BEST OF 2022: Wedding Venues

Posted on January 17, 2023

Despite being a small state, there is no shortage of amazing wedding venues across Vermont. From mountain retreats to lakeside spots, there truly is something for everyone here. We’re rounding up the best Vermont wedding venues to help you find your perfect “I do” location!

Check out our editorial picks for the best wedding venues in 2022, and vote for your favorite in our Readers Choice Awards below!

The Equinox

The Equinox is located in the beautiful town of Manchester, Vermont and has no shortage of sweeping, majestic mountain views. Showcased here is the venue’s picturesque Pond Pavilion, which is located at the foot of Mt. Equinox.

Photo: Jaclyn Schmitz

Sugarbush Resort

If you love Vermont for skiing or snowboarding, then you’ll fall head over heels for Sugarbush Resort! This quintessential Vermont wedding venue, located in Warren, is breathtaking all seasons. The Resort offers several options for gathering spaces and plentiful onsite accommodations.

Photo 1: Juniper Studios

Photo 2: Oliver Parini

Wilburton Inn

The Wilburton Inn is nestled on 30 acres of pure romantic and historic charm! This venue is perfect for couple’s looking to provide guests with a weekend-long celebration. Their ceremony site boasts sweeping views, and the unique marble courtyard is the dreamiest setting to dance the night away.

Photos: Swoyer Photography

Hildene

Step straight into a fairytale at Hildene. The formal gardens of the Lincoln Family Home are the perfect backdrop for taking photos and sweeping views of the Taconic and Green Mountains are hard to beat. This is one of Vermont’s most elegant, historic and timeless venues!

Photo: Michelle Lange Photography

An Affair by the Lake

An Affair by the Lake, located on the shores of Lake Champlain, is truly stunning. Along with uninterrupted lake views, this venue also offers a ceremony gazebo, large lawn for a tented reception, and elegant Inn on site for select guests.

Photo: Golden Door Photo

Talta Lodge

Tälta Lodge is one of Stowe, Vermont’s newest wedding venues and conveniently located near lots of outdoor activities, perfect for adventure loving couples. Highlighted here is a timeless summer wedding by Sara Judith Events. Everything about this day at Talta Lodge was customized to perfection for the bride and groom, and showcases what’s possible at this beautiful venue.

Film: Beyond Bliss Films

ECHO

Complete with sparkling views of Lake Champlain, ECHO is truly a unique and modern wedding venue. It’s one of the most memorable wedding venues in Vermont (think: fish tanks & exhibits inside and Adirondack mountains views outside!) and is one of only a few venues directly on the Burlington waterfront.

Photo: Michael Tallman

Farm Road Estate

Farm Road Estate is a historic and romantic wedding venue and inn nestled on 32 acres in West Dover, Vermont. A quintessential Vermont wedding destination, uniquely suited to host Pinterest- ready weddings and large events all year round!

Photo 1: Abigail Jean Photography

Photo 2: Jenna Brisson Photography

The Essex Resort & Spa

The Essex Resort and Spa is the perfect destination for couples looking for deluxe accommodations and Vermont charm. Featured here is a garden party themed summer wedding filmed by Kasaydia Wind Media. The couple’s big day was ethereal, personal and sweet, with the Essex being the perfect backdrop!

Maquam Barn

Maquam Barn and Winery in Milton, Vermont can be easily descirbed in one word: romantic! The venue is a working winery with a magnificent, newly constructed barn, and sweeping vistas to backdrop couple’s ceremonies.

Photo: Katie Jean Photos

Lake Bomoseen Lodge

Lake Bomoseen Lodge is nestled in the Taconic Mountains on Vermont’s largest inland lake, gorgeous Lake Bomoseen. the venue includes multiple ceremony locations and on-site accomodations. We’ve seen weddings from all four seasons held here, each breathtaking in their own right!

Photo: Lindsey Vann

Inn at Grace Farm

The Inn at Grace Farm provides couples with a private estate experience for their Vermont celebration. With three ceremony sites, a stunning reception barn, and comfortable on-site accommodations, Grace Farm is a truly magical place to celebrate.

