REMEMBERING MISS MARCIA - AKA "MEM"

“On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend's life also, in our own, to the world.”
― Henry David Thoreau

It is with a heavy heart that we pen this important dedication. We lost one of our most beautiful friends to the insidious disease of cancer, as so many of us have. There are days we miss her so much it’s hard to believe she’s gone.

Many of you have met Marcia here at The Preserve. She was the first one to fly the door open to greet you with a big hello and a hug, as if you were a best friend she hadn’t seen in a while. Marcia “aka Mem” poured her heart and soul into her work here at The Preserve. She encouraged us all to be a little better and to be the very best versions of ourselves. Words like patient, generous, compassionate, and kind perfectly describe all the things she was to everyone.

She was a “maker” before the term was even in fashion. She crafted all the window treatments you see on the property, as well as styled many rooms with her beautiful touch. Before the days of The Preserve Marcia accompanied Mary on many trips all over the country assisting with design. She was always ready for a good road trip, no questions asked. She gladly held the conversation – she was never at a loss for words, or shying away from sharing her opinion. Her honesty and quick wit were often a breath of fresh air. Those moments with her were most precious and were so often filled with laughter and happiness.

Mem taught us all many important things about life that we felt compelled to share with all of you.

 

First…definitely, ALWAYS ALWAYS eat dessert first!

Second, that you are never too old or too young to change and take big chances.

Third, always start your day feeling joyous and fortunate.

Marcia’s kindness and generosity lives on in her beautiful family and in all of us who were lucky enough to know her.

WINTER ON THE PRESERVE

Winter at The Preserve sparkles with excitement, it’s a season where we slow down, gather near to one another, and take a moment to pause before the newness of spring is upon us. The beauty of winter can be seen all around us, from the shimmering rooftops covered in snow, to the warm crackling bonfires, winter here is truly a season to savor.

We are looking forward to some special winter weddings this season, and we can think of nothing more romantic than a fresh blanket of snow to set the mood.

Our “Souper Club” is also in full swing every second Monday of each month and hope you will join us. Come sip soup, bring your favorite wine, and find warm company and conversation.

However you choose to spend your time this winter we hope you soak up every little snowflake, and enjoy some unhurried time with the ones you love.

PEOPLE OF THE PRESERVE | KATHERINE ANN HAYFORD MELANSON

Yesterday we had an impromptu visit from a true Preserve Legacy, Miss Katherine Ann Hayford Melanson. Hearing her speak of days spent on the farm as a young child was such a joy and privilege. Like coffee and conversation with an old friend this visit was good for the soul!

So what did we learn about Miss Katherine? Well…she was born in 1934 and called The Preserve (then known as Hayford in the Fields) home for most of her life until she wed Mr. Lawrence Melanson.

Her Great Grandfather Nathaniel Hayford was the founder of this glorious property and was the true visionary behind it all. He built the majority of the buildings you see on the site today as well as the original barn which then housed livestock and animals. Her role on the farm/property was waiting tables in the seasons when they welcomed guests, and tending to the farm animals.

Katherine’s room is now know as the Hayford, which is one of our favorite rooms in the original portion of the farmhouse. Her fondest memory as a child was harnessing up her St. Bernard in the winter and he would pull her around in a sled.

Thank you Katherine for sharing your cherished stories and memories with us, you were truly part of a unique and extraordinary generation and we hope to be telling similar stories well into our golden years.

LETS TALK TABLESCAPE

Sometimes setting the Thanksgiving table seems more difficult than preparing the meal, we all want our holiday tables to make a lasting impression on our guests. We hope that our tips will make everyone feel extra special. Cheers, and here’s wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

SET THE MOOD

Relaxed Classic

Keep it clean and classic, yet warm and inviting. Start with a great foundation of a beautiful wood table. From there layer it on. Linen place mats, chargers, china, silver, glassware, etc. A collective mix of china, silver, and glassware is often times just as beautiful - if not more beautiful than a perfect set, it also helps created that curated look.

Image: Southern Living

Opulent Organic

Plates and vessels with imperfect edges in earthy tones paired with glistening gold flatware make for the perfect place setting juxtaposition. Don’t overthink it too much, and don’t be afraid to mix your color palette.

Refined Rustic

Bring the mood down to earth by using a rustic well loved table and set of chairs. A family heirloom possibly? The more it’s been used and loved on the better! Rich tones with a splash of black will instantly punch up the wow factor while still keeping it cool and slightly edgy.

Lindsay Hackney Photography

PLAY WITH LEVELS

Tall candlesticks, a low sprawling garland, a focal centerpiece…mix and match several elements for a finished look.

Image: Elle Decor

ADD MEANINGFUL MEMENTOS

The most important element in our opinion. If you do nothing else at all be sure to make guest feel extra special with a custom favor or place card. We love these quick and easy ideas.

DON’T FORGET THE LITTLEST GUESTS

The kids settings should be easy and fun. Keep the colors light, bright, and cheery to help create a playful mood. Select materials that are unbreakable or reusable and that can also be recycled. Add games and crafts to keep them entertained!

