Let’s cut to the chase: New Hampshire is basically like that friend who’s annoyingly good at everything. You want wild ocean views? Got it. Dreamy mountain peaks? Check. A little bit of everything because you can’t possibly choose? Yep, you’re covered there too. If you’re stuck deciding where to get married in New Hampshire — beach, mountains, or somewhere deliciously in-between — pull up a chair. We’re going to talk it all through, because honestly, you deserve a wedding day that feels as “you” as your favorite worn-in jeans (but, you know, with maybe a little less denim).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Beaches for a New Hampshire Beach Wedding
Best mountaintops for a New Hampshire Mountain Wedding
Best Mountain wedding venues in New Hampshire
Beach vs. Mountains: What’s Your Vibe?
First things first: there’s no wrong choice here. Seriously. Whether you’re dreaming about toes in the sand or boots in the forest, New Hampshire brings its A-game. But let’s break it down so you can start picturing your day without the panic-sweats.
New Hampshire Beach Wedding: Salty Hair, Zero Cares
Best Beaches and Seacoast Venues for a New Hampshire Beach Wedding
Now, if you’re feeling that salty air and sandy toes life (or you’re thinking, “why not both?”), here are some top picks for beach weddings:
- Odiorne Point State Park (Rye) — Wild, rocky, and serious Maine-meets-NH energy.
Think dramatic coastline, cozy coves, and way fewer crowds than the boardwalk spots. - Seacoast Science Center (Rye) — Same park, but with a dedicated wedding space overlooking the ocean. You can literally get married to the sound of waves crashing. Yes, please.
- Jenness Beach (Rye) — For a super casual seacoast beach wedding vibe. Picture a low-key ceremony in the sand, followed by beers and barefoot dancing. Plus, Kooks Beach Bar is just around the corner for celebratory tacos. (You know that matters.)
- Seabrook Beach — peaceful, quieter, perfect for couples who want a beach feel without a million bystanders.
- Portsmouth Harbor Events & Conference Center — OK, not directly on the beach, but it’s walkable to the water and gives you the downtown Portsmouth charm if you want to keep things flexible (and not a worry about tide charts).
If you’re thinking of a beach wedding, always check if you’ll need a permit depending on where you want to set up. (And yes, I can totally help with that — no one needs a surprise “oops you can’t be here” moment on their wedding day.)
Who it’s perfect for:
You love the ocean. Like, really love it. You want chill, breezy, romantic without trying too hard, relaxed vibes, less structure, and maybe the option to run into the waves right after your ceremony. (If you don’t, I probably still will.)
New Hampshire Mountain Wedding: Big Views, Big Feels
Best Spots for a New Hampshire Mountain Wedding:
- White Mountain National Forest — basically a real-life screensaver, but you’re in it. Check out this blog of a couple that eloped on Mt. Willard!
- Cathedral Ledge — you can literally drive up to a cliffside view. No two-hour hikes in wedding attire necessary. Check out one of my fav elopements at Cathedral Ledge, here!
Favorite Mountain Wedding Venues in New Hampshire
If you’re leaning mountain but not totally sure where to start, here’s a handful of absolute gems you can’t go wrong with:
White Mountain Hotel & Resort (North Conway) — Killer views of Cathedral Ledge, cozy vibes, and honestly, you could stay there all weekend and never get bored.
The Preserve at Chocorua (Tamworth) — It’s giving historic barn meets moody mountain magic. Super peaceful and packed with character.
Omni Mount Washington Resort (Bretton Woods) — The grand dame of mountain venues. That Mount Washington backdrop? Just chef’s kiss for portraits.
Waterville Valley Resort (Waterville Valley) — Cute alpine village energy but make it wedding day. Plus, there’s a ton for your guests to do if you’re making a whole weekend out of it.
Loon Mountain — Ride a gondola to the summit and get married with 360° mountain views — no hiking boots required. Perfect for couples who want a true “on top of the world” moment.
Toad Hill Farm — A private, rustic farm tucked in the Franconia mountains with insane sunset views and tons of open space. Feels like your own little slice of New Hampshire. Learn more about this venue in this blog!
