Storybook wedding venue north of Boston on the coast

Ashley and Matt held their wedding at the picturesque Crane Estate, a storybook wedding venue just north of Boston. After years of vacationing in nearby Gloucester, MA, Ashley and Matt would often take their boat over to Crane Beach. It only made sense to check out the estate as a potential wedding venue after they got engaged, and I can’t imagine their wedding anywhere else! We couldn’t have been more thrilled as we are always excited to photograph Crane Estate weddings!

Francie with 42 North Weddings did a fantastic job of coordinating the day, and we were blown away by the colorful details at this wedding! From the hand dyed napkins to the overflowing floral arrangements, around every corner was something more beautiful than before. Scroll down to see all of our favorites from this storybook wedding, and congrats to Ashley and Matt!

Bride and groom stand on the roof of the Crane Estate, a storybook wedding venue on the ocean just north of Boston, MA.

A flower crown sits next to a pair of wedding shoes at the Crane Estate.

The wedding dress is hung from the ceiling with a long train and veil at the Castle Hill Inn at the Crane Estate.

The groom's father helps his son with his tuxedo jacket at the Crane Estate in MA.

A goldendoodle dog cuddles with a groomsman before this Crane Estate wedding in MA.

The groom looks out of the window at the Crane Estate salt marshes of Ipswich, MA.

The Crane Estate storybook wedding venue is surrounded by salt marshes.

The bride and her bridesmaids in pink robes get ready for the wedding day in the Crane Estate tavern.

The bridesmaids have a good laugh while getting ready for the wedding at the Crane Estate Tavern.

This storybook wedding venue has a stunning ocean view over the Crane Beach just north of Boston.

Documentary wedding photo of the ringbearer looking out at the ocean from the Crane Estate Inn.

This storybook wedding venue sits on top of Castle Hill and overlooks the ocean and Crane Beach.

The groom has the sweetest smile on his face before the first look on the porch at the Crane Estate Inn.

The bride taps the groom on the shoulder for their first look at the Crane Estate Inn.

The groom hugs the bride smiling after their first look.

Emotional photo of the bride and groom laughing after first look in MA.

Wedding party stands on the front lawn of the Castle Hill Inn with the salt marsh behind them.

Hilarious photo of the bridesmaids who threw their flowers up into the air at the Crane Estate.

Candid moment of the groomsmen trying to figure out how to lift up the groom.

The bride and groom have a romantic moment at the rooftop of the Crane Estate, a storybook wedding venue overlooking the ocean just north of Boston.

The bride and groom are pictured next to their Rolls Royce and in front of the epic Crane Estate mansion on Castle Hill. This wedding venue is a storybook setting for a coastal wedding!

The bride and groom stand in front of this castle on the ocean at the Crane Estate.

The bride and groom lean against their Rolls Royce at the Crane Estate.

The bride and groom kiss in front of the rolling hills lawn at this storybook wedding venue on the northshore of Boston.

The bride looks back at the camera in this black and white photo with their Rolls Royce at the Crane Estate.

This coastal wedding ceremony venue gives guests an ocean view at the Crane Estate.

This romantic wooden decor at the Crane Estate added to the storybook theme of this day!

A terrace ceremony at the Crane Estate after rain made the lawn too soggy.

Letter press watercolor ombre wedding invitations and handmade map for a romantic wedding at the Crane Estate.

The tented reception space next to the Crane Estate castle is filled with family style wooden tables and tons of flowers.

Tons of flowers cascade over the sweetheart table at this Crane Estate wedding in the tent.

Crystals and geodes were used in the decor at this Crane Estate wedding on the northshore.

A beautiful midcentury modern lounge is created at the Crane Estate for the wedding reception under the tent.

Front view of the Great House on Castle Hill at this coastal venue.

The bride looks out of the very large windows in the bridal suite at the Crane Estate.

The groom enters his storybook wedding ceremony on the terrace at the Great House.

Bridesmaids wear merlow dresses at this terrace ceremony at the Crane Estate.

The bride walks in with her father at this Crane Estate terrace ceremony.

Natural wedding photography of the groom watching the bride enter ceremony.

The bride and groom hold hands during this epic coastal wedding ceremony at the Crane Estate just north of Boston on the ocean.

The mother of the bride watches the ceremony with an ocean backdrop.

As candid wedding photographers we love to capture photos of wedding guests and parents watching the ceremony.

The bride and groom read their handwritten vows to each other during this oceanfront wedding.

