Lakes
to
Mountains
2020
Akwa Marina: The beach beckons Whiteface Hollow: A world away Perfect settings for your wedding
You worry about your big day, We'll worry about the cleaning!
Give the gift of housekeeping to the new bride and groom! Gift Certificates Available
Housekeeping Service Whole House Cleaning Carpet Cleaning Window Cleaning Upholstery Event Cleaning
We offer free estimates and competitive prices 603-527-2610 • 116 Hounsell Ave., #7, Laconia, NH (603) 536-3050 • 607 Tenney Mtn. Highway, Suite 208, Plymouth, NH
www.greatnortherncleaning.com
2020
Flower arrangements are from Designed Gardens Flower Studio. (Courtesy photo/Creseonia Wong)
About us
Perfect settings for your wedding..................................... 6
Loving what you see in the mirror................................... 8 Whiteface Hollow: A world away...................................... 12 Akwa Marina: The beach beckons................................... 16
Managing Editor: Publisher: Roger Carroll Adam Hirshan Sales Director: Rick Hopper Digital Advertising Manager: Deb Sanborn Sales Manager: Crystal Furnee Advertising Sales Reps: Karin Nelson, Amanda L’Heureux For Inquiries: 603-737-2020 Advertising Design & Production: Patty Johnson Cover & Page Design: Janis Carroll A Publication of the Laconia Daily Sun. The Laconia Daily Sun prints 24,000 copies of Lakes to Mountain Weddings, which is distributed throughout the Lakes Region. If you would like to Cover Photography Contributing Photography advertise or would like copies, please contact us at ads@laconiadailysun.com or Cover Photo by Cole Harper/GraphiCole Creseonia Wong, JPF Photo, Cole Harper/GraphiCole Photography, Graphics, Inc. Photography, at Akwa Marina 603-737-2020.
Pre-wedding tips: Food, movement, mindset................ 19 Bob Manley has a story he likes to tell about wine and love......................................................... 26
www.laconiadailysun.com
Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 1
ACCOMMODATIONS Comfort Inn & Suites.................... 10 .North Conway Fireside Inn & Suites...................... 4 .Gilford Lodge at Pleasant Point Inn.......... 14 .Lovell, ME BAKERY Batter Up Bakery.......................... 24 .Chocorua Delectables by Danette.................. 7 .North Conway Village Gilford Village Store..................... 31 .Gilford BREWERIES / WINERIES Black Cove Beverages.................... 5 .Meredith BRIDAL SHOW / FASHION Country Bridals and .Formal Wear............................. 20 .Jaffrey Lakes Region Bride...................... 14 .Gilford CATERING / RESTAURANT Common Man I.nn & Spa............ Inside Back Cover .Ashland, Plymouth Contigiani’s Catering Service........ 25 .Laconia Giuseppe’s Pizzeria & Ristorante..... 17 .Meredith Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant........ 5 .Meredith Province Lake/Edge Lake Farm...... 22 .Gilford Red Blazer Restaurant & Pub........ 27 .Concord Red Fox Bar & Grille..................... 18 .Jackson The Barn at The Inn on Main......... 31 .Wolfeboro Wildcat Inn & Tavern...................... 7 Jackson OFFICIENT Wayne A. Sevin............................ 25 .Belmont ENTERTAINMENT Aprylle & Reed Duo...................... 21 Canterbury Artful Noise String Quartet........... 10 New England
Atlas Pyrovision Entertainment.... 22 Jaffrey Dwight’s Wedding Guitar............. 14 .Pembroke Get Down Tonight Entertainment... 5 .Salem Vertical Entertainment................... 6 .Gilford EVENT PLANNING Creations by Collis....................... 11 .Laconia Showcase Events Rental & Planning................................. 24 .Moultonborough FLOWERS Cole Gardens............................... 32 .Concord Designed Gardens......................... 7 .North Conway HEALTH & BEAUTY Kennell Orthodontics................... 15 .Laconia & Plymouth Laconia Eye & Laser Center........... 17 .Gilford Lakes Cosmetic Institute................ 9 .Gilford Meredith Whole Living Center..... 19 .Meredith JEWELRY League of NH Craftsmen.............. 23 .Center Sandwich Sawyer’s Jewelry......................... 20 .Laconia GIFTS Cigar Shenanigans....................... 23 .North Conway Kellerhaus................................... 11 .Weirs Beach League of NH Craftsmen................ 5 .Meredith RENTALS / TENTS Abbott Rental & Party Store.......... 28 .Littleton Best Septic Service......................... 4 .Loudon Taylor Rental Center..................... 10 .Belmont SERVICES Belknap Landscape Co. ................ 28 .Gilford
Page 2 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
Great Northern Cleaning .....................Inside Front .Gilford Mosquito Squad............................ 4 .Alton New Spectrum .Lighting Solution...................... 28 .Gilford TRANSPORTATION ASL Limousine............................... 7 .Laconia TRAVEL Penny Pitou Travel....................... 18 .Laconia VENUE Akwa Marina .Yacht Club................... Back Cover .Laconia Belknap Mill................................ 20 .Laconia Castle in the Clouds....................... 3 .Moultonborough Common Man I.nn & Spa............ Inside Back Cover .Ashland, Plymouth Contigiani’s Conference and .Event Center............................. 24 .Gilford Currier Hill Farm.......................... 31 .Loudon Eagle Mountain House .& Golf Club............................... 30 .Jackson Jay’s Lakeside Venue................... 21 .Winnisquam Pitman’s Freight Room................. 29 .Laconia Sea Dog Brewing Co. ................... 15 .North Conway The Barn at the Inn on Main......... 29 .Jackson The Barn at Whitney Inn............... 30 .Wolfeboro The Lodge at Pleasant Point......... 14 .Lovell, ME Waukewan Golf Club................... 23 Center Harbor Wentworth Golf Club................... 18 J.ackson Whiteface Hollow........................ 13 South Tamworth
YOUR FAIRYTALE BEGINS AT OUR HISTORIC MOUNTAINTOP ESTATE
Stunning views of Lake Winnipesaukee for your Ceremony, Cocktail Hour and Reception Marina Zinovyeva Photography
vintage trolleys custom packages
Rick Bouthiette Photography
Say “I do” in the oval garden of the historic Lucknow estate.
professional coordination
Rachel Buckley Weddings
Enjoy cocktail hour on the lake-view terrace.
