Love Story Spring 2008 (Cover Bride)

Lisbeth (Bruce) & Christopher Roncarati

September 1, 2007
Event held at the beautiful Edson Hill Manor
Stowe, Vermont

Christopher and I were married on a crisp, sunny day in September at the beautiful Edson Hill Manor in Stowe, surrounded by loving family and friends. Everything was picture perfect. My father and I arrived at the ceremony in our friend Charlie and Louise Shaffer's vintage Rolls Royce, while the music of pianist, Jessica Mellot, played in the background. Chris and I wrote our own wedding vows, and our great friends Kevin D'Arcy and Julie Matheny did a fantastic job with their readings during the ceremony. Mitzi Speer of Stowe was our Justice of the Peace, and her warm smile and calm demeanor made our ceremony all the more special. Wonderful Calypso music was performed by Scott and Barbara of The Steel Drum Duo during our cocktail hour, followed by a delicious sit down dinner and an evening of dancing under a candle-lit tent to the sounds of The Funk Collection, an energetic seven piece band from Vermont.

At the reception we had a Polaroid camera available, so that guests could take pictures of themselves, insert them into a photo album, and write a little something to memorialize the day. Childhood photos, as well as pictures of our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were also on display for all to see. Our wedding programs included a poem written by my Great Grandma Loveland who had recently passed away, and our table settings included sparklers with embossed matchbooks, and individual disposable cameras to capture additional candid shots during the wedding.

Our rehearsal dinner was held at The Stowehof Inn, a quaint Vermont Inn also located on Edson Hill Road in Stowe. Samantha Buczek, personal friend and wedding coordinator for the Stowehof, helped create an excellent rehearsal dinner menu. The Stowehof Inn's relaxed atmosphere and quality service made it a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Jon Palombi, owner of The Crystal Hollow on Main Street in Stowe, crafted our beautiful engagement and wedding rings. He also worked with me to create my amazing pearl necklace, as well as matching pearl earrings for all of the lovely ladies in my bridal party, including my mother and mother-in-law. Chris and I are thankful for Jon's friendship and expertise - he is a true artisan.

My wedding dress was chosen from Sewly Yours on Church Street in Burlington. Debbie LaFromboise, the owner of Sewly Yours, facilitates what can sometimes be a tumultuous decision-making process! With her experience and easy going nature, Debbie effectively calmed my nerves and removed any inhibitions I may have had to find "the perfect dress".

Special thanks to Kristen Weiss, my hairdresser, and the entire staff of Total Body Salon in Stowe for taking such good care of myself and my entourage on the big day. The chocolate covered fruit and other accompaniments during hair and makeup were also a nice touch - thank you, Eric!

My bridesmaid's dresses were chosen in navy, and ordered from the J.Crew Bridal line. In keeping with our color theme, Nancy Murray, owner of School House Garden in Waitsfield, Vermont, arranged our flowers, complete with petite cala lillies, snapdragons, and our favorite - blue hydrangeas. All of our bouquets and corsages, as well as the table arrangements, were made using fresh lavender and mint, which created an extraordinary visual and sensory experience.

Local baker and business owner, Janet Martinez, baked mini blueberry pies for us, inspired because these are our favorite "sweet treat". The pies were individually boxed and given as wedding favors. Thank you, Janet, these were a huge hit -- especially as a delicious midnight snack later that evening!

Larry Asam of Larry Asam Photography in Stowe was our photographer of choice. Larry has the unique ability to be both professional and laid back, all at the same time. This made what could have been a somewhat painful process to take our numerous wedding photos an easy and fun part of the day! Larry's ability to capture the true essence of the day was remarkable, and his photos will be forever treasured.

Many of the ideas we had for our wedding were found in Vermont Bride Magazine, so when I was approached by Larry to be on its cover, I was honored. Vermont Bride Magazine is an invaluable resource for all brides who are gathering information and ideas necessary to create an authentic Vermont wedding.

I'm sure there are numerous individuals whom I may be forgetting to give proper kudos, and if so, I apologize. Loving thanks go to my parents, Chris' parents, our bridal party, as well as our family and friends who helped us prepare for our special day and celebrate it with such love and enthusiasm. We had always pictured a quintessential Vermont wedding, which could not have been possible without the above individuals and Vermont businesses who made our wedding so memorable. It was truly a day to remember, and we could not have done it without you!

Index of Love Stories at Vermont Bride Magazine