Featuring 26 restored original Shaker buildings, Canterbury Shaker Village has quietly become a wedding destination in recent years. “What makes the Village so unique for weddings is the variety of venues we feature on the property,” said Leslie Nolan, executive director.
These venues range from authentic, rustic buildings and barns to more modern gathering spaces. The Village also features a large grassy lawn that overlooks gardens to the west, Turning Mill pond to the east, and rolling mountains to the south.
For Casey Bukowski, who was married there in 2022, the Village was particularly unique because it enabled her to personalize her experience. “I wanted to take a lot of the planning on myself as a way to save money, so I was very serious about the work I was doing to plan it,” she said.
Regarding what initially attracted her to the Village for her wedding, Bukowski cited its architecture, historical significance, and “beautiful natural setting.” “It’s a small community within a small community, so it’s very intimate,” she said.
“Impressed” by her personal experience, she is now coordinating weddings for the Village beginning in 2023. Referring to the cost as “reasonable,” Bukowski said she “wants other couples to have access to this acclaimed space.” “I want to provide them with support along the way to make it uniquely their own,”she said.
Nolan agreed and added, “If you are looking for the classic, quintessential wedding experience, you will find it at Canterbury Shaker Village.”
To learn more about weddings, email weddings@shakers.org.
About Canterbury Shaker Village
Featuring 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens, nature trails, and mill ponds under permanent conservation easement, the Village is designated as a National Historic Landmark with 25 restored original Shaker buildings and 4 reconstructed Shaker buildings. In addition to tours, exhibits, and programs, Canterbury Shaker Village provides wonderful, relaxing, and beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces for weddings and events.
Canterbury Shaker Village is a member of the NH Heritage Museum Trail, which connects the public with culturally rich heritage institutions in New Hampshire. For more information about The Trail, visit nhmuseumtrail.org.