Dine and dance with a view in our window-filled Winnipesaukee Room.
Celebrate under your own tented space in our sprawling meadow.
Begin planning your special day! castleintheclouds.org 603-476-5900
“If you want the perfect wedding, have your wedding at Castle in the Clouds. You will not be disappointed.” - Brytani, The Knot
586 OSSIPEE PARK RD. MOULTONBOROUGH, NH 03254 Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 3
One Rustic Wedding Detail you won't want to forget... Portable Toilets & Sinks for any outdoor event
A Resort near Lake Winnipesaukee! A short walk to the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook The Fireside Inn & Suites has 83 rooms; these include Fireplace rooms, rooms with Tempur-Pedic Beds and 24 suites. Our suites are 800 square feet with 1 bedroom, full kitchen, dining area and living room. Guests enjoy complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, and wireless internet access throughout the property. All rooms have refrigerators, microwaves, 55” HDTV, Keurig coffee system, USB plugs and have private balconies or patios. We have an indoor and outdoor pool, a waterfall whirlpool, well-equipped exercise room and friendly staff. Francis Tuscano- General Manager/ Regional Manager
Experience the warmth of our hospitality! Jct of Rte 11 & 11B • 17 Harris Shore Road, Gilford NH 603-293-7526 www.firesideinngilford.com
No mosquitoes here.
Caring for our clients, community and environment, everyday
BEST
Septic Service
Now serving the lower lakes region www.bestsepticservice.com | 603-225-9057
Don’t allow a perfect day to be ruined by mosquitoes. Protect your guests and ensure the enjoyment of your wedding or next outdoor party with a Mosquito Squad protective event barrier treatment. Call The Squad for a Free Estimate
603-380-4541 or visit MosquitoSquad.com
LOCALLY OWNED & Operated
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
Page 4 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
Award-Winning DJs, Specialty Lighting, Musicians and Photo Booth Rentals
For wedding gifts you will treasure for a lifetime.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Doke Photography and Canobie Lake Park
New England Wedding Banquets are not complete until the
Morécello has been served. ®
HART’S CATERING Engagement parties • Wedding receptions Welcome dinners • Rehearsal dinners Brunches • Bridal & Baby Showers Contact our team to begin designing the menu of your dreams for the day you’ve been dreaming of! hartscatering@hartsturkeyfarm.com 603.279.6212 Custom menu packages available Appetizers • Plated Dinners Buffets • BBQ • Family Style
Tradition insists that a fine Sicilianstyle digestivo be consumed at the end of a large meal to settle the stomach, promote hearty conversation and inspire singing and dancing. Tradition insists on Morécello. Weddings without Morécello are dull and forgettable. Weddings with Morécello are exciting and memorable. Have an exciting and memorable wedding. Serve your guests Morécello Blackberry Cello. It’s a New England Wedding Tradition.
233 Daniel Webster Highway Junction of Routes 3 & 104 Meredith, NH 03253
Visit www.blackcovebeverages.com to find out more. Morécello is the registered trademark of Black Cove Beverages, Meredith, NH. Please drink responsibly. Never drink and drive.
Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 5
Akwa Marina
Akwa Marina at Weirs Beach offers a uniquely Winnipesaukee atmosphere for your wedding. Have your ceremony lakeside, with mountain views in the background, and your reception party at a one-of-a-kind beach bar. Akwa Marina allows brides flexibility over all of the details, so your wedding is promised to be unique. 95 Centenary Ave., Laconia, N.H. 603-782-4242 kurt@akwamarina.com www.akwamarina.com
Belknap Mill
The historic Belknap Mill, located along the Winnipesaukee River in downtown Laconia, offers elegance and versatility, with space both inside the retired textile mill and in the adjaced riverside park. 25 Beacon Street East, Laconia, N.H. 603-524-8813 • www.belknapmill.org
Castle in the Clouds
A historic, mountain-top mansion with gardens and a terrace overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee have made the Castle in the Clouds one of the area’s
unforgettable wedding locations. 586 Ossipee Park Road Moultonborough, N.H. 603-476-5900 castleintheclouds.org
Contigiani’s
Contigiani’s Conference and Event Center boasts three different spaces. The rustic Fireside Room hosts gatherings with up to 40 people, a 1,200 square-foot bar connected to a garden hosts outdoor ceremonies, and the Grand Hall seats up to 300 and has a 750 square-foot dance floor. 140 Country Club Road, Gilford, N.H. 603-524-4518 CCSEventSales@gmail.com www.contigianiscateringservice.com/ event-center
Currier Hill Farm
Make the day your own at Currier Hill Farm, which can host weddings up to 200 people. The centuries-old farm is yours for the day, including the tent, dance floor, tables and chairs, set among 150 acres of apple trees and open fields, backed by mountain views.
7367 Currier Hill Road, Loudon, N.H. 603-545-1621 hello@currierhillfarmnh.com currierhillfarmnh.com
Eagle Mountain House
In the picturesque village of Jackson, the experienced catering and event staff at Eagle Mountain House provide a ceremony site with wedding arbor, white wedding chairs and linens, a cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres, dinner with two choices of entrees and a bridal suite. 179 Carter Notch Road, Jackson, N.H. 603-383-6911 • lboyer@eaglemt.com • www.eaglemt.com
Great American Dining
The Common Man family of businesses has several venues across the state, each with its own capacity and character: The Nest in Ashland; The Common Man Inn and Spa in Plymouth; The Barn on the Pemi in Plymouth; Common Man restaurants in Concord, Claremont and Windham. To learn more, visit www.thecman.com
see SETTINGS page 14
We bring the parties to you, so until the music is gone let's party on!
