Vermont Weddings

The night before my wedding, I was a crazy ball of nerves. So swept up in the excitement of day to come, the only thing that eased those bride-to-be jitters was being surrounded by all my nearest and dearest. Sharing stories and laughs across the table at a rehearsal dinner just like this one. And in the realm of pre-wedding parties, this Vermont affair planned by Lauren Wells Events pretty much rocks. With the look and feel of a casual BBQ, it seems like the best way to spend an evening before the big “I do.” Feel free to browse the full gallery of goodness from Our Labor of Love, and stay tuned for the gorgeous wedding day coming up next!

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From the Bride…We had an intimate rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding with our family and wedding parties. Wanting it to be laid back and casual, we went for a BBQ theme. Following dinner. we had planned on having all of our guests join us for s’mores and cider at a welcome campfire. When the weather didn’t agree and we had to move the party inside, our amazing photographers set up the Smilebooth one night early. Having the opportunity to welcome everyone to Woodstock and having the time to truly talk to everyone that night allowed us to let loose and hit the dance floor during the reception. If possible, we highly recommend it! Knowing our flowers for the wedding were soft and romantic, all whites and creams, we wanted the rehearsal dinner to be as bright and fun as possible. We scrounged through antique stores in 5 different states looking for unique food-related tins, and whenever we found a Vermont syrup vintage can I would literally shout with glee. The beautiful floral hair garland was created by the Little Flower Shoppe, and the “survival kit” groomsmen kits were crafted by Matt, who handmade the boxes with white cedar.

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Photography: Jesse + Whitney of Our Labor of Love  | Event Planning + Design: Lauren Wells Events | Photobooth: Smilebooth  | Venue: Woodstock Inn | Floral Design: Little Flower Shoppe  | Music: Peter Miles | Bride’s Dress: For Love and Lemons via Cusp

If you’ve ever had the chance to take the drive up to Woodstock, Vermont, you know it’s just about one of the cutest places you ever did see. So when weddings from that quaint little place land in my lap, I take note. And when that wedding is from Kate Dawson of Storied Events? I stop everything I am doing to see what piece of perfection she whipped together for me to drool over today. And she definitely did not disappoint with this beauty, where every nook and cranny is filled to the brim with details, but most importantly, love. Lauren Methia Photography captured every moment so we don’t have to miss a single sweet touch, and you can see it all here.

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From the Bride… I am orginally from Chicago and my husband is from New York. We met in a bar in New York City on Halloween four years ago and have been together ever since. On our first weekends away together, he took me to his most favorite place, Vermont. During our stay, we visited Woodstock and had such a great time walking through the beautiful, quaint town, and enjoying the gorgeous landscape. We loved it so much that we returned each year for our anniversary on Halloween.

After we got engaged, there was some back and forth about where to get married with his family in New York and mine in Chicago but it didn’t take long for us to choose Woodstock, Vermont because that was “our” place. Since Woodstock is so small, it was the perfect location to be able to spend time with everyone as all of the weekend festivities were within steps of each other.

Our vision for the weekend was to make it fun! We created a madlib for our invitation response card, we brought lawn games for the cocktail hour, we served mac and cheese with dinner, we booked a fun band to pack the dancefloor, and we didn’t take anything too seriously. That’s why when the power went out two hours before the ceremony until the priest pronounced us husband and wife, we didn’t worry. It was the greatest day to be surrounded by everyone we loved and marrying our best friend! Not to mention, the candlelight ceremony was really romantic.

I spent a lot of time on SMP while engaged looking for wedding inspiration and I was very happy with how all of our little details turned out. I couldn’t have done it without the BEST wedding coordinator in the world, Kate Dawson, and I can’t say enough about our photographer, Lauren Methia, she captured the most incredible photos!

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Wedding Photography: Lauren Methia Photography | Wedding Venue + Catering: Woodstock Inn and Spa in Woodstock, Vermont | Wedding Coordination: Kate Dawson from Storied Events | Floral Design: Nancy Murray from A Schoolhouse Garden | Music: Sultans of Swing | Wedding Stationery: Regas Studio | Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Thread | Groom’s Attire: Ralph Lauren | Ties: Vineyard Vines

Oh France. You just know how to wrap me around me your pretty little finger, don’t you? And after seeing Montpellier through the talented lens of Shoot In Love via this completely perfect wedding, I do believe I’m wrapped that much tighter. Because this is the dreamiest of destination weddings complete with a guest list so awesome they all dressed in retro fo the ceremony. It doesn’t get much more fabulous than that, and you can see precisely what I am talking about right here.

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From Shoot In Love… Marie and Armand married in Montpellier in South France. They put a lot of care in details, old bike, old french car, candles, a lot of flowers. The wedding took place in two parts. First the civil ceremony, all the guests wore retro costumes. To go to the town hall, the couple had organized a cortege of bike.  After the first ceremony, they organized a beautiful “cérémonie laïque” outside. Laugh, tears, songs, braces it was a very emotional ceremony. The cocktail was a celebration of friendship and family, rhythm by old songs played on the accordion. 

From the Bride… The magical site, surrounded by old stone, our guest’s retro costumes, who all played the game, the whole procession accompanying us bike to City Hall…the sun, the excitement, surprises, smiles, love everywhere we look, made this day a wonderful memory…UNFORGETTABLE!

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Wedding Photography: Shoot In Love | Reception Venue: Mas de Causse in Montpellier, France | Floral Design: Bénédicte Enjalbert (marcani66@hotmail.com) | Catering: Vip Cook Traiteur | Wedding Dress: Cymbeline “Fadela” | Groom’s Attire: Marcel et Marcel | Hair + Makeup: Cyrielle Borg

Father of the Bride speeches are some of my all-time favorite wedding moments.  There’s just something so moving about hearing (and seeing) the love and affection between a father and his daughter that always, always takes my breath away.  And in the case of this beautiful bride and her papa, the love is literally bursting from the computer screen… and is the oh-so-perfect beginning to a film that was beyond stunningly captured by Unique Visions Studio and features minute after minute of pure lovely.  Don’t miss a second and push play.

