2026 Weddings CM ML by Smckenna

Perfect Fit, 11

Brides have plenty of choice and room to model gowns at Country Bridals of Jaffrey.

Weddings

STAFF

Editors:JonathanVanFleetandHeatherMcKernan Advertisingdirector:StevePare

CONCORD MONITOR

Monitor Publishing, PO Box 1177 Concord, NH 03302-1177

Advertising information: 369-3212. ads@cmonitor.com

Editorial comments: 369-3324, features@cmonitor.com

MONADNOCK LEDGER-TRANSCRIPT PO Box 36

Peterborough NH 03458

Advertising information: 924-7172, ads@ledgertranscript.com

Editorial comments: news@ledgertranscript.com

GREENHOUSE ON THE RIVER

Greenhouse venue situated on a fresh cut flower and perennial farm in New Boston, NH. Unique and beautiful -Just like your love story.

Family Owned and Operated.

*Light Filled* Laid Back* Oneof-a-kind*

www.greenhouseontherivernh.com

JESSECA TIMMONSA/LEDGER-TRANSCRIPT

The Art of Love: Goldsmiths Gallery A Valentine’s Day Wedding Promise

"Jewelry represents the love and the unique beauty in its wearer. For Valentine's Day and with any lifetime commitment, I Love You, should embody the warmth, strength and passion that this person brings into your life."

Timeless devotion serves as a heartfelt tribute making every wedding proposal and every Valentine’s Day tribute a truly unforgettable experience. We ensure that every ring, necklace, and bracelet embodies a level of artistry worthy of its wearer.

Goldsmiths Gallery is more than a jewelry store; it is a destination for those who appreciate wearable works of art. Each piece in the collection is thoughtfully selected or designed to harmonize with a customer’s lifestyle.

Paula’s unique background in fashion informs her approach to jewelry curation, ensuring that the gallery’s offerings are always in tune with modern elegance while embracing timeless allure.

Paula Heath: A Designer’s Journey from New York to New Hampshire

At the heart of Goldsmiths Gallery is Paula Colgan Heath, a visionary designer with an unparalleled eye for elegance. A graduate of the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York City, Paula spent over three decades on 7th Avenue, designing breathtaking evening and daywear for renowned labels, including The Kollection Ltd, Joan Leslie, and Maggie London Dress.

Paula’s experience in the fashion industry refined her ability to understand form, texture, and style—a skill that now defines her approach to fine jewelry. Returning to her hometown of Concord in 2005, Paula brought her keen design sensibilities to the world of jewelry.

Paula’s tenure as Gallery Manager at Mark Knipe Goldsmiths deepened her appreciation for the art of fine jewelry, inspiring her to open Goldsmiths Gallery in 2017. Since then, she has curated a collection that blends sophistication, individuality, and artistic excellence.

Eric Janelle: A Master Goldsmith & Creative Partner

Paula’s collaborator at Goldsmiths Gallery is Eric Janelle, a highly skilled goldsmith and designer with over twenty-five years of experience. Known for his superb wax carvings and innovative design techniques, Eric specializes in custom jewelry design and fabrication.

Eric’s journey as a goldsmith began with a deep appreciation for metallurgy and gemstone setting. Over the years, he has honed his ability to blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics, creating jewelry that is both timeless and unique. His expertise in metalwork allows him to develop intricate and highly personalized designs, making each piece a true work of art.

At Goldsmiths Gallery, Eric works closely with Paula to craft one-of-a-kind creations that reflect the individuality of their clients. His passion for craftsmanship and attention to detail ensure that every piece he creates is of the highest quality, designed to be cherished for a lifetime.

Signature Wedding Pieces: A Tribute to Timeless Devotion

Goldsmiths Gallery proudly presents a selection of jewelry that embodies the essence of love:

• Alex Sepkus’ Gold and Diamond Bands –Delicately detailed, these handcrafted bands symbolize the strength and continuity of love’s devotion.

• Adel Chefridi’s Harmony Necklace –Featuring ethically sourced diamonds set in radiant gold, this pendant celebrates balance and connection.

