Know What You Want

 The first step in finding the right place is to know what kind of wedding you want.   Do you want a cute garden wedding  a fancy ballroom wedding  or a cozy barn wedding?   There are many different types of venues in New Hampshire  from rustic farms to fancy inns.

 Think about the season.   A wedding in the winter wonderland of snow capped mountains will feel very different from a wedding by the lake in the summer.   Pick how many people you want to invite early on  because that will affect the type and size of the venue you need.

   Hint     Visit some of the places where you might want to hold your event in person.   Seeing a space can help you think of ideas and picture your big day.   A tour can also give you a sense of cleanliness and atmosphere  which can be hard to do with pictures or videos.

  Check out the area and how easy it is to get to

 If you have guests coming from all over the country or even the world  accessibility is very important.   There are some beautiful places in New Hampshire  but not all of them are easy to get to.   Think about how your guest will get to the venue and if there are places nearby where out of town guests can stay.

   Transportation Matters    If your dream venue is in the White Mountains or on a private island  think about how your guests will get there.   Do you need to arrange for shuttles or buses?   Is there valet service  or is it easy for guests to find a place to park?

 Take a look around.   The wedding itself can be just as fun as the trip to the wedding and the things to do nearby.   For example  there are nice places for pre wedding activities or brunches after the wedding in popular cities like Portsmouth and Manchester.

  Check out the specifics

 At this point  the goal is to find out about any problems with the logistics.   Ask about everything  from the most important amenities to the little things that aren't in fancy brochures.

   What Comes With It and What Doesn't?     Many places have packages  but the things they include can be very different.   Some might include linens  tables  and chairs  while others might charge extra for these.   From the start  be clear to avoid extra costs.   Check to see if you can only choose from a certain list or if you need to hire outside vendors.

   Rules and Restrictions    Every place has its own rules.   Some places have strict rules about noise and drinking  especially at events that are outside.   Check to see if you can work within these limits and feel good about it.   Check to see how often and easily you can get in touch with the venue manager.   Good communication can mean the difference between a problem and a solution in your planning.

  Knowledge and experience

 Finding a place with an experienced event team can make a big difference.   A place that often hosts weddings probably has ways to handle problems that come up without any trouble.

   Staff at the Venue    Are there people who can plan or organize events?   A dedicated planner can be very helpful on the day of your wedding with timing  coordinating vendors  and making plans at the last minute.

 Ask the staff at the venue about weddings that have already taken place.   Take lessons from what they have done.   Have they had any problems that happen a lot?   What did they do with them?   Get reviews or recommendations.   Hearing from other couples who went to the same place can help you a lot.

  Honeymooning Close to Home

 It can be stressful to plan a wedding  but don't forget to think about your honeymoon.   New Hampshire is a great place to get married and start your life together as a married couple.

 After the wedding  you might want to relax at one of New Hampshire's many romantic resorts or bed and breakfasts.   There are a lot of options  from private cabins in the White Mountains to fancy spa vacations in cities like Hanover.

 If you don't have a lot of time or money  you might want to think about a "mini moon."   You and your spouse can spend quality time together without going too far by taking a short trip to a beautiful place nearby  like Lake Winnipesaukee or the Lakes Region.

 Finally  enjoy the state's well known beauty.   New Hampshire has something for almost every couple  whether they want to hike  ski  or just look at the scenery.   Adding these activities can help everyone  from thrill seekers to relaxation seekers  remember the wedding for a long time.

 There is a lot to plan and think about when it comes to wedding venues.   But if you plan ahead and do things the right way  you'll be able to find the perfect place in New Hampshire for your big day.   Stay on top of things and keep in mind that this is a once in a lifetime chance.  Like the process as much as the end result.   Now  go out there and start making plans for your happy ending in New Hampshire!