Submitted by Prestigious_Ad_2331 t3_126tsg3 in newhampshire

Hello, I have a friend who is planning a wedding and decided to withdraw from doing their wedding at Searles Castle in Windham due to costs. Anyone have recommendations for cost efficient wedding venues in NH that are not as expensive as Searles?

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smartest_kobold t1_jeasr8l wrote

Anything is legal in a Walmart parking lot. ANYTHING.

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Lys_Vesuvius t1_jecphsg wrote

I once had a 600 lb safe In a Walmart parking lot for 6 hours due to an argument with bass pro shop, Walmart did not give two shits as long as the safe was far enough from their main parking area.

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butch_tits t1_jecuklq wrote

Very curious what the whole story is behind this

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Lys_Vesuvius t1_jecwo82 wrote

My buddy bought one of the most expensive gun safes at bass pro shop, they begged him to pick it up tommorow but he refused, he has his Genesis GV70 carry the safe the 300 Meters to Walmart. I stood next to it for 3 hours with a rifle while he found a truck for it. He knocked off 200 USD on the zero interest loan I owned him on a gun as thanks for the issue considering I had to threaten state PD with legal action.

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Lys_Vesuvius t1_jecwtqh wrote

If that isn't the most NH comment you heard I don't know what Is

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nixstyx t1_jeb27c5 wrote

If they advertise that they host weddings, it's going to be unnecessarily expensive. These places know that weddings = big dollars. The wedding business is huge lately because everyone wants something unique, special and over the top. Searles advertises Fairytale Weddings, for fuck sake. Even less expensive places tack on a ton extra for a wedding compared to a similar sized event.

Best advice I've seen would be to find someplace that doesn't normally do weddings and figure out how to get it done there. Or, find someplace that's brand new to doing weddings and looking to grow a business. Downside is, you have to live with compromises, you aren't likely to have an on-site event planner (unless you contract separately) and it'll be a lot more work to coordinate and arrange everything.

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dogmom603 t1_jeb3u76 wrote

Maybe Granite Rose in Hampstead. When you look at what they include in the price it isn’t too bad.

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SnooChipmunks5347 t1_jecp6qp wrote

Second this, my sister got married there and it was lovely - they did however save a lot of money by getting married on a Monday

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starhoppers t1_jebpcb0 wrote

City Clerk Offices offer the service for around $50, and you’ll be just as married as if you spent thousands for a big wedding. The money you save by not having a big wedding will definitely be needed to start your lifelong journey together.

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JayJay1982171 t1_jebsjma wrote

I did my own thing at an Elks Club. Hired a DJ, friend made a cake, and a cheap but decent caterer with a buffet. 14 years later I still get compliments of how fun it was. Whole wedding including the brides dress.......2500.00. Photographer will cost a bit too. Try Portrait Arts Studio. She did my wedding and my sisters. Good prices and does a great job. Have fun with the planning, don't let it stress everyone!

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HatefulTwon t1_jebmoac wrote

I'm getting married this summer at Tenney Mountain Lodge in Plymouth. Venue cost was $1500. It's the only place we found under $5k

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murderqwik t1_jebydl1 wrote

The Mileaway in Milford.

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literallyatree t1_jec02lm wrote

Birchwood vineyards in Derry can be cheap depending on the date they choose. Weekday in the winter doesn't have a venue fee at all (just food minimums).

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ParadigmCG t1_jeblber wrote

Do they require all-in-one venues or do they have food and all that jazz taken care of?

Cuz there are some pretty crazy nice high-end Airbnbs that allow events like weddings.

Like this place in Airbnb (it's in Maine) is like $2000 a night https://abnb.me/UAAW6t0aByb

Had a friend go this route (not that place) and they saved a boatload of money.

Idk if THAT place has any minimum stays or anything, I just like looking at fancy Airbnbs sometimes.

Winny has some nice ones too

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rnewell528 t1_jec9jmt wrote

You can check out Rustic Gatherings, they have options that might fit your needs

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Possible-Ad4692 t1_jef9si4 wrote

I would recommend checking out Rustic Gatherings as well.

I am getting married at the Barn at Foote Farm through Rustic Gatherings this fall. It was the best priced barn we could find. We booked it 2 years ago so the prices may have gone up a bit.

As stated above, they have a few different options for venues though

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drivermcgyver t1_jecf2fu wrote

Backyard BBQ. Only way to go. Spend $600 on food to grill and you've got a party.

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BettyCrackah t1_jeb45om wrote

The Hall at Great Falls in Somersworth NH

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Peanut-Donut t1_jecbxdt wrote

I heard Alysons Orchard in Walpole is gorgeous and off season isnt bad.

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shutup_you_dick t1_jecow4t wrote

Gorgeous, but new owners and they just did a huge overhaul, so $$$ I'm sure now... I work there often. Catering.

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MusicalMerlin1973 t1_jech0yv wrote

What is their budget?

In retrospect my wife and I wish we had held the reception at the church, and done it pot luck in lieu of gifts. No one giving us the bums rush out of the venue. Alack and alas.

Check various halls. Nights of Columbus etc. some churches seriously have nice areas that could double as reception areas.

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last_minute1 t1_jecms2e wrote

If either of them have a connection to UNH then they should get a quote for Huddleston. It was not expensive compared to the other wedding factory places. Ours was a decade ago so not sure if that has changed but the room was nice and food was good. https://www.unh.edu/conferences-catering/weddings

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Full-Grass-5525 t1_jed47uu wrote

Huddleston is currently being renovated and unavailable. It’s being turned into the honors college with a large donation from Hamel.

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Tween1967 t1_jeemkhd wrote

My daughter got married at Sunny Slope Farm in Alton. Very reasonable, but you have to do the work. Decorating, getting it catered etc. The price includes the use of the Farmhouse, which I believe sleeps 18 people. It was awesome!! They have everything you need there to decorate too...unless you want to personalize a bit. But it really was amazing!

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kberson t1_jefcl10 wrote

Alpine Grove, in Hollis. We did our wedding reception there, very nice facility.

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springer0510 t1_jecj16b wrote

Tell the venue it's a family reunion. Once you say wedding, 25% automatically gets added on.

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SunshineSeriesB t1_jeewtgo wrote

There are plenty of more cost efficient venues around - what are they looking for in a venue? Sealres is like TOTALLY a different expected experience than the VFW.
Additionally, what time of year are they looking at? If they're willing to move to off peak they could save some money.

5 years ago now, but Westford Regency (MA) was very cost efficient for a January wedding with an on-site ceremony, 5 course dinner, bar package and late night snacks. (DM me).

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