Best of 2022: Readers Choice Awards

Posted on January 31, 2023

For the past few weeks, we’ve been highlighting a few of the incredible Vermont weddings from 2022 in our annual Best of Vermont Weddings series. New this year, we asked you, our devoted readers, to vote for your favorites in our first ever Readers Choice Awards. Today we’re sharing your favorites as we wrap up this series and get excited for 2023!

Thousands of you voted for your favorites – and the polls were very close – and we’re excited to celebrate these winners!

Best of Cakes & Drinks: Wildflower Wonder

This pressed flower cake by Blue House Bakeshop, which matches the bride’s dress, took the cake as your top pick.

Photographer: Rodeo & Co

Best of Style: Black and White Beauties

These brides’ style was stunning and you agreed! The classic white gown, the killer black beaded jumpsuit, the wildly lush bouquets by M’s Wedding Flowers … it’s absolutely gorgeous!

Photo: Colette Kulig Photography

Best of First Looks: All Grown Up (Readers Choice Award)

This dad was brought to tears when he sees his daughter for the first time on her wedding day, and honestly, so am I watching this clip!

Film: Beyond Bliss Films

Best of Ceremony Details: Pretty in Pink

You loved this beautiful ceremony at the Inn at Weathersfield! From the bold pink floral aisle decor, matching ceremony arch, and coordinated petal drop as they walked back down the aisle as newlyweds – it’s unforgettable!

Photo: GarrenTee Photography

Best of Florals: Falling in Love

You swooned for these orange and corals fall bouquets by Fleur Du Nord Farm. They perfectly pop against the dark green bridesmaid dresses and are the sweetest nod to the beautiful Vermont foliage at Sterling Ridge Resort.

Photo: K. Lenox Photography

Best of Venues: Sterling Ridge

Sterling Ridge Resort, a log cabin resort hidden in the mountains, provides a unique, private space for couples to celebrate with loved ones for an entire wedding weekend. You crowned this spot your top pick this year!

Photo: K. Lenox Photography

Best of Dogs: On the Run

Cheddar the dog was thrilled to be included in his parent’s big day. His “my-humans-just-got-married” excitement caught your hearts!

Photo: Kate Seymour Photography

Best of Reception Details (Tie!): Chopped

This couple included a friendly axe throwing competition for their Mansfield Barn wedding reception, and it slashed through the competition to the top!

Photo: Juniper Studios

Best of Reception Details (Tie!): Ring Ring

This champagne welcome that Sara Judith Events helped design, deserves a cheers of its own!

Photo: Adam Michaels

Best of Elopements & Microweddings: Boho Beautiful

You loved this couple’s microwedding at Sugarbush Resort, with so many beautiful boho details!

Photo: Rae Ann Photo LLC

Best of Champagne Pops: Smoke & Spray

You loved this unique take on the famous champagne pop photo!

Photo: GarrenTee Photography

Best of Just Married: The Aisle Kiss

This couple was so excited to be married, they barely made it to the end of the aisle before stealing another kiss! In turn, they stole your hearts!

Photo: Courtney Cania

That’s a Wrap on Best of Vermont Weddings 2022

Thank you to everyone who voted in our Readers Choice Awards! And a huge congratulations to every featured member in our Best of Vermont Weddings series! 2022 was an amazing year, and we can’t wait to celebrate along with you all in 2023!

Loved this post?

Check out our Ultimate Wedding Planning Guide for more inspiration and actionable tips (plus spreadsheets you can use to get organized immediately) to plan your dreamy Vermont wedding!

Best of 2022: Champagne Pop Photos

Posted on January 23, 2023

If you’ve been following along on Instagram this year, you know this to be true: champagne pop photos had a moment in 2022. These fun photos were the must have engagement and wedding shot of the year! Below is our editorial picks featuring our favorite champagne pop photos to celebrate the year of popping bottles!

Check them out and see who you’re toasting as your favorite in our Readers Choice Awards below.

Bright & Bubbly

Is there any combo more fun than confetti and champagne?! This bridal squad is ready to get the party started at the Wilburton Inn.

Photo: Swoyer Photography

Fall Foliage & Fizz

The entire wedding party lined up to cheer on the couple as they popped a bottle, and the spray is epic! The bridal bouquets by Fleur Du Nord Farm and rolling mountains at Sterling Ridge Resort served as the perfect backdrop for this fun moment.

Photo: K. Lenox Photography

Smoke & Spray (Readers Choice Awards Winner)

This couple’s backlit portrait is one of the most unique I have seen! I love the mix of the groom’s cigar smoke as the bride pops a bottle – definitely a fun, unique take on this photo opp!

Photo: GarrenTee Photography

Champagne Showers

Is that rain? Snow? No, it’s an epic champagne pop! In addition to this amazing spray, I love the wedding party’s enthusiasm!

Photo: Jess Rene Photos

A Sparkling Send Off

This adventurous bride took matters into her own hands! The couple had planned a sparkler exit, and on a whim, she grabbed a bottle and showered the crowd! It was a welcome surprise on this hot summer night!

Wedding Film: Beyond Bliss Films

The Private Toast

Noted: add “private forest toast” to your wedding itinerary. This couple shared an intimate cheers as newlyweds, and it’s a great reminder to take a moment alone to soak everything in during your big day!

Photo: Photos by Kintz

Cheers O’Clock

Sarah Judith Events helped this bride and groom plan every detail of their elegant wedding day, including this amazing champagne pop moment!