Image: Southern Living

Image: Country Living

FALL FUN

The White Mountains and the Lakes Region are starting to come alive with those familiar brilliant hues we all have come to love during this time of year. Leaf peeping is a given during the month of October but there are also many fall attractions and happenings throughout the month. Here is a round up of some of the must do’s this fall in and around Tamworth.

FRYEBURG FAIR & THE SANDWICH FAIR

A must do in the fall! Fryeburg Fair has grown to become Maine's largest agricultural fair complete with six days of harness racing, a farm museum second to none, the world's largest steer and oxen show and a reputation known throughout North America. Live entertainment, the classic fair food, and attractions and rides for kids of all ages.

The Sandwich Fair held annually on Columbus Day Weekend (thats this 6-8th this year) is another big agricultural fair right in our backyard of North Sandwich. This year they’ve added a 4-H dog show, so for all you dog lovers out there be sure to catch this spectacle. Special events include an antique parade, Oxen pulling, rides, and don’t forget all that yummy food!

MOULTON FARM

Get lost in their biggest corn maze yet, sink your teeth into a fresh hot donut from the Cider Bellies truck, select just the perfect pumpkin for carving, the list goes on! You could easily spend a full afternoon with friends and family exploring and adventuring on the farm. Be sure to check out Farm Fest and The Great Pumpkin Drop. For a full list of events click here.

Corn Maze a Moulton Farm | A 250th celebration of Meredith, NH

CHEICK HAMALA DIABATE

Come our and support Arts Council Tamworth, they will be hosting Cheick Hamala Diabate.

“At the intersect of West African storytelling, poetry and music, oral history and performance, Cheick Hamala Diabate is king of the ngoni–a plucked West African lute and precursor to the banjo–and a griot, a West African storyteller/poet.”

Friday October 12th at 7:30PM - choose your own ticket price. Event details here.

TAMWORTH LYCEUM

Live like a local and head to Tamworth center. Cozy up with a good book and one of their deliciously hand crafted beverages. Fall at its finest!

Photo Credit: Tamworth Distillery

GATHERING OF JACK-O-LANTERNS

A glowing pumpkin trail sure to delight all ages. Take the trek up to Littleton NH to take in the sights, sounds, and events of the 7th annual Gathering of Jack-O-Lanterns. More than 500 lanterns will be lit along the Ammonousuc River. Events begin on Friday and continue throughout the weekend. See the full schedule of events on the chamber website.

THE KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY

Take the ultimate New Hampshire fall foliage drive. 30 miles of winding roads through some of NH best leaf-peeping sites, a must do every fall.

So thats our fall round up, with some hidden gems for you to explore, some local current events, and of course some tried and true “touristy” things that we all must indulge in this time of year. Happy Fall Y’all!

FALL IN ALL HER GLORY

When the first day of fall hits there’s a shift. We can break out the cozy sweaters, embrace the pumpkin spice flavor that seems to be everywhere, and start to enjoy all things fall like pumpkins, apple picking, and lets not forget the apple cider donuts! Thats why on the blog today (the first day of fall) we have one of our most glorious fall weddings to share with you.

There are literally endless reasons to feature this wedding, from the color palette, to the decor, it was an intimate and oh so romantic weekend. Kelsey a designer and owner of Kelsey Donahue Designs poured her heart and soul into every little detail of the weekend and it shows. She and Ben literally grew their own wedding flowers, how amazing is that? Not only were the details absolutely stunning, but the way this couple utilized the property to create a one of a kind experience was ingenious! Read on for more about gorgeous fall weekend, and check out the not one but TWO full galleries here and here. If you’ve “fallen in love” with the look and feel of this memorable fall wedding you should definitely reach out to Kelsey as she has ventured into the event styling and design world, you couldn’t be in better hands than with a bride thats been married at our property and has a discerning eye for design. Enjoy all the fall loveliness!

How did you come up with such a wonderful weekend itinerary? Can you give us an overview?

We wanted our weekend to be about spending time with the people in our life who had come from near and far. So we tried to keep the itinerary simple in order to allow for people to enjoy the space, the property and the company of each other. 

Thursday our parents hosted a small Italian dinner with lasagna and salads, that way people could arrive and get settled at their own pace. We had time to see everyone and be present.

By Friday, all the guests (38 people) had arrived and had the morning and afternoon to themselves. For lunch, I was able to sneak away and take my "bridesmaids" to The Lyceum before we started getting ready. This was a nice time to get off property and enjoy some calm before the ceremony. The boys stayed back and played some yard games and BBQ'd. Friday night we had a Chef (Kimball Packard and his Wife Neysa) come and prepare a seated dinner for our small group following the ceremony. It was so nice and intimate.

Saturday was purely a party. While we know this is different, this allowed Ben and I more time with Guests to catch up and thank them for coming. We didn't have to cram the wedding ceremony and reception into a 6-8 hour window in one day. We could just let loose and enjoy everyone's company. We had 200 guests, no seating plan, an open bar and a Pizza truck (Stoked Pizza) for dinner. It was perfect!

