This edgy, Victorian and gothic wedding inspiration is perfect for fall or Halloween weddings. Full of unique and creative ideas for incorporating a couple's love for creepy things in an elegant and sophisticated way. With a dark red, black, and gold color palette and featuring exotic touches like fire breathers and a six foot boa constrictor, this wedding is sure to be one that your guests will remember! The bride has a Victorian hair style and a floral necklace choker, and dramatic makeup that adds a touch of drama to her overall look. The reception features anatomically molded hands for place card holders and jaw-dropping display of cocktail magic with aromatics and fire. The dramatic uplighting and fog create a spooky atmosphere in the weathered, dark wood round barn with amazing rafter beam ceilings.

Samantha and Chad chose to have their wedding in Vermont because they wanted a location that would highlight the beautiful scenery of "home". They loved using Vermont Bride magazine as a reference for their planning, finding ideas for food, colors, decorations, music, and more within it's pages. Read on to find out what Samanatha had to say about their Real Wedding Love Story!

We thought you would enjoy a little pop of vibrant color to warm your Monday. The red in this elegant photo shoot is rich and vibrant-perfectly accented with rich, gold tones and glittering details. 

This merlot and blush inspiration photo shoot from JBphotography seemlessly blends vintage and modern elements in a hip and trendy loft setting. A banner with inspiring words of love calligraphied creates an ethereal backdrop for an intimate ceremony surrounded by candles and deep burgandy florals give the scene depth and drama. Bronze and metal geometric shapes give height to the table setting while laser cut signage adorns the place settings. A rustic, yet romantic, cake display further merges the hip and modern feel of a casual ceremony with a more traditional, vintage look with white washed doors and an antique suitcases and furniture.

Michael chose the perfect time to propose to Eleonore, right before they were about to head home to Vermont to celebrate Christmas with their families. Before they left California, where they were both doing residencies at Stanford, Michael gave Eleonore a beautiful Tiffany necklace as an early Christmas present. When she turned around after putting it on he was waiting with the ring. Even though they were living in California at the time, the couple knew they wanted to have their wedding in Vermont where they had both grown up and their relationship had begun.

To read more of Eleonore and Michael's love story and to see more photos from their wedding be sure to pick up your copy of the Summer/Fall 2017 issue of Vermont Bride magazine, now available for preorder here!

Friends for nine years before they became a couple, Emily and Patrick met in High School. Because of their long friendship it did not take Pat very long to decide Emily was the one, and he proposed on Christmas Day within the first year. They fell in love with The Wallingford Lodge because of it’s woodsy, secluded location, and the amazing views. Emily particularly loved that she had complete control over the decorating of the reception and she DIY’d many of the decor elements in a bohemian/fall theme. 

Her favorite detail was the grape soda bottle cap pin she made for Pat in honor of the movie UP and to incorporate their love of Disney. She also loved her customized floral crown made with berries, pinecones, flowers, and succulents. Both Emily and Pat wanted to have an intimate first look before the ceremony. They met at a circle of trees near the lodge to share a giggle and some happy tears before walking down the aisle. Both of Emily’s parents walked her down the aisle, something that meant a lot to her since they are both her best friends and a huge part of her life. 

featured professionals | PHOTOGRAPHER: Red Bird Photography, Moments Photography | EVENT RENTALS: Celebration Rentals | VENUE: Wallingford Lodge | FLORIST: Carr’s Florist | CAKE: Marie Coombs | FAVORS: Potlicker Kitchen, Vermont Roots | GOWN: A Trace of Lace | FORMAL WEAR: McNeil and Reedy | HAIR STYLIST: Avanti Hair | MAKEUP ARTIST: Em & M Makeup by Emily | INVITATIONS: Etsy | BAND: Bobby Dick and the Sundowners and DJ Susie Q | WEDDING PLANNING: The Event Sisters | WEDDING OFFICIANT: Carl Mazzariello

Kristin and Ian grew up not too far from each other - she in Massachusettes, and he in nearby Vermont - but it was at a bar in Boston that fate arranged for them to meet. After Kristin's friend literally pushed her to strike up a conversation with Ian (she really did nudge them together!), the rest was history. They both love to travel and the couple even lived in Nicaragua for a few months and have been back to visit several times since. But it was back in Vermont, while snowshowing on Ian's mother's property in Woodstock, that he proposed.

Kristin and Ian decided to hold their wedding at Ian's family's farm for the woodsy, rustic vibe they were looking for. Kristin even held a yoga class for friends and family in the upstairs of a barn on the morning of the wedding. The ceremony was held on a small hill overlooking the pond with a reception under a tent nearby. Wild flowers and mason jars adorned the tables and the couple gave out seeds as favors. Kristin's father is Armenian and her whole family joined him on the dance floor for a traditional Armenian dance called a "Baurd", and set the tone for the party for the rest of the night!

featured professionals | PHOTOGRAPHER: KRISTIN CHALMERS PHOTOGRAPHY | CATERER: COVENTRY CATERING | DJ: DJ ARTISAN PRODUCTIONS | MAKEUP ARTIST: KRYSTAL B. | FLORAL DESIGNER: VALLEY FLOWER COMPANY

Kristina and Alain met on a balcony at a mutual friends party. When the crowd dissipated and they were the only two people left outside, Alain took the opportunity to kiss Kristina, and their love story began! One of their first getaways as a couple was to Burlington, Vermont - just a short drive from their hometown of Montreal. They immediately fell in love with the scenery, food, and amazing people in Burlington. When Kristina received an email from Hotel Vermont advertising their elopement package, she knew it was the perfect option for her and Alain.

