CHOCORUA DAY | SATURDAY JULY 30TH

With summer in full swing there is plenty to do in the White Mountain Region, including events right in our own backyard. If you are in the Tamworth / Chocorua area check out this upcoming festival! 

CHOCORUA DAY IS SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016! 

The Annual Chocorua Day Festival is Saturday, July 30 beginning at 9 am with the Chocorua Library Book Sale and the Indoor Yard Sale at the Chocorua Community Church.  

At 10am Art Works presents the 2016 Art Show and Sale in Runnells Hall. This runs from 10am to 4 pm on both Saturday and Sunday.  The public is invited to An Artists' Reception on Friday from 6 to 8 pm to meet the many artists whose works will be on display, sponsored by the Arts Council of Tamworth.

The stories of Tamworth's Colorful History will be told by Marion Posner and friends starting at 10:30 in the morning in front of the Library. A delicious BBQ lunch will be served from 11 am to 1 pm as the Dixieland Dandies perform traditional jazz and favorite sing-a-long tunes. The Boy Scouts of Troop 151 will serve popcorn. Tours of the new Chocorua Park and Dam will be conducted throughout the morning and a self-guided walk featuring "A Tamworth Meditation", a poem written by Richard Posner, will be displayed in the park.

Highlighting the festival will be the presentation of the Citizen of the Year Award by the Chocorua Community Association's President John Gotjen at 1pm. This recognition is given annually to recognize individuals who have made a positive contribution to the culture and quality of life of the community. 

The Chocorua Day Festival is located on the grounds of Runnells Hall on Rte 113 just east of the Rte. 16 intersection. Hope to see you there!

Winter in July.

While the summer temperatures may be rising in the Northeast, we are planning ahead for a winter season like none other here at The Preserve. With our cozy Farmhouse fully restored and finished, a Carriage House for extra guests, and a heated barn for 200, we are the stuff winter wedding dreams are made of.  If you are considering a winter wedding or special event here are some advantages to booking in the snowy season. 

The Preserve at Chocorua Barn during a snowfall.

The Preserve at Chocorua Barn during a snowfall.

An intimate Gathering

Winter and holiday time means visiting family and friends, endless parties and gatherings. Many people have obligations during the holidays so if you prefer a romantic smaller intimate gathering a winter wedding might be for you. 

The Scenery

A fresh dusting of pure white snow...need we say more? 

Image Credit: The Knot

Image Credit: The Knot

Free Decor 

Many venues decorate for the holiday season, giving you a built in wedding and event bonus of free decor, which we all know can be a large chunk of the budget. 

It's Unique & Different

From November - March picking an off beat date will set your big day apart from all the others. And who doesn't want to liven up what can sometimes be a dreary time of year with a big celebration? 

Vendor Availability 

Venues and vendors that are in high demand during peak wedding season often book two, sometimes even three years out. It comes down to simple supply and demand; there are only so many June - October weekends available. Booking during the "off peak" times means more availability and sometimes even a better rate. 

LAST BUT NOT LEAST...THE FOOD & BEVERAGE

An endless assortment of comfort food options are totally appropriate for this chilly season. Think rich soup shooters, endless dessert displays, hot cocoa bars...the possibilities are endless and YUMMY! 

 

 

 

 

Featured Wedding Couple | Jennifer & Allen

Some wedding couples just exude an effortless and cool vibe; Jennifer and Allen are one of those couples. With their laid-back summer soiree just around the corner, we wanted to get the inside scoop on some of their details. We see lots of front porch sittin' and sippin' happening with friends and family during their special weekend! Congrats Jennifer & Allen! 

Was there a reason you chose a summer wedding?

Once he proposed in March, I just couldn't find a reason why we should wait!  Summer in New Hampshire is a beautiful time!

Do you have a color scheme you are working with for your big day?

Yellow (Sunflower) and Blue (Royal)

P.S. We can't WAIT to see this bright, colorful, and classic color combo! Sure to be stunning! 

Why did you choose those colors?

Summer and Simple

What role did the groom play in planning?

Allen has been my partner throughout our planning, it has been a team effort!

What are you most looking forward to on your big day?

The ceremony of course, but the fact that we have the ability to stretch our celebration over several days with family and friends is what I am so excited about. The Preserve offered exactly what we were looking for.

Featured Wedding Couple | Liz & Luke

Sometimes you just hear the story of a couple and know that their big day is going to be filled with love, laughter, and heartfelt emotions. Liz & Luke have a pretty neat story about how they found this place, and the good old dancin' days of years gone by! From the hand made desserts, to a special tribute to family, their day is sure to capture the essence and meaning of what a wedding is all about. We are so looking forward to being a part of such a special day. 