How many guests attended the intimate sap house ceremony? 

We had an intimate 38 person ceremony on Friday night in the Sap house, we did it just as the sun was going down so it was sparkly, warm and cozy. Perfect for fall. Creating the small space for Ben and I made it less intimidating as we said our vows, and so special. We had a solo musician (Chris White) who filled the space perfectly with acoustic guitar and song. It was just how we imagined.

Where did you draw your inspiration from? 

Honestly, a great place to start is to think of all the weddings you have attended in the past, Ben and I have had the honor of attending so many of our friends and families weddings and celebrations. We started with what we liked and maybe what we might have done differently according to our personal taste. From there, we found inspiration in the space itself, the colors of the season and just scouring pinterest, bridal magazines, blogs and the bridal closet at The Preserve! 

Dresses - stunning! Where were they were from? How did you decide on what to wear when?

My dress was made up of many separates, and designers. With a 2 day event, (Ceremony on Friday night, and Reception on Saturday) I wanted to get the most out of my outfit, by switching it up I was able to enjoy all the parts of the day/night comfortably. 

The common piece no matter the day was a blush skirt designed by Carol Hannah. I was able to mix up my look with 3 different tops. For the Ceremony, I had a more traditional white, long sleeve, lace bodice by Theia. For Saturday's reception, I switched it up to a more simple Carol Hannah white silk tank. Once the dancing started, I actually changed one more time, I found a short, tutu skirt at Target for $20, and had a white crop top designed by Sarah Seven. I was fit for dancing by 9pm!

Tell us about the Grooms Attire 

Both Ben's Friday and Saturday outfits were from Joseph's in Portland Maine. Ben didn't want to wear a traditional suit, so chose to mix it up with two different sport coats with colors that matched the overall theme of the wedding weekend. 

Bridesmaids Attire 

We didn't do the traditional Bridesmaid/Groomsman attire. Since our actual ceremony was so small, we didn't have anyone but our flower girl and ring bearer walk down the aisle with us. However, I did want to be sure that I got ready with, and had pictures with the girls who would have made up my bridal party. Since I wasn't involving them in the ceremony, I felt bad forcing them to go out and buy the same dress, so instead I gave them a color theme and let them buy what they wanted. That way in photos we were coordinated enough and they all felt special. 

Flowers

When Ben and I were discussing flowers for our wedding, I actually thought it might be worth it to try to grow our own! Maybe crazy, but I have been gardening more and more and really wanted to try to grow Dahlias, after I saw the price of cut stems at the florist. So, come May before our wedding, we ordered 25 dahlia tubers of all colors, planted them and cared for them until we cut them all! By October we had 6 Home Depot buckets full of beautiful, home grown blooms to bring up to The Preserve with us! While this isn't for everyone, this saved us so much money on flowers. We were able to supplement with a few other types of flowers, and our coordinator was able to incorporate them throughout the vases, and my bouquet. This was truly a labor of love, but it was worth it to us. 

On top of fresh flowers, we also created paper flowers to help take so much weight off the fresh flowers. As part of our decor, we created large paper flowers to include around the Barn as decor. This helped fill some empty space, create fun photo opportunities and add pops of bright fall colors to the space. 

Coming up on your anniversary what parts of the weekend do you reminisce about the most? 

We loved the space and amount of time The Preserve provided us to connect with our loved ones. There are not many times in life you get to have 4 days of family and friends together in one place. Your wedding goes so quickly no matter how long you have, but we felt by having that time we were able to actually catch-up with people and enjoy their company. The Preserve forces you to slow down, take it in and just be present in the moment (even if you're the Bride and Groom), that is something most of us take for granted.

After 1 year, we can truly reflect back and say we have so many wonderful memories. We felt so grateful to be a little part of the history of the original barn on the property and our hearts broke the day we learned it burned down. Being sad about your venue...this is proof that you become a part of the family when you have your event at The Preserve. Mary, Ed and Sam have taught us all about rising out of the ashes. In this short year, they have come back better and more beautiful than ever. Old or new barn, The Preserve will always be a piece of our life and we can't wait to see how it grows over the years

FEATURED VENDORS

Photographer | Abby Lorenz Photography

Catering | The Farmstand B&B | Stoked Pizza Truck

Brides Dress | Carol Hannah | Theia | Sarah Seven

Grooms Attire | Joseph’s Portland Maine

Florals | The Bride

Event Design & Styling | Kelsey Donahue Designs

Paper Goods | Kelsey Donahue Designs

FEATURED WEDDING COUPLE | LIZ & KANOA

This wonderful and adventurous couple just celebrated their “I DO’s” in August. We have their love story from engagement to the big day. Be sure to read about the many ways they incorporated personalized details throughout the day to reflect who they are as a couple. Enjoy the full album here. Congrats Liz & Kanoa thank you for letting us be part of your beautiful story, and thank you for being part of The Preserve legacy.

