Today I’m doing an Owls Nest wedding spotlight because it is hands-down my favorite venue in the White Mountains!
I absolutely love when I get to photograph weddings there, and every couple I’ve worked with who was married at the Owl’s Nest had an amazing experience. So in this post, I’ll be sharing all of the reasons why I love Owls Nest weddings, some details about the venue itself, and some things for your guests to do in the area. Keep reading for some great insider information!
Why I Love an Owls Nest Wedding
There are a few reasons in particular why I love the Owl’s Nest Resort for weddings:
1 - It’s right in the White Mountains
Located in Thornton, NH, the Owl’s Nest is situated right in the heart of the White Mountains. (Which happens to be my favorite place on earth 😉) The venue’s buildings have a modern architectural design, which is nice if you’re looking for something other than rustic barn vibes. All of their spaces are very elegant but still have that mountain feel.
And, of course, being right in the White Mountains means that everywhere you turn, the views are EPIC.
{You can see more from Hannah & Jon’s wedding here}
2 - Everything is on-site
They have on-site houses for you to get ready in, which is so key when planning your wedding day timeline! You won’t have to waste any precious time on your wedding day traveling to and from your getting-ready space, ceremony location, and reception location.
They’re also able to host your welcome dinner at the venue as well, which again makes planning so much easier. You’ll have one less vendor to work with and fewer logistics to manage.
3 - They advertise as being LGBTQ+ friendly
It’s so important to me to work with other wedding vendors who celebrate all love and are welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community, so I’m proud to encourage my couples to look into the Owl’s Nest for this reason.
Owl’s Nest Ceremony & Reception Locations
The Owl’s Nest is a golf resort on top of being a wedding venue, so they have several different locations on their property for both your ceremony and your reception.
Typically, ceremonies are held outdoors on the deck right on the lake or overlooking the mountains of Franconia Notch. Receptions are often held in the Sunset Pavillion or Lakehouse.
However, depending on the size of your wedding and your preference, they also have the Boathouse and the Vault available for events.
{For more outdoor wedding venue ideas in New Hampshire, check out this post}
Owls Nest Resort Wedding Cost & Guest Capacity
You’ll definitely want to contact the Owl’s Nest directly for an accurate quote for your own wedding, but they can be considered mid-range to high-end when it comes to cost. The nice thing is that given all of their variety for spaces and on-site catering, you can work with their team to create a wedding that suits your vision.
Depending on which space you decide to book, the Owl’s Nest can accommodate all the way up to 300 guests in the Lakehouse (200 for a seated dinner) or 180 in the Sunset Pavillion.
Photography Notes
Of course the views are my favorite thing about Owl’s Nest weddings, so we will be sure to capture them in your photos! Here are some things to know:
First Looks
If you opt to do a first look, the location I typically guide couples towards has great mountain views. This is such a bonus compared to some other venues in New Hampshire!
Golden Hour
Golden hour portraits are my favorite part of any wedding, and I always encourage my couples to work them into the timeline if possible. And at Owl’s Nest, we have to schedule them strategically because the sun dips below the mountains a good 30 minutes before actual sunset.
So if you’re looking for golden vibes for these portraits, we’ll typically step outside one hour before sunset. Or if you prefer to capture the colorful sky, we’ll go outside right at sunset.
This is absolutely something I’ll talk through with you during your planning process if you decide to work with me as your photographer!
Things to do Nearby
For most couples planning an Owl’s Nest wedding, guests will be traveling in from across New England (or further!). So I love that there are so many things for your guests to do in the area during their time in the White Mountains.
There are tons of scenic hiking trails nearby, covered bridges, and train rides (which are amazing in the fall!). Thornton is also just a short drive to Lincoln, NH (a popular White Mountain destination), the Kancamgus Highway (a scenic byway with incredible views), Franconia Notch, and more!
Given that there are so many scenic destinations nearby, you could also always schedule an adventure photo session during your wedding weekend to get some really cool outdoor photos in addition to your wedding gallery. This is such a great way to experience the magic of the Whites!
New Hampshire Wedding Photographer
Hopefully this post has given you lots of ideas! And whether you’re planning a wedding at the Owl’s Nest Resort, or somewhere else in New Hampshire, I’d love to photograph it for you.
If my style resonates with you, I encourage you to reach out to me through my Contact page, and I’ll be in touch right away to get to know you!
