Have you always dreamed of an elegant outdoor wedding, overlooking a nautical, nature infused backdrop? We’re here to help you plan your Delaware beach wedding!
Outdoor weddings, particularly in coastal towns, seem to always be at the top of the list when asking couples what their dream wedding concept would look like. There are dozens and dozens of wedding venue options, so lets get started with a few of our favorite, providing waterfront view!
So, let’s get started! Breaking it down by town; we will take a tour of coastal Delaware and let you in on all the awesome waterfront wedding venues in the sought after Delaware Beaches, that just so happen to be perfect for tented weddings! While some of these beachy and coastal wedding venues are very well known, others are hidden gems that shouldn’t be overlooked!
Delaware seashore destinations, such as Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Dewey and Millsboro, have many gorgeous wedding venues to choose from.
Indian River Life Saving Station
If heading south out of Dewey Beach, you don’t have a choice but to drive past this first wedding location (as there is only one way to drive south out of Dewey 😊) If you get to the inlet bridge, you’ve gone too far. You may have passed it several times and not realized it’s even there? Any guesses?
Indian River Life Saving Station as well as its “sister” location, Indian River Inlet Marina which is located at the base of the inlet bridge, on the south side. Both venues provide the perfect beachy or nautical backdrop for your wedding or special event! They are both operated by Delaware Seashore State Parks and adorned with waterfront views, spectacular sunsets, and provide the feel of a true Delaware Beach Wedding; Collective Event Group is here to help make that happen!
The locations both require tent and equipment rental, which is an added cost, however, this allows couples to essentially build and design their wedding from the ground up!
Pictured below, at Indian River Life Saving Station, our Sailcloth Tent, Tuscan Lighting and Crossback chairs – coastal elegance at its best!
The Indian River Life Saving Station Museum is this super cool building shown in the photo below, that is located just next to your wedding tent. The museum can be left open during cocktail hour for guests to explore and learn some of the Delaware Seashore history!
Indian River Life Saving Station weddings are a blank slate. When you’re building a wedding from the ground up, you can easily throw in your personal touch and create the feeling you want your guests to have when entering the space.
Below are a few vastly different Delaware beach reception styles, showing how versatile these tented venues can be!
Below, Mary Kate went with a “pretty in pink” theme with soft satin pink linens, and silver chiavari chairs and chargers. Photo credit Hannah Bjorndal Photography
Take a glimpse of the sunset views you will have overlooking Rehoboth Bay at both Indian River Life Saving Station, as well as Indian River Marina.
Big Chill Beach Club
Heading further south, crossing the inlet bridge, sits Big Chill Beach Club. This venue sits inside of a DE Seashore State Park, however, it is owned and operated by LaVida Hospitality Group, formally known as Nage Catering.
Big Chill sits on the second floor, boasting panoramic views of both the ocean and bay, including the inlet bridge! Big Chill doesn’t require a tent, however, we wanted to include them on our list, based on the uniqueness of the venue. In the early years of Big Chill, they did have a permanent structure tent installed, which was used for all of the events, recently, they have built a pavilion like building with roll up doors, which on a beautiful summer day with the doors opened, will feel like you’re right on the beach!
This venue definitely has stunning sunset view!
Lighthouse Cove Event Center at Hyatt Place Dewey Beach
Now heading into bustling and action-packed town of Dewey Beach, we have Hyatt Place Dewey Beach, also known as Lighthouse Cove Event Center. Dewey Beach is an excellent choice for your wedding location. Your guests can easily make a weekend of it and there are no shortages of restaurant and bar options for daytime and evening entertainment!
Lighthouse Cove has a hotel on site (obviously, as it IS the Hyatt, ha-ha!) for your guests, as well as a large indoor ballroom and several smaller meeting spaces. Hyatt boasts a sprawling deck off the ballroom, which overlooks Rehoboth Bay facing westward, ensuring a front row seat at sunset! Collective Event Group and Hyatt have partnered providing guests with several tent options for the waterfront deck! Whether the tent is covering your waterfront ceremony or setting up a space for guests to enjoy the view during cocktail hour – you can’t go wrong.
Below are a few shots of tents installed on the deck at Lighthouse Cove/Hyatt Place Dewey, showing the panoramic view of Rehoboth Bay.