And because we absolutely adored this film, we couldn’t help but ask our friends from Daria Bishop Photographers to share the goods they captured as well. And boy are we glad we did. Be sure to take a peek right here.

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From the Bride… David and I met during our freshman year at Georgetown University. We currently live in Manhattan, but initially considered celebrating our wedding at our alma mater; however Georgetown’s Dahlgren Chapel was likely to be undergoing renovations, putting a damper on our plans. As such, we started thinking more deeply about what kind of wedding we wanted to have. We were looking for someplace with natural beauty and a casual, but elegant feel to it. More importantly, we just wanted to throw a great party with our family and friends who would be traveling from all over the United States and Connecticut and my sister suggested that we check out Shelburne Farms.  The moment we drove through the gates, we knew that Shelburne Farms was the place and luckily, we were able to snag the last available date for 2012!

Our wedding day could not have been more perfect. From gorgeous weather to delicious food to a ridiculously fantastic band, we can easily say that it was the best days of lives! We were married in the spectacular St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral in Burlington, Vermont by my dear childhood friend, Father Sam Kachuba. Our cocktail reception was held on the shores of Lake Champlain with live acoustic guitar provided by Jonathan Harwood of EBE Rio (our unbelievable band) and appetizers including many local fruits, vegetables, cheeses and beers! With our closest friends and family present, we dined and danced the night away under twinkling lights inside the Coach Barn. We honestly don’t know what was a bigger hit – the photo booth or the make-your-own-sundae bar with Vermont’s own Ben and Jerry’s ice cream!

We are immensely grateful to our incredible family and friends who traveled to celebrate this special day with us and to our wonderful vendors who made our dreams for the perfect day a reality.

Wedding Cinematography: Unique Visions Studio | Wedding Photography: Daria Bishop Photographers | Ceremony Venue: St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral in Burlington, Vermont | Reception Venue: The Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, Vermont | Celebrant: Father Samuel Kachuba | Wedding Coordination: Andrea Van Hoven from Shelburne Farms | Floral + Lighting Design: Flowers in Season | Caterer: Catering by Dale / Band: EBE Rio | Photo Booth: Green Mountain Photo Booth | Rentals: Vermont Tent Company | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Bride’s Earrings: Marisa Perry Atelier | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Groom’s Attire: Ralph Lauren | Groom’s Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Groom’s Tie + Pocket Square: Lord Willy’s | Hair: Anna Evola from Indigo Salon | Makeup: Cynthea Hausman from Cynthea’s Spa

I happen to hold a very, very special place in my heart for beautiful blooms.  One that I fill with drop-dead gorgeous bouquets, floral wreaths and magical centerpieces.  And today I am adding a stunning masterpiece of flower-filled perfection to that list.  One that was created by Renaissance Florals, carried down the aisle by one UBER-stunning bride and has the power to instantly transport you to a land of soft peach hues, DIY details and one of the world’s most beautiful weddings captured by Summer Street Photography.  See every last moment (and every last petal) in the full gallery.

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From Summer Street Photography… We think Kaitlyn and Ryan are from another era. Ryan is dapper and gentlemen-like with a kind hearted demeanor and heart of love. Kaitlyn is a darling, lovely person. She beams with love for Ryan and has a soft spot for all things feminine. Everyone who knows them knows how sweet they are together, and that they have the kind of love that surpasses their age in years. You would expect nothing less for their wedding day than this adorable, DIY day filled with family, peaches and lace. They hosted their wedding at Ryan’s sister’s home in New Hampshire and said ‘I Do’ at a nearby vineyard down the road. They had amazing food and the weather was just the right temperature to feel comfortable but remind you that it is summer. Halfway through their reception Kaitlyn had arranged a Good Humor Ice Cream truck to make a surprise appearance, which was a HUGE hit. The evening ended with a peaceful flying lantern send off, which was a magical way to end a perfect day. 

Wedding Photography: Summer Street Photography / Wedding Venue: Haunting Whispers Vineyard in Danbury, New Hampshire / Wedding Coordinator: Kim Breton / Floral Design: Melissa Traber from Renaissance Florals / Cocktail Hour Catering: Jacob Ballard / Wedding Cake: Hemlocks Confections / Tent + Rentals: Blood’s Catering and Party Rentals

I’m head over heels in love with this Vermont wedding and its fabulous film from Love & You Video. Full of the prettiest purples and located in one of the most gorgeous venues in all of New England, this wedding is sure to inspire your inner, creative genius. Oh, and their vows? Adorable.

From Love & You Video… We had been contacted by the bride, Jenn, about traveling to Vermont to film her wedding. Having heard rumors that Vermont in the fall is beautiful, right away we said yes.  We were blown away once we got to the location.  The Hildene, which is actually the home where Abraham Lincoln’ son lived, looked as if it was straight out of a movie. Everywhere around the Hidene was gorgeous, even the garden is designed off of a stained glass window. Plus the fact that Jenn & Peter are such a sweet, loving and fun couple, we knew this wedding film was going to be very special.  During the ceremony, when Jenn & Peter recited their vows, you could see how much love they truly have for each other.  We were very lucky to be part of their special day.

Wedding Cinematography: Love & You Video / Wedding Venue: The Hildene in Manchester, Vermont / Wedding Photography: Daria Bishop Photography / Event Design: Rain or Shine Tent / Floral Design: Nancy Bishop Floral Design / Invitations: Joanna Walker Design / Wedding Dress: Enzoani / Bride’s Shoes: Butter / Groom’s Attire: Suit Supply

This wedding from Megan Haley Photography? It’s filled with heart. And the images tell a story worth listening to. Filled to the brim with amazing touches that made their big day fabulously memorable (like boats for their guests to take out on the pond), and a gorgeous Vermont backdrop that can’t be beat, it’s one gallery you simply can’t help but love. See it all here.

