Three Breathtaking Wedding Venues in the Lakes Region, New Hampshire
Elegant venues and a throwback summer-camp vibe give the Granite State’s lakefront resort towns the edge for weddings.
Castle in the Clouds. / Courtesy Photo
Whether you grew up spending summers on one of New Hampshire’s lakes or just like the idea of not having to choose between a mountain and a waterfront wedding, the quaint towns that line Lake Winnipesaukee are guaranteed to make a splash with your nearest and dearest. First-time visitors who come for a weekend celebration often return to boat in the sparkling water or hike the emerald-green mountains. “The lake draws people in. There’s so much serenity,” says Mindy Rossignol, owner of the Meredith-based Private Weddings and Events. “Pretty much anywhere you go, the backdrop for your wedding is going to be amazing scenery.”
Case in point: At Meredith’s Church Landing at Mill Falls, you can say “I do” on a lush waterfront lawn before departing the ceremony in an antique 1931 Chris Craft boat known as the Miss Meredith. Dinner and dancing take place in the rustically elegant Winnipesaukee Ballroom, where a cozy fireplace frames the head table.
If your style is more Vineyard Vines than L.L. Bean, go all in on the nautical theme at Laconia’s Akwa Marina Yacht Club, which now hosts tented weddings overlooking the docks—and after-parties in an open-air Gazebo Beach Bar. On-site lodging, meanwhile, makes it easy to stash your bridal party close to the action.
To enjoy the Lakes Region from the sky, take the plunge at Castle in the Clouds, in Moultonborough. Built in 1914, the mountaintop estate showcases fountain-accented flower gardens and, of course, storybook-ready panoramas of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains.
Church Landing at Mill Falls
Head Count Up to 230 seated
Price Starting at $4,000, plus food and drink
Akwa Marina Yacht Club
Head Count Up to 250 seated
Price Starting at $4,700, plus food and drink
Castle in the Clouds
Head Count Up to 200 seated
Price Starting at $5,250, plus food and drink
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“Most of the couples getting married in the Lakes Region have summered here, and no matter where they live in the world, it has never left their mind.”
Mindy Rossignol, Private Weddings and Events
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The Winnipesaukee Belle. / Courtesy Photo
Prewedding Adventure
Kick off the wedding weekend with a champagne toast aboard the Winnipesaukee Belle, a replica 19th-century paddleboat that leaves from Wolfeboro Town Docks and can be chartered for up to 100 guests.
Guest Digs
Hotels fill up fast in the Lakes Region, particularly during the warmer months, so overflow lodging is essential. Just 10 minutes from Meredith, the newly renovated Center Harbor Inn offers private balconies with peaceful harbor views, a sandy beach, and boat-slip access.
Moulton Farm. / Courtesy Photo
Rehearsal Dinner
Give your wedding party a taste of the Granite State with a farm-to-fork feast at Meredith’s Moulton Farm, where the chef will craft a custom menu using local ingredients—many of them grown in the same fields you’ll overlook during dinner.
Unique Vendor
Using New Hampshire ingredients like maple syrup as well as locally sourced produce, the Farm to Fire food truck churns out wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas on site—don’t miss the signature maple-bacon pie with green apples.
Local Favor
Who doesn’t need a little help recovering after an evening of revelry? Give friends and family an extra jolt with 8-ounce bags of java from the Black Bear Micro Roastery, in Center Tuftonboro.
Church Landing at Mill Falls. / Courtesy Photo
Consider the Mini-Moon
With two indoor/outdoor pools, a spa, and a private beach, you may never want to leave Church Landing at Mill Falls. But make no mistake: Lake Winnipesaukee is best experienced from the water—on kayaks, standup paddleboards, or canoes rented from the EKAL Activity Center.
If you prefer to stay dry, motor over to the nearby Laconia Harley-Davidson, where you can rent a road king and get lost in the New Hampshire mountains (or follow one of their impressive ride guides).
Dinner is at Lago, a waterfront restaurant with views of the lake that are almost as splendid as the upscale Italian menu.
For more venue inspiration, take a peek at our guide to New England’s top celebration spots.