In addition to weddings, Hyatt Place Dewey Beach also hosts several galas, fundraisers and conventions each year; we work with Hyatt staff and their clients to build some very creative tent combinations to utilize the additional deck space and fulfill the individual event needs!
Shown below, some of the activities under our tents during the annual Dewey Beach Winter Gala. Photo credit, Dewey Business Partnership and Dewey Winter Gala.
Rehoboth Beach Yacht & Country Club
Heading Slightly north from Dewey, we have the town of Rehoboth Beach.
Rehoboth Beach Yacht & Country Club sits in an upscale community just off Route One in Rehoboth Beach. The clubhouse has a newly renovated second floor ballroom, overlooking Rehoboth Bay. They also have a dedicated outdoor waterfront ceremony arbor and large waterfront back lawn surrounded by lush golf greens, perfect for your wedding tent!
Some couples choose to hold their ceremony and cocktail hour outdoors or under a tent, then move into the ballroom for the reception. However, you can also opt for your reception to be tenting on the waterfront!
The event staff at Rehoboth Beach Country Club work closely with Collective Event Group to make sure every detail of your wedding is taken care of.
Below are a few photos from Kelsey + Ben’s Rehoboth Beach Country Club Tented Wedding. The rockstar wedding team as follows: All photos courtesy of Manda Weaver Photography. Planning, Belle of the Ball Events. Stationary, Lewes Lettering Co. Flowers & Lounge Furniture, Pretty Little Wedding Co. Music, Sid Miller Dance Band. Tent, tables, chairs, dance floor and Lighting, Collective Event Group. You can view the full album here!
Loving the soft blue toile linens with the wood tones of the sailcloth tent poles and cross back chairs. Greenery accents draped in the tent top offer a classic coastal, yet garden party look.
Kings Creek Country Club
Next, we have Kings Creek Country Club, located in Rehoboth Beach and another great spot for your tented wedding! Now, Kings Creek isn’t waterfront, but it is still “at the beach” and the location gives guests easy access to tons of beach front accommodations. They have a newly renovated clubhouse and ballroom, as well as outdoor locations for your wedding tent!
I would like to highlight a summertime wedding, which Collective Event Group provided the massive Sailcloth Tent, pure white carpeted event flooring, generator to power the entire event, Dance floor, Band Stage, and a variety of other rentals. The vendor team was brought in from near and far and the wedding was featured in Style Me Pretty, you view the blog publication, here and full album, here!
Bennett + Kirk’s wedding was so vibrant and fun with crisp and clean modern accents.
Photo credit on all photos below, Bonnie Sen Photography.
Want to see more photos from this wedding? Check out our gallery here.
Sailcloth Tents have a beautiful glow after dark. Aside from their nautical look, detail stitching and stained wooden poles – the evening sailcloth glow is by far a favorite feature!
Pots Nets Seaside Pavilion
Located off the beaten path and around the bend from Dewey and Rehoboth sits Millsboro, particularly Long Neck, DE. This hidden gem of a community is bursting with boat and fishing life as well as this adorable hidden wedding location inside of one of the Pot Nets communities. Pot Nets Seaside Pavilion is located inside of Pot Nets Seaside. The pavilion is out on somewhat of a point, where Indian River Bay meets Rehoboth Bay.
Although you technically must be a resident of one of the Pot Nets communities to rent out this location… Let’s just say, I’m sure you could find someone you know who lives within the six communities under the Pot Nets brand.
The pavilion itself is a perfect backdrop for your wedding tent or your outdoor wedding ceremony! There are soooo many places for beautiful photo ops within steps of the pavilion.
The Clubhouse at Baywood
Down the street from Pot Nets communities, you will find The Clubhouse at Baywood. Now, I know, this location isn’t technically beach front… BUT I wanted to give them a mention as they do have a pond and adorable bridge, that offers perfectly classic photo opportunities!
The entire property is expertly and meticulously landscaped to perfection! Great choice for a garden party style soiree!
Shown below is the picturesque pond and bridge I mentioned, soooo perfect for those newlywed shots!
Check out Meghan + Matt’s gorgeous Sailcloth Wedding by Collective Event Group, held at Baywood.
As well as a few photos below. Or you can view their album here – courtesy of Philip Gabriel Photography.
