Vermont Bride Magazine Spring 2012

�e INN

and romantic return to the WonDEr of a cLaSSic Vermont Inn

123 Mountain Road

Stowe, VT 05672

Reservations & Info:

(802) 253-4030

Fax: (802) 253-4031

www.stoweinn.com

The Stowe Inn is situated on a beautiful and lush 4-acre estate perfectly suited to accommodate large weddings and events. With n Onsite catering n Separate areas for both your ceremony and reception n Unique guest rooms n Many other special accoutrements available. Remember, the Stowe Inn has it all.

legantE

Special Value Packages Available

COMPLIMENTARY BRIDAL SUITE...*when booking event or rooms. Call for details

Rehearsal Dinners | Wedding Ceremonies | Receptions | Luncheons

Rustic elegance can be felt as you enter our beautifully restored 1800’s barn.OPEN AIR PAVILION FOR CEREMONIES

1800’S RENOVATED HAY LOFT WITH CATERERS PANTRY

NESTLED ALONG THE LAMOILLE RIVER VALLEY AND MOUNT MANSFIELD

Located at the intersection of routes 15 & 104 in

Cambridge, Vermont. Contact us for availability.

802.598.5509

www.boydenfarm.com

OntheCover64 Cover Bride Love Story: Kate (O’Brien) & Matt Violette

LoveStories26 Love Story: Brandi (Corrigan) & Brian Littlefield

Features13 Get Ready! the Legal Details for a Vermont

Wedding

19 Memorable Wedding Details by Pat Esden

23 Double Duty Gifts for Bridesmaids by Pat Esden

30 Spotlight on Wedding Flowers: Tulips By Karen Sturtevant

32 To Your Health and Happiness on your Wedding Day By Susanna Keefer

37 10 Steps to your Perfect Vermont Wedding

38 2012 Wedding Trends By Cara Davis

40 Pieces of the Planning Puzzle By Lauri Boyden

42 Your Wedding YOUR Way By Rev. Dr. Michael Caldwell

44 Happy spring from Lumina! By Nancy Carlson Fisher, MD

47 Fabulous Fascinators by Sarah Minor

48 Personalize Your Wedding Music: Honoring Loved Ones Through Music Choices

By Lisa Carlson

50 One Stop Shopping: Life’s Biggest Moments are Better When Shared

By Tiffany Sorrentino

52 Vermont Bride Engagements Shawna Lynne Wakeham and Thomas Joseph

Smith

52 Vermont Bride Engagements Christine Elizabeth Peacock and Jeffrey Vance

53 Pewter is Perfect for Weddings

54 Wedding, Tents & Events Opens New Showroom in Waterbury!

Spring 2012 Contents

Love Story Kate (O’Brien)

& Matt Violette Page64Photo this page by Jeff Schneiderman Photography

EveryIssue14 InsideVermontBrideStaffNotes

14 Contributors

90 Vermont Bride Magazine Photographers’ Showcase Spring 2012

92 2012 Spring Bridal Resource Guide

96 Vermont Wedding Professional Vendor Index

97 Accommodations Chart

Remember to tell our advertisers that you found them in VT Bride!

Member of

PRINTEDBY

Vermont Bride P.O.Box143

Westford,Vermont05494802.879.3157

Love Story: Brandi (Corrigan) & Brian Littlefield

By Jenna Piper, Event Coordinator

56 How to DIY Invitations––Layering and Embellishing, Part II

By Colleen Kuerth

58 Flash of Fashion: The Look of Love By Josee Telfer

69 The Informed Traveler: Bulgaria An Undiscovered Treasure

By Carrie McDougall

72 Veils & Headpieces: Your Crowning Glory By Pat Esden

73 The Fit Spot: Fit and Fat or Skinny Fat By Toria Cornett

75 Workout: Fit Spot Exercise Ball Pass By Toria Cornett

76 The Wedding Album – An Heirloom Worth its Weight in Gold

By Linda & Joe Crosby

79 Your Wedding Dress or Is It? By Claudia Gonzalez

81 Sabrina’s Top 10 Tips for Brides By Sabrina (Sikora) Dommenge

82 Tasty Persuasions is not your average catering company

By Tina Patno

85 Bachelors and Bachelorette Parties: Making them Memorable

By Pat Esden

86 Getting into the Wedding Spirit By Rachel Connor and Tiffany Suitter

88 Expert Advice - Your Future: Location, Location, Location

By Gayle Oberg

89 How to Backup Your Big Day By Grant Allendorf

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Page 58Flash of Fashion: The Look of Love

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Your boarding pass to happiness...

Weddings Aboard the Spiritof

Ethan Allen

The Spirit of Ethan Allen III is Lake Champlain’s most unique wedding venue. We offer three beautifully appointed

decks with sparkling lake and sunset views that create memories to last a lifetime.

Experience the beauty of Lake Champlain and Vermont in your wedding celebration.

Wedding Ceremony - ReceptionsRehearsal Dinners - Bridal Brunches

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Our Event Specialist will happily assist you with all your wedding details.

Call or e-mail [email protected]

802.318.3125419 Main St * ColchesterThats-Inviting.com

Fun, Fresh, CreativeWedding Invitations& Stationery

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vermont bride Spring 2012 Remember to tell our advertisers that you found them in VT Bride!12

Get Ready! The LegalDetails for a Vermont WeddingVermont Marriage Lawisaremarkablyrelaxedaffair.Thereisnowaitingperiodorbloodtestrequiredtoreceiveamarriagelicense.Ifyou’reaVermontresident,simplyvisityourtownclerkandforaminimalfeeof$45.00,youcanlegallybemarriedthatsameday!Youcanalsopurchasealicense60dayspriortotheceremony;however,thelicensebecomesvoidafter60daysandwillneedtobereissued.

Otherlegalrequirementsincludeprovidingyour:• Legaltownofresidence• Placeanddateofbirth• Parents’names,(includingmother’s

maidenname),andthestateswheretheywereborn

• Informationregardingyourrace,highestdegreeofeducationcompleted,numberoftimespreviouslymarried,andhowpreviousmarriagesended.

Proofforinformationrelatedtotheabove:birthcertificatesand/ordivorcedecrees.

Ajudge,SupremeCourtjustice,

Photo by RaidenShine Photography


Women’s HealtHcare& aestHetics

Unique Med Spa SettingLumina...

Nancy Carlson Fisher, MD

• Comprehensive Gynecology

• Skin Rejuvenation• Laser Hair and

Vein Removal• Cellulite Reduction• CoolLipo• Botox & Fillers• Peels / Facials /

Microdermabrasion• Acupuncture &

Chinese Medicine• Nutrition

and Lifestyle Counseling

Changing the Way a Woman Sees the Doctor1775 Williston Road South Burlington, VT

802-861-0200 • nancyfishermd.com

ContributorsGrant Allendorf

Grant Allendorf is the owner of Supersounds Entertainment (www.supersounds.com), Video Memory and Green Mt. Photobooth ( www.greenmtphotobooth.com). Super-sounds has been voted Vermont’s #1 DJ Service. Contact Grant at

[email protected].

Rev. Dr. Michael Caldwell

Rev. Dr. Michael Caldwell (whose parishioners call “Rev Michael”) runs the Partnership Center of Vermont (www.coachingcenterofvt.com) from his home in North Wol-cott, VT. Along with his ministry in New England’s Congregational tradition, he coaches couples prepar-

ing for marriage, and officiates ceremonies all over Vermont, indoors or outside. Contact Michael for a free consultation at 802-888-5811, Email: [email protected], Website: www.coachingcenterofvt.com

Lisa Carlson

Lisa Carlson freelances throughout Vermont in collabora-tion with numerous instrumentalists, offering duos or trios of flute with harp, violin, piano, oboe, or cello, as well as

solo flute and other combinations. She also teaches flute lessons in Central Vermont. She maintains a web site at www.lisaflute.com and a wedding music blog at www.lisaflute.com/weddingblog. Lisa can be reached at 802-229-9901 or

[email protected].

Toria Cornett

Involved in physical fitness her entire life, Toria Cornett, ATC, CSCS, has been a professional in the health and wellness field since 2002. She has Certificates in Athletic Training, Sports and Conditioning, Sports Nutrition,

and Health Education. She is also mother to Emma, her adorable four-year-old daughter. Contact Toria at [email protected] or www.toriaswellness.

Joe & Linda Crosby

The RaidenShine Photography team consists of two dedicated photographers that have a passion about wedding photography, quality and customer service. Joe and Linda Crosby are both award-winning photographers in their own right and combine to make a great team. Active members of Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI), they meet annually with

other WPPI photographers from all over the world to exchange ideas, new products, and new technologies so that they can bring those ideas and technologies to their Vermont Brides. www.raidenshine.com.

Cara Davis

Weddings expert Cara Davis is the author of Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot and blogs from her home in Orlando, FL, about cheap ways to spend and save at CheapWaysTo.com

Pat Esden

Pat Esden: Pat has worked in the wedding industry for over twenty-five years. As a master floral designer and owner of Esden Florist in Fairfield Vermont, she sees the yearly changes in wedding styles and is familiar with the time-honored traditions and in tune with the new conventions. www.esdenflorist.net and http://www.vermontbridemagazine.com/esden-florist.php


Dr. Nancy Fisher offers comprehensive gynecologic services including menopause counseling, contracep-tive management, infertility evaluations, pelvic pain

evaluation and treatment, management and treatment of abnormal Paps including col-poscopy and LEEP, and annual exams with preventive health/cancer screening for women of all ages. Dr. Fisher also offers

the latest technology for laser hair and vein removal and laser skin rejuvenation. Knowing that only Dr. Fisher will see her patients on every visit provides the continuity of care women need and deserve. www.nancyfishermd.com, 802-861-0200.

Claudia Gonzalez

Claudia Gonzalez is a UVM graduate and freelance fashion writer. She has contributed on fashion photo shoots in NYC and Montreal.

She lives in Burlington, VT with daughters Zoe and Mackenzie and boyfriend Dave.

Susanna Keefer

Susanna’s Catering provides exceptional globally inspired cuisine and unparalleled service to events of any size throughout Vermont. Contact

Susanna at 802-635-9094, [email protected] , www.susannascatering.com.

InsIde Vermont Bride Staff Notes

When singing robins and chickadees flit from branch to branch, and the last holdouts of snow lose their fight, we welcome another Vermont spring. Longer days of sunshine allow more daylight for meetings with wedding businesses and organizing every last detail.

From DIY invitations, fabulous fascinators (wait until you see these!) and 2012 wedding trends, local wedding gurus share their advice with every turn of the page. Vermont brides are beautiful brides, and with articles on health, catering, photography, flowers, and music, within these pages are fresh ideas to help in your planning and ease the decision making process.

Our Military Wedding Giveaway has stirred up plenty of attention as the submissions kept pouring in. We are overjoyed at the opportunity to host a wedding for one very lucky member of the military and their partner on September 2, 2012, at Stowe’s distinctive ye olde England Inne. All submissions are now being reviewed; our winners will be profiled in an upcoming issue of Vermont Bride. Thank you to all of our hospitable sponsors for their kindhearted donations of time, services, and expertise. Please visit vermontbridemagazine.com for a listing of these generous businesses.

April showers surely bring May flowers, and Vermont Bride brings real love stories, announcements of engagements, wellness, fitness, and fashion features. Put the snow shovel out of sight, find your umbrella, and have it handy for those spring raindrops.

Here’s to spring––a season of renewal, regeneration, and beautiful brides and their weddings!


Colleen Kuerth

Colleen Kuerth is the owner of Truly Noted Invitations and Stationery and has over six years of experience designing invitations. Contact her for more information on creating the perfect invitation for your wedding. www.trulynoted.net, [email protected].

Carrie McDougall

Carrie McDougall is the owner of Cultural Crossroads, offering customized tours for individuals, family and friends as well as educational and nonprofit organizations. Trips provide cultural opportunities and private unique experiences worldwide. Their tours have been honored by Conde Nast Traveler and have been featured in National Geographic Traveler’s section Tours of a

Lifetime. Contact Carrie at (toll-free) 877-479-7040, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.CulturalCrossroads.com.

Gayle Oberg

Gayle grew up in Springfield, VT and has been in the Stowe/Waterbury area since 1972. Licensed as a Realtor® in 1985, Gayle was also a licensed teacher in the 1990s while her children were on a school cal-endar. Gayle has been a full-time agent with Coldwell Banker Carlson Real Estate, in Stowe, VT since 2002. Kelli Driscoll joined Gayle in September of 2010 and The Oberg Team was formed. E-mail: [email protected]. WEB: www.

theobergteam.com.

Karen Sturtevant

Karen Sturtevant is a freelance writer, editor of Vermont Bride, and will have her first children’s book published in 2012. She lives in Williston, VT with her longtime partner,

Mike, and looks forward to visits from her out-of-state college daughter, Kayla.

Josee Telfer

Josee Telfer works at Fiori Bridal Boutique located at Five Cor-ners in Essex Junction. Along with assisting brides in choosing

their wedding gown, she manages the Fiori blog. Josee also enjoys doing calligraphy for weddings and special events. She lives in Fairfax with her hus-band Eric and two sons, Michel and Andrew. [email protected]. www.fioribridal.com 802.872.9663

LIKE US on FACEBOOK 15

Didyouknow?

The Pew Research Center report finds that about 15 percent of all new

marriages in the United States in 2010 were between spouses of a dif-

ferent race or ethnicity, more than double the share in 1980. The share

of intermarriages among all married couples, regardless of when they

married, hit an all-time high of 8.4 percent. That’s up from 3.2 percent

in 1980.

http://weddingindustrystatistics.com/bridal-industry/wedding-industry-statistics-2011-american


20 Park St., Brandon, VT

BrandonInn.com

800.639.8685

Innkeeping since 1786

A favorite venue for wedding ceremonies and beautiful receptions in all four seasons. The Brandon Inn has spacious, comfortable public areas including inter-connecting dining rooms with a capacity for 200+ guests and a celebrated Chef/Innkeeper to provide the delicious food.

Listed on the National Historic Register



Cove

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Jeff

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PUBLISHERS

VickieKarnes,StevenKarnes

EDITOR IN CHIEF

KarenSturtevant

ART DIRECTOR

E.E.WeemsSALES & MARKETING

LynnRobergeJoeKarnes

Vermont Bride is published quarterly and is available throughout Vermont and internationally via mail. Statements and opinion

published within Vermont Bride Magazine does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Every effort is made for

accuracy for all material printed herein, however the publishers of Vermont Bride disclaim all responsibility of liability for

omissions and errors.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Larry Asam Photography

Ayer Photography of Vermont

Green Mountain Photobooth

Ben Hudson Photography

Joshua Lambert Photography

Lamoureux Photography

Landwehrle Photography

Kim Martin Photography

Polis Photography

Portrait Gallery

RaidenShine Photography

Jeff Schneiderman Photography

May Walton Photography

COPY EDITORS

Karen Sturtevant

Erik Weems

Vickie Karnes

Steven Karnes

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Grant Allendorf

Cara Davis

Michael Caldwell

Lisa Carlson

Toria Cornett

Linda & Joe Crosby

Pat Esden


Claudia Gonzalez

Susanna Keefer

Colleen Kuerth

Brandi (Corrigan) Littlefield

Carrie McDougall

Sarah Minor

Gayle Oberg

Tina Patno

Jenna Piper

Tiffany Sorrentino

Karen Sturtevant

Josee Telfer

Kate (O’Brien) Violette

VermontBride•P.O.Box143

Westford,Vermont05494

[email protected]

802.879.3157Copyright©VermontBrideMagazine

www.vermontbridemagazine.com

Vermont BrideHelpingbridesplanperfectweddingssince1990

Your DestinationWedding Estate

Stay, Celebrate and Enjoy.Twenty private acres above the

valley with breathtaking mountain views. Perfect for elegant wedding

ceremonies and receptions, rehearsal dinners, and goodbye brunches.

Manchester, VT800.648.4944 | wilburton.com

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FACEBOOKJoin the fun on Facebook and check out our online world of Vermont wedding information

and help tips!

Most couples put hundreds of hours into their wedding’s larger details—the ceremony, the dresses and tuxes, the reception . . . but long after the wedding is over, what details will stand out in your guests’ memories?

At the root of memorable details is making your guests feel special by

providing extra comforts and showing them how much you appreciate their

presence on your special day.

This begins with the invitation. There are endless styles of invitations to

choose from, but some have added features which your guests will appreci-

ate. “Save the date” stickers make it easy for a guest to mark their calendar.

Keepsake invitations, like those including your engagement photo or in the

shape of bookmarks, will be cherished for years to come. For out-of-town

guests, offering to mail tourist information such as hardcopies of maps and

discount coupons or to email links to informative websites will show them

how much their presence means to you.

If your reception is held in a hotel, reserving a floor of rooms for your guests is a good idea. You don’t have to pay for the rooms; you simply are ensur-

ing their availability for your guests. Providing that option is a relief for them and it insures them that the hotel they’ll stay at isn’t a flea palace.

Buses from the hotels and homes to the ceremony are a treat for people and allow your guests to socialize before the wedding. Having valet service at

the church or ceremony location is also welcome. You could recruit teenagers to do it for you. Add white or ivory umbrellas and the trip from the curb

to the church will leave your guests feeling pampered.

How about placing personalized pocket packs of

Kleenex in the pews for your guests and welcome

baskets with hygiene products in the restrooms?

These baskets are often placed at the reception, but

are usually lacking at the ceremony. And don’t neglect

to do both the ladies’ and men’s rooms.

Often guests are unaware that details have sentimen-

tal value. If you have a special memorial candles or

flowers at the church, mention them in your program

or as part of the ceremony, otherwise they are likely

to be overlooked by uniformed guests. You could

even include a poem about a deceased loved one or a photo in the program.

Also be sure to mention why you chose certain songs or colors. Once the guests

understand the significance behind your special touches, they will share your

feelings and ceremony details will be come as memorable as you intend them to

be.

Receiving lines are often tedious for the guests and the bridal party, so offering

beverages and finger food while your guests wait in line are small but welcome continued on the next page

Memorable Wedding

Often it is the smaller details that makes one wedding memorable while another one becomes a blur of fancy dresses, food and music.

DetailsBy Pat Esden

Providingababy

sitterisanincentivefor

manygueststocome.

Oftenaprivateperson

orrelativescanbehired

towatchthechildren.

Areyouoryourguests

animallovers?How

aboutpersonalizingyour

weddingbyprovidinga

petsitter?


