Rachel and Gabriel had a delightfully classic summertime outdoor wedding in New England captured by Mountainside Bride recommended vendor Anne Skidmore. Their wedding was infused with rich navy and lavender details, gorgeous seasonal hydrangeas and just a hint of burlap. The historic Wentworth Inn in nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire added the perfect amount of old New England charm. Be sure to check out Rachel’s Hindsight Wedding Advice, especially about worrying about guests food restrictions below…
Rachel + Gabriel
September 02, 2012
Jackson, New Hampshire
Why a Mountain Wedding?
My husband and I knew from the very start of our wedding planning process that a stale hotel ballroom would not be the right place for us to celebrate this important milestone. We wanted to find a place that was beautiful and natural and would let our guests step away from everyday life and help us mark start our marriage. I grew up in NH and knew that Jackson, NH was a special place to visit, relax and experience all of the things that make NH so special. With so many out-of-town guests, I knew the space would showcase the tranquility of the state without compromising the hospitality we wanted to provide.
Where did you find your inspiration?
The inspiration for our wedding came from doing a lot of research and visiting a lot of venues that just weren’t quite right. Seeing a lot of options helped us realize when we found the right place.
What were some personal details you incorporated?
Our Chuppah was made from trees cut down and assembled by Gabe’s sister and brother-in-law and I think they provided the perfect space to complete our ceremony at the base of Jackson Falls.
During the reception we had “official beers” available for our guests which were brewed in places that were important to us: NH where I grew up, Chicago where my husband grew up, upstate NY where we met in college, Narragansett, RI where we spend lots of weekends visiting Gabe’s family and Boston where we currently live.
Your favorite moment of the day.
I loved coming down the steps at the inn and seeing our guests all assembled as we were introduced by our delightful innkeeper, Fritz.
Three things you’re glad you did.
- Kept my wedding party small and personal.
- Went on a honeymoon immediately following the wedding – so romantic!
- Trusted my vendors.
Anything you wish you hadn’t done?
- I worried way too much about the amount of food and decorations than really matters looking back.
- Also, I probably should have figured out the outdoor sound system for our ceremony further in advance so that the sound came out better.
What was the best piece of wedding advice you got?
Soak everything in – the day goes by faster than you can imagine!
What piece of wedding planing advice do you wish you followed?
Not taking responsibility for everyone’s eating needs. I obsessed in the weeks before the wedding about everyone’s vegetarian needs and gluten allergies. It really shouldn’t have been my problem – better to just let the people with special dietary advocate for themselves during the event.
Anything you wish you hadn’t worried about?
See above.
Anything You wish you had known about sooner rather than later?
Realize that people will not RSVP as quickly as you want them to. Be ready to hunt folks down – it’s normal!
How did you choose your vendors?
We mostly went with vendors recommended by our venue – The Wentworth. I’m glad we did because they were all familiar with the space and needed very little direction if any on the day of.
We found our amazing band by going around to bars in the Boston area and listening to various cover bands performing downtown. It’s a great way to find someone you like and see the kind of atmosphere they create.
Bride Recommend White Mountain Wedding Vendors:
- Photography: Anne Skidmore
- Venue: The Wentworth
- Floral Design: Dutch Bloemen Winkel
- Band: The Cords
- Bakery: Jacques Find European Pastries
- Wedding Rings: Mark Knipe Goldsmiths