Chatham Bars Inn is a quintessential Cape Cod wedding venue, offering couples a blend of historic charm, seaside elegance, and breathtaking ocean views. From toes-in-the-sand ceremonies on its private beach to tented celebrations on manicured lawns, this 25-acre resort provides a stunning backdrop for unforgettable moments. With a dedicated team and a one-wedding-per-day policy, Chatham Bars Inn ensures exclusivity and personalized attention, allowing for truly bespoke floral designs that capture the essence of your love story.

About Chatham Bars Inn

Founded in 1914, Chatham Bars Inn is a landmark oceanfront resort in the heart of Chatham, Massachusetts. This historic property exudes classic New England elegance, with its whitewashed buildings, sprawling lawns, and meticulously landscaped gardens. Perched on a bluff overlooking Chatham Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean, the Inn offers panoramic views that create a sense of serene beauty.

Beyond its stunning location, Chatham Bars Inn distinguishes itself with exceptional amenities, including a private quarter-mile-long beach, a fleet of boats for excursions and photos, and a wellness spa featuring a Japanese Zen Garden. The Inn also embraces a farm-to-table philosophy, sourcing ingredients from its own farm in Brewster to create authentic New England fare. With its combination of timeless charm and modern luxury, Chatham Bars Inn provides an idyllic setting for couples seeking a sophisticated and memorable Cape Cod wedding.

Event Spaces & Floral Opportunities

Chatham Bars Inn offers a diverse array of event spaces, each with its own unique character and floral design possibilities.

Private Beach

  • Capacity: Varies based on setup
  • Setting: Outdoor, toes-in-the-sand ceremony on a quarter-mile of pristine beach
  • Floral Notes: A beach ceremony at Chatham Bars Inn calls for organic, coastal-inspired florals that complement the natural beauty of the ocean. Consider a driftwood arch adorned with flowing greenery, white hydrangeas, and delicate seashells. Aisle markers could feature lanterns surrounded by dune grass and sea lavender. Given the potential for wind, ensure that all arrangements are securely anchored and feature sturdy stems. For a truly unique touch, incorporate locally sourced beach roses into the bridal bouquet.

South Lawn

  • Capacity: Up to 300 guests (seated)
  • Setting: Expansive outdoor space for tented weddings and large parties, featuring a manicured croquet green
  • Floral Notes: The South Lawn provides a blank canvas for creating a grand tented wedding. Tall, dramatic centerpieces with cascading greenery and vibrant blooms like delphiniums, roses, and lisianthus will fill the space without feeling overwhelming. For a more relaxed, garden-inspired feel, opt for a mix of low and high arrangements featuring dahlias, zinnias, and wildflowers. Consider floral chandeliers or hanging installations to draw the eye upwards and add a touch of whimsy.

The Boathouse

  • Capacity: Up to 90 guests (seated)
  • Setting: Seaside standalone facility with 20-foot vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening to a deck with panoramic views
  • Floral Notes: The Boathouse’s vaulted ceilings and panoramic views create a dramatic yet intimate atmosphere. Tall, airy arrangements featuring branches, orchids, and cascading amaranthus will accentuate the height of the space without obstructing the view. For a more nautical-inspired look, incorporate elements like rope, driftwood, and seashells into the floral design. The outdoor deck provides an opportunity for smaller, more intimate arrangements on cocktail tables, such as potted succulents or single stems in bud vases.

Harbor View Room

  • Capacity: Up to 75 guests (seated)
  • Setting: Located within STARS restaurant, featuring sweeping ocean views and a private terrace
  • Floral Notes: The Harbor View Room’s upscale ambiance calls for elegant and refined floral designs. Classic centerpieces featuring roses, hydrangeas, and peonies in silver or crystal vases will complement the room’s sophisticated décor. The private terrace offers a chance to create a romantic outdoor lounge area with comfortable seating and scattered floral accents. Consider incorporating candles and soft lighting to enhance the room’s intimate atmosphere.

Beach House Grill

  • Capacity: Up to 250 guests (seated with tent)
  • Setting: Coastal-inspired venue located next to the pool and beach, ideal for summer clambakes or oceanfront dining receptions
  • Floral Notes: The Beach House Grill’s casual oceanfront setting calls for relaxed and approachable floral designs. Think wildflowers in mason jars, driftwood centerpieces adorned with succulents, or garlands of greenery draped across picnic tables. For a clambake-inspired theme, incorporate elements like lemons, limes, and herbs into the arrangements. The adjacent pool area provides an opportunity for fun, playful floral installations, such as floating flowers in the pool or a floral archway leading to the beach.

Monomoy Ballroom

  • Setting: Features soaring ceilings and magnificent décor for elegant dinners.
  • Floral Notes: With soaring ceilings and an elegant atmosphere, the Monomoy Ballroom calls for grand, statement floral designs. Consider tall, opulent centerpieces with cascading orchids, roses, and hydrangeas in gold or silver vessels. A dramatic floral arch or backdrop behind the head table would create a stunning focal point. To enhance the ballroom’s elegance, incorporate crystal chandeliers, candelabras, and luxurious linens into the overall design.

STARS Dining Room

  • Setting: Located in the main building on a bluff with ocean views, often used for receptions featuring live stations.
  • Floral Notes: The STARS Dining Room, with its ocean views and live food stations, offers a unique opportunity to integrate floral design with the culinary experience. Consider smaller, more interactive arrangements on each station, such as edible flowers or herbs that complement the dishes being served. Tall, airy centerpieces on the dining tables will enhance the ocean views without obstructing sightlines.