Hotel Vermont took care of all the details for the elopement, so all Kristina and Alain had to do was hire a photographer. They chose a dark red and deep purple color palette- perfect for their Valentine’s Day wedding. Despite the chilly temperatures they opted for an outdoor ceremony, fireside, and took the opportunity to take photos on Church Street with all of the twinkling lights. They even braved the wind for photos on the lake at sunset. It might have been the coldest weekend of the year, but seeing the sunset on the lake ended up being one of their favorite moments of the day.

Krstina and Alain’s advice for other couples planning their big day: “Make sure you hire reputable vendors and do all of your planning ahead of time so you can relax and take in the day because even though we eloped it went so fast.  Remember nothing is ever ‘perfect’ and it’s the things that don’t go as planned that make it the most memorable.”

featured professionals | VENUE & ACCOMMODATIONS: HOTEL VERMONT | PHOTOGRAPHER: COLETTE KULIG PHOTOGRAPHY | CATERER: PIZZA VERITAS | FLORIST: CLAYTON FLORAL | CAKE: MIRABELLES CAFE | WEDDING GOWN: DAVID’S BRIDAL | FORMAL WEAR: KENNETH COLE | MAKEUP: SEPHORA WEDDING | OFFICIANT: CAMERON KEITEL FROM THE HOTEL VERMONT | JEWELRY: SWAROVSKI

Amy and Jay wanted a simple, vintage wedding with an organic feel that would highlight the beauty of fall in Midwestern Illinois. From the ceremony to the reception, their focus was having their friends and family around them. So instead of having a head table they set the tables up in a U shape to create one large family table. Amy's wedding gown was the same one her mother wore for her own wedding, which she had altered for a more modern look. The vibrant flowers echoed the fall color palette surrounding the natural setting. From their "first look" to fun photo ops in the corn field, Amy and Jay definitely succeeded in creating the casual and heartfelt celebration they dreamed of!

featured professionals | PHOTOGRAPHER: Jon Larson Photography | VENUE: Storybook Gardens | GOWN ALTERATIONS: DMP Tailoring and Alterations | GROOMS ATTIRE: H & M | Floral Designer: Pocket Full of Posies Florist | CATERER: Sweet Dream Desserts and Catering

After Cyndie and Josh were put in charge of the same account at the ad agency they worked at—she was the project manager, he was the art director—they could feel a special connection. Countless laugh filled chats, long hours battling deadlines, and after work beers, they were officially more than just work associates. Both Josh and Cyndie love adventures and spending time in nature, so it was a very special place that Josh chose to propose. Lake Pemaquid Campground in Maine is where Cyndie, her father, and sister have been camping for the last twenty-six years. When she and Josh rented a cabin there for a relaxing weekend getaway Josh took the opportunity to propose on the beach of their usual site, number 41, with the lake and fall leaves surrounding them.

Originally the couple actually assumed they would marry in Maine, but recently both of their sisters were married at their childhood spots. Wanting to keep those locations special to them, Cyndie and Josh decided to officially start their life together in a place that reflected them as a couple. Their first trip together was to Burlington, Vermont - where neither had been before. They spent the weekend exploring the town’s boutiques, artists, and restaurants, and were instantly hooked. Since then the couple have traveled to Vermont many times, so it was a natural choice to host their wedding there.

Cyndie and Josh describe themselves as simple and casual, so they took to the internet in search of small, rustic venues for their wedding. They spent a busy two-day trip exploring six different venues, the last being Blueberry Hill in Goshen, Vermont. They instantly knew it was the one. It was the perfect combination of casual yet beautiful, rustic yet updated, charming yet elegant. The fact that the inn also featured a classically trained chef, and a charming resident pug named Wheezer, clinched it for them.

Their theme of rustic, country, with fall colors went perfectly with the feel of the venue. With the beautiful green mountains in the backdrop, they chose small, simple details that would accentuate the natural beauty around them. They scoured yard sales for mismatched antique dinner and salad plates and hand made centerpieces of fall flowers in mason jars. In fact, everything from the card box to the cake stand and popcorn bar featured wooden accents that were hand crafted by Cyndie and Josh. Their favors of s’mores kits with raspberry, caramel, and coconut marshmallows rounded out the woodsy theme.

Their wedding reflected their crafty side, but the piece de resistance was a fully functioning 80s style arcade, which they completely refurbished and resurfaced with rustic scrap wood pieces stamped with their favorite childhood video games. At the end of the night their guests enjoyed a mouth-watering display of donuts instead of cake, and a s’mores filled bonfire.

Cyndie and Josh’s advice for other couples: “Don’t be afraid to be different. We made a LOT of choices that other people thought were untraditional or just plain odd. You might start to doubt those decisions as the day comes closer, but WAIT. Don’t lose sight of the fact that everything that will make your day unique about YOU as a couple will be the very same things that people will remember the most.”

featured professionals | PHOTOGRAPHER: Ben Hudson Photography | TENT RENTALS: Celebration Rentals | VENUE, CATERING:  Blueberry Hill Inn | BAR SERVICES: Two Brothers Tavern | ACCOMMODATIONS:  Blueberry Hill Inn, Brandon Inn, Chipman Inn, and the Marriott | DJ: APQ Production | DONUTS: Big Picture Theater | WEDDING GOWN & ALTERATIONS: Bride’s Choice | HAIR STYLIST: Morgan Trombley, Saje Salon | MAKEUP STYLIST: Stacey Greene, Saje Salon | WEDDING OFFICIANT: Diane Mott