• Eric Janelle’s Custom Gold and Gemstone Creations – Bespoke designs that honor the uniqueness of every love story and the memories they hold.

• Suna’s Classic Diamond Eternity Band –A timeless representation of unbreakable bonds, perfect for marking a lifetime of love and dedication.

Each piece in the collection serves as a heartfelt tribute, making Valentine’s Day truly unforgettable.

Celebrate your love with Goldsmiths Gallery

To make this occasion even more special, Goldsmiths Gallery is offering a one-of-a-kind in-store experience: enjoy your personalized jewelry styling session with Paula Heath and receive a complimentary jewelry cleaning with every purchase.

Honor the incredible love in your life with a gift as extraordinary as they are. Visit Goldsmith’s Gallery located in downtown Concord at Two Capital Plaza, Suite 107 ~ 57 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301, our collection features timeless and personal pieces perfect for the expression of your devotion.

“My ring is a custom dream and I couldn’t be happier with my continued customer service from Goldsmiths Gallery. The team helped my new fiancé and I navigate many design options until we landed on something perfect and managed to still surprise me with the beautiful outcome when the question was popped. Thank you. I’ll be a customer forever!”

— KATRINA D.

Tissues and a ‘tight five’

CATHERINE

MCLAUGHLIN

Concord Monitor

Becoming a Justice of the Peace to officiate my best friends’ wedding

Itwasmybestfriends’wedding. NotintheJuliaRoberts,1997, lovetrianglekindofway notethe locationoftheapostrophe butin thewaythatthebrideandgroom arebothtwoofmyclosestfriends andhavebeenforyears.

BenandImetasfellowcampers attheLakeWinnipesaukeeSailing Association’ssummercamp,where welaterbecameinstructors.Today, webothserveonitsboardofdirectors.

HestarteddatingKyrain2019, andsheandIwerequicklyinseparable,commonlymistakenassisters.

It’sincreasinglycommonfor weddingofficiantstobefriendsor familyofthecouple.Peopleareless religiousandlookingforweddings thatfeelmorepersonal,funandintimate,lessformalandinstitutional.

TherewerepracticalreasonsBen andKyraaskedmetoofficiatetheir wedding,presentingmewitha handwrittencardasking“Willyou marryus?”

I’moneoftheirfriendswhois justasclosewithoneastheother.I couldhaveaseasilybeenabridesmaidasagroomsman (groomswoman?),sointhiswayI gottobeboth,sortof.Havingbeen anunofficialthirdwheelformuch oftheirrelationship,Ialreadyknow alotofthedetailsoftheirstory.

Andfromacreativewritingstandpoint,I’moneoffewintheircircle offriendswhoisn’tanengineer I’dhavethegood-estwords,we joked.

Ihoped,though,notjusttobea practicalchoicebutagreatone.I wantedtodothemjustice.

Thefirststepofthatformewas

becomingaJusticeofthePeace. Sure,Icouldhavegonethe“getordainedinfiveminutesonline”route andIdiddothatasabackup butIwantedmyofficiationtobe, well,official.

Becominga“JP”inNewHampshireisprettyeasy,especiallyifyou liveinConcordandcandeliveryour

CAITLYN PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

Monitor reporter Catherine McLaughlin officiates her best friends wedding.

applicationtotheSecretaryof State’sofficebyhand,likeIdid.You needafewsignaturesofendorsementfromexistingnotariesandjusticesofthepeace.It’spainless,but itdoestakethefulleight-to-ten weeksthattheysayitdoesonline.I wasmoredowntothewirethanI caretoadmit.

Whenitcametowriting,things didn’tcomeaseasilyasIexpected.

BenandKyrawantedme,maybe theirmostperenniallysinglefriend (see“thirdwheel,”above),towax poeticabouttrueloveandlifelong commitment?

Wantingtodoareallygoodjob meantthatIwentinwantingtodeliveraprofoundsermontoallof theirfriendsandfamily.Ibeganto seewhythereareprofessionalofficiantswhoknowwhatthey’redoing andhaveablanketsetofscriptsthat theycantweaktofiteachcouple.

