Castle Manor Inn Wedding Venue
Castle Manor Inn is a restored 1900 Victorian inn about 35 miles north of Boston, perched above the Annisquam River in Gloucester, MA. With water views, wrap‑around porches and a back deck that can host around 120–130 guests (confirm with venue), it’s a cozy Cape Ann spot for intimate, coastal celebrations.
If you’re planning a Castle Manor Inn wedding and want candid, documentary coverage that lets you stay present with your guests, this page walks through how the space works, how it photographs, and what you can expect from the day. For full investment details, you can always peek at my wedding photography pricing.
Is Castle Manor Inn a good wedding venue in Gloucester, MA?
Short answer: yes—if you’re dreaming of a laid‑back, coastal New England wedding where guests can stay on‑site and everything happens in one place. Castle Manor Inn combines river views, Victorian architecture and an all‑inclusive approach (food, rentals, staff) that keeps logistics simple
Here’s the venue at a glance:
| Detail | Castle Manor Inn at a glance |
|---|---|
| Location | 141 Essex Ave, Gloucester, MA – about 35 miles north of Boston |
| Setting | Victorian inn with river and marina views on Cape Ann |
| Guest capacity | Approx. 30–120 seated; up to ~130 on the back deck (confirm with venue) |
| Key spaces | Lawn ceremony, tented back deck, Sea Glass Restaurant rooms, inn dining rooms |
| On-site rooms | About 26 guest rooms across the main inn and motor lodge buildings |
| Services | In-house catering, bar, rentals, event staff, coordinator, on-site parking |
Quick facts about Castle Manor Inn Weddings
One location for getting ready, ceremony, portraits, reception and after‑party.
All‑inclusive style: catering, bar, rentals and staff handled in‑house.
Deck and lawn give you covered and open‑air options with water views.
On‑site rooms mean an easy weekend for out‑of‑town guests.
Works well for 50–120‑ish guest lists (micro‑weddings and elopements can use the indoor rooms).
Pro tip: When you’re venue shopping, compare Castle Manor Inn with a few other North Shore spots so you can weigh cost, views and travel time, this guide to Boston wedding venues is a helpful starting point.
Where can you host your ceremony and reception at Castle Manor Inn?
One of the biggest strengths of Castle Manor Inn is how flexible the spaces are. You can keep your ceremony and reception all outdoors, move everything inside, or mix both depending on the season and guest count.
Main options:
Lawn ceremony:
Say your vows on the front lawn with the inn and turret in the background.
Great for unplugged ceremonies and wide, documentary‑style shots of your guests.
Back deck (tented):
A nearly 2,400 sq ft covered deck with a gazebo and bistro lighting, overlooking the salt marsh and river.
Can host ceremony and/or reception with room for dinner and dancing.
Sea Glass Restaurant & dining rooms:
Three smaller rooms (about 15–20 guests per room) work well for rehearsal dinners, micro‑weddings or post‑wedding brunch.
What makes Castle Manor Inn weddings feel so relaxed and coastal?
Castle Manor Inn sits just above the river with boats drifting past, giving your day that “seaside weekend” energy without needing to be right on the beach. The Sea Glass Restaurant has warm wood finishes, small dining rooms and a wrap‑around porch that feels more like an old‑family home than a hotel ballroom.
Ways that relaxed feeling shows up in your day:
Porch cocktails: Guests spill onto the porch and veranda for a breeze and river views during cocktail hour.
Soft evening light: The back deck catches beautiful sunset light over the marsh and river—perfect for quick portraits without leaving your party.
Seafood‑forward menus: The in‑house culinary team leans into local, seasonal menus (hello, New England seafood).
Quiet corners: The inn has nooks and stairways where you can sneak away for a breather—or a quick, candid portrait.
Staff that actually cares: Recent reviews call out kind, helpful coordinators who keep the day moving smoothly.
This kind of environment is perfect for documenting your day as it actually felt—no need for big productions, just candid, documentary coverage layered over a relaxed weekend.
Pro tip: If you’re considering both city and coastal venues, spend time imagining your morning—coffee on a porch watching boats versus a downtown hotel—and choose the environment that fits your energy. If the coastal vibe wins, we can talk through hybrid photo‑video coverage so you can relive the sounds and movement of the day too.
How many guests and overnight rooms does Castle Manor Inn have?
Castle Manor Inn is built for weddings in the 30–120‑ish guest range, with the back deck accommodating up to around 130 guests for seated events when fully utilized (always confirm your layout and max headcount directly with the venue).
For overnight stays, current public listings mention:
26 guest rooms total, split between:
10 rooms in the main Victorian inn, including a bridal/honeymoon suite.
16 motor‑lodge style rooms in the wings with patios or balconies.
Options for room blocks so core family and friends can stay on‑site.
On‑site breakfast (confirm exact offerings) for a relaxed post‑wedding brunch before everyone heads home.
This setup makes it easy to turn your wedding into a full weekend: welcome drinks on Friday, wedding on Saturday, and a Sunday send‑off without people needing to drive between hotels and venue.
Pro tip: Ask the inn how many rooms they recommend blocking for your guest count, and whether there are any minimums or buyout options. If you’re leaning toward a smaller elopement or microwedding at the inn, I also offer tailored Boston elopement coverage that can work beautifully.
How much does a Castle Manor Inn wedding cost?
Exact pricing will depend on your date, guest count and menu choices, but public venue listings give some helpful ballparks:
Full wedding (ceremony + reception) packages are often listed starting around $3,500+ for venue use, with food and beverage additional.