Below show a few vantage points of the tent exterior and tent interior and set up! They selected black chiavari chairs and mixed round and king width banquet tables for seating. You can view our chair rental selections, perfect for your Delaware Wedding here!
The Inn at Canal Square
Heading back out to the Delaware coast, we move into downtown Lewes. Lewes, DE is an adorable and quaint coastal town with restaurants and boutique shops lining 2nd Street, which happens to be one block off the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal. Nestled along the canal is The Inn at Canal Square. This cedar shake, Nantucket inspired inn fits in quite nicely with the surrounding colonial and Victorian influences that Lewes exhibits.
The Inn at Canal Square has two event spaces, perfect for dinner parties, or intimate wedding receptions. However, if your event is more than about 50 guests or more than 85 guests for a cocktail party, you have the option to tent the paver courtyard off the Parkview Room, surrounded by landscaping. As well as utilize the Waterview Room, which has an outside deck, overlooking the canal and Lewes Harbor – perfect for cocktail hour!
Photo credit, The Beards
Your wedding guests can also stay right on site, which is walking distance to downtown Lewes (as I mentioned, the shops and restaurants are literally one block away) as well as less than a 15 minute walk to Lewes public beach.
Collective Event Group has worked closely with The Inn at Canal Square for more than 25 years and we are experts on this venue’s needs and requirements. Along with your courtyard tent, we even provide marquee tent connections to the Parkview Room, providing seamless use of the indoors and out!
Below are a few shots from Marta + Mike at Inn at Canal Square. Marta was one of my favorite clients of all time. I simply loved working with her. She is so sweet and endearing, truly a pleasure. At the time, Marta + Mike lived in New York, so this was a mini destination wedding for them. Much of the planning was done from a distance, over the phone and email, which is common with my Delaware Beach Wedding brides and grooms. The Delaware Beaches are a great location for a mini destination wedding, from surrounding Philadelphia or Washington DC – creating a weekend getaway for your guests! We are well versed in communicating across different states, time zones, and even countries while helping our clients with wedding plans!
Marta + Mike had a fabulous team of vendors that all came together and helped make this happen!
Photo credit for all, Sarah DiCicco Photography. You can view the entire album there!
Tenting and all rentals came from, Collective Event Group
Planner, Ashley with Make My Day Events
Catering, LaVida Hospitality
Reception Venue, Inn at Canal Square
Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Venue, Canal Front Park
Band, East Coast Party Band
Photographer, Sarah DiCicco Photography
Wedding Dress Designer, Jenny Yoo/Sposabella Lace
Hair Stylist, The Village Salon and Spa
Floral, Styled (previously The City Florist)
Bride prep location The Virden House, Lewes B&B
Groom prep location, Hotel Rodney
Lewes Canal Front Park
If you aren’t already sold on this quaint town and beautiful venue that is Inn at Canal Square… directly next door to the inn sits Lewes Canal Front Park, which also happens to be the home to the historic Lightship Overfalls! If you don’t know what that means, I suggest you check out this article explaining the ship and its rich history!
Did I mention, downtown Lewes is packed so full of Delaware history? All you history buffs would be occupied for days on end in historic downtown Lewes!
Photo credit, Sarah DiCicco Photography
Okay, back to Canal Front Park! The park views the canal and has a large wooden pergola installed, which sets you up for a waterfront wedding ceremony! You certainly don’t have to utilize the convenience of the park for your ceremony, when using Inn at Canal Square, or vice versa, but why wouldn’t you?
A few shots from Samm + Andrew’s ceremony at Canal Front Park.
Photo credit, Hudson Nichols Photography (you can also view their entire album at that link)
Conveniently, I happen to have the direct link to apply for your Canal Front Park Wedding Here! There are dozens of other parks and beach wedding ceremony options listed on this site.
Delaware Seaside Bride also has a very helpful write up on the steps needed to secure a wedding ceremony for any of the Lewes Parks or Beaches – check out their helpful article here!
Keep in mind, Collective Event Group offers same day delivery, set up, take down and removal for all of your Delaware Beach Wedding Ceremony needs!!
Irish Eyes
Still in downtown Lewes, I would like to mention Irish Eyes, found across the canal from Inn at Canal Square. This restaurant and bar has an upstairs banquet room and deck overlooking the Lewes Canal and marina. Great spot with beautiful views!! No space for tenting, but it’s a pretty cool spot! We frequently provide linens, chiavari chairs, and other wedding rental accessories here!
