3 Reasons to Have a Country Wedding

When planning your big day, one big decision must be made before all the others: where do you want to get married? There are so many wedding venues in NH – how do you choose? A good starting point is knowing whether you want a city wedding or a country wedding. Now, city weddings can have their charms, but if you ask us, nothing can match the magic of a country wedding.

New Hampshire, and Bedford in particular, is a wonderful setting for a wedding. The state has it all: majestic mountains, rushing rivers, and fall foliage that transports you. With 2024 trend predictions highlighting intimate ceremonies and the “wedding weekend,” getting hitched out of town makes a lot of sense. Gather your favorite people in our stunning backyard, and let’s go through the top three reasons to take your wedding to the New Hampshire countryside.

1. Make Natural Beauty Your Backdrop

No matter where you go, a country wedding pretty much guarantees some gorgeous scenery. Unlike the more cramped and crowded cities, in the country, there’s room to spread out and take in the glorious best of what nature has to offer. There’s a photo op just about everywhere you look, especially on a country estate or at an inn with a beautifully maintained garden like ours. Even winter is no barrier to making the most of your outdoor setting – in fact, there’s something extra special about a winter wedding.

With so much beauty all around, you don’t need to do as much to dress up your wedding. Letting nature set the scene and provide some color and charm is light on the wallet, too. You can be more intentional and strategic about decor when your surroundings are doing most of the heavy lifting. This is true whether you’re planning on a garden wedding or using our stylishly-appointed Great Hall or the Grand Charolais Room. A good venue is enough of a blank slate that you can infuse it with your personality and theme but not totally devoid of character and interest.

2. Find the Historical Charm & Rustic Elegance You Seek

Many wedding venues in NH come with fascinating histories. The years have lent sophistication to these storied buildings, a sprinkling of the glamor of years gone by. The Bedford Village Inn started its life as a farmhouse during Bedford’s agricultural heyday, and there’s plenty of that 1800s style in evidence in the buildings to this day. The newer Grand Boutique Hotel also takes aesthetic cues from the original farmhouse building, creating a cohesive, nostalgic atmosphere. 

When you get married somewhere that’s been around a long time, your love story becomes a part of that history, woven into the legacy of families over generations. The exposed wooden beams and elegant chandeliers give the Great Hall the perfect balance of rustic chic and elevated refinement. This kind of setting is grand and impactful without being uptight or pretentious. 

You get to decide how opulent you want your wedding to feel or how much you want to lean into the cozy country atmosphere. A country wedding venue gives you a lot of flexibility – you can create your dream, whether it’s outdoors, indoors, or a combination of both. It’s a destination wedding that doesn’t require your whole extended family to update their passports and wade through visa paperwork.

3. Get Ahead of The 2024 Wedding Trends With Timeless Style

It’s the time of year when everyone’s preoccupied with how the coming year will play out. The experts are out in their numbers, predicting what trends will take the wedding world by storm this year. A country wedding never goes out of fashion and, it turns out, it’s also an effortless way to get ahead of the trends.

Smaller weddings and intimate ceremonies have been growing in popularity for good reasons. It’s not just about budget – people are realising that they’d rather set off on the new adventure of married life surrounded by those they love most dearly, without their parents’ “family friends” they haven’t seen in a decade. For some, this looks like a more select ceremony and a bigger reception, giving the extended clan a chance to join the celebrations.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

FOUR-COURSE PRE-FIXE DINNER

$110++

SPECIAL FEATURES

Champagne - Korbel Brut, California - 17.

Chocolate Espresso Martini - 13.

Vodka, Espresso, Chocolate Liqueur, Coffee Liqueur

CHEF’S SELECTION

APPETIZERS

SMOKED SALMON MOUSSE

Crispy Capers, Dill, Shallot, Pumpernickel Crostini, Lemon

WAGYU BEEF TARTAR

Dijon Aioli, Cornichons, Crispy Shallots, Herbs, Brioche

NEW HAMPSHIRE CHEESE BOARD

Brookford Farm Gouda, Bell & Goose Camembert, Local Honey, Fig & Apple, Walnuts, Crostini

STUFFED QUAHOG CLAMS

Corn Bread, Chorizo, Peppers, Scallion, Tomato Butter

ROASTED TOMATO RISOTTO

Basil Pistou, Crispy Artichoke Hearts

DUNK'S MUSHROOM BISQUE

Crème Fraîche, Pancetta Bread Crumbs

SALADS

RED LITTLE GEM

Roasted Squash, Toasted Pepitas, Ricotta Salata, Dried Cherries, Green Goddess Dressing