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From Megan Haley Photography… Brooklyn couple Dan and Lindsay chose to have their wedding at the beautiful Seyon Lodge in Groton State Park in Vermont. The Lodge at Seyon is situated within the 27,000 acres of Groton State Forest. The ceremony, cocktail hour and reception all took place in front of Noyes Pond. The overwhelming feeling at the wedding was simply the love of friends and family and FUN! With boats for the guests to take out on the expansive “pond” throughout the whole day, to the ping pong table set up on the lawn. A table just for kids gifts, complete with fake mustaches. The wedding included an old wedding tradition of “Burying the Bourbon,” where you bury the unopened bottle of whiskey a year in this case, before the wedding, at the ceremony site. The tradition is to then dig it up on your wedding day to enjoy with friends.

Wedding Photography: Megan Haley Photography / Wedding Location: Seyon Lodge State Park in Groton, Vermont / Floral Design: June Trillium Flower Farm (802.454.8055) / Caterer: Kismet Catering

If you’re in the mood for some full on fall splendor, you’ve come to the right place because this morning we’re kicking things off with a quintessential New England beauty. Captured by the very talented Clark + Walker Studio this Vermont affair is equally as radiant as the crisp October air. We adore the nods to the groom’s love of fly-fishing and the bride’s Reem Acra gown is a dream (p.s. check out the matching cake). You can see all the autumnal awesomeness right here in the gallery.

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From the Bride… My husband and I met on the first day of law school in 2009.  He proposed in December 2010 on top of Sankaty Light House on Nantucket island and our wedding was on October 13, 2012 in Manchester, Vermont.  Both from the Northeast and lovers of fall, my husband and I thought Vermont in October would offer the perfect backdrop to our wedding.  We wanted the wedding to have personal and autumn touches, but also to be classic.  We incorporated touches of fly fishing, my husband’s favorite past time, and incorporated lots of family photos and heirlooms.  We walked under criss-crossed fly rods when we left the church, one of our favorite moments of the whole day.  My favorite personal touch was the table numbers, which we named for years and included pictures of us in those years.  I also changed into my mother’s wedding dress at the very end of the reception, which I had shortened for more of a party length.  For our color scheme, we wanted to keep it simple and muted fall.  We started with a swatch of my family tartan for our color pallet inspiration.  With the muted greens and rust colors, we felt like the tartan had the perfect fall feel.  The whole day felt like a dream, and we are thrilled with the memories–and the photos thanks to Clark + Walker!

Wedding Photography: Clark + Walker Studio / Ceremony: First Congregational Church, Manchester, Vermont / Reception Venue: The Equinox, Manchester, Vermont / Wedding Designer + Coordinator: Lauren Hartwick at The Equinox / Floral Design: Julane Irvin-Ware at Flowers Flowers / Catering + Cake: The Equinox / Invitations: Paper Dolls in Saratoga Springs, New York / Wedding Dress: Reem Acra / Reception Dress: Mother’s 1976 wedding dress (altered) / Earrings: L’Elite Boston / Hairpiece from Etsy / Veil: Vows Boston / Fur stole: Lily Bridal in Saratoga Springs/ Other Accessories: Various family jewelry + great grandmother’s handkerchief from her wedding day / Groomsmen’s Bow Ties + Cummerbunds: Custom made (family tartan) by Lochcarron of Scotland / Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar / Mother’s Robe: Oscar de la Renta / Shoes: Stuart Weitzman / Hair + Makeup: American Hairlines + Marieanne Souza at Flawless Cosmetic Design  / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Entertainment: The Accents

Happy Thursday morning, SMPr’s! It’s with much fondness that I can once again introduce a wedding from Amanda at Orchard Cove Photography! Way back when… I first started writing at SMP, Amanda was one of the first photographers that I came to call my friend. She helped me learn this whole crazy wedding blogging world- and helped me realize what a fantastic bunch of vendors we have in our Little Black Book! So thank you, Amanda- for staying with us- and for continuing to share your wonderful images with us. SMP Family = LBB and it means more to us than you can possibly imagine.

Moving right along – to today’s featured wedding… When your parents own acres and acres of loveliness in Vermont, a huge part of the decision-making process can be checked off the to-do list. Venue selected. Check. And then, when you snag the fun-loving and talented Amanda of Orchard Cove Photography, an even bigger decision, crossed off the list. Check plus! Weave in all the bits and pieces of bride + groom personality that make you, well… it makes you, plural… and you have a wedding filled to the brim with pretty. A wedding your friends and family will recognize as the new, plural mister and missus.

Join us in the full gallery for even more!

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From the Bride… Andrew and I were two years apart at Middlebury and did not meet in college (or at least we don’t remember meeting). We were properly introduced at an alumni cocktail event on the waterfront in Boston by a mutual friend – one of Andrew’s best friends (a future groomsman) and a teammate of mine on the Middlebury tennis team. The rest, as they say, is history!

We are both graduates of Middlebury College, so we have an affinity for the Green Mountains and the Champlain Valley. My parents (who also attended Middlebury and were married there) retired to Vermont after I graduated from college and bought a home with 50+ acres of land, gorgeous views from the front yard across the neighboring orchard and the Adirondacks in the distance. Having our tented reception in their front yard gave us the ability to customize the evening while putting our guests at ease in a beautiful outdoor setting. We wanted our guests to to laugh, dance, and enjoy a special evening together.

I guess I’d describe our wedding day decor and style as Swiss kitsch – alpine. Andrew and I have done a bit of exploring together over the years, and two of our favorite trips were ski holidays in Zermatt, Switzerland and St. Christoph (St. Anton), Austria. I speak German and have spent quite a bit of time in Germany and Austria over the years – the alps and alpine living has always appealed to me – simple, natural design in a stunningly beautiful, relaxed setting. Red wooden hearts, wildflowers, Austrian beer and wine … simple bar signs on chalkboards and dinner by candlelight.

Walking down the aisle toward Andrew was my favorite part of the day. I don’t think I have ever smiled as much as I did in Mead Chapel on September 15, 2012.  I was just so happy! Watching it all come together was also so much fun for us, as we had planned so much of it from London. It was so much fun to step from the car into my parents’ driveway with Andrew and to see all of our family and friends together in this beautiful location. It made me happy that I had spent so much time thinking through all of the details and logistics – it just all flowed together so nicely, and we had so much fun!

