As a West Coast girl, there are East Coast destinations on my bucket list, and Cape Cod has always been one of them.

It is a playground for the rich and famous, where powerful families like the Kennedys have actual compounds, and pop stars like Taylor Swift own beach-front property. This small elbow of land, extending out from the eastern tip of Massachusetts, is not just a wealthy little peninsula. It is also rich with history, culture and stunning beauty.

Flying into Boston, the drive down to Cape Cod is about 90 minutes of pure sightseeing. From city, to suburb, to forest…the scenery rich and ever changing. I had no idea what to expect and soon found that it was everything I had hoped it would be. I kept reminding myself that the view, the properties, the lush fauna – was all real: the storybook homes, the mysterious winding roads and even the densely wooded historic surroundings.

I had the pleasure of spending my time at the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, a property with the distinction of being one of the finest resorts in Cape Cod. The grounds are as elegant as the guest rooms, which have an air of luxury. This area was settled hundreds of years ago by Native Americans who realized the pleasures of summering on the same bay that Wequassett sits on today. Locals still “summer” on the Cape, the rest of us will have to settle for visiting. 

Choosing Cape Cod as your wedding destination will set an unforgettable stage for your nuptials, and allowing Wequassett Resort to host your event, and guests, will be a slam dunk. Guaranteed to take your (and your guests’) breath away, choose to exchange vows in a number of dreamlike settings.  Wequassett can accommodate parties, small and large, on seaside lawns, in one of many manicured gardens, or their rich Grand Pavilion Room. Your less formal celebrations can take place on their small beach peninsula, poolside in the chic cabana space or on any of the many waterview decks.   

To keep those bellies full, don’t forget you are in New England. Wequassett Resort offers some of the best dining options on the Cape and they specialize in regional favorites. You’ll want to make sure your menu includes lobster, clambakes and that famous New England Clam Chowder. You can keep your event formal with a classic plated dinner, prepared by Cape Cod’s highly regarded restaurant, Twenty-Eight Atlantic.

Don’t miss the opportunity to take in the surrounding towns, something you and your guests will cherish. Nearby Chatham is seemingly from a movie set. It is picturesque, rich in history and charm, quaint, and has an allure that is hard to resist. Imagine your guests enjoying breakfast on the pool terrace, followed by shopping for the ladies and golf at the private Cape Cod National Golf Club for the men. A sunset cruise, departing right from the shores of the Wequassett Resort, will cap-off an unforgettable day. 

I can, sadly, cross Cape Cod off of my bucket list. But, my wish for you, would be “go!” As a destination bride, you couldn’t set a better stage for the biggest day of your life, or provide your guests with better memories that will last a lifetime.

This article first appeared in Destination I Do’s Spring/Summer 2015 issue. You can order a copy here.