Tell us a bit about your engagement.

Kanoa and I got engaged on the top of Grand Targhee Mountain in Wyoming. We had been skiing all day and it was one of those beautiful, blue bird sky days with almost no one else on the mountain. At the summit of Grand Targhee there is a beautiful view of the Teton mountain range. I had stopped to take a photo, and Kanoa suggested maybe I remove my skis. But being my independent self, I said no way - I can do this without taking them off. While I was taking a panoramic photo, I was oblivious to the fact that Kanoa had gotten down on one knee next to me! Also, I had no idea that Kanoa had pulled out the ring earlier in the day only to snap a shot of me in the foreground with the ring in his hand! It was a magical day!

“Engaged with a view!” How amazing is this?

You both seemed so relaxed and joyful on the big day, what are some tips you can give others about feeling relaxed on the big day?

Plan ahead and delegate. I had spent hours making sure that all of my vendors knew the exact plan for the day, and I had specifically delegated certain tasks that needed to be completed on my wedding day to family and friends. I also highly recommend a day-of wedding coordinator. She was able to handle any questions, set up flowers and decor that we couldn't do prior to the wedding day and show vendors where to set up. Kanoa and I also made a detailed timeline and shared with our vendors and bridal party so we knew we would be right on time. Kanoa and I just sat back and enjoyed every moment of the day!

A relaxed bride is a happy bride!

We loved your overall theme and look, how did you decide on incorporating the mountains and such beautiful natural colors with the pops of blue?

I tried to stay true to who Kanoa and I are as a couple. We both love nature and wanted to use that as our main inspiration. We chose soft greens, whites, golds, blues and subtle pinks because they are true to the outdoors we are surrounded with every day. Also, I grew up adoring hydrangeas so incorporating the blue hydrangeas felt right! We ended up creating a mountain range for our place cards which we cut out of wood, painted white peaks, and wrote in which mountain (table) each guest was sitting at. We chose mountains in three states that were important to us - Kanoa from Vermont, I am from Massachusetts and we live in New Hampshire. My dad built us beautiful summit signs for each table made from wood from my parents back yard. For the guest favors, we chose candy from my favorite candy shop I grew up going to on summer vacations.

You were one of the first weddings in the new Barn, what were your thoughts on the new space? 

The new barn is stunning. First of all, the beautiful large glass front doors create a dramatic entrance into the space. I love how the front area in the barn can still be separated off for cocktail hour with huge old barn doors. The bar is the perfect size and in a great location for guests to access it for a drink. We also loved how there are more bathrooms in the barn! When you enter into the main part of the barn, its hard not to have your breath taken away. From the large planked floor boards, to the stars that light up in the pergola, there is something very special about the space. There is a lot of natural light which set a beautiful scene for the evening. Also, we loved that the whole space has AC which came in handy for our August wedding. The barn is the perfect combination of new and old.  

Favorite part of the weekend? 

I really can't choose just one, but my favorite three would be our ceremony outside under the breathtaking old trees surrounded by everyone who we love. Second would be dancing the night away with our amazing band, The Lisa Love Experience. And third, the amazing luau and lei ceremony we had for our rehearsal dinner on the property Friday night.

How did you incorporate Hawaiian traditions?

Kanoas mothers side of the family are from Hawaiian decent and Kanoa spent several years living in Hawaii growing up. We wanted to incorporate this into our wedding and we decided that hosting a traditional luau pig roast rehearsal dinner would be the right way to go. We had a caterer come and cook the pig on site and brought traditional Luau sides. We set up the luau down in the tent where we had space to have a dance floor for our Hula dance lessons taught by Kanoas mom. We had a lei exchange ceremony with real leis which had been flown in from Hawaii that morning. The lei ceremony is traditionally is performed during the wedding ceremony to symbolize eternal love and respect. Leis were also given to our parents, grandparents and bridal party to demonstrate love, respect and gratitude. Our fathers received kukui nut leis, mothers and grandmothers double strands of white and purple orchids, the bridesmaids single purple orchid leis, groomsmen received banana leaf leis, Kanoa had a banana leaf and orchid lei, lastly, I received a double white orchid lei. There wasn't a dry eye in the group at the end of the ceremony! Such a special memory.

Advice for future couples?

Plan plan plan! Make sure you are not responsible for anything other than getting married on the day of your wedding! Also, get a videographer! The day flies by and you will be able to look back on your videos for years to come. Lastly, stay true to who you are. Create a day that is everything special to you!

FEATURED VENDORS

Photographer | Kristen Phelps

Dress, Veil, Grooms Suit | Madeleine’s Daughter Portsmouth, NH

Bridesmaids Dresses | David’s Bridal

Groomsmen Vests | Banana Republic

Flowers | Whole Foods Bedford, NH

Cake | Ampersand Bakery

Catering | The Common Man

Hair | Melissa Scott Hair

Makeup | Makeup New England Kelly Ford

Videographer | Films by Iris

Band | Lisa Love Experience

Transportation | First Student

Event Rentals | Showcase Event Rentals

Rehearsal Dinner Catering | Well Dressed Hog

MOUNTAINS MEET THE LAKE

Happy Labor Day Weekend, this weekend as we all know signals the "unofficial" end of summer. So what better way to say farewell to summer than with a classic New England fête complete with wooden boats, Nantucket Reds, billowing tents, and a classic barn?