For the wedding, I carried the silver sixpence that my mom wore in her shoe on her wedding day, and I wore a pair of family heirloom diamond drop earrings dating back to the 1800s. We had lots of little touches at the ceremony, from the signpost denoting places with special meaning to us, to the cupcake tower that we had in lieu of a wedding cake. Our signature cocktail was a dark n’ stormy, one of our favorite drinks from annual fall trips to Bermuda.

My advice to couples planning their wedding – It is your day, and you should really, really enjoy it and have so much fun. A wedding is an opportunity to get all of the special people together in your life – take advantage of having your friends and family together and spend as much time with them as you can. Your day does not need to be perfect! Having everything match and coordinate is not natural – life and relationships are full of variety, and your day should reflect this. I really enjoyed the opportunity to be creative – from working on designing our custom wedding stationery with our amazing stationer, to creating a bespoke Anya Hindmarch bag, to selecting the gifts for my wonderful bridesmaids (custom earrings, bracelets, monogrammed royal blue cashmere wraps in a Fortnum & Mason bag).

Make sure you pick good vendors that come with recommendations and are reliable. It will make your day so much easier! I would highly recommend all of the vendors we worked with – they were all so great! If you are having an ‘at-home’ wedding, make sure to get a day-of planner … you can plan all of the details and logistics in advance, but come the actual day, you need someone to understand your vision and execute your plan. And this should not be you or any of your relatives – you all need to relax and enjoy the time together!

Photography: Orchard Cove Photography / Getting Ready Venue: Cornwall Orchard B&B / Ceremony Venue: Mead Chapel, Middlebury College / Reception Venue: Bride’s Family Home / Floral Design: Bloomers Garden Flowers / Catering: Wales Farm Catering / Invitations: Magpie Paperworks / Rentals: Celebration Rentals / Entertainment: Body n’Soul / WeddingDress: Monique Lhuillier / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Flower Girls’ Dresses: Boden / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J. Crew / Hair  + Makeup: The Hair Network / Bride’s clutch: Anya Hindmarch / Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: Emily Condon

It’s one thing to have a vintage chic wedding because it’s in style, but when you infuse personal heirlooms from your family dating back over 100 years, it means something totally different and oh-so-special. This gorgeous bride described her sentiment perfectly when she said that love is timeless. What a beautiful notion to carry throughout your big day. Katherine O’Brien captured this day in such a pretty way. Click here for so much more and then stay tuned for a sweet film from Waterloo Films below.

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From the Bride… The reception following this ceremony will include many memorable heirlooms passed down from these family members. We have had the greatest time gathering these pieces and exchanging stories with our families. From one hundred year old doors to timeless china, we wanted to include them all when decorating for our big day. Although the items alone seem to fit our current interests or style, surrounding ourselves with them during this celebration reminds us of their memory and presence even more.

This interest has also taken us on a vintage hunt through numerous antique shops for the last year and a half. From hole in the wall shops in Geronimo, Texas to the famous annual Round Top event, we have been taken back in time through so many unique pieces with amazing stories. We came across a beautiful chandelier from Romanian newlyweds who just immigrated to Houston. Another family passed along a Victorian couch to make more room in their home for abused transfer students from overseas. Each piece has one story or another that we will always remember from this little antiquing adventure, which has now become an addiction.

Love is timeless, so we believe this timeless collection dresses up our day just right. We hope you enjoy.

Wedding Photography: Katherine O’Brien / Ceremony Location: Brookwood Community Church in Houston, Texas / Reception Location: Private Residence / Floral Design: Karen Plumlee / Wedding Cinematography: Waterloo Films / Bakery: Maureen’s Bakery / Decor: DIY by the Bride / Band: The Dopplegangers / Photobooth: Crown Photo Booth by Scott and Rebecca Light / Wedding Dress: Ivy & Aster / Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Accessories: Ivy & Aster / Earrings + Veil: Unbridaled / Bridesmaid’s Attire: Amsale / Groom’s Attire: English Laundry

When you hear Woodstock, I’m going to bet soft, romantic whites and creams, candles for miles, and a super chic and stylish wedding aren’t the first things that come to mind – but they should be. Because as Sabin Gratz Photography has shown us today, that is exactly what Woodstock was made for – a wedding just like this stunning all-white affair. I’m having a total love affair with those flowers, but don’t even get me started on that bride. Gah-orgeous. Click here to see it all!

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The year I started dating Bryce he introduced me to Vermont – it was love at first sight. For eight years of dating, we drove from our college in Boston up to Vermont to ski and snowboard, take in the fall foliage, explore beautiful country roads, all the while strengthening our relationship and building everlasting memories. So, when it came time to decide on a wedding venue, we knew right away we had to have a mini destination wedding in Vermont. It only took one trip to the Woodstock Inn & Resort to make our final decision. I loved the understated elegance, the friendly staff and sprawling grounds.

Our guests were able to make a relaxing weekend out of the event, enjoying the charming town of Woodstock for a couple of days before the big event. The day of our wedding everyone was feeling great. The weather was literally perfect, and after a few days of predicted rain, it was a huge relief since we were having an outdoor ceremony.

We couldn’t have asked for a more sweetly quaint backdrop for photos. We shot our first look at Billings Farm, just down the road from the Woodstock Inn. The sun peaking through the leaves in the forested area we were in made it a truly magical moment.

I am a graphic designer, so I created some of the details such as programs that featured illustrations of the wedding party, bar signage, the menus, and I made gilded deer antlers that were placed throughout the reception space. The band played our favorite classic rock, 80’s, and 90’s hits all night and our guests did a great job rocking out the dance floor. We had a photo booth and props that everyone had fun with through the night, and as a late night snack we had a Ben & Jerry’s sundae bar (it is Vermont, afterall!) My husband and I are kids at heart, and don’t take ourselves too seriously so we had custom bobbleheads made as our cake topper. Part of our gifts to the bridesmaids and groomsmen were custom sunglasses with their nicknames on them. They were a big hit!