Igotovermywriter’sblock, though,byremindingmyselfthatI was,actually,moreofanexpert thanIwasgivingmyselfcreditfor. I’dlearnedalotaboutlovefromBen andKyrajustbybeingtheirfriend, andallIhadtodowasofferthese lessonsbackuptothemaheadof theirvows.

Italsodidn’thavetobethatlong,I

learned.Muchofmyresponsibilities involvedwhatamountedtoemceeing averbalcontract,andBenandKyra alreadyhadagoodideaofwhatthey wantedmetosayonthatfront.

Ireallyjustneededtopulltogetheratightfive:afewminutesof speakingthatwouldintroducethe coupleandtheceremony,withthe rightamountofearnestnessand humoralongtheway.

Ifocusedonathemeofloveasa practice,anaction,andnotjusta feeling.BenandKyrahadalready modeledthat Iremindedthem theywerenowpromisingtomaintainthatpracticefortherestof theirlives.

OnceIhadadraft,Irehearseda fewtimesforahandfuloffriends, standingattheinvisiblelecternof mycountertopinmypajamasas theystaredupatmefrommy kitchentable.Itwasmaybemore nerve-rackingthantheweddingday itself.

I’macomfortablepublicspeaker, butI’malsoaprettyloosefaucet whenitcomestocrying.Iwantedto getenoughlapsundermybeltforthe emotionalpartstobealittlelessraw.I alsoneededtoknowthatthehandful ofjokesI’dslidinwere,infact,funny (thisisanimportantstep).

Weworkedoutthekinks,with meassuringmyfriendsthatthey shouldbeashonestintheircritiquesaspossible(I’musedtoit,in mylineofwork),andtogtherwe goteverythingpolished.Thedays tickedby.

Then,Panic!attheRehearsal Dinner.Overoystersandcraftbeer, Ibegantofeelthetell-taleticklein mythroatthatIgetwhenI’mabout togetbulldozedbyacold.Indeed, onthemorningofthewedding,it setin.

Afriendwasdispatchedtothe grocerywhilewesatforhairand makeup,ahalf-dozenbridesmaids andmeinmatchingbluepajama sets.Iwaseatingvitamin-Cgummieslikecandy,poppingasmuch Dayquilaswasmedicallyrecommended,chuggingcupfulsof throat-coattea,andchurning throughtissuesandcoughdrops.I stationedafewatthealtar,but thankfully,afterallthat,Ididn’t needthem.Honestly,itwasagood pre-speechregimenevenifyou aren’tsick.

Icanthinkoffewbetterplacesto bewhentwoclosefriendsare takingtheirvowsthanrightbytheir sides.It’sagreatwaytogetinvolved inthebigday,toappreciatethelittle

detailsthatgointoaceremonyand towitnesstheloveoftwopeople rightupclose.Ifyou’reeverasked totakeonthisrole,Irecommend sayingyes.

Foranyotheramateursoutthere, afewquicktips.

Ifthemicrophonegoesdead, don’tfreakout.Turnitoffandturn itbackonlikenothinghappened. Everyonewillpraiseyouforhow suaveyouwereatthiswhen,infact, it’stheoldesttrickinthebook.

Don’tforgettotelleveryonetosit downinyourintro.Theywillstand aroundawkwardlyuntilyoudo.

Ifyou’redoinga“repeatafter me,”forvows,reallykeepittoafew wordsatatime.Thesoon-to-benewlywedsarenervous,andtheir short-termmemoryshrinksdown togoldfish-levels.

Ifyoufeelyourselfgettingteary, it’sok.Butslowdownandtakea deepbreath.Tastefulcrying. Tasteful.

Getoutofthewayforthekissat theend.It’skindofweirdinthe photosifyou’restandingthere watching.

Saveacopyofyourremarksfor yourparentsbecausethey,too, taughtyoualotaboutloveanddeservesomecredit.

Explore three unique wedding venues in NH

By EMILIA WISNIEWSKI

Concord Monitor

Hometohundredsof mountains,milesofrolling fieldsandmanyhistorical fixtures,NewHampshireis anidyllicplacetohavea scenicweddingformany coupleseveryyear.Some weddingsaremorerun-ofthe-millthanothers.If you’relookingtosay“Ido” somewherespecial,hereare threeuniquewedding venuesthatencapsulatethe bestofwhatNewHampshireoffers.

