With so many great locations to shoot in New Hampshire, it’s no wonder that more and more couples are choosing to have their weddings here. Whether you want to get married by the yellows and reds of fall foliage or escape to the rugged White Mountains, or the calmness of the sea, there is something for everyone. Get ready to be inspired to plan for your Granite State wedding!
Applying for a Marriage License
Arguably the most important step in getting married is the process that allows you to get married: your marriage license!
Luckily, to get married in NH you don’t have to have an established residency. All it takes is to be physically present to fill out an application at any town clerk’s office with the process taking no longer than 30 minutes!
Once a license is issued, the couple will be free to marry within any city or town in NH.
The license can be issued on the same day and is valid for 90 days from the date it was issued. All you need is an official ID, Social Security Number, and you and your partner’s information.
By the way, NH recognizes same-sex marriage and is open to making accommodations if you or your partner are on active duty.
Planning a New Hampshire Wedding
Choosing a Location
Planning an outdoor wedding in New Hampshire is a must for adventure seekers who love the wildness of woods country. The White Mountains are its most defining point. While the lakes are considered the jewels of New England, NH is also the home of 90 state parks! So there are plenty of options to choose from. But don’t worry, I gotchu!
Photography Permits
First, if you are planning to get married outdoors make sure to look at what permits are needed at the location you choose. You can check with the local town governance body or ask a vendor if they are familiar with the next steps.
If you love the rustic look…
Curtis Farm
Set on a large colonial property dating back to 1746, Curtis Farm is surrounded by hayfields and a panoramic view of the Monadnock region and the classic red large barn. It only hosts one wedding a week and is one of the few places that can host 250 guests.
Timber Hill Farm
The sustainably run Gilford NH farm overlooks Lake Winnipesaukee and the White Mountains. It has been in agriculture production for over 200 years and serves farm-to-table style. Timber Hill Farm can host weddings with up to 180 guests and is known for being DIY friendly.
The Barn At Bull Meadow
If you are looking for seclusion, the Barn at Bull Meadow might be the fit for you. It has been awarded The Knot and Wedding Wire’s Couple Choice Awards in 2022 and 2023 for good reason. The modern day venue can hold up to 180 guests.
Allrose Farm
The Greenfield NH antique barn boasts a beautiful stone wall, lush gardens, and a working fireplace if you end up with a rainy day wedding. Their sister company, Woodland Honey Catering, offers on site catering that sources local food. Allrose might be your style for more intimate weddings.
The Barn On The Pemi
The 1855 built Barn on Pemi (short for the Pemigewasset River) was restored and moved to Plymouth in 2018. With an expansive outdoor terrace, greenhouse, and climate-controlled heating. This is the perfect place to host larger weddings (up to 300 guests).
If you’d love to get married at a winery…
Zorvino Vineyards
The Sandtown, NH vineyard produces wines from grapes grown in Tuscany and Chile. The winery was started by retired couple the Zanello’s for fun, but soon attracted couples who wanted to get married on the property. Jim Zanello is behind the details and woodwork on the property and runs the venue with his family.
Birchwood Vineyards
The Birchwood Vineyards holds a courtyard with quaint secluded gardens, a pergola, flower wall, and water fountain. They host one wedding a day and have wedding planners on staff to ensure that everything runs smoothly from rehearsal to last dance.
LaBelle Winery
From the ballroom to the wine cellar, or the outdoors, the Amherst, NH Winery has a spot for every style. Of course, the several different grape varieties and wine that is produced in-house is what LaBelle is known for, the venue also prides itself on impeccable service.
If you want a NH White Mountain Wedding
Owl’s Nest Resort
Located in, you guessed it, the White Mountains, the Owl’s Nest resort can host up to 200 guests in the 5,200 square tent reception area. You can also choose sights overlooking the lakehouse, or the outdoor vista for a sunset wedding day in the summer or snowfall in winter.
Jackson Falls
Looking to elope? If you don’t mind the off the road vibe, Jackson Falls is a beautiful place to have your special day. With a 3.25 hike, you can watch the waterfall with an over 100 feet drop and have a picnic for two. If you’re not looking to or don’t have time to hike, there is also road access to take some beautiful wedding portraits on the river! There are so many local inns, Airbnbs, and resorts you and your guests can stay at afterward!
Cathedral Ledge
If you love hiking and the outdoors, Cathedral Ledge has views of where the Saco River and White Mountain Valley meet. You can also go rock climbing at White Horse Ledge and Cathedral if you feel daring enough.
Eagle Mountain
If you love golf, check out another one of Jackson’s finest: the Eagle Mountain Resort. A family owned business with a long history, the 280-foot wrap around veranda and lone Carriage House are its standout features. Eagle Mountain is also a short hop over to Jackson Falls for some beautiful riverside wedding portraits.
