Getting married in Massachusetts is a GREAT choice! Maybe I’m a little biased, since I’m a Massachusetts resident myself, but I do think that this state is one of the most beautiful places you can get married! I’ve photographed thousands of weddings all throughout New England, and it’s always so special to photograph couples getting married in Massachusetts.
What you need to know about getting married in Massachusetts
If you’re getting married in Massachusetts, there are a few things you should know first that will help make the planning process smoother and easier (We want to avoid as much wedding planning stress as possible, right?!).
So, I’ve created this guide on everything you need to know about getting married in Massachusetts to help you out! Let’s dive in…
You’ll need to get a Massachusetts marriage license
Anyone getting married in Massachusetts needs to first apply for and get a Massachusetts marriage license. The good news is that you can do this in any town or county in Massachusetts, even if your wedding ceremony is being held in a different city or county within the state. Just make sure you know what kind of documentation you’ll need to bring (ID’s to prove your age and identity, your social security number, etc.) and fees to expect in your specific city or town.
Marriage licenses in Massachusetts are valid for 60 days, meaning they need to be signed and turned in to the state within 60 days of first receiving the license. So, two months before your wedding date is the very earliest you can apply for a marriage license. That being said, you don’t want to wait too long either. There’s typically a 3-day waiting period to pick up your license after you’ve applied for it. Thus, usually a month or so before your wedding day is the perfect time to go pick up your marriage license.
Where to get married in Massachusetts
Couples getting married in Massachusetts have many amazing wedding locations to choose from. In fact, it can be hard to narrow down your options! If you’re getting married in Massachusetts, I highly recommend having your wedding in Boston, Cape Cod, or Worcester.
Boston
Boston is the perfect choice for a quintessential New England city wedding. This city has something for everyone: classic brownstone buildings, a gorgeous harbor view, lush parks, and modern design. You really can’t go wrong with getting married in any of these settings, though I will say the Boston Public Library is one of my favorite wedding venues in town.
Plus, Boston is a top choice for couples getting married in Massachusetts because it is so convenient. There’s an international airport in the city, tons of accommodation options, great venues and food vendors, and it’s close to many other major New England cities. If you want a smaller wedding, Boston elopements are always a wonderful choice, too!
Cape Cod
Cape Cod is the opposite of Boston in many ways, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less amazing! The Cape is a gorgeous coastal area in Massachusetts, right on the Atlantic ocean. If you want a beach wedding, this is the perfect spot for you! Cape Cod weddings are always so peaceful, romantic, and relaxed. The coast is the perfect getaway from the busyness of city life, so weddings held here are always especially fun and intimate. Nothing beats time at the beach!
Also, Cape Cod is home to many luxurious restaurants, hotels, guest homes, and more, so you have many great accommodation and wedding vendor options to choose from.
Worcester
Worcester is another great city for getting married in Massachusetts. It is the second-largest city in the state, behind Boston. I love Worcester because it is a thriving city with a cool culture, but it still has a simple, classic vibe. It isn’t quite as busy or overwhelming as Boston can be, which makes it a more peaceful place to hold your wedding while still getting all the benefits of being in a city.
Furthermore, there are lots of cute, quaint farms and inns surrounding the city, and the area is full of ponds and lakes. Worcester is absolutely beautiful with tons of rustic charm!
What time of year is best for getting married in Massachusetts?
Many couples ask, “What time of year is best for getting married in Massachusetts?” Truthfully, you can have a wonderful wedding in Massachusetts year-round, though fall and summer are usually the most popular wedding seasons in the state.
Fall
Fall is breathtaking in Massachusetts. The crisp weather and golden fall tones during this season are magical and make for the most romantic and cozy weddings. Plus, you’ll get the most amazing pictures, so it makes sense that fall weddings are a popular choice for couples getting married in Massachusetts. Just keep in mind that fall weather can be extremely cold and so you have to plan accordingly. Getting married earlier in the fall is always safer if you want to avoid freezing temperatures.
Winter
For winter weddings in Massachusetts, getting married indoors is a must. It is extremely cold in this state during the winter, and snowstorms are common. For your winter wedding, choose a venue that is nice and warm so that you can comfortably celebrate saying “I do!”
Spring
Spring weddings are always super pretty, too! A Massachusetts spring is beautiful; it’s lush, vibrant, and not too cold. However, it can be very rainy during this season. For that reason, indoor weddings are usually a safer option in the springtime. If you do decide to have an outdoor spring wedding, make sure you have a good backup plan in case it rains.
Summer
Summer is the other most popular time for getting married in Massachusetts. You basically have endless wedding venue options during this time, since inclement weather won’t get in your way. In fact, most summer days in Massachusetts are sunny with high temperatures in the 80’s. Of course, Cape Cod beach weddings are super popular during this time for couples wanting to escape the heat and celebrate on the coast. Whether you get married on the beach or in the city, long hours of daylight during the summer make for great wedding photos!
There are many great Massachusetts wedding vendors to choose from
Finally, I want to say that there are so many incredible wedding vendors to choose from in Massachusetts. If you are getting married in Massachusetts, you are guaranteed to have a dreamy, stunning wedding day put together with top-notch vendors. I recommend starting by hiring a Massachusetts wedding planner to help ease the stress of wedding planning and give recommendations on other top wedding vendors, too. Kate Murtaugh Events & Designs and Always Yours Events are both brilliant Massachusetts wedding planners I love working with!
Of course, you’re also definitely going to want to hire a Massachusetts wedding photographer to capture your magical day. If you need a wedding photographer, let’s chat!
Getting married in Massachusetts is so exciting!
I hope your main takeaway from this post is that getting married in Massachusetts is a wonderful choice, with many exciting wedding options. You will definitely be able to have the wedding of your dreams in this state and I hope you have so much fun planning your big day!
If you want to learn even more wedding planning tips, check out this post on the top 5 things you need to know about planning a New England wedding.
Xoxo, Marcela