Aldworth Manor

ThemanorinHarrisville, 35milessouthwestofConcord,sitsontopof180acres, overlookingMountMonadnockandofferingmilesof trails.Alongwithhosting weddings,AldworthManor alsoofferseveningdinners anddrinks,workretreats, conferencespacesandroom rentals.

ShaneLongandhisfamily boughtthemanorin2014 afterthespacehadbeen

abandonedsincethelate 1990s.Itshistorydatesback centuries,withtheoriginal

manorbuiltinWorcester, Mass.,in1848.Socialite AliceMoenChildsinherited themanorafterherfather passedaway.

MoenChilds’sfatherstipulatedinhiswillthathis daughtercouldhavethe manoronlyifshelivedinit. Sheandherhusband, Arthur,hadalreadybought severalhundredacresof landinHarrisville.Sohow didthe27,000-square-footmansionmakethetripbetweenthetwoplaces?

“Anarchitectcamein, theytookitallapart, broughtituponontherailroadtothenearestdepot, andthentheycuttheroadat thetopofourhill,”Long said.“Theyputitbacktogetherandbuiltgardensand things.”

Longsaidtheyhostall

An overview of Aldworth Manor.

photo by Meagan Explores

kindsofeventsinthespirit ofhowthehousewasused bytheChilds:asaplace wheretheyhostedfriends andpartiesawayfromtheir mainsociallifeinBoston.

Thevenueoffersfour lodgesthatcanhouseupto 52people,in-housecatering andbarandpicturesque viewsofthemountainsand gardensontheproperty.

Longsaidthatcouplesthat bookwithAldworthManor enjoytheseclusionandluxuriousfeelofthehistoric site.

“Eventhoughwe’retwo hoursfromBoston,it’sstill likeanexclusiveestatefeel,” Longsaid.“Itjustfeelslike you’reabitofaworld away.”For2027,Aldworth Manoroffersseveralprice pointsdependingonseason andnumberofguests.Fora fullweekendrentalbetween JuneandOctober,thevenue costsbetween$24,900and $34,900.Inthewinterand earlyspringmonths,asingle daywillcost$14,900whilea weekendrentalwillcome

outto$19,900.Lodgingand cateringcostsareseparate.

Merrimack Valley Railroad

TheMerrimackValley Railroad’sfunctionhall transportsitsvisitorstoa timewhenitemscanonlybe transportedonatrackor horsebuggy,buildingswere

heatedwithfurnacesand callsweremadebytediously dialingonrotaryphones.

Thehistoricvenue,locatedinNorthfield,operatedasafreightstationin the1800s.Theindustry changedovertime,aswellas thebuilding’sownership, untilitlandedinthehands ofcabooseenthusiastTed

cateringcompany.

WhatcapturedMichael Dolpies’sattentionwhen learningabouttheMerrimackValleyRailroadwas thetrainsandwhoowns them.

“It’sveryunassuming fromtheoutside,”Dolpies said.“Ifyou’rearoundthe building,youseeallthese trainswithvaryingconditions,buttheyactuallyall belongtocollectorswho storethemthere.Someare ownedbymuseums,others arejustownedbyindividuals.”

Larterin1990. Larterworkedtorestore thebuildingandmadeitinto avenuehall.In2024, MichaelandMelissa Dolpies,co-ownersof Twelve31Events,basedin Tilton,struckupadealwith Larter’ssonAlantoleasethe venueandhostsevents throughthecouple’s

Dolpiessaidthevenuehas hostedover1,000weddings sinceLarterrestoredthe building.Itcanseatupto 120peoplewithintheoldtimeywoodenwallsofthe building,andthespaceis oftendecoratedwithwarm fairylightsthathangfrom therafters.