Your Wedding | Remembering

Photo by The Portrait Gallery, from the wedding of Katie Farley and Josh Moore. Read the love story online at vermontbridemagazine.com

Photo by Ayer Photography, from the wedding of Elizabeth Tobin and Kevin Eddy. Read the love story online at vermontbridemagazine.com

details.

The music you choose for the reception can either blend into the background or

be memorable. Usually the best way to provide memorable music is to combine

live music with a professional DJ—and vary the style of the music as the night

wears on, from atmospheric melodies, to dinner music and finally a faster dance

tempo.

Token gifts placed on the tables are popular. Instead of giving the same gifts as

all your friends did at their weddings or choosing a mass-produced token, stop

and think about what would really remind the guests of you or the location—

and what would tickle their taste buds or be useful after the wedding. Fortune

cookies are fun, sure to get your guests talking with one another and when the

fortunes are personalized to your wedding they become truly memorable. How

about charms and tie tacks that reflect something you love, like skiing, dogs or

the flowers from your wedding? Chocolates are a favorite, but how about picking

ones decorated to reflect your favorite sports team or home state? CDs with your

photo on the cover and the music from your wedding will be enjoyed for years to

come. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Guests always remember the groom’s cake. The themes are endless––the groom’s

favorite truck or car, university or fraternal symbols, animals or sports—they

rarely fail to bring smiles to the guest’s faces. And that’s how memorial details

begin, as happy guests mingle and reminisce about you.

The possibilitiesare limited only by your imagination.

Once the wedding and reception are over

there is one more detail that is sometimes neglected

as the hecticness of everyday life takes over—thank you notes.

Once considered mandatory, sending thank you notes to guest have

lately been neglected or replaced by a mass emailing. Be sure to snail

mail thank you notes to all guests and personalize them with a few

words about the gift they gave you. Better yet, send a copy of a wed-

ding photo for them to frame and keep with the thank you.

The extra time you put into personalizing your wedding details

and going the extra mile will ensure your guests’ memories are as

heartfelt as yours are. n

Guestsalwaysrememberthegroom’scake.Thethemesareendless––thegroom’sfavoritetruckorcar,universityorfraternalsymbols,animalsorsports—theyrarelyfailtobringsmilestotheguest’sfaces.


Memorable Wedding DetailsContinuedfrompage19

Photo by Larry Asam Photography



VermontBrideis proud to recommend the following featured wedding professionals for all your floral

Sarah’s Weddings by Betty’s Flower Baskettoll-free: 800 892-7259 (or)802-524-5703www.bettysflowerbasket.com

Claussen’s Florist & Greenhousetoll-free: 800-287-2361802-878-4286www.claussens.com

Crimson Poppy Flower [email protected] See our ad @ VermontBrideMagazine.com

Esden Florist802-827-6160See our ad @ VermontBrideMagazine.com

Hawley’s Floristtoll-free: 800-841-4601802-775-2573www.hawleysweddingflorist.com (or) www.hawleysflorist.com

Howards The Flower Shoptoll-free: 800-371-5715 (or) 802-524-5715www.howardstheflowershop.com

Peck’s Flower Shoptoll-free: 800-540-2336 (or) 802-888-2332www.pecksflowershop.com

Uncle George’s Flowerstoll-free: 800-624-0099 (or) 802-253-9900www.UncleGeorgesFlowers.com

Village Green Floristtoll-free: 800-610-7980802-879-7980www.thevillagegreenflorist.net

Vermont fields are alive with wild flowers that stir the imagination and delight the senses. Let these visions help you create your ideal floral scheme. Bright and bold, vivid and strong to delicate and subtle, flowers speak the language of love. Vermont florists are creative professionals that will guide you in style selections from contem-porary and chic to classic elegance.Take time to enjoy the natural scenery in


A fun way for a bride to purchase gifts that will please her attendants is to choose items that can be used on the wedding day and enjoyed afterwards as well.Necklacesandearringsthatmatchtheattendants’gownsareatraditionalgiftthatfillsthisniche,butnowadaysbridesoftengoonestepfurtherbybuyingjewelrythatcanbeusedtodecoratethestemsoftheattendants’bouquetsaswellasserveforgiftsafterwards.Glamorouspinsareidealforthisandeasyforafloristtocliptothebouquets’satinwraps.Pinsaren’ttheonlyitemthatcanbeusedonbouquets.

Glitterykeyringswithfobsintheshapeofthebrides-maids’initialsworkwonderfully—andtheletterswillhelpdistinguishwhichbouquetbelongstowhichat-tendant.Smallengravedlocketsorcharmscanalsobeused.Anddon’tforgetjewelsfortheattendants’hair.Rhinestonehairpinsordecorativeclipsaddsparkletotheweddingdayandwillbecherishedforever.

Weather-related gifts by their nature serve a double duty. Umbrellaspersonalizedwithaweddingsentimentortheattendants’namescanbepurchasedinthewed-dingcolorsorbrightfunkycolorsforafuntouch.Notonlywilltheumbrellasbeusefulforyearstocome,buttheycanbealifesaveragainstweddingdayshowersorsun—andtheymakeafabulousartsyaccentpiecesinweddingphotos.

Eveniftheweddingisinmidsummer,thedayoreveningcouldturncool.Prettysweaterswithsatin,rhinestoneorpearlbuttonsinacolorthateithermatchoraccentthebridesmaids’gownsareverypracticalgifts.Matchingsweatersalsolookahundredtimesbetterinphotosthanahodgepodgeofcover-upsorattendantshugging

Double Duty...

Gifts for Bridesmaids

ByPatEsden

continued on page 25

vermont bride Spring 201224

195 Mountain Top Road | Chittenden, Vermont | 802.483.2311 | www.mountaintopinnweddings.com

PHOTO CREDITS (IN ORDER) | Barrie Fisher Photographers | Beltrami Studios | LoveBuzzPhoto.com | EllenO’Connor Photography | CurranPhotography.com | Barrie Fisher Photographers

Follow usMembers of Vermont Wedding Association

ANY SEASON...

We offer breathtaking natural beauty

for your special day



DoubleDutyGIftsforBridesmaidsContinuedfrompage23

themselvestowardoffgoosebumps.Andwhowouldn’twelcomethegiftofanewsweater?Orhowaboutapashminashawlinstead?

Bridesmaidsoftenscrimpcostwisewhenbuyingshoestomatchtheirgowns.Abridecangiveherattendantsagiftcertificatetoashoestore,sotheshoescanbeupgradedtosomethingthatwillbeenjoyedinthefuture.Orabridecouldsimplyoffertopurchaseherattendants’shoes.

ANOTHERSHOE

relatedgiftwouldbetopurchasefootwearfortheattendantstowearatthereception.

Thesecouldbefunglitteryflip-flops,prettyballetflatsorevencutesneakerswithheartsorjewelsonthem—anythingcomfortableandgoodfordancingin.

Beautyaidesarealsoagiftthatcanbeusedontheweddingdayandafterwards.

ONEOfTHEKEYS

tomakingbeautyitemsservedoubledutyistoputtheminakeepsakecontainer.

Abridecouldplacethebeautyitemsinaprettychinaorwoodenbox.Stripeytotesarealsoperfect,asaremake-upbagswithheartsonthemorevensmallduffelsintheweddingcolors.Whendecidingwhattoputintheboxorbagsthinkofwhattheattendantsmightneedonthenightbeforeandthedayofthewedding.

Highqualityshampoos,perfumeandevenchocolatearegoodchoices,butabridecanalsoaddlessexpensivefunitemslikelipglossandsunscreen,orbathsoakandfootscrub.

Whenchoosingbeautyitemstrytopickonesthatfollowathemesuchastropicalscented,orusetheweddingcolororstyle.

Manicureorpedicuresetsaccentedwith

footscrubandnailpolishesaresuretoplease.

Aneasywaytofillupspaceinlargertotesistoputarolledbeachtowelonthebottomofthetote,orevenahotelstylerobeorbeachcover-up.

BRAINSTORMING

doubledutyattendantgiftsiseasy,abridesimplyhastothinkaboutwhatthebridesmaidswillneedonthenightbeforeandthedayofherwedding.

Thenupgradethatitemfromeverydayqualitytosomethingspecialeitherbypurchasingahigherqualitythanthebridesmaidsmightnormallyuseorbypersonalizingitwiththeattendants’initialsorbymakingitmatchthewedding

colors.


continued on the next page

Brandi(Corrigan)&BrianLittlefield

How we met

I was browsing the I Spys on Seven Day’s website one morning and I noticed Brian’s picture in the corner of the page. His charming smile, kind and gentle eyes and dimples absolutely caught my attention. I clicked on the link and read all that I could about him and was surprised to see how much we had in common. My favorite piece was the quote that others would say, “that he was a good dad.” Being a parent myself, this is one quality that stood out far beyond the others. We conversed through email for a short time and then on the phone.

I was amazed at how easy it was for us to talk; we felt a quick sense of security with one another.

The only small road block was that we lived an hour and half away and had jobs in different counties and children’s schedules to juggle. Despite those small hurdles, we decided to meet for coffee in Stowe, for an hour, which quickly turned into four hours and the desire to see each other soon. We both walked away from our meeting knowing that we needed to see each other again, as soon as possible. Two days later, Brian emailed me that he would drive the hour just to see me for ten minutes. I agreed, and we have been by each other’s sides ever since.

Brian and I brought the light of our lives into the relationship––two young boys each––and it didn’t take long for the six of us to become a family. Brian surprised me with his ability to bring instant peace, contentment, safety, love and acceptance into my life. I knew shortly after meeting him that I wanted to be surrounded by him forever.

Our engagement

We were both 34 when we met and were in a point in our lives where we knew what we did and did not want in a relationship. Brian was having a difficult day and though he didn’t want me to go out of my way, I insisted that I would be there for him, so I drove to his home. On the way there, he said that he needed to ask me something, but I had no idea what he was referring to. After we completed the evening routine with his sons, we laid down next to each other to talk about his day. The conversation quickly turned into Brian telling me about how much it meant to him that I had been there for him, without hesitation. He continued to tell me how he felt about me and “us” and I soaked in every word. Then, much to my surprise, he ended it with, “And that’s why I want to marry you, will you marry me?”

The planning

Brian and I had only been together for a short amount of time, so while it was a shock to some, many people could already see that we had something different together. Our parents were incredibly supportive of the idea and were very influential along the way. One thing that Brian and I were positive about was the need to plan a marriage and family unit more than the need to plan a wedding. With that said, the party planning was on and we needed to decide on a venue. After searching on-line for something that would spark both of our interests, we found The Ponds at Bolton Valley Resort through the Vermont Bride venue link. We went to visit the site and within moments knew that it was perfect for us.

The Wedding

We were married on May 21, 2011. We were very fortunate to be surrounded by many loved ones including family, friends and most importantly, our children. The day had started out raining, so The Ponds set up both the indoor and outdoor venues. As my matron of honor and I pulled up to the site, the rain stopped and the sun shone… brightly. I remember being so incredibly excited to see Brian that I couldn’t get dressed fast enough. We decided to do “First Look” photos, so as the photographer had Brian turn his back for my entrance, I moved across the lawn until I was standing behind the man that was soon-to-be my husband. A soft tap on the shoulder led Brian to turn

LoveStory

Photos by Synchronicity Photography

May 21, 2011

Ceremony and ReceptionThe Ponds at Bolton Valley

Bolton, VT 800-727-4295

thepondsvt.com

Cakes Snaffle Sweets

802-434-2400snafflesweets.com


Love STORy | Brandi (Corrigan) & Brian LittlefieldContinuedfrompage27

around and we just smiled, uncontrollably, at each other. I don’t remember hearing the sounds of the camera or onlookers. I only remember that he was so incredibly handsome, standing there in his dark gray suit, ivory shirt and champagne-colored tie. We embraced each other and I’m quite certain that we both fell even more in love at that moment.

I walked down the aisle with my father and oldest son, the other three boys walked ahead of me. I was trembling with excitement and nerves, but once Brian reached out his hand, calmness filled the air. Our officiant was Brian’s father, which added a special element to the ceremony for both of us. Our mothers and Brian’s grandmother proudly watched over us and our bridal party (made up of my brother, friend, Brian’s sister and his brother-in-law) stood by our sides. We both cried tears of joy when reading our vows and the guests melted when they heard the recording of the boys reading a children’s book about love. The rings were family heirlooms, which made them far more precious than what we could have bought in

Reception&Ceremony:The Ponds at Bolton Valley

800-727-4295thepondsvt.com

Cakes:Snaffle Sweets802-434-2400

snafflesweets.com

Resource:Vermont Bride802-879-3157

vermontbridgemagazine.com

Photographer:Synchronicity Photography

synchronicityphotography.net

Additional Wedding Professionals:

Gowns:DavidsBridal

Suits:Men’sWearhouse

Flowers:WildflowerDesigns

HairandMakeup:SalonSalon

Music:SteveHartmann&

AndrewParker-Renga

featuredVermont Brideweddingprofessionals:

stores.

Advice

Focus your energies on bringing together a piece

of each of yourselves to make the event special.

There are many ways to cut costs and still have

the wedding of your dreams. Be creative in the

process and most of all, forget all of those details

on your big day. Guests won’t notice if something

small has not gone as planned, so smile, love each

other and enjoy the romance of the day, rain, shine

or snow! This is your new life together, indulge

in it! n


Your Wedding | DESIGN

Spotlight on Wedding FlowersTULIPS

The beauty and welcomeness of tulips are timeless symbols of spring. Next only to the rose and chrysanthemum the striking tulip is one of the most popu-lar flowers in the world. Lovely as a wedding flower, tulips are spring blooming favorites.

Cup-shaped, brightly colored with a smooth green stem, tulips have been cultivated for over 500 years. They have their origin in Central and Western Asia. Large fields of tulips are grown commercially in northeastern areas of the United States and in temperate climates in Europe.

Name game

The word tulip descends from the Turkish word, “tülbent.”

Classification of tulips is done based on the blooming sea-son and parentage and divided into 15 classes.

Late spring bloomers have names like Breeders, Cottages and Parrots.

Midseason bloomers include tulips such as Mendels and Darwins.

Uses

Bouquets, centerpieces, cake decoration.

Tulip bulbs make great thank you gifts and wedding favors.

Colors & Variations

Except blue, tulips come in a wide range of color including red (the most popular), yellow, orange, purple, pink and bicolor. Tulips usually have one flower per stem. However, a few species have up to four flowers per stem. The flowers have three petals and three sepals.

The most famous tulip is said to be “Queen of the Night,” a tulip that is a very deep, rich purple (almost black).

Depending on the species, tulips grow as short as 4 inches or as high as 28 inches.

Variations: single, double, star-like, fringed, elongated, exotic, perfumed or non-scented. Known as “broken” tulips, the flowers with blotched and striped petals or feathered edges are beautiful and unusual.

The variegated tulips seen today have been bred for that specific look and are not the result of the tulip break virus.

Symbolism & Meanings

The tulip is a symbol of passion, romanticism and dreaminess of perfect lovers with the blooms representing love and happy years.

Yellow tulips suggest cheerful thoughts and sunshine while a bouquet of yellow tulips repre-sents elegance and grace.

Orange tulips symbolize warmth, happiness and fascination while white tulips

ask for forgiveness. Purple tulips are associated with royalty and pink tulips express confidence and happiness.

Tulips that have a center of velvet in texture and almost black in color are said to represent the heart of a lover filled with passion.

A red tulip stands for true love.

History & Legend

The father of the Dutch obsession with tulips was botanist, Carolus Clusius. He is said to have popularized the flowers and the first to identify “broken tulips,” a viral infection that caused beautiful streaking in the petals.

In the 1600s, tulips were so popular that many people of the Netherlands paid extremely high prices for certain va-rieties. Looking for a way to make a quick profit, several entrepreneurs gave up their possessions including their homes and jobs to sell tulips. When the overwhelming supply exceeded the lower demand, prices dropped drastically. It was then that Netherlands officials imposed trading restrictions on the prized flower.

A Turkish legend: Farhad, a prince, was in love with a maiden named Shirin. When Farhad learned that Shirin had been killed, he was so overcome with grief that he rode his horse over a cliff killing himself. A scarlet tulip sprang from each droplet of his blood making the red tulip a symbol for true love.

Availability

November - May. Tulips originate from mountainous areas with temperate climates. They are best grown in climates having long, cool springs and early summers.

Fun facts

There are nearly 4000 garden varieties of tulips, known by various names.

The tulip is the national flower of Turkey.

Fresh tulip petals add color and texture to salad dressings and garnishes.

Tulips belong to the same family as lilies and are relatives of the family which include onions.

The tulip is a flower in the genus Tulipa, which comprises of about 150 bulbous species.

Tulips grow rapidly, even after they have been cut. It’s not uncommon for cut tulips to grow up to an inch. Known for their interesting display of movement, tulip stems will bend and twist in the direction of light.

Tulip bulbs can be dried, powdered, and added to flour or cereal products.

Tulips are spring blooming perennials that grow from bulbs and taste like onion.

Tulips are so popular that several festivals are held around the world in their honor. In the U.S. tulip celebrations are held in several cities including Al-bany, New York; Holland, Michigan; Orange City, Iowa; Woodburn, Oregon and Mount Vernon, Washington. n

See a list of Vermont floral professionals on page 22.

By Karen Sturtevant

Lovelyasaweddingflower,

tulipsarespringbloomingfavorites.


whiterocksinn.com White Rocks Inn 1774 US7 South, Wallingford, VT 05773 802.446.2077 | [email protected]

WEDDING BARN

To Your Health and Happiness


In a time when awareness of healthy eating has grown, and socially responsible entertaining has become important, wouldn’t it be great to find a caterer who is willing and able to create a wedding menu that truly reflects your personal position and who also understands your dietary needs?

BySusannaKeefer

Photos courtesy of Susanna’s Catering

on your WEDDING DAY

Welcome to Vermont! Voted “healthiest overall” state in the nation for the third year in a row by the longest running annual report, we boast a 29 percent vegetarian population as well as a whopping 82 percent of occupants who exercise on a regular basis.

We have more farmers markets per capita than any other state––87 counted in 2010 as well as a highly successful and long running partnerships between chefs, restaurants, farmers and food purveyors, namely the Vermont Fresh Network.

These attributes provide a solid foundation on which to build a powerful network of caterers and food service professionals who can deliver wedding menus that encompass every dietary consideration, pull from a multitude of cuisines and stretch to any fanciful whim.