What attracted you to the White Mountain Area, and more specifically the Preserve for your wedding day? 

For both myself and Luke, the White Mountain Area was always one of our favorite vacation spots. My family, being from Massachusetts, had a family cabin located there, and Luke would come up from his home in Arizona every summer to visit his family there. We both love the beautiful New Hampshire scenery and all that the area has to offer. 

I heard about the Preserve from Luke's grandparents who would often go dancing there in their younger years. We specifically chose the Preserve because of how beautiful it is and also that it had both a reception space and a ceremony space. It was a perfect fit for what I was looking for!

Are there any special and or meaningful family traditions you will be incorporating into your big day? 

As tradition we are having Luke's uncle officiate the wedding. A few of my aunts and my grandmother will be making their favorite pies to go along with the cake. It seems to be tradition to always have great desserts at our family get togethers! 

We are also choosing to honor Luke's father who passed by playing a song in remembrance of him.

We are very excited to have our special day at the Preserve !

The Art of the Wedding Welcome Bag.

There is something to be said for a perfectly curated wedding welcome bag. It helps to set the tone for the weekend ahead and creates a sense of excitement for things to come. Make your out of town guests feel right at home with some hand picked items that are a reflection of the region you chose to tie the knot in! Always include the essentials such as bottled water, emergency contact numbers, and snacks, then mix in some of our picks to create the ultimate wedding weekend swag bag.

 

Choose a unique Vessel 

Ideally something reusable, like a tote bag that guests can reuse. Also pick something that can serve as a reminder of their memorable trip to New Hampshire.

A Travel Guide & MAP | WEEKEND ITINERARY  

Make sure that guests know how to get around the area if they would like to explore. Mark major landmarks and happenings on a map for them, such as wedding ceremony location, reception location, sights of interests, trails, lakes, etc. 

Include an itinerary with times and locations of key events happening throughout the weekend. Also be sure to provide a contact number (ideally not yours) just in case guests need to get in touch with someone. 

Local Goodies 

Local and seasonal snacks are always a treat. Here are a few suggestions. 

The "Tamworth" Cookie from the Lyceum.

New Hampshire Maple Syrup....you might even snag some that we tapped right here on property! 

Local Spirits from the Tamworth Distillery

Apple Cider Donuts. You can find these little tasty delights throughout the state in the fall. 

 

A Touch of Luxury 

Make your guests feel at home. A lovely scented hand lotion, some herbal tea, a hand poured candle, or some fresh flowers will do the trick. 

Weather Related Necessities 

Time of year and season play a big part of this one. Add in necessities that make sense for the season. Bug spray, chap stick, sunscreen, a cozy hat or warm mittens for winter. You get the idea. 

A Personalized Note

Complete the package with a heartfelt short and sweet thank you note letting your guests know how much you appreciate them taking the time to celebrate with you. 

Featured Wedding Couple | Courtney & David

We have the distinct honor of hosting Courtney and David as our very first wedding couple here at The Preserve. June is filled with weddings, graduations, and family reunions here at The Preserve. The "wedding gods" were smiling down on us all when this couple found our venue. Their date of June 11th just happened to be our last remaining June date, and as you will read from their story, it was June 11th or bust! 

Why June 11th 2016? (from their wedding website) 

We would like to share with you why we chose Saturday, June 11th, 2016 for our special wedding date! Our apologies to friends and families for the late notice and quick planning.

This past Christmas, Dave received an incredibly special gift from his Grandmother. Dave opened the gift handed to him by Grammy, in the original box was the ring of Grammy's late husband Bob Holmes. Honored and in tears the ring slid perfectly onto the ring finger of Dave. The gold well-worn ring was inscribed "Merm to Bob 6-11-49 Forever".

With no particular date planned for Dave and Courtney, coincidently the date of June 11th, landed on a Saturday in 2016. Not only was receiving the ring a great honor but to share a wedding date with his grandparents is a tremendous way to have Papi apart of the upcoming wedding.

What made you choose The Preserve as your wedding venue? 

We chose the Preserve as our wedding venue because of the location and beautiful property. When Dave and I first started to hang out we loved to hike (Mt. Washington was our first hike together)! We love the thought of being close to the White Mountains and having a destination wedding weekend with all of our loved ones. It is a place that feels so far away yet driving distance for most.

