The Highlands Inn is the perfect place to celebrate your commitment! We are one of very few inns or resorts dedicated to serving the lesbian community, and we're located in a state where lesbian couples can be legally married! We hosted our first commitment ceremony in 1985. Since then, hundreds of couples have held civil union and commitment ceremonies at the Inn. And of course most couples stay on for their honeymoon!

We are uniquely prepared to help you have a perfect wedding!

 

 

Marriages and Civil Unions

New Hampshire civil unions that took place prior to January 1, 2010, can easily be changed to marriages. Couples who are already in a New Hampshire civil union can either get a marriage license for a new ceremony or change the civil union to a marriage at no cost after January 1, 2010. In order to convert to marriage, they must apply at the clerk's office where their civil union was recorded. Couples who choose not to take action will have their unions automatically converted to marriages on January 1, 2011.

There is no requirement that you must be New Hampshire residents or that you plan to become NH residents, and there is no waiting period to receive your license.

Marriage license: Same-gendered couples can now apply for a marriage license at any New Hampshire town or city clerk's office.  All couples whether same-gendered or differently-gendered will use the same application form.

Both members of the couple must appear in person. You must bring photo IDs and proof of age. If either or both of you are divorced or widowed, you must also bring a copy of your final divorce decree and/or spouse's death record. When the application is complete, the clerk will prepare the license, which is valid for not more than 90 days.

The license fee is $45, payable to the town clerk when you apply for the license. After obtaining the license, you will need to have the marriage certified in a ceremony performed by either a New Hampshire Justice of the Peace (JP) or clergy member.

We recommend that you make arrangements for your New Hampshire wedding well in advance. You will need to obtain a license from a New Hampshire city or town clerk. Any NH city or town clerk can issue a license. However, many town clerks' offices are only open part-time, so you should contact the town clerk where you're planning to apply for your license to determine their hours of operation. Also, you will need to make arrangements with a JP or clergy member to perform the ceremony, and you may want to spend some time talking with this person about what you would like your ceremony to include.

We have all the contact info that you will need: town clerks, JPs, and clergy in our area. However, you will need to contact these folks directly to make arrangements for your ceremony. Our NH Weddings info sheet contains contact info for town clerks, JPs, and clergy in our area. To receive a copy, please click here to send us an e-mail and put "Wedding info" in the subject.

We usually have two or three large ceremonies each year, when the entire Inn is rented for the occasion. However, most of our ceremonies simply involve the couple, sometimes with a few close friends or family. Please let us know what you'd like to do, and we will make every effort to be sure it happens! We'll help you find everything and everyone you'll need for a perfect ceremony - a minister if you wish, florist, caterer, tent rental, musicians - you name it!

Whether your ceremony is small or large, we are ready to help you plan the perfect event! Our supportive atmosphere, romantic guest rooms, gorgeous sunsets, and quiet moonlit nights provide an ideal setting for this very special time.

 

Wedding Package

Our Wedding Package includes your room with private bath, the services of a Justice of the Peace or clergy member, an 8-inch cake, champagne with two commemorative champagne glasses, a fresh floral arrangement, a basket full of treats and surprises, and breakfast in your room one morning (not available in Farmhouse). Packages range from $680 for a 3-night stay in a double bed room to $1,010 for a 3-night stay in our deluxe queen room. Longer or shorter stays are available.

Please note that the package does not include the $45 license fee, payable directly to the town clerk.

To receive our NH Weddings info sheet, please send us this e-mail and put "Wedding info" in the subject. You'll hear from us soon!

FROM A FEW OF THE COUPLES ...

The evening was just perfect and absolutely one we'll never forget! The details were touching and amazing; from the chilled champagne upon our arrival, to the friendly staff and guests we had never met coming up and congratulating us at the party, the nervousness creeping in as we counted down to midnight, and then being whisked over to the fireplace, complete with fresh flowers, for our Civil Union. We especially loved the very personal and meaningful double-ring ceremony Maria, our JP, prepared for us. It was so emotional after sixteen years together, knowing that our relationship was finally validated and legally recognized by the State of New Hampshire. We also felt the true meaning of "family" with everyone from the party joining around us to witness history, and were honored that we could be a part of it. Grace even surprised us after the ceremony with a big cake and more champagne!  We can't say enough about our hosts Grace and Maria, all the guests at the Inn, and the DJ for providing such a welcoming and joyous atmosphere. Thank you so much and we look forward to the time when we can come back to the Inn to celebrate when our relationships become recognized nationwide! Carrie & Lucie, New Hampshire

"Nothing could have been more perfect! Having our ceremony at the Highlands allowed our guests (and us) to stay right on site and relax all weekend. We got to spend over two days with our loved ones at this very important time in our lives. Everyone raved about the beauty of the setting, the pool, the guest rooms, and the uniqueness of our ceremony. Looking back we would not have done anything differently! Grace and her staff were incredible. From referrals to logistics, they really helped us create our wedding." Barbara & Heidi, Washington, DC

"A special thanks to you from us for all of your help and support. It's so nice to have such wonderful people to work with, especially when your wedding is 300 miles from home!" Kelli & Joan, Connecticut

"The Highlands Inn was the perfect spot for our ceremony. The setting was beautiful! It provided us with a rare opportunity to bring the many people of our lives together in one place to help us celebrate this special occasion. It felt like a true community of friends and family gathered together to celebrate with us." Mandy & Wendy, New Hampshire

 

Honeymoons

The Highlands Inn is the perfect place to spend your honeymoon! We have two fabulous honeymoon packages.

Our Special Honeymoon Package includes your room with private bath, a fresh floral arrangement, a basket full of treats and surprises, breakfast in your room one morning (not available in Farmhouse), and champagne with two commemorative champagne glasses!

The Deluxe Honeymoon Package includes everything in the Special Package PLUS ONE HOUR OF MASSAGE.

Three-night Special Packages start at $430 per couple for a standard double bed room; four-night Deluxe Packages start at $650 for a double bed room. Rates are higher for rooms with a queen or king-size bed. Longer stays are available for both packages.

Add a gourmet cake to your celebration! With either of our honeymoon packages, we'll order you a festive cake made especially for you by one of our local gourmet bakers. Cakes start at $25.

For more information about weddings and honeymoons, please phone Grace at 603-869-3978.