The spectacular settings and an all encompassing affection for our little state have made Vermont one of the top wedding destinations in the U.S. These weddings, which account for one-third of all weddings performed in Vermont, are an introduction to, or a reminder of, just how special Vermont is and how much we as a state have to offer.

We live in a place that naturally inspires romance, a place where the population is proudly working hard to promote good eating habits.

In the words of the Vermont Fresh Network,

“The quality and beauty of Vermont’s landscape depends upon working farms and working farmers. We hope to educate anyone who visits with us a philosophy

We live in a place that naturally inspires romance, a place where the population is proudly working hard to promote good eating habits.


of preserving our rural identity and lifestyle in Vermont, of keeping Vermont farms working and keeping our green spaces open.”

This translates into the availability and abundance of wholesome, flavorful, nutritious, delicious, fresh and safely grown foods all ready and waiting to adorn your wedding table.

When you start planning your wedding menu, you have the opportunity to defy expectation. Whether you crave uniqueness or strictly adhere to tradition, this is your chance to showcase your ideas, tastes and philosophy.

There is no law to say that you must serve beef, chicken and fish just as there is little reason to feel the need to please that one picky, diet restricted guest. As long as the food is fresh, well prepared and presented, your guests will be happy.

But, what if you do follow a certain diet, whether it be healthy, local, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, pescatarian, kosher or just plain meat and potato? Shouldn’t you be able to serve the same food at your wedding? After all, this day is a reflection of your life so far and of your dreams to come. It is about who you are and what you believe in.

There is also the circumstance of more serious food intolerances or severe allergies to certain foods. In this case, the caterer must consider this information and hopefully be able to supply you with choices and an adaptability that will still allow for a feast that captures your personality as a couple while keeping within your dietary boundaries.

Let’s take Gluten Intolerance or Celiac Disease as an example.

This is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy. The damage is due to a reaction to eating gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats.

A bride approached me last year requesting information on my services with the hope that I would be able to cater her Vermont fall wedding. Healthy, local, tasty and totally gluten free! She, being highly allergic to gluten cannot even share a dip that has come into contact with wheat, let alone enjoy a slice of pizza or crusty bread.

So, after some generous research and discussion, we came up with the following menu which we decided would allow her to

The Abbey

800-696-4748Enosburgfalls,VTwww.theabbeyrestaurant.net

Ben & Jerry’s

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Junior’s Long Island Catering Co.

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The Skinny Pancake

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State Street Catering

802-229-6788Montpelier,VTwww.statestreetcatering.com

Susanna’s Catering

802-635-9094Johnson,VTwww.susannascatering.com

Sweet Crunch Bakeshop & Catering

802-888-4887HydePark,VTwww.sweetcrunchbakeshop.com

Tasty Persuasions Catering

802-372-3123GrandIsle,VTwww.tastypersuasions.com

To Your Health and Happiness on Your Wed-ding Day Continuedfrompage33

Vermont Bride is proud to recommend these featured Vermont wedding professionals for all your catering needs.

enjoy all of her wedding feast worry free, but would, at the same time, satisfy and impress her guests.

Gluten Free Wedding Menu

Vermont & International Cheese Display

Muhamara Dip, Creamy White Bean Rosemary & Roasted Garlic Dip, Szechaun Guacamole served with fresh crudites, corn chips & gluten free bread & crackers

Passed Appetizers

VT Maple Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Maple Balsamic Glaze

Coconut Fried Shrimp with Ginger Mango Sauce

Prosciutto Wrapped Manchego Stuffed Chicken

Sweet Potato & Kale Frittata with Feta & Mint Oil

Shot of Lightly Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Spiced Pumpkin Seeds

Kebab Station

Thai Lemongrass VT Beef Tenderloin Kebabs

Cajun Andouille Sausage and Shrimp Kebabs

Teriyaki Glazed Grilled VT Vegetable Kebabs

Risotto Station

Wild Mushroom Italian Risotto

Asian Bamboo Rice Risotto


Roasted Garlic, Butternut Squash & Sage Quinoa Risotto

Pesto Sauce, Roasted Sweet Peppers & Artichokes, Cherry Tomatoes & Sweet Corn,

Sweet Fried Onions, Parmesan Cheese & Parsley

Gluten Free Cupcakes

With the help of some great local resources and products, we were able to provide her and her guests with a delicious meal that many of them never realized was gluten free, but which totally fitted into her diet and philosophy.

The testimonial that I received confirmed that I had achieved my goal:

“We had complete confidence in Susanna’s ability to cater our wedding exactly the way we hoped, with scrumptious food that also happened to be gluten free. She took the time to ask questions and gain a clear understanding of the special dietary needs of our wedding guests, and it was a treat to be able to eat everything offered without having to ask lots of questions or be worried about a reaction. Our guests commented on how knowledgeable the waitstaff were about the food, as well as how helpful they found the mini chalkboard signage describing the eclectic offerings and their ingredients. The wedding menu we designed together with Susanna appealed to the whole crowd, not just the gluten free folks, and many said this was the best wedding food they had ever eaten.”

Obviously, gluten intolerance is an exceptional case, but one of many dietary considerations that should be addressed and discussed when you are planning your Vermont wedding.

With the plentiful selection of wonderful Vermont produce and the increasing availability of farm fresh meats, cheeses, breads, wines, beers and spirits to the exciting products adorning the local market stalls, catering for the discerning bridal palette and socially conscious client is less of a challenge and more of an adventure.

Meat based recipes can be easily translated into vegetarian and vegan delights by creating an array of similar and contrasting textures and a good balance of flavors.

Existing classics can be reincarnated using fresh locally sourced ingredients transforming them into exciting new combinations pleasing to any palette.

So, as we put behind us another long winter, preceded by climatic challenges that Vermont is still fighting hard to overcome, we embrace the future and look forward to celebrating wedding after wedding with both our locals and our guests.

Inspiration is all around, from colors, flavors, seasons, challenges to create and great natural beauty in a state that we are so proud to call home. n


With our Lakefront location, breathtaking views of the Adirondacks, three f loors f illed with sparkling aquariums, and elegant indoor and outdoor spaces for ceremonies, receptions, meetings, and parties, you’ll f ind ECHO to be the most memorable and unique location in Vermont.

Exclusive Building Rentals Private Room Rentals LEED Certi�ed Building Green Weddings

For more information check out our website under facility rentals or call to speak with a private events coordinator.

Picture courtesy of Patricia Tedesco, Photography by Patricia

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ECHO_vermontbride_2_9.pdf 2/7/11 10:42:12 AM


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10 STEPSto your Perfect Vermont Wedding

AGREEONTHEDATEANDTIME

Will your guests include young children? If so, ask yourself: Do you need to accommodate a kid-friend-ly time for your guests? Daytime weddings work best for little ones, but if you are going to have an adult group, an evening time (like 6:00 P.M.) can start the night right and allow for dancing and carousing with your family and friends. Will many of your guests be traveling more than 50 miles to the event? Do you need a good weekend or a close holiday to make it easier for your wedding party to take time off from their regular schedules? Here’s a tip that can help your schedule and your pocket book: If you look at the calendar and consider the costs of travel at cer-tain vacation-heavy times of the year, you can avoid setting a date that coincides with higher travel costs.

CHOOSEYOURSTYLE

Formal, informal, semi-formal ? You and your fiancé should consider your guests, but also know what it is you’re going to be comfortable with and happy about once the event is over. What sort of party do you want to throw? Does a sit-down affair with linen and china settings for the entire group sound excit-ing, or tiring? Are you more of a buffet or BBQ person? Once you can decide on the level of formal-ity you’re hoping for, you can immediately begin ignoring the hundreds, if not thousands of options that are available to you, so that you can narrow the choices to the type of affair that will best fit you and your partner.

BUDGETSANDMONEY

Don’t pick a number out of the air. Nothing will make you crazier faster than trying to shoe-horn your plans into a fixed number. Of course you need to know your limits; but you also need to know what is es-sential for your happy day. Arriving at that number is easier once you know the main essentials of your day, and what those costs are. From there you can es-tablish the minimum expenses. You’ll also see what the big ticket items are – and if that’s where you want your money to be directed.

PARENTS

Are they going to participate in the costs? Will each family have certain items which they will each pay for, thus distributing the costs fairly according to means?

It can be uncomfortable for two separate families to discuss such intimate financial details, but you need to remember that the dollar–amounts are not the lead item on your list. Instead, know how much lead time you have until the special day, and consequently time to save and prepare for the financial costs. Weddings can be very expensive, but everyday a successful wedding at a reasonable cost is accomplished because careful planning was done. Building a list of your necessary expenses is the way to make sure you’re going to spend money on the right items that you need, and not something that will prove unnecessary.

BudgetTip:

If you were to sock away $50 a week toward your wedding costs, you will have saved up $5,200 in 12 months.

IT TAKES PLANNING to carry through to a perfect wedding, and to make sure that you are able to enjoy planning for your special day, follow these basic steps from Vermont Bride Magazine to help you organize all of the details and keep it manageable.


Economic woes continue to play a part in today’s weddings. Couples are opting for smaller weddings and choosing to spend their money more wisely.

By Cara Davis


2012 WeddIng Trends

“We are seeing couples move away from formal and traditional type weddings to fun, romantic, simple, casual, and unique weddings with a touch of formal and tradi-tion,” the report reads.

Here are more trends forecasted for 2012, as couples scale back, simplify and reflect their personalities.

1. It’s a small world.

Couples are keeping a tight rein on guest numbers (under 150), as the overall cost of the wedding is directly affected by how many heads are in attendance.

2. Autumn leads.

While June is the reigning month for marriages, September is a close second, and other months including August and October are on the rise.

3. Rustic and vintage themes.

Rustic themes and vintage touches con-tinue to trend. Kellie Hanley of Orlando, Florida is planning a “rustic, country chic” wedding this June at the Mead Gardens Amphitheater in Winter Park, Florida and a reception at the local Farmers’ Market “to tie in that ‘barn’ feel we wanted,” she says. To pull off the theme, she’s opting to do most of the decorating herself.

4. DIY reigns.

“You can do things for so much cheaper yourself!” says Hanley, who relies on websites or ideas. She’s not alone. Megan Knight, from Coppell, Texas, is taking on most of the wedding day tasks. “Flowers, invitations, website, so far, perhaps even the cake,” she says. “We haven’t decided if we’re going to take on that yet.”

5. Tech love.

Today’s brides (96 percent of them ac-cording to Weddingwire.com) are planning, shopping and registering online and even incorporating technology into the wedding day itself. Online blogs are providing the inspiration brides are looking for to piece together their day. 6. Sweet endings.

6. Sweet endings.

Dessert buffets continue to take a bite out of receptions, with nontraditional choices like square mini-cakes and cupcake tiers or pies, macaroons, whoopie pies, cake pops, color-coordinated candy and even ice cream sundae stations or a cookies and milk bar. The dessert choices reflect the whimsical, fun nature of today’s wed-dings.

7. Color me vibrant.

Knight, who describes her upcoming Texas wedding as “laid back” and “casual,” is us-ing a formal royal blue theme and soften-ing it with yellow and white accents. Some of the biggest colors this year are purples and green as well as jewel tones, accord-ing to TheWeddingReport.com.

8. Casually groomed.

Much to the relief of grooms everywhere, tuxedo rentals are out and suits and casual wear are in. TheWeddingReport.com states demand for tuxedo rental is down 11 percent over 2010 numbers (61 percent to 54 percent in 2011).

9. Candid cameras.

Formal photos are out and candid shots are in that fit with the look and feel of the wedding day. Demand for photo booths

AccordingtoarecentstudyfromTheWeddingReport.com,bridesandgroomsarepayingformoreoftheweddingbillthemselves(tothetuneof$10,000-$20,000),andthey’rehavingmorefunwithit.



Piecesof the PlanningPuzzle

LauriBoyden is the owner and event coordina-tor for the Barn at Boyden Farm; Cambridge, VT. Surround yourself in the beauty of Lamoille County farm land and all that a true Vermont Farm has to offer your special celebration.

www.boydenfarm.com

You have announced to family and friends that you are engaged! Everyone is excited for you both and has so much information to share with you about planning your wedding.

Don’tgetmarriedinJune–therearetoomanyblackflies;Augustarethedogdaysofsummer–muchtoohot;weareplanningatripforOctobersayyourparents;wouldn’talovelydayinJulybenice?ButIthinkyourcousinwasthinkingofJuly,perhapsMay,dear.

Besuretospendtimewithjustthetwoofyoutomaketheplansthatmeanthemosttoyouboth.Youcantakeallofthosefamilyandfriendsideasintoconsideration;perhapstheyhavesomefairlygoodthoughtsorperhapstheyblendnicelywithyourown.

Mostofushavehadavisionofourweddingdaysincewewerefiveandchasingafterthelittleboynextdoororsinceweattendedorwereinaweddingwhereweeithersawthingswelovedorvowednevertohaveatourownwedding!Howeveryouviewyourweddingday,beginyourplanningtogetherwiththoughtsofyouandyourfamilyandguests.Doyouhavealargefamilyfilledwithniecesandnephews?Haveyouworkedinthesamejobformanyyearsandwanttoinvitemostofthefirm?

The main basis of your guest list will aid you in your first step – choosing a location for your wedding ceremony and reception.

Askyourself–willtherebemanychildrenpresent,willtheybeattheceremonyaswellasthereception,willtheystayforthemeal,aretheirparentsapartofthebridalparty,etc.Withabroadviewofyourguestlist,youshouldeasilybeabletoenvisionyourcelebrationinthelocationsyouvisit,themenusyoulookat,andthegeneralflowofyourevent.Yes,youareplanninganevent–thebiggestoneinyourlife,forthemoment!

Shoparoundforlocations,forcaterers,theperfectphotographerthatwillcapturetheeverlastingmemoriesofthisevent.Becarefulnottoplaceadepositonalocationoravendorthatyouaren’tpositiveyouwilluse.Mostofthesedepositsarenonrefundableinordertoreserveyourdate–youarenottheonlycouplesearchingforeverythingtheyneedonthisparticulardate.Unlessyouarelookingatalocationwhichcanaccommodatemorethanoneeventinaday,youreventtakesfullattentionsoyourdepositsecuresthisforyou.Becertaintoaskmanyquestionsofallvendors,whetheryoufeelthequestionsaresilly;you

needalltheclearanswerstobestplanyoureventandmakeveryimportantdecisions.

Nowisthetimeforyoubothasacoupletotestyourdecisionmakingskills.Yourfuturemotherinlawwillhaveherinputastothecolorsthedressesshouldbeoryourfathermayrefusetowearthetuxedounlesshegetstowearsuspenders.

YouwillhavebeentoldthatsunflowersareAuntMary’sabsolutefavoriteandshewouldbesohonoredtohavetheminyourbouquet.Doyouwantsunflowersinyourbouquet?Ifnot,nowisthetimetospeakup.Youknowthatsinceyouwerefiveyearsoldyouwanteddaisiesinyourbouquet.DaisiesarebestfoundinJunesoforgettheblackflies,throwcautiontothewindanddecidetogetherthatJune23shallbetheday!Staywithinthebudgetthatthetwoofyouhavedecidedon.

Daisies are along many country road sides so have your wedding party help you gather some. Make lists of what each caterer, location, photographer, etc. has to offer and choose according to your budget as well as favorite options.

Throughallthedecisionsandplanning,aneventwillbeborn.Onceyouareabletoplacethepiecesofthispuzzletogetheryouwillknowyouarereadyforyourcelebration.

Listenandtakenoteofallofthefamiliesandfriendsrequestsorsen-timents.Workafewintoyourplantohonorthoseyoutrulyloveandleavetherestbehind.Noonewilleverknowoncetheyareaguestatyourlovelyevent.Theywillrecallhowstrikingthedaisy

ByLauriBoyden

continues to rise as a fun way to capture memories.

10. Nontraditional gifts.

Non-traditional gift registries are pop-ping up, allowing couples to register for gift cards according to their tastes and needs, as research shows that couples are waiting longer to get married (brides are 27 on average, grooms 29).

11. Close to home.

TheWeddingReport.com predicts des-tination weddings will decline or remain flat in 2012 as couples are sticking close to home for the wedding day. They’re also choosing more outdoor and/or all-inclusive locations to simplify their weddings and save money.

12. Staying put.

Not only are couples staying close to home, they’re opting to host the ceremony and reception in the same location––again, to save money and simplify. Cindy Vega, who describes her upcoming wedding as “a little nontradi-tional” and “simple” has chosen Ashton Gardens in her hometown of Houston, Texas, because the onsite chapel and reception hall will allow them to keep the festivities in one location. n


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2012 Wedding TrendsContinuedfrompage39

Didyouknow?

Couples spend $582 on gifts for each other. The #1 gift from bride to groom is a watch; the #1 gift from groom to bride is jewelry. They’ll also spend an additional $760 on gifts for parents ($254), bridesmaids ($268) and groomsmen ($238).

#1 gift for bridesmaids is jewelry; #1 gift for groomsmen is liquor related (flasks, shot glasses, steins or pre-mium liquor).

Liquor has increased in importance with 92% having some type of bar, toast or signature cocktail and liquor or alcohol glassware gifts for groomsmen doubling since 2009.

1 in 5 use a mobile app to help plan, shop for or register for their wedding.

17% use a social media app to plan, shop or register.

Nearly 1 in 5 couples are now using evites or emails to invite guests to the wedding or save the date.


by Rev. Dr. Michael Caldwell, Partnership Center of Vermont

“I’m not religious, but I’m very spiritual”If the coach had a hundred dollar bill for every time he heard this from brides getting married in her three decades of officiating weddings, she’d be rich. She remained a bit baffled by it. The interesting thing was that she rarely heard it from grooms. So she made a decision. The next time she heard it from a bride, she’d ask the groom what he thought it meant.

Valerie and Ben contacted the wedding coach about their wedding next summer at the Mountain Chapel in Stowe. They lived in Pennsylvania, but loved Stowe––a place for ski vacations, primarily, for them and their families over the years. So it was natural for them to look for a mountain venue there for their wedding. Next trip up, they met with the coach on a sunny afternoon at the Chapel, a perfect setting for small weddings (up to forty guests), available whenever the Toll Road was open for vehicular traffic in the summer and fall or whenever the lifts ran winter and spring.

“I’m not religious, but I’m very spiritual,” said Valerie. There it was again. The coach was ready for the question. “Ben, does that describe you too? What’s your perspective on it?”

