The Barn at Union Lake Orchard - Barrington, NH

You know how sometimes you just have the urge to be different in some way. Maybe you really love the look of barn venues but, for whatever reason, you don’t want to book one of the venues your friends were married at. Well, I’ve got something to share that might just fit what you’re looking for. This venue is brand new but still has a lot of the charm associated with older, repurposed barn venues. It’s called the Barn at Union Lake Orchard and it is pretty impressive when you stop and take it all in.

Located in Barrington, New Hampshire, the Barn at Union Lake Orchard is set atop a field of peach trees. I had the pleasure of visiting earlier this week and spoke with Karen and Ryan Cavalry about the property and what made it special in its own unique way. Both were incredibly friendly and answered every question I had. While it turned out to be another wet April day, the character of the space really came through. Having only been open a few short months last year, the barn is eagerly awaiting happy couples to create life-long memories here. It is open seasonally from May through October and can hold a total of 150 people within its timber framed walls.

The barn is an entirely new structure on the property which surprised me quite a bit at first. This isn’t to say that it looks old or rundown because nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, it looks like it was always there, part of the land, the property. There’s just something about the way it was built and the stance it has that makes it feel like it belongs there as much as the grove of trees surrounding it. Speaking of the barn, and how impressive it is, I was told that it wouldn’t have come together without the tireless help of friends and family during the construction. This was quite inspiring to hear and only strengthened the idea that this particular venue stands for something special - that the love and care shown by all those who helped make it what it is can easily be felt by those who spend any amount of time there. Even today, family members help staff each event to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible. Truly a place that has its heart front and center.

Inside the barn, there is a loft-like area for the dj or band to set up. This would give a very different feel to the reception as the entertainment would be coming from a higher vantage point. I find that these types of setups often bring more energy to the guests as there are things happening on different levels. It’s clear that a lot of thought went into creating an atmosphere worthy of once in a lifetime celebrations. Ceremonies can be held inside or out thanks to a large field of grass to the side of the barn. I can only imagine how beautiful it must look when the orchard is in full bloom.

There is a lot to like about a venue like this. The quality and care put into building something that seems so “original” in its environment. The traditional look paired with nature. The friendly people working behind the scenes to make your memories as magical as you want them to be. A special thanks goes out to the many people who gave, and continue to give, their time and effort to make this wonderful place a reality. If you’d like to explore this venue for yourself I encourage you to check out www.facebook.com/unionlakepeachorchard; you won’t be disappointed.