Photo: Photos by Kintz

Sleepy Hollow

Step into a storybook at Sleepy Hollow Inn! Shown here is the venue’s pavilion, a cozy and romantic space in the winter. I’m swooning over the flickering candles framing the aisles.

Photo Credit: Cait Fletcher photo

Silhouette Hill

Silhouette Hill checks all of the boxes when it comes to hosting a quintessential Vermont wedding in the county. They provide a serene, picturesque backdrop for couples looking to customize their big day.

Millstone Hill

Millstone Hill is complete with gorgeous views, a beautiful event barn, and a Bed and Breakfast. For couples looking for a real Vermont feel and charm, this quaint and romantic venue is it!

Lareau Farm Inn

Lareau Farm Inn is a classic Vermont farmhouse venue in Waitsfield, Vermont. Celebrations sprawl from the pavilion onto the expansive lawn, which lends even the most elegant of wedding an intimate vibe. As the home of Vermont-famous, American Flatbread, they also offer catering, including that famous (and ridiculously delish) wood-fired pizza.

Photo 1: MoHo Photo

Photo 2: Hannah Photography

Farmhouse Flowers

Farmhouse Flowers VT is blooming with beauty! As the name suggests, this gorgeous venue is nestled among the lush flower gardens, from which the team crafts stunning wedding floral arrangements and bouquets. The timber frame reception barn is equally lovely.

Photo: Desirae Jean Photography

Sterling Ridge (Readers Choice Awards)

Sterling Ridge Resort is a log cabin resort hidden in the mountains, providing a unique, private space for couples to celebrate with loved ones for an entire wedding weekend. This is an absolutely beautiful backdrop for nature lovers!

Photo: K. Lenox Photography

Wild Sugar Homestead

Wild Sugar Homestead is a stunning, rustic wedding venue perfect for couples who want to create a unique, DIY wedding experience in a place that showcases all of Vermont’s natural beauty. And fun fact: its owners, Hallie and Erik (pictured), were also among the first couple to get married here!

Photos by Jessica Dantowitz and second shooter Miranda Photo Co.

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!

VENUE SPOTLIGHT ON AN AFFAIR BY THE LAKE

Posted on May 26, 2022

Do you love being by the lake? Are you looking for a wedding venue that provides a beautiful blank canvas you can transform into your wedding vision? Are you looking forward to relaxing on your wedding weekend with loved ones? If you answered yes, you’re going to love today’s venue spotlight on An Affair by the Lake. This unique property in Addison Vermont is located on Lake Champlain and combines the charm of a historic Victorian inn with picturesque lake views. Owner Loraine sat down with us to share more about this gorgeous, unique property.

The space: What’s the vibe?

Imagine a relaxed, lakeside venue that’s elegant but unfussy with spectacular views.

The ceremony gazebo overlooks the lake and majestic Adirondack Mountains, which play host to spectacular sunsets. A spacious lawn provides lots of room for lawn games and cocktail hour lakeside. The original post and beam barn, while only suitable as storage, provides a rustic, authentically-Vermont backdrop for photos. Just beyond the barn, receptions can be hosted under a tent.

The amenities: What’s Included?

Couples can make use of the full property (grounds, lakefront, historic Victorian home) for 3 days. Our stunning lakeside gazebo provides the perfect backdrop for your ceremony. Couples rent their reception tent (we can fit one up to 200 guests) and a luxury restroom trailer.

We also provide onsite lodging for up to 8 guests in the gorgeous Victorian home, where the wedding party can also get ready in grand style the morning of the wedding. And, speaking of the wedding morning, we provide a mini brunch for houseguests!

We offer partial planning services and full day-of coordination. This includes finding vendors best suited to you, as well as creating layouts, timelines, task checklists, and an overall comprehensive wedding plan. You are not on your own, we are with you every step of the way! Our clients value their time, and love that we can take so much off their plate. Plus, our help means our clients can relax and focus on each other and those nearest and dearest on the weekend of their wedding.

The area: What is there to do in the local area?

The charming towns of Middlebury and Vergennes are both about 15 minutes away, and offer eclectic shops, amazing restaurants (which are perfect for off-site rehearsal dinners), wineries and microbreweries. And we’re only 45 minutes from Burlington.