Bryce and I always try to remember that laughter is life’s sweetest creation and that thought kept us both stress free throughout the day. My vision came together on the best night of my life, thanks to a group of 5 star vendors. I couldn’t be more grateful to their hard work, and to my wonderful family and friends for helping us start our life together.

Photography: Sabin Gratz Photography / Dress: Rivini via Kleinfeld Bridal / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Venue: Woodstock Inn & Resort / Floral Design: The Painted Tulip Floral and Event Design / Invitations: Gus & Ruby Letterpress / Band: Ripcord / Linens: Occasions Linens VT & BBJ Linen / Signage, Programs, Menus, Ketubah: The Bride / Cake Toppers: Custom Bobbleheads.com / Rentals: Rain or Shine Tent Co. / Hair & Makeup: The Spa at The Woodstock Inn & Resort / Bridesmaid dresses: Amsale via Bella Bridesmaid NYC / Groom’s shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo / Groom’s Tuxedo: Canali

Dresses like this one make me happy.  A happiness that only lace, three quarter length sleeves and keyhole backs can bring.  And the gorgeous bride behind this Jim Hjelm masterpiece?  She’s stunning. As is her breathtaking Vermont wedding, which has me all kinds of speechless with its purple infused elegance, glorious images from Forest Woodward and beautiful mountainside setting.  See all of the vintage-inspired goodness in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… I first want to thank you all for such a wonderful guide/inspiration. Your site helped me SO much during my planning process. My name is Ali (Schiek) Lind, and my husband Jim Lind and I got married June 10th, 2012 at the Mountain Top Inn in Chittenden, Vermont. Jim and I both live in Manhattan, but Jim grew up in Rutland Vermont (near Killington). I always thought I would get married on a roof somewhere in NYC but alas, I found myself at the most perfect location for us, among the most serene mountain landscape. I really wanted the background to speak for itself, and be our decoration- so I went for a very a simple vintage inspired theme. I absolutely LOVE lace, I think Kate Middleton got me even more hooked.  So I choose a Jim Hjelm three quarter length dress. It was the first and last wedding dress I ever tried on! I just knew right away it was “the one”. We each had 8 bridesmaids and groomsmen and I choose a gorgeous grey/purple dress from Nordstrom. Our family and friends stayed the whole weekend at Mountain Top, as it proved to be such an amazing mini vacation spot where you can hike, canoe, swim, ride horses etc. We had about 180 guests, mostly from out of town (I grew up in Maryland). I choose a simple hairstyle, just a low pony tail to the side and curled. I had my hairdresser braid my hair starting at the top and swoop it around into the ponytail. I have wanted a birdcage veil since I was in high school so I didn’t even pause when I saw the matching veil from Jim Hjelm (the flowers on my veil matched the lace flower pattern on my dress). My shoes are from BHLDN. They were so cute with little bows covering the whole toe strap. I also got my gold jewelry from BHLND. I am obsessed with butterflies so I wore a pure gold necklace with a butterfly and matching gold flower earrings. You can also see I wore a purple butterfly robe while getting ready!

Getting married on a Sunday was the best decision EVER. Not only do they wave a rental/location fee, you are able to spend more time beforehand with friends and family relaxing the day before. We were SO lucky with the weather, since our whole ceremony was outside on top of a hill over-looking the mountains. I road up to the ceremony in a horse drawn carriage with my father. I felt like I was in a fairytale! Jim’s father, Dave Lind, is a pastor in Rutland, Vermont and we were honored to have him officiate the wedding. You can see it was a pretty emotional wedding since his dad was marrying us… I also added some pictures of Jim’s two brothers Josh at the ceremony. Our flower girl and ring bearer our my niece and nephew Sofia and Evan Lind. They did such a great job! Super cute.

We had a cocktail hour after our reception with live music and drinks over looking the mountains  Then our reception was a sit down dinner with live music and a fabulous guest book/photo booth created by my Aunt Teresa. We had mini bottles of Vermont maple syrup as wedding favors, chalkboards from Etsy, picture frames from Etsy, and a card box from Etsy. I then just got confetti and candles and flowers for the tables.

Wedding Photography: Forest Woodward / Wedding Venue: Mountain Top Inn & Resort in Chittenden, Vermont / Floral Design: A Schoolhouse Garden / Officiant: Dave Lind, Father of the Groom / Cake: Made by a family friend / Cake Topper: Goose Grease / Music: A House on Fire / Confetti + Mr & Mrs Chair Covers: BHLDN / Wedding Dress Veil: Jim Hjelm (Dress Style JH8211) / Bride’s Shoes + Jewelry: BHLDN / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Nordstrom (Style 259204) / Hair + Makeup: Five Elements Salon & Day Spa / Groom + Groomsmen’s Tuxedos: McNeil & Reedy

It’s pretty much impossible not to fall in love with this adorable, home themed barn wedding designed and planned by Whim Events. East coast meets west coast in this rural beauty where the bride and groom focused on local foods, local entertainment, and mixed in tons of personal elements. And the result is beyond amazing, a day full of home cooking, love and laughter. Does it get any better? Click here for even more pretty captured by Hannah Persson Photo.

Watch it all come to life in this film also by Hannah Persson Photo:

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Whim Events… Hannah and Kyle’s wedding took place on a beautiful August day in Burlington, Vermont. The soft mountain breeze was blowing, the sun peeked through the mountain valleys, and the weather was a perfect 75 degrees. If we weren’t in Vermont, one might have thought we were in California’s wine country. Which is exactly what Hannah and Kyle wanted on their wedding day. Hannah is from Massachusetts and went to school in Vermont. Kyle is from San Francisco. They met and fell in love in San Francisco, over their mutual love of good music, food and wine. When Hannah and Kyle contacted me to plan their wedding, I loved their laid-back vibe immediately. They wanted a relaxing day where their guests from California and Massachusetts could enjoy the local beauty of Vermont. They were all about having local BBQ, local drinks and their favorite Vermont-born musicians, the Grippo Funk Band.

