Our Vermont summer wedding ranks among the happiest days of our lives. Vermont has always been one of my favorite places, and after our engagement in Vermont, we knew it was where we wanted to spend our wedding weekend. On July 24, 2016, we enjoyed a gorgeous summer day filled with family, friends, sunshine, the Green Mountains, and the rustic elegance I had envisioned.
With help from Shana at The Essex Resort and Spa, our country-chic vision came to life with simple touches, lively entertainment, and stunning scenery. To celebrate our three-year anniversary and the wanderlust that followed our road-trip honeymoon, here’s a look back at our wedding day in beautiful Vermont.
Planning a visit to Vermont? Check out local outdoor activities and travel tips for the Burlington area to help plan your trip.
Our Vermont Summer Wedding
- Our Vermont Summer Wedding
- Getting Ready
- The Church Ceremony
- The Reception
- Colors & Flowers
- The Buffet Dinner: Gluten-Free!
- The Cake
- The Party
- Reflections
Getting Ready
I got ready with my bridesmaids, my mom, my aunt, and close family and friends at The Essex Resort & Spa. It was wonderful to be surrounded by the women who shaped me into who I am today.
My cousin Rob and his fiancée Diana brought their French bulldog, Taco, since The Essex is pet-friendly. Taco’s affectionate kisses helped calm my nerves and added a joyful touch to the morning.
My dress was from Bella Sera in Danvers, MA — one of the first I tried on and the one I loved. Denise from Simplicity Salon & Spa styled our hair, and the Essex Spa handled makeup and manicures in the days leading up to the wedding.
Having my mom and my best friend and maid of honor, Kristen, help with final touches meant so much. They soothed my nerves while fastening buttons, helping with earrings, and slipping on my ballet flats—comfort was a priority on our wedding day.
Seeing my dad for the first time in my dress was unforgettable. He was one of the only people, besides Dylan, who hadn’t seen my gown. As an only child and a daddy’s girl, that moment was meaningful—evident by the happy tears that flowed throughout the day.
Dylan dressed at his parents’ house nearby before heading to the church. His suit and the groomsmen’s were from Men’s Wearhouse. My parents, bridesmaids, and I rode in a limo to the church, and that’s when everything started to feel very real.
The Church Ceremony
Our Catholic ceremony took place at Holy Family Catholic Church in Essex Junction. Family members from both sides read passages, and the church organist played the selections I chose.
Walking into the church, I remember my dad adjusting my train, butterflies in my chest, and spotting familiar faces in the pews. Then I saw Dylan at the altar—and everything else blurred into that one moment.
I honestly can’t recall much beyond that—thankfully our videographer captured the ceremony. Father Ranges brought warmth and humor to his homily, and we shared a laugh during the vows when the summer heat made Dylan’s ring stubborn.
After our first kiss and a few photos at the church, a limo carried us to The Ponds at Bolton Valley for champagne and our reception. The Essex provided school-bus shuttles to transport guests to the offsite venue.
The Reception
From our first visit to The Ponds, I knew it embodied the Vermont wedding I wanted. The Ponds is a cabin overlooking a lake, framed by flowers and mountains. Rustic wood details, a cozy fireplace, tall ceilings, and a balcony with sunset views provided the perfect balance of charm and natural beauty.
Cocktail hour flowed between the hall and the outdoor deck and lawn, with cornhole and ladderball for guests to enjoy. The grounds invited strolls around the lake and moments to admire the scenery.
Colors & Flowers
We chose a palette of green, beige, and pale pink. Bridesmaids wore green dresses while the groomsmen wore gray suits with green accents. Dennille at The Village Green Florist in Essex created our floral arrangements—my favorite part of planning. My bouquet, dried and preserved, still hangs in our home. Flowers included hydrangeas, roses, and peonies, with mason-jar centerpieces filled with hydrangeas and wax flowers.
Thoughtful details made the reception personal: maple-leaf glass jars of Vermont maple syrup from a family-run orchard served as favors; our initials appeared above the fireplace; and framed wedding photos of our parents and grandparents were displayed. Burlap runners over white linens completed the rustic, elegant look.
The Buffet Dinner: Gluten-Free!
Nearly everything on the buffet was gluten-free. The Essex is experienced at accommodating food allergies and prepared sauces and dressings without gluten. Their care at the tasting gave us confidence that the menu would be delicious and safe.
Cocktail hour featured fruit, bacon-wrapped dates, caprese skewers, and fingerling potatoes stuffed with goat cheese. The buffet included mesclun greens, roast Statler chicken, potatoes, fresh vegetables, roast pork loin, and a bacon-apple-cheddar stuffing. The only non-gluten item was butternut squash ravioli. I had a dedicated gluten-free basket of rolls and butter at our sweetheart table, and Dylan and I filled our plates first to avoid cross-contact.
Everything we tasted was wonderful.
The Cake
We had two cakes: a one-tier gluten-free cake for Dylan and me to cut and taste, and a traditional three-tier cake of the same flavor made without gluten-free preparation. This allowed me to enjoy cake safely without making the entire three-tier version gluten-free. We also received an extra single-tier gluten-free cake to freeze and enjoy on our one-year anniversary.
The Party
Our wedding party brought energy, inside jokes, and laughter—making the day feel intimate and joyful. We were grateful to have our best friends, siblings, and cousins play special roles.
Paul from SuperSounds Entertainment kept everyone on the dance floor all night. Our first dance to “You & Me” by Dave Matthews Band was delightfully uncoordinated and hilarious, especially when Dylan tried moves inspired by Napoleon Dynamite. I cried dancing with my dad to “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder, and spent Dylan’s mother-son dance to “What a Wonderful World” drying happy tears with hugs from the groomsmen.
Memorable moments included my dad doing the worm during “Shout,” my cousin Ethan collecting glowstick necklaces, and our friends Garrett and Christina performing an incredible Dirty Dancing lift—truly epic. After a night full of 90s hits, silliness, and photos in the booth, the evening ended too soon. We returned to The Essex for late-night drinks and conversation, and around midnight my uncle ordered a dozen pizzas. We were glad to have a gluten-free snack platter in our room.
Reflections
Before cutting the cake, Dylan and I slipped outside for a quiet walk to a tree by the pond—a small moment of calm amid the celebration. It was the best advice we received: take a few minutes together to soak it in while it’s still happening.
Standing by the lake at sunset, I felt grateful, joyful, and excited for our future. Dylan reminded me to pause and appreciate that we had just gotten married—and that memory has stayed clear and precious.
THANK YOU
The best part of our wedding was celebrating our love with our closest family and friends. It was a once-in-a-lifetime weekend that we cherished. We felt blessed and grateful throughout.
We’re forever thankful to our parents for their help and support in creating the wedding weekend of our dreams. Thank you, Mom, Dad, Weezy, and Fitz. We love you.
To my goofy, brilliant husband Dylan—Happy Anniversary. I love you with all my heart and look forward to many more hikes, travels, and adventures together. ❤️
For a complete list of the vendors we worked with, please refer to our vendor list.