Kelley and Ben's wedding was awash with bright bold hues and vibrant pops of navy blue. They so flawlessly incorporated their love of all things nature, with a bold and joyful twist. 

Their weekend incorporated festivities for friends and family from near and far. Nightly bands and gatherings, a piano player on the front lawn during Sunday brunch, it was a complete sensory experience for guests! 

Enjoy these wonderfully captured images from Annie at A Time to Keep Photography. The full album here. 

VENDORS

Photographer: A Time to Keep Photography                                                                              Venue: The Preserve At Chocorua
Ceremony: Chocorua Island Chapel
Venue Tent: Sperry Tents Seacoast
Catering: Elevens Kinetic Provisions 
Band: The Shakes
Florist: Rachel Cole Grows
Bar: On The Rocks Bartending and Event Services                                                                              Dress: Anthropologie BHLDN
Hair: Bonnie Rachael Hair
Makeup: Lashes by Haley
Ties: DAZI

BELIEVE

A weather vane, wind vane, or weathercock is an instrument for showing the direction of the wind. It is typically used as an architectural ornament to the highest point of a building. The word vane comes from the Old English word fana meaning "flag".

Although partly functional, weather vanes are generally decorative, often featuring the traditional cockerel design with letters indicating the points of the compass. Other common motifs include ships, arrows, horses, and in our case our daily mantra around here "BELIEVE!" To say this architectural piece was a serendipitous discovery would be an understatement. 

This weather vane was much less about determining the direction of the wind, and more about a promise, a premise, a mantra! 

Just one week after the barn fire, with embers still on the ground, before we even knew how or when we would break ground on a new barn, Ed happened to stumble upon this gem at Farrin's Country Auctions in Randolph, Maine. It was just one of those pieces that spoke to us. We knew somehow, someway that a new beautiful barn would rise like a phoenix from the ashes, and that "believe" was going to be a daily affirmation we would tell the community, our couples, ourselves.

David Little of Winnipesaukee Forge took this piece of art from 1897 originally from from Dresden, Maine and restored it to its former historic glory, much as we are trying to do with The Preserve. It was even signed by the original artist, and David himself signed the piece after the restoration because he knew what a significant piece of artwork and history this was and will continue to be.

We all gathered around at the base of the barn on the day the weathervane was placed. Robert Tibbitts of Tibbits Building was the brave soul that so cautiously and carefully placed her atop the cupola. We captured a few moments on video and will cherish this significant moment forever. Thank you to all who were a part of such a meaningful "topping off" of this beautiful barn. 

David Little & Bryan Comestance showing off their work.

JENNIFER & TIM | AN APRIL WEDDING STORY

We have a pretty as can be Spring wedding on deck for you with plenty of fantastically elegant blooms, high style, and lots of smiles! Jenn & Tim's wedding weekend kicked off our 2018 season, and boy did they kick the season off on a high note. We can't thank them and their families enough for their continued support and sticking with us as we rebuild the barn...but as you will see there is nothing quite like a spring wedding under the beauty of an airy big top! Enjoy a few highlights from the talented Jessie Wyman Photography - and view the full album HERE.

VENDOR LOVE

Jessie Wyman Photography | Mountain Laurel Florist | Prestige Limousines | White Mountain Cider Co. | Sperry Tents Seacoast

THE TOPPING OUT CEREMONY

The Preserve at Chocorua TIMBERPEG frame complete. Note the tree at the far end. 

What is that tree doing at the top of our construction site? In building, especially timber structures the topping out ceremony (sometimes referred to as topping off) is done when the very last beam is put into place. 

The practice of "topping out" a new building can be traced to the ancient Scandinavian religious rite of placing a tree atop a new building to appease the tree-dwelling spirits displaced in its construction. Over time the tradition has become more of a way to give thanks and show respect to the earth for it's valuable resources.

On a snowy day in April a small sapling was placed at the very tip top of our structure - 36 feet high  to be exact. We celebrated, rejoiced, and gave thanks to the incredible forest these Western Fir beams were sourced from! 

We hope that you will follow along on this journey of rebuiling and renewal. Follow and "like" us on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on our progress. Social media links below.

SPRING IS IN THE AIR

The first signs of spring have arrived here at The Preserve, and you know what that means? Wedding season has begun. With that we give you this June wedding that was delicate and timeless in its beauty. The focus for Mike and Alana was on their 200+ wedding guests as well their sweet well behaved fur baby Alton.

Fresh food by the Common Man, light cocktails, and a jammin' band made their guest experience perfection. Read a little about their once in a lifetime "lovefest" straight from the bride and groom themselves. See the full gallery here, and check out their wedding video at the end of this post, go get the tissues...that first look gives us all the feels. 