“Not sure. I guess I’m agnostic. Not sure that makes me even ‘spiritual.’” “If you were to put words together, though, to say what you think Val means, what words would you use?” “Well, maybe that she relies on a Spirit for guidance in life?” “Val, does that ring true for you?”

“Yeah, except what I really mean is that organized religion doesn’t work for me. I grew up in the Church. It was good in a way but then as I got older it just seemed too antiquated and backward-thinking to take seriously. I mean, we’re not even allowed to use birth control when we’re married, according to the Church. We only want a couple kids, no more, so it feels hypocritical to stay in the Church…” “You know there are churches which celebrate contraception as good ethics?” “I’ve heard that, but they can be too liberal about other things too…” “Oh, so being ‘spiritual’ means you’re not too conservative, not too liberal; is that what you mean?”

Valerie and Ben looked at each other, confused. At that point the coach fessed up.

“You guys are asking to be married in a Chapel. It’s a sacred space stewarded by the interfaith religious communities of Stowe. They ask those of us who are chaplains here to respect the integrity of the space by inviting couples into serious inquiry into what they believe jointly about the Spirit of unity which every tradition espouses as the divine love that fuels our human love. I’m just pushing you to begin a conversation about what you believe, so that the words you use for your wedding have meaning and integrity. I mean, what’s the spiritual glue that will hold you together when times are tough?”

It was Ben’s turn to jump in. “You know, my folks were Unitarians. They were as liberal as Val’s parents were conservative. I didn’t know what to believe, but if I had to say what I hope we believe together, it’s that a Spirit will hold us together, invisibly, whether stormy times or smooth sailing––a Spirit of love and faithfulness.”

“Val?” “Yeah, I like that.” “Okay, so here’s one more question for you––to think about in the next month or two as you put your vows together for our next planning session: if you had to say what you’re spiritual community was, what would it be? And how would it encourage you in keeping your vows?”

The coach played her hand. Whether couples described

themselves as “religious” or “spiritual,” what “community”

or “tradition” would offer an anchor for them––together––

when times got tough? It was a lot to think about. n

Your Wedding | YOUR Way

Contact Michael for a free consultation at [email protected]: www.coach-ingcenterofvt.com

Rev. Dr. Michael Caldwell (whose

parishioners call “Rev Michael”) runs the

Partnership Center of Vermont (www.

coachingcenterofvt.com) from his home in

North Wolcott, VT.

Along with his ministry in New England’s

Congregational tradition, he coaches

couples preparing for marriage, and

officiates ceremonies all over Vermont,

indoors or outside.


It is important to remember as we enter this time of year to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Sleep maintains good health and allows people to function at their best. We need sleep to think clearly. Parts of the brain that help us learn and remember are very active when we sleep. Not getting enough sleep can make it difficult to focus the next day which can lead to poor decisions and per-formance. We also need sleep to maintain a good and stable mood. Studies show that lack of sleep negatively affects relationships and increases the risk of develop-ing depression. Lack of sleep can also adversely affect one’s health. Medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity increase with poor sleep habits. Adhering to a sleep schedule is important. Avoiding caffeine, nicotine, and exercise late in the day improves sleep. Alcohol disrupts the REM portion of a sleep cycle so avoiding alcoholic beverages before bed will result in a deeper and more prolonged night’s rest. Large meals and a stimulating environment (televi-sion and computers) close to bed-

By Nancy Carlson Fisher, MD

As the hours of daylight increase and the days warm up we tend to do more and stay up later.

Sleep


Happy spring from Lumina!

Your Health | MED SPA

LUMINA1775 Williston Rd., Suite 220 So. Burl., VT 05403 802-861-0200 www.nancyfishermd.com

time will make falling asleep and staying asleep

more difficult. Medical conditions such as sleep

apnea, restless leg syndrome and insomnia can all

affect the ability to sleep and you should consult

your physician if you think you may have one of

these disorders.

Radiofrequency in Aesthetics

Radiofrequency is a form energy that is used to

treat many cosmetic skin conditions. Because

it is not a form of light, radiofrequency can be

used on all skin types without the risk of chang-

ing the skin’s pigmentation. Lumina is pleased to

announce the addition of the e2 Matrix system of-

fering the Subablative treatment using one of the

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lative treatments are done in a series of three

and are ideal for treating acne scarring, fine lines

and wrinkles, large pores and laxity. Because eye

protection is not necessary with this treatment, the

skin around the eyes can be adequately addressed.

This area typically shows the signs of aging and

sun damage first and is frequently challenging to

treat. More information on this procedure is avail-

able at nancyfishermd.com.

Eating Healthy

Did you know that there are cancer fighting chem-

icals in most fruits and vegetables? Some of these

chemicals have been studied more extensively

than others. The American Institute of Cancer

Research’s website, aicr.org, has all the informa-

tion you need to determine which foods provide

the most cancer-preventive substances. One

section of the website even has recipes! If possible

buy organic food and produce as these products

will not contain harmful pesticides, antibiotics, or

hormones. n

www.vermontbridemagazine .com

maywaltonphotography.com (802)236-5538


C

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VTBride1-8.pdf 4/28/11 9:14:40 PM


Didyouknow?

The #1 theme for weddings is beach, tropical, luau.

14% of couples have a friend or family member ordained in order to perform the ceremony.

Only 42% will have either a sit-down or buffet meal. Instead, couples are opting for cocktail hour (58%), passed hors d’oeuvres (46%), dessert stations (28%), food stations (19%), picnic/barbeque (5%), sushi chef (2%), wine tast-ing (2%), food trucks (1%) or cheese mongers (1%).

THERING

For many, this is a question that is already handled well before the planning is begun, but the method for handling the question of “which ring” can also be applied to other items. Drop hints, point out what rings you have seen that you admire, do some win-dow shopping. Inform other people with whom he may be talking about it with. If you are able, come right out and raise the subject. If by some chance he presents a ring that you simply do not like, suggest having the setting for the stone changed to something you will enjoy.

DESTINATIONS

Vermont is one of the most important wedding capitols in the United States, and you will have many choices available to you. A big plus is that by having your event locally, you are in a better position to estimate costs carefully. If you have guests coming in from further away, consider asking travel agents for help in recommending the best methods for getting them to you. Your information might help a distant guest who is unable to work out the details themselves, and so make it easier for them to be with you on your special day.

THEDRESS

The number of possibilities can be overwhelming, but you can get a head start just by looking in your own closet. By reviewing what you have chosen in the past which makes you look your best, you can keep yourself focused while shopping. Will you be using a family heirloom? Be sure to find a good tailor to make the appropriate alterations, and be sure to schedule it well in advance.

WEBSITESANDMAGAZINES:

The amount of visual information is awesome, and you can enjoy hours upon hours of looking. You can also get a good start at your local boutiques and vendors, and what they can do for you.

THEGUESTLIST

Unless your budget is essentially unlimited, it is unlikely you will be able to invite the horde of guests you and your fiancé might compile. Instead, with a budget established, it is time to match your reception space to the guest list. You will likely have to pare your list, with the help of your family. If necessary, assign each family a third of the possible guests, and reserve one-third for the bride and groom’s guests. n

10 STEPS to your Perfect Vermont WeddingContinuedfrompage37


A 1927 photograph shows my grandparents on their wedding day, beaming with the newlywed glow of any young couple. My grandfather was a man of few spoken words, though he once wrote, “I married a very wonderful girl in 1927…” and “We grew apples, potatoes, and peaches but our most important crop was our daughter and three sons.” I recall only one time, in the twelve years that our lives overlapped, that he spoke to me, the sixth of his ten grandchildren, directly. I was seven or eight and he in his mid-seventies, and slowing from progressing

cancer. He sat in an easy chair during the day and once motioned to me to come to where he was. He took my hand and said, “Where’s that chubby little girl? You’re almost grown up!” I remember the touch of his work-worn hand and the look in his eye. In hindsight I see in his face that I was, in that moment, along with my cousins and siblings, not only his most precious crop but the reason for every crop of his 75+ years, for every trip up the apple tower to survey the orchards, for every apple picked or pressed, eaten or sold, sauced or baked in a pie by my

Honoring Loved Ones

A unique set of emotions can be evoked by a particular song or tune, for you, your love, or your guests. Your own emotional reaction to a particular tune is colored by the set of experiences that have defined and shaped your life, or your lives as a couple, or as a member of a family.

ThroughMusicChoices

ByLisaCarlson

Your Wedding | MUSIC

Personalize Your Wedding Music:


grandmother. We were the reason his parents immigrated from Sweden, and he, the youngest of their twelve children, was the only one to live, marry, and have children in this new country.

Every family has a precious and unique history.

What better time to honor your loved ones than your wedding day? There are many ways to go about it, but consider what your music choices can say. At my wedding, I chose to include movements from Ingolf Dahl’s “Variations on a Swedish Folk Tune” to honor both of my grandfathers’ Swedish ancestry. We chose to have a contradance at the reception largely because we both loved contradancing, but it also honored both New England and Celtic roots.

If you want a ceremony and reception that thoroughly reflects a specific heritage, you may wish to choose a Klezmer band for a Jewish wedding, or a French Canadian Band to reflect French roots, or a similar choice. But many wedding couples may wish to have primarily classical music, but include some specific selections to reflect specific people or family backgrounds. I’ve often played Celtic selections for this purpose, intermixed with the classical. On one occasion I played a traditional Korean song, “Doraji,” as part of the prelude, to honor the bride’s Korean heritage. For weddings where one or both members of the couple are partially of Jewish descent, I enjoy movements from Michael Isaacson’s “A Jewish Wedding Suite,” arranged for flute, violin and cello. Movements from this suite include the folk songs “Dodi Li” (My Beloved), “Eishet Chayil” (A Woman of Valor), “Ma Navu” (The Messenger of Good Tidings), and more. Any of these folk tunes could also be played on other instruments, with the proper arrangement.

There are infinite possibilities for couples wishing to reflect virtually any family background.

(Bear in mind that depending on musicians and instruments chosen, as well as cost of purchasing music or potential complexity of arranging the music, there may––or may not––be additional fees involved, and certain specific selections may not work for certain instrument combinations).

Perhaps a grandparent had or has a special hymn or song they always loved. Another thought may be to ask your grandparents or parents what was played at their wedding. Or if no one knows, perhaps you might wish to choose something that was popular at the time of their wedding. “It Had to Be You” was written in 1924, around the time my grandfather would been wooing my grandmother “away from the other fellow” (according to recent information from my uncle!). Hearing the song reminds me that my grandparents’ generation so long ago was not so different from my own generation, or from younger or future generations, reflecting the thoughts, the love, the care that any young couple today feels for one another. n

We’re all part of the story, taking what came before and weaving it into the future.

ByLisaCarlson


Dream of your wedding day with a ceremony in an outside garden courtyard or inside under an open atrium with gazebo with sounds of waterfalls in the background. After you say, “I DO” enjoy photograph opportunities in front of a roaring fireplace or on a grand staircase while your guests enjoy specialty cocktails and hors d’oeurves before entering a grand ball-room boasting exquisite chandeliers and unmatched elegance for your reception celebration. Here guests will dine on award-winning food and dance the night away as you celebrate the first day of the rest of your lives together.

From intimate gatherings to large celebrations, the Sheraton Burlington is the perfect venue for your wedding. We offer a full service experience with seasoned professionals to attend to your every need, from food to flowers, lighting to linens; we are here to help make the plan-ning process smooth and your event seamless.

The Sheraton Burlington offers an all-inclusive location that can host everything on your check list from your bridal shower and rehearsal dinner to your ceremony and dream reception.

Your guests will enjoy the convenience of having everything in one location. We offer group discounted room rates for your overnight guests and provide a complimentary deluxe guest room for the bride and groom on their wedding night. Gather to say goodbye and thank your guests for being a part of your special day with an onsite farewell brunch.

Our wedding packages are priced to allow you to have a multitude of choices that allow you to customize a memorable event that meets your budget. We include many upgraded items that other venues don’t typically include in their packages. We offer white chair covers with a variety of different sashes to choose from, votive candles for your tables, unlimited hors d’oeurves throughout the cocktail hour, the traditional champagne toast, and a few other great enhancements. If you are looking for a different menu selection, we would be happy to put together a specialized menu just for you. No matter the size of your guest list, we will work with you to ensure that your special day is unique.

Let our professionals help with the planning from start to finish. We even set up all of your decorations on the day of your event for you so you can enjoy the day and spend time taking in this momentous occasion. There is no additional fee for setup, and we waive the room rental fee if the food and beverage minimum is met.

Honeymoons are our specialty. Our special wedding offer through Starwood Hotels and Resorts allows you to receive 1 Starpoint for every $1 dollar spent on your wedding. These points transfer into free night stays at our award-winning hotel locations all around the world. You receive these points as soon as the contract is signed so you can book the honeymoon of your dreams in a location you always imagined! You can also sign up for a honeymoon registry so guests can purchase gift spa appointments and more to make your honeymoon unforgettable.

Vermont is a beautiful location for your wedding whether you are local to the area or coming from afar. Choosing the right wedding venue is typically one of the largest and most impor-tant decisions you will make as it provides the ambience for your day. Let the professionals at the Sheraton Burlington help make your vision come to life as you create an experience you will remember forever. n

Tiffany Sorrentino is a Wedding Specialist at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center. Please feel free to contact her by phone at 802-865-6620 or by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information

about the professional ‘wedding’ services offered at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center, be sure to visit their website: www.starwoodpromos.com/weddings/sheraton/606/.

By Tiffany Sorrentino

Life’s Biggest Moments are Better When Shared

After you say,

“I DO” enjoy

photograph

opportunities in

front of a roaring

fireplace or on a

grand staircase

while your guests

enjoy specialty

cocktails and

hors d’oeurves

before entering a

grand ballroom

boasting exquisite

chandeliers

and unmatched

elegance for

your reception

celebration.

Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center

Photos byRaidenShine Photography

Vermont Bride ENGAGEMENTSShawna Lynne Wakeham and Thomas Joseph Smith

Reginald and Patricia Wakeham of St. Johnsbury, Vermont are proud to announce the engagement of their daughter, Shawna Lynne Wakeham, to Thomas Joseph Smith, son of Thomas and Ann Smith of Kensington, New Hampshire. Ms. Wakeham is a 2007 graduate of Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont earning a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Anthropology. Mr. Smith, also a 2007 gradu-ate of Saint Michael’s College, received a Bach-elor’s degree in Business Administration.

An October 6, 2012, wed-ding is planned at Saint Michael’s College with the reception to be held at the Old Lantern in Charlotte, Vermont. Congratulations on your engagement Shawna and Thomas, and best wishes from all of us at Vermont Bride!

Vermont Bride ENGAGEMENTSChristine Elizabeth Peacock and Jeffrey Vance

Robert and Catherine Peacock of South Burlington, Vermont announce the engagement of their daughter, Christine Elizabeth Peacock, to Jef-frey Vance, son of David and Katherine Vance of Herndon, Virginia. Ms. Peacock graduated from Vermont Technical College and is employed as a Registered Dental Hygienist at the Dental Center of Herndon. Mr. Vance graduated from Old Dominion University and is employed as a data analyst at Team Velocity Marketing in Dulles, Virginia.

A July wedding is planned.

Best wishes, Christine and Jeffrey, for much happiness, laughter and love.

Photo by RaidenShine Photography

Photo by Jeff Schneiderman Photography


Weddings, Tents & Events has opened a new wed-

ding showroom conveniently located on Main St. in

Waterbury, VT. Meet with one of our experienced

event coordinators to choose everything from linen,

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Whether you have already planned your entire wed-

ding or need help choosing vendors, with etiquette

advice or with design, we are here to help!

For a more personal experience, contact us today to

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www.weddingstentsevents.com

By Jenna Piper, Event Coordinator

Wedding, Tents & Events Opens New Showroom in Waterbury!


Weddings, Tents & Events

53 N. Main St.Waterbury, VT

Photos by Landwehrle Photography


Photos by Landwehrle Photography

My article in the winter issue of Vermont Bride went over the basic steps for creating your own invitations at home. From the design to print-ing, I detailed the best practices for making the process go smoothly. Now that you have the printed pieces done, it’s time to add your person-ality and flair before sending them out to wow your guests. There are many levels of detail and embellishment that you can add to your invitation suite, from a simple ribbon tied around the top to a multilayered pocket style to hold all of your inserts in one place.

We will begin with the simple and easiest idea,

which is adding a layer (or two) of colored or patterned cardstock to the back of your invitation. You can also add layers to the other insert cards in your suite if you so desire. Once you know the right tools and techniques for effortless execution then you can apply that knowledge to any other stationery or signs you will be making for your wedding.

One thing to keep in mind is if you think you would like to have a multilayered invitation then you will need to start planning the layout before you print your invitations. The reason for this is because whatever size the bottom layer will be needs to be correct to fit inside your envelopes,

and you will have to size your printed invitation layer accordingly.

So let’s say you want to end up with a 5” x 7” invitation to fit inside an A7 envelope. That means the bottom layer of cardstock will be 5” x 7”. Next you need to think about how wide of a border you would like to show for each layer. A 1/2” or 1/4” border is fairly common, but you can go as large as 1” or as small as 1/8”. Just remember that your invitation wording and design must fit within the space leftover, so depending on your wording and format you may need to stick to the smaller sized border. If you are going to have more than

one layer behind the invitation, it will look best to vary the thickness of the border. A wide border for the bottom most layer, and a very thin border up against the invitation looks nice, or vice versa.

Go over your measurements a couple of times and make sure you account for all four sides when de-termining what size to make each piece of cardstock. Many cardstock companies offer their paper in different sizes to save you from having to cut out each layer, or they offer a custom cutting service and will cut the paper to whatever size you would like. However, it is often cheapest if you buy larger sheets and cut them to size. Be sure to buy extras because you are bound to make mistakes in the next phase––putting it all together.

The first invitation I ever made (which was for my own wedding in 2006) I put together completely with glue sticks. Please do not use glue sticks. Learn from my mistake! The upside to glue sticks is that

they worked. As in the paper stuck together. The downside is that the glue bled through the paper, making dark marks on the darker colored cardstock, it took a long time to dry and the paper warped as it dried leaving little waves and wrinkles. Maybe no one else really noticed it as much as I did, but there are better tools out there, so please don’t suffer like I did!