Hannah and I spent a lot of time coming up with the special and meaningfulness design aspects of the wedding. Since moving to California, she told me she had always struggled with the idea of where to call home (MA? San Fran?) until she realized that whenever she was with Kyle, she was truly home. Together, we can up with the subtle concept of “Home” that can be seen throughout the details … blending all the DIY comforts of home and an East Coast meets West Coast design. Guests enjoyed homemade watermelon mojitos as a welcome drink and casually sauntered over to the ceremony to take their seats on Vermont farm haystacks. The haystacks were covered with Kyle’s family quilts. A good friend of the couple officiated the ceremony, and their wedding party consisted of immediate family members, nieces and nephews. The ceremony was set deep in the mountains under a rustic arch, and it was one of the most peaceful and beautiful ceremonies I have ever seen.

To incorporate the couples love of wine country, we used beautiful wine barrel tables and bar planks from New England Country rentals to set the scene for cocktail hour. Guest played lawn games and listened to tunes of Paul Asbell’s live acoustic guitar. During dinner, we kept the tables simple with farm tins and milk bottles full of Hannah’s favorite rustic flowers, stacked on wood slabs. The color scheme was light orange, periwinkle, pink and green. Guests noshed on the home-style BBQ buffet, cheering their Vermont beers. They signed the thumb print guest book that featured a line drawing of the West Monitor Barn. They danced the night away, only taking break in the outdoor photo booth or at the Home Sweet Home cupcake bar (sweetly, made by a family friend). There are so many special things about this wedding that it’s hard to say what I loved the most. Was it that Kyle wrote Hannah a poem and surprised her with it during dinner? Was it their super-relaxed vibe? Was it that Hannah and Kyle were on the dance floor the whole entire night? Whatever it was, it was awesome.

Wedding Photography + Cinematography: Hannah Persson Photo / Wedding Venue: The West Monitor Barn in Richmond, Vermont / Event Planning, Floral + Event Design: Whim Events / Catering: Bevo / Band: Grippo Funk Band / Signage + Menu Boards: CutPasteLove / Place Cards, Table Numbers + Guest Book: Hartford Prints! / Wine Barrel + Arch: New England Country Rentals / Rentals: Vermont Tent Company

Oh Zac Wolf, you sure do know how to make this little lady happy. A sweet, detail-filled Vermont wedding is a sure-fire way to make my day – so this love-filled fête is just strumming away at my heart strings. It’s the simple, yet stunning details mixed with a couple so in love I can feel it through the screen – and when we get to see it through the lens of Zac Wolf? I’m done. See it all here!

From Zac Wolf Photography… To say James and Kara’s wedding has been a long time coming is not even doing it justice. These two have been together for quite some time, but they have known each other their whole lives. Their two families are best friends, and now they finally get to be one big family. Every detail and moment of this day was just perfect, and I am so lucky to have the opportunity to photograph perfect weddings just like this one.

Kara and James created many handmade details, such as the hand-painted signs, table arrangements, the guest book photo booth, and the honor table to remember the family and friends who are no longer with them.

Wedding Photography: Zac Wolf Photography / Wedding Venue + Floral Design: Windekind Farm in Huntington, Vermont / Catering: Dish Catering / Dessert: Ben & Jerry’s / Band: The Funk Collection / Signs, Details + Centerpieces: DIY / Wedding Dress: Custom by Seams Couture / Groom’s Suit: John Varvatos

We’re back with another fab Wedding Wednesday and today we’ve got quite the lineup up our sleeves. Think everything from beautiful rustic fêtes to an uber-stunning modern soiree and galleries overflowing with pretty.  Ready to get your inspiration on?  Let’s go.

When two fashionistas from NYC tie the knot in a glorious Vermont barn, you know it’s going to be amazing.  An amazing that is chock-full of seriously chic rustic details, breathtaking moments and a Lanvin gown that is all kinds of crazy gorgeous.  And when Dreamlove Photography is on hand to capture every magical moment, that amazing day becomes AMAZING.  All caps style.  Click here for sooo much more.

From Dreamlove Photography… Nancy and Zach tied the knot at the rustic Webster Barn in Hyde Park, Vermont, but this wasn’t your average barn wedding. These two, who hail from the fashion world in New York City, wove elegant and classic details into their day, creating a truly unique blend of both rustic and outdoor vibes with seamless style. For table centerpieces, they filled galvanized tubs with a mix of earthy wildflowers and fresh artichokes. They covered hay bales with super-soft crepe fabric to add additional seating around the dance floor, and they created a very cool DIY escort seating chart with skeleton keys and chalkboard style paper. Nancy and Zach were enamored with a light installation they had seen at a Wilco concert, so they decided to re-create it as a focal point in the barn. Using semi-sheer white handkerchiefs, they covered a wall of cafe string lights to design an eye-catching and whimsical light structure during the reception (that later doubled as the photo booth backdrop!). A good friend of theirs also designed one of the most entertaining and mesmerizing sound installations in the field next to their ceremony site outdoors. He used solar panels to power dozens of speakers, which would emit different pitches of what sounded like wind chimes to create an eerie but very calming song of alternating notes. It also provided hours of entertainment for “little guests,” as they could block the sun from hitting the solar panel and cause the sound to stop suddenly. The evening was topped off with a dazzling impromptu display of the northern lights!