Make your wedding one for the decade with expansive services for kids and adults: Photobooth • DJ • Photographer • Bounce Houses • Granite State Wall/Winni Bungee Jump • Giant Yard Games • Casino Tables and much more! verticalentertainmentnh.com Family owned business • Fully Insured • Find us on Facebook @VerticalEntertainmentNH
Vertical Entertainment | verticalentertainmentnh@gmail.com | 603-387-9359 Page 6 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
We Create Magic by Designing the Cake of Your Dreams! Danette's specialty is creating and designing simply beautiful and elegant cakes for weddings and memorable celebrations. With a commitment to excellence and attention to detail, Danette will design a cake that reflects the couple's style and taste. From a custom creation to a traditional cake, the options are endless...
Contact us now to set up a consultation (603)387-7095 • www.delectablesbydanette.com 64 Kearsarge Rd., North Conway Village
The Wildcat Inn & Tavern is the ideal location for indoor or outdoor weddings, rehearsals, bachelor and bachelorette parties! Perfect for large or small get-togethers, in a beautiful, historic setting.
Wedding, Proms & Other Special Events! Airport Transportation • Group Events
ASLLimousine 603-630-8229 www.ASLLimousineOfNH.com
Designing Florals for the Lakes Region and Beyond garden style
Susan Holt Gen. Mgr/ Event Coordinator 603-383-4245 WildcatTavern.com • wildcattavernweddings@gmail.com
603-730-5268 dgflowerstudio.com 2757 White Mountain Highway, North Conway Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 7
Loving what you see in the mirror Life is about smiling and being happy, but unfortunately for many, it’s simply not that easy. Life also gets in the way and throws us curveballs on occasion, which makes it difficult for us to smile our way through even the best of times, like planning for a wedding. These difficult periods can be about anything from work, family, relationships, what we see on the news, and it can also be about something far more personal, i.e. the way we look and feel about ourselves. Never underestimate the power of feeling your best. When we feel great on the inside, it shows on the outside. When we look great on the outside, we feel it on the inside. This power has a name - confidence. We are coming up to one of the most celebrated times of your life, but also one of the most difficult for many people. When we gaze into the mirror, it’s important that we like what we see. That might sound vain, but it’s really not. Liking what you see makes you smile, and the more you like it, the more you smile. Smiles are infectious and they make other people feel more comfortable around us. The problem is, we’re all so hard on ourselves. From scrutinizing ourselves in the mirror and obsessing over every wrinkle and line, to weighing ourselves constantly and looking at the lumps and bumps we might not have noticed before, we’re on our own backs like never before. We want to look great, but sometimes we need a little help. One of the biggest sticking points is aging. Nobody wants to look in
the mirror and see fine lines and wrinkles forming. You can say what you want about miracle serums and creams, and you can talk about using them early to try and beat the clock, but at some point, it’s going to catch up with you. This is the problem with aging, it can’t be stopped completely. What you can do, however, is slow it down and use the technology and treatments around you to make yourself look and feel better in the process. From there, growing old gracefully is easy! We are of course talking about the use of Botox to eradicate those fine lines and wrinkles, leaving behind a smoother, more youthful looking canvas. When you gaze into the mirror, you won’t be fixated on a wrinkle or a line, you’ll be too busy loving the smile that’s powering its way right back at you! Here at Lakes Cosmetic Institute, Botox is one of our most commonly requested treatments, and we have years of experience in administering it. That means you don’t have to worry about those celebrity images you might have seen in the past, whereby someone has had far too much badly injected Botox, and ended up looking frozen in time. We are not about that, we are about giving you the most subtle, beautifully powerful results possible.
Page 8 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
Let us help you be your very best version of yourself
Here at Lakes Cosmetic Institute, we are on hand with a range of high quality treatments to help you look and feel fantastic for your big event. From Botox to fillers to facials to hair removal, we can offer you the most revolutionary treatments to rid you of your hang ups and leave you feeling amazing. So, if you’ve been gazing into the mirror wondering if you could just tweak this, or tweak that, give us a call and let us run through our range of treatment options. We will do a thorough consultation and come up with the best, individual treatment plan for your needs. We know that everyone is different, and as a result, we tailor all of our treatments to the individual person sitting in front of us. That leaves you with the safest, most effective result. Feel free to contact us at: Lakes Cosmetic Institute 14 Maple Street Gilford, NH 03249 www.lakescosmetic.com
603-527-8127
Picture a New You!
Enhanced Skincare for All Ages OFFERING BRIDAL PARTY – PARTIES! Your own private party for the evening! At Lakes Cosmetic Institute The bride gets Botox free (up to 24 units) and the bridal party gets it for $11.00 per unit!
Hillside Medical Cente 14 Maple Street, Suite 230, Gilford NH 603-527-8127 • lakescosmetic.com
OFFERINGS: • Botox • Chemical Peels • Filler • Laser Hair Removal • Micro needling with PRP • Laser removal of pigmented lesions and vascular lesions on the face • Advanced Skincare Education • And much more
Jennifer Nunez, RN, BSN Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 9
The
Artful Noise String Quartet
Elegant classics to lively pop covers - live music customized for your amazing day.
www.artfulnoise.com (207)363-7403
We’re A Lot More Than Tents. We have everything to go in them too. From wedding arches to dance floors and crystal glassware. Our expert event planners will help you every step of the way, to create the wedding and/ or reception you’ve always dreamed of. Whether lakeside or intimate backyard setting. Call or stop in today! No time like the present.
TAYLOR
RENTAL
160 D.W. Highway • Belmont • 524-5553 • nhtent.com Page 10 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
Premium Chocolates The oldest Candy and Ice Cream maker in New Hampshire!
Premium Chocolate Wedding Favors Custom Boxes . Ribbons . Favorites Trays . Candy Contact us to create your perfect wedding gifts
259 Endicott Street North, Laconia, NH • 603-366-4466 • kellerhaus.com
Crea tion s by C ollis is your New E ngl an d we ddi ng pla nn er. Ha vin g or ga niz ed hund re ds of we ddin gs in t he be autif ul N ew E ngl and a re a, th er e rea ll y i s no oth er weddi ng coordina tor th at knows h ow to brin g y our p erfe ct New E nglan d we dd ing ide as to l ife bett er th an u s!
