Is a large wedding right for you?

Why Elope?

Elopement isn’t for everyone. Some couples crave a large wedding, with many friends and family present to witness their union. Some couples want a big celebration, with dinner, dancing, and drinks. They should have the wedding they want.

Yet large weddings aren’t for everyone. Some couples prefer intimate affairs, with a handful of friends and relations to witness the marriage ceremony. Some couples want their wedding to be private–just the two of them, the officiant, and the witnesses. They should have the elopement they want.

Is elopement right for you?

We’ve hosted all types of weddings and elopements at Island Manor House, a romantic Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfast. We have had weddings with up to 100 guests, dinner, and dancing, and we have had intimate elopements.

Some couples start their married life right here at Island Manor House. Others leave the inn to their friends and family, and depart after the reception. There is no one way to do it; you have to find what feels right for you.

Ask us about having your wedding, large or small, at our Chincoteague Bed and Breakfast. Tell us what you envision, and let us make all the arrangements for you, from the officiant to the wedding cake.

A marriage is a beautiful thing. It should begin in a beautiful place, no matter how many people are invited.

Get close to the Assateague Wild Ponies with a scenic cruise.

There are several fun events on the community calendar in May, 2012:

• Chincoteague Seafood Festival, May 5. A simple spring tradition of good food, good music, and good company.

• Captain Bob’s Marina Flounder King Tournament, May 11-20. Anglers, get ready to catch some big fish.

• Migratory Bird Celebration, May 12. Celebrate the spring migration at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.

• Second Saturday Art Stroll, May 12. Shops and art galleries stay open late and host special events.

How many big fish can you catch?

• Acoustic Music Series, Big Wide Grin, May 26. A 3 Peace Band, soulfully acoustic. Sure to be a fabulous show.

• Blessing of the Fleet, May 27. Remember Chincoteague’s roots as a fishing village.

Help us celebrate the arrival of spring with one of the above events, or simple come for a few days of peace and quiet. Bring binoculars and scan the skies and shores for migrating waterfowl. Bring a good book and a good friend.

Call a 1-800-852-1505 or visit the reservations page of Island Manor House, an Assateague Bed and Breakfast.

Relax on the brick patio at the Island Manor House, sipping wine and dipping into the snacks we provide. At this time of year, many ducks and ducklings take up residence in town. They walk up and down the roads like they’re out for a Sunday stroll, and everyone stops to let them pass in style. Sometimes they explore our gardens. The ducklings are adorable, and the parents appropriately proud.

Come see the ducklings.

Borrow one of our bikes and explore Chincoteague and Assateague Islands (ask us about our favorite bike trails). If you like to get in a lot of miles, the quiet country lanes of the Delmarva Peninsula are just a bridge away. Borrow some beach gear and spend a day on the uncrowded beaches of Assateague Island. We have backpack loungers, beach chairs, towels, umbrellas, boogie boards, frisbees, and buckets and spades. The weather is usually quite pleasant in the spring–perfect for a day at the beach.

Bike to the beaches of Assateauge Island

There are a couple of fun events on Chincoteague Island  in April. The Easter Decoy & Art Festival on April 6 and 7 fills the town with wonderful carved decoys and other art.   The following weekend (April 13 and 14) is the Spring Pony Roundup, when ponies are herded into the Southern Corral to be seen by veterinarians. It’s a great opportunity to get a good look at the Chincoteague wild ponies.

The Spring Special at our Chincoteague Bed and Breakfast takes 10% off a stay of two or more nights through the month of April. Ask us about it when you make your reservation. You simply can’t afford to not come!

Enjoy the wildlife of Assateague and Chincoteague Islands. Just don't get too close.

The Assateague Island National Seashore is home to 37 miles of beach. 37 miles. It takes time to experience all that nature and beauty–days, even weeks. We suggest staying making yourself at home in one of our Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfasts.

Assateague Island is wild. Chincoteague Island is quiet. There’s a difference. The historic town of Chincoteaugue is not a hotbed of activity, but there are things to do. There are shops, including one very good bookstore, art galleries, and eateries. There are many lovely historic buildings and homes. It’s peaceful here, particularly in our Chincoteague Bed and Breakfasts; you’ll want a good book.

Just across a nearby bridge lay Assateauge Island National Seashore and its vast expanse of beaches, pine forest, and salt marshes. Animals live here, not people. There are hundreds of wild horses and thousands of birds on Assateague. Off shore, there are sometimes dolphins. It is amazing to think that Assateague Island is so close to Washington D.C. and Baltimore; how can it be so close to such cosmopolitan cities and yet be so wild?