The Basin
Another great find for those who want an elopement or intimate wedding. The Basin is a large pothole that is estimated to have formed during the Ice Age and even had Henry David Thoreau calling it “the most remarkable curiosity of its time.”
Loon Mountain Resort
Many of the venues here have amazing views of the mountains, but this venue IS the mountain. Have your wedding ceremony at the top of Loon Mountain, and then party at the main lodge all night long. Not to mention…the gondola is an incredibly fun experience for your guests to get that STUNNING view.
BONUS: Cathedral of the Pines
Okay so this isn’t in the White Mountain, but still has the gorgeous mountain view. Nestled in the Monadnock Mountains, the Cathedral in the Pines is a historic site originally dedicated to veterans. Now with its charming carillon and gardens, it’s used to host intimate weddings of up to 100.
If you’re an art fanatic…
Currier Museum of Art
Although technically not an outdoor venue, if you and your partner want to spend your day strolling by masterpieces of Picasso & Matisse, or admire the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, then you’ve the perfect place.
If you’re a beer fan…
Stark Brewing Co
Seating up to 125 guests for a wedding, the Stark Brewing Company in Manchester is perfect if you want the rustic brick and beam atmosphere and, of course, for its selection of microbrews and spirits.
Hobbs Tavern and Brewing
Although you wouldn’t be able to have your ceremony here, you can plan to have your reception at Hobbs Tavern and Brewing if you are looking for a woodsy-chic brewpub built in a restored 1885 farmhouse.
Cisco Brewers
The seaside brewery in Portsmouth is known for their small batch brews that rotate every month. They can host from 200-600 guests whether you are looking for a BBQ style wedding or a classic tent-side gathering.
Flag Hill Distillery and Winery
The distillery that also pairs as a winery is located in the rolling hills of Lee NH. Perfect for a spring or summer wedding, they can seat up to 300 guests. They are known for their awards for couples choice venue for 8 years.
Budweiser Brewing Company
Also known as the Anheuser-Busch Biergarten, this Merrimack venue has won more Global Budweiser Cup and Brewmaster Cups than any other of its sister locations. They are also known for their sustainable commitment from seed-to-sip. They have an incredible layout to offer couples an indoor celebration for cocktail hour, outdoor tent space for larger weddings, and a beautiful outdoor ceremony lawn.
If you are seeking the coast…
The perfect seacoast wedding can be paired with St Andrews by the Sea church in Rye NH, then taking the 20 minute drive to the historic Wentworth by the Sea hotel.
Seacoast Science Center
For fellow science lovers, the Seacoast Center is perfect if you want to host an experiential wedding for guests to view marine life and the enjoy the sights of the Lighthouse of Rye and Isle of Shoals.
If you’re dreaming of a fairytale wedding…
Castle in the Clouds
You can’t beat Castle in the Clouds with its 3 outdoor locations! Whether you choose the 1814 Gardens at Lucknow Estate (ceremony only), The Carriage House Terrace for a social reception, or the 5000 acre Meadows at Shannon Pond for unlimited guests–you’ll have the open structure of your dreams.
Searles Castle
A Castle Wedding at Searles looks like you’ve stepped out of an English Tudor. High atop the New Hampshire woods, the 175 acre estate embodies the European flair that makes you think you’ve traveled back in time.
The Gardens At Uncanoonuc Mountain
Voted as the best place to have a fairytale wedding (and one of my favorite places!!) The Gardens at Uncanoonuc overflow with colorful florals and lush greenery within a quintessential New England cottage. This makes it the perfect location for elopements, intimate weddings, and larger celebrations of 200.
Dreaming of a lakeside wedding…
Mills Falls at the Lake
The Meredith, NH lakeside venue is perfect for any season.If you want a boardwalk, waterfront wedding or gazebo, the Mills by Lake Winnipesaukee has two grand venue choices for your needs.
Echo Lake State Park
This NH State Park is perfect for elopements. A popular place for rock and ice climbers, the mild 1 mile trail that leads to the view of the White Mountains, Kearsarge North, and Saco River make it worthwhile.
Music Buffs…
Tupelo Music Hall
Rent the 700 guest venue for a ceremony right onstage! The Londonderry venue still holds a rustic charm without the barn and let’s be honest: it’s pretty badass.
History Buffs…
Enfield Shaker Museum
The Enfield Shaker Museum is perfect for larger parties or intimate gatherings. The Great Stone Dwelling and Stone Mill provide a gorgeous backdrop and they even have an onsite hiking trail if you’re curious.
Canterbury Shaker Village
For another historic Shaker Village wedding look to the pastoral views of The Garden Barn overlooking Turning Mill Pond or the maple tree lined Meeting House Lane for your ceremony. You have 4 beautiful reception choices.