Couplesandguestsare,of course,attractedtothelarge locomotives,whichcanbe viewedbyupto40peopleat onceonawraparound porch.But,Dolpiessaid,

MERRIMACK VALLEY RAILROAD / COURTESY

Newlyweds dance inside the Merrimack Valley Railroad function hall.

thereisalsoanoldtelephone boothinthespace,aswellas anantiquepotbellystove thatalsodazzlesguests.

“There’sdefinitelyalotof oldcharminthere,”hesaid.

Rentingthevenueover theweekendcosts$1,600 forSaturdayaloneand $2,100fromFridayafternoonthroughSaturday night.Farmtablesand chivarichairsareincludedin theprice.Twelve31Events offersawidevarietyofbuffets,entréesandhorsd’oeuvresthatvaryincost.

NH Audubon

NHAudubon’smissionis topreservethestate’snaturalenvironmentandprotectlocalwildlifeforallto enjoy.Couplescantakeadvantageofthatenjoyment byexchangingtheirvows amidpinetreesand meadows.

BetweenitsConcordand Auburnlocations,theorganizationhasbeenhosting weddingsforoveradecade andhaswitnessed13marriagesinthelastyear,said

EventsManagerEmmaTrottier.

Shesaidthatthetypesof peoplethatgravitatetoward themasavenuearepeople whowanttosupporttheorganization’smissioninconservingthelocalenvironmentandthosewhohave grownupwiththe Audubon.

“They’regivingtheir moneytosomebodythey wanttogivetheirmoneyto, ratherthanamassivevenue thatisjustavenue,whereas we’rekindofmorethan that,”Trottiersaid.

AttheMcLaneCenterin Concord,bridesandgrooms tietheknotunderluscious treesonanopenfieldfilled

withtheirfriendsand family.Optionsforthereceptionincludeanindoor spacefor100peopleina rusticandopenroom,ora semi-indoorreceptionfor 125thatopensupthe venue’spollinatorgardens.

TheMassabesicCenterin Auburnofferstwooutdoor spacesforceremonies:the

WeddingGardenshowcases vibrantbloomsofflowers throughoutprimewedding season,andtheMeadow providestheperfectbackdroptothespecialday.The centercanhosta150personreceptioninanoutdoortentsurroundedby gardens.

Trottier,whohasbeenin herroleforoneyear,said herfavoritepartabout hostingweddingsisseeing howcreativescouplesarein theircelebrationsandhowit deviatesfromtraditional norms.“Ireallyenjoyseeing everyone’spersonalstyle comethroughandjusthow theycanbringinthe Audubonintotheirwedding withthelittlepersonal touches,”shesaid.Thebase priceforbothvenuesis $2,700foraneight-hour day,typicallyaSaturday,and afour-hourrehearsalceremonythedaybefore. Amenities,suchaschairsfor theceremonyandfoodfor theceremony,isnotprovidedbyNHAudubonand requiresoutsiderentals.

Order A Better Buffet

NH AUDUBON / COURTESY

A couple getting married among the trees at one of NH Audubon's locations.

A DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Tips for the dress-buying season

By JESSECA TIMMONS Ledger-Transcript

EliciaBonhamofCountry BridalsinJaffreyrecommendsthatbridesplan “aboutayearinadvance”to ensuretheywillhavethe dressoftheirdreamsforthe bigday.

“Rightnow,we’reorderingdressesthatwillbe hereinJuly,”Elishasaid. “Thenwithmostbrides,we havethreeorfourtailoring sessions.Wepinforalterationsthreetofourmonths beforethewedding,which alreadybringsustoOctober sopeopledohavetoplan aheadiftheyreallywant thatperfectdress.Ifpeople havetheopportunitytoplan aboutayearinadvance,that givesthemenoughtimeto getexactlywhatthey’re lookingfor,andhavetimeto getitaltered.Wedefinitely

recommendthat.”

Bonhamboughttheshop fromhermother,Cathy Furze,in2021.Furze,a seamstress,hadboughtthe shopfromtheprevious ownersin2002.Country Bridalsisoneoftheonly bridalshopsintheregion, drawingbridesfromacross southernNewHampshire, northernMA,andVermont.

Rightnow,bridesare buyingfornextfalland early2027.