Come to our Chincoteague Bed and Breakfast this spring. Breathe in the fragrant scent of flowers and fresh, salty air. Poke around the shops. Borrow a bike and circumnavigate the island or explore the trails of Assateague. Borrow a beach chair, a frisbee, a bucket and a spade. Build a sand castle. Dig a deep hole. Take a long walk. Look at birds. Relax.

Spring is a wonderful time to visit the islands. The weather is pleasant and there are no crowds. Spend a weekend or linger longer. Ask us about our Spring Special: if you stay at least two nights before the end of April, you’ll receive a 10% discount.

Stay at our Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfast during the Daffodil Festival, April 14, 15.

“I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills, 

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils; …

The waves beside them danced; but they 

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: …

…oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye 

Which is the bliss of solitude; 

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.”

- William Wordsworth, 1804

If daffodils have inspired a poem that has endured for hundreds of years, it’s because their beauty and wonderfully playful spirit is timeless. William Wordsworth often revisited the image of dancing daffodils that once he saw, just as those of us who have read his poem revisit them in our own minds’ eye.

Daffodils are the herald of spring. When we see them pushing forth from the ground, we know that warmer days will soon be upon us. Daffodils mean life; they mean tilled farmland and growing food. They mean long summer evenings and the romance that accompanies them. All that, in one frilly, yellow flower.

The 2012 Chincoteague Daffodil Festival takes place April 14 and 15. Accompanying the daffodils will be Chinctoeague’s annual Flower, Home & Garden Show and Annual Spring Craft Show. It is a very festive occasion and a wonderful time to visit the island. We invite you to stay at The Island Manor House Chincoteague Bed and Breakfast while you’re here.

We can help find caterers who will create a delicious, lovely, wedding cake.

The Island Manor House comfortably accommodates gatherings of up to 100 guests, both for indoor and outdoor weddings. When the weather is fine, as it tends to be spring through fall, our expansive gardens are an ideal setting; there is plenty of room to walk, dance, eat and celebrate.

Since weddings are held frequently at Island Manor House, we have good relationships with local caterers, officiants, and photographers. We’ll happily help couples make their wedding plans, or we’ll take charge and make most of the arrangements ourselves. Some couples like to be intimately involved in their wedding plans, while others prefer to leave the nitty gritty details to others; we are comfortable with both of these situations.

Say your vows on the wind-swept beaches of Assateague Island, or in the elegant gardens here at the inn. Enjoy a full lunch or dinner, or treat your guests to a vast selection of heavy hors d’oeuvres. Dance to live music, or let a D.J. play all of your old favorites. If you’re happy with your wedding, your guests will be, too.

Your wedding should go smoothly, be memorable for you, and be fun for your guests. We know how to make that happen at our Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfast. Put yourselves in our capable hands.

1848 Island Manor House accommodates 18 guests. Our sister inn across the street, Miss Molly’s Inn, accommodates 14 guests. We will happily suggest additional lodging on Chincoteague Island, should you require it.

Take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to the Delmarva Peninsula.

Our Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfast is a great vacation destination, in part because it’s so much fun getting here.

The Delmarva Peninsula, named for the three states that comprise it, is what separates Chesapeake Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. The northeast part of the peninsula is in Delaware (“Del”), the northwest part is in Maryland (“ma”), and the thin strip of land at the southern tip is in Virginia (“va”).

There are lots of interesting places to visit on the Delmarva Peninsula. If you’re coming from Richmond, Norfolk, or Virginia Beach, adventure begins as you cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. It is an event to drive across this Engineering Wonder of the Modern World. Land isn’t visible from the middle of the bridge; you’ll think your car has been transformed into a ship.

Stop by Cape Charles and stretch your legs with a walk around the historic downtown. Much of Cape Charles was built between the 1880s and the 1920s, and the historic architecture is lovely to behold. Before getting back in the car, enjoy a plate of crab cakes at The Chesapeake, a seafood bistro and wine bar. If you’re traveling up the Delmarva Peninsula in early June, check out the Tall Ships anchored at Cape Charles.

Find tranquility on Chincoteague Island.

Onancock is another good stop on the journey to Chincoteague Island from points south. First settled in 1680, Onancock is sweetly nestled between the fingers of a creek. Park the car and check out art galleries like the Dragonfly Gallery, which features the work of many local artists. Take a walk through town, crossing the Ames Street Bridge and then the Mt. Prospect Ave Bridge. Grab a sweet treat at the Corner Bakery, or, if the weather is fine, have a drink on the deck of Mallards at the Wharf.

By the time you arrive at our Chincoteague Island Virginia Bed and Breakfast, you’ll be ready to settle into one of our comfortable rooms. Sleep late the next morning, knowing that when you awaken, you’ll be greeted with a the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked biscuits. Our breakfasts are legendary around here.

