Why did you choose Vermont for your wedding? Charlie and I met in Vermont while going to college, and we relocated back to Vermont soon after the proposal. Vermont is where we saw ourselves settling down, so it made sense to us to get married in this wonderful green state!
How did you choose your venue? We were on the search for an outdoor location. Our priority was one place where we could have the ceremony and reception, and one that offered great views. The winning factors of choosing Lareau Farm Inn was the immediate feeling of home we both received when we visited. Lizabeth was great to work with, and was honest and genuine. The barn pavilion at Lareau Farm Inn was also very convenient; it meant we didn’t have to rent a tent. The barn pavilion also has a built in bar and wood fire oven, making our desire for a pizza and beer filled reception a reality!
What was your theme/color palette? We use did not to take away in regards to color from what the nature was already offering us in August, so our colors were neutral. Our theme summed us up completely (highlighted below), yet it could be best described as Gramma’s Farmhouse.
What was your favorite detail from your wedding? During our ceremony Charlie and I blended soil into a repotted ficus tree. We collected soil from the place where we have our “roots”: my home towns, Charlie’s home, and the place we met.
Oh, and my floral belt! Choosing no bouquet was an odd choice, but I was supported all of the way from loved ones. I opted out of the bouquet and opted in to the floral belt because I wanted to enjoy my flowers! I knew my hands would never be free to hold the bouquet because I held my dad’s hands as he walked me down the aisle, and then I held Charlie’s hands during the ceremony. My hands were meant for hold other hands :-)
How did your wedding reflect your relationship as a couple? All of our details really reflected us! I cross stitch, Charlie birds; we first lived together in Mississippi and now live in Vermont. We enjoy craft brews, and enjoy a causal dining experience.
- Each table was topped with a vintage cross stitch/embroidered tablecloth. Center pieces: on top of a slate slab were local flowers in milk jugs from my childhood dairy farm, a bird picture relevant to our relationship in lieu of a number, a candle, and a yard sale find vessel that held “Chat Pack” questions for creating conversation with the table.
- Our wedding favors were DIY slate magnets with a stamp of Vermont & a package of candied pecans with a sticker of Mississippi.
- Charlie found a great bluegrass band. They played an acoustic pre-ceremony set in addition to the reception. Charlie also created the playlist for the reception full of “romantic” songs he had put on mix CDs for me while we were living long distance.
- Our choice in beers on tap. We chose Switchback (a visit to the brewery was one of our first dates in 2011), Fiddlehead (we fell in love with the full-hops of this beer when we returned to Vermont), and Old Brown Dog from Smuttynose (a place we visit often when we go to NH) – PLUS we had pictures of us at each of the breweries, which we proudly displayed at the bar.
- We opted for pies & cookies over cake. We celebrate Pi Day together. We chose a pecan pie, 5 berry pie, and chocolate cream pie. We each had a cookie that was important to our childhood – soft molasses and “Ranger Rick” cookies.
What were some of your favorite moments? It was heartwarming to see all of our friends and family from near and far show up to celebrate with us – Charlie’s paternal uncle was present, and he has not seen his siblings in over 10 years! There were so many reunions. It was humbling to witness them, as well as be a part of them.
What advice would you give other couples planning their wedding? First, with your partner, figure out what your non-negotiables are. Then ask each of your parents what is important for them to see at your wedding. Next, figure out what you want the overall feel of your wedding to be (your wedding’s vision & mission statement). After all of those items are figured, the planning process is easy because you have figured out what really matters and it is just a matter of figuring out the little details that highlight those important items.
featured professionals | VENUE & ACCOMMODATIONS: Lareau Farm Inn | WEDDING OFFICIANT: Shirley Oskamp | PHOTOGRAPHER: Julia Aviles & Macaulay Lerman | CATERER: American Flatbread Company at Lareau Farm Inn | FLORIST: The Painted Tulip | EVENT RENTALS: Vermont Vintage Rentals | FAVORS: Slate magnet – Stamp from stampcouture, Candied Pecans – NewOrleansCandies | BAND: Mile Twelve | CAKE: Mix Cupcakerie | WEDDING GOWN: BHLDN | VEIL: abusymother | REHEARSAL DINNER: Localfolk Smokehouse | DOG KENNEL: Lucky Dog