What unique elements of your wedding and or the property of are you most excited about seeing come to life on the big day? 

The unique elements would include the emerging summer landscape. We have visions of the barn doors open and the property being flooded with dear friends and family.

How are you putting your "personal stamp" on your big day? 

Our personal stamp will include our 3 dogs who will be apart of the festivities and potentially finding a ceremony site with a mountainous view.

Your Wedding Weekend | Guest Experience

One of the most valuable and unique characteristics of The Preserve is that we offer you a full wedding weekend experience. Our sprawling estate is yours from Thursday - Sunday. Enjoy an early check in on Thursday to settle in and begin your wedding preparations; and take your time wrapping up your weekend of memories with a mid morning brunch before departure. So how do you create a memorable weekend for friends and family during your special weekend? We have some fantastic ideas for you that will keep your guests entertained and asking for more. 

 

A Wedding Flotilla

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Enjoy a relaxing day floating down the crystal clear waters of the Saco River. It is the perfect place for river tubing! The Saco River averages 3 feet deep with some small rapids, lots of sandy beaches and some rope swings for the more adventurous. Pack a lunch and some afternoon beverages, and you have a whole day of fun and entertainment.

http://www.sacocanoerental.com

 

ZIP LINING 

Zip line over and through the trees! Indulge your sense of adventure right here in Chocorua, New Hampshire. Monkey Trunks offers adventure and fun for all ages and abilities. Groups and party discounts, so call ahead and make a reservation for your group.

 http://monkeytrunks.com

 

 

THE BARNSTORMERS THEATRE

If you are visiting us during the summer months, the Barnstormers is an absolute CAN'T MISS. Located in this quaint town center of Tamworth, the Barnstormers Theatre is one of the nations longest running professional theaters. During June, July, and August you can find true "gems" of live British and American theatre. 

http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org/

 

TAMWORTH LYCEUM & DISTILLERY

Shop local, eat local, sit back and listen to the smooth sounds of local musicians. The Lyceum never disappoints. Just a few steps away you will find Tamworth Distilling & Mercantile. Take a mixology class, learn to create infusions, or just snag some of their small batch gins for your special event weekend. 

http://www.tamworthlyceum.com/

http://www.tamworthdistilling.com/

 

WHITE GATES FARM

The local home of "wicked good food" White Gates Farm is an authentic farm to table experience. Their Farm-To-Table dinner and tour evenings feature a multi-course farm dinner experience showcasing 100% farm-fresh organic produce and meats, complemented by tours of the farm and its operations. They also boast a seasonal "cut your own" floral arrangement flower field, perfect for our wedding couples. 

http://www.whitegates-farm.com/

Love is in the air.

With Valentines Day just around the corner how fitting that we discovered some old time wedding photos here at The Preserve in the midst of our renovations. These incredible wedding photos are of the Hayford family, which was the very first family to run and own the property as a B&B. We hope you enjoy viewing these "antique" photos as much as we did. Some bridal inspiration maybe? 

Norah & John Hayford - Late 1800's

Raymond Guay & Mary Teresa Hayford - November 1950 


Bridal Inspiration Boards

First comes the proposal, next comes the Pinterest boards! Since the introduction of Pinterest, wedding planning has been taken to a whole new level of intensity. It has totally revolutionized the way couples plan their weddings. Pinterest is a wonderful tool to use as a spring board to start the planning and creative process. Often times brides become so overwhelmed with a plethora of unrelated images that it can be hard to focus in on their own "bridal style." So how does one determine their own unique style and start pulling all the elements together to tell their wedding day story? Say hello to the inspiration board. 

We recommend starting with good old fashioned scissors, glue, and paper. Start clipping only your "must have" and "absolutely love" images. Clearing the bridal clutter we call it. Think of your inspiration board as the chance to tell your unique story and put your vision on paper. Having a visual of each chapter of your story will help you create an overall cohesive and polished looked. Here are a few snapshots of just one of the inspiration boards we have been working on for one of our spring 2016 brides. 

January | New Beginnings

January! With it brings the excitement of a fresh start, a new year, endless possibilities. How fitting then that we announce the opening of New Hampshire's newest premier White Mountain wedding and event venue; The Preserve at Chocorua. We are excited to announce that our family has purchased this beautiful 26 acre estate in Tamworth, New Hampshire and have begun the process of rehabbing and restoring it to it's original splendor. It is our goal to provide guests with the most modern of conveniences while maintaining the historic charm of the property. We are eager to update you as we make improvements to the property. 

Hayford's in the Fields.