I have tried many other glues and goos along the way and what I discovered is that nothing works better than adhesive transfer tape. It is kind of like double-sided sticky tape, except it is used with an applicator gun that directly places the adhesive onto the paper. It’s super strong,

How to DIy Invitations––Layering and Embellishing, Part II

If cost worries are ruining the planning of your big day, don’t fret because it doesn’t have to be that way with everything.

By Colleen Kuerth

A note of caution before we get started: DIY invita-tions are not for everyone. If you envision a pocketfold bursting with custom coordinated inserts, beautifully layered cardstock and bound with lace, I implore you to seek out a professional. They take a lot of time, patience and know-how to put together. To avoid the headache and possibility of expensive re-dos, some things are better left to the experts. Do-it-yourself invitations are best, for your sanity and pocketbook, when kept sweet and

Photos compliments of Truly Noted


doesn’t have to dry and is an instant, permanent bond. The gun I use is fairly expensive but has the advantage of being refillable and the refills are cheap. If you are planning on doing a lot of similar projects, or are into scrapbooking, then I recommend going for the Scotch ATG Applicator. The 1/2” wide tape is the best size as it has the most uses. If you don’t want to shell out $60.00+ then you can buy smaller, disposable applicators at any major craft store in the scrapbooking section. Just make sure you get the permanent adhesive ones and you get several because you can go through a lot of tape depending on how many layers you are doing and how many invitations you are making.

The adhesive guns are useful for work-ing with ribbon as well, especially if you want the ribbon to wrap around the invitation. Ribbon is a versatile way to add some personality to your invita-tion since it comes in many different colors, textures and sizes. Raw silk ribbon adds a rustic yet elegant flair, while satin ribbon is more polished and sophisticated. You can also purchase lace ribbon or lace trim to use as embellishment. For a more layered look pair a wide lace ribbon with a thinner satin ribbon on top and tie in a knot. Ribbon can either be wrapped around as a solid band or adhered to the back of the invitation and tied it in the front as a bow. If you want a slightly easier way of adding ribbon, you can also put two hole punches about an inch apart wherever you would like the bow to be and then thread the ribbon through. For an even more stun-ning look, add a dazzling crystal buckle to the ribbon.

Speaking of crystals, they can also be a fun way to add some sparkle and charm to your project. Fairly inexpensive when bought in bulk, you can use different colored crystals as an accent on a floral illustration or brocade design. Or place one larger, colored crystal at the top between two flourishes to make a bold statement. This is where the craft glue will come in handy. Make sure you get something that will dry clear and has a small tip that will dispense only a small amount of glue at a time. Although this process can be time-consuming depending on how many invitations you are making, the end result will have your guests oohing and aahing over the attention to detail.

Some other fun and unconventional embellishments that have been popping up in invitation design include peacock feathers, birch bark, seashells, stitching (yes, with a sewing machine!), burlap bags and silk flowers to name just a few. In short, the possibilities are endless to create a custom wedding suite that is completely and uniquely yours. The impor-

tant thing to keep in mind is that your wedding invitation should not only reflect the theme of your wedding day, but also your personalities and what makes your relationship special. There is no cookie-cutter right and wrong about what your invitations should be, so have fun with it. n

Vermont Bride is proud to recommend the following featured wedding professionals for all your wedding invitations & stationary needs: That’s Inviting! Truly Noted

802-318-3125 Colchester, VT www.thats-inviting.com

802-373-4547 Jericho, VT www.trulynoted.net


Flash of

Fashion

By Josee Telfer

What is it about getting engaged that turns us into sentimental romantics?

Once we’ve said “yes” and are proudly sporting a shiny new engagement ring we begin to dream about our wedding day, what the weather might be like, how the venue will look, the flowers we’ll carry and of course what we’ll wear. Let’s be honest, most of us have thought about our wedding day since we were little girls. We envision ourselves in a beautiful gown, stun-ning our groom and guests as we make our way down the aisle to music softly playing in the background.

The thing about bridal fashion as with all fashion is that it is never static––it is always changing and evolving cy-clicly: making what was once old new again. This year ultra modern silhou-ettes and stiffer fabrics have given way to a softer, more romantic style. A nod to the allure and glamour of the past is seen in re-embroidered lace appliques, illusion necklines, corsets and ornate crystal beading. So, just what does a romantic gown look like? Whether we consider our style modern, tradi-tional, whimsical or simple, romance is almost always the unspoken basis for what we’re looking for––the “I’ll know it when I see it” is actually the quality that cannot be measured nor defined. It is, simply put, how beautiful we feel.

What you’ll really be wearing on your wedding day is the smile on your face that speaks to the joy, hope and love you feel inside. The gown is the sup-

The Look of

Casablanca

2063

Tea-length soft layered tulle and satin gown with mini pearls and crystals accenting the bodice. Waistband finished with brooch and satin bow.

Colors: Ivory, White, Champagne


VermontBride is proud

to recommend Fiori Bridal

Boutique for all of your

wedding gown needs.

Fiori Bridal Boutique is

located in the heart of Essex

Junction, Vermont. As every

love affair has its own story,

so does every wedding

ensemble. Piece by piece,

Fiori Bridal consultants can

assist every bride in making

her dream a beautiful reality

no matter what your style

may be, romantic, refined,

simple, glamorous, or

whimsical.

Fiori Bridal Boutique

802-872-9663

www.fioribridal.com

spring fashion 2012LoveCasablanca

2060

Deep V ruched satin halter a-line gown with pearl and crystal appliqué on bodice.

Essense of Australia

D1316

Dolce Satin trumpet gown with lace and flower accents. Detachable sheer strapless jacket and satin sash included. Colors: Ivory, white, oyster and pewter.

Essense of Australia

D1287

Royal Organza drop waisted gown with sweetheart neckline and satin-edged tiers. Satin beaded belt included. Available in both lace up and zip-up. Colors: Ivory and White

Flash of

Fashion


porting actor, not the star. Choose a gown that complements you––your personality, your body, your day. Don’t worry about silhouettes, fab-rics, necklines or trends; just be sure you choose the dress that makes you feel like the beautiful beaming bride that you are.

All of the gowns pictured can be found at Fiori Bridal Boutique. We strive to make sure your dress-shop-ping experience is special, fun and uniquely tailored just for you.

We have dresses in every style, in every price point, for every bride.

Visit us at www.fioribridal.com or call to schedule an appointment at

The Look of Love Continuedfrompage59

Martina Liana

387

Silk Satin Organza with lace. Detachable long-sleeved sheer jacket with lace applique and flower detail. Crystal beaded sash available.

Martina Liana

402

Silk Organza and lace gown with detachable long-sleeved sheer jacket with lace appliqué detail.

Flash of

Fashion

The Look of Love Continuedfrompage61

872-9663.

18 Main Street, Essex Junction,Vermont 05452

Watters Gabrielle

1042B

Airy Blush silk mousseline tiered strapless. Bodice embellished with beaded and hand-embroidered flowers.

Colors: Blush, Ivory, White

Watters Gabrielle

1033B

Silk organza strapless with tonal ivory silk taffeta skirt. Mother of pearl and crystal beaded detailing on bodice. Grosgrain ribbon sash at natural waist.

The BeginningMatt and I met on the first snow of 2004. In retrospect, this seems fortuitous, but on that cold November night, it was annoying. My new roommate, Sarah, was trying to convince a group of us to go see a band from her hometown, but most of us were happy to settle in for the night. After about an hour of badgering, I decided to appease my new friend and brave the cold.

As soon as we walked into Providence College’s on-campus bar, Matt caught my eye. I don’t know if it was his guitar playing, his good looks, or his ripped old jeans, but the minute I saw him, I knew I had to talk to him. When we look back on it, we both comment on how strange it was to connect with someone so well so suddenly. Maybe this is what motivated Matt to drive nearly two hours every day of the next three years to visit me, and to commit to driving the over four hours it took to visit me in Ver-mont during the summer.

Our relationship continued to develop through college, and towards my senior year I had a decision to make: do I return to Vermont as planned, or do I stay in Mas-sachusetts to be with Matt after graduation? I had never planned on living permanently outside of Vermont; in fact, the only reason I attended PC was to experience life outside of my home state for four years of my life. I had always planned on moving back, but would I give up my relationship with Matt to hold onto my Vermont identity? The answer was no. As difficult as it was, and still is, to be away from my family and my home, I know that it would be even more difficult to be without Matt. He made me feel that home could be anywhere as long as I was with him.

The EngagementAfter making such a monumental decision to stay in Massachusetts, I knew that we’d end up getting married. It wasn’t until two and a half years later, in November 2010, that he proposed.

I knew Matt was up to something. The night before, we had celebrated our six-year an-niversary and, to be honest, I was expecting him to propose then. He didn’t, so the next morning when we got up for our Saturday morning walk at a local park, I was suspi-cious.

My suspicion only grew when Matt kept touching the pocket of his jacket and walk-ing ahead of me with our dog to find a “good spot to rest.” He finally found a spot, took off his jacket, and then asked me to get our dog a treat from his pocket. Feeling like an


Photography by JeffSchneidermanPhotography

Kate(O ’Brien)&MattViolette

Spring 2012 Cover Bride

The West Monitor Barn, Richmond, VTOctober 8, 2011

As soon as we walked into Providence College’s on-campus bar, Matt caught my eye. I don’t

know if it was his guitar playing, his good looks, or his ripped old

jeans, but the minute I saw him, I knew I had to talk to him.

Kate (O’Brien) &

Matt Violette Continuedfrompage65


idiot for assuming that dog treats were an engagement ring, I walked over to the jacket and reached into his pocket. This foolish feeling only lasted for a second, because when I reached into his jacket pocket, I didn’t feel dog treats, I felt a box. I took out the box, turned around, and there was Matt on his knee. I opened the box as our dog jumped on my lap, Matt asked, and I promptly said yes.

The PlanningWe both knew that we wanted a fall wedding, so we jumped right into wedding planning. After searching the Internet, we fell in love with the West Monitor Barn. We loved the barn for a few reasons: it’s gor-

geous(!) and all proceeds from renting go to the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, whose employees work on conservation and education projects in Vermont.

After securing the venue, we moved onto hiring the rest of our vendors. We booked photographer Jeff Schneiderman immediately. Jeff was truly fabulous to work with and took gorgeous pictures. Sugar Snap, our caterers, made amazing food that our guests are still talking about.

Being a fourth-generation Winooski resident, it was important that I use vendors who were either from or based in Winooski. Sally’s Flower Shop was amazingly


IknewMattwasuptosomething.Thenightbefore,

wehadcelebratedoursix-yearanniversaryand,

tobehonest,Iwasexpectinghim

toproposethen.


featuredVermontBrideWedding Professionals

Photographer


802-878-0769

www.jeffschneiderman.com

Accessories

Fiori Bridal Boutique

802-872-9663

www.fioribridal.com

Additional wedding professionals:

Caterer: Sugar Snap

Reception Venue: West Monitor Barn

DJ: Top Hat Entertainment

Flowers: Sally’s Flower Shop

Limo: Classic Limo Service

Bar Service: Fluid Bar Service

Dress: Maggie Sottero

easy to work with, and made the perfect bouquets at a very reasonable price. Fluid Bar Service provided drinks at the reception, and Hannah at Indigo Hair Salon did my hair and make up for the day.

Accepting ImperfectionsOur wedding was an ode to DIY. The days leading up to our wedding were filled with apple picking (for our caramel apple favors), favor making, and last-minute organization. My motto for the week was “Accepting Imperfec-tions.” I wanted to have everything as organized as possible, but I knew that despite this, things could go wrong. I decided that as long as we were mar-ried at the end of Saturday, nothing else mattered.

On Friday morning, Matt and I, along with 11 family members and friends, went to the West Monitor Barn to set up. We worked feverishly and were finished setting up by 1:00 p.m., which gave us the rest of the day to relax at

The Essex before our rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

Personalizing the DayWe were determined to make our wedding as personal as possible. Too often couples opt for formal over personal, and I knew that’s not what we wanted; we wanted our wedding to be us. We tried to attain this feeling in several ways: Matt’s sister, a graphic designer, made our save-the-dates (featuring the West Monitor Barn) and invitations. At the end of the wed-ding ceremony, Jeff took a whole-group photo, and as guests headed to the reception, they followed sunflower signs that I had painted. While guests waited at the Barn for our arrival, they ate homemade appetizers and played the lawn games that we had set up.

Our reception tables featured handmade centerpieces. They consisted of sunflowers in mason jars wrapped in twine, and table numbers with our

Kate (O’Brien) & Matt Violette Continuedfrompage67


favorite quotes on them placed in a pine stumps that Matt and his dad cut from old Christmas tree trunks. Around these we placed candles in canning jars, along with pictures of our family and friends that we dug out of old photo albums. The pictures were a hit and, as it turns out, a very easy way to make guests feel just how much we appreciate them. Another way that we personalized the tables was to place the homemade favors of caramel apples and caramel corn at each place setting.

Memorable MomentsThere were so many moments that we’ll remember, but three will always stand out in my mind:

1. The Matron of Honor’s Speech. After leaving her purse in the limo, my matron of honor was forced to read her speech from my brother’s iPhone. The problem with this was two-fold: 1) April is the last person on the planet without a cell phone, and had never used a smart phone before and 2) The limo driver called the phone April was using about a minute into her speech, and my ever-vigilant brother answered his call to instruct him where to leave April’s purse.

2. The Mother-Son Dance. Matt’s dad played and sang “House at Pooh Corner” on his guitar while Matt and his mother danced to the song. It was such a beautiful rendition of a song that clearly meant a lot to both Matt and his mom, and there wasn’t a mother in the barn who wasn’t crying at such a tender moment.

3. The Father-Daughter Dance. My dad and I flouted the normal sentimental father-daughter dance, and instead danced to The Allman Brothers’ “Ramblin’ Man.” I was in 5” heels, and he was swinging me around the dance floor like a sack of flour. We both had huge smiles on our faces the entire time, which perfectly epitomizes our fun-loving relationship.

My AdviceIt is so easy to get caught up in what you’re “supposed” to do when planning a wedding. From the reg-istry to the reception, try to remember what’s important to you. Matt and I actually registered for some insanely expensive china just to realize that we would never use an $80 wine glass. We had to delete almost everything from our registry and start again, this time doing it our way. You will save yourself so much time and worry if you stay true to yourself, your vision, and your taste.

Keep in mind that doing-it-yourself takes time, and make sure you really have the time to devote to making things the way you want them. Sometimes it’s more cost-effective to just buy the paper rather than spending 10 hours hand-stamping it yourself.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. A hypothetical 10-hour paper stamping could have been shortened if I had just asked my bridesmaids for help.

Stay positive, and don’t forget the purpose of the day. You are planning a wedding, after all.

Enjoy every minute of the day, and accept imperfections. In the end, those imperfections are going to be what you remember most of all. n

Photography courtesy of Neil MacLeod

The Informed TravelerContinuedfrompage69

Wander among the small villages and towns untouched over the centuries, and enjoy the hospitality and tasty homemade food and drink. See grandmothers bake bread in communal ovens. Visit painted churches and over 100 monasteries, or go horseback riding through the countryside.

Bulgarians create beauti-fully detailed traditional ceramics, jewelry, embroi-dery, weaving rugs and brightly colored carpets.

Museums are filled with ancient riches including the oldest known gold artifacts in the world.

The main cities are Sofia (the largest city and capital of about two million people), Plovdiv, (in the middle of the country), and Varna and Burgas (each with less than half a million people). The latter two are sea ports. To experience the real Bulgaria, it is best to get out of the cities and into the small rural communities.

Bulgaria has many spas, whose mineral water is known for its curative properties. Used for centu-ries this water can be found mainly in or near the resorts of the Black Sea coast.

Hiking and biking in the mountains are popular pastimes as there are great biking areas along the seacoast. Climbing is popular, and ancient cave paintings and many interesting rock formations can be found in the mountains.

Over the centuries roses have been planted in the Rose Valley. In late May and early June when the roses are in bloom, the Festival of the Roses takes place in a number of towns in the Valley.

For great wines, the little town of Melnik is well-known for its wine cellars. Show up on the weekends and delight in traditional food along with the delectable wine.

These are only some of the things Bulgaria has to offer.

TheMezekfortress

TheNorthwestMountains

PlovdivEthnographicMuseum


Wearingaweddingveilisanancienttraditionthatcutsacrossculturesandreligions.Theveilyouchoosecanbeinspiredbythesetraditionsorbypersonalstyleandtaste,buteitherwaytherearethreeconsiderationstokeepinmindwhenpurchasingyourveil:willitworkwithyourgown,theformalityofyourweddingandtheenvironmentalconditionsatyourceremonyandreception.

Ceremony LocationIfyouareplanningtobemarriedoutdoorswherewindmaybeanissueyouarebesttooptforashorterveilorfornoveilatall.Asyouwalkdowntheaisleorstandatanoutdooraltarthelastthingyouneedistobeuntanglingyourselffromawind-blownveil.Ifyourweddingceremonyisinsideandyourreceptionisoutdoors,thenyoucanavoidwindissuesbyremovingyourveilforthereception.Somebridesevenpurchasealongerveilfortheceremonyandasecondshortveilforthereception.

Reflection of the GownYouwanttomakesureyourgownandveilharmonize.Thesimplestwaytomakesuretheydothisistobuyanensemble.Ifyouhaveacustomveilmadeorbuyaveilthatwasn’tdesignedtomatchyourgown,thenyou’llhavetobemorecareful.

Clearly,thecoloroftheveilshouldmatchthegown.Whatatfirstmayappeartobe

Phot

oby

Pol

isP

hoto

grap

hy

anegligibletonedifferencebetweenawhiteveilandapaleivorywillbecomedreadfullynoticeablewhentheyareworntogether—-andthedisparitywillbeevenmoreobviousinphotographs.Ifyourgownisedgedinacolor,suchasblackorclaret,thenchoosingaveilandheadpiecewithasimilaraccentcolorisabeautifulchoice.Likewise,sparklingrhinestone-studdedveilslookgloriouswithbejeweledgowns—-especialforcandlelightceremonies.

Guidelines for Veil LengthByfollowingafeweasyguidelinesdecidingwhatlengthofveiltopurchasewillbeeasy.Thelessformalawedding,thesimplerandshortertheveilshouldbe—-andinsomecasesnoveilisfarwiserthanoverdoing.Elbowlengthorfinger-tiplengtharegoodchoicesfortheinformalaffair.Withaformalweddingyourchoicesexpandtoincludetheshorterveilsaswellaschapelorcathedrallengths.

