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Welcome to the Family - Yankee Weddings

Special Advertising Section: Distinctive settings for romantic and personal weddings

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The proposal has been accepted, and family and friends have heard the good news. It's time to plan the wedding. There's so much to do and so many decisions to make. Begin here and discover the unique places throughout New England ready to host your special day.

Magical Weddings in the Mountains

Overlooking the majestic White Mountains' Presidential Range, Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa serves as the perfect setting for a wedding to remember.

Weddings are beautiful any time of year at Mountain View Grand, but it's the winter weddings here that hold a special place in many hearts. Catering Director Chantal Carney says, "Winter weddings are just so magical here!" During the day, the brilliant sun reflects off the snow-covered grounds and mountain peaks, and in the evening the snow sparkles from the white lights adorning the trees. Inside, the bride and groom create lasting memories with their loved ones while a fire adds to the warmth and memories.

In the warmer months, there are a number of beautiful settings to choose from, starting with the Grand Fountain Terrace's 100-year-old Folley Chapel and the gentle waterfall that feeds into a stone riverbed and Koi pond. For a more intimate wedding, the bride may prefer the Waterfall Terrace's more formal English garden. Both the Crystal Ballroom, with its distinctive crystal chandelier, and the Presidential Ballroom, with its expansive fireplace, offer elegant receptions.

As the big day approaches, the bride can relax because Mountain View Grand's professional team, including an in-house florist and pastry chef, will make sure the event runs smoothly, leaving the bride to enjoy a day at the spa or a romantic sleigh or carriage ride.

A Wedding That Reflects You

The bride and groom's personalities can truly come through in their wedding at the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls. "We don't constrain couples to choosing from a selection of packages," explains Hilary Thurston, one of Mill Falls wedding planners. With the wedding planners by the bride's side, she is encouraged to work with any florist, pastry chef, photographer, and musician of her choice, or she may work with one of the property's recommended vendors.

Wedding planning can be exciting and stressful so Hilary emphasizes that location and the team behind the venue are very important. She says, "Once you book your location, everything else falls into place."

The property boasts two romantic spots for the ceremony and reception. Church Landing hosts the grand Winnipesaukee Ballroom and the Waterfront Lawn overlooking the lake. The intimate setting of Chase House offers the elegance and beauty of a grand ballroom and striking lake views from the accompanying Grass Patio. And the lake itself plays a part. Imagine motoring off into the sunset in a classic Century Coronado motorboat with your new husband by your side.

It's Like Coming Home

Nestled in the Berkshire hills, a breathtaking wedding awaits you at Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club. From the 100-year-old Tudor-style mansion to the Rose Terrace and Grand Ballroom's grand 16-foot-tall windows and marble floor, the property provides a number of special venue options.

Cranwell's staff prides themselves on their flexibility, working closely with the bride and her parents and making them feel at home. Each year brides and grooms are invited to a grand tasting, where they meet with the staff and preferred vendors while tasting from an assortment of menu options. So much is accomplished in that one day. Cranwell's wedding planner Samantha Talora says that by the time the wedding arrives you feel relaxed. "Everything's taken care of by the time you turn into the drive. You are free to be a guest at your own wedding."

Personalized, Quiet Elegance

Stepping into Historic Deerfield is like stepping back in time. "It's the New England you always hoped to find," says Karl Sabo, innkeeper at the Deerfield Inn. The town's main street is lined with historic homes from the early 18th and 19th centuries. The 350-year-old historic village is truly special, lending itself to an equally special wedding venue in the Deerfield Inn (1884).

Located in the center of Historic Deerfield, Massachusetts, the inn and its team of professionals make you feel right at home. "Having a wedding here is like having your wedding in a large country home," explains Sabo. "We focus on one event at a time and make it a very personalized experience." In fact, when the inn is hosting a wedding, in most cases the property is devoted to no other guests but you and your guests.

Each season in New England offers its own special wedding backdrop, from spring's flowers and summer's lush greenery to autumn's foliage and winter's snowy blanket. So have fun with the planning and choose a venue that is special for you and your groom. And most important, best wishes!

Start Planning Now:

Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa
Location: White Mountains: Whitefield, NH
Maximum Capacity: 350
Approximate number of weddings a year: 40
To plan your wedding, contact: Chantal Carney at 603-837-0099 or visit mountainviewgrand.com
Words of advice: Your relationship with the wedding planner is key. She sees you through the process from start to finish.

Inns & Spa at Mill Falls
Location: Lake Winnipesaukee: Meredith, NH
Maximum Capacity: 230
Approximate number of weddings a year: 120
To plan your wedding, contact: Hilary or Stacey at 800-508-4598 or visit millfalls.com
Words of advice: "Your wedding location is so important, so if your favorite venue is not available on a certain date, be open to changing your wedding date."

Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club
Location: The Berkshires: Lenox, MA
Maximum Capacity: 200
Approximate number of weddings a year: 50
To plan your wedding, contact: Samantha Talora at 800-572-8938 or visit cranwell.com
Words of advice: "When you surround yourself with professionals, you can't go wrong."

Deerfield Inn
Location: Franklin County: Deerfield, MA
Maximum Capacity: 150
Approximate number of weddings a year: 20
To plan your wedding, contact: Karl Sabor at 413-774-5587or visit deerfieldinn.com
Words of advice: "Choose your venue early on in the process because you'll be taking a large burden off your back. Be organized and relaxed."