Most bang for our buck! (crossposted)

beckles403

Hey there ladies.. I lurk around these boards mostly but figured it's time to jump in and ask the questions! We are looking at a June 2, 2012 wedding.. with some flexibility a few weeks either way. Our budget (soup to nuts) is around $12,000-$15,000.  We have a photographer who is a friend, an officiant, and a cake (if it's not included) I was born in Boston, but now live in Southern NH. I'm flexible up to Maine and out to the Cape. I really really am dead set on a beach ceremony (can be standing only.. not particular) so the reception site would have to be within reasonable travel distance from a beach (ocean, not lake).  When we had started planning last year we had looked at the Dunegrass Country Club in OOB, Maine but they had a food minimum of $8,000 for Saturday nights (also a must), and that didn't include anything. We're currently considering the Country Club of Billerica, Oceanview of Nahant, and a few others but are COMPLETELY open to suggestions. Fire away! and Thanks in advance!!

Biotechick620

How many guests are you planning on inviting?

FireDancer04

I will be attending a wedding in Nahant this weekend and can give you feed back on Sunday.

Start thinking of the number of guests, where they will be coming from and what hotels are in the area.

Just a heads up, but I'm sure that you know. Billerica isn't near the ocean. So if you really have your heart set on a beach wedding I'd look much closer to the seacoast.

cmferg

You might want to check out the Portsmouth area.  You could get married at Odiorne in Ryle (http://www.nhparks.state.nh.us/explore/state-parks/odiorne-point-state-park.aspx) and have your reception in Portsmouth.   

Moffatt Ladd House rents out the garden and warehouse for ~$300 an hour (this is from memory, I looked at a lot of places).  They have a historic warehouse (looks like a barn) that could hold a small reception (otherwise you'd need a tent).  The gardens are beautiful and from some spots you can see the river/port.  They have restrooms, so you wouldn't need porta-potties.  I was told the tent would be around 1200 when I called the vendor (Marshall Rental) they require you to use.  http://www.moffattladd.org/

The other would be Governor John Langdon House on Pleasant Street.  Also has gorgeous gardens and the upside is that it's easy to park.  The downside is you would definitely need a tent.  It goes for around $400/hour/$200/hour set-up.  The restroom facilities can accommodate more people, but they do not have an indoor option.  http://www.portsmouthnh.com/harbourtrail/se_index.cfm

The coordinators at both places are super, super nice.

Either place is a really beautiful.  If I hadn't decided to have my wedding in Maryland, I'd have done it at Moffatt-Ladd.

An option that I wouldn't waste my time on is Odiorne Science Center.  They charge $6K just for the use of the tent, you have to hire security and I think I recall that you also have to get liability insurance.  But worse, the planner (Ashley Stokes), takes forever to respond to emails, and both times I tried to see it (from a long distance) she was not there.  I saw other comments about her along the same lines in some other posts.   It has beautiful views, but if all you care about is where the ceremony is, you can have the ceremony elsewhere in the park.

beckles403

Oops sorry forgot to add it's  going to be around 110 people!

cg-pm52111

I've never been here personally, but my dad played golf at the Links at Outlook and said it was amazing.  HERE is the site.  It's in South Berwick, ME and as I recall the beach isn't too far away.  GL!

dhdaydream

What about the Ashworth by the Sea in Hampton?

DirtyWater

Village by the Sea in Wells ME is awesome and they have an all suite hotel.  So it would be easy for guests to get a 2 bedroom appartment to cut costs.

Promises to Keep in Derry as well as Castleton in Windham also have decent prices if you have a wedding during the day.

dragynfliiz

I am having my reception at the Seaglass/Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury, right on the beach. They recently renovated it, and I feel like we got it for a steal.