When David Mascia got a call from his son inviting him to New Hampshire for a visit, he was thrilled. It would be he and his wife Nancy Mascia’s first time in the Granite State. Following a brief conversation on the phone, plans were arranged for a September weekend spent in the northern part of the state.

“I never thought for a second we’d be leaving there with a new daughter-in-law,” Mascia said.

Peter, the son of David and Nancy, had relocated to New Hampshire from their home state in New Jersey with his fiance. Peter had arranged plans for the four of them to spend a weekend in North Conway, hiking and exploring the downtown shops.

“The first place they took us was that famous hotel with a red roof,” David Mascia said. “I gave my wife a look and thought, ‘who do they think is going to pay for this?’ ”

David said Peter and his girlfriend, Jessica, assured him and Nancy they were still only looking at venues and not making a final decision anytime soon.

The next morning’s agenda included some free, old-fashion activities: breakfast at the country store followed by a short hike.

“Nancy wasn’t thrilled to go hiking,” Mascia said. “We were close to telling them to go ahead without us, but we were only visiting for such a short time we figured ‘why not?’ ”

Upon reaching the trailhead of their destination, David Mascia said he could tell there was something else planned.

“The place was called Cathedral Ledge,” Mascia said.

Instead of a hike, their son continued driving up the auto road toward the peak.

“We reached the top and Jessica’s parents and grandparents were already up there,” Mascia said.

Jessica’s aunt, a licensed Justice of the Peace, officiated the ceremony.

“It was just such a wonderful surprise and they planned it out to be exactly what they wanted,” Mascia said. “The whole day was full of love and celebration for them, and I know it’s not the most important, but I didn’t have to dish out a dime.”