The bride and groom kiss at the end of the ceremony with the ocean behind them at this storybook wedding.

The bride and groom are excited as they exit their ceremony at the Crane Estate.

Geode slices serve as guest escort cards at this crystal and gem themed wedding at the Crane Estate.

This storybook wedding venue is filled with candles and flowers at the Crane Estate.

Studded antique glasses line the tables at this storybook wedding at the Crane Estate.

Romantic flowers by Ford Flower Co. are set on the tables at the Crane Estate.

Artistic wedding cakes by Jenny's Wedding Cakes with gold leaf, watercolor, and flowers.

Groom talking with wedding guests in the ballroom at the Crane Estate.

Guests enjoy sliders at the Crane Estate, catered by Fireside.

Wedding guests enjoy an indoor cocktail hour at the Crane Estate.

Guests dance in the ballroom at the Crane Estate.

The bride and groom enter their reception at the Crane Estate tent.

The wedding guests cheer and clap as the bride and groom enter the tented reception at the Crane Estate.

The bride and groom have their first dance at the Crane Estate on the north shore of MA.

The groom lifts the bride up after their first dance under the tent at the Great House on Castle Hill.

The father of the bride gives a toast under the reception tent at the Crane Estate.

The groom laughs during the father of the bride's toast.

The bride hugs her dad at the Crane Estate reception.

Guests clap after toasts at the Crane Estate epic venue.

The best man and maid of honor give toasts at this tented reception by the ocean.

Parents of the bride and groom chat at the Crane Estate.

Storybook wedding detail of wedding rings inside of a large rose peony.

This storybook wedding venue has a sailcloth tent for the reception, beautiful blue at twilight.

The bride and her father dance in the ballroom at the Crane Estate. This documentary photo proves how important these kinds of storytelling moments are!

Wedding guests smile at the bride and her father after their dance at the Crane Estate.

The groom dances with his mother at the Crane Estate.

Sweet Tooth and the Sugar Babies wedding band performs during this Crane Estate wedding on the north shore of MA.

The bride dances with guests at the Crane Estate ballroom.

Wedding guests dance at the Great House wedding on Castle Hill.

The father of the groom jokes around with old friends at this Crane Estate wedding.

Funny dance moves while this great wedding band plays at the Crane Estate.

Storybook wedding guests dance in ballroom.

Happy wedding guests on the dance floor at the Crane Estate.

The bride and groom smile at each other on the dance floor at the Crane Estate.

This storybook wedding venue has a view of the ocean at Crane's Beach.

More about this storybook wedding…

When Ashley and Matt first reached out to us about photographing their wedding weekend on the north shore of MA, we were super excited to chat with them. In addition to having the ceremony and reception at the Great House on the Crane Estate property, they mentioned that their wedding rehearsal dinner would be at the Gould Barn (a venue we have been admiring for a long time!). These two just seemed to happy to be getting married, they really wanted to throw a party where everyone would have a great time! I’d say their wedding was a definite success on that front. :)

Surrounded by salt marshes, Ashley and Matt started off the day with a first look on the porch of the Inn at Castle Hill. Matt’s smile was contagious, and we couldn’t get enough of the happy moments between these two. After a few more bride and groom portraits, along with their antique Rolls-Royce, guests began arriving for the ceremony. The ceremony was originally going to be on the rolling green lawn behind the Great House, but the lawn was a bit soggy from morning rainstorms. Ashley and Matt decided to move the ceremony to the terrace instead. Guests still had a stunning ocean view overlooking Crane Beach, and everyone appreciated having dry feet!

Ideas for Tented Wedding Reception Decor

One of our favorite things about this wedding was how warm and cozy the reception tent felt! Flowers by Ford Flower Co. literally draped every surface. Candles lined the raised patio, and greenery hung from the chandeliers! Ashley and Matt also had one of the most unique escort card ideas we’ve ever seen. They used geode slices and painted guest names and table numbers in gold! The table numbers were also sparkling geode gems. We loved the rich jewel tones of this September wedding, which seemed like the perfect compliment for fall.

After dinner, guests were invited into the ballroom for dancing. The Sweet Tooth and the Sugarbabies band knocked it out of the park! Their lead singer had such an incredible voice and energy… it was a joy to photograph both the band and guests getting their groove on! Thanks to Ashley and Matt for having such an optimistic and adventurous spirit. We had a wonderful weekend with you both and wish you all the best as husband and wife!