WATERCRESS & SORREL

Fennel, Winter Citrus, Toasted Cashews, Aleppo & Sesame Vinaigrette

ENTRÉES

GRILLED FILET MIGNON

Sour Cream & Chive Whipped Potato, Shaved Brussel Sprots with Bacon, Truffle Butter, Black Pepper Crispy Onions, Red Wine Demi-Glace

Cabernet Sauvignon – Daou , Pasa Robles 6oz. 17

PAN SEARED NEW BEDFORD SEA SCALLOPS

Anson Mills Polenta, Charred Corn, Braised Kale, House Bacon, Cipollini Onions

Sauvignon Blanc – Craggy Range, Martinborough 6oz. 15

CIDER BRAISED VOLCANO PORK SHANK

Kabocha Squash Purée, Haricot Verts, Apple, Cider Jus

Rosé – Miraval “Studio”, Provence 6oz. 17

ICELANDIC COD LOIN

Miso Dashi Broth, Basmati Rice, Snow Peas, Bell Pepper, Carrot, Edamame, Hon Shimeji Mushrooms, Radish, Chive Oil

Chardonnay – Ferrari- Carano, Alexander Valley 6oz. 16

TEA SMOKED LONG ISLAND DUCK BREAST

Brown Butter Sweet Potato, Dunks Mushrooms, Asparagus, Bergamot Gastrique

Zinfandel – Seghesio, Sonoma County 6oz. 15

EGGPLANT NAPOLEAN

Crispy Eggplant, Spinach, Tomato, Ricotta, Pomodoro Sauce, Basil, Arugula, Parmesan

Pinot Noir – Leese-Fitch, California 6oz. 12

DESSERTS

GINGERBREAD BREAD PUDDING

Orange Ice Cream, Chantilly, Cranberry Coulis, Candied Cranberries

WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT MOUSSE

Chocolate Cookie Soil, Toasted Meringue, Crushed Peppermint, Hot Fudge

VANILLA BEAN CRÈME BRÛLÉE

Shortbread Cookie, Caramel Mousse

TIRAMISU BOMBE

Traditional Filling, Sponge Cake, Coffee Syrup, Chocolate Sauce, Coffee Anglaise,

 Chocolate Garnish

APPLE TART

Spiced Apple Filling, Caramel Sauce, Chantilly

CHRISTMAS EVE

FOUR-COURSE PRE-FIXE DINNER

$125++ Per Adult, $75++ Per Child 10 & Under

AMUSE-BOUCHE

CHEF’S SELECTION

APPETIZERS

FRIED TOMATO NAPOLEAN

Basil Pesto, Whipped Ricotta, Crispy Pancetta, Frisée

LOBSTER & PEA RISOTTO

Herbed Parmesan Frico, Prosciutto

TEMPURA OCTOPUS

Fingerling Potato, Pickled Peppers, Castelvetrano Olives, Basil Aioli, Arugula

ASPARAGUS BISQUE

Crème Fraîche, Chives

DUCK RILLETTE

Figs, Apple, Brioche, House Dijon

BLACK GARLIC FRENCH ONION SOUP

Gruyère, Focaccia Croutons, Chive

SALADS

LOCAL KALE

Delicata Squash, Pomegranate Seeds, Toasted Pistachio, Chèvre, Red Wine Vinaigrette

ARUGULA & FRISÉE

Black Pepper Brioche Croutons, Herbs, Lemon Parmesan Dressing

ENTRÉES

GRILLED FILET MIGNON

Roasted Garlic Pommes Purée, Broccolini, Watercress Red Wine Demi-Glace, Herb Butter

NORTH COUNTRY SMOKE HOUSE HAM

Bourbon Glaze, Sweet Potato Purée, Ham Hock Braised Collard Greens

HERB GRILLED SWORDFISH LOIN

Roasted Cauliflower, Sundried Tomato, Toasted Farro, Lemon Caper Butter

PORT BRAISED SHORT RIB

Fontina Polenta, Dunks Mushrooms, Haricot Verts, Port Wine Jus

RICOTTA CAVATELLI

Romanesco Sauce, Wild Mushrooms, Roasted Garlic, Hazelnuts, Basil

NEW ENGLAND SEAFOOD POT-AU-FEU

Jumbo Shrimp, New Bedford Sea Scallops, Maine Dutch Style Mussels, Whitefish, Tomato Saffron Broth, Shaved Fennel Salad

