Reception Venues Near Rochester, NH.

If you're planning a wedding in the greater Rochester area of New Hampshire, you've got several great locations to choose from for your reception, some of these places even have the facility to host your entire event, from rehearsal dinner to day-after brunch. Because Rochester is centrally located, there are lots of great options in a variety of price ranges. Whether you've got everything planned out or need a hand with the details, there's a location that will fit your needs.

My personal favorite, and perhaps I'm biased since I had my reception there, is The Oaks Golf Links in Somersworth, NH. This all-inclusive location is hidden in the woods off of route 108 and can accommodate both indoor and outdoor preferences. The wonderful staff is more than willing to help you with all your preparations and will work with you to arrange vendors, or you can go with their no-stress vendor package and they'll take all the guesswork out of it for you by recommended talented florists, DJs and bakers whom they've worked with previously. They'll even provide golf carts for the wedding party to trek around in for gorgeous pond-side photos.

Reception packages start at $42 a head and include a cheese and cracker appetizer with scrumptious selections like roast stuffed chicken and bacon-wrapped filet mignon for the main course. Your meal is served at each table by courteous wait staff and includes a champagne toast. Complete, stress-free packages start at $23 per person in addition to your meal package and feature the services of Get Down Tonight Entertainment, Jacques Fine European Pastries and Cymbidium Floral. This package is so stress free it includes a night's stay at the nearby Comfort Inn in Dover so you can rest up for your honeymoon.

After dinner, step out onto the patio to watch the sun set, or hit the dance floor. When you're ready to end the night, go out with a bang...as in fireworks! They're a sure crowd pleaser that makes for explosive photos. For more information, visit www.theoaksgolflinks.com

Another great option is The Governor's Inn, nestled in the heart of downtown Rochester, NH; you'd never believe the hustle and bustle of the street is so close while you're tucked away in your choice of lush garden, Gatsby-esque patio, decadent Rolland Estate, or old-world-elegant ballroom. At this all-inclusive location, you can even stay on the premises. Rooms start at only $65 and include breakfast. The Coach Apartment sleeps up to 8 guests, so it's the perfect spot stay with your bridesmaids the night before or to get a little privacy as newlyweds after the big event.

Pricing for reception packages consists of two parts, the meal and a facility fee depending on which locale you chose. Hors D'oeuvre options include baked Brie, vegetable crudités, shrimp cocktail, fruit kabobs, stuffed mushrooms, or bacon wrapped scallops, among many other options. Choose a buffet or dinner service for your main course, and the chefs are "happy to customize any menu." Facility fee's range from $250 to $800 and all meal options are based on the number of guests.

Visit www.governorsinn.com for details or call and ask for a wedding guide, containing five complete wedding packages.

If you prefer more of a country atmosphere, travel just across the border to Spring Hill in South Berwick, ME for 60 acres of rolling meadows and panoramic views. With over forty years of wedding experience, this breathtaking location will have guests oohhing and ahhhing all afternoon. You might even spot deer, birds and other wildlife.

Facilities fees start at $1,800 on Saturdays or $1,500 other days of the week and include ballroom facilities complete with a fireplace, walk-out deck, and sunroom. Customize the area depending on the size of your wedding. Spring Hill boasts two classically-trained gourmet chefs who pride themselves on using only the freshest local ingredients. Start with appetizers like vegetable dumplings, fried ravioli, Gruyere cheese puffs or smoked salmon. For a buffet-style wedding, you might chose a carving station option of sirloin, turkey, ham, or other decadent meats. For dinner-style, choose from entrees like baked chicken stuffed with apples, beef burgundy, boneless duck or veal piccatta, among other options.

If you'd like to get married on site, there's no additional charge to utter your vows under a rustic trellis overlooking the pond. For more information visit www.springhillmaine.com.

If you or your fiancé have allergies, but still want to enjoy the beauty of nature, the New England Center in Durham, NH is just right for you. Floor to ceiling windows let in the light and a view of densely wooded beauty that will have both you and your guests wondering how they got the building so close.

Buffet meals start at just $19.95 with banquet events starting at $24.95. Enjoy a large assortment of hor d'oeuvres from stuffed cherry tomatoes to clams on the half shell to a Japanese sushi mirror to Maine lobster cakes. Then move on to wild mushroom ravioli, pan-seared Atlantic salmon, or tofu sauté.

The New England Center, a part of the University System of New Hampshire operates under a "green rating" from The Princeton Review. Utilizing new ways to operate more sustainably, the kitchen staff uses primarily local produce and meats. The vegetable oils used in cooking are saved for the development of biofuel and any methane gas produced is transferred into energy used throughout the campus. Visit www.newenglandcenter.com for more information and a proposal.

For the well-connected couple who needs only a hall, the Rochester American Legion provides seating for 60-600 guests and is the largest facility in the area. Bring in all your own vendors, or chose from a menu selection that includes tempura, tea sandwiches, rosemary pork loin, and even macaroni and cheese. Since the facility is essentially a blank slate, you can create whatever atmosphere you'd like; even create a multiple settings by using their room dividers. For more information or to request a quote, visit www.rochesternhamericanlegion.com.

Whatever your budget and needs, you're sure to find the perfect venue within easy distance of Rochester. For more tips and ideas on locations, vendors, and general wedding information, visit www.nhweddingmagazine.com.