The back deck is listed at about a $3,000 deck fee, plus an optional $500 on‑site ceremony fee, again before catering and bar.
Expect per‑person food and beverage minimums similar to other North Shore inns—numbers move with inflation, so always confirm current menus with the venue.
For a typical 90–110‑guest wedding at Castle Manor Inn, many couples end up in a total venue + food + bar spend that’s broadly similar to other North Shore coastal inns, but with the bonus of on‑site accommodations and an all‑in‑one location.
Is my wedding a good fit for candid, documentary coverage here?
If your priority is to experience the weekend with your people and end up with images that feel like your wedding, not a styled shoot, Castle Manor Inn is a great fit for candid, documentary coverage. The compact layout, porches and deck are perfect for moving around quietly and catching real moments.
You’re likely in the sweet spot if:
You care more about connection than elaborate staging.
You want me documenting your day as it actually felt, not pulling you away every 20 minutes.
You love the idea of unobtrusive wedding photography. I’m there, but your guests aren’t constantly aware of the camera.
You’d love candid, documentary coverage that still creates authentic & Timeless Images you’ll be proud to print.
What does a Castle Manor Inn wedding timeline usually look like?
Every wedding is different, but here’s a common full‑day flow that works well at Castle Manor Inn with candid, documentary coverage:
Morning: Getting ready in inn rooms; hair and makeup on‑site; detail shots happen naturally while you hang with your people.
Early afternoon: First look either on the porch, lawn or a nearby Gloucester spot if you want a short off‑site portrait walk.
Ceremony: Late afternoon on the lawn or back deck, timed so you’re not staring into harsh sun.
Cocktail hour: On the porch, veranda or the deck—great time for candid guest coverage while you mingle.
Dinner + speeches: Under the tent on the deck; a second photographer can be helpful here so one person can stay on reactions while the other watches the action.
Dancing: Same tented deck space; we’ll layer ambient light with flash so it still feels like the night you remember.
With documentary coverage, I’ll arrive early, move quietly and unobtrusively, and keep the schedule flexible enough that you’re not stuck in photos while your guests are on the porch enjoying the view
Where are the best spots for wedding photos at Castle Manor Inn?
Because everything is on one property, we can get a lot of variety without disappearing from your guests for long.
Front lawn with the turret: Classic “castle” backdrop, especially just before guests arrive.
Wrap‑around porch: Great for first looks, small group portraits and rainy‑day options.
Back deck at sunset: Soft light over the river; we can slip out for 5–10 minutes during dinner.
Garden steps and paths: Layered foregrounds and flowers for more intimate portraits.
By the water / marsh: A short walk gives you wider environmental frames that still feel like Castle Manor.
Inn interiors & stairways: Moody, timeless images that lean into the Victorian character.
Castle Manor Inn wedding FAQ
1. How many guests can Castle Manor Inn host for a wedding?
Public venue listings mention seated capacities in the 30–120 guest range, with up to around 130 guests on the back deck, but you should always confirm exact headcounts and layouts directly with the venue.
2. Can we have both our ceremony and reception at Castle Manor Inn?
Yes, many couples host both their ceremony and reception at Castle Manor Inn, often with a lawn or deck ceremony followed by cocktails and a tented deck reception, though indoor options are available for smaller weddings.
3. Is Castle Manor Inn an all-inclusive wedding venue?
Castle Manor Inn is often listed as an all-inclusive style venue with in-house catering, bar service, rentals, staff and an on-site coordinator, but be sure to review the current package details with the venue so you know exactly what is included.
4. Does Castle Manor Inn have on-site accommodations for us and our guests?
Yes, public information notes about 26 guest rooms split between the main Victorian inn and motor-lodge wings, including a bridal or honeymoon suite, but you will want to confirm current room types, room blocks and minimums with the inn.
5. What’s the backup plan if it rains on our Castle Manor Inn wedding day?
Most couples use the covered, tented back deck as a built-in rain plan or move smaller weddings into the inn or Sea Glass Restaurant dining rooms, so when you tour you should ask the coordinator to walk you through their current weather contingencies.
6. Is Castle Manor Inn LGBTQ+ friendly?
Recent online reviews describe Castle Manor Inn staff as kind, welcoming and queer-friendly, but if this is important to you it is always worth asking the venue directly about their experience hosting LGBTQ+ weddings.
7. What time do receptions usually end at Castle Manor Inn?
Like many North Shore inns, Castle Manor Inn typically follows local noise and event curfew guidelines, so you can expect an end time around late evening, but it is best to confirm exact cutoffs and overtime options with the venue.
8. Can we book Castle Manor Inn for a full wedding weekend?
Because the inn offers on-site rooms and food, many couples turn their Castle Manor Inn celebration into a full weekend with a welcome event, wedding day and farewell brunch, but availability for multi-day use and room blocks should be confirmed early.
9. What season is best for a Castle Manor Inn wedding?
Late spring through early fall is most popular for Castle Manor Inn weddings because you can take full advantage of the lawn and back deck, but winter weddings using the inn’s interiors can also be beautiful if you lean into a cozy, candlelit feel.
10. How do we book you as our Castle Manor Inn wedding photographer?
The easiest way to book is to reach out through my contact form with your date, guest count and a note that you are planning a Castle Manor Inn wedding, and I will follow up with availability, custom coverage options and a link to my wedding photography pricing.
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