As an avid pickleball player myself (thanks to my parents, who even lined their driveway for neighborhood games!), I’ve documented dozens of wedding weekends featuring various activities. While I’ve captured 5K runs, beach games, scenic hikes, and tennis matches, I’ve only filmed one wedding that included pickleball, and I’m eagerly waiting to document more!
So if you are planning a wedding at Owl’s Nest Resort in Thornton, NH you’re in for a treat – especially if you or your guests love pickleball. According to their website, this stunning New Hampshire wedding venue recently earned recognition as a top 100 Pickleball Resort in the World by Tennis Resorts Online, featuring 13 world-class pickleball courts available May through October. (website screenshot below)
Why Owl’s Nest Resort is Perfect for Pickleball-Loving Couples
Owl’s Nest Resort combines mountain elegance with exceptional amenities (golf, spa, luxury accommodiatons), making it an ideal wedding destination for active couples. The resort’s championship pickleball courts provide the perfect pre-wedding activity to bring your friends and family together before the big day.
Here’s why pickleball is the perfect addition to your wedding weekend:
- Inclusive for Everyone Grandparents can play alongside your college friends. The game is accessible to all ages and skill levels, ensuring no one feels left out.
- Easy to Learn First-timers can pick up the basics in minutes, so even guests who’ve never held a paddle will be rallying by their second game.
- Naturally Social The compact court size keeps everyone engaged and chatting between points, helping guests who don’t know each other connect naturally.
- Low-Impact Fun Unlike more strenuous activities, pickleball won’t leave anyone too sore to dance at your reception.
If you aren’t getting married at Owl’s Nest there are other pickleball courts in the White Mountains, like these at The Club Up North in Glen, NH.
Last summer, I spent a few hours at my niece’s pickleball camp, creating a highlight film using just my iPhone. Even with minimal equipment, the video captured the essence of what makes pickleball special – the camaraderie, the friendly competition, and the pure joy of the game.
Pickleball Camp Video at McSheffrey’s Up North at Christmas Mountain in Glen, NH
Imagine your wedding film featuring not just the important moments from the actual marriage but experiences and laughs as your college roommate faces off against your future mother-in-law, or your cousin showing off their surprise pickleball skills!
Planning Your Wedding Pickleball Tournament
If you’re incorporating pickleball into your wedding weekend, here are tips for success:
Timing is Everything Schedule your tournament the day before the wedding or on the morning of your ceremony. This gives guests time to settle in and connect before the main event.
Provide Equipment Arrange for extra paddles and balls for guests who don’t have their own. See if your venue can help coordinate equipment needs.
Mix It Up Create mixed teams combining different friend groups and family sides. This helps guests mingle and breaks the ice naturally.
Keep Prizes Simple Consider custom water bottles, koozies, or other wedding weekend swag for tournament winners. Keep it lighthearted and fun.
Focus on Connection Remember, this is about bringing people together, not intense competition. Keep the atmosphere casual and celebratory.
Here I am playing indoor pickleball at the North Conway Community Center, and outside pickleball fun in the summer at The Club Up North in Glen, NH.
What Makes Owl’s Nest Resort Special
While the world-class pickleball courts are a standout feature, Owl’s Nest Resort offers everything needed for a spectacular New Hampshire wedding. Multiple ceremony and reception locations, mountain views, luxurious accommodations for your guests, on site golf, a spa, and more!
Whether you’re an avid pickleball player or simply looking for a unique way to bring your wedding guests together, Owl’s Nest Resort in Thornton, NH delivers an unforgettable wedding weekend experience.
Ready to capture your wedding – pickleball tournament and all? Let’s talk about creating a wedding film that showcases every aspect of your celebration.
Whether you choose Owl’s Nest Resort or another venue with pickleball facilities, adding this to your wedding weekend is sure to create memorable moments that your guests will talk about long after the wedding day itself.
Active Wedding Weekends: Beyond Pickleball
Pickleball isn’t the only way to bring guests together. I’ve filmed wedding weekends featuring morning golf scrambles, 5K runs, group yoga, beach games, a morning on the ski slopes, hiking adventures and beach olympics, like the video below from a wedding in Narragansett, RI.
Below a wedding at Bahia Beach in Puerto Rico – Pickleball & Tennis fun at 1 minute and 5.5 minutes in.
Here’s a wedding where the couple kicked off their weekend with a scenic 5K run (it starts 1 minute in):
These active moments add another layer to your story and wedding memory. Whether you’re planning pickleball, golf, tennis, beach games, or another active experience like a morning of skiing (see film below), I’d love to capture it all. Reach out so I can learn about your weekend wedding plans.
Wedding golf scramble at The North Conway Country Club the day of the welcome party!
Driveway Pickleball in the White Mountains!
