Planning a Beauport Hotel Wedding in Gloucester, MA: Tips, Tricks, & Inspiration
As a Massachusetts wedding photographer who is deeply invested in my couples feeling calm and taken care of, there are a few things I look for in a wedding venue before I ever recommend it to a couple. I want to know that days there feel easy to live in, easy to plan at, and have the level of hospitality that makes everyone feel truly relaxed. And a wedding venue that checks all of those boxes (and many, many more)? The Beauport Hotel in Gloucester, MA.
If you’ve been looking for a wedding venue that feels as good as it looks, keep reading to see my guide to everything you need to know about planning a Beauport Hotel wedding, from venue details to weather considerations to real weddings I captured here!
An Overview of Beauport Hotel Weddings
Beauport Hotel is an oceanfront resort in Gloucester, MA, that holds weddings that feel classy but relaxed, all at the same time. It’s so easy to plan at, which brings the kind of calm to a wedding day that lets you stay totally present, and being right on the beach… She’s gorgeous.
Take a look at the main details to know about Beauport Hotel, to make sure it fits your vision:
Max capacity: 220, depending on the venues you choose
On-site accommodations: Yes, with 94 guest rooms and discounted group block rates
Indoor and outdoor venue options: Yes
All-inclusive: Yes
Best for: Couples who want that classic, coastal New England feel for their wedding
If you’re still deciding if a coastal wedding is the right fit for you, check out my guide to choosing between city, estate, and coastal weddings!
What a Wedding at Beauport Hotel Feels Like
Any time I document weddings at the Beauport Hotel, one thing sticks with me: how calm my couples feel.
It’s the kind of space where there’s nothing rushed, nothing stressful, and nothing awkward. Beauport has an incredible, seamless flow that makes my couples and their guests feel cared for, so that days here look more like sipping white wine with a gentle ocean breeze while chatting with your childhood best friend and less like freaking out because your florist is 30 minutes late.
Since they have all-inclusive packages and on-site accommodations, everything takes place here. You wake up (with gorgeous views of the ocean from your room, mind you), and start your day with mimosas while getting ready with your five best friends. Then, your first look has the kind of soft, gentle romance that only the New England coast can bring. While there are so many places to take portraits here, I focus on a more documentary-style approach so that I’m not pulling you away from your people for too long, which means you get to spend your cocktail hour and reception spending actual quality time with the people you invited.
Who Beauport Hotel is the Perfect Massachusetts Wedding Venue For
If you’re already picturing (and dreaming of) that kind of serenity on your wedding day, a Beauport Hotel wedding is probably a great fit for you. My couples who get married here typically:
Crave connection and are heavily focused on actually spending time with their guests
Want a space that feels naturally elevated, but never overdone
Want a wedding that feels intimate, even if you invite 200 people
Never want to feel rushed or stressed on their wedding day
Care more about how a venue feels than how it looks (but still love gorgeous views, of course)
If that sounds like you… I think we’ll get along great. You can see more weddings I’ve captured to get a feel for how I document days just like this one.
Venue Spaces at Beauport Hotel
As I said above, Beauport gives you the versatility of choosing between indoor and outdoor options for your ceremony and reception spaces. I typically see ceremonies held on the beachfront balcony outside, cocktail hours held on the patio, and receptions held in the grand ballroom, but you have so many options for what you can do.
No matter what you choose… You’ll have a gorgeous backdrop that’ll wow your guests. Trust me.
The Beauport Hotel Ceremony Space
The usual ceremony space here is out on a balcony that overlooks the ocean, and it makes ceremonies feel super serene and super romantic.
From my perspective, one of the best parts is that you already have the ocean doing most of the work behind you. You don't need a ton of decor to make the ceremony feel intentional, which I know my couples appreciate.
Cocktail Hour at Beauport
After the ceremony, your guests can head to the patio right outside of the ballroom for a cocktail hour while you’re getting a few more family photos (or just taking a private moment with your lover to say, “We just did that!!)