(603 ) 998 -30 63 CR EATIO NSBYCO LLI S@ GMAI L .CO M WWW.CRE ATI O N SBYCO LL I S .BI Z
Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 11
A restored 1820 barn is one of the appeals of holding a wedding at Whiteface Hollow. (Courtesy photo/JPF Photo)
By Adam Drapcho THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
I
f your ideal New Hampshire wedding includes mountain views, hayfields and mature maple trees, if it includes seclusion, and especially if it includes a historic barn and farmhouse, then Whiteface Hollow in Tamworth has to be considered. Whiteface Hollow, a wedding and events venue and developing craft vineyard, has only been welcoming bridal parties since 2017, but owners John and Jennifer Ferreira have already found a winning formula. Last year, Whiteface Hollow received a “Couple’s Choice” award from Wedding Wire and the website “The Knot” included the venue in its “2020 Best of Weddings” list. The reason for the accolades? Their respect for the craftsmanship in the farmhouse and barn, which
both date back two centuries, and for the balance they’ve struck in preparing both structures for a modern wedding while preserving the historic charm in each. “I say we restored the barn and we modernized the farmhouse,” John said. The barn, built in 1820 using skills that settlers brought with them from England, was constructed of trees felled on the property and hewn into beams, which were notched and pinned together strong enough to last hundreds of New England winters. Despite their cleverness, the barn was leaning over and nearly falling down when the Ferreiras arrived on scene. Other owners might have sent in a bulldozer to finish the job that time began, but John and Jennifer saw that the old barn had life left, though it needed a helping hand. Rather, that was the help of
Page 12 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
many hands – talented, caring hands. The Ferreiras employed a team of modern, skilled craftsmen to resurrect the creation of their forebears, and in 2017 the barn held its first wedding. The barn was restored with the only modern touches added for safety: electricity for lighting, illuminated exit signs and fire extinguishers. “We took a lot of pride in getting it back to its original self,” John said. The farmhouse, which is as old as the barn, was restored with a bit more license. The Ferreiras wanted bridal parties to be comfortable staying there for a few days, so there are modern bathrooms and kitchen, and modern heating and air conditioning. The four-bedroom, three-bath farmhouse sleeps up to 12.
see WHITEFACE page 29
Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 13
To Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever After...
from page 6
Jay’s Lakeside
...because the best weddings are the beautiful ones! The Lodge at Pleasant Point is an intimate wedding venue nestled in a grove of pine trees on the shores of Kezar Lake in Lovell, Maine. We have the experience of dedicated, talented chefs, skilled staff and professional planners to assist you in every detail, assuring your wedding is unique and executed exactly the way you want it.
Happily ever after begins here... Lodging, On-Site Restaurant & Bar, Endless Outdoor Activities. Contact us today to begin planning your special day. 207-925-3008 www.thelodgeatpleasantpoint.com 145 Pleasant Point Rd., Lovell, ME
On Lake Winnisquam, Jay’s Lakeside Venue has a lounge with built-in bar, a deck looking out over the water, a large dining room and a dressing room for brides. With space for a caterer and plenty of parking, Jay’s accommodates weddings from 30 to 150 people. 928 Laconia Road, Winnisquam, N.H. 603-524-3150 jaysmarina@yahoo.com www.jaysmarina.com
Pitman’s Freight Room
Pitman’s can host up to 175 seated guests in its antiquesdecorated space in downtown Laconia. There’s a dance floor and fully-equipped kitchen, and plenty of parking. 94 New Salem Street, Laconia, N.H. 603-527-0043 info@pitmansfreightroom.com www.pitmansfreightroom.com
Sea Dog Brewery
Sea Dog Brewery has three semi-private spaces for dinners or receptions up to 100, with customized buffet and plated menus. Of course, there’s plenty of beer, as well as a full bar. 1976 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, N.H. 603-356-0590 heatherm@seadogbrewing.com seadogbrewing.com
See next page
Plan your wedding with ...
Dwight's
The Lakeside Bridal Show
Wedding Guitar
at the
Margate on Winnipesaukee Laconia, NH
Sunday, March 1, 2020
y
The Fall Bridal Show at Church Landing
Mill Falls at the Lake Meredith, NH Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020
Nathan Moreau Photo
www.lakesregionbride.com for bridal show details and the latest inspirational wedding ideas
Page 14 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
Dwight Phetteplace Guitarist, Singer, Officiant 22 years experience
www.dwightsweddingguitar.com dwightsweddingguitar@gmail.com 603 942 5754
Instrumental and/or vocal music for your pre-ceremony, ceremony, cocktail hour, or dinner. Save money and planning time with unique ceremony music officiating packages.
from preceding page
The Barn at The Inn on Main
Up to 225 people can gather in the spacious, renovated 1800s barn at The Inn on Main, located a short distance from downtown Wolfeboro. The barn is on a property that also includes a bistro and 14 boutique-style rooms. 200 North Main Street, Wolfeboro, N.H. 603-569-1335 contact@innnewhampshire.com • innnewhampshire.com
The Lodge at Pleasant Point
The Lodge at Pleasant Point is nestled into a grove of pine trees on the shore of Kezar Lake, just over the border in Maine, where experienced staff are ready to help your day go beautifully. 149 Pleasant Point Road, Lovell, Maine 207-925-3008 www.thelodgeatpleasantpoint.com
A Perfect Smile for Your Special Day!
Waukewan Golf Club
Before it was a golf course, the Waukewan Club property was home to the Almagra Farm. The 1800s post-and-beam barn, featuring a fieldstone fireplace and large dance floor, has been restored for weddings, receptions and rehearsal dinners. 166 Waukewan Road, Center Harbor, N.H. 603-279-6661 khwaukewan@metrocast.net www.waukewangolfclub.com
see SETTINGS page 20
KENNELL Alan F. Kennell, DDS, MS Treatment for Children & Adults
KennellOrtho.com
G O D SEA G CO.
524-7404 Laconia | 536-7404 Plymouth | 444-7403 Littleton
N I W E R B
Three semi-private spaces for groups of 25-100. No room charges. Customized buffet and plated menus. Draft beer, wine and full bar... 21+ after 10PM.
