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American Legion Hall - This is a nice little venue for an inexpensive wedding ceremony and reception.
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Cisco Brewers - This is the former Redhook Brewery. I officiated my first ceremony outside at the Redhook on a Columbus Day Weekend a few years ago. I'll always remember the first one here because it featured the lead singer of the 60's group "The Drifters" who sang "This Magic Moment" to the bride and groom immediately after her father gave her away, and before the ceremony started. I gave Cisco a call to see if they still host weddings, and the person I spoke with said they do, so this continues to be an option for your wedding ceremony.
•Four Tree Island - This is a fantastic place for a small wedding ceremony or elopement, and has quickly become one of my favorites on the coast. I had been to the Island several times but never performed a marriage there before this October. It has many nice locations for a ceremony near the water, and a nice big gazebo for protection in inclement weather. That gazebo came in handy during my October ceremony, as a downpour occurred just before the ceremony was to begin. I, the couple and their guests huddled in the shelter, and the ceremony took place there. This was a bit disappointing for the bride and groom since they had chosen a spot outside of the gazebo where they wanted the ceremony to take place. Their disappointment was soon turned to delight however because, as luck would have it, while the ceremony was being performed a big, beautiful rainbow formed just behind them, and made it into the majority of their wedding pictures! That has to portend good luck! Two other bonus points for Four Tree - the parking lot is a good size, and rarely full, and parking is free! Again, a really, really nice place for a small wedding or elopement. If you're planning a larger wedding, and want to make sure the gazebo or a particular spot is available, it would be best to contact the City of Portsmouth and reserve your time and location. Images: Four Tree Island
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Governor John Langdon House Gardens - Presided as the JP for a wedding here that included a community affirmation with close to 200 guests (all the guests shout "we do!" when asked a series of questions). I'm guessing all of Portsmouth heard that affirmation!
•Harborwalk Park - This is a great site for an elopement or a wedding with just a few guests. I was introduced to this location by a lovely couple whose elopement I officiated on an early October afternoon. It's essentially a pier close to the base of the Memorial Bridge that extends out into the Piscataqua River and provides a fine view of the harbor. There's also lighting there, and benches for any guests who might want to take a seat for your ceremony. Some Pics: Harborwalk Park
{Looking for a place to elope? Check out some of JP John's favorite elopement spots!}
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Isle Of Shoals Steamship Company - Acted as Justice of the Peace for a wedding here on the boat on a beautiful evening in August recently. This is certainly a cool and unique venue for a wedding ceremony! The staff was very helpful.
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John Paul Jones House - Great historical site for a wedding ceremony. Officiated one here on a very hot day in July. Luckily, it was inside where it was much cooler!
The above link goes to the Historical Society where you can get more info. Here are some pictures of the property:
John Paul Jones House
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Library Restaurant - Was the JP for a small ceremony here at Christmas time that featured a unity candle. The holiday decorations were beautiful, and it was a wonderful ceremony.
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Little Harbor Chapel - This is my favorite chapel at which to officiate ceremonies in New Hampshire.
•Market Street Garden - Located next to Treehouse Toys on 143 Market Street, this is a small garden across the street from the Moffatt-Ladd House. Performed a wedding there recently on a Friday afternoon for a delightful couple and their small entourage. This is a nice place for a small ceremony - because of both car and foot traffic, it might be better to plan a weekday morning ceremony here rather than at busier times of the day.
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Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden - Served as the JP for a wedding here on Memorial Day Weekend. There are at least a few different spots for a ceremony in their garden. Highly recommended if you're looking for a beautiful and historic venue to get married.
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Pierce Island - Yes, this is the dog park - or at least part of it is - in Portsmouth. Still, it's a great location to be married! I officiated a brief wedding here for a couple and a few family members on a weekday in August and it was delightful. They chose one of the overlooks for the ceremony itself, and then went into town for dinner. If you don't mind the occasional canine wedding crasher, there are a few sites to tie the knot here including the overlooks and a couple of beaches. My thought would be that it is suitable for a wedding with just a few guests.
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Portsmouth Country Club - Beautiful grounds. Very accommodating and organized staff. I've done the honors as JP for many weddings here and they always go smoothly. I was reminiscing recently and, if memory serves me correctly, realized that I don't think I've ever had a rain-out at a wedding at the Country Club. That's remarkable for the amount of weddings I've performed there. So, if you have an outdoor wedding coming up and you don't want it rained-out, have your ceremony here, and have me do the officiating! ;)
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Portsmouth Elks Lodge - Fantastic venue on Sagamore Creek. The dining room is situated so that your guests will have a great view of the water as they dine.
The wedding site is down so the link goes directly to the lodge where you can get more info.
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Portsmouth Gas Light Company - Presided as JP for a wedding ceremony here that featured a Beer Ceremony. The Bride and Groom each poured a beer of their choice into a center mug and each then took a sip of the mixture. Ceremonies here can be held in the Night Club on the third floor. There is a stage on which the ceremony can take place. It's a nice venue for a more informal type of ceremony.
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Prescott Park - If I had to pick a favorite location in Portsmouth to officiate small outdoor weddings it would probably be Prescott Park, in the "Formal Garden". The Formal Garden features flowers and a fountain. When Dorothy Frances Gurney said "one is nearer to God in a garden that anywhere else on earth" she may have been thinking about the Formal Garden at Prescott Park!
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The Envio at the ACHotel Portsmouth- The new location for the staff of the Portsmouth Harbor Events & Conference Center where I used to officiate about one wedding a year. I haven't had the honor of being the JP for a wedding at The Envio yet so I can't speak to the physical facility, but the staff were always very organized and accommodating.
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The Hotel Portsmouth - The Hotel Portsmouth on Court Street is a really nice venue for a small ceremony. Presided as the Justice of the Peace for a wedding there a few days before Christmas and the room provided for the ceremony was elegant and nicely decorated for the season. There are four smaller rooms that will hold from 6 to 33 people. My couple was pleased with the accommodations.
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The Puddle Dock - Formerly the Mombo Restaurant, this is a great site for a ceremony with a maximum guest list of 120. I officiated my first wedding here when it was still the Mombo on a very stormy late afternoon in December. When I first arrived at the restaurant the power was out, and the couple feared they would be getting married in the dark! But, luckily, the lights came back on about five minutes after I showed - ah, the power of a Wedding Celebrant!;). The venue was beautifully dressed up for the occasion and my couple had the entire restaurant to themselves, choosing to be married in the upstairs mezzanine, while having their reception in the downstairs area. And, indeed, you can rent out the entire restaurant or just the upstairs area. There's also a brick patio, should you choose to be married outdoors. Another option is to get married outside at Prescott Park, and then walk over to the restaurant for your reception. Images here:
The Puddle Dock
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Toscana Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar - The Wine Bar is located downstairs at the Tuscan Kitchen restaurant. Performed a wedding here for a delightful couple on Halloween afternoon. The Wine Bar consists of four elegant rooms that are just a fantastic place for an elopement or small wedding. Rustic in nature, and varying in size, they hold from 10 to 26 people, with some coming equipped with a TV and fireplace. And of course, all come with wine! I believe my couple chose the smallest room, which was perfect for their elopement - and they were very happy with the arrangements!
Here are links to the town clerk and information on obtaining your marriage license in Portsmouth...