LGBTQ-Friendly Wedding Venues in NH and Nearby
10 Best Small Wedding Venues in New Hampshire & Nearby – LGBTQ-Friendly
New Hampshire is a great place for a unique, meaningful small wedding. The scenery is perfect for an outdoor ceremony, and there are plenty of venues that have options for indoor ceremonies and receptions as well. From historic locations to scenic waterfronts, New Hampshire’s small wedding venues have everything you’re looking for.
As a NH wedding photographer who LOVES small weddings, couples often ask me for recommendations for small wedding venues in New Hampshire for elopements, micro weddings, and intimate celebrations. These are a few of my favorites!
Here’s my usual disclaimer: some of these locations aren’t in New Hampshire but are very close by. New England is a cozy bunch of states, and you can drive through many of them in a few hours. So don’t be fooled by the address if you are looking to get married in New Hampshire, but the venue is in Maine! I promise, they’re close.
Because it’s important to me and the couples I serve, all of these small wedding venues in New Hampshire are LBGTQ+ friendly.
10 Wedding Venues to Consider for Your New Hampshire Small Wedding
Intimate Coastal Wedding at Rye Harbor State Park
New Hampshire’s Seacoast may be tiny, but it’s packed with charm—and Rye Harbor State Park is proof that small can be stunning. This quiet, windswept park sits right along the rocky shoreline, with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, bobbing lobster boats, and a picturesque stone jetty that’s basically begging to be your aisle.
Unique small wedding venue idea
For couples looking for a naturally beautiful location with salty air and zero pretension, Rye Harbor is a hidden gem. It’s public, which means you’ll need to reach out to NH State Parks for permits and availability, but it’s well worth it for the views alone. Bonus: It’s incredibly budget-friendly compared to traditional venues.
This spot is ideal for elopements or microweddings, especially during shoulder seasons or weekdays when it’s quieter. Bring a few chairs, a bouquet, and maybe a cozy blanket or two—this is New England, after all—and you’ve got yourself a romantic oceanfront ceremony that’s all about you.
Small wedding ceremony at Rye Harbor State Park
Location: 1730 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH
Guest Capacity: Best for 2–50 guests, depending on how much set-up you plan to bring and how much foot traffic you’re comfortable with.
What’s Cool: The harbor views, the wild grasses, the sense of privacy even though it’s public land—and the way the ocean breeze makes everything feel like a scene from a coastal romance novel.
Due Diligence: I recommend getting official information from Rye Harbor State Park.
York Harbor Inn
This beautiful Inn located right along the coast is everything you imagine when you think, “I’d like to get married at a quaint New England venue.” The property is set right on the ocean and is about as picturesque as you can get. The Inn is just an hour from Logan International Airport, but you sure feel a world away when you are here.
Your guests can stay on-site in one of the 7 different Inns on the property. They all have different looks and feels, from charming rooms filled with antiques to rooms with updated amenities like jacuzzi tubs and oceanview decks. Right on site is the Ship’s Cellar Pub, a great place for cocktails and is built to recreate a ship’s “down below.”
Get married oceanside on the shores of the Hartley-Mason Nature Preserve and take in the views. If the weather is a challenge, then you can get married indoors in the Ballroom with gorgeous skylights, or for a smaller guest list you can use the main dining room and you’ll still have that amazing ocean view. They have a lot of all-inclusive wedding packages, and their staff is definitely top-notch.
The Inn is steps from the beach and a short walk to York Harbor, with endless photo opportunities. It’s just a beautiful property; you cannot go wrong having your wedding there!
Location: York, Maine
Guest Capacity: 25-150
Hillcroft Room: 25 guests
Main Dining Room: 120 guests
Yorkshire Ballroom: 150 guests
What’s Cool: If you book an all-inclusive package, they give you a gift certificate for an anniversary dinner. Also, their Harbor Crest Inn is pet-friendly!
The Exeter Inn manages to look charming and historic while still being a very contemporary space for a wedding in New Hampshire. Built in the 1930s, it has a classic Georgian brick facade and was known for its “attractive rooms, comfort, and great taste”. That legacy lives on today in the Inn.
The Exeter Inn is built for smaller and more intimate weddings up to 100 guests, and it’s also an excellent choice for a rehearsal dinner or day-after brunch. The outdoor courtyard is the perfect spot for wedding and family portraits, and they have a lovely gazebo area for the focal point for your ceremony. The site is available to be tented if you wish, and you can dance under the New England stars at night!
If you are getting married during the holiday season, The Exeter Inn goes all out on decor, and it’s just the prettiest in the evening when the sun sets and the twinkle lights on the property are lit. You can host your reception in the beautiful Daniel Webster room, with lovely architectural touches like arched windows and columns.
Staying on-site is always a great perk for out-of-town wedding guests; no worries about parking or finding their way around town if they stay at The Exeter Inn. The Inn has a popular gastropub called Epoch and is within walking distance of downtown Exeter.
