A Magical Fall Wedding at the Wilburton Inn

Posted on May 23, 2023

Kristen and Ryan celebrated the start of their new life together with a beautiful Vermont fall wedding at the historic Wilburton Inn. Located in Manchester, Vermont, this 30-acre estate provided the perfect backdrop for their special day, with the grand mansion serving as the centerpiece. Guests were able to take in the picturesque, peak fall foliage (while basking in 68 degree weather!) and enjoyed an outdoor ceremony on the grand lawn and cocktail hour at the patio bar.

Peak Foliage For This Fall Wedding at The Wilburton Inn

Kristen shared that the inspiration for the couple’s big day was: intimate, fun, and no stress. And that thanks to the Wilburton staff, “there wasn’t an inkling of stress all weekend.” With many guests traveling from all over the Tri-state area to Vermont, having accommodations for up to 100 guests on site was a huge plus. It streamlined the weekend and allowed their loved ones to celebrate alongside the newlyweds all weekend long.

The couple got engaged in Burlington, Vermont, so they knew they wanted their special day to take place somewhere in the Green Mountain State and be filled with sweeping mountain views. They also dreamed of beautiful foliage so that their friends and families could experience an authentic New England fall wedding – and boy did they luck out! Their wedding was one of the peak foliage days of the season, creating a stunning backdrop for photos.

Catch all the beautiful details from Kristen and Ryan’s wedding below!

(Ps – does the picture of Kristen and her girls look familiar? It was part of our Best of 2022 Champagne Pop moments!)

Vendors:

Venue & Catering: The Wilburton Inn, Flowers: Nancy Bishop Floral, Make Up Artist: Amy Nicholas Makeup, Hair: Amanda Shepard Hair, Dress: Maggie Sottero Designs, Photographer: Laura Swoyer Photography

Your Next Read:

Looking for another Manchester, Vermont wedding celebration? Check out this wedding at Hildene Estate.

Want another real wedding post? Check out any of these.

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 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!

Colorful Summer Wedding at the Wilburton Inn

Posted on July 12, 2022

Sarah and Noah knew immediately they wanted to get married in Vermont. It’s where their love story began, after all. They visited several venues in the area, but as soon as they arrived at The Wilburton Inn, they know they found the perfect spot for them. Sarah describes it as beautiful and a little quirky with lots of space to gather with their friends and family for days of festivities. After delaying their wedding in 2020, it was more important than ever to bring everyone in their lives together to celebrate their love and have Hannah Photography capture their beautiful day!

Outdoor Wedding at The Wilburton Inn

The Wilburton Inn in Manchester, VT offers gorgeous panoramic mountain views, plenty of outdoor space, and specializes in destination weddings. Sarah and Noah wanted to ensure their wedding felt joyous and fun from start to finish. They did just that by incorporating beautiful, bright colorful flowers wherever they could! The floral arch for their ceremony and the bride’s bouquet from Birds of a Flower was especially stunning! The bridesmaids also all wore different colored dresses.

If you are planning a Vermont wedding, the bride passed along some advice for couples. Sarah says, “plan a moment of quiet for just you and your partner after the wedding ceremony.” It was the perfect little stillness that was just their own and so special to them.

Lively, Dance Centered Tented Reception

This couple LOVES the dance floor so it was a top priority to have the best time dancing with everyone at their reception. The Grift provided a great soundtrack as well as the most infectious energy! The version of the hora they played was particularly enthusiastic, definitely one of the best the team at the Wilburton had ever seen!

As for the shirtless dance that is featured in so many photos, it is actually a Middlebury tradition with their college friends: you take your shirt off whenever “Like a Prayer” by Madonna comes on! And as for the lift… “We like practice what we call our ‘party tricks’ around the house when we’re bored,” says Sarah (who used to be a dancer). “That lift was from a show I was in college. We obviously had to pull out our best party trick for the dance floor!” This party looks like an absolute blast!

Congratulations, Sarah and Noah on you Vermont wedding!

Wedding Venue: WILBURTON INN | Photography: HANNAH PHOTOGRAPHY | Linens: THE LINEN SHOP | Florals: BIRDS OF A FLOWER | Band: THE GRIFT

Your Next Read:

Looking for another wedding with incredible florals? Check out this Maquam Barn Summer Wedding.

Want another real wedding post? Check out any of these.

BEST OF 2021: COMMUNITY

Posted on December 28, 2021

The best part of weddings in 2021? Hands down: the community moments. While the people are always the true highlight of celebrations, 2021 weddings were even sweeter after months of social distancing. Long awaited hugs and overwhelming joy to be together again…that’s what stands out the most across Vermont weddings in 2021.

As we close out our Best of 2021 series, we hope you enjoy these moments of community, and that it inspires gratitude for your own family and friends.

Besties & Bubbles

A bottle of bubbly and your best pals by your side… the best way to kick off your magical wedding day, planned by NJOY Weddings & Events at Hildene.

(Photo: Corinne Parker Photography)

Just Married

In this painting, wedding painter Hope Sharp captures that “just married” magic of twirling down the aisle as a married couple at The Essex Resort and Spa.