Contact Heather Milbourn 1976 White Mountain Hwy North Conway, NH (603) 356-0590 heatherm@seadogbrewing.com Located in the Big Red Barn. Ample parking in the rear lot. Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 15
Akwa Marina:
The beach beckons
A Lake Winnipesaukee backdrop is just one of the reasons people choose Akwa Marina as the setting for their wedding. (Courtesy photo/GraphiCole Photograpy)
By Adam Drapcho THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
A
kwa Marina might be a short walk from the bustle of Weirs Beach, but it feels tucked away on its own quiet stretch of Lake Winnipesaukee shoreline. For engaged couples looking to celebrate their union with New Hampshire’s iconic lake in the background, Akwa Marina fits the bill. That’s why, according to Kurt Mailloux of Akwa Marina, the business gets at least one wedding inquiry every day, all year round. Yet, those hundreds of inquiries will translate into less than a dozen weddings each year. That’s partly because of the calendar – certain weekends are blocked off for the club’s member party, Laconia Motorcycle Week, and the annual volleyball event which has raised more than $40,000 for kids with autism. Another reason why few inquiring brides-to-be choose Akwa Marina is because it’s not set up for the masses, Mailloux said. “We limit ourselves to one wedding per week,” he said. That makes each wedding feel special – and they are special, because no two will be alike. Akwa Marina provides the perfect lakeside setting. Food and drinks are served by Hart’s Turkey Farm, which provides Akwa Marina’s food service,
Page 16 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
and the rest is up to the bride and groom. “We’re different, it takes a particular kind of bride that wants to take on this outdoor wedding,” Mailloux said. The wedding party can pick out their own tent, dance floor, entertainment and other details. “Some people don’t want to take on that responsibility, but it allows for a customized (experience),” he said. “Every wedding at the marina is extremely unique.” For those who want to take on those extra decisions, their reward is a quintessential lakeside celebration. Akwa Marina has docks and boat rentals available, a beach, and homes available for bridal parties and guests to rent. Mailloux said many weddings are stretching into multi-day affairs. While the bride and groom are typically well-versed in the Winnipesaukee experience, their guests may not be. At Akwa Marina, they can get a taste for what made the bride choose to get married there. “A lot of their family and friends, it’s their first time coming to the lake,” Mailloux said. “They actually get to hang out, walk down to The Weirs, rent a boat, hang out by the pool, by the beach bar (which is built around an historic sailboat), they really get to experience the lake. Then, when the wedding rolls around, everyone’s in the vacationtype mood. It’s just such a great atmosphere.”
Photography by Chet Brickett
Computer Art by Dianne Amand
VERY MUSICAL • VERY ITALIAN & VERY GOOD A full-service restaurant with a festive Italian atmosphere Serving Lunch & Dinner Open Every Day at 11am Open Year-Round Two Full Bars Karaoke on Thursdays DJ and Dancing Every Friday and Saturday Night Wedding Rehearsal Dinners After Wedding Parties LIVE MUSIC NIGHTLY
This unique and popular restaurant is one of the Lakes Region’s most loved since 1989, located in the historic Mill Falls Marketplace, in the heart of Meredith, New Hampshire Featuring award-winning pizza, pasta, seafood, chicken, steak, veal, vegetarian, vegan, soups, salads, sandwiches, gluten-free menu, desserts, cappuccino, beer, wine and spirits! Reservations are highly recommended and GREATLY APPRECIATED! Call (603)279-3313
Located on the corner of Routes 3 and 25 in the Mill Falls Marketplace, Meredith, NH • www.giuseppesnh.com
Wedding day photos without glasses?
One of the most important days of your life .... Commitments made and everlasting memories. See clearly and have amazing clarity on your special day and for the rest of your life! Lasik surgery or contact lenses will have you looking your best! It's your day.... Let your dreams become reality! Call Today! Brenda, Lasik - (603)528-1955 Stacie or Bob, Contact Lens - (603)528-2388
Laconia EyE & LasEr cEntEr 368 Housell Ave., Gilford, NH • 603-524-2020 • Laconiaeye.com Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 17
Your Honeymoon… We can turn your dream into a reality! From a beautiful beach resort in the Caribbean to an African safari ... A ski trip in the Swiss Alps to a B&B stay in Ireland or Italy ... Perhaps a trip on a small sailing ship or the newest mega cruise ship ...
If you can dream it, we can get your there!
55 Canal Street, Laconia, NH • 603-524-2500 • www.pennypitoutravel.com
Golf Course Weddings
Rehearsal Dinners Red Fox Bar & Grille is favored by locals and by visitors for delectable dishes and high quality service. Located just across from the famous covered bridge.
