Venues, Venues, Venues

The venue.  Finding the one seems almost as elusive as finding 'the one'.  Lots of really nice places out there, but nothing we've found yet seems to have that je ne sais quoi.  We've cast a wide net, both in location and date, so the possibilities seem endless, but its definitely an information overload.  Ideally the venue would be seaside (see The Harbor View Hotel above, my inspiration place), anywhere from Maine to Massachusetts, with both indoor and outdoor facilities, and have easy access for guest lodging.  I like the idea of celebrating in a place the guests could also stay, but don't like the idea of a hotel ballroom, unless it was a really charming ballroom.  Definitely would need windows, hopefully overlooking the ocean.  Or could be something on a lake.  Or a vineyard.   

On Saturday we toured 2 venues: Searles Castle and Zorvino Vineyards. 
There were a lot of positives to Searles.  Pictures would be awesome, grounds are perfect (dinner in a tent, cocktail hour in the courtyard & first floor of castle), beautiful bridal suite, impressive event coordinator, plenty of parking, etc.  Biggest drawback is guest lodging.  Windham doesn't seem to have anything, closest town in Salem, NH which is really limited and neither town were particularly charming.  So Searles is in the running, just not love at first sight.

Zorvinos unfortunately is out.  I love the idea of a reception in a wine vineyard.  Sadly the vines here looked more like a big garden, which is not exactly the Napa style I was hoping for.  The grounds have some nice elements, but everything seemed a bit staged to me (especially the heart shaped pond).  While the grounds would probably be a nice picture background, there isn't a patio or deck for guest to enjoy them, and I'd really like an outdoor cocktail hour.  Tasty wine though!   Definitely would recommend the complimentary tastings.

So the search continues. 

I've done a lot of research this week and have been asking everyone for ideas and recommendations.  Several more promising options have surfaced, particularly Wentworth By The Sea and The Exeter Inn.  Both are historic hotels/inns, which I love, you get the charm and the ability for guests to stay!  The Wentworth is in Portsmouth and The Exeter is in, well Exeter, which are so classic New England.  I'm particularly excited to see The Wentworth and have an appointment on Sunday.  I love that it is a restored hotel with so much history (Teddy Roosevelt stayed there and hosted peace talks between Japan & Russia!), it's on the ocean, has tons of amenities (hello spa...and golf for the boys), can have the cocktail hour outside, and dinner in the original ballroom from 1870's.  Portsmouth would be as central a location as you can get when you guests coming from ME, MA, NH, RI, NY, and for everyone flying in Boston, Portland, or Manchester are all convenient.  As the venue search has evolved over the last couple of weeks I've realized that my guests' comfort is really important to me.  (probably why interest in Martha's Vineyard has been fading...it's a lot of work to get to!).  I've never thought of New Hampshire as the place I'd get married, but I'm really getting a good feeling!