How DID YOU fIND The Preserve? 

Facebook! A girl I went to college with (& was friends with on Facebook) posted about the new venue. 

Why did you and Mike connect with The Preserve? 

It was important to us to have a place that we could 'take over' for the weekend if that makes sense - that was ours to share with our family & friends & not have to worry about sharing space with other events/weddings going on. The property was gorgeous & gave us a beautiful canvas to really make our own. The barn was large enough to fit the over 200 people we were planning to have at the wedding - & the fact that we could have our beloved fur baby, Alton, with us all weekend running around the large property, sealed the deal!

Was youR weekend different from other weddings you have attended and why? 

It was such a warm, welcoming weekend from start to finish - & I think our guests picked up on that. We actually still get approached by people who attended telling us that it was the most beautiful wedding - down to the last detail - but so laid back & welcoming at the same time. Which is EXACTLY the feeling we wanted everyone to have. 
You could feel the love in the air the entire weekend, between us (the bride & groom), between our guests & us - between everyone. It was a lovefest!

The property slowly transformed from the time you booked until your big day, what was most surprising when you arrived? 

That pavilion! The pavilion on the side of the barn was a pleasant surprise when we went for our last site visit before the wedding. We loved it so much that we decided to host our rehearsal dinner & welcome party underneath it - with marshmellows & all the fixings for s'mores to roast over the fire!

What was the overall feeling you wanted to create during the weekend? Do you feel you succeeded? 

Oh gosh, if I had a dollar for every-time I told our planner I wanted the vibe of our wedding to be 'rustic luxe' or 'rustic elegant', I could have paid for the entire wedding with that :) Mike & I both really wanted it to be in a barn, but still feel classic, elegant and light. Between the hanging votives throughout the barn, the candles in the centerpieces/throughout the venue & the whites/blushes we incorporated via the flowers, draping & other details, I think we definitely succeeded!

If you could do anything different would you? 

Stressing about such minor details! I'm fairly certain no one noticed that we walked in at the :34 second mark of our introduction song :)

Wedding Vendors

Wedding Dress |  Willowby Waters

Bridesmaids Attire | The Dessy Collection in Blush

Bridesmaids Robes Silk and More shop on Etsy | https://www.etsy.com/shop/silkandmore

Groom Attire | Tom James

Groomsmen Ties | Vineyard Vines 

Brides Jewelry |  Etsy Four Threads': https://www.etsy.com/shop/FourThreads 

Caterer | The Common Man

Florist | Free Range Floral

Photographer | Eric Snyder Weddings

Videography | ARA Wedding Films

TREND ALERT | ACRYLIC

Spring weddings means warmer temperatures, vivid blooms, and the addition of light & airy event decor. We're suckers for anything clean, chic, and a littler modern. "Clearly" these acrylic event decor pieces will add just the right unexpected and elegant touch to your wedding day vision. Whats even better? Several of these examples are DIY friendly, so get to your nearest hardware store for some acrylic pieces, and get decorating! 

 

ACRYLIC WEDDING INVITATIONS 

Image Via: @stylemepretty 

ACRYLIC TABLE NUMBERS 

Table Numbers available here

ELEGANT LUCITE WEDDING CHAIRS

Image Via: @stylemepretty 

A CLEAN ESCORT CARD

Image Via: The Overwhelmed Bride

ACRYLIC WELCOME SIGN

Image Via: Etsy

A PLEXI MENU CARD

Image Via: Saffron Avenue

LISA & ANDREA

We have been waiting to share this wedding on the blog & website for a while now, but Lisa and Andrea have been enjoying the adventures of life such as honeymoon, a big move to Maine, and then oh yeah that little thing called the Bomb Cyclone! We finally had the opportunity to reconnect to recap the weekend.

This wedding was spectacular on so many levels, but the deep personal connection between the couple and their guests was oh so obvious! We will never tire of a good laid back, authentic wedding that truly reflects the couple and their union. These two joyful ladies created a warm and welcoming weekend escape that their family and friends won't soon forget. They were the first couple to sign their marriage license during the ceremony, and the setup was absolute perfection! Take a look at some snapshots as seen through the eyes of Channing Johnson; their photographer...and check out the full album on our site here! 

Read on for some thoughts from Lisa & Andrea. 

"We received endless compliments from our guests about the venue. From the onsite rehearsal dinner cookout through the reception, people were at ease and in awe of the space. It makes a huge difference knowing you don't have to set up and take down everything in one day and I think our guests picked up that we were relaxed and stress-free because of that. I could go on and on." 

"You, Mary and Ed were incredibly supportive throughout he entire process. I never felt bad reaching out or that I was inconveniencing you in any way, which is important when planning a wedding remotely."

"Having access to the venue was crucial and we loved having the unique experience of seeing The Preserve evolve. I know it personally made me feel more connected to the property."