In the heart of charming Jackson Village, stunning mountain backdrops, burbling streams and historic red covered bridges set the scene for a memorable event. •Unique wedding location •Opportunity to customize every detail •Site accommodates a 40’ x 100’ tent •Affordable options for every budget
PO Box 803 | 153 Main Street, Jackson, NH 03846 603-383-9641 • events@wentworthgolf.com www.wentworthgolf.com
Page 18 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
•Private Dining Rooms •Outdoor Patio •On-Site Event Coordinator •Buffet & Plated Menus
PO Box 803, 49 Route 16, Jackson, NH 03846 603-383-4949 • events@redfoxbarandgrille.com www.redfoxbarandgrille.com
Pre-wedding tips: Food, movement, mindset by
Braelynne Jurius
Meredith Whole Living Center
I
f you’ve started planning a wedding, you’ve probably been thinking about finding your wedding dress, fitting into your wedding dress and looking your best on your big day. Which means you may have contemplated changing your diet and exercise habits, including researching short-term weight loss programs or wedding diet plans. Or, you simply just want that “glow,” so you come across detoxes or cleanses promising amazing skin and energy. I know, because I just got married a few months ago myself. But, none of these options were the best for me, nor are they likely the best for you. What is the best diet to get ready for your big day? As a dietitian, my answer might surprise you. The best diet is creating changes toward a healthy eating pattern that works for your body and lifestyle. It’s not a “diet” at all. I don’t recommend any crash diet, detox, cleanse, or extreme restriction (like removing all carbohydrates – I’m looking at you, Keto diet). The best thing you can do for your body and mind is incorporate healthy, sustainable habits. Although crash diets may result in short-term weight loss, they often leave you with skin breakouts, feeling lethargic, cranky, and more stressed. Then, after it’s over, you’re no longer
prepping for your wedding day and you can’t bear the intense hunger anymore, you may wind up eating high-fat, high-sugar foods you’ve deprived yourself of for too long, leading to weight gain. You want to feel your best on your wedding day – confident, beautiful, glowing, and enjoy every second of it – as you should. The best way to achieve this is to focus on good nutrition and supportive lifestyle habits. That means food, movement and mindset. Healthy choices you make for yourself before your wedding, should be healthy choices you would make after your wedding. Consider how different choices would make you feel and if they are objectively healthy (proper nutrition) vs. whether they would make you lose weight (crash diet). For example, including celery as part of your meal plan (proper nutrition) vs. drinking only celery juice for breakfast (crash diet). Planning a wedding can be, and often is, stressful. So why add the stress of a diet or extra workouts on top of that? Integrating healthy nutrition and lifestyle practices should be part of the ways in which you take care of yourself and help de-stress from the planning and coping. see TIPS page 21
F L O AT
MASSAGE
Custom, heart-centered experiences for your once in a lifetime G L O W O N Y O U R B I G D AY, F R O M T H E I N S I D E O U T SKIN CARE
NUTRITION
N O W B O O K I N G B R I D A L PA R T I E S 4 8 M A I N S T R E E T, M E R E D I T H , N H 0 3 2 5 3 W W W. M E R E D I T H W H O L E L I V I N G . C O M (603)279-0007 YOGA, BARRE & P R I VA T E CLASSES
INFRARED SAUNA
Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 19
The Belknap Mill
ELEGANCE. HISTORIC. RIVERSIDE. VERSATILE.
from page 15
The Wentworth Golf Club
Located in beautiful Jackson Village offers wedding outing packages that can accommodate groups of virtually any size. The Wentworth’s professional staff and state of the art facilities afford personalized attention to ensure even the largest groups have a memorable experience. 153 Main Street, Jackson, N.H. 603-383-9641 events@wentworthgolf.com www.wentworthgolf.com
Historic downtown Laconia, NH 25 Beacon Street East 603-524-8813 www.belknapmill.org
Whiteface Hollow
Whiteface Hollow, a recent addition to the list of Lakes Region wedding venues, provides a lovingly restored historic barn and a thoughtfully renovated farmhouse, all set in a rolling hayfield and vineyard ringed with mountains. 251 Hackett Hill Road South Tamworth, N.H. 603-409-7028 events@whitefacehollow.com • www.whitefacehollow.com
Whitney’s Inn
The Barn at Whitney’s Inn provides a rustic mountain setting. The restored 1842 post-and-beam barn can accommodate a wedding with up to 140 guests, while the inn has 27 Adirondack-style rooms and cottages. It’s consistently a favorite of couples, according to Wedding Wire. 357 Black Mountain Road Jackson, N.H. 603-383-8916 info@whitneysinn.com • www.thebarnatwhitneys.com
Sawyers Jewelry, voted by you “Best of the Best” jewelry store 25 years running.
520 Main Street, Laconia, NH 603 527-1000 www. SawyersJewelry.com Page 20 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
TIPS from page 19
6 Healthy Habits To Start Today
Drink an extra glass of water each day Water is vital for the health of your body. Getting enough helps keep energy up, stress down, your metabolism buzzing, and your skin glowing. It is the single best thing to start with for looking your best everyday, including your wedding day. Add something colorful to each meal Be it a fruit and/or vegetable, making ½ your plate colorful is a great rule of thumb to make sure you are getting lots of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that will help nourish your body, fuel your metabolism, and clear your complexion. Focus on sleep Quality sleep is a necessity. Sleep makes everything else easier and better. I know it is hard, especially during this busy, stressful time, but do your best to make sleep a priority and rest up. Find something to help you de-stress Stress can also play a detrimental role in poor complexion, weight gain, fatigue, and just overall not feeling your best. Stress management practices are different for everyone, so focus on what works for you: hot baths, see TIPS page 31
Elegant and Peaceful Music
Aprylle & Reed Flute and Guitar Duo, have provided a soft and tranquil atmosphere for nearly 1000 events throughout New England. A musical presence that supports not overwhelms.
reedd@worldpath.net | 603-708-1483 NH Bride Magazine's Best Wedding Musicians 2009-2011
aandrduo.com
Jay’s Lakeside Venue Available for All Occasions large or small. RESERVE FOR YOUR EVENT TODAY! Accommodates between 30 and 150 People Bright, Festive Lounge with Built-in Bar Waterfront Deck, Large Dining Room Spacious Dressing Room with Bathroom for Brides Catering Prep Area • Ample Parking For More Information Call 524-3150 or Email jaysmarina@yahoo.com www.jaysmarina.com
Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 21
at Province Lake Golf Club
Sitting astride the Maine and New Hampshire border, the beautiful grounds of Province Lake Golf sit among majestic pine, birch and firs with a stunning view of the Ossipee Mountains. We are one of the more majestic and scenic wedding venues in the Lakes Region.
From our restored wedding barn at Edge Lake Farm to tented receptions on the sprawling lawn of Five Chimneys Estate or an Al Fresco dinner under the stars on the terrace, we are happy to create, to customize and to cater a carefree affair you will remember for years to come. Custom designed menus, budget-friendly bar options and a venue as unique as each client. We strive to share our magical grounds and facilities with you. Contact Sabin Beckwith by phone at (207) 793-9612 or visit our website for more information, custom quotes and menus, as well as general information.
18 Mountain Road, Parsonfield, ME | 207.793.9612 | provincelakegolf.com Page 22 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
Premium Cigars ~ Cocktails ~ Friends Entertainment ~ Relaxation ~ Tomfoolery
Now Booking Bachelor Parties! We'll help you choose the best celebratory cigar! 10% discount for First Responders & Veterans. 20% discount for Active Military Members.
