By ROGER AMSDEN

LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA — The Lakes Region offers an astonishing variety of settings for a wedding, ranging from mountaintops with views of the lakes and mountains, waterfront settings, and farms and historic buildings with rustic charm..

One of  the venues with a special charm for those who appreciate the area’s history is the 1823 Belknap Mill, which is located next to the Winnipesaukee River and Rotary Riverside Park in Downtown Laconia.

The mill is more than 190 years old and has been beautifully restored, with interior brick walls, tall windows and exposed beams, and yet with all the modern amenities to make for a lifetime of memories.

Jennifer Anderson, who books weddings at the mill, says that a wedding on the steps of the outdoor gazebo,  surrounded by flowering peach trees, is part of the special memories made at the mill.

“We have  seats for up to 120 people with a built-in dance floor and the kind of rustic charm that people are looking for,” says Anderson, pointing out that Riverside Park with its gazebo is a city park and that reservations for use of the park must be made through Laconia Parks and Recreation Department.

She says the warm, gorgeous atmosphere is positively shimmering at night and that weddings can start outside and move inside.

Downtown Laconia offers free parking and the mill has an elevator, making it easier for older members of the bride’s and groom’s families to reach the reception area. An on-site kitchen is available for caterers or pot-luck offerings.

There’s also a historic museum on the first floor and a gift shop that features locally handcrafted gifts ranging from jewelry to pottery.

Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough

Castle in the Clouds, located at the1914 historic Lucknow estate, is one of the premier wedding venues in the Lakes Region.

Offering 180-degree views of Lake Winnipesaukee, the arts and crafts architectural style of the castle provides unique settings for a memorable wedding.

One of the spots is the Castle Garden with a manicured oval lawn bordered by stanchions spilling with flowers and a Gilded Age fountain.

Another is the Carriage House Terrace, with panoramic views creating the ideal outdoor space for any cocktail hour. Vintage trolleys transport guests to The Carriage House Terrace.

And what reception would be complete without the Winnipesaukee Room, designed with exceptional views, exposed beams and wrought iron railings and banisters. The Winni Room, as it is commonly referred to, can hold up to 200 people.

Jessica Raymond, wedding and events coordinator, says the Castle offers trolley service to and from ceremony site, white garden ceremony chairs, Chivalry reception chairs, Reed and Barton silverware, glassware, ivory linens and the dance floor.

About 35 weddings a year take place at the Castle, with some now being held at the Carriage House during the winter.

Contigiani’s Catering Service

A company with a long track record of handling weddings is Contigiani’s Catering Service of Gilford, which provides a  full range of wedding services.

“We have put together a wonderful reception package to help you in planning your wedding day. It includes many additional amenities, because this day should be perfect,”  says Stacey Dearborn of 
Contigiani’s. “If you need a cash bar at the reception, Contigiani’s has an off-premise liquor license to serve your guests. We are fully insured and equipped with professional bartenders.”

Popular facilities include Pheasant Ridge Golf Club in Gilford, the Belknap Mill, American Legion and VFW in  Laconia and the Waukewan Golf Course in Meredith.

“If you desire a wedding reception at your home or outdoors, Contigiani’s can set up and serve you at any location. We are fully equipped with china and linen specific for your event. Contigiani’s supplies cooking stoves, refrigeration, and water supplies used by our staff during the event. We can assist you with the organization of wedding details, such as tent rental, placement of tables and chairs, bar area, dance floor, and buffet stations,” says Dearborn.

Currier Hill Farm, Loudon

Located in the center of Loudon, the Currier Hill Farm is a family-operated wedding venue with 150 acres of apple trees, open fields, and mountain vistas. Prepare for the day in the farmhouse, built in the late 1800s, followed by a ceremony in the garden, beneath the shade of White Birch trees.

Newlyweds can celebrate with family and friends in the orchard while the sun sets behind the mountains. There are choices of an intimate spring wedding accented by apple blossoms, or a grand fall affair surrounded by red apples and colorful foliage with stunning views.

Greg Colarusso, along with his wife, Diane, coordinate events at Currier Hill Farm. He grew up at the orchard, where his mother resided until her passing in 2016. He looks forward to creating beautiful memories for brides and grooms for years to come.

Beane Conference Center, Laconia

Whether you need a small area for 10-20 people to hold a meeting or a larger space for a reception, wedding or special occasion, the Beane Conference Center is the perfect choice.

“With over 4,700 square feet of street-level space and accommodations for up to 210 guests and handicapped access, the Beane Conference Center offers a comfortable setting for a special occasion or a wedding,” says Craig Beane.

The center is equipped with full sound system, with two flat-screen LED TVs and microphone setup, making it perfect for multimedia presentations and live entertainment.

People who choose the air-conditioned facility can make arrangements with their choice of caterers.

Mill Falls at the Lake

Located in Meredith Bay on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, Mill Falls offers two outstanding wedding venues.

Church Landing offers sensational views and lush green lawns and accommodates up to 230 guests in a banquet setting with a polished wooden dance floor of the Winnipesaukee Ballroom offers your guests the ultimate gathering location.

Church Landing also provides an outdoor waterfront setting for the ceremony and/or cocktail reception.

The flagship Ballroom at Chase House is designed for an intimate Lake Winnipesaukee wedding. The colorful gardens offer guests a unique experience. Nestled across the street from the lake, the Flagship Ballroom can accommodate up to 120 of guests in a banquet setting with a dance floor. A lush grass patio is also available for your ceremony and/or cocktail reception.

The experienced wedding team at Mill Falls is available to discuss its Serenity Season, January  through April and November and December wedding specials, which offer great savings, including 20 percent off the ballroom rental.

Waukewan Golf Club

Located in a historic post-and-beam structure erected in 1890, coupled with beautifully manicured grounds bordered by mountain ranges, the Waukewan Golf Club in Center Harbor offers the ideal setting for a reception dinner, wedding ceremony, and wedding reception.

The facilities can accommodate up to 175 guests and feature a full-service bar, large dance floor with fieldstone fireplace and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Kim Hale says, “We have recently updated the interior of our facility by adding pine flooring throughout the balcony seating area, vineyard wine barrel floating flooring on the main level, a newly designed bar featuring a pine bar top, new cabinetry and appliances, reclaimed barn board, hemlock ceiling, wrought iron bracketry and railings, and original exposed barn wood that had been covered by sheetrock and plaster over the years.”

She says the golf club can help plan a dream wedding and that a variety of catering choices are available.

Kimball Jenkins Estate

A historic Concord home, the Kimball-Jenkins Estate offers a perfect venue for celebrations from 30 to 300 guests.

This venue was originally the private residence of the Kimball family. The elegant Victorian mansion and gardens as well as the casual Carriage House will give guests a memorable experience at this historical estate.

Built between 1877 and 1882, the magnificent brick-and-granite house is referred to by locals as “The Mansion.” Featuring ornate woodwork, marble fireplaces and frescoed ceilings, the home is an outstanding example of Victorian architecture, and is considered by many to be the heart of the Kimball-Jenkins Estate.

Carolyn (Kimball) Jenkins, the last heir of the Kimball-Jenkins line, left the estate as a gift to the people of Concord after her death in 1981. To help support the operation of the estate, both galleries and gardens are available for rent for private events such as wedding receptions, corporate meetings and social gatherings.