Vermont is yummy. It’s all pretty landscape, fresh air, and an ambiance that just breathes. And through the lens of Dave Robbins Photography’s camera, it’s perfect. Especially when said lens is pointed at a wedding so elegant. TRUE Event was behind the soiree, so it’s no surprise that it’s amazing, but somehow I was still shocked at the utter hugeness of my smiles after spending time in the gallery. And as an extra treat, make sure to tune in tomorrow morning for the highlight film from this beautiful day thanks to Hello Super Studios!
From the lovely bride … We had a vision of a venue where our guests could spend the greater part of the weekend together. A place naturally beautiful, but yet unexpected. Somewhere rustic, yet elegant. When we stepped foot on Riverside Farm in Pittsfield we knew it was the place – the ONLY place – to host the wedding we envisioned. Being the creative spirit that I am (code for detail obsessed), I loved (and at times was terrified) that the farm was a blank canvas. The barns provided “the rustic” backbone, but “the elegant” was up to our imaginations. Insert the most AMAZING and talented group of wedding vendors who helped bring every detail you see onto the farm, staged to perfection. Sarah True and Caitlin Campbell from TRUE Event took all the creative cues I threw their way and executed to perfection in partnership with Liz Cotter of Riverside, Nancy Murray from a Schoolhouse Garden, the team from Cloud 9 Catering … the list goes on and on…
The weekend kicked off with a Welcome Party complete with local food, local brews, a blue grass band, custom-made cornhole set and a s’more bar by the outdoor fire pit. We wanted night one to be casual so that our guests were wowed by how the farm could transform into an upscale, elegant and romatic venue for our wedding day with the appropriate vintage décor.
So onto the BIG day! What was most important to us was the way our guests felt. It breaks my heart to think that not every person will remember all the design touches, but our minister reminded us that the way a wedding makes you feel is what is remembered long after the last crumbs of wedding cake are swept off of the floor. We knew two things when we got started. 1. We wanted to embrace and blend with the natural surroundings 2. We wanted every last detail from the personal vows and carefully selected readings we shared during our ceremony to the ski-themed details peppered throughout the day to reflect who we are as a couple. Thanks to Emily Hostetler at Paper Moss and my friend Lauren Wiernasz for executing all the paper details that set the tone to perfection.
We wanted our guests to leave with warm hearts from sharing in the celebration of a couple so deeply in love. I wrote a poem for Don that I surprised him with during our ceremony and a quote from this was repeated on our cocktail napkins and was also made into a custom letterpress print I gave Don as a wedding gift. Guests signed an assortment of VT post cards that my mom has been sending us over the past few months – an amazing reminder of the continued love and support from our family and friends.
And the Anthropologie-inspired cocktail hour! From the murano glass chandeliers that hung over the custom-made bar to the vintage seating areas provided by Sassafras Vintage Rentals, guests could enjoy the foliage and sunset through the clear top tent. And the food, to die for! Cloud 9 Catering exceeded our expectations with local fall-inspired flavors. As guests transitioned into the Stonewall Barn for the reception, they found ski passes with vintage mountain prints strung between old wooden skis . The barn was breathtaking with a long kings table down the middle lit by an assortment of vintage crystal chandeliers above a stream of flowers and candles shimmering in mercury glass. The barn, thanks to Suzanne B. Lighting, had a warm, romantic amber glow.
Don and I danced to “Wagon Wheel,” a song we heard and fell in love with in the ski lodge one day during our beloved après ? Our band, Red Hook Orchestra was PHENOMINAL and guests ate, drank and danced the night away. Looking back, it all goes by so fast, which is why having an amazing photographer (Dave Robbins) and videographer (Megan from Hello Super Studios) are the best gift you can give to yourself. We keep our love for one another alive every day, but these mementos will remind us of the magic of the day we said “I Do” for the rest of our lives.
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Photography: Dave Robbins Photography | Venue: Riverside Farm, Site Coordinator: Liz Cotter | Event Planning & Design: TRUE Event | Cinematography: Hello Super Studios | Floral Design and Vintage Chandeliers: A Schoolhouse Garden | Catering: Cloud 9 Catering | Invitations and Paper Accessories: Paper Moss | Paper Details: Lauren Weirnasz | Lighting: Suzanne B. Lowell Lighting Design | Vintage Furniture Rentals: Sassafras Vintage Rentals | Burlap Singage: victorianstation | Welcome Party Band: Bondville Boys | Ceremony Music: Mark Harding Trio | Bride’s Dress: Anne Barge from Cristina’s | Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman | Bride’s Earing: Kate Spade | Bride’s Hair Fascinator: LoBoheme | Bridesmaid Dresses: Lula Kate | Groom and Groomsman Suits: J.Crew | Groom’s Tie: Armani | Groom’s Custom Cufflinks: tomatomade | Hair: Rachel Cushing from Salon Acote | Makeup Artist: Vivian Infantino | Calligraphy: Kristen Henderson | Officiant: Reverend Doctor Dennis B. Calhoun