DESSERTS

GRAND DESSERT BUFFET IN THE GREAT HALL

THANKSGIVING DAY DINNER MENU

FOUR-COURSE PRE-FIXE DINNER

$110++ for Adults and $65++ for Children 10 and under

AMUSE-BOUCHE

CHEF’S SELECTION

APPETIZERS

CAPE COD OYSTERS

Blood Orange Mignonette, Chive, Citrus

MAPLE BROOK FARM BURRATA

Grilled Focaccia, Fig, Walnuts, Mizuna, Balsamic Reduction, Basil

CELERIAC BISQUE

Black Pepper Hazelnuts, Celery Leaves, Smoked Olive Oil

MAPLE GLAZED PORK BELLY

Sea Island Rice Peas, Savory Pork Broth, Dunks Mushrooms, Scallions

SWISS CHARD GNUDI

Brown Butter, Cider, Fennel & Apple, Crispy Benton’s Ham

CHICKEN LIVER MOUSSE

Sourdough, Pickled Shallots, Herbs, House Dijon, Pomegranate Seeds

SALADS

HARVEST SALAD

Red Watercress, Radicchio, Spinach, Roasted Squash, Local Beets, Walnuts, Cider Vinaigrette

BOSTON BIBB

Cherry Tomato, Cucumber, Pickled Red Onion, Herbed Boule Crumbs, Chervil Yogurt

ENTRÉES

MISTY KNOLL FARMS TURKEY

Free Range Turkey, Sausage Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes,
Butternut Squash, Giblet Gravy

GRILLED FILET MIGNON

Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes, Asparagus, Sundried Tomato Butter, Red Wine Demi-Glace, Watercress

ICELANDIC COD LOIN

Herb Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Garlic Haricot Verts, Puttanesca Sauce

SMOKED DUROC PORK LOIN

Spinach Spaetzle, Cider Braised Local Cabbage, Pickled Citrus, Sorrel

SQUASH RISOTTO

Roasted Delicata Squash, Lacinato Kale, Fontina Cheese, Toasted Sunflower Seed Pesto, Crispy Sage

PAN ROASTED ARTIC CHAR

Herbed Quinoa, Golden Raisins, Pine Nuts, Haricot Vert, Blood Orange Beurre Blanc, Shaved Fennel & Citrus Salad

DESSERTS

PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING

Pumpkin Bread, Custard, Spiced Ice Cream, Vanilla Anglaise

MAPLE CRÈME BRÛLÉE

Candied Pecans, Chantilly

NEW ENGLAND APPLE PIE

Spice Apple Filling, Brown Butter Oat Crumble, Vanilla Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE

Pomegranate Mousse, Pomegranate Seeds, Chantilly

BOURBON POACHED PEAR

Vanilla Bourbon Syrup, Mascarpone Cream, Oat Granola, Cherry

EASTER DINNER

THREE-COURSE PRE-FIXE DINNER

$79++ for Adults and $42++ for Children 12 and Under

FIRST COURSE

LOCAL POTATO & LEEK SOUP

Chive Oil, Crème Fraîche, Chervil

NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER

Traditional Recipe, Chives

POACHED PEAR SALAD

Arugula, Red Watercress, Crumbled Buttermilk Blue Cheese, Black Pepper Walnuts, Lemon Honey Vinaigrette

CRISPY TOMATO NAPOLEON

Herbed Ricotta, Arugula Pesto, Crispy Pancetta, Basil

ENTRÉES

GRILLED TOURNEDOS OF BEEF

Roasted Garlic Pommes Purée, Spring Asparagus, Watercress, Crispy Onion, Red Wine Demi-Glace

NOVA SCOTIA DAY BOAT HALIBUT

Spring Pea Purée, Potato Latkes, Herb Roasted Baby Carrots, Tarragon Cream

SMOKED NORTH COUNTRY HAM

Green Bean Casserole, Potato Gratin, Golden Raisin Sauce, Herb & Cheddar Biscuit

BRAISED LAMB SHANK

Anson Mills Creamy Polenta, Dunk’s Mushrooms, English Peas, Mint Gremolata, Celery Leaves

VERNON FARMS STATLER CHICKEN

Cornbread & Andouille Stuffing, Dried Cranberry, Scallions, Haricot Verts, Glace de Poulet

HERB ROASTED CAULIFLOWER "STEAK"

Eggplant Caponata, Red Pepper Coulis, Asparagus, Kalamata Olives, Toasted Almonds

DESSERT

CARROT CAKE

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting, Caramel Sauce, Candied Carrot

LAVENDER CRÈME BRÛLÉE

Lemon Curd Cookie, Chantilly

CRÊPES SUZETTE

Blood Orange Marmalade, Mascarpone Filling, Hot Fudge

CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE

Raspberry Mousse, Raspberries, Chocolate Curls

PEAR CRISP

Brown Butter Oat Topping, Cardamom Anglaise, Chantilly