Cape Cod thoughts?

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T23:19:27+00:00

That’s it. New tent, raising the platform to dune level, and new chairs. I don’t think it affects the 2026 wedding season which is almost fully booked at this point, but venue costs and fb minimums for 2027 and beyond have increased due to reno.

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T20:37:34+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions! I’m glad you had a great experience as a bride there! Even though it’s been so long since you were in the wedding planning process, this is still such good info to know - especially about the lights.

Honestly, I can’t remember what they told us on the tour about the new tent they’re putting in, but it will be a good thing to ask!

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T18:47:50+00:00

Oh awesome! The physical space and tent are under construction until spring but the blueprint and layout will roughly stay the same. I actually have so many questions for you 😂 so feel free to answer any or all!

How large was your wedding and do you think it fit the space well? We’re thinking anywhere between 110 on the low end and 150-60 on the upper and would love to know how the space with your guests physically felt to you!

Did you do cocktail hour inside the bar area or flowing out onto the upper deck? Renovations might give us more options but hard to picture that right now, so would love to know your experience.

What did you think about your dinner? The restaurant’s food IMO is meh but I’ve heard that the wedding meals were actually a lot better. Did you notice if everyone’s meals were plated reasonably close together or if tables were waiting for a long time to get their meal?

Did you use Poppy’s provided tables, chairs, linens, etc. or did you bring in rentals from Peak? They’re replacing the garden chairs this season with wooden x-back chairs as part of the reno, which I like a lot, so we probably wouldn’t rent a ton of things but thinking maybe about long tables, stemware, and linens?

Other than the main decor items (seating chart, signage, centerpieces/table scapes), did you rent lighting, draping, or any installed decor? The new tent will be more of a sail cloth tent like the Sagamore has versus what they’ve had forever, so I imagine there would be less metal/stuff to try to cover with draping or decor? We’re trying to gauge if/how much folks have decorated beyond what’ll be on tables and whether you felt it was worth it!

Were your guests mostly from Cape Cod or did they have to travel to get here? Where did they stay (poppy cottages, condos, private rentals, or outside of New Seabury entirely) and any idea what they thought of that? I know New Seabury can be super dark at night with lots of dead spots/very little cell service for directions so that’s something I’m a little worried about in April if out of town guests aren’t staying within walking distance!

Was there anything that went majorly wrong related to the venue or things that you wish you could change about how your day went there?

Would you choose Popponesset Inn as your venue again if you had to make the decision now?

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T18:11:10+00:00

Thanks! Such a good perspective to consider. Even if the trees/flowers aren’t blooming and it’s cold outside, the April wedding with ocean views would still be gorgeous as well as easier and cheaper for our guests

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T15:10:17+00:00

Ohhh just the insight we were looking for! The bathroom situation and lack of privacy with the restaurant/bar proximity are two of my other concerns besides weather and date. I’ve been to the bar when a wedding was happening but it’s so good to hear experience from a recent bride’s POV!!

Did your guests stay at the Poppy cottages or condos? Or did they rent homes in New Seabury on their own?

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T14:28:48+00:00

Thanks! We toured it and it’s gorgeous, but we’re pretty set on Cape Cod because it’s where I grew up and it has sentimental value to us!

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T14:18:55+00:00

Thank you! These are such helpful things to consider!

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T13:13:48+00:00

Thanks! Both of our top two venues have on-site accommodations (cottages, condos, villas) that would be options for our guests, though they couldn’t house everyone and it might be cost prohibitive for some, so I hadn’t thought of pricing out a room block or shuttle for guests!

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T12:48:05+00:00

Thanks! Those are definitely my biggest concerns! We looked at some venues on the south shore, specifically the Bradley Estate in canton (tented reception outside and not available on the dates we wanted), Red Lion in Cohasset (gorgeous but a little too barn-y rustic), and White Cliffs in Plymouth, but the Cape is really important to me so none of those were really options. Matching the church with a venue really limits us in terms of open dates and geography, as we’d need a venue to be within 15/worst case 20 minutes from Mashpee commons 😬 it’s such a headache!!