Youwillalsowanttoconsiderthebackofyourgown.Wherewillthebottomhemoftheveilfall?Willitcoverupdecorationsonyourgown?Howdoestheveillook

withthegown’snecklineandtrain?Anelbow-lengthveilwillshowoffdetailsatthewaistofagownandtheextravagantcathedrallengthcanaddafeelingofmodern-luxuryforatallbrideinaslimgown.

Themostimportanttipaboutcoordinatingtheveilandgownistobuythegownfirstandthenchoosetheveilwhileyouhavethegownon.Ifyouplanonpurchasingthemindifferentlocations,tryonthegownandsimilarveilsandtakephotosofhowthoseveilslookswiththebackofyourdress.Onceyougethome,youcanstudythephotosanddecidewhatstyleofveilyouwant.Takethephotoswithyouwhenyougoveilshopping.Theywillalsohelpyoujudgewhichveillooksbestwithyourheightandfigure.Rememberwhenyoubuytheveilfromadifferentmanufacturerthanthedresstheremaybeslightvariationsincolor.

Alsoconsiderwhichveilyoufeelthemostcomfortableinasfarasweightandstylego.Andaskyourhairdresserwhichwouldworkbestwiththehairstyleyouplanonhavingonyourweddingday.

Headpiece StylesSomeoftheaboveconsiderationsalsoapplywhenchoosingaheadpiece.Makesureitsstyleandproportionmatchyourgown.Ifyouhavepearls,rhinestonesorcrystalsonyourgownoryourjewelry,thenhavingaheadpiecedecoratedtomatchwillcreateafantasticstatement.

Tiarasareelegantandmakewonderfulkeepsakes.Headbandstyleheadpiecesareveryeffectiveforshorterhairstyles.Jeweledcombsorbarrettesgivethesamefeelbutwillappearslightlylessformalthanmoreelegantheadpieces.

Singlebloomsoffreshorartificialflowerscanbescatteredthroughyourupswepthairforalightairyfeel.Amonochromaticwreathofflowersbedazzledwithjewelswillhaveaformalfeelwhereaswreathscreatedfrombrightlycoloredflowersandvineswillappearveryinformal.Yourhairdresserorfloristcanguideyouwith

your crowning glory

Veils & Headpieces:ByPatEsden

Winter is behind us and spring is upon us. How dif-

ficult was it for you to be active this winter? Skiing

and snowshoeing are excellent ways to stay active in

the long Vermont winters. However, it is difficult to

do those things when there isn’t any snow! So if you

haven’t started already, now is the time to get ready

to slip into your dress and become fit and healthy.

Your Health | The FIT SPOT

Fit and Fat or Skinny Fat

By Toria Cornett

{continued on the next page

Your BMI is calculated by your

height and weight and if it is over

24 you are overweight. However,

these charts do not take into con-

sideration your lean tissue mass,

body type, age or gender.

There are thousands of fad diets available for you to try from the Grapefruit Diet to the Zone Diet. How many have you attempted? How many of you failed? Ninety-five percent of people who diet, regain the weight they lost (and in some cases gain even more). So what if you are skinny fat or fit and fat? We are going to look at what kind of body type you are and give helpful hints to help you become the healthy fit person you want to be regardless of your body shape.

There are three basic body types: endo-morphs, mesomorphs and ectomorphs. Endomorphs are fat retainers, meso-morphs are athletic and ectomorphs are skinny. You are born with your body type

and you cannot change it. However, you can look fabulous in your own skin if you understand which body type you have.

At the doctor’s office, to determine if you are overweight or obese and at risk for certain disease the doctor figures your body mass index (BMI). Your BMI is calculated by your height and weight and if it is over 24 you are overweight. However, these charts do not take into consideration your lean tissue mass, body type, age or gender. So you might be like me and workout, eat right and have an athletic type body, but the chart says I am overweight because of my mesomorphic body type. So which body type are you? If you are an endo-

morph and curvy and you are striving to become a tall and skinny ectomorph you are not setting a realistic goal.

Ectomorphs are at a high risk for being skinny fat. What is skinny fat? This is somebody who looks fabulous in clothes. She can eat anything she wants, not exercise and stay skinny. But she may be flabby with no muscle tone, and she actually has more body fat verses lean muscle mass.

Being skinny fat is dangerous.

Dr. Steven Blair, obesity expert from the Uni-versity of South Carolina says, “Normal weight people who are sedentary and unfit are at much higher risk for mortality than obese persons who are active and fit.” Why is this? The fat that we cannot see is surrounding the organs (liver, heart, etc). This leads to illness and disease––not to mention cellulite!

Being a smaller size and carrying less weight does not necessarily mean that we have a better body. What is your body composition? In other words

what is your lean tissue compared to your fat tissue ratio? There are several ways to figure out what your body composition is. The most common, more convenient way is body fat analysis. This can be done at the gym, or even in your own bathroom. It is bioimpedence testing that runs an electric current through your tissue to determine how much fat verses lean muscle tissue you have. Another tool is skin fold calipers. Skin fold calipers can be found at your local gym. A tool is used to take measurements at skin folds from your abdomen, thigh, triceps and other areas to determine body fat content. However, you have to trust the person taking the measurements is qualified to make accurate skin fold samples.

Now let’s look at the fat and fit. People correlate being fat with being unhealthy. However, studies are showing that this is not the case. Two-thirds (67 percent) of Americans are overweight or obese! As I previously mentioned, you can be fat and healthy. A study was done at the Mayo Clinic with 855 coronary artery disease patients. The conclusion was that overweight high fitness level individuals had a much lower risk of dying compared with normal weight low fitness subjects.

Look at your lifestyle and body type

So before we get frustrated that our ectomorph friend who is as tall as us, weighs in at 115 pounds, and we weigh in at 140 pounds, take a look at your lifestyle and body type (mesmorph maybe?). What it comes down to is not the number on the scale, but how we look and feel in our own bodies. When we are healthy, we are happy.

How do we combat the skinny fat or fit and fat syndrome?

First get a body composition measurement. Then combat body fat with re-sistance training, cardio workouts and correction of your poor diet. Perform

weight training workouts three times a week and do intense cardio trainings three times a week. Make sure to keep a food journal to ensure you are making healthy food choices.

You need to be well no matter what your size. Your fitness goals should focus on striving to be healthy and fit. We cannot change our genet-ics, but we can perfect what we have. We can be happy and comfortable with our bodies. This means setting realistic goals when it comes to weight loss and pant size.

I am always repeating to my clients, “Do not worry about the number on the scale. It is too easy to become obsessed with it. Pay attention to how you feel, what you look like and how your clothes fit.” Don’t focus on losing weight; focus on getting active and eating properly. Take care of the body you have now.

Here’s to you being happy, healthy, and in shape! n


The Fit Spot: Fit and Fat or Skinny FatContinuedfrompage73

I am always

repeating

to my

clients, “Do

not worry

about the

number on

the scale.”

A physioball (otherwise known as a yoga ball, exercise ball, or theraball) works best for this exercise. However, if you do not have one you can use a large pillow or any object light enough to hold with your ankles.

Lie flat on your back with arms and legs straight out and grab the ball with your hands.

Bring your arms and legs up perpendicu-lar to your body and pass the ball to your legs and grab with your ankles. Return to your starting position (body out stretched) with the ball at your legs.

Pay special attention to your back and abs, making sure that you are not arching your back off the floor. This may indicate that you are lowering your legs too far. If this is the case you should stop at the point where you start to feel your low back come off the floor or mat.

Bring your legs and arms back to the middle and pass the ball to your hands again. Slowly lower the ball at your hands

WOrKOUTFit Spot Exercise

Ball Pass

and your legs, maintaining a tight core and stable back. This is one rep.

Add this core exercise to your current routine and start with 10 reps and work up to 20 reps. Make sure your movements are slow and you maintain proper form.

Be sure to read Toria’s article on page 73 titled “Fit and Fat or Skinny Fat.”

By Toria Cornett


In our last article, we touched on the wedding album as a primary option for preserving your wedding memories; in this article we will help you decide on whether you should or could create your own wedding album, what you can expect for proof options from your photographer, how to organize your thoughts, and create an album that will become your most cherished keepsake. In addition we will help you through the process of deciding if you might want parent or wedding party albums printed as well.

OPTIONS

You must first look at what your options are for an album––both do-it-yourself and professionally created. Some options for doing the album yourself are putting together a scrapbook with magnetic pages (be aware that the magnetic pages can damage your photographs over time), or you can create an album where you are inserting your 4x6 wedding pictures into a pre-purchased album. Another do-it-yourself option for the techni-cally savvy couple is to digitally create an album to be printed at one of many different websites. These websites have many canned back-grounds and may give you auto-fill options, but they may also give you a “cookie-cutter” finished product and will take many hours of time (both upload and creative time). If you choose to do an album yourself, there are many different options, so be sure to do your homework and decide if you have the time, skill, and patience to do this yourself. Many couples have made the mistake of thinking they had both enough time and the skill to do their own album, only to spend months and months and have mediocre results. If you are considering creating your own album using

one of the on-line websites, be sure to discuss with your photographer the file size and resolution of the images that they will be providing to you, and provide them with the website size limitations for uploading. In order to do a printed album, the minimum size digital images you will need is 8x12, 300dpi in either a jpg or tiff format, but they can’t be too large either since some websites have a maximum size per image for uploading. There are also companies/websites that will take your uploaded images and create a professional album for you, but that would be the most expensive of all routes. In most cases, it is worth your while to find a photographer that includes a professional album as part of their package, as this may make the first months of your marriage a bit less stressful and give you a finished product that has a professional quality that you will be proud to display for years to come.

Assuming you have chosen to have your album professionally created by your photographer, let’s start this journey with the proofs from your wed-ding. One decision for you to make with your photographer is how you will be receiving your proofs. With today’s technology, digital proofing has become a more streamlined option. However, if you do not have high-speed Internet access, this is not your best option. Your photographer may offer 4x6 proof prints or a bound proof book to substitute the on-line proof, but if not included in your package, this may be at an additional cost (usually $50-$150 depending upon number of images and or size of the proof album). For the more high-end premium wedding packages, some photographers offer both on-line and printed proofs or even proof books so that the client has the best of all worlds. Take the time to dis-cuss how they deliver proofs before deciding on which package you want for your wedding and include it in your negotiations. Also, find out about

The Wedding Album An Heirloom Worth its Weight in Gold

ByLinda&JoeCrosby


The Wedding Album An Heirloom Worth its Weight in Gold

an estimate on how quickly you can expect your proofs. If your photog-rapher shoots in complete jpg format, it can be as soon as a few hours, however most professional photographers shoot in RAW format and will need some time to post-process all of your images to a point where they can present you with proofs. Depending upon how busy your photogra-pher is during the height of wedding season, their workflow, staffing, and other variables, this could take anywhere from four days to four months and we have heard of some cases being up to a year for the bride and groom to receive their proofs. Communication about expectations prior to the wedding is key to avoiding misunderstandings.

PROOFS

Once you have your proofs, you must consider how many images you will need for your album. You will also need to decide if the album size offered with your package is sufficient to tell your entire wedding story, or if you will want to upgrade the number of pages or size of your album. Talk to your photographer about all your options before you start your selection process. Be sure to talk about whether you will want a printed cover or a leather cover, or a cloth cover––there are so many options and your photographer is the best person to go over those options in detail with you. Albums can be square, portrait, or landscape in orientation and come in many sizes and page number options, with the most widely used being the square album. The average size of a square album is 10x10 or 12x12 (38 – 50) pages, which means you will need to choose approximately 70 – 100 images. Some pages you will want printed as full spreads (one image for two pages) and others you may want 6 or 8 im-

ages on the page, so this is a good average of two images per page. A large album with 150 – 180 images would be a 76 page album which is quite a masterpiece, but a bit heavy to carry to work to show off.

If you have opted to select your proofs on-line, your first step should be to go through all the images once to get an overview of what was taken. Some websites have the option to choose favorites as you are view-ing them. This option will enhance and speed the second step of the process. Whether you digitally place your images into a favorites gallery or write down the image numbers, this will help you to start narrowing your selections. During your first go-round of selecting, things to keep in mind are: Does this image help to tell the story? Do the expressions in the image convey the desired emotions? Are the poses of the two of you flattering? Are the backgrounds distracting or do they enhance image? If the answer is yes to any of the questions, then you will likely choose it as a preliminary favorite.

Next you will need to go back through your favorites to whittle your choices down to the desired number of images for your wedding album. This is where an outline of your “wedding story” will be helpful. Start with a simple outline and decide where you want the emphasis. Is it on the getting ready portion (if that was included) or is it on the ceremony, bridal party portraits, traditions (such as cake cutting, first dance, garter, bouquet), or is it on the fun and dancing at the reception? Every album is unique and this is where that uniqueness starts––with your outline. On this next pass of the favorite images, pick out your top ten favorites. These will likely be the images that will be featured as full page or full


PhotobyRaidenShinePhotography


spread images. In a lay-flat book, the full spread means that the image can span the full width of two pages with no break in the middle. Then pick out the other images desired around those top ten to fill out your story. You will likely end up with a large number or “second choice” images. These image numbers can be conveyed to your photographer to use as fill-ins as needed to round out a page or create a sequence of shots. It only makes sense to let them know what other images you liked so that you get as many of your favorites in the book as possible. Some couples even provide an A, B, and C list––just in case and a short list of “Don’t Use These” for those images that may be of people they would rather not have in the album. In short, any information you can give your photographer is always appreciated and will make your album a cherished item for you. Another tip is to let your photographer know your favorite image of the two of you so that it can be incorporated into the cover or first page of your album.

THE ALBUM

After your photographer has created your album, they will typically ask if you want it in a glossy or matte surface. Although glossy is gorgeous and has more contrast in the images, glossy albums also show finger-prints more easily. So, think about how many times you will be showing this album off and the durability of it. At this point, your options differ by photographer. Some photographers will order the album as they created it and have it delivered directly to you, while others will have an on-line proofing option and offer for you to view it, and approve spellings before publishing, while still others will offer you the option to change a few elements on the digital proof of the album, move around some images as well as proof the spelling. If you have the last type of photographer, you may want to meet at their studio or home and go over the digital proof of the album with them on their monitors so that you will get the full effect of what it will look like and the value of their experience in guiding you through any suggested changes.

Once you have proofed your album, you may want to consider ordering smaller versions of the album for your parents or wedding party as thank you gifts. The parent-album is the most common and is sometimes used as a Christmas gift the year after the wedding. If you are having an exact duplicate, just smaller size, created, there should only be printing fees; however, if you want to have a whole new album created, ask about the estimated costs for design. Most times the changes are minimal and therefore minimal design fees. Be prepared, though, if you make significant changes or ask for entirely different images to be used, it may take as much 20-30 hours of work and could be a bit more costly. Our advice to help keep your costs down, is for you to keep the parent album as close to the original album design as possible––perhaps changing out a few pages of specific images that would be special to each set of parents, and deleting certain spreads (two adjacent pages) that are not necessary in the smaller albums.

The images you have chosen will be seen time and time again by friends and relatives showcased in your beautiful new album. So, our next bit of advice is that you will want to care for your album as you would a cherished heirloom. For best results, keep the book away from extreme temperatures where the paper is subjected to moisture and condensa-tion, which may warp the pages. For instance, don’t leave the album sitting in the back window of a hot car. Album cases are available, as well, if you want to keep it safe and give a classy way to display it––typi-cally a black or white leather box or even one with some of your wedding images imprinted upon it. Be sure to talk to your photographer about all the choices available to you for printing and preserving your cherished wedding memories. n

The Wedding Album––An Heirloom Worth its Weight in Gold Continuedfrompage77


We specialize in custom-designed weddings for up to 150 guests in an elegant, intimate barn setting. We serve French-inspired cuisine, made with fresh local products.

Rehearsal dinners and off-sitecatering are also available.

New Haven, Vermont tourterellevt.com 802.453.6309

The Beauty of Simplicity in the Vermont Countryside


YourWedding

DressorIsIt?

Some simple but

useful guidelines

to not getting

stuck with a dress

you’ll regret.


Your wedding day will be a memory of a lifetime. Every

detail of your wedding requires an endless amount of thought and effort. For the majority of brides, the most important moment of the wedding preparations is the wedding gown.

Sometimes this can be the most important part of the wedding for many brides-to-be.The special dress cements an already perfect day and makes the bride feel like the most beautiful woman in the

By Claudia Gonzalez

Photo by Sabin Gratz Photography from the wedding of Jody (Schifferle) and Erix Eley. Read their love story on line at vermontbridemagazine.com!

world.

When choosing a gown, keep the following guidelines in mind:

DoesitfitRight?There in between countless amounts of white ruffles, organza and

silk you found it! The most fabulous gown you’ve seen. It sparkles, it is unique, it flows….too bad it doesn’t fit you right. More than just the gown being your size, it needs to also fit your body type correctly. Does it accentuate your best attributes or does it hide your figure? Is it flattering from top to bottom or are you drowning in too much

dress? The most minor details can altogether make up the bigger picture. If a beautiful dress isn’t the right match for your body, it

could be difficult to make the dress work for you in the end.


IsitTimeless?When I think of a timeless wedding gown, Grace Kelly’s classic princess gown comes to mind. The lace appliqué bodice, the long refined sleeves, the dress radiated elegance yet it was a simple and refined gown. The dress was a hit in 1956 when Princess Grace of Monaco married Prince Rainier III and is still amazing 56 years later. Case and point, Kate Middleton (Duchess of Cambridge) wore an Alexander McQueen dress to her nuptials to Prince William that closely resembled and paid tribute to Princess Grace’s gown.

Why was Princess Grace’s dress timeless? It was beautiful, simple and elegant. This is not to say you can’t have flair in your wedding dress. You absolutely should have some fun details and character in your dress but there’s a thin line between a fun dress and a bad trend.

WillitMakeYouBankrupt?If you have the funds to celebrate your wedding day in a Lazaro, Oscar de la Renta or Vera Wang then you are a lucky bride! However, the majority of brides will need to adhere to a budget and many times the dress budget needs to be drastically reduced!

Not to worry––there are plenty of options to buy a beautiful gown. While there are always sale outlets, we also have dedicated local shops where you can find great deals on gowns. Many times floor samples will be discounted and still in excellent condition. Vermont is also lucky to be the home of many skilled and creative local designers, don’t miss this opportunity to have your dress created by a local artist. Also, keep in mind this will give you leeway to be more creative in your wedding gown search and add your own personal touches to your dress!