Location: Exeter, New Hampshire
Guest Capacity: 100
What’s Cool: Their service is impeccable here, a little 5-star gem! If you love being pampered but like to support local businesses, this is a great choice for you.
Cliff House
Nestled on the coast of southern Maine but still within less than 2 hours driving distance of Concord and Boston, this upscale resort is one of my favorite locations for weddings and family photos. It’s just got it all, from the spectacular view of the water to the rocky and rugged coastline that has hardly changed in centuries.
If you’re going to do Cliff House, my suggestion is to do it right and take a few days before or after the wedding (or you know… do both! Life is short) for a getaway, and encourage your guests to do the same.
The rooms are lovely and spacious, and the food divine. They also have a world-class spa to pamper you and your wedding party! Their attention to detail is fantastic, and yet it still feels like a comfortable place to stay.
Have your wedding ceremony on the lawn overlooking Cape Neddick, then the reception indoors in their bright and airy ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows with that VIEW!! The whole property is set off to show off the coastline, and that’s why it’s a big favorite for weddings.
Location: Cape Neddick (Ogunquit), Maine
Guest Capacity: 75-100
What’s Cool: The black, rocky coast here is volcanic rock and is one of the big attractions in the area. For photos, it makes a dramatic background that you just don’t see anywhere else!
Fuller Gardens
This garden wedding venue is just a slice of paradise on the ocean. This botanical garden is perfect for small weddings, elopements, or vow renewals if your guest list is less than 50 people and you want both sea and garden views.
The Japanese garden is in a riot of blooms in May and transitions into a more English garden feel until fall, when the mums and dahlias begin to bloom. The various perennials and a spectacular rose garden also hold impressively sculpted hedges, water features, and stone paths around the property.
This place is just gorgeous in the late afternoon when the sun starts setting. While meticulously maintained, the staff here works with nature and not against it, and the gardens are beautiful but not overly formal.
Location: North Hampton, New Hampshire
Guest Capacity: 25 for a semi-private ceremony, 50 for a private ceremony
They do not have an inside or covered area and do not allow tenting, so they suggest an alternate location or plans in inclement weather.
What’s Cool: While they do limit the amount of time for your ceremony to 90 minutes, you can take advantage of taking photos on the property for as long as you would like.
The Thompson Inn & Cyderhouse
As soon as you see the steel grey Inn with shaker shingles set back from the road on a tree-lined drive, you know you’re in a special place. When you walk inside, prepare to be amazed at how the owners have updated this beautiful 1776 home. Purchased from the University of New Hampshire, the owners have spent more than two decades lovingly restoring this place, and it’s one of the prettiest event spaces in the area.
You can gather and get married under the huge maple trees on the property and take in the beauty of this place! You can elect to tent the area if you want to keep the party outdoors all night which is a great option in our good weather months.
A wide porch allows for your guests to mingle both indoors and outdoors during cocktail hour, and you don’t need to step a foot off the property to get great photos.
The Cyderhouse is the indoor area that hosts receptions. It is absolutely beautiful with its big windows, high beam ceilings, and updated touches like wrought chandeliers and a large stone fireplace. Little side rooms and the wide porch allow your guests to move around your party to have conversations and then dance the night away.
If you want to stay at the Thompson Inn, each room is charmingly named after apples and features an ensuite bath and a walk-in shower/tub. You can tell that every piece of furniture and decor has been picked with care; the place feels upscale but homey.
Location: Durham, New Hampshire
Guest Capacity: 150 for wedding, 10 guest rooms on the property.
What’s Cool: They only host one event per weekend, so you feel like you own the place! Rent all the rooms and the Cyderhouse, and all your favorite people will be on hand from the rehearsal dinner to the after-wedding brunch.
Prescott Park
Located right on the edge of downtown Portsmouth, Prescott Park is one of the city’s most beloved spaces—and when you’re there, it’s easy to see why. With brick pathways, waterfront views, and some of the most beautifully tended gardens in the state, it’s a dream backdrop for a charming New England microwedding or elopement.
The gardens are in full bloom from spring through early fall, and the views of the river and working tugboats bring a uniquely Portsmouth vibe to your day. The park offers a few quiet nooks perfect for intimate ceremonies, and it’s just steps from iconic photo spots like Strawbery Banke, the Memorial Bridge, and Market Square.
There’s no need to travel for portraits—you’ll find greenery, water views, and historic architecture all within walking distance. And after your vows? Head around the corner to one of the city’s incredible restaurants for a private dinner or reception.
Prescott Park is public, so you’ll need a city permit to host your ceremony there, but for couples looking for a low-key, wildly scenic spot that feels like a blend of garden and harbor—it’s hard to beat.
Location: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Guest Capacity: Best for small weddings and elopements (think 2–30 people).