This area is, again, surrounded by stunning ocean views that makes cocktail hours feel elevated, relaxed, and neverrr stuffy.
Photographer’s tip: if spending your cocktail hour actually drinking your cocktail and hugging the people who traveled to celebrate you matters to you, I'd plan as many family and wedding-party portraits as possible before the ceremony.
Beauport Hotel Ballroom for Receptions
If you choose to use the ballroom for your reception, you’re making a great choice. The architecture is gorgeous, and you still get those views of the Atlantic, so it’s all-around gorgeous and also holds all your people really well.
I really appreciate how expansive this place feels, so that you never feel crammed when you’re trying to spend the night on the dance floor with your people.
It also photographs really beautifully with tall windows that let in natural light and spaces that work well for direct-flash photos once the sun goes down.
Beauport Hotel Weddings From a Massachusetts Wedding Photographer’s Perspective
From a photography perspective, Beauport is something special.
You get oceanfront views.
You get beach access.
You get soft sunlight.
You get the cutest little Volkswagen bus that makes an adorable backdrop for unique pictures.
You can basically bet on us using the patio for first looks and private vows because of the calm atmosphere, the beach for sunset portraits to get those dreamy skies, and the hotel exterior for fun, editorial shots.
What I really pay attention to, though, is how everyone settles into the space. I care more about real, candid moments than I do posed ones, because those are the ones you’ll love the most later on.
When you and your guests are living in the moment… That’s when I get to step back, observe, and capture the moments that you might not even realize are happening. Deep belly laughs during toasts, your grandfather wiping away a tear, you holding hands with your love at your sweetheart table…
If you want to learn more about what influences how I document your day, learn all about me here!
A Sample Timeline for a Beauport Hotel Wedding That Feels Relaxed & Laid-Back
You might be reading this thinking, “Oh yeah, that’s exactly the kind of day I want.” And I totally get it.
Know that Beauport Hotel weddings reward couples who plan intentionally.
Your day can feel as laid-back and relaxed as you want it to, as long as you plan for it.
If you’re looking for a sample timeline to build off of for a day that feels like this, here’s one that a lot of my Beauport couples tend to use:
9:00 am: Start getting ready in your hotel room
1:00 pm: First look, private vows + portraits on the patio of the hotel
2:00 pm: Wedding party + family photos at the ceremony site
3:00 pm: Hide away before the ceremony
4:00 pm: Ceremony (adjust for seasonal considerations)
4:30 pm: Take alone time with your partner to soak up the fact that you just got married!
5:00 pm: Join your cocktail hour
5:30 pm: Reception + dinner begins
7:00 pm: Sunset portraits (adjust for seasonal considerations)
7:30 pm: Dance floor opens
Getting Ready at Beauport Hotel
Since Beauport Hotel offers on-site accommodations, you can wake up right on the property so that you get a calm, relaxed wedding morning instead of you and your bridal party sprinting to the shuttle to make it to the venue on time.
You and your partner get to spend the morning in separate rooms getting ready (looking over the gorgeous views), knowing that you don’t have to worry about traffic or flat tires later on because everything is just an elevator ride downstairs. That’s the kind of quiet luxury I love for my couples.
Real Beauport Hotel Weddings for Your Inspiration
Sold on Beauport Hotel? Same.
I had the chance to document both Linda and Victoria’s wedding and Chris and Carla’s weddings at Beauport, and seeing them actually unfold in front of my eyes (and my camera) is so different because I get to see exactly how your guests move through the spaces, exactly how the sun hits, and the best spots to get portraits that feel totally romantic.
Both of these weddings were full of connection, presence, and love. Guests enjoyed their whole experience, from ceremony to closing down the dance floor, and my couples left feeling so fulfilled by a day where they got to spend time with each other and all their guests!
