A Winter Wedding in New Hampshire

Winter scenes have a special magic in New Hampshire. When the snow coats the ground and cozy fires warm the hearths, love is in the air.Icicles in the windows will sparkle like the diamond on your hand and the tear in your eye, making your priceless day perfect. And for the icing on the cake...winter weddings can be a skate in the park for your budget.

The White Mountain National Forest is an excellent locale to make all your winter wedding dreams come true.If a mountaintop wedding is in your dreams, ski resorts like Loon, Attitash, and Wildcat are happy to host you and your guests in slope-side condos. The Eagle Mountain House in Jackson is also a historic landmark, but with a more casual, country décor. For a bit of family fun, enjoy great attractions at Great Glen Trails like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or a SnowCoach ride up Mount Washington. Or enjoy a skate at the public rink in center Conway, a slide down Cranmore or visit any of the nearby mountain resorts get a few runs in for the skiers.

The Mount Washington Hotel and Resort is perhaps one of the most remarkable historic wedding locations in the state. Nestled in the mountains of Bretton Woods, this US National Historic Landmark has a storied past that will add to your storybook future. As one of the last grand hotels in the White Mountains, this majestic setting sets the tone for more and more winter weddings each year, with twelve booked for 2010. Recently renovated and updated, with a spa added in 2009, the beauty of the architecture will take your breath away while the beauty of the bride takes away the breath of up to 200 guests. While this locale is a bit out of the way, all amenities are provided on sight including a photographer, florist, baker, officiant, entertainment and horse-drawn sleigh-even dog sleds! Your ceremony might take place on the roofed-in veranda or in front of a crackling fire in the conservatory, either way guests will likely be surrounded by falling snow. If you're feeling adventurous, take the chairlift up nearby Bretton Woods ski area to say "I do" in front of a JP dressed as Santa and hitch a snowmobile ride down to your reception. Or treat your bridal party to a canopy zipline ride through crystal-covered pines. If you're the spontaneous type, try an elopement package and look for discounts on function rooms throughout the winter.

Reflect the glory of the mountains sparkle for sparkle with a shimmering theme of silver and white. Use old cds to create an "ice rink" centerpiece around thick white pillar candles rolled in silver glitter. Or warm things up a bit with do-it-yourself s'mores stations at each table. Creating a frosted look comes easy with shades of white linen and twinkling lights, a few well-placed snowflakes will set the scene off with style. Try a packet of cocoa or monogrammed sugar cookies as a fun favor.

The Mountain Club at Loon Mountain in Lincoln offers 15% off winter weddings Sunday through Friday. Enjoy a hearty rehearsal dinner at the famous Common Man Restaurant down the street and bundle up for a flurry of fun. Take the gondola to the top for a ceremony on skis (or snowboards). For cozier couples, cuddle up in the slope-side hotel. With a spa on site and tubing or skating for guests, it's a great spot for some family-merging fun. The spectacular mountain backdrop, train and gondola provide memorable shots for the wedding party. A snowflake-themed reception, with make-your-own smores will have up to 150 guests believing they're in a winter wonderland. Since ski resorts are very busy during the winter months, smaller weddings work best with a cutoff at 150 guests. Over half of the 1-5 nuptials held each year have the bride and groom staying on at the resort for their honeymoon as well. Couples come from all over the country, many saying they fell in love with the mountain when they came on ski trips as children.

No matter which venue you decide on, your winter wedding with sparkle like the lights on the trees and the snowflakes in the air. Just remember to dress warmly and have plenty of hot cocoa and mittens for your guests!
The Mountain Club at in offers 15% off winter weddings Sunday through Friday. Enjoy a hearty rehearsaldinner at the famous Common Man Restaurant down the street and bundle up for aflurry of fun. Take the gondola to the top for a ceremony on skis (orsnowboards). For cozier couples, cuddle up in the slope-side hotel. With a spaon site and tubing or skating for guests, it's a great spot for some family-mergingfun. The spectacular mountain backdrop, train and gondola provide memorableshots for the wedding party. A snowflake-themed reception, with make-your-ownsmores will have up to 150 guests believing they're in a winter wonderland. Sinceski resorts are very busy during the winter months, smaller weddings work bestwith a cutoff at 150 guests. Over half of the 1-5 nuptials held each year havethe bride and groom staying on at the resort for their honeymoon as well.Couples come from all over the country, many saying they fell in love with themountain when they came on ski trips as children.