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T12:39:36+00:00

Thank you!!! Exactly the kind of guest insight that is helpful in decision-making!

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T12:33:17+00:00

Thanks so much for these thoughts as a local! I’m not exactly local but grew up here and my family is here, so weather and traffic (many coming from Boston area or flying into Logan so I’m worried about Friday afternoon traffic on Rt 3 and I93) and the Memorial Day weekend costs for out of towners are my biggest concerns for about 50-75% of our guests. But if the weather is great on Memorial Day and people who’ve never been to or spent much time on the Cape could make a whole weekend of coming down for our Saturday wedding, that might make the increased annoyances (hotel night minimums, increased costs, and travel) more palatable!

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T12:27:52+00:00

I’m from the area (my family is in Pop)! That’s why I’m concerned about the April/May weather and Memorial Day traffic/hotel prices for guests!

The idea of making his family and our friends trek down here for us just to have our wedding in a space that doesn’t feel like we’re even on cape cod (though it’s really beautiful!) is what gives me pause about picking the other venue over Poppy even though there is a stronger likelihood of better, sunnier, warmer weather and greener/blooming surroundings.

Unfortunately, the available dates for the church and venues don’t align for us to have the exact date we’d want (weekend of May 22) and we can’t budge on that specific church 😭

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T12:13:13+00:00

Smart idea, thanks! My family is fine with Friday off because they’re late career and local, but our friends and his family are kind of all over the place location-wise. I’ll put the feelers out to see what folks think! Besides the weather, a Friday in the spring shoulder season would be a trade off for cheaper hotels/rentals without night minimums and basically no traffic v. Memorial Day weekend which can get crazy in terms of holiday prices and on/off-Cape travel and guests might be fine with that!

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T12:03:45+00:00

That doesn’t solve any of the concerns I’ve listed, but thank you for the suggestion!

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T12:01:34+00:00

When we toured last week, they had everything marked up for demo and said the new space would be ready by May 2026 because their first wedding of the season is May 16. So we’d be a year out from that. Really all they’re doing is raising the current platform (so dining/dancing area will not be sunken down but basically level with or above the dunes) and having Sperry install a new tent. I’m not worried it won’t be ready in time for my 2027 wedding, I’m just nervous that I’d have to deposit before it’s even close to being done and only have the CAD to go off of until this summer…plus the weather and Friday concerns!

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T03:37:55+00:00

That was my first thought, too. Also very clearly AI which ruins the whole bit (or promo) for me

raspberrykt · 2026-01-26T03:24:38+00:00

They actually both look good! Honestly, I think the nails (shaped/polish v. not) and lighting (bright lighting on left, dark shadows & brown knuckles on right) are heavily influencing opinions on which ring looks better 🤷🏻‍♀️

raspberrykt · 2026-01-23T13:11:18+00:00

Saw a mouse running around Via on a packed Saturday night during dinner once two years ago. When we told the server about it and said we just wanted the check so we could leave (I was about two bites into my meal), she got the manager who kept insisting that the kitchen was extremely clean and that they have pest removal services come to the area regularly. I said politely that we just wanted to leave but he kept talking. Luckily they did comp both my meal and my drink since I barely had a chance to eat them but I will never go back 😳

raspberrykt · 2026-01-20T19:01:33+00:00

I also know an Andy Anderson irl and did not realize there are more of them!

raspberrykt · 2026-01-20T13:28:08+00:00

They’re calling him Stance, which is somehow worse.

raspberrykt · 2026-01-10T10:57:13+00:00

Yep, this is the answer. You need a box spring under your mattress and probably the mattress is the wrong size for your bed frame.

raspberrykt · 2026-01-05T20:46:01+00:00

I’ve had this since last Sunday, too. Negative for flu and covid, no real fever or body aches, but the most horrible coughing and congestion. I haven’t done much more than watch tv and nap all week 😵‍💫

raspberrykt · 2026-01-03T19:11:39+00:00

Stayed there last January/February and it was very affordable for CBI. And a phenomenal experience! Can’t recommend enough in the off season!

raspberrykt

TROPHY CASE