That’s the kind of energy that Beauport Hotel creates. Just soft, slow days full of joy. And that’s why I love photographing weddings here so much.
Questions I Get About Beauport Hotel
If you’re like me, you miiiight be a little bit type A and think that a good plan is the key to enjoying your day. And honestly… You’re absolutely right.
Here are some extra questions that my Beauport Hotel wedding couples ask me, so that you’re 100% prepared for a wedding here.
Where is Beauport Hotel Located?
Beauport Hotel is a little over an hour north of Boston (45 minutes from the airport), tucked on the coast in Gloucester, MA, near many resorts, beaches, and parks. The exact address is 55 Commercial St, Gloucester, MA 01930.
Is There Parking at Beauport Hotel?
Yes, there is plenty of parking plus the option for valet at Beauport, which makes arrival really smooth.
Can Wedding Guests Stay at Beauport Hotel?
They can, and since there are 94 guest rooms available, you can keep almost everyone on-site, all weekend. That means opportunities for rehearsals or welcome parties, no one stressed about having to figure out transportation, and a kind of relaxed feel that you don’t get from people who have to drive 2 hours home later.
How Much Does it Cost to Host a Wedding at the Beauport Hotel?
Since Beauport Hotel offers many different packages, accommodations, and guest capacity levels, prices can range drastically from one wedding to another. To get an accurate and up-to-date pricing guide, reach out to the venue directly!
What's the Best Time of Year to Get Married at Beauport Hotel?
Beauport Hotel’s peak wedding season is April through December, because that’s when you’ll find the best weather and the easiest planning. I always recommend the late spring and early summer months, because that’s when you’ll get temperatures that are warmer (but still very mild), and gorgeous, soft lighting!
If January through March feels like your sweet spot, see my guide to planning off-season weddings in Boston.
Is There a Rain Plan for Beauport Hotel Weddings?
When I say that Beauport has thought of everything… I mean it.
The outdoor ceremony space is covered, so if it rains, you can still hold your ceremony outside or choose to move it inside to the ballroom. She has range, and we love her for it.
If you’re prepping for rain on your wedding day (or want to see what rainy wedding days look like), check out my guide to planning for a rainy Boston wedding!
What Should We Know About Coastal Weather at Beauport?
Even when the forecast looks beautiful, you're still getting married right on the water. I always recommend being prepared for the temperature to feel different near the coast and for a little wind to show up. Personally? I don't mind some wind in photos at ALL. Movement usually makes everything feel more natural anyway.
Is Beauport Hotel Good for Intimate Weddings?
100%, without a doubt, yes. This kind of atmosphere fits smaller weddings so well, and there’s always something about an expansive resort hosting a small number of people that feels SO special.
Is Beauport Hotel Good for Destination Weddings?
Again, 100% yes! If you’re planning a destination wedding (or one that feels like it’s a destination without having to deal with travel chaos), the Massachusetts coast is a gorgeous place to consider.
What Wedding Packages are Available at the Beauport Hotel?
Going back to the main reason that I LOVE Beauport Hotel weddings: it’s so easy to plan your wedding here.
The venue offers all-inclusive packages, which include things like:
Catering
Bar services
On-site staff
On-site accommodations
Furniture
Setup and breakdown services
Ashley Olafsson | Massachusetts Wedding Photographer
Days spent capturing weddings at venues like Beauport Hotel will forever be some of my faves. If this kind of slow-paced, relaxed day is what you’re dreaming about… I’d love to be there as your Massachusetts wedding photographer.
Click here to fill out my contact form, and I’ll get in touch with you ASAP to hear all about your vision.
Xoxo,
Ashley
Client love: “We had the pleasure of working with Ashley for our engagement shoot and are so excited to work with her for our 2024 wedding. She is charismatic, funny, and thoughtful. We can get pretty awkward in front of the camera, but Ashley’s direction and prompts made the shoot feel natural, fun, and authentic. Can’t wait to work together again!”