1903 WHITE MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY NORTH CONWAY, NH 03860 www.CigarShenanigans.com • 603.307.1036
Facebook.com/CigarShenanigans
Almagra Barn At Waukewan Golf Club Located in the heart of the Lakes Region, this 1800’s farm offers everything you are looking for in a charming New England setting. The Property had operated as the Almagra Farm before it became a golf club. “Almagra” translates to “Red” in native languages. The function facility is an elegant post & beam barn, with a beautiful fieldstone fireplace and large dance floor. We are surrounded by majestic mountain views. It is a perfect place for weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, business meetings and conferences or special occasions. Please contact Kim Hale at 603-677-2649 or email: khwaukewan@metrocast.net for more information. 166 Waukewan Road
v
Center Harbor, NH
v
603-279-6661
v
www.waukewangolfclub.com
Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 23
Voted RunnerUp Best New Business & Best Bakery Best Cake Bakery State of NH 2019
Let us help you plan your special day!
• Custom Wedding Cakes • Cup Cakes • Dessert Tables • Keto Options • Sandwich & Pastry Platters
229 Chocorua Mountain Highway, Chocorua, N.H. (1/2 mile south of Chocorua Lake ~ inside the NH Country Store) Open Wednesday thru Sunday • 603-986-3326
CONFERENCE & EVENT CENTER
140 Country Club Road | Gilford, New Hampshire | 603.524.4518 | www.contigianiscateringservice.com (Courtesy photos/Highland Mountain Bike Park) Page 24 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
Nathan J Wyatt photography
Wayne A. Sevin Officiant/Justice of the Peace
Throughout the process, as your
dedicated wedding officiant, I am at your service to make your “Special Day” what you have always dreamed it would be. Let’s get started!” Wayne A. Sevin Officiant/Justice of the Peace 603.738.6055 nhjp@metrocast.net nhjpwayneasevin.com
BANQUETS
Serving all your catering needs since 1965
WEDDINGS
11 Durkee Street Laconia, NH 03246
603.524.4518 contigianiscateringservice.com
HORS D'OEUVRES
BARBEQUES & CLAM BAKES Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 25
Bob Manley has a story he likes to tell about wine and love By Adam Drapcho
time. Soon, with the renovation of their third-floor space, they’ll be able to do that more, Manley said. “The parties that we’ve done here have been great,” he said. “Everyone leaves here having had a great time, mixing their love of wine tasting with their wedding.”
THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
A
young man approached Hermit Woods Winery – Bob Manley is one of the winery’s owners – and said he and his girlfriend were fans of their wine and of hiking in the Lakes Region. The winery helped the besotten man with a special request, so that the next time he and his love reached the top of their favorite mountain – with a vista of Winnipesaukee – there was a bottle of Hermit Woods Winnipesaukee Rosé waiting at the top. The man presented the bottle to the woman, then spun it around so she could read, through the rose-colored potion, that timeless four-word question printed on the back of the label.
She said yes
That anecdote might be unique, but it has some commonalities with other Lakes Region wedding stories. The couple was actually from Colorado, but both partners had childhood memories of the Lakes Region, so that was where they wanted to celebrate their union. And they wanted to do so while serving a wine that was as indelibly Lakes Region as a mountaintop view over Rattlesnake Island. Fortunately for these couples, there are a growing number of small, local wineries, each aiming to prove that there’s wine being made nearby that holds its own – or is even better than – something made thousands of miles away.
Hermit Woods
Hermit Woods is one of the most well-known, and best established, of the wineries in the
Gilmanton Winery
(Courtesy photo/Hermit Woods)
Lakes Region. Now headquartered on Main Street in Meredith, the winery was originally started in the home of one of the three founders in Sanbornton. In the decade since, Hermit Woods has made, and proven, the bold claim that it’s possible to make Old World-style dry wines from fruits other than grapes. In fact, their wines, which have a medal collection that would make Michael Phelps blush, are often made from fruits grown and harvested in the Lakes Region. “It has a sense of place,” Manley said. “That has become really important for people.” Hermit Woods, which was recently named in a Wine Enthusiast article about the growth of high-quality fruit wine, now produces just shy of 5,000 cases of wine each year. And as they’ve grown, other wineries have also emerged. Hermit Woods has hosted a few receptions or wedding-related parties in their tasting room over
Page 26 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
Where Hermit Woods aims at the dry side of the spectrum, Gilmanton Winery, located in an historic home in Gilmanton, plies the sweet taste buds, said founder and winemaker Marshall Bishop. They’ve been hosting weddings since 2010, usually about a halfdozen each year. Bishop has been making wine for even longer. He planted his vines in 2007 and started making wine a year later, attempting to please only his own palate. His wines, fruitier and a little sweeter than the norm, proved to be more popular than he expected, and he now makes between 1,400 and 1,600 bottles each month. Bishop said he derives joy from making wine, and from watching other people enjoy his concoctions. He gets a similar joy from watching people enjoy a wedding, and he said a New Hampshire wedding should be paired with a local wine. “We would like to see that, because there are a lot of wines around,” he said, adding that his winery can make custom labels for special occasions. “We enjoy watching the people enjoy it as much as we do. We have fun, I think that’s the whole thing,” he said. See next page
from preceding page
What are they doing up in those hills?
So there’s wines made from grapes, and wines made from other fruits. What about wines made from something most people wouldn’t even consider fruit? For Gunnar Berg and partner Cathy Graham, those are some of their best-selling wines. Hill People Wines, located in North Sandwich, is fairly new to the local wine scene. They make some red grape varieties, from grapes grown on their vineyard, as well as from berries and fruit grown by local farmers. Some of their best sellers, though, are “Liquid Sunshine,” a traditional dandelion wine, and “You Say Tomato,” a wine that, though white in appearance, is made from red tomatoes. “If you’re a northern winemake you have a choice of importing grapes or juice from New York,
(Courtesy photo/Gilmanton Winery)
California, Chile, South America,” Berg said. Those options make sense to some winemakers, he said, but he took a different tack. “Why would I import California grapes to New Hampshire to
make wine, when we’ve got all this local stuff around us that makes really good wine? We made the choice to do a lot of experimentation with stuff that grows around us abundantly.” That has turned out to be a good business decision, especially when it comes to the generation of people who are now dominating the wedding market. Berg said he sold out of 2019 wines, but will have a fresh batch of bottles ready in time for the 2020 wedding season – at least, as long as they last. “I think it has to do with where the millennials are at politically,” Berg said. “They will invariably say, where are you getting the broccoli, where are you getting the spinach, where are you getting the pork?” If they are taking advantage of the New Hampshire landscape for their wedding, they want their wedding to benefit that landscape. “I think that’s a large part of the mentality, farmto-table, buying local, keeping your money in the community.”