Bonhamsaysanumberof bridesdobuydressesoff therack,butfindingthat perfectfitisrare.

“Somepeoplecanshopoff therack,whichisgreat,but mostpeoplejustdon’tfitan exactsizeonthesizechart,” Bonhamsaid.“Somemanufacturerskeepdressesin stock,butmostarenot madeuntiltheyareor-

dered.”

Bonhamsaysthetypical on-the-rackweddingdress isdesignedforawoman whois5’9”.

“It’sbecauseifyou’re5’9” ortallerandthedressistoo short,youwouldhaveno options,sotheymakethem

longerratherthanshorter,” Bonhamsaid.“Almosteveryoneneedstobe hemmed.”

CountryBridalshasafull rangeofstyles,fromplain lacetosparklyandbedazzledstyles.

“Somepeoplewantthe

fullsparkle,otherswant moresimpleorjustplain, unadorned,”Bonhamsaid.

Bonhamsaidtochoosea dressontheirfirstvisitto theshop.

“Theycomeandtheyjust goforit,whichisnice,”she

Dresses of every style at Country Bridals.

said.“Ithinkwhenpeople gototoomanystores,itcan beoverwhelming,itcanbe stressful–therearesomany choices.”

AccordingtoBonham, thisyear’shottesttrendis theBasquewaist,which dropstoapointinthe middle,likeatraditional “DisneyPrincess”style dress.

“Basquewaistsarehuge; everyoneisaskingforthat rightnow,”Bonhamsaid. “Straplessisalsoverypopularrightnow,whichissurprising,becauseitusedto bethatmorewomenwould comeinandtheydidn’t wantstrapless.Squarenecks arealsopopularrightnow.”

Bridesarealsochoosing bonedcorsettops,and straplessisalsoapopular style.AccordingtoBonham, fewdressesareactually availableinplainwhite,but comeinmanyshadesof ivory.

“Colorisnotsuperpopular,otherthanalittleunderneaththelayers,”

Bonhamsaid.“We’veactuallyseenatrendofblack dresseslately;we’vesolda fewofthose.Wedon’tstock dressesinblack,butpeople cancometrythedresson andthenorderitinblack.” Bonhamsaysworking withbridestoplantheirbig dayisajoy.

“It’snicetoseepeoplein thisenvironment.Itcanbe stressful;sometimespeople comeinandthey’realittle nervous,butthentheyget started,andit’sreallyfun,” Bonhamsaid.“It’sreallyfun toseepeoplefindadress theylove,andtoseethem getexcited.”

CountryBridalsdoes stockafullrangeofdresses forthosebrideswith“short weartimes”forweddings thatarecomingupsoon.

Theshopalsostocksveils, headpieces,jewelry,dresses forthemothersofthebride andgroom,andrents tuxedos.

Bonhamsaysassoonas theholidaysareover,the weddingbusinessstarts rightup.

“NovemberandDecemberareourslowesttime oftheyear.Noonewantsto sendmoremoneyduring theholidays,butwhenJanuarycomes,weareoffand running,”shesaid.“The busiestweddingseasonis AugustthroughOctober,so we’regearingupforthat rightnow.”

Theshopisalsooneofthe fewintheregiontosell promdresses.

“We’rebusyallthrough promseasonwithdresses andtuxrentals,”Bonham said.“Thestockrangesfrom size8tosize28.Wetryto havesomethingforeveryone,wetrytohavea largerangeofsizes;everybodyshouldbeabletofeel beautiful.”

CountryBridalsislocated at17MainStreetinJaffrey. Theshopisopenbyappointment.Formoreinformationgotocountrybridals.com.

JESSECA TIMMONS/LEDGER-TRANSCRIPT Veils at Country Bridals in Jaffrey.

There's an older crowd saying 'I do' in New Hampshire these days

Marriage data spanning 30 year shows new trends

abouttwopercentof groomswereaged20in 1995,whereasin2025the figurewaswellunderone percent.

Infact,youngmarriages havegottensounusualin NewHampshirethatlast yearthereweremore40year-oldcouplesthan20year-oldcouplessaying“I do.”

beenstagnantsincethen. Therewere9,497weddingsin2005and9,322 lastyear.