Wedding Photography: Dreamlove Photography / Wedding Venue: Webster Barn in Hyde Park, Vermont / Wedding Planning: Joyce Pollakoff Events / Floral Design: The Painted Tulip Floral and Event Design / Catering: Dish Catering / Pies: Harvest Market / Ice Cream: Ben & Jerry’s / Wedding Invitations + Programs: Joyce Pollakoff Events + Werner Printing / Music: Eastern Midwestern / DJ: Drew Heffron / Key Escort Cards: DIY / Wedding Dress: Lanvin / Bride’s Shoes: Chloe / Bride’s Hair Piece: Twigs & Honey / Groom’s Suit: Custom by Rag & Bone via Martin Greenfield Clothiers / Groom’s Shoes: Grenson / Groom’ Shirt: Custom by Brooklyn Tailors / Groom’s Pocket Square: Chief / Bride’s Engagement Ring: Designed from an Estate Ring Using the Groom’s Grandmother’s Stone / Bride’s Wedding Band: From Her Grandmother / Groom’s Wedding Ring: Custom

Vermont and barn weddings are like a match made in wedding-loving heaven.They go together like peanut butter and jelly, or for you stylish SMPers – like glitter and gold. It’s just understood when those two things join forces, beautiful things happen. Beautiful things like this wedding by Trenholm Photo. The only thing that might outshine that pretty combination is the new Mr. & Mrs. saying I do – but really, how could you beat a love like that? See so much more here!

From the Bride… We knew from the get-go that we wanted our big day to reflect our relationship and values. We envisioned a fun and relaxed, yet meaningful and intimate affair celebrating love, family and friendship. Once we found the Alerin Barn, in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, we knew it was the perfect setting for our big day. It was so important to us that the elements of our wedding be as personal and handmade as possible. It just so happened that we were blessed with amazing, generous and creative friends and family who wanted to help us turn our vision into reality.

The ceremony was officiated by my now-father-in-law. My uber-fabulous friend and roommate for four years, Nikki Scaplen of Bark! Creative, spent many “wine and craft” nights collaborating with me on all the paper goods, DIY projects, and she even surprised me with my wedding day earrings, which were handmade especially for me by her very own  godmother. My dear friends John Scaplen and Sarah Matteson of Spruce Floral created the loveliest floral designs, which perfectly suited the rustic, romantic and simplistic beauty I was going for. My amazing sister, Sheena Guerrero, and great friend, Alisha Laroussi, were the beauty experts and took charge of the hair and makeup. Hand-me-down vintage linen napkins used in our dessert buffet were gifted to me by my boss; the reclaimed wood and chalk welcome sign was made by a friend and co-worker; my long-time, go-to seamstress helped me turned the 29 yards of burlap I purchased into table runners; and the stunning photography was by our talented and wonderful friend Austin Trenholm. After a year spent working hard to handcraft and personalize our event, seeing all the labors of love come together on our wedding day was pure magic.

My most favorite part about getting married was the part were we actually got married! Although it was nearly 100 degrees with hot sun and high humidity during our outdoor ceremony, it was absolutely perfect. Walking down the aisle with my parents on each side of me and seeing everyone’s happy faces was incredible. I couldn’t help but cry from the overwhelming amount of love and joy as we said our vows and meant every word of it. Seeing my husband show off his break dancing skills and the rose petal shower we received as we danced to the last song of the night were pretty unforgettable too. We ate, drank, mingled, tore the dance floor up, laughed and finished the night off by making s’mores and lounging by the bonfire until the early morning hours.

Wedding Photography: Trenholm Photo / Wedding Venue: The Alerin Barn in St. Johnsbury, Vermont / Floral Design: Spruce Floral / Officiant: The Groom’s Father / Wedding Invitations: Bark! A Creative Agency / Wedding Dress: Allure Couture / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair + Makeup: Sheena Guerrero + Alisha Laroussi

Nature lovers, pay close attention! This lakeside wedding is stop you dead in your tracks pretty with all shades of green, a fancy mismatched wedding party, and beautiful DIY florals. You can literally feel the peace, tranquility and love radiating off of these images by Ampersand Wedding Photography. Spending all day in the gallery makes for quite the afternoon, in my opinion. See more right here!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Ampersand Wedding Photography… Claire and Joe had a BEAUTIFUL, forested, lakeside wedding in Waterford Springs, Vermont. There were so many great DIY elements. Claire’s sister and mother put together all of the bouquets, from both a local florist and ordered flowers, and they also created the boutonnieres for the groomsmen and family members. They also wrapped and labeled all of the bottles of syrup from local vendors. All of the invitations were handwritten, and the place cards as well.

Wedding Photography: Ellen Ross of Ampersand Wedding Photography / Wedding Venue: Waterford Springs, Vermont / Flowers: Artistic Gardens + Blooms By The Box, DIY Arranged by the Bride’s Mother & Sister / Catering: Catering by Dale / DJ: Peak Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew

The bride’s radiant smile is ear to ear, and that’s exactly how I feel about this wedding at Pond Pavilion at Equinox Resort & Spa. I get choked up when the father of the bride sees his daughter for the first time; I am obsessed with the furry four-legged ceremony participant, and I love, love, LOVE the tablescape combinations! Who’d ever think that rocks in water could be so romantic? Many thanks to AbiElaine Photography for capturing this wedding’s magic right here in the full gallery of photos.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From AbiElaine Photography… Jamie was radiant as she got ready that morning for her wedding. She cracked jokes, filling the room with laughter, toasted to a new chapter in her life and did everything in her power not to mess up her makeup when her dad first saw her. I’ll admit, even I got misty-eyed watching the obvious exchange of love and admiration between Jamie and her father. As we drove to the ceremony location at the Pond Pavilion, I didn’t quite know what to expect, but when we arrived, I literally was speechless. It was stunning. The sun had begun to set above the mountains in the distance, making the pond and everything around it glow. No really, it was glowing. And as the birds sang and butterflies graced the grassy pathway, Jamie’s father escorted her down to meet her handsome groom, Justin.