For the Campground Lovers
Cardigan Lodge
The Appalachian Mountain Club owned lodge still holds the sophistication of a New England Wedding. Founded on 1200-acre reservation on the Mount Cardigan State Forest in Alexandria is perfect for the outdoor lover.
Industrial
Belknap Mill
The mill where art and history collides in the Lake Regions is known for its open concept floor plan and illuminating natural light at the Rose Chertok gallery and gazebo setup at Rotary Riverside Park.
The Gardens at the Factory On Willow
Seeking an industrial vibe, but still wanting the whimsy of the Gardens at Uncanoonuc, check out the Factory on Willow for its modern style, ability to host weddings of up to 200, food trucks, and AirBnb rentals onsite.
Rivermill at Dover Landing
Imagine enjoying cocktail hour beside the river with the sun setting in the background. At the Rivermill at Dover Landing, you get the perfect amount of privacy for a wedding that’s located in a downtown city space, with the perfect layout for an industrial wedding.
For Winter Weddings…
Ice Castles
The perfect wintery wedding for its human constructed, magical towers, even color palette, and stunning textures that look straight out of a magazine. The Ice Castles is a must for any winter weddings in New Hampshire. This is suitable for eloping couples or very small ceremonies that are looking to have their reception at an alternative location.
NH Wedding Planners
If you are looking for a wedding planner, Carolina of Casa de Toro Events is perfect if you have an adventurous, boho vision. Imagining a more romantic style? Check out Emma of By Emma B and her beyond incredible work! Emma also has a sister-company called Rentals by EB for a wide assortment of wedding and elopement rentals…so it’s kind of a “win-win” if you ask me.
Finally, for my couples looking for a wedding planner, sustainable mastermind, AND a wedding florist, you really need to reach out to Cassidie Corwin…like right now (you won’t be sorry).
Florists
Whether you are planning an intimate wedding or full size gathering, you can trust the incredible humans at Apotheca Flowers, After All, Floral Lune, or Clementina Floral Co for your natural and romantic floral gatherings. Or you can pick up dried or preserved flowers from Idlewild Floral.
Where to find your Wedding Dress
Arnaldo Joseph Bridal based in Concord, NH is where I got my wedding dress and the customer experience is amazing. I can personally say that I have never met a kinder or more talented human than AJ, and there wasn’t a singular step in my process of finding my gown that I didn’t feel supported or beautiful. Searching for a gown should be a stress-free experience, and my experience was better than I could have ever imagined (and the family members that went with me that day cannot stop talking about it either!). We just adore this talented, kind human so much.
Many of my couples have found success thrifting their wedding dress for a more sustainable approach. Another great place to consider is Brides Across America if you are in the military or a first responder, which also happens to be an amazing non-profit organization.
Artists/Calligraphers
If you want invitations that will stand the test of time or to have a live artist at your wedding than look no further than these three women: Lettered by Katherine is perfect for you if you are seeking elegant scripts, Sina of AMR Calligraphy for refined designs, or Lauren of Hemlock Ridge for Live Lettering and Engraving at events.
Caterers
Looking for a caterer? The Brussels is a women-owned catering company that is fully custom to the needs of your wedding, or reach out to Celebration NH for its plated and family style meals! Another two incredible catering companies that many of my couples have chosen are Peppers Artful Events or The Common Man.
Food Trucks
Alright…not all of you are looking for a plated or buffet-style dinner. This is where one would say—”add a little *spice*.” If you haven’t already discovered Roaming Hunger you NEED to! This is a platform food truck companies use to offer their services for events and weddings. We hired Cheese Louise for our backyard wedding (TALK ABOUT AMAZING, DELICIOUS-NESS), but you honestly could not go wrong with any of the options here. My only recommendation here is to consider hiring two food trucks to provide your guests with options as well as a shorter “line wait.”
Rental Companies/Tent Rentals
You can check out Abbott Rental for your romantic, elegant wedding decor and Inspiration Rental for your vintage, free spirited wedding. I’m also incredibly, incredibly in-love with anything and everything Abbi from Gooseberry Tabletop offers.
If you are looking to plan a sustainable wedding. Mr Fox Composting is highly recommended! They specialize in helping you break down the waste from your wedding day with complete ease. They drop off the supplies prior to the event, and then pick everything up and take care of it for you afterward! It is SO easy and makes such a huge positive impact on the environment.
NH Wedding Videographers
Video is a magical way to incorporate and solidify your memories for years to come. Justin and Steph of American Rose Films is the perfect option if you want the nostalgic, filmy look and Julia of Lane Visuals is your girl for cinematic experiences that look straight out of a movie. Looking for a style that is a bit more on the moodier side? You HAVE to check out my friends, Chloe and Brendan over at Oak and Pine Media.
If you are looking for a NH Wedding Photographer, then check out which one of my wedding packages might be best suited for your day.