Thejoyandpageantry ofweddingshasn’t changedmuchinthepast generationbuttheageof thepeoplewalkingdown theaislesurehas.Considerthis:

In1995,fivepercentof NewHampshirebrides

Thisinformationcomes fromthestate’scollection ofvitalrecords,whichcan besearchedthroughthe NewHampshireVital RecordsInformationNetworkonlineat nhvrinweb.sos.nh.gov.

Itshowsthatthe numberofweddingsin NewHampshiregrew from1995,whendatabegins,through2005buthas

Togetasenseofhow theageofthenewlymarriedhasshifted,theMonitorlookedatthenumber ofbridesandnumberof groomsaged20,25,30,35 and40ineachoffour years:1995,2005,2015 and2025.

Wefoundthatthe numberofmarriagesof 20-and25-year-oldshas fallenconsistently,while thenumberofmarriages of30-and35-year-olds hasrisen.Surprisingly,the numberofmarriages among40-year-oldshas stayedprettyconsistent, around150ayear,with mostontheirsecondor

thirdmarriage.

Asidefromnumbers, anotherbigdifferenceis experience.In1995,twothirdsof35-year-old bridesin1995wereon theirsecondorthirdmarriage,butlastyearafull 80%ofthemweregetting marriedforthefirsttime, withasimilarratiofor grooms.Waitinglongerto getmarriedisdefinitely thenormnow.

Thispatternisn’tlimitedtoNewHampshire,of course.Federalstatistics showthatthemedianage forbridesintheirfirst marriage meaninghalf wereolderandhalfwere younger increasedby fouryearsfrom1995to 2025.Nationally,theme-

dianageforfirst-timebrideswasunder21aslate as1973;nowit’salmost29.

Onething,however,hasn’tchanged:Themedian ageforgroomshasalwaysbeentwoyearsolder thanbrides’medianage.

Incidentally,thisdataincludessame-sexmarriageswherethepartnershavechosentodesignate onepersonasgroomandtheotherasbride,butit doesn’tincludesuchmarriageswherebothpersonschoosetobedesignated“spouse.”

Aside from numbers, another big difference is experience. In 1995, two-thirds of 35-year-old brides in 1995 were on their second or third marriage, but last year a full 80% of them were getting married for the first time, with a similar ratio for grooms. Waiting longer to get married is definitely the norm now.

Nestled in the heart of New Hampshire, Milliken Manor is a historic estate that radiates timeless charm and refined elegance. With the majestic peak of Mount Monadnock as its backdrop, the Manor offers a romantic setting that blends natural beauty with classic sophistication, and serves as an unforgettable location for the wedding of your dreams. Every corner, from the lush grounds to the beautifully preserved architecture, sets the stage for a truly magical celebration.

Hosted at Our Unique Venues Across NH or Catered at Your Special Place

The Common Man Family offers a variety of venues to perfectly suit your wedding celebration... a cozy Nest at Common Man Ashland, renovated Birch and Foster’s halls at our Inn in Plymouth, event spaces at Common Man Windham and Common Man Concord, a river-side ballroom at our Inn in Claremont, and The Barn on the Pemi, our restored 1860s event barn and ceremony greenhouse in Plymouth.

Planning a wedding at your place, in a meadow, at the lake? Our planners and chefs are happy to create a menu that best suits your needs and whims. Our professional event staff and chefs seamlessly transport, prepare, serve and tidy up.

Ashland — The Nest at The Common Man Restaurant

Claremont — The Common Man Inn & Restaurant

Concord — The Common Man Restaurant

Lakes Region — Lakehouse Boutique Catering

Plymouth — The Barn on the Pemi & Tiny Cabins

NEW! The Barn Food Truck

The Common Man Inn & Spa / The Lodge Windham — The Common Man Restaurant

Photo credits: Barry Alley Photography; Cassie Steele, Beloved Photography; Michael Cirelli Photography; Will & D Photography; A Photographic Memory; Ends of the Earth Innovations; Mobile Video & Photography; Mosaic Photography; and Allison Clarke Photography.