What’s Cool: Gardens, history, and waterfront all in one spot. LGBTQIA+ inclusive, accessible, and surrounded by some of the best food and photo ops in the state.
If you’re dreaming of a cozy, coastal New England wedding with a little extra charm, Prescott Park could be a good idea. Remember to check with the City about current policies and procedures.
Flag Hill Distillery & Winery
Tucked into the countryside of Lee, New Hampshire, Flag Hill offers the perfect blend of rustic charm and relaxed celebration. With rows of lush grapevines, wide open fields, and a classic white barn, it’s one of the Seacoast’s most picturesque spots for a small wedding or microwedding that still feels grand.
Couples can exchange vows beneath a vine-covered arbor overlooking the vineyard or under a tent with the rolling hills as a backdrop. The on-site distillery and winery give your celebration a unique twist. Locally crafted wine, rum, and bourbon are made just steps away from where you’ll be sipping and celebrating.
The barn reception space is warm and welcoming, with exposed wood beams, soft lighting, and plenty of room for dinner, dancing, and heartfelt toasts. Everything can happen right on site, from the ceremony and cocktail hour to the last dance. It keeps the pace of the day easy and the moments meaningful.
Whether you’re planning an elopement, a dinner party for 50, or a full weekend celebration with your favorite people, Flag Hill’s natural beauty and thoughtful team make the experience feel effortless and special.
Location: Lee, New Hampshire
Guest Capacity: Up to 300, but especially great for intimate weddings of 25 to 75
What’s Cool: With a working vineyard and distillery on site, you can toast with locally made wine or spirits. Grab a bottle (or a few) to take home as a delicious souvenir.
A vineyard wedding in New Hampshire? It’s very real, and it’s more beautiful than you might expect. Flag Hill delivers all the scenic charm of wine country with just a little more fall foliage and cozy farm vibes.
A Private Residence
Okay, so technically, a private property is not a wedding venue, but I’m going to include it in my top 10. I think it’s something you should consider if you are interested in a New Hampshire wedding and you have access to a home or property that would be a great place to get married.
Many people shy away from private home weddings because of the overwhelm of planning a large gathering where there’s never been one before. But that’s why I recommend hiring a wedding planner (specifically Nicole Mower Weddings and Events)!
A wedding planner will save your sanity, soul, and pocketbook when it comes to planning a wedding at home. They can help you mire through permits, parking, and the logistics of how many porta potties you need.
Now, from a photographer’s perspective, a small wedding in a residence is a dream. It’s warm, welcoming, and if it’s a place that you’ve grown up in or a vacation residence, every nook and cranny has meaning and memories. It makes for personal photos that can be special for you and extended family members, and I love that so very, very much.
Location: You tell me, and I am there for it.
Guest Capacity: Depends on the size of the residence.
What’s Cool: This amazing person. Nicole Mower Weddings and Events. Her help and insight into planning a residential wedding is *chefs kiss*.
Airbnbs in New Hampshire for Small Weddings
An Airbnb or rental house can be an excellent option for smaller, intimate weddings. It’s a growing trend for couples who want a unique, private setting in a beautiful location without the traditional venue structure.
Airbnb Wedding Venue NH
A quick word of caution: Always check with the property owner and Airbnb’s terms of service before booking. Some rentals don’t allow events due to owner preferences, local ordinances, or zoning restrictions.
The best part? Many properties are already beautifully styled, so you can find something that matches your wedding aesthetic without needing to bring in much extra decor.
You can get creative with the space. Use the outdoor area for your ceremony, host a cozy dinner inside, or kick back on the deck with your people as the sun sets.
Airbnb Small Wedding Venue in New Hampshire
Even with a smaller wedding, it’s worth having a coordinator to help manage logistics. They can make vendor recommendations, help with timelines, and build in a Plan B if weather’s a factor.
Location: Everywhere. From mountain cabins and waterfront homes to treehouses, yurts, and houseboats—New Hampshire has it all.
Guest Capacity: Varies by property. Some allow small gatherings but limit the number of people who can sleep overnight, so plan accordingly.
What’s Cool: If you fall in love with the place, you can come back for anniversaries or weekend getaways and relive the memories.
Small venues are ideal for couples looking for an intimate setting in New Hampshire for their wedding.
When it comes to weddings, bigger isn’t always better. In fact, smaller events can be more personal and intimate than a larger wedding with hundreds of guests that often get lost in the shuffle.
Many New Hampshire wedding locations offer everything you need, from catering to accommodations at very competitive prices—all while providing a personalized experience.
If you have questions on the venues or just want some advice about locations in New Hampshire for your microwedding or small wedding, then get in touch. I’m always happy to help you find your perfect spot!
And if you are looking for a local New England photographer who LOVES small weddings, definitely contact me here or email me directly at Melissa@Melissakoren.com.