Offsite Catering & Onsite Event Rooms From casual to upscale and everything in between, our experienced coordinator, Tamra, will assist you in creating a perfect event you will remember forever. We take care of all the details including custom multi-tiered cakes, cupcakes or designing your own dessert bar. Our on-site Pastry Chef, Beth, can help you create the perfect ending to your menu. tamra@theredblazer.com beth@theredblazer.com (603)224-4101 www.theredblazer.com
Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 27
Begin a beautiful journey on a beautiful landscape.
Design Construction Renovation Maintenance
603-528-2798 belknaplandscape.com
Page 28 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
502 union street, littleton nh 03561 603.444.6557 www.abbottrental.com info@abbottrental.com
WHITEFACE from page 12 “We’ve learned that many of (our guests) want their wedding to be a three-day event,” Jennifer said. “They want to really spend time with their guests, their families.” Wedding guests in 2020 will find a couple of new amenities. The Ferreiras have added a five-kilometer walking trail that winds through field and thicket, offering views of the grounds as framed by the Sandwich range to the west, or the Ossipees to the east. There’s also a new building on the grounds, which speaks to both the Ferreiras’ interest in hosting weddings as well as their other plan for the land: wine. In the spring of 2018, the Ferreiras planted seven different varieties of cold-hardy grape vines. They expect it will take about three more years until they can harvest any of the fruit for wine, but when the vines are ready, so are the Ferreiras. They are building a winery that will serve as both a production facility for small-batch wines, as well as a place for rehearsal dinners or send-off brunches for wedding guests. And, they’ve learned, it’s not such a novel idea to use their land to make wine. There was once a producing winery along a stretch of their road which has since been abandoned, and they’ve even found old grape vines growing on their property. “Part of what we’re doing is tied to the history of the region,” John said.
MAN’S PIT FREIGHT ROOM
A Function Hall For All Occasions
Make your Wedding, Reception or Anniversary Something Extraordinary Offering 3800 sq ft of function space with a 750 sq ft dance floor. We can accommodate up to 175 banquet seated guests. We have a fully equipped residential kitchen for your catering needs and plenty of parking.
www.Pitmansfreightroom.com | 527-0043 94 New Salem Street | Laconia, NH info@pitmansfreightroom.com
The Barn at
The Inn on Main
Catering for up to 225 people - complete banquet facility for all occasions...
Banquets / Weddings / Bridal Showers / Rehearsal Dinners / Family Gatherings Magic Foods Catering - on and off premise catering 14 Newly-Decorated Boutique Style Rooms, O Bistro 200 North Main Street, Wolfeboro, NH
603-569-1335
www.MagicFoodsRestaurantGroup.com Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 29
The Barn at Whitney's Inn
is the Perfect New Hampshire Destination for your Wedding
For those couples looking for a rustic mountain event, we offer Whitney’s Inn, decorated in an Adirondack style with hickory and pine log furniture. The Shovel Handle Pub is a beautifully restored post and beam barn built in 1842. • Post and Beam Barn for up to 140 guests • 27 Adirondack style guestrooms, suites, and cottages • One of NH’s premier destination wedding venues
2020 Dates Still Available! Check out our website:
www.thebarnatwhitneys.com
Weddings
are our
Located in Scenic JackSon, nH
Specialty
Above the quaint village of Jackson
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Ceremony Site with Wedding Arbor White Wedding Chairs Cocktail Hour with Two Passed Hors d'oeuvres Cash Bar Two Course Dinner with Two Choice Entrée All Tables, Chivari Chairs, White Linens China, Silver and Stemware Day of Wedding Attendant One Night in a Bridal Suite
Some 2020 dates still available. Friday & Sunday weddings at a discount. Contact Linda Boyer at 603-383-6911 x 6513 or lboyer@eaglemt.com
603-383-9111 WWW.EAGLEMT.COM Page 30 / Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020
Voted 1st Place Best Venue for a Wedding & 2nd Place Best Golf Course Hole #1
TIPS from page 21 workouts, walking, writing, reading, spending time with loved ones, etc. Move your body as often as possible From simply walking to doing an intense strength training workout, moving around in some way or another is welcomed by your body for many reasons, not just weight loss. Move when you can and do what you find enjoyable and what leaves you energized and happy. Keep a journal No, not a food journal! Keep track of how you are feeling, physically and emotionally. Write about what you are grateful for, and jot down supportive messages. This is a great tool for staying present, grounded and thankful in the wedding planning process. Remember that while your wedding day may feel like the culmination of so much preparation and planning, it’s really the beginning of your life with your loved one. By using this time to create patterns that will serve you long after your big day, you’ll be setting the foundation for it to be beautiful and vibrant for many years to come!
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Looking fo r cakes, c ookie pla cupcakes tte , sandwic h platters rs, …….
BAKERY A
ND DELI
SERVING GILFORD SINCE 1 836 thegilford villagesto re.com (603) 52 8-1900
Samantha Grant Photography
reate Your Wedding Day the Way you Want it
Picture perfect setting for an intimate affair or gracious gathering up to 200 We include excellent service, the use of the farm for an entire day, and our tent, dance floor, tables & chairs so you can make the day your own
Currier Hill Farm 603-545-1621 | Loudon, NH | www.CurrierHillFarmNH.com | facebook.com/currierhillfarmnh Lakes to Mountains Weddings 2020 / Page 31
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Lakes Region wedding perfection...
Cole Harper / GraphiCole Photography
Incredible views overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee and the Mountains Accommodating up to 250 people Flexible space for Wedding Ceremony, Tented Reception, Rehearsal, After Party and More 603-782-4242 Kurt@Akwamarina.com www.akwamarina.com