Photo: Adam Michaels Photography

Bubbling with Excitement

Nothing says ‘congrats’ like a little bubbly! I love this wedding morning champagne toast at Lake Bomoseen Lodge with the bridal party, complete with silver streamers and matching robes.

Photo: Lindsey Vann Photography

Champagne Kisses

Champagne always makes for a fun photo prop, but this couple took it to the next level for their engagement shoot by jumping in the lake with a bottle! Priceless!

Photo: Allison Macy Photography

Loved this post?

Check out our Ultimate Wedding Planning Guide for more inspiration and actionable tips (plus spreadsheets you can use to get organized immediately) to plan your dreamy Vermont wedding!

Best of 2022: Wedding Florals

Posted on January 16, 2023

Flowers are the ultimate wedding accessory. Whether in a bouquet, adorned on an arbor, or decorating a tablescape, wedding florals add that extra something to each celebration.

Editorial Picks for Best Vermont Wedding Florals

Vermont wedding florists crafted countless gorgeous creations this year, and after culling through the stunning submissions, I narrowed it down to our editorial picks for the best Vermont wedding florals of 2022.

After swooning over them, you voted for your Readers Choice Awards winner – see who below!

Falling in Love (Readers Choice Awards Winner)

I love the use of orange and corals in these fall bouquets by Fleur Du Nord Farm. They perfectly pop against the dark green bridesmaid dresses and are the sweetest nod to the beautiful Vermont foliage at Sterling Ridge Resort.

Photo: K. Lenox Photography

A Petal Party

I couldn’t narrow a favorite in this submission from Blossoming Bough – the arbor; the aisle runners; the bouquet; the tablescape… all topped with a post ceremony petal toss?! It’s chef’s kiss.

Photo: Abigail Grey Photography

The Dreamiest Arbor

Truly one of the most stunning arbors I’ve ever seen. Tipsy Tulip Designs crafted the perfect, romantic backdrop for this couple’s wedding ceremony at The Essex. (Their outfits, her in a gown from Fiori Bridal and him in a suit from McNeil & Reedy add to the glamour.)

Photo: Amy Demos Photography

A Blizzard Beauty

The all white floral scheme is classic and oh-so elegant for this winter wedding. Florist Jasmine of A Clover and One Bee, shared that there was a major snowstorm that day, and she rode in a snowplow to personally deliver the bouquet to the bride! (Doesn’t get more Vermont than that!)

Photographer: Jenna Brisson Photography

Bold and Beautiful

These coral peonies steal the show, and the lilac is a stunning, unexpected compliment. I can only imagine this bouquet by M’s Wedding Flowers was as sweetly fragrant as it is boldly beautiful!

Photo: Kate McElwee Photography

The Sunshine Day

This arbor by Flower Power VT makes me want to break into into song – “it’s going to be a bright, bright, sunshiny day!” I can’t think of a better backdrop for a beautiful, joyful summer wedding celebration. Even more amazing: all the blooms are grown on Anne’s farm!

Forever in Bloom

These custom, resin bookends by Tanglewood Floral Preservation are the most creative and beautiful way to remember your wedding day – and preserve your wedding flowers! Such a treasure for years to come.

Loved this post?

Check out our Ultimate Wedding Planning Guide for more inspiration and actionable tips (plus spreadsheets you can use to get organized immediately) to plan your dreamy Vermont wedding!

Meet Wedding Florist Fleur Du Nord Farms

Posted on September 29, 2022

Love the idea of lush floral arrangements mixed with fresh greenery that compliment your special day? Then you’ll fall head over heels with wedding florist Fleur Du Nord Farm.

Located in Milton, Vermont husband and wife team Sam and Elena specialize in timeless wedding bouquets, boutonnieres, table arrangements, and more. Just as exciting, you can even visit their beautiful 11-acre farm yourself and pick your own stems.

Elena sat down with Vermont Weddings to share what got her into floral design, and what she loves most about weddings. Read on to learn more.

How did you get into wedding floral arrangements?

We started doing wedding florals when we grew and designed the flowers for our own wedding. We were able to do this after buying our 11 acre homestead in spring of 2021. Since then, we have been expanding the farm to a low us to grow flowers all season long.

How would you describe your floral arrangement style?

My style is classic, lush floral arrangements. We love to mix greenery and focal florals to add dimension and balance but not take away from the couple on their big day.

What inspires your work?

I am inspired by the seasons in Vermont as well as the couple’s personal style. I try to balance the two to create florals that match your and the environment where the event is.

Any special tips for couples for working with a wedding florist?

Wedding flowers work in the background to accentuate the venue and to draw the attention of the guests to the romantic moments. As a wedding florist we want to ensure that we are able to make your vision come to life while balancing your budget.

What’s your favorite moment during a wedding?

My favorite moment is watching the couple’s faces as they walk down the aisle. The emotion is so pure and beautiful.

What’s your favorite thing to do in VT?

We love going to Cold Hollow Cider in the fall and getting cider donuts with a hot cup of apple cider. There is nothing better.

If you weren’t a wedding florist what would you do?

Wedding floral design is only part of my career. When I am not working with flowers or tending to the farm, you can find me working in public health to improve the health of the perinatal population.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

Although Sam and I love flowers, we love our cat, Pabst more!

Thank you, Elena and Sam! Learn more about Fleur Du Nord Farm in the Vendor Guide.