With the trees budding and blooming all around me, and the sweet smell of lilacs drifting through my window, I could not have found a more perfect soiree, filled with the most amazing light, and of course, the most beautiful flowers from The Painted Tulip, to celebrate this perfect Spring day. Brent Harrewyn Photography was able to capture the day in a way that makes us all giddy. Click here for the gallery, where we will be giddily taking in the sweet Vermont soiree all afternoon!
From The Painted Tulip … This spicy couple were destined to be together. Meeting on a soccer field in Vermont. They are the perfect fusion of Vermont and Guatamala and the wedding was exactly that.
The groom Alex moved to California with his family from Guatemala, and fate brought him to the Green Mountain State, where Beth had been born, raised, and re-rooted since graduating from McGill University in Montreal. The two wound up in the same small valley, and both signed up for Shelburne’s soccer team.
But fate didn’t do all the work: Alex and Beth were signed up for opposing teams, and met for the first time facing off against each other on the soccer field one night. Beth’s first impression of Alex was when she scored the winning goal against his team, and solidified a place in his (slightly defeated) heart.
Luckily, the teams were merged. Beth and Alex saw each other from time to time in downtown Burlington. As the summer stars shone on and fate helped here and there, accidental meetings and brief conversations evolved into planned encounters—and romance!
And then, the Doodle was born. Alex sometimes refered to Beth as his “Puchunguita,” an affectionate Spanish term that means “Little Bug.” Beth wanted to reciprocate and came up with, “Doodlebug,” a nonsense word that she connected with when describing the man who would later be her husband. It was shortened to “Doodle,” and from there it spiraled. The couple now has Doodle sweatshirts, personalized street signs, and everyone knows and uses their loving nicknames. Alex doesn’t even mind hearing a cheer for Doodle from the stands during a present-day soccer game; that’s love, folks.
In the small community of Vermont, wedding vendors often become very close with their clients, and beautiful new friendships are born from the relationship. Alex and Beth are friendly, outgoing people whose love of life is easy to become immersed in.
They were drawn to the Barn at Lang Farm for their cocktail hour, ceremony, and reception. The post-and-beam property drew them in immediately with its architectural details and the contrasting promise of both a vast party potential and intimate Vermont charm. The barn boasts attractive but humble details: a wrought iron chandelier, a bluestone patio, flooring from local hemlocks, authentic square nails, and a spectacular half-moon terrace.
The perfect ceremony was officiated by someone who was already a friend: Peter “The Reverand” Bertelloni. A big man, with a bigger heart, and the ability to command the attention of an entire barn’s worth of people. This was no cookie-cutter wedding, so the ceremony was led by words from within about a little girl who grew from pigtails to proms to professional life, as well as the man who became her soulmate.
The most important part of this wedding was after the ceremony: dancing! Dancing is culturally important to Alex and his family, and was inspired by local band “Queen City Hot Club.” Contagious rhythms kept the spirited crowd on their feet.
The amazing menu created by Chef Susanna Keefer of Susanna’s Catering incorporated local ingredients with an international inspiration was mouth-watering and memorable.
The flowers were passionately designed by the Painted Tulip Floral and Event Design. Nicole brought the devotion and knowledge of seasonal flowers to create the perfect wedding flowers in greens and whites. Her designs touched every part of the wedding, and were a glittering overlay to the beauty and warmth felt by all in attendance.
The grand finale to all the celebrating was the world’s most decadent cake, presented by a long-time family friend: Chef Jozef Harrewyn of the Chef’s Corner, in Williston.
Photography: Brent Harrewyn Photography / Floral design: The Painted Tulip / Venue: The Barn at Lang Farm / Invitations: Minted / Bar Service: Fluid Bar Service / Hair and Makeup: Urban Salon Team / Brides dress: Maggie Sottero / Cake: Chef Jozef Harrewyn of Chef’s Corner / Catering: Susanna’s Catering / Entertainment: Queen City Hot Tub