Top of the Ridge Farm — Laid-back farm vibes meet wide-open mountain views. Think cozy, intimate, and perfect for couples who want a relaxed but equally stunning setting.
And for a true “just us” mountain elopement? There are about a million trailheads calling your names. I’ll even carry your second pair of hiking socks — no shame.
Who it’s perfect for:
You want adventure baked into your day. Maybe you’re not afraid to hike a little. Maybe you want a New Hampshire mountain wedding because staring at a skyline of pines and peaks makes your heart beat a little different. (Relatable.)
Or, You Know What…Why Not Both?
If you’re side-eyeing both lists thinking, “But wait. I want all of that,” good news: you can totally have it. New Hampshire is tiny but mighty — you can get married in the mountains and drive to the coast for sunset photos without needing a teleportation device.
Best Combo Ideas:
- Get married in the mountains, honeymoon on the coast.
- Split the day — ceremony in the forest, portraits on the beach. You’ll need a little logistical magic, but I’ve seen it done and it’s so worth it.
- Pick a wedding venue that’s close to both — places around Portsmouth, Exeter, or Rye make it super easy to sneak in a little mountain and ocean action.
- Book with a photographer that offers 2-day wedding/elopement packages (You betcha, I do!)
Bonus: If you’re working with a New Hampshire wedding and elopement photographer (hey, hi, it’s me 👋), you’ll have someone who knows the shortcuts, best lighting spots, and snack stops to make the day feel like an actual adventure and not a stress test.
My 2-Day Wedding Package
Here’s the thing — you actually can have the best of both worlds. (Cue Miley Cyrus, circa 2006.)
And honestly? That’s exactly where my 2-day wedding/elopement package comes in.
You could say your vows on a mountaintop one day — standing hand-in-hand surrounded by pine trees and peaks — and then kick off your shoes and run into the ocean the next. No choosing necessary.
Seriously, it’s your weekend. Why not do everything you love?
If I’m being real with you?
I wish I had done this myself.
Looking back, there were so many pieces of different places that meant something to me and my husband. But I got caught up feeling like I had to pick one thing, when the truth is? It’s your wedding. Your adventure. You don’t have to squeeze it into someone else’s version of what a day “should” look like.
That’s why I built my two-day experience — so you can fully live out all your dreams without rushing, stressing, or second-guessing.
And bonus: you’ll get a gallery that actually feels like you — wild, free, a little salty, a little pine-scented, and 100% yours.
Things to Think About Before Picking Your Spot
Because I’m a big fan of you having zero regrets, here’s what you might want to ask yourself:
- Guest list size: Tiny elopement? Giant party? Some beaches and overlooks have limits.
- Accessibility: Some mountain venues are easier to get to than others. (driving your 90-year-old Nana up a dirt road is…not ideal.)
- Weather: New Hampshire’s coastal weather and mountain weather both like to keep you on your toes. Summer = humidity. Fall = crisp but unpredictable. Winter = stunning but cold enough to freeze your butt off.
- Vibe priorities: What gives you the happiest mental pictures? Waves crashing, seagulls cackling…or leaves crunching under your boots and pine trees taller than your ceremony arch?
Where to Get Married in New Hampshire
| If You Love | Choose |
| Ocean views, easy-going vibe, salt air | New Hampshire beach wedding |
| Epic landscapes, rustic cabins, crisp air | New Hampshire mountain wedding |
| Adventure, variety, can’t pick just one | Both — Seacoast and Mountains |
Final Thoughts From Your Friendly New Hampshire Wedding and Elopement Photographer
At the end of the day, where to get married in New Hampshire isn’t about what sounds good on paper. It’s about what feels like you. Whether that’s sinking your toes into wet sand or yelling your vows into the wind on top of a mountain, I’m here for it — and I’ll be the one carrying your emergency water bottle, snacks, and backup shoes.
Whatever you choose — beach, mountains, or both — your wedding day should be an epic freaking day for two hella cool people (spoiler: that’s you).
Need a New Hampshire wedding and elopement photographer who gets you, your vision, and your need for post-ceremony snacks? Let’s talk.
