Addison County Weddings

Addison County

Weddings PLANNING PLANNING EDITION EDITION

Contents Q&A with local couples recently engaged ......................2 Invitation and postage tips ...............................................4 Marsala-Pantone Color of the Year 2015........................5 Hidden expenses that can sink your budget..................5 8 color palettes for 2015 .....................................................6 Copper shines in 2015 .........................................................9 Local experts on planning a wedding ............................10

ADDISONINDEPENDENT JANUARY 22, 2015

A copper-bottomed affair

COPPER WILL ENJOY a high this year as a popular wedding color and texture, say wedding analysts at theknot.com.

Photo/theknot.com

PAGE 2 — Weddings ~ Planning Edition ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, January 22, 2015

Addison County

Weddings

PLANNING EDITION

Q&A with local couples recently engaged

By CHRISTY LYNN Family, love and a general sense of cheer around the winter holidays seems to inspire more engagements in the country than any other time of the year. December is the most popular month of the year for engagements, with Christmas Eve as the most popular day to propose, followed closely by New Year’s Eve and Christmas Day, according to national statistics presented on the popular wedding blog, the Knot.com and ABC News.

To celebrate a couple of these love stories on a local level, the Addison Independent asked two Addison County couples to share their recent engagement stories and tell us how they’ve started to navigate the wedding planning process.

Kai Stanley & Sarah Foote From Middlebury Where did you both grow up?

We both grew up in Addison County — Sarah in Weybridge, Kai in Middlebury, just on the other side of the Pulp Mill Bridge. He used to bike to my house!

How and when did you meet?

Kai moved to Middlebury his freshman year of high school, 2000. We’ve been friends since.

We dated a couple times in high school, nothing too serious, but we did go to prom

SARAH & KAI, FIRST DATE together. Our first date was to see “Finding Nemo” in South Burlington. Kai drove a wildly romantic, midnight blue ’84 Toyota Camry.

Please describe your “engagement story.”

Was it a surprise or something you had planned together?

Complete surprise! I came home early from work and he insisted we go get our Christmas tree (on the coldest, slushiest day imaginable).

I was very excited because I had been begging to get a tree since Thanksgiving. We arrived at the Werner Tree Farm in Middlebury, and the young girl (who was in on it) told us to get the trees behind their shop because they were in the best condition.

Kai had set up “Marry Me” in white Christ-

What’s on your list?

Registry

•

Kitchenware

•

Tableware

Mon-Fri, 10am- 6pm, Sat 9am-5pm • 349-8803 Marble Works, Middlebury • wwwOtterCreekKitchenware.com

mas lights, and tried to direct me to them, saying that it appeared as though something had been written in the lights. I completely dismissed him; I think I said something along the lines of, “No, no, Honey, that’s just a random pile of lights…weird.”

Defeated, he helped me pick out the tree.

After finding and cutting one down he basically ran over to the lights and told me I must look at them. At that point I did see there was something written in them. Thinking it probably said “Merry Xmas” I commented on the stupidity of the way that “marry” is spelled.

Kai corrects me, gets down on one knee and asks the question. I was shocked. It was lovely.

Have you started planning any details of your wedding? Which are first on your list?

Only since I was 6 years old! The dress is definitely the top of my list, duh! I am extremely excited to look at wedding dresses and not have people think I’m crazy. Also, we sat down to pick a date, set a loose budget, what we might realistically be able to afford (dress excluded), how many guests, and who would be asked to be in either wedding party.

How have you begun to prepare yourself both mentally and organizationally for your wedding? What are some of the first steps you are taking, first conversations you are having together, and who are the people you are reaching out to for help and advise?

SARAH & KAI, SUMMER 2014 My personality is kind of “messily