Whether you’re looking for an early morning run or a more leisurely walk, step off the property and onto the new, spectacular Lake Champlain Bridge to explore the hiking trails and scenic views at the Crown Point Historic Site just across the bridge in NY. If you prefer a little more of a hiking challenge, Snake Mountain Trail is 10 minutes away and provides breathtaking views of the lake and Champlain Valley.

You can also find great golfing nearby at Basin Harbor Club, Ralph Myhre Golf Course at Middlebury College, or challenging mini golf just down the road.

The history: Does the property have a rich history?

The Victorian home was originally built in 1873 and we’ve been lovingly restoring it over the past 20 years, balancing historic charm with updated styling. The property’s massive cottonwood tree, at approximately 200 years old, is the second largest cottonwood in Vermont.

Three rapid fire questions:

Favorite moment during a wedding: When the processional music starts and the walk down the aisle begins. This never stops being emotional and heart-stopping!

Favorite thing to do in VT: Hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, skiing, anything outdoors!

Best advice for couples: Take time to enjoy the journey towards your wedding day, and especially the day-of. All of it will fly by, so don’t waste precious time getting caught up in the small stuff. At the end of the day, you will be married, and you’ll be surprised how many of the little details you fretted over really didn’t matter. And do yourself a huge favor, have a day-of coordinator so you can really relax and fully enjoy the day!

Thank you, Lorraine! Learn more about An Affair by the Lake in the vendor guide.

THE MAGICAL, MULTICULTURAL, INDIAN WEDDING OF A VT STATE SENATOR AND SON OF A DAIRY FARMER

Posted on October 12, 2021

Senator Kesha Ram and husband Jacob Hinsdale share a deep love for Vermont, and the beauty of the state was the backdrop for their unforgettable weekend-long Indian American fusion wedding at An Affair by the Lake in Addison, Vermont.

Kesha is a Vermont Senator (she’s the youngest woman in history and the first woman of color to serve in the Vermont Senate). Jacob is a born-and-bred Vermonter, growing up on his family’s dairy farm. Their lives intersected when Kesha returned to Burlington to work on a downtown revitalization project. She was introduced to Jacob because of his mild obsession with tiny houses, and they soon found they had a lot in common. Now, the couple lives in Shelburne with their dog, Miso.

Honoring Her Indian Heritage with Special Wedding Ceremonies

Kesha is a biracial Indian American who is culturally Hindu and Jewish. Jacob is descended from French-Canadian Catholic ancestry and English Protestants. The couple wanted to honor both their cultural identities and their love of Vermont in their wedding. Lindsey Leichthammer Events helped to plan the beautiful, multicultural celebration, which included a Mehendi (henna ceremony), an Indian wedding ceremony led by a Hindu priest, a Sangeet, where family and friends performed their best Bollywood dances, and a more “conventional” American ceremony and reception on Saturday. It was also important to the couple for their celebration to be rooted in Vermont, so all of their vendors were local businesses.

“We wanted to honor and inspire our common narrative of love, family, and belonging,” says Senator Ram. The result is an inspiring, unique, beautiful celebration! See their gallery below.

More Real Vermont Wedding Inspiration

Be sure to check out more posts of our real Vermont wedding posts here.

A LAKESIDE SEPTEMBER WEDDING

Posted on September 8, 2020

Nikki and Ryan’s lakeside September wedding was a beautiful reflection of what they love most. They celebrated with friends, family and their beloved dog at An Affair by the Lake on Lake Champlain.

“It was important to us to be on Lake Champlain and to hire our favorite local businesses,” says Nikki. “We are so grateful for all of the hard work put into our special weekend by each one of our vendors, especially Lorraine of An Affair By The Lake for helping us put all of our different pieces together seamlessly.”

“Our favorite moment of the entire weekend was our first dance. We danced to a funky rendition of one of our favorite songs, Danny’s Song. In that moment, we realized just how lucky we were!” See the couple’s full gallery below.

More Real Vermont Wedding Inspiration

Be sure to check out more posts of our real Vermont wedding posts here.

Wedding Venue: AN AFFAIR BY THE LAKE | Photographer: THE LIGHT AND COLOR