Your time on Chincoteague is guaranteed to be relaxing, whether you spend it birding at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, lounging on the beaches of Assateague Island, or curled up with a book here at the inn. By the time you make the journey back home, you’ll feel like a whole new you.

Elope on Chincoteague Island; it's romantic.

Big weddings aren’t for everybody. Some people can’t afford them, some people don’t like crowds, and still others simply want to share the moment with their very closest friends and family. Elopements at our Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfast offer a nice alternative to large scale weddings.

A wedding certainly doesn’t need to be big to feel special. Our inn has a romantic, intimate setting that is ideal for just the two of you or up to fifteen guests.

You’ll feel the uniqueness of the occasion from the moment you first enter the inn and find chocolate covered strawberries and champagne in the Bridal Suite.  We’ll arrange the wedding ceremony, with celebrant, wedding cake, and a bottle of champagne. Let us know the colors you prefer, and we’ll provide a bridal bouquet and a boutonniere. All you have to do is show up at the appointed time and say your vows.

During your stay, you’ll be pampered with gourmet breakfasts and Mimosas each morning, and an English Tea one afternoon. We’ll make arrangements for you to dine at the restaurant of your choice in town one evening. Any extra special touches you would like during your stay can be arranged.

Island Manor House accommodates 18 guests; across the street, Miss Molly’s Inn accommodates 14 guests. With advance planning, you and your friends and family can have the inn to yourselves. If you prefer, you can enjoy privacy among strangers while your friends and family lodge across the street.

Our Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfast is an easy drive from Baltimore, Washington D.C., Annapolis, or Norfolk VA. At the same time, our island feels like another world. It’s peaceful here. It’s romantic. It’s an ideal place for an elopement.

Please visit our Elopement page for more information about eloping at Island Manor House Bed and Breakfast.

Embrace romance. Find romance on Chincoteague Island this February.

There are plenty of romantic places in the world, and in our humble opinion, Chincoteague Island sits at the top of the list (just after Paris and Florence). Plus, we’re driving distance from Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Norfolk, Virginia. Not so the great cities of Europe!

Yes, some places help us fall in love all over again, and Chincoteague Island, Virginia is such a place. Long a fishing village, it has largely resisted development and the “been here, seen that” feel that comes with it. Chincoteague has retained its picturesque charm, and there is something romantic about that.

Guests of our Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfast feel compelled to walk hand in hand through the historic village. They find themselves wrapped arm in arm on the pristine beaches of neighboring Assateague Island, watching the sun set. They linger over morning coffee by the fountain in our private courtyard, and sip wine in the evening in their cozy rooms. We’re on island time here on Chincoteague; there’s no need to rush anything.

One of the most romantic spots on the island is table number 20 at AJ’s on the Creek; nestled in a corner, #20 encourages intimate conversation and eye-gazing. All of the food is good at AJ’s, but their Chincoteague Oysters in a light Champagne cream sauce is out of this world (and you know what they say about oysters). AJ’s on the Creek is just over a mile from our inn; walk or ride one of the cruiser bikes we have available for guests.

Don’t despair if you can’t make it to Paris this February (the weather there isn’t great then, anyway). Instead, plan a romantic getaway to our Chincoteague Island, Virginia Bed and Breakfast. Ask about our Spring Special when you make your reservations.

Sometimes, the best way to ensure having unscheduled time for yourself throughout the year is to schedule it far in advance. It may be ironic, but it is also true. We schedule play dates for our children, so why not plan play time for ourselves?

You can be here in 2012.

We are currently accepting reservations for our Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfast in the spring. We open for the season on Friday, February 10, 2012. In just over a month, you can be walking on the beach, paddling by the wild ponies of Assateague Island, and reading a good book by the fire.

Our Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfast is close to many major metropolitan areas. We’re three and a half hours from Richmond, Virginia, Washington, DC, and Baltimore, Maryland. We’re less than three hours from Annapolis, Maryland, and about two hours from Norfolk, Virginia. Our close proximity allows for frequent visits throughout the year. Our charming, peaceful location inspires visitors to return again and again.

Sea breezes disperse worries; beach walks soothe the soul. Come to Chincoteague Island for rest and to play. Explore neighboring Assateague Island, where the wild ponies run free. Borrow a bike, pack a picnic, and go for a long ride up and down Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Bring a good book, your journal, or your knitting and make yourself at home in our luxuriously comfortable Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfast. It doesn’t really matter what you do, so long as you leave your laptop at home and turn off your cell phone.

We are currently offering a Spring Special at our Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfast: stay three nights for the price of two, four nights for the cost of three, and so on. Give yourself a gift this New Year, and plan your spring vacation now.