Lewes Yacht Club
Lewes Yacht Club is also a great option, they are located directly next to Roosevelt inlet (great ceremony location, and remember, Collective Event Group offers same day set up and removal for your beach wedding ceremony chairs!). Their ballroom space is on the second floor, offering sprawling bay views! No space for tenting here, but we often provide table linens and specialty chairs.
Grain on the Rocks
Leaving downtown, heading toward Cape Henlopen State Park, you will stumble across the Lewes Ferry Terminal. This ferry runs between Lewes, DE and Cape May, NJ (read about Cape May NJ wedding venues in my next blog!! Collective Event Group also provides tents and wedding rentals in southern New Jersey!)
Located inside of the ferry terminal building is Grain on the Rocks, not only a great waterfront bar and restaurant, they also do weddings!
Over the years we have done numerous weddings on the lawn at the ferry terminal and even out on the pier! Check out photos from several of Collective Event Group Lewes Ferry Terminal weddings on their website, here!
Private Property Weddings
In addition to the Delaware waterfront wedding venues listed above, Collective Event Group also provides wedding tents and rentals for dozens and dozens of backyard weddings in towns such as Lewes Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey, Bethany and beyond. Here are a few backyard beach weddings:
Below, Aly + Gavin’s downtown Rehoboth Beach Wedding under multiple clear top tents, configured to fit the backyard space, mixing farmhouse tables with rounds and cross back chairs for guest seating. They held their ceremony overlooking Silver Lake. You can see the full gallery and all wedding vendors, here.
Below, this downtown Rehoboth beach backyard wedding shown below, soft blues and natural wood tones and amazing florals by Flowers by Yukie
Below, this boho meets vintage Lewes wedding reception was held at a private residence, their ceremony was beach front, at Children’s Beach House.
I loved the outdoor lighting, pole tent with full ceiling liner and eclectic tent interior. They used our vintage china, perfect for their theme!
Photo credit, Angie Moon Photographer, you can view the whole gallery here.
Outdoor Lighting for a Delaware Beach Wedding is a must!
Even if you aren’t in need of a tent, Collective Event Group can add some fun overhead lighting for your Beach Wedding!
Overhead Lighting in front of a private home for this Dewey Beach Wedding! You can view the full gallery, here.
Honorable Mentions… even though these locations aren’t technically in Delaware. They are just south in and around Ocean City, Maryland – a fun town and popular Maryland Beach wedding location!
Lighthouse Sound
Lighthouse Sound, technically in Bishopville, sits overlooking the Assawoman Bay, across the bay from Ocean City. After dark, you also have an illuminated city scape view of Ocean City! Lighthouse Sound has a great indoor space available. But if you want the surrounding view to be incorporated into your wedding, there is a large side lawn that is great for tenting!
Cambria Hotel Ocean City Bayfront
Cambria Hotel Ocean City – Bayfront sits overlooking the bridge and inlet, with a westward view so you won’t miss the sunset! The Cambria has a large event lawn, perfect for your wedding tent, which claims the same views! This venue is very new so not many wedding photos or content available, but with so much potential, it deserves a mention! Marge in the sales office is also so sweet and easy to work with!
Ashore Resort & Beach Club
Ashore Resort & Beach Club is newly renovated and breaking into the wedding business. There are several areas for tenting, as well as indoor and open-air spaces. Call Lisa and she’ll guide you through the details!
This wraps up our tour of scenic Delaware Beach towns and wedding venues perfect for your waterfront Delaware beach wedding!
Collective Event Group is a great resource for suggestions and information about Delaware wedding venues, both well-known and the hidden gems! We can also help suggest other wedding vendors and professionals who are a great fit for these venues. We would love to help and look forward to hearing from you!
Not sure if a tent is your thing?
What could be more spectacular than an elegant Sailcloth Tent with its flags gently blowing in the coastal Delaware breeze?
What could awe your guests more than a clear top tent accented with floral chandeliers?
Photo Credit: Courtney Paige Photography
What can give a more celestial vibe than our galaxy waterfall lighting after dark?
A tented wedding is not only fun to plan but gives you the free rein to create exactly what you envision your special day to be!
