candymanor.com. Terms like "basketweave," "pearls and scrolls," and "Swiss dots" are par for the course at Delicious Desserts. The bakery offers more than three dozen types of wedding cakes—tiered, flat, colorful, jeweled—all of which are, well, delicious. Delicious Desserts, 508-540-3352, deliciousdesserts.net.