Top 5 Reasons Why the South Shore is the Dream New England Wedding Destination

So, you’re engaged. Congrats! Now comes the hard part, choosing a venue. But where to even start? Scrolling through the endless options would give anyone a headache. Plus, there are the locations for the rehearsal dinner and reception to consider. Is it too much to ask to find the perfect, picturesque New England town that can host your entire wedding weekend?

Well, actually it’s not. For many happy couples, a trio of venues in Cohasset on the South Shore managed by Cohasset Hospitality Partners has checked all the boxes, and so much more. Here are just a few of the many reasons why couples are flocking to the coastal haven for their New England nuptials. 

Small Town Flavor

It doesn’t get more quintessentially New England than in Cohasset, a harbor town less than an hour drive south of Boston that transforms into a nautical paradise in the summer and a winter wonderland in the snow. The quaint community with a hometown feel offers plenty to see and do, from walking alongside historic colonial homes or with toes in the sand at one of the beautiful beaches. There are also plenty of shops and dining options downtown to keep guests happy all weekend long.

Rustic Charm

A Main Street staple, The Red Lion Inn has been a home for weary travelers and a place of leisure for locals for over 300 years. Even today, it continues to be regarded as the heart and soul of Cohasset. What better place to join two hearts together? With a flair for history alongside modern vintage vibes—just look at those chandeliers!—the property knows how to put on a celebration for up to 280 guests, and can host many of them in 15 uniquely designed suites. No need to head elsewhere for the afterparty. The property’s underground jazz club, “The Cave,” is the perfect place to dance the night away.

“The Inn is truly a gem,” says Pierre Prat, vice president of venues for The Catered Affair. “It’s warm, charming, and can handle everything from small, intimate dinners to large ceremonies.”

Oceanfront Elegance

Fresh air, fresh flavors, and panoramic walls of windows overlooking the harbor makes for an unparalleled dining experience at the newly-renovated Atlantica on Cohasset Harbor. Multiple rooms can be rented separately or combined—including the adjoining stone terrace of the Olde Salt House—to give up to 250 guests an unforgettable experience watching Cohasset’s fishing boats and calm waters glow in the golden hour as they dine on fresh, local seafood.

“You feel as if you’re floating on the water. It’s picture-perfect New England,” says Prat. 

Seaside Bliss

Directly across the harbor and just a short stroll from Atlantica sits the Cohasset Harbor Inn, a waterfront hotel with enough rooms—55 to be exact—to ensure your entire extended family and friends have a comfortable place to lay their heads. As for the wedding day activities, the large ballroom can hold up to 120 guests along with a patio right on the water that’s ideal for the ceremony and/or cocktail hour. 

Close-Knit Convenience

A big perk of planning a wedding in a small town is the close proximity of all venues, making it easier to hop between them. Say you wanted to hold your rehearsal dinner in one of the private dining rooms at The Red Lion Tavern, ceremony on the Cohasset Harbor Inn patio, reception in The Barn at the Red Lion Inn, and farewell brunch at Atlantica. With each venue less than a 10-minute walk from each other, it’s not just possible but encouraged to combine them into an all-inclusive weekend-long celebration in any season.

“The combination of rustic elegance and stunning ocean views all in one area is what makes these venues so unique,” says Prat. 

The best part? These five reasons are just the tip of the iceberg to why the South Shore is one of the hottest wedding destinations in New England today. There’s so much more to discover. Save yourself the headache. Stop the scrolling. Your dream wedding weekend awaits.

To learn more about the properties and start planning your South Shore wedding weekend, visit cohassethospitality.com.

This is a paid partnership between Cohasset Hospitality Partners and Boston Magazine