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

CHRISTMAS DECOR

If you are anything like us this time of year is a blur. The hosting, the celebrating, the shopping, the wrapping, and oh yeah the decorating! If you are in need of some quick last minute decor inspiration to impress those guests look no further. It doesn't take much to make your home look perfectly polished for the holidays! Cheers! 

CREATE A WARM WELCOME

It doesn't take much to make your front porch look festive. Use what you've got such as a a sled, skates, a sign, anything winter related could work. Use greenery or even a tree to set the stage, lights not required! We love a good natural tree. 

BAUBLES AND BALLS 

Have some extra ornaments lying around? Toss them in unique vessels, clear vases, wood boxes, trays, bowls, the list goes on. It's quick, easy, and adds a bright and shiny touch to any room. 

CREATE A WARM GLOW

A warm fireplace and a glowing tree go a long way in setting the mood. 

SOFTEN WITH PILLOWS AND BLANKETS

Create a warm and cozy holiday look with accent pillows, and a basket of blankets. Your guests will appreciate the seasonal and warm accent decor. Happy Holidays from The Preserve! 

A COMMUNITY PULLS TOGETHER

There are moments in our lives that define us, moments so vivid that just recalling the event brings you back to that instance in time. We believe that these moments mold our character, and shape our purpose and path in life. We are defined by how we react to these moments and rise to the challenges they present.

For the Preserve Family that moment was the total loss of the Hayford Barn on the night of Nov. 12th. It had not only affected us but the local community that has enjoyed the facility for countless years, as well as all the couples who cherish the memories of their “special day” and the families that vacationed here for generations.

Sometimes it takes the worst to bring out the best in all of us, we have witnessed that from the overwhelming outpouring of love and support from everyone around us.

Now it is time to move forward. Just a week after the Fire Marshal was pouring over the charred timbers, unable to determine a cause, an excavator will begin the task of removing the debris to make way for a new structure. On Monday a design/build team complete with an architect will assemble onsite to begin the process of creating the new barn. A barn that will be old in style but new in technology and efficiency that will host weddings, events, and community gatherings for generations to come.

Until the new barn is in up and running we will host many “Best Day Evers” under a beautifully tented event space. We are so grateful and thankful that our 2017 through 2019 couples and their families have stuck with us and have showed their support for our rebuilding efforts. We look forward to delivering on our commitment to provide an incredible wedding weekend experience.

The Ice House Pavilion and Gazebo will be rebuilt and all accommodations in the Farmhouse and Cottages will be available. The new deck will have to wait until we have a barn to attach it to but will be also be completed.

We have learned that the Preserve is more than just a place to be married, hold a concert or community benefit. The Preserve has a soul and character forged by its 200+ year history. All those who have enjoyed it, have made it the legacy it has become. We look forward to continuing the legacy with wonderful families, brides, grooms, and the community. Our path forward is owed to all of you!

FEMININE GRACE MEETS EDGY COOL | A SPRING DELIGHT

We adore couples that add a little twist to the traditional when it comes to their wedding day design. Rick and Sara totally nailed the combination of feminine elegance with that little added cool factor.  It was the first wedding of the 2017 season, and WOW did they knock it out of the park.

The bride Sara planned every last detail down to the names of her signature cocktails. You will see how she contrasted antique blush tones with metals, blues, and grays, for a truly a stunning combination. And lets not forget the Mother of the Bride in this wedding, seriously how gorgeous is she in that full length beaded gown? She is proof that brides don't have to be the only stylish lady at a wedding. We took the time to interview the bride about a few details of the weekend, here is what she had to say....we love her advice to future couples! 

Your wedding was visually stunning, if you had to describe your wedding day style/look in a few short sentences what would it be? 

When I found the dress, a year before the wedding, it inspired my vision for the wedding.  The tulle wedding dress was ivory on the top with a high neckline and intricate beading in ivory and silver throughout, the bottom of the dress progressed to an antique blush.  We wanted the wedding to feel warm, whimsical and romantic , our color palette was ivory, green, metals, and blush, since my dress was blush the groomsmen wore blush ties with their grey suits, the bridesmaids wore convertible soft tulle blue dresses made by jennyyoo which made my dress stand out and they had blush and ivory florals.  The flowers really showcased the whimsical vibe I envisioned, and the lighting made it very romantic, we also wanted personal touches and style everywhere.  We had custom signage everywhere, signature drinks named after our pups, and custom sneakers for the groomsmen, the font we chose was a mix of cursive and more casual font to blend everything together.  

What did you love most about being married in the Spring? 

We met in the spring, so getting married during that time of year just felt right.  Rick's family is from Northern California and he grew up in the mountains, we were really grateful to have the scenic mountain views in New Hampshire.  We loved that this was a destination wedding for everyone, and that we could all spend the weekend together.  It completed the feeling of togetherness and warmth that we wanted to feel during our wedding.

Do you have any planning advice for future couples that are recently engaged? 

Stay true to what you envision and do not compromise just because it may not be the easiest or most traditional route.  It is your wedding and you both should be happy and have it represent you as a couple.  Having a long weekend away was amazing but it did add more work for me as the bride since I had to figure out where everyone would be sleeping and where I wanted everyone to get ready etc. but it was really worth it for the experience that we got to have with our families, plus the ease of having everyone on site was amazing.  

