How to Have the Destination Wedding of Your Dreams—Just 30 Minutes Outside of Boston

Boston is seeing a new trend in the world of nuptials: local destination weddings. Think: all the magic of a destination wedding without the added hassle of travel and logistics. With a local destination wedding, you and your guests can enjoy the comfort, convenience, flavor, and atmosphere of your perfect venue without traveling more than a half hour from Boston.

There’s one New England wedding destination that’s ahead of this trend, throwing breathtaking weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and showers since the opening of their 170-acre development in Salem, New Hampshire in October 2023. That destination is Tuscan Village, and within it, the stunning new Artisan Hotel at Tuscan Village.

We spoke to Christa McLean, Tuscan’s director of wedding and events sales, about how she and her talented team are making destination wedding dreams come true for Bostonians.

Tuscan Flavor

Tuscan Village is an astonishing display of hospitality—and the only development of its kind in New England—but their handcrafted Italian food made on-site is their claim to fame. “Food is our specialty, the piece de resistance, if you will,” McLean says. When you book your wedding at The Artisan Hotel at Tuscan Village, she says, you might as well have booked a ticket to eat your way through Italy. After all, at Tuscan Village, the passion is on the plate.

Tuscan Brands was born out of Founder Joe Faro’s love for artisan Italian cuisine, which started at his parents’ corner bakery, burgeoned throughout college with his grassroots brand “Joseph’s Gourmet Pasta and Sauces,” and finally culminated in the birth of Tuscan Kitchen in Salem in 2010.

Tuscan Kitchen was a smash hit, paving the way for Faro to expand his impeccable palate—and pursue his ultimate vision in Tuscan Village. He decided to bring new life to the desolate Rockingham Park, turning the former racetrack into more than four million square feet of al fresco shopping, dining, and lifestyle destination that includes four of his dining concepts: Tuscan Market, Caffe Artisan, Tuscan Kitchen, and The Rooftop at the hotel.

Tuscan Village gives people across New England the opportunity to enjoy flawless and flavorful events close to home. It’s no wonder, then, that the food at an Artisan Hotel wedding will take your breath away. “The fusilli with spinach and cream sauce is really something special, and the tiramisu that we put on the dessert bars is incredible,” McLean says.

But beyond the unforgettable dishes at your reception, you and your guests will have the opportunity to explore the other incredible Tuscan flavors during your stay thanks to the adjacent Tuscan Market, Caffe Artisan, Tuscan Kitchen, and The Rooftop at the hotel. “We’ve had couples actually give certificates for their guests to go into a [Tuscan Village] cafe at some point during their visit,” she says.

Flair for Design

A destination wedding is synonymous with spectacular scenery and captivating photography. At The Artisan Hotel, couples have creative freedom with the already exceptional event spaces to give the look of their wedding a personal touch.

McLean has planned wedding for couples who work with vendors to customize the event space with linens, chairs, lighting, furniture, and more. “We can work with you and with area professionals to bring in specialty items,” she says, referring to their extensive list of trusted wedding vendors who can deliver timely and high-quality design elements to your venue of choice.

If you’ve been dreaming of a chic ballroom wedding, the chandelier-clad Grand Ballroom at the Artisan Hotel will leave you speechless. It’s all at once a blank canvas and a ready-made dreamscape for your reception, with neutral colors throughout and a capacity for 300 to 450 people, depending on your preferences for setup.

You might also have visions of an indoor-outdoor wedding, which is where The Conservatory will be your perfect match. It’s the Artisan Hotel’s brand-new, temperature-controlled, all-season outdoor space, situated on the hotel’s grand lawn and set against the glimmering backdrop of Tuscan Lake Park. “We have really big goals for that space,” McLean says. “Lush greenery hanging in the space just like we have at Tuscan Kitchen, some modern features like the bar, but then whimsical enhancements,” she says.

Getaway Experiences

McLean tells us that she’s seeing more couples book all their wedding festivities at The Artisan Hotel, both to streamline the wedding planning process and to take full advantage of Tuscan Village’s resort-style experiential opportunities for them and their guests.

Whether you’re booked for a bachelorette party, dress shopping and wedding shower day, or a full wedding weekend, she says the getaway experience can begin the minute you walk through the doors. “When you get here and you’re checking in, maybe we don’t rush right into dinner,” she says. “Maybe you go over to Tuscan Market and try some desserts or go through a cooking class or cocktail class.”

The cooking classes and cocktail classes at Tuscan Market’s Cooking School are among the most popular choices for making memories before the wedding. Learn how to make fresh pasta alongside skilled chefs, how to mix the perfect cocktails with experienced mixologists, or learn the ins and outs of wine tasting with professional sommeliers. Then, take your party to The Rooftop and enjoy handcrafted cocktails while overlooking the vibrant center of Tuscan Village—you can even enjoy a live DJ every Saturday and Sunday and live music almost every night at Lake Park at Tuscan Village.

If your wedding journey brings you to Tuscan Village for pre-wedding festivities like dress shopping, you’re in luck: You can book an appointment at Bella Sera Bridal to find the perfect wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses before you enjoy dinner at Tuscan Kitchen or a post-shopping party on The Rooftop.

And when you’re not celebrating, squeeze in a workout at the 24-hour fitness center equipped with Peloton treadmills and weightlifting equipment; relax and unwind at the outdoor pool overlooking the Grand Lawn; take advantage of the shopping opportunities steps away from the hotel at L.L.Bean, Pottery Barn, Ulta, Nike, J.Crew, and more.

As you explore the hotel itself, you’ll quickly discover its unique allure—The Artisan Hotel is where the amenities and luxury of Marriott hotels meets European boutique charm. With the softest linens, most spacious rooms and suites, and thoughtful details like indulgent espresso, you’ll feel like royalty as you prepare for your big day.

Tuscan Village is the wedding couples’ paradise and the ultimate local destination wedding. Driving to the Artisan Hotel is like driving 30 minutes to the picturesque paradise of your dreams—when you pull up under the brilliantly lit porte cochere, your getaway begins. Whether it’s for a bachelorette weekend or officially tying the knot, you can lean into the class and charm of the Tuscan Village atmosphere and lose yourself in the big moments—no passport necessary.

 

This is a paid partnership between Tuscan Brands and Boston Magazine