Jaimie (Demars) & Richard Welcome

September 26, 2009 at the Hardwood Ranch in Elmore, VT

How we met

Rick and I were high school sweethearts. We met through mutual friends; we each went off to college but saw each other every weekend. Summers were great, since we got to see each other all the time. We began to talk about our future together and the direction in which we were headed.  Rick makes me laugh and is the guy who doesn’t need to ever make a plan. I, on the other hand, am the organized planner!

Our engagement

We had decided to stay in Lamoille County and to build a home there. Rick and I looked at several pieces of land before settling on the perfect one for us. I continued to tell Rick that I wasn’t comfortable purchasing property with a “boyfriend.” He would shrug and agree. One week prior to purchasing the land and with me continuing to say I didn’t want to buy it with a “boyfriend,” Rick brought me up to the land to meet the realtor; we got there and no one was there. Rick suggested we walk out on the property and wait, which is what we did. We walked out to where we had planned on building our home and Rick got down on one knee and proposed.  The realtor never did show up that evening! We then went to tell our parents and off to a romantic dinner that Rick had planned.

Our Wedding

Our rehearsal dinner was held at the Webster Barn in Hyde Park. We wanted to invite all of our relatives and out of town guests for a relaxed fun country evening so we decided on a hoedown for that night. Black Diamond Catering did a wonderful job for us followed by a video of me, which was a gift from my uncles, growing up until I met Rick and fell in love. There were some tears and lots of laughter while watching the video. After an evening of fiddle music and dancing, we went our separate ways to wait for the big day.

Rick and I were married on a perfect fall day in September at Harwood Ranch, my grandparents’ property in Elmore, Vermont, surrounded by our loving family and friends.  Everything was picture-perfect.  Guests arrived to the sounds of a bag piper as they walked to the ceremony tent on a path lined with mums.  We had beautiful flowers from Wildflower Designs and Central Market Florist.  

During the ceremony we had a violinist who played in the background. Stuart Weppler, a long time family friend, was our Justice of the Peace. His sense of humor and kindness made our ceremony even more special. Violin music continued during our cocktail hour. After a delicious dinner by Black Diamond Catering and Suzanna’s Catering, dance music was provided by SuperSounds DJ under a candle lit tent until the wee hours of the morning. We were so lucky to have Ayer Photography who captured all the special moments and people at our rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, getting ready and the entire wedding event.

At the reception, guests had fun having their pictures taken in a photo booth. A scrap book was there for guests to leave a picture and write a note to us. Much to our guests’ surprise we also had a complete DVD of all the photos taken that night!

I chose a wedding dress from Fiori’s Bridal in Essex.  With the help of my matron of honor, bridesmaids, grandmother and mother, I picked out the perfect dress. 

Special thanks to Autumn Trombley, my hairdresser, for taking such good care of me and my entourage on the big day. Autumn pampered me by making my hair and makeup perfect for the day. 

During the evening we were entertained by a wonderful fireworks display from North Star Fireworks. This was a complete surprise to Rick and me from my parents, as they know how we just love fireworks!

The most amazing thing about our wedding day was the feeling in the ceremony and our reception. On that day, I was filled with a sense of total peace. After months of details (and admittedly, stress) and planning, I was finally here, on the day of my wedding. I had never felt so content, and so happy. I was completely, totally joyous. Perhaps it was being surrounded by my family and friends, so many from far away, while I celebrated one of the most precious moments in my life with Rick. I do know how intensely grateful I am for such a perfect day; one that I can still remember in vivid detail.

Featured Vermont Bride Magazine wedding professionals:

entertainment Supersounds DJ CO 802-899-2823 | Underhill, VT www.supersounds.com  

photography Ayer Photography 802-338-9193  | Colchester, VT www.ayerphoto.com

wedding resource Vermont Bride Magazine (802) 879-3157 www.vermontbridemagazine.com

flowers Wildflower Designs 800-657-5118 | Stowe, VT www.wildflowerdesignsstowe.com (beautiful flowers located in huge urns & ceremony tent).

caterer (hors d’oeuvers) Susanna’s Catering 802-635-9094 | www.susannascatering.com

engagement rings & wedding bands Perrywinkle’s Fine Jewelry 802-865-2624 | Burl., VT   www.perrywinkles.com

rehearsal dinner Webster Barn 802-851-8054 | Hyde Park, VT www.websterbarn.com

Testimonials from Jaimie (Demars) Welcome:

Wildflower Designs did an incredible job with the flowers that were in the ceremony tent and the huge urns of bright fall flowers were breathtaking for all of our guests to enjoy.
It was a pleasure working with Susanna and her staff from Susanna’s Catering; she created hors d’oeuvers to fit our fall wedding.  Susanna is creative and uses many local products which was important to us. 

Duane from SuperSounds DJ Co was great; he kept everything moving all night.  He was in close contact with me during the entire reception to make sure that I was happy and things were running like I had envisioned them to be.

Vermont Bride Magazine was so helpful in providing me with information and top quality vendors.  I looked forward to each and every edition for the latest styles and trends in Vermont.  It was helpful having a resource for Vermont brides!

Additional Professionals:

• (See complete list on page 66 of the Fall 2010 issue)
• Bridal gown: Fiori Bridal
• Bridesmaid dresses: Lubiana’s Bridal
• Ceremony & Reception: Hardwood Ranch, Elmore, VT
• Hair & Makeup: Artistic Roots Salon & Spa (Autumn Trombley), Morrisville, VT
• Tux: Arthur’s Department Store, Morrisville, VT 
• Photobooth: VT Photobooth Co.
• Rentals: Northern VT Tent Rental
• Caterer: Black Diamond Catering
• Wedding Cake: Sherry Anderson, Morrisville, VT
• Violinist: Professor Fairbanks
• Bag Piper: Ian McDonald
• Additional flowers:  Central Market Florist (note: bouquets & center pieces).
• Fireworks Display: Northstar Fireworks

Vermont Bride Magazine - Vermont's Most Trusted Wedding Resource Since 1990

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