We are both very creative people, so it was important for me to find vendors that got our unique style and vision but to also to let them do what they do best and not to micromanage them. I think this made them more excited about our wedding because we collaborated and they could be creative too.  The flowers turned out way better than I could have imagined, and I think that freedom was a big contributor to the final look.

Another huge piece of advice is to be in the moment and let go of all of the planning once the wedding is upon you, you planned everything to the best of your ability, you got the vendors that you love, so it is time to trust them and have fun!    

Looking back on your wedding weekend what moment and or moments stick out in your mind? 

There are really so many.  When couples ask us what moment we appreciate the most, Rick and I agree.  The Preserve is such a unique venue, there is so much character inside and outside the Inn.  One place in particular was a bar in the inn, that is so special.  I arranged with the caterer to have signature drinks and every hors'devours waiting at the bar in the inn for just the two of us right after the ceremony.  I asked our bridal party to lead every guest to our cocktail party while we shared the intimate moment alone as a just married couple.  We were able to talk about the ceremony and share in the special feeling of being married now.  It was really special and important because after that we were talking with our friends and families for the rest of the night.

For the full gallery click here. And check out the incredible vendor team that made their dream day a reality. 

VENDOR TEAM

Photographer | Thuy Pham 

Florist | Moonset Farm

Catering and Event Rentals | Peppers Artful Events

Event Lighting | CJC Event Lighting

Calligraphy and Signage | Alli Breslin   (Allibreslin@gmail.com)     

Wedding Planner | The Bride    

Brides Dress | BHLDN

Head Piece | Alice & Mae 

Earrings | Holly Yashi

Rings | Blue Nile & Longs Jewelers 

WEDDING GIFTS 101

Manners Monday seems like an appropriate name for this blog post! We get so many questions about wedding etiquette and "standard" protocol that we decided to weigh in on some of the unspoken rules of weddings and events. Starting with wedding gifts. We've never been sticklers for hard and fast rules, but everyone knows that good manners never go out of style. 

The "rules" of modern wedding etiquette and gift giving are constantly changing with the times. Let us help you put your best foot forward with the modern take on the DO's & DON'TS of gifting. 

THE DO's 

Say yes to the group gift. 

Many couples say that this is their favorite type of gift to receive. It's thoughtful, and often helps lighten the financial load on a big ticket item the couple really wants.  

Find out where the couple is registered.

With so many registry options out there, couples are getting more and more adventurous with their registry picks. Find out where they are registered and stick to the gift registry when selecting something for the couple. 

PS - we love ZOLA for wedding registries. It truly is the registry that offers it all, including but not limited to...adventure experiences, kitchen appliances, bed & bath items, furniture, outdoor gear, and even allows guests to give cash if they so choose. ZOLA also carries many brands that our couples adore such as Calaphalon, Safavieh, Ralph Lauren, Kitchen Aid, and Backcountry. 

Write a thoughtful note. 

Most couples will hold on to their favorite wedding cards and look back on them for years to come. Take the time to craft a heartfelt message to the couples. Maybe include how you met them, advice for the future, funny memories, the possibilities are endless. Keep it authentic! 

 

THE DON'TS

Stress over budget.

The old "spend enough to cover the cost of your plate" is exactly that....old. If you were lucky enough to snag a spot on the guest list you are clearly near and dear to the couples heart. Spend what you feel is appropriate, the bride and groom will just be happy to have you present on their day. 

Wait to send or purchase a gift.

Purchase early to allow ample time for shipping and delivery. If for some reason you missed the window of opportunity to send a gift prior to the wedding, try to get a congratulatory gift to the new couple within two months of the big day. 

We hope these tips will help you navigate the art of gift giving during the upcoming engagement and wedding season. Cheers! 

HAUNTINGLY GOOD PARTY IDEAS

Need some inspiration for your upcoming terrifyingly chic halloween bash? Look no further, our ideas will ensure your guest have a wicked good time! 

LIGHT IT UP

Lighting is everything! Too bright and your sure to kill a spooky party vibe, make sure interior lights are on a dimmer and go crazy with the exterior lights. Flooding your home in a spooky color really sets the scene. 

STICK WITH A SIMPLE COLOR SCEME 

Stick with a simple color palette, and it doesn't have to be traditional orange and black.  In fact selecting even just one focus color can create a sophisticated feel. Select shades of green to create a creepy crawly feeling.  

Image: Readers Digest 

INCORPORTE SEASONAL ELEMENTS 

Look to nature for inspiration by incorporating seasonal and darkly hued fruits. Tres chic, and edible! It's a win win! 

AN EXPERIENCE FOR THE SENSES... 

It's more than just decor....consider different sensory elements of the party. Food plays a major role in setting the spooktacular scene. Serve food that is simple, primitive in nature, and of course wickedly delicious. 

Images: Bon Appetit