Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1198098
99 overlooking Rockport Harbor and a second- floor reception area with water views as well. "Who doesn't want to get married on a stage with the ocean as a backdrop?" says Michelle Alekson, director of rental events at SLPC. " You look out over beautiful Cape Ann and it's not uncommon to see a boat or seagull passing by. The view is dramatic regardless of the weather. In fact, a storm can be even more dramatic." "Most of the weddings we do are smaller, 100 guest or less," says Kate Monteiro of Stoneham-based Capers Catering, one of SLPC's preferred caterers. "And seated dinners work really well." Wildly popular are the passed mini lobster rolls and fresh- caught cod loin and local veggies. Essex- based Timothy S. Hopkins Catering takes the same locavore approach, offering starters like yam croquettes with bacon, maple, and cheddar and entrées like New England crab cakes with remoulade sauce. In an Orchard How about getting hitched in an apple orchard? You can at Connemara House, a 1920s Georgian Colonial–style mansion in Topsfield with its own tent surrounded by fruit trees, fields, and a pond. "You feel like you're Beauport Cruiselines beauportcruiselines.com Beauport, Sleeper- McCann House historicnewengland.org/ property/beauport-sleeper- mccann-house/ Briar Barn Inn bramblehospitality.com in the middle of the country, it's so quiet and secluded," says Deborah Guinee, property owner with her husband. "You can do smaller weddings inside the house, which seats up to 125, or larger ones inside the tent, which seats 200." Preferred caterers, like Relish Catering and Events in Manchester-by-the-Sea, harvest Connemara House's vegetables and orchard fruits to create noshes like bountiful bruschetta bars served in a wooden wagon as well as caramel apples and cider donuts. In a Downtown Loft Want edgy and industrial for your nuptials? Look no further than Olio, the renovated former 1921 Strand Theatre in Peabody, owned by event planner Sarah Narcus and her mother. Roomy enough to seat 250 guests with dancing, the 6,000-square-foot loft has salvaged wooden floors, striking concrete walls, 15-foot windows, and up to 40-foot ceilings. "Most couples have the ceremony in the park across the street or in front of the loft's windows," says Narcus. "But no wedding looks the same here because we fit the space to suit each couple." Indeed, past weddings have ranged from boho with a big 'ol BBQ to Venetian romance with real candles and a multicourse tasting. Vinwood (left, below) creates memorable clambakes and is the exclusive caterer for Beauport Cruiselines (top left). Connemara House (bottom) is another hidden gem on the North Shore, offering couples a stately manse surrounded by charming orchards. Connemara House connemarahousefarm.com Olio oliopeabody.com Peabody Essex Museum pem.org Shalin Liu Performance Center rockportmusic.org PHOTOGRAPHS, TOP TO BOTTOM, COURTESY OF BEAUPORT HOSPITALITY GROUP, COURTESY OF VINWOOD CATERERS, AND BY BHARAT PARMAR PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY OF CONNEMARA HOUSE