Everything flowed so smoothly — no one could have asked for a better day. Jamie and Justin were a joy to work with, and I instantly fell in love with their families and of course, their Boxer, Tanner. The simple but elegant decorations were to die for. Cute little chalk nameplates, gorgeous floral arrangements, tons of candles and little twinkling lights made it a night to remember. Not to mention the superhero captain from the Equinox, Don Calder, who volunteered to boat the newlyweds out on the pond. All in all I had an amazing time photographing Jamie and Justin’s wedding. In fact, they may have even inspired me to have my own wedding at the Pond Pavilion someday…

Wedding Photography: AbiElaine Photography / Wedding Venue: Pond Pavilion at the Equinox Resort & Spa in Manchester, Vermont / Venue Contact: Lauren Hartwyk, Events Manager (hartwyk@equinoxresort.com) / Floral Design: Cara Boshart of Flowers by Cara / Catering: Equinox Resort & Spa / Wedding Dress: Jenny Yoo “Margaux” via Flair Boston / Hair + Makeup: The Green Door Day Spa

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Jenny Yoo

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As a girl who was wed outside of a big brown barn three years ago, weddings at the farm hold a super special place in my heart. They can feel so sweet and casual while still being gorgeous and timeless, and the night sky over a big, red barn is absolutely breathtaking. So when this gorgeous wedding from Hendrickson Photography Weddings landed in my lap, it was a race to get it on the calendar and share it with you. It’s just that special. Special enough to block out a few moments dancing away in the gallery, I’d say!

Click here to see the full image gallery!

From Hendrickson Photography Weddings … Lindsay and John met in Vermont, “John and I meet at Middlebury College as undergraduate students. After seven years of dating (and living in several different cities and a few countries), we got engaged at the top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park during a summer vacation. While not entirely a surprise, it was great!”. 

This was the perfect Vermont summer wedding, held at the Inn at Mountain View Farms. The ceremony site was a short walk up to a breathtaking spot with views of the Willoughby Gap and surrounding mountains. There was live music as guests walked up to the site. After the ceremony everyone walked down past the majestic barns, gardens, and animal sanctuary for outdoor cocktail hour. The setting is stunning, with views in all directions and larger than life barns –  the clock barn is especially interesting.

Once inside the tables are spread throughout the barn, some situated in cozy stalls. The dance floor and bar area are adjacent and it was easy to mingle between the two locations. 

Photography: Hendrickson Photography Weddings / Flowers: Empress Josephine Florals, Susie Humphrey / Event Planning: planned by the Bride and Groom and family / Wedding Manager: Siobhan Shufelt, Inn at Mountain View Farm / Wedding day Coordination: Kim Messier, VT Weddings by Kim / Ceremony & Reception Location: Inn at Mountain View Farm / Invitations: Paper Source / Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender / Dress: Watters / Band: A House on Fire / Catering: Willy’s Restaurant & Catering

There is SO much to love about Vermont. It’s just a hop, skip and jump from all of you living in Massachusetts, it provides some of the most stunning New England backdrops, and it’s hosted wedding after wedding we just adore over here at SMP. And we will most certainly be adding this beautiful Vermont fête by Bethany & Dan Photography to that list. Sweet details plus a gorgeous Vermont setting plus a whole lot of love always equals a winner in our book, and you can see all the reasons why right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… We met in high school and had been dating for 10 years before we got married in Warren, Vermont. We’d managed long distance, separate colleges, and countless bus/train rides over the years and were so excited to celebrate our union with family and friends. We both have big families and friends from all walks of life, and everyone has been a part of our long history together. We decided to get married in Warren, Vermont, where Patrick’s family has had a home for over 20 years. Patrick grew up spending summers and ski weekends in Vermont, and as we got older, we had many weekend getaways with friends at the house. Everyone who visits falls in love with the area for its beauty, charm and peacefulness. Vermont set the tone for our entire wedding vibe — we wanted it to be relaxed, fun and beautiful in a simple and natural way.

Because so much of the weekend was about everyone coming together (all 235 guests!), we opted out of a traditional wedding party rehearsal dinner and hosted an “open house” welcome party for all guests on Friday night. It was a casual evening held outdoors at the beautiful pavilion at Lareau Farms in Waitsfield. Since everyone was making a long trip up to Vermont for the weekend, in addition to the Friday night welcome party, we also coordinated activities on Saturday morning, including hikes, runs and swimming at the local Warren Falls. The guys also arranged for a huge 40-person golf outing on Thursday morning to kick off the weekend — particularly for the groom, who won! We couldn’t have been happier with the reception venue: Sugarbush Resort in Warren. Most of our guests stayed on-site at the resort and were able to enjoy the beautiful accommodations. It was so nice that we could walk down the hall or pass by the pool and see all our guests mingling and getting to know each other. The reception was held on-site in the Gate House Lodge. It is a gorgeous room full of open windows with a view of the mountains and gardens.

As for attire, we wanted everyone to be comfortable and to wear something that suits their own style. The girls wore various dresses in the pink/cream color palette, and the boys wore gray suits and customized navy blue ties with their family Campbell Scottish plaid on the inside. My dress was a lace Monique Lhuillier from A Plumed Serpent  with a soft, romantic feel that fit the location and the vibe of the wedding so well. Everyone looked great together, and it all popped beautifully against the picture-perfect green mountain backdrops in photos.

We can not rave enough about our band from Boston: Pulse. They are the best wedding band we’ve ever heard and had everyone — kids, adults, grandparents — out on the dance floor all night. Guests were lined up in front of the band cheering them on and calling for encores as if they were at a sold-out concert. In addition to the dancing, guests got a lot of entertainment from the photo booth and had a great time taking pictures together. We had them paste a copy of each strip into a guest book where they could leave us a message as well. The cake was very special to us, as we had a bridesmaid volunteer to bake a fantastic cake for us to cut, and in addition, we ordered “fun-fetti” style sheet cake from a bakery to cut down on costs. Looking back, the day flew by in a blur, and we are so happy that both the cinematographer and photographers could capture all the details that we either missed or want to treasure forever. 

Wedding Photography: Bethany & Dan Photography / Ceremony: Our Lady of the Snows in Waitsfield, Vermont / Reception: Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vermont / Floral Design: A Schoolhouse Garden / Wedding Cinematography: Alice Wedding Video Productions / Photo Booth: Green Mountain Photobooth / Doughnut Favors: Big Picture Theater / Open House Venue: Lareau Farm / Bakery: Delicate Decadence / Wedding Invitations: M. Hopple & Co. / Band: The Pulse of Boston / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier via The Plumed Serpent Bridal / Men’s Suits: Hugo Boss