South Lounge

  • Setting: Often used for cocktail hour.
  • Floral Notes: The South Lounge, as a cocktail hour space, is perfect for smaller, more casual floral arrangements. Scatter bud vases with single stems of seasonal flowers on cocktail tables, or create a statement floral installation near the bar area. Consider incorporating elements like candles, lanterns, and comfortable seating to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

Monomoy Room

  • Setting: Used for after-parties.
  • Floral Notes: The Monomoy Room, as an after-party space, calls for fun, playful floral designs that encourage guests to let loose and celebrate. Consider incorporating neon lights, disco balls, and unconventional floral elements like feathers or metallic accents. A statement floral installation near the dance floor would create a focal point and encourage guests to get on their feet.

Captain’s Table

  • Setting: Private ocean view salon off of STARS Restaurant for intimate celebrations.
  • Floral Notes: The Captain’s Table, with its intimate setting and ocean views, is perfect for a romantic and personalized floral design. Consider a lush, overflowing centerpiece featuring roses, peonies, and hydrangeas in a silver or crystal vase. Incorporate candles and soft lighting to enhance the room’s intimate atmosphere. Personalized touches, such as incorporating the couple’s favorite flowers or colors, would make the space feel even more special.

Wedding Lawn

  • Setting: Waterfront ceremony space adjacent to the private beach.
  • Floral Notes: As a waterfront ceremony space adjacent to the private beach, the Wedding Lawn calls for designs that enhance the natural beauty of the surroundings. A simple, elegant arch adorned with flowing greenery and white flowers would frame the ocean view without obstructing it. Aisle markers could feature lanterns surrounded by dune grass and seashells.

Boat House and Lawn

  • Setting: Waterfront setting used for smaller, intimate ceremonies and receptions.
  • Floral Notes: The Boat House and Lawn, with its waterfront setting, is ideal for smaller, intimate ceremonies and receptions. Consider a more relaxed and informal floral design, such as wildflowers in mason jars or garlands of greenery draped across the lawn. Incorporate elements like rope, driftwood, and seashells to create a nautical-inspired atmosphere.

Wedding Flower Ideas for Chatham Bars Inn

Cape Cod Coastal

A classic Cape Cod palette of white hydrangeas, blue delphiniums, and sea lavender, accented with dune grass and seashells. This design evokes the feeling of a seaside garden and complements the Inn’s whitewashed buildings and ocean views. Use weathered wood or sea glass vases to enhance the coastal vibe.

Seaside Romance

Soft, romantic arrangements of blush roses, ivory peonies, and dusty miller, accented with flowing greenery and delicate lace. This palette creates a timeless and elegant atmosphere, perfect for a sophisticated wedding at the Inn. Use silver or crystal vases to add a touch of glamour.

Nautical Chic

A bold and modern design featuring deep blue orchids, white calla lilies, and silver brunia berries, accented with rope and driftwood. This palette evokes the feeling of a luxury yacht and complements the Inn’s maritime history. Use geometric vases or metal containers to enhance the modern vibe.

Farm-to-Table Garden

A rustic and charming design featuring locally sourced wildflowers, herbs, and seasonal foliage, arranged in mason jars or wooden crates. This palette celebrates the Inn’s farm-to-table philosophy and creates a relaxed and approachable atmosphere. Incorporate edible flowers or herbs into the arrangements to add a unique and interactive touch.

Seasonal Considerations

Chatham Bars Inn is a beautiful wedding venue year-round, but the best time to get married here depends on your preferences and priorities.

Spring (April-May): The weather can be unpredictable, but the gardens are in bloom and the crowds are smaller. Consider incorporating spring flowers like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths into your floral designs.

Summer (June-August): This is the peak season on Cape Cod, with warm weather and plenty of sunshine. However, it’s also the most crowded and expensive time to get married. Embrace the season with bright, vibrant colors and summery flowers like hydrangeas, roses, and sunflowers.

Fall (September-October): This is arguably the best time to get married on Cape Cod, with mild weather, stunning foliage, and fewer crowds. Incorporate fall colors like burgundy, gold, and orange into your floral designs, and use seasonal flowers like dahlias, mums, and asters.

Winter (November-March): The Inn is open year-round, but some outdoor spaces may be limited due to the weather. Consider a cozy indoor wedding with a warm and inviting atmosphere. Incorporate winter greens like pine, cedar, and eucalyptus into your floral designs, and use seasonal flowers like amaryllis, hellebores, and ranunculus.

What Poppy Couples Spend on Flowers Here

Based on our booking data, the average Poppy couple spends $3,465 on their wedding flowers at Chatham Bars Inn. This reflects the venue’s upscale nature and the desire for personalized, high-quality floral designs. However, Poppy offers a range of packages and a la carte options to suit different budgets and preferences.

For couples seeking a more budget-friendly approach, consider focusing on key areas like the ceremony arch, bridal bouquet, and centerpieces, while opting for simpler arrangements for other spaces. Utilizing seasonal flowers and greenery can also help to reduce costs without sacrificing beauty.

For couples looking to create a truly unforgettable floral experience, consider investing in large-scale installations, custom floral designs, and premium flower varieties. Working with a Poppy floral expert, you can create a bespoke floral plan that perfectly captures your vision and complements the unique beauty of Chatham Bars Inn.