DoesYourDressMakeYouTeary-Eyed?If you find the right dress, the sight of your dress will make you instantly picture your future with your sweetheart. You will feel butterflies in your stomach when you see yourself in your beautiful gown. Even if you have a wish list of all the qualities you’d like in a wedding dress, sometimes the “it” feeling might not be there. I absolutely believe you should try as many dresses as possible until you find one that you love and can’t wait to try on, again and again!

DoesYourDressfitYourPersonality?If you are the life of the party, an A line or Sheath dress might not match your lively personality as much as a mermaid gown or a princess gown will. Maybe,

you’d like to have some sparkle, organza fabric or

more details that will make your gown nothing short of fabulous. However, if you are more of a reserved personality, a more sophisticated tea length wedding gown will be a better choice.

Thisisnottosayyoushouldsticktoonlyacertainstyleofdress,butyouknowyourselfbestandwhatyoufeelthemostcomfort-ablein.

Fashion and style can be a great form of expression and your gown can certainly be a sign of your per-sonality for everyone to celebrate on your wedding day! n

Your Wedding Dress or Is It?Continuedfrompage79

Photo by Polis Photography from the wedding of Lisa Weiner and Eric

Larner. Read the love story on line at vermontbridemagazine.com!


1.Haveanopenmind.Youmayhaveavisionofhowyouwanttheover-alleventtogo,butkeepsomeflexibilityinyourplans.Youneverknowwhenagreatideawillhityouthatyoucanincorporate.Also,itisabigdaywhere therearea lotofplayersatwork.Littlethingscangetforgottenorgowrong.Don’tletitbotheryou.Thisisadayforyoutoshowallthelovedones inyour life justhow importantyourfiancé’istoyou.

2.Trybarteringforgoodsandservices.Ifyouhaveaskillthatothersmayfinduseful,putittowork!Ibarteredformybridesmaiddressesbymodelingforthecompanywhomadethem.Aslongasthevaluefortheservicesisequal,thenthereshouldbenoreasonwhyyoushouldn’tgiveitago!

3.MixandMatchtoshowyourstyleGonearethedayswhenthetablecloths,brides-maid dresses, and flowers were are the sameshadeofmauve.Nowdaysyoucanplayupyourstyleandletyourpersonalityshinethrough!Atourwedding,alloftheprintedmaterialsweredifferentyettheyallhadacentralthemeoftrav-eling.TheSaveTheDateswerephotopostcards

and the seating cards were vin-tagemoviepostersofplacesthatwehadvisitedtogether.Wealsohadatreelogothatwasusedoneverything from cocktail napkinsto welcome bags to thank younotes.Allfiveofthebridesmaiddressesweredifferentstylesandcolors, as were their bouquets,but they all went together.Thecenterpieces were all differ-ent as well. I had found severalpiecesofvintagesilveratantiquestores.Thefloristfilledthesilverteapots,vases,champagnebuck-ets,andpitcherswithfallcoloredblooms.Havefunandletyourimaginationrunwild! Italsomakesformuchmorelivelyphotos!

4.Getagreatphotographer.ThisisabiggieformeandIreal-izedjusthowrightIwasaftertheweddingwasoveranddonewith.Oncethatbigdayhaspassed,allyou have left is the photos. Ver-monthassomeincredibletalent!Checkoutthewebsites,meetthefacesbehindthelensandchoosewhoyouclickwith.Theywill beover your shoulder all day andnight, so you want someone funwhosharesyourvision.

5.WearcomfortableshoesThisisanimportantone.Youwillbe standing more often than not

andthelastthingyouwanttobethinkingaboutistheblisterthatisformingonyourlittletoe.Putsomegelinsolesin,breaktheminbeforehand,andthendancethenightaway!

6.CreateaweddingWebsitewww.Ewedding.com offers free sites that youcan personalize. You can feature everythingfromhowyoumet,tophotos,tohotel informa-tion, and your registry on the site. This was abighelptousaswearebasedinHongKongandhadgueststravelinginfromCaliforniaandAus-tralia!Ourwebsitewasagreattoolforeveryoneandansweredalltheirquestions.Ihadthesiteprintedonbusinesscardsandincludedtheseinall invitationsand thanksyou’s! I laterhad thesitenameforwardtoourwebsitewherethepho-toswereposted.

7.Treatthewearytravelerswell!As soon as guests arrived at their respectivehotels, they were greeted with an overflowinggoody bag. I had reusable unbleached canvastotes with “Vermont 9.19.09” imprinted onthem. The bag was stuffed with maps, fudge,breath mints, maple syrup, granola bars, anda personalized welcome note. Everything waspackablefortheflighthomeincludingthesyrupwhichwas less than3oz. for thoseflyingwithonlycarryonbags!

8.Sticktoyourbudget.Withthecurrentstateof theeconomy,it is im-portant to do some number crunching and seewhat you really can afford. There are so manyways to be creative and save money withoutsacrificingyourvision.Gettingyourselfintodebtfrom thewedding isnoway to start anew lifetogether. Write out all of your must-haves andthen see how there may be less expensive yetcomparablealternativesandsaveyourselvesthestresswhenthebalancecomesdue!

9.MaketheNameChangeeasy!www.MissNowMrs.com offers an afford-able, convenient way to streamline the namechangeprocess.foraround$30youcangetall

Sabrina’s Top 10 TIps forBrides By Sabrina (Sikora) Dommenge

Sabrina Sikora DommengeisaninternationalfashionmodelwhowasthefeaturedcoverbrideonapreviousissueofVermontBride.Lookforherlovestoryonlineatwww.vermontbridemagazine.com!

PhotographsbyJustinCash

TastyPersuasions

is not your average catering companyWhen you decide to work with TPC you are not just a client, but part of a family.

T

By Tina Patno

Photos compliments of Tasty Persuasions Catering

asty Persuasions Catering is not your average catering company.

When you decide to work with TPC you are not just a client, but part of a family. We are here to make your special day as easy and stress free as possible. Tasty Persuasions Catering will not only create a custom menu for you and your wedding, but provide suggestions and other rec-ommendations for your big day. Our food qual-ity is among Vermont’s finest and our menus are filled with fare for all taste preferences. We have extensive experience in catering for all oc-casions, from small and intimate engagements to large extravaganzas. Whatever your need Tasty Persuasions Catering will provide you with the quality, rate and service that you deserve.

Let us take you through the process so you can see the how easy and worry free working with TPC will be.

It all starts with an e-mail or phone call. After the first conversation with founder and owner, Tina, you will receive customized menu sugges-tions to choose from. Do you need some help with making a final decision? No Problem, come visit us and we will provide you with a tasting so that your decisions can be complete and you will love the food on your big day. Wait, what was that you said? You need a bartender, well you’re in luck––TPC can recommend companies for you. Oh? Photographer too, yes we have sugges-tions for those as well.

The process is seamless, finalize your event needs, sign our contract, send in payment, and then rest assured your event is in great hands.

Don’t just take our word for it…Melissa Marotta Houser from South Burlington says:

Best Caterer EVER!

If I had dreamed up my fantasy wedding caterer, I could not have made up Tasty Persuasions. Throughout the year leading up to our wedding, owner, Tina Patno, was with us every step of the way as a key member of our wedding planning team. Detail-oriented and committed to adding her special touch on all logistical coordina-tion issues.

Tina’s warm and positive presence not just on our wedding day but throughout the whole planning process made a huge difference in making sure our day went on smoothly. From sharing her wisdom and expertise in helping us navigate the wed-ding industry channels and referring us to like-minded vendors we needed, to regu-



The Great Room is the perfect location to celebrate thebeginning of your new lifetogether.

For a more intimate setting the Cliff House on Mt. Mansfield will take your breath away. Expect nothing less thanmeticulous planning, world-class menus, warm, exceptional service and memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.

[email protected]

I do.Full of history, charm and beauty, the perfect place to sayFull of history, charm and beauty, the perfect place to say


Tasty Persuasions Catering is not your average catering company. Continuedfrompage82

larly checking in to offer her assistance along the way, Tina inspired exceptional confidence. The day of, she and her staff were AWESOME. Our guests raved about the food, and my husband and I saw how hard Tina and her staff were working, slaving in the kitchen (despite the 90 degree temperature) and so profes-sionally interfacing with our families and friends. I cannot recommend Tasty Persuasions more highly!

We hope to talk to you soon and we are looking forward to making your day a happy and Tasty one! n

Tasty Persuasions Catering includes complete catering services for Wedding Receptions, Rehearsal Dinners, Bridal Showers, Holiday Parties, Company Gatherings and more.

Visit us online at www.tastypersuasions.com, 802-372-3123.


Bachelorandbachelorettepartieshaveonegoal—fun.

Whetherthepartyisabachelor,bacheloretteoraJackandJill,it’seasytomakeitanocca-siontoberemembered.Thekeyistoplanthepartyfarenoughaheadoftime,personalizeitandtakesafetyintoaccount.

Usually the maid of honor or the best manplan and host the party, however sometimesparents or even the bride or groom organizeit themselves. Unlike thebridalshower, thebride and groom often know when the bach-elorpartywilltakeplaceandshouldbeaskediftheypreferseparatepartiesorwishtohaveacombinedone.

Nomatterwhoishostingthepartyitshouldbeplannedseveralmonthsaheadoftimeandguestsshouldbenotifiedofthedatewellinadvance.

Theactualdate itoccurs ismostoftenwithinacoupleofweeksof theweddingoreventhenightbeforetheceremony.Theproblemwithhavingthepartythenightbeforeisthatitcanleadtothebrideorgroombeinghungoverorexhaustedontheweddingday.

Onceadateischosen,somethoughtshouldbeputintohowthepartycanbepersonalized.Insteadofhavingalacklusterbachelorpartyinsome-one’sbasementwithstagmoviesandbeerorsittinginalivingroomplay-ingthesameoldbachelorettegames,focusthepartyonsomethingthatthebrideandgroomespeciallyenjoy.

Whatisthebride’sfavoritesport?Thegroom’sfavoritefood?

Anafternoonplayinggolffollowedbydrinksanddinnerattheclubhouseiseasytoorganize.Agirls’onlyweekendofskiingandpartyinginaresortpubwouldn’tbeexpensive ifa friendor familymemberhasaskiareacondothey’dlendfortheweekend.Achampagnebreakfastatafavoriterestaurant,overnightshoppingtrips,whitewaterrafting,adayatthespa,paintball,flyfishinglessons,aconcertordinnertheater—whatwouldbefunforthebrideand/orgroomandtherestoftheguests?

Thereisnotraditionaboutwhoshouldbeinvitedtotheparty.Sometimesparents are included, but more often only the attendants and closestfriends.Keepingtheguestlistsmall—mostlikelyunderacoupledozenpeople—will help maintain a personal feeling. However, more peoplemaybeinvitedtoaJackandJillparty,whichareascommonasthetradi-tionalbachelorandbacheloretteparties.

Ifthereisgoingtobedrinkingatthepartyandtheguestsaren’tstayingovernight,thenitisagoodideatorentalimoordesignateadriveraheadoftime.Thedesignateddrivercanbeaspouseorfriendwhoiswillingtobe“oncall,”oralocaltaxicouldbehiredinstead.n

Withjustalittlepreplanningandthoughtastothebrideand/orgroom’staste,thebachelorpartywillbesafe,funandsomethingeveryonewillrememberandtalkaboutforyearstocome.

BAchElorS and Bachelorette Parties:Making them Memorable

By Pat Esden


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YouhavechosenVermontastheperfectlocationforyourwed-dingwhetheryouarealocaltotheareaorhavecomefromfaraway.Vermontisabeautifulplacetohaveyourspecialday.The Spirit of Ethan Allen offerscouplesauniqueVermontweddingexperi-ence.AweddingcruiseonLakeChamplainwillmakeyourweddingmemo-rableforallyourfamilyandfriends.

Mostpeoplewouldexpectthistoberatherexpensive;however,mostcouplesarepleasantlysurprisedbyhowAffORDABLEaweddingcruisereallyis.

Asyoustartcollectinginformationfromvariouspotentialreceptionloca-tions,youwillquicklyseethatitisnoteasytocompareallofyouroptions.Youmightbecomeoverwhelmedandfrustratedwhentryingtofindalocationthatwillfityourbudget

OurweddingpackagesandcruiseoptionsmighthelpyougetbackintotheWEDDINGSPIRIT!Afteryourfirstinitialcontact,whetheritbebyphoneoronlinerequest,youwillbesentanitemizedeventbudgetbasedonyourwedding.

Estimatesincludeboatrental,food,beverage,professionalDJservice,linens,cashbarservice,taxandgratuity!

SmallWeddingsWelcome!Ifyoualreadyhaveaweddingreceptionlocation,youmaywanttoconsiderThe Spirit of Ethan Allenforoneofthemanyothereventsthatsurroundyourbigday.Sooften,weddingguestsaretravelingfromafar.Giveyourgueststheopportunitytoexperiencethedestinationyouchoseforyourwedding.Burlingtonoffersmanygreatattractionsforyourgueststoenjoy!The Spirit of Ethan Allenofferscruisesforrehearsaldinners,postweddingbrunches,showers,pre-weddingwelcomecruises,bacheloretteorbachelorpartiesandengagementparties.Groupratesavailableforpartiesof20ormore.

Overall,The Spirit of Ethan Allenisauniqueandaffordablelocationthatofferscouplesonanybudgetagreatdeal.Ourmanycruiseoptionswillhelpmakeyourdayspecial.AcruiseonLakeChamplainwillgiveyourguestsanunforgettableweddingexperience,inadestinationtheywillneverforget.

Getting into the

Wedding SpiritBy Rachel Connor and Tiffany Suitter

IfyouareinterestedinmoreinformationpleasecalloremailThe Spirit of Ethan Allen [email protected]!WebSitewww.soea.com.

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A unique, one-of-a-kind Vermont Wedding Experience


You have begun the exciting step of shopping for your new home! Congratulations!

When it comes to purchasing real estate, whether it is your first home or not, the location and the site are critical factors in the value of the property. Overlook the paint colors you don’t like, don’t even look at the furnishings, but look very care-fully at the location! This is the part you cannot change!

When you are shopping for a home, take a drive around the neighborhood, up and down all of the roads. Visit the area at different times of the day. I even suggest parking your car and taking a walk, with your dog and/or family. You will get a really good feel for the area and you may even have the chance to meet some residents!

Visiting at different times of the day will give you an idea how the natural light affects the property. Does the sun set early in the afternoon or do you see it set late in the day? Also consider the site itself. Is the approach to the house reason-able or will you be walking up the driveway in a snowstorm? If you have plans in the future to add on to the house, consider how close the house is to the property lines. Check with the local zoning administrator. Determine the setbacks and ask if there is anything else you should know about that may affect the property.

Another consideration is any future development

that may be planned for the area. Is there vacant

land at the end of the road? If so, ask your realtor

and the zoning administrator if there are any

permits pending for developing the land.

All of these factors will affect the current and the

future value of a property. Every homeowner

is different, some will not be worried about a

steep driveway or more houses in the area, others

will like the challenge or the change! The best

advice is to fully educate yourself on the area and

the planned changes. Then you can make the

decision with as much information as possible!

Remember, this is one of the most important in-

vestments you will make. Spend the time to learn

as much as you can and move ahead when you are

comfortable with what you know. n

Look for Gayle’s article in the summer issue

of Vermont Bride, “Are you ready to sell a

home?”

Location, Location, Location

Another consideration is any future development that may be planned for the area.

W hen you are shopping for a home,

take a drive around the neighborhood,

up and down all of the roads. Visit the

area at different times of the day.


Expert Advice | Your FUTUREByGayleOberg


Getting READY | Your DJByGrantAllendorf

36Years

I have been in the wedding business for 36 years, and though I find that most weddings are able to steer clear of major problems, I know enough of what can go wrong to say that the smart bride and groom plan for the worst and hope for the best.

First and foremost, it is important to have backup power as everything from entertainment to food will require electricity.

Experience

Two or three years ago a violent thunderstorm roared through central Vermont and cut off power to five of our ten weddings. The storms started around 3:00 in the afternoon, so most of the weddings were just getting start-ed. Four of these five powerless events had backup generators or, at least, their venue did, and after a few minutes the proceedings were back to normal. One place did not have any emergency power to run the DJ equipment. They did have gas in their kitchen, so the meal did arrive albeit slowly. After some deliberation the bride and some bridesmaids wanted to go to Home Depot to purchase a generator.

Planningfortheunexpected

Unfortunately, the manager of this establishment would not permit a genera-tor on the premises. Needless to say the bride was a bit thrown by this turn of events and went into a backup plan. She called an inn down the road that had power where she had planned on having her after-hours party five hours later. She had our DJ move to the location early, and the guests soon followed. All ended well, but he big day was nothing like the one she wanted or anticipated. Therefore, it is my advice that you make sure your facility has a backup generator in the unlikely event of a power outage, which could be a wedding-ending turn of events.

However, simply having electricity will not guarantee DJ service. Equipment can breakdown, and DJs can have accidents or get sick just prior to your event. Our company has backup equipment on site and one DJ on call each weekend in the unlikely event an emergency occurs. If you have a plan, you can sleep better at night knowing that all scenarios have been considered and covered.

Cheers and congratulations! n

How to Backup Your Big Day

If you have a plan, you can sleep better at night knowing that all scenarios have been

considered and covered.

Make sure your wedding event vendor is ready with a “plan B” in case something as simple as a power outtage hits your special day.

w



802-244-7954

[email protected]

lasamphoto.com

Ayer Photography of Vermont

802-338-9193

[email protected]

www.ayerphoto.com


802-899-2823

greenmtphotobooth.com


802-598-6366

benhudsonphotography@gmail.

com

benhudsonphotography.com

Joshua Lambert Photography

207-576-5384

[email protected]

joshualambert.photoshelter.com


802-933-1099

lamoureuxphotography@gmail.

com

lamoureuxphotographystudio.

com


802-598-4007

[email protected]

kimmartinphoto.com

Polis Photography

802-733-5413

[email protected]

polisfoto.com




Joshua Lambert Photography RaidenShine Photography


Polis Photography

Kim Martin PhotographyMay Walton Photography Larry Asam Photography

Joshua Lambert PhotographyAyer Photography


Vermont Bride Magazine Photographers’Showcase Spring 2012

w

802-598-9186

customer_service@raidenshine.

com

raidenshine.com


802-878-0769

[email protected]

jeffschneiderman.com


802-236-5538

maywaltonphotography.com

Viewonline!Did you know that thousands of wedding photos are online at vermontbridemagazine.com?

