This heartfelt winter wedding is bursting with love. Caroline and Poorang changed their wedding plans from sunny California to snow-covered Vermont so that the bride’s mother, who was battling brain cancer, could be by her side on her special day. Caroline wanted nothing more than for her mother to watch her walk down the aisle, and with the help of both LVL Weddings & Events and Blissfully Styled, created a cold-weather wonderland worthy of a fairytale in 10 days. From start to finish the affair was a beautiful celebration of life and love. See all the joyful details in the full gallery.
From LVL Weddings & Events… This wedding has a special story. When Caroline asked us to plan her wedding in 10 days we made it happen with the help of Hoo Films, Jana Williams, and the Stowe Vermont community. Snow-covered scenery, rich hues, and lots of love made for a truly romantic experience. Tables were covered in white and burgundy blooms and lots of candlelight for a magical reception moment. It was a moving experience for all and a special memory that the couple will forever hold dear in their hearts. We were honored to help Caroline and Poorang plan such a love-filled day.
From the Bride… For my husband and I our wedding day was genuinely our “best day ever!” My love proposed 5 years after we met and for my second (and last) trip to the alter, I wanted a big big wedding and was so excited to plan all the details! But, just a couple days following our engagement, my mom was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. We set a date for 5 months out, however, her prognosis worsened and we decided to take no chances on her being able to be a part of our day and fully enjoy it. We were already planning to be with family for Christmas and decided we would get married during that trip, in 10 days, 3,000 miles away, in Stowe, VT, a town neither my husband or I had ever been to.
We were encouraged to a simple ceremony merely for my mom to be a witness to the marriage. Friends and family and even my planner said “get married in Stowe and you can have the big party later in the year.” But, I wanted the wedding day itself to be more than a transaction to legalize love; I wanted it to be meaningful, memorable and romantic and it proved to be exactly that.
With only 10 days to plan, we got focused on the most essential things for us: our vows, our rings, a pretty setting, bridal clothes to create a wedding photo to cherish, a bouquet for me and a white cake. Even this short list of important things took a collection of amazing people to make it happen.
My dress (a sample in perfect condition) was altered in less than 24 hours (with 3 fittings); our rings were rushed to be sized and engraved (although not with the date because we weren’t certain what day it would be), my husband bought a wedding suit from Nordstroms and had it altered. Meanwhile, in Stowe, we found a gorgeous venue that was fully booked for dinner but they graciously agreed to open for lunch if we would have an afternoon reception; this created the most romantic backdrop for our happiness complete with candles and a wood burning fire. The menu would be their standard menu with no customizations, and it was divinely good. The iconic Stowe Community church was available for an early afternoon wedding complete with a pipe organ and chimes that rung as we left as newlyweds. The florist had another wedding but agreed to do our florals and deliver them early.
On our wedding morning, I receive the most heartfelt note from my Planner focusing me on being fully present in each moment of the day. This was the best advice. The day was magical! Only our immediate family was present (18 of us in all) and that made it even more special. I proudly walked down the aisle with my mom and dad! My brother-in-law served as best man. My nieces had planned to be maids of honor and on the eve of our wedding day, my nephews said they wanted to be groomsmen and stand beside my husband.
On my wedding day, I experienced the most profound sense of joy I have ever felt! I was marrying the love of my life surrounded by the most important people in our lives, our family. When I think about that day, my heart is overjoyed at how much happiness surrounded us. I think about looking in my love’s eyes as we exchanged our love for each other and vowed to love each other forever, I think about the Pastor who after only meeting us once, delivered a matrimonial service that was so tenderly specific just for us. I think about the photographer and videographer who left their own families on Christmas to be with us and capture the beauty of the day and our family’s last celebration with my mom. I feel my mom and dad’s arms intertwined with mine as I walked down the aisle and I thought how complete this moment was and smiled. I think of every mile traveled by our family to be there on our special day. I think of the snow gently falling from the sky giving the most perfect background through the three walls of windows to our luncheon at a table overflowing with winter white blooms, real candle light and the smell of a wood-burning fire. I remember the beauty of walking into a room for lunch that was glowing and more gorgeous than I ever could have planned – snowing falling, candles lit and wood burning fire in the fire place – gentle harp music in the background and my parent’s cake-topper atop a simply elegant white cake with the must have gold band to match the gold satin on my dress.
On our wedding day our love for each other was exploding out of us! All our expectations were exceeded and it could not have been better if we had unlimited time and resources to plan it! Most of all, the best part of this day is that it happened because of my mom, for my mom and it will be forever entwined with it one of the fondest remembrances of my mom!
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Photography: Jana Williams Photography | Flowers: Bramble Bloom | Cake: North County Cakes | Makeup : Elizabeth England Studios | Hair : Jessica Murphy Hair | Venue: Edson Hill | Video : Hoo Films | Wedding Planners: LVL Weddings & Events | Wedding Planners: Blissfully Styled Events