I'm 38 this month and attending the wedding of my best friend, also 38, this weekend.

My wife and I will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary this year.

Besides the Black Diamond meetings, Justin's BP meetup and the meetings Paul mentioned there is the NEREIA in Chelmsford (Last meeting would have been last Wed but was canceled for the snow storm), the Boston AREIA in Medford and @Mike Hurney has a couple meetings on the North Shore.

They meet the second Wed of the month.

Not when you likely have some wedding plans to deal with.As Josh said, more info will be needed before people can start to be helpful.

Since then, everything has gone great but my savings hasn't grown as quickly as I'd hoped (apparently weddings cost money). 

Not sure what kind of photo work you do but if it's things like portraits or weddings and those are in the evening or on weekends, that could allow parts of the days that could be put to doing your woodworking.

My guess is it was used for receptions, parties, weddings.

For a house that big I feel like it would be a LTR unless you have a specific idea for it (ie like a wedding venue house or something like that).

I have an interesting opportunity to co-sign on a property that has been rented out via Airbnb and Weddings.