Weddings on the Water

The White Elephant

Nantucket, Massachusetts
‍Just 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, the small island of Nantucket is one of prettiest ports on the East Coast, and one of the most perfect places to say I do. The White Elephant is a premier property on the island, and in the state, as it was rated the number one resort in Massachusetts by Travel and Leisure magazine. Sixty-six guest rooms, suites and garden cottages are on site, many with crackling fireplaces and stunning harbor views. In addition to conventional ceremonies, exclusive wedding weekends are available, during which the entire resort can be booked. You can plan everything here, from the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception to the bridal lunch and Sunday brunch. Dockage is available at the full-service Nantucket Boat Basin where there are 240 slips within walking distance of the town's award-winning restaurants, boutiques, museums and art galleries. whiteelephanthotel.com; nantucketboatbasin.com

Saybrook Point Inn & Spa

Saybrook Point, Connecticut
‍Located where the waters of the Connecticut River give way to the Long Island Sound, and just minutes from historic downtown Old Saybrook, the Saybrook Point Inn & Spa works hard to treat newlyweds and their guests to a sumptuous stay. It offers all the serenity and charm of a classic New England destination, plus all the modern amenities and state-of the- art services of a world-class hotel. For the reception, there are grand venues and elegant reception halls at this 19th-Century style retreat. There is a European flair to the decor of the guest rooms (think elegant wooden furniture and bathrooms glossy with marble) that's both cozy and tasteful. Hosting couples can also offer their guests access to a world-class spa with treatments (seaweed wraps and sea facials) influenced by the hotel's waterfront location. Dockage is available at the Saybrook Point Marina, Connecticut's first designated CleanMarina, which accommodates vessels from 12 to 200 feet. saybrook.com; saybrookpointmarina.com

Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa

Savannah, Georgia
‍Situated on exclusive Hutchinson Island, this resort is just across the Savannah River from the famous River Street. Wedding venues and rooms may offer views of downtown Savannah and the river or, on the other side of the property, the 18-hole golf course, Savannah's only PGA event course. There is so much to do in the hotel and the famous city across the river that the bride and groom won't have to worry about keeping their guests happily occupied for the day or for a long weekend. Guests have access to all of the resort's amenities, including the Heavenly Spa, a recipient of the Four Diamond Award. Newlyweds who have spent their first night here as man and wife say the Westin's hallmark Heavenly Bed comprised of umpteen layers of down, duvet and feather pillows is worth a swan dive into.When arriving by boat, head for the Westin's 600-foot deepwater dock on the Savannah River.The friendly and knowledgeable staff is on hand to help you tie up and get settled. westinsavannah.com

Tides Inn

Irvington, Virginia
‍If your ideal wedding location includes the robust breezes of the Chesapeake Bay in an atmosphere that oozes country inn elegance and laid-back luxury, then tie the knot here. Overlooking Carters Creek and with a clear view to the Rappahannock River, this resort and spa in Virginia's Northern Neck is located on its own peninsula. This makes it a great place for a wedding celebration because it gives families plenty of serene space and lush lawns on which to bond. There's a homespun, peaceful atmosphere here that puts everyone at ease. There are a number of wedding venues to choose from for a reception, from a white tent set up on the Par 3 golf course to indoor reception rooms with panoramic views and big dance floors. Upon arrival, tie up at the Tides Inn Marina, which is attached to the main property. Guests at this full-service facility have access to the golf course, bicycles, kayaks, paddleboats, and canoes, which should keep all of your guests busy in the hours leading up to the bride's big walk down the aisle. tidesinn.com

Longboat Key Club

Longboat Key, Florida
‍More than one couple has fantasized about a beautiful beach wedding. At this 410-acre resort with more than 200 newly renovated rooms on the southern end of Longboat Key on Florida's west coast, the dream morphs into reality. The sand and surf in this part of the Sunshine State is out of this world. Couple that natural beauty with the lush, tropical setting of this private resort that caters to the country club set, and you have the makings of a very special event. Wedding venues include a grand ballroom, Gulf-side pool terrace and the white-sand beach itself. While the location is romantic through and through, it's also well suited for active guests at your party. The golf course is one of the best places to play in the state, and Longboat Key Club is ranked among the top tennis resorts in the country. And then there's the marina, a full -service behemoth with 291 slips. longboatkeyclub.com

Abaco Beach Resort and Marina

Abaco, Bahamas
‍It really is better in the Bahamas, particularly if you're planning a destination wedding. At this oceanfront hideaway on the Sea of Abaco one of Marsh Harbour's biggest and best couples can plan an authentic Bahamian-style celebration complete with an exchange of vows on a brilliant beach and a dinner of fresh local seafood served to the joyful sounds of a live Calypso band. There's no shortage of romantic settings at this luxury resort in the low-key Out Islands. Here, weddings can be celebrated in formal or open-air banquet rooms, or even on the docks at the hotel's Boat Harbour Marina, where there are views of the harbor and the magnificent yachts that cruise there. The full-service marina has slips for 198 boats and a very professional dive shop in the event the newlyweds want to sneak away from the party for some private time in a pretty location some 60-feet under the surface of the sea. abacobeachresort.com

Two Harbors

Catalina, California
‍Locals call it the Isthmus. Couples who love water and cruising will call it paradise. This small, unincorporated island village between Isthmus Cove and Catalina Harbor has only one restaurant, one hotel and one general store, but what it lacks in population it makes up for in atmosphere and scenery. A true treasure of Southern California, Two Harbors is part of Los Angeles,but strikingly different. Couples who want to plan a quiet, rustic wedding, should put the anchor down here. Rings can be exchanged in a casual ceremony on the shore that's lined with sandstone cliffs, or during a more formal celebration inside the Banning House Lodge. Built in 1910, it has a long history as a romantic retreat for couples celebrating honeymoons and anniversaries. Guests arriving by boat can stay on the moorings, which can be reserved on a first come first serve basis. visitcatalinaisland.com

Golden Nugget

Atlantic City, New Jersey
‍Yes, a wedding is a sacred celebration of sorts, but it's also the biggest party a couple will ever throw for themselves. For those who want to add glitz, glamour and maybe a little late-night gaming to their dream waterfront wedding, there's the Gold Nugget. At this 727-room resort in the fast paced seaside town of Atlantic City, you can plan an outdoor ceremony by the bay with a backdrop of the AC boardwalk skyline and follow it up with a dance party in one of the hotel's grand ballrooms. Afterward, move the party to the hotel's 74,000-square-foot casino, or hit the nightclubs. Newlyweds can make their special day last all night long in Atlantic City.When arriving by boat, pull in at the full-service Frank S. Farley State Marina that's managed by the Golden Nugget Hotel and boasts 630 floating slips for yachts up to 300 feet. goldennugget.com