Flying High

This couple is quite literally being lifted by their community, and by the looks on their faces, they are soaking in every celebratory moment! (Photo: Ben Hudson Photography)

Epic First Dance

This couple’s first dance on the marble court at the Wilburton Inn looks amazing – check out that lift and twirl. And the looks on their wedding party’s faces… priceless! (Photo: Jesse Schloff Photography)

The Quiet Family Moment

We love this special, intimate moment soaking in the excitement of the day as a family before rejoining the party. (Photo: Jess Driver Photography)

The Tear Jerker

This couple postponed their wedding over a year, so they and their community was VERY ready to celebrate their wedding. From their emotional vows to their family’s toasts, the entire day was filled with love. (Video: Beyond Bliss Films)

Epic Champagne Toast

When The Old Lantern Inn’s owners’ daughter tied the knot this year, the celebration was epic. One standout moment? The groom, father of the bride, and father of the groom all sabered champagne bottles and poured a toast to the union of the families. (Photo: Andy Duback)

The Glow Up

The glow sticks are super fun, but the real glow comes from the couple in love who know their community is always there to lift them up. (Photo: Kelsey Regan Photography)

Confetti Toss

This theatrical wedding planned by Destinations Found included an epic, colorful confetti drop that is sure to be a standout moment for these wedding-goers for years to come! (Photo: GarrenTee Photography)

Parachute Party

Who remembers these parachutes from elementary school?! This couple busted one out during their reception at Topnotch Resort to the delight of guests. What a fun idea! (Photo: Henry Cotton)

A Sparkling Beginning

The end of your wedding day is the start of your next chapter as a married couple. If this couple’s sparkler exit is any indication, we’d say they have a very bright future ahead! (Photo: Juniper Studios)

The Childhood Reading

The bride had asked her nephew to read Shel Silverstein’s “The Romance” during their wedding at The Inn at Weathersfield. During dinner, he worked up the courage and delivered a memorable performance. (Photo: Kelsey Regan Photography)

A Royal Send Off

Talk about a fairytale ending to a romantic wedding day! (Photo: Keith MacDonald Photography)

That’s a wrap! Thank you to everyone who submitted for the Best of 2021 series. This was truly an incredible year.

The Full Best of Vermont Weddings 202 Series:

Read Now: Best of Engagements
Read Now: Best of Style
Read Now: Best of Flowers
Read Now: Best of Party Animals
Read Now: Best of Design & Details
Read Now: Best of Elopements
Read Now: Best of Location
TODAY – Best of Community

Don’t forget to pop over to Instagram to see even more community moments, and the “semi finalists” for each of the other categories.

We’re excited for another year of memorable weddings ahead!

BEST OF 2021: PARTY ANIMALS

Posted on December 14, 2021

For these 2021 Vermont weddings, the biggest party animals were of the four-legged variety! Vermont is a dog paradise, and when it comes to weddings, many couples choose to involve their furry family members in their special day! Scroll down to see our favorite wedding animals from 2021.

Love these pups? We’re sharing our “semi finalist” picks on Instagram. Go check it out for even more inspiration!

Pup in Petals

This doggo is pawsatively rocking her floral collar! (Photo: Juniper Studios)

Dandy Doodle

Spooner the labadoodle has a lovable, ruffled look, and she’s ready for the camera to capture her big smile up close! Odyssey Events (Photo: Oliver Parini Photography)

Cute Wedding Crasher

This puppy sported a “wedding crasher” bandana and was a beloved guest at this couple’s backyard wedding! (Photo: Madison Anne Studio)

Loyal Companion

This couple knew they couldn’t celebrate their Inn at Grace Farm wedding (planned by Lindsey Leichthammer Events) without their faithful companion, Truman, by their side. Friends helped the senior dog down the aisle, and he patiently and lovingly watched the whole ceremony. (Photo: Jenna Brisson)

The Golden Boy

This couple’s golden boy, Theo, dressed up in his own tux for their elegant wedding at the Wilburton Inn! (Photo: Kelsey Regan Photography)

The Baaaad Romance

There is nothing sheepish about these adorable farm guests who came by to wish the couple well at their Farmhouse Flowers wedding! (Photo: Taylor Main Photography)

Flower Girl

Luna was excited to take a walk down the aisle with her parents as the official flower girl! (Photo: MoHo Photo)

A Perfect Pair

This couple celebrated their wedding at The Grafton Inn with their two best buds their side, both dressed to impress! (Photo: Loveland Creative)

Thank you to everyone who submitted for the Best of 2021 series! Don’t forget to check out our “semi finalists” on Instagram, and sign up for our newsletter to get each Best of post emailed to you weekly this month!

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Quick recap: what is Vermont Weddings Best of 2021 Series?

A little backstory if you’re unfamiliar: we started the Best of series last year (2020) to highlight some of the amazing work by the talented teams in the Vermont wedding industry. It’s an opportunity to both celebrate a year’s worth of weddings and inspire couples who are planning a future Vermont wedding. (A quick note on the word “best”: the intention isn’t to make this a competition between weddings, but to share a small, but representative, sample of the weddings in Vermont this year. To that end, please know that we love each and every wedding that was submitted, and the final picks are carefully chosen based on a variety of factors to create a compelling series.)

Here’s what you can expect:

All December, we’ll be rolling out inspiring stories in various categories:

Read Now: Best of Engagements
Read Now: Best of Style
Read Now: Best of Flowers
Best of Party Animals
Best of Design & Details
Best of Elopements
Best of Location
Best of Community

Plus, because the submissions were just THAT good, we’re sharing our “semi finalist” picks for each category on Instagram. That means you’ll want to follow us to see even more highlights, and come back to the blog each week to see the “best” picks in each category.

We recommend signing up for our newsletter – we’ll send you an email each week with the highlights so you won’t miss a thing. (Going forward we only send 1 – 2 emails a month.)