Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce

Photo's by Alexandra Roberts

Rivermill Putting Dover on Seacoast Marriage Map

DOVER, NH - It’s no secret that Dover, New Hampshire is a city on the move. In recent months, Dover has not only emerged as New Hampshire’s fastest growing city, but has also been heralded as one of CNN/Money Magazine’s Top 100 Best Places to Live in America and one of the America’s Promise Alliance’s 100 Best Communities for Young People.

Now, thanks to three prestigious awards garnered by Rivermill at Dover Landing, Dover is also quickly becoming a premier destination for weddings.

“We knew from the outset that Rivermill had the potential to be a huge success,” notes Britt Schuman, one of the entrepreneurs who comprise the Rivermill ownership team, “but we certainly didn’t expect to win three awards in our first year of existence. Needless to say, we’re both flattered and grateful to be receiving so much positive attention.”

Expected or not, the early accolades keep coming for the young business. Wedding Wire, a national wedding and event web site, presented Rivermill with a “Best Wedding Venue” award for the Boston Market, based on reviews from clients and wedding vendors). As recently as January, Rivermill was also selected as a 2012 winner in “The Knot Best of Weddings,” a special section in “The Knot” magazine and the “Weddings from The Knot” web site (NYSE: XOXO; www.theknot.com), the number-one wedding resource that’s most trusted by brides.

Closer to home, Rivermill was honored by local non-profit Dover Main Street with their highly coveted “Community Reinvestment Award,” recognizing not only the artful restoration of an historic space, but also the ownership team’s determined efforts to draw visitors to the downtown area.

“This is not an award that we give out very often,” acknowledges Carrie Eisner, Executive Director at Dover Main Street. “We awarded it to Rivermill because of the scope of their project, and because they’ve already done so much for local area businesses. They’re truly in this for the betterment of the Dover business community as much as they are for themselves.”

To Eisner’s point, Lafrance Hospitality, the group that manages three of Dover’s largest hotels - the Comfort Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites and the Hampton Inn - is one of a number of area businesses that has been directly impacted by Rivermill’s success.

“Wedding parties typically book anywhere from ten to thirty rooms, and often for multiple nights,” says Jennifer Lerz, Regional Sales Director at Lafrance Hospitality. “When one business suddenly begins to send you that many guests on a weekly basis, it obviously makes a tremendous difference. We’re extremely pleased to have Rivermill here in Dover, and I know that a lot of other local businesses are benefiting as well.”

Is it any wonder? After all, the wedding industry isn’t a multi-billion dollar business for nothing. Caterers, hair stylists, hotels, cake makers, disk jockeys, makeup artists, photographers, bands, limousines, florists and rental companies are just a few of the many businesses who have a significant stake in the local wedding scene.

Local DJ Nate Downs has capitalized on the positive ripple effect created by Rivermill, booking several events in the early going, and with more inquiries and bookings coming every week.

“It’s been absolutely amazing for me,” says Downs. “It started with a single Rivermill booking and a favorable review from the client, and from there it’s just snowballed into a lot of business for me. The best part is that I live right here in Dover, so instead of traveling to the premier venues around the state like I’m used to doing, there’s now a premier venue in my own back yard.”

While Rivermill’s early success is impressive, it isn’t necessarily surprising when one considers the facts.

For starters, Dover is not only thriving, but as the nation’s seventh oldest permanent settlement, it is also unusually historic. Unlike many venues that suffer from the generic, “ballroom USA” look and feel, Rivermill places Dover’s unique heritage on full display. Its exposed brick and beam construction, towering windows and spectacular views give it a sense of metropolitan trendiness without sacrificing its New England charm.

In addition to its distinctive character, Rivermill’s downtown, riverside location is also a huge plus for couples looking to wow their wedding guests. Not only is the venue footsteps away from Dover’s finest restaurants and nightlife, but Dover itself is conveniently situated in close proximity to major highways and airports, and offers visitors easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, the White Mountains, and attractive tourist locales such as Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Boston, Massachusetts and Portland, Maine. Dover even serves as one of just three New Hampshire stops for the Amtrak Downeaster, a commuter train that shuttles between Boston and Portland.

Pair these inimitable features with a dynamic ownership team and a host of talented local vendors – all of whom are fair game for brides and grooms to choose from thanks to Rivermill’s “have it your way” philosophy – and suddenly this overnight success story seems more like the inevitable result of thorough planning and fortuitous timing.

For a tour of the Rivermill space, or to book an event, please visit www.rivermillnh.com.

• Dover residents can expect to see lots of brides and grooms in the downtown area, as the award-winning Rivermill at Dover Landing venue is rapidly turning Dover into a premier wedding destination.
• Located in the Picker Building adjacent to One Washington Center, the artfully restored Rivermill at Dover Landing can accommodate up to 350 guests, and includes space for wedding ceremonies as well as receptions.
• Lofty ceilings, exposed brick and beam construction, and soaring windows that offer expansive park and river views are just a few of the natural features that have helped Rivermill at Dover Landing attract dozens of soon-to-be-wed couples to the Dover area.