Vermont’s finest wedding professionals are listed with their contact information and many samples to view and enjoy.

Seeusonline!

See more online at vermontbridemagazine.com



Vermont Bride Photographers


Polis Photography

Ayer Photography




Green Mountain Photobooth Larry Asam Photography



Vendor Services Website Page

ALTERATIONS

The Sewing Basket sewbasket.com 49

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

Colonial Styling Center see our ad vermontbridemagazine.com 22

Essex Resort & Spa vtculinaryresort.com 5

Moon Studio Day Spa moonstudiodayspa.com 25

Nailz & Makeup Artistry by Sue ksvideovermont.com 56

Purple Sage Salon & Spa purplesagesalonspa.com 93

Salon at Stoweflake spaatstoweflake.com 4

Wendy Kluin - Makeup Artist see our ad vermontbridemagazine.com 37

BEAUTY & WELLNESS Cosmetic & Aesthetic Services

LUMINA - Nancy Carlson Fisher MD nancyfishermd.com 13

BEAUTY & WELLNESS Spa Services


LUMINA - Nancy Carlson Fisher MD nancyfishermd.com 13

Moon Studio Day Spa moonstudiodayspa.com 25

Purple Sage Salon & Spa purplesagesalonspa.com 93

Spa at Stoweflake spaatstoweflake.com 4

BRIDAL GOWN PRESERVATION

The Sewing Basket sewbasket.com 49

BRIDAL SHOPS

Fiori Bridal Boutique fioribridal.com 11

CAKES & PASTRIES

BakeAria LLC bakearia.com 84

Bakery at Junior’s juniorsvt.com 96

Ben & Jerry’s benjerry.com 43

2012 Spring Bridal Resource Guide


Delicate Decadence Cake Boutique delicate-decadence.com 56

Snaffle Sweets snafflesweets.com 92

Sweet Cruunch Bakeshop & Catering Co. sweetcrunchbakeshop.com 42


CATERING

The Abbey abbeygroup.net 39

Ben & Jerry’s benjerry.com 43

Junior’s Long Island Catering juniorsvt.com 106

Skinny Pancake (The) skinnypancake.com 23

State Street Catering statestreetcatering.com 23

Susanna’s Catering susannascatering.com 35

Sweet Cruunch Bakeshop & Catering Co. sweetcrunchbakeshop.com 42

Tasty Persuasions Catering tastypersuasions.com 83

Waterfront Catering Group vermontspecialoccasions.com 21

Wetherbee’s Catering wetherbeescatering.com 36

ENTERTAINMENT DJ’s - Entertainers

Gerry Lawrence see our ad vermontbridemagazine.com 55

Peak Entertainment peakdj.com 83

Supersounds DJ Co. supersounds.com 15

Wedding DJ VT weddingdjvt.com 94

ENTERTAINMENT Musicians

Lisa Carlson - flutiest lisaflute.com 95

Classic Consort classicconsort.com 36

Dayve Huckett - guitar dayvehuckett.net 23

Love That Duo lovethatduo.com 22

Vermont Symphony Orchestra vso.org 78

Vermont Wedding Violinist vtweddingviolinist.com 94

Photo Booths

Green Mountain Photobooth greenmtphotobooth.com 16

FAVORS

BakeAria LLC BakeAria.com 84

Carman Brook Farm cbmaplefarm.com 84

Delicate Decadence Cake Boutique delicate-decadence.com 56

Shelburne Country Store shelburnecountrystore.com 39


Snaffle Sweets snafflesweets.com 92

VT Mountain Syrup see our ad vermontbridemagazine.com 36

FLORIST - FLORAL DESIGNS

Crimson Poppy Flower Shoppe see our ad vermontbridemagazine.com 92

Esden Florist see our ad vermontbridemagazine.com 85

Hawley’s Florist hawleysweddingflorist.com 41

Howards The Flower Shop howardstheflowershop.com 92

Peck’s Flower Shop pecksflowershop.com 96

Sarah’s Weddings by Betty’s Flower Basket

bettysflowerbasket.com 57

Village Green Florist thevillagegreenflorist.net 80

GIFTS & BRIDAL REGISTRIES

Danforth Pewter danforthpewter.com 95

Fascinators (By Betty’s Flower Basket) bettysflowerbasket.com 22

The Kitchen Store At J.K. Adams thekitchenstoreonline.com 31



HEALTH & FITNESS

Toria’s Wellness toriaswellness.com 73

HONEYMOONS

Cultural Crossroads culturalcrossroads.com 96

INVITATIONS

Lydia Batten CALLIGRAPHY lydiabatten.com 95

That’s Inviting thats-inviting.com 12

Truly Noted trulynoted.net 92

JEWELRY

Eaton’s Fine Jewelry eatonsjewelry.com 54

Precious Things Jewelers preciousthingsjewelers.com 17


Waldron and Rhodes Jewelers vermontdiamonds.com 37

LIFE PLANNING INFORMA-TION

- Home Buliders

Northern Builders Inc. see our ad vermontbridemagazine.com 57

LIFE PLANNING INFORMA-TION

- Realtors

Coldwell Banker Carlson Real Estate gayleoberg.com 15

Signature Properties of Vermont signaturepropertiesvt.com 84



LODGING

Arlington Inn arlingtoninn.com 49

Brandon Inn historicbrandoninn.com 17

Capitol Plaza Hotel & Conference Center capitolplaza.com 15

Edson Hill Manor edsonhillmanor.com 85


Golden Eagle Resort goldeneagleresort.com 96

Holiday Inn Rutland/Killington hivermont.com 93

Middlebury Inn middleburyinn.com 16

Mountain Top Inn & Resort mountaintopinn.com 24

Ponds at Bolton Valley Resort thepondsvt.com 29

Quality Inn Burlington qualityinnvt.com 92

Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Confer-ence Ctr

sheraton.com/burlington 99

Stowe Mountain Resort stowe.com 83

Stables & Inn at Pigeon Hill Farm pigeonhillfarm.com 55


LODGING (continued)

Stowe Inn stoweinn.com 6

Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa stoweflake.com 4

Sunset Ballroom vermontspecialoccasions.com 21

Tourterelle Inn - Dining & Events tourterellevt.com 78

White Rocks Inn whiterocksinn.com 31

Wilburton Inn wilburton.com 18

OFFICIANTS

Rev. Dr. Michael Caldwell coachingcenterofvt.com 42

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Larry Asam Photography lasamphoto.com 42

Ayer Photography of Vermont ayerphoto.com 19

Green Mountain Photobooth greenmtphotobooth.com 16

Ben Hudson Photography benhudsonphotography.com 54

Joshua Lambert Photography joshualambert.photoshelter.com 36

Lamoureux Photography lamoureuxphotographystudio.com 12

Kim Martin Photography kimmartinphoto.com 25

Polis Photography polisfoto.com 21

RaidenShine Photography raidenshine.com 43

Jeff Schneiderman Photography jeffschneiderman.com 17

May Walton Photography maywaltonphotography.com 46

RECEPTION SITES - WEDDING VENUES

The Abbey theabbeyrestaurant.net 39

An Affair By The Lake anaffairbythelake.com 18


Barn at Boyden Farm boydenfarm.com 8

Brandon Inn brandoninn.com 17

Burlington Country Club burlingtoncountryclub.org 7

Burlington Elks Lodge burlingtoncountryclub.org 41

Capitol Plaza Hotel & Conference Ctr capitolplaza.com 15

Wedding Catering!See our extensive list of catering specialists at the VermontBride online: www.vermontbridemagazine.com


Catamount Country Club catamountcountryclub.com 24

ECHO at Leahy Center echovermont.org 36




Hampton Inn burlingtonvt.hamptoninn.com 2


Junior’s Italian juniorsvt.com 96



Old Lantern oldlantern.com 52






Spirit of Ethan Allen III soea.com 6

Stowe Inn stoweinn.com 6

Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa stoweflake.com 4

Stowe Mountain Resort stowe.com 83

Sunset Ballroom - Waterfront Catering Group

vermontspecialoccasions.com 21

Tourterelle Inn - Dining & Events tourterellevt.com 78

White Rocks Inn whiterocksinn.com 31

Wilburton Inn wilburton.com 18


REHEARSAL DINNERS

The Abbey theabbeyrestaurant.net 39


Barn at Boyden Farm boydenfarm.com 8

Brandon Inn brandoninn.com 17

Burlington Country Club burlingtoncountryclub.org 7

Burlington Elks Lodge burlingtoncountryclub.org 41

Capitol Plaza Hotel & Conference Ctr capitolplaza.com 15

Catamount Country Club catamountcountryclub.com 24

ECHO at Leahy Center echovermont.org 36




Hampton Inn burlingtonvt.hamptoninn.com 2


Junior’s Italian juniorsvt.com 96



Old Lantern oldlantern.com 52






Spirit of Ethan Allen III soea.com 6

(800) 222-3142www.danforthpewter.com

52 Seymour St, Middlebury111 Church St, BurlingtonCabot Annex, WaterburyQuechee Gorge Village, Quechee

Fine pewter gifts for the entire

wedding party.We havean onlineBRIDAL

REGISTRY!

Made by hand in Vermont.

Abbey, The ...................................................... 39Abbey’s Event Limousine Services ............... 95An Affair By The Lake .................................... 18Arlington Inn .................................................. 49Larry Asam Photography .............................. 42Ayer Photography .......................................... 52BakeAria, LLC ................................................ 84Bakery at Junior’s, (The) ............................... 96Barn at Boyden Farm, (The)............................. 8Lydia Batten Calligraphy ............................... 95Ben & Jerry’s ................................................. 43Brandon Inn .................................................. 17Burl Limo & Car Service ................................ 17Burlington Country Club .................................. 7Burlington Elks Lodge ................................... 41Capitol Plaza .................................................. 15Lisa Carlson ................................................... 95Carman Brook Farm....................................... 84Catamount Country Club ............................... 24Celebration Rentals ....................................... 12Classic Consort .............................................. 36Classy Potty’s ................................................. 46COLDWELL BANKER - Carlson Realtor .......... 88Colonial Styling Center .................................. 22Crimson Poppy Flower Shoppe ..................... 92Cultural Crossroads ....................................... 96Danforth Pewter ............................................. 95Delicate Decadence Cake Boutique ............. 56Eaton’s Fine Jewelry ...................................... 54ECHO at Leahy Center .................................... 36Edson Hilll Manor ......................................... 100Esden Florist .................................................. 84Essex,(the),Resort & Spa ................................. 5Fascinators by Betty’s Flower Basket........... 22Fiori Bridal Boutique ...................................... 11Golden Eagle Resort ...................................... 96Green Mountain Photobooth ......................... 16Hampton Inn ................................................... 2Hawley’s Florist ............................................. 41Holiday Inn - Rutland .................................... 31Howards The Flower Shop............................. 92Dayve Huckett ............................................... 23Ben Hudson Photography .............................. 54Kitchen Store at JK Adams ............................ 31KS Video + Nailz by Sue ................................ 56Lamoureux Photography ............................... 12Joshua Lambert Photography ....................... 36Gerry Lawrence (DJ) ...................................... 55Love That Duo!! .............................................. 22LUMINA (Dr. Fisher) ........................................ 13

Kim Martin Photography ............................... 25Middlebury Inn ............................................... 16Moon Studio Day Spa .................................... 25Mountain Top Inn & Resort, (The) .................. 24Northern Builders, Inc. ................................... 57Old Lantern, (The) .......................................... 52Peak Entertainment DJ ................................. 83Peck’s Flower Shop ....................................... 96Polis Photography .......................................... 21Ponds, (The) at Bolton Valley......................... 28Precious Things Jewelers ............................. 17Purple Sage Salon & Spa ............................... 93Quality Inn (Burlington) Hotel ........................ 92RaidenShine Photography ............................. 43Sarah’s Weddings by Betty’s Flower Basket 57Jeff Schneiderman Photography .................. 17Sewing Basket, (The) ..................................... 49Shelburne Country Store ............................... 39Sheraton Hotel & Conference Ctr .................. 99Signature Properties of Vermont ................... 84Skinny Pancake, (the) .................................... 23Snaffle Sweets ............................................... 92Spirit of Ethan Allen III .................................. 11Stables & Inn, (The) ....................................... 55State Street Catering ..................................... 25Stowe Inn & Tavern, (The) .............................. 6Stowe Mountain Resort ................................. 83Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa ................ 4Sunset Ballroom ............................................ 21SuperSounds DJ ............................................ 15Susanna’s Catering ........................................ 35Sweet Cruunch Bakeshop & Catering Co. ..... 42Tasty Persuasions Catering ........................... 83That’s Inviting ................................................ 12Tourterelle - Inn, Dining & Events ................. 78Truly Noted .................................................... 92Vermont Wedding Violinist ............................ 94Video Memory ................................................ 94Village Green Florist ...................................... 80VT Mountain Syrup ........................................ 36VT Symphony Orchestra (VSO) ...................... 78Waldron and Rhodes Jewelers ...................... 37May Walton Photography .............................. 46Wedding DJ Vermont ..................................... 94Weddings, Tents & Events ............................... 3Wendy Kluin - Makeup Artist ........................ 37Wetherbee’s Catering ................................... 36White Rocks Inn ............................................. 31Wilburton Inn ................................................. 18

WEDDING PROFESSIONAL VENDOR INDEX

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Vermont’s First and Foremost Bridal Publication now in its 22nd Year

www.vermontbridemagazine.comWatch for our Summer Issue coming Soon!


Function room(s) available for rehearsal dinners.

Golden Eagle Resort

802-253-4811 • www.goldeneagleresort.com

The Golden Eagle Resort is Stowe’s perfect spot for your small and intimate wedding ceremony or reception. Located on over 60 acres in a beautiful park-like setting, with perennial gardens, ponds, and a covered bridge. Photo: Larry Asam Photography

877.479.7040 toll-free • 802.479.7040 [email protected] • www.CulturalCrossroads.com

Enriching Cultural Journeys and Exclusive, Customized Tours

at Junior’s

Special Occasion Cakes

The Bakery

802-655-5282 • [email protected] • www.juniorsvt.com

We also provide Full Service Offsite Catering

Cuisine that is as Beautiful as it is Delicious!

Specializing in Wedding&

at a glance information guide for VermontAccommodationsVermont’s First and Foremost Bridal Publication now in its 22nd Year


*PLEASENOTE,withregardtoseveralOfTHEACCOMMODATIONSLISTEDPARTYSIZE(CAPACITY)NUMBERSonthesecharts;THESECANEASILYBEINCREASEDWITHTHEOPTIONOfATENTRENTAL.Besuretoinquireforavailability.Notes:3)Cateringarrangementscanbemadeuponrequest.4)Arrangementsforadancefloorrentalcanbemade.5)Arrangementsforawheelchairaccessibleportablerestroomcanbemade.6)Off-sitecateringavailableNovember-April.7)AnOffsitepremisecanbearranged-pleasecallfordetails.8)Subjecttoextrafees.9)WillassistmakingarrangementswithlocalHotels(ShuttlesAvailable).10)Thisisprovidedasarentalitem.11)Optionalforsmallerfunctions.12)indoorcapacity13)outdoorcapacity14)Callfordetails15)Note:AdditionalCost16)MaxPartySizeis300(tented)and100(inside)17)Possibleexceptionsdependingupontheseason.18)Bridecanbringcakeonly19)275(tented)150(insidemansion)20)Withouttentextension21)Outdoors22)Openfieldwouldrequiretentrental.23)WedooffercampushousingfromMay15throughAugust1524)3bedroom,sleeps6.25)Thisisprovidedasarentalitem.

facilityName MaxParty Cateringprovided

ChoiceCaterer

GuestRooms

SeparateArea

Ceremony

MonthsToPlanAhead

ReceptionAreaOutisde Dancefloor

Abbey 200 Y N N Y 1-6 Y Y

ArlingtonInn 200 Y N Y Y 3-6 Y Y

AnAffairbytheLake 150 N Y 3(24) Y 3-12 Y Y(25)

BarnatBoydenfarm NoLimit N Y N N 1-12 Y Y

BrandonInn 200+ Y N Y Y 3-12 Y Y

BurlingtonCountryClub 200 Y N N Y 6-12 Y Y

BurlingtonElksLodge 250/500 Y N N Y 3-12 N Y

CapitolPlazaHotel&ConferenceCenter 350 Y N Y Y 9 N Y

CatamountCountryClub 200 Y Y*(8) N*(9) Y 3-6 Y Y

EchoatLeahyCenter 750 N Y N Y 3-6 Y Y

EdsonHillManor 300 Y N Y Y 8-12 Y Y

EquinoxResort&Spa 350 Y N Y Y 3-6 Y Y

EssexResort&Spa 250 Y N Y Y 8.12 Y Y

GoldenEagleResort 50 Y Y Y Y 3-6 N Y*(10)

HamptonInn 300 Y N Y Y 1-60 Y Y

HolidayInnRutland/Killington 400 Y N(18) Y Y 9 Y Y

Junior’sItalian 50 Y N N Y 3 N N

MiddleburyInn 125 Y N 75 Y 6-9 Y Y

MountainTopInn&Resort 300(16) Y N(17) Y Y 3-12 Y Y

OldLantern 350 N Y N Y 2-6 Y Y

PondsatBoltonValleyResort 400 Y N Y Y 1-12 Y Y

QualityInnBurlington 75 Y Y Y N 6-12 Y Y

SheratonBurlingtonHotel&Conference

Center

800 Y Y Y/309 Y 6-12 Y Y

SpiritofEthanAllenIII 500 Y N N Y 3-6 Y Y

Stables&InnAtPegonHillfarm 150 Y N Y Y 6-12 Y Y

StoweflakeMountainResort&Spa 400 Y N Y Y 3-6 Y Y

StoweInn 85 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

StoweMountainResort 350 Y N Y Y 9-12 Y Y

SunsetBallroom 225 Y N Y Y 3-6 Y Y

TheSkinnyPancake 80 Y N N N 3-12 N Y

TourterelleInn,Dining&Events 200 Y N Y Y 3-12 Y Y

WhiteRocksInn 220 Y Y Y Y 6-12 Y Y

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FROM A - Z from alterations and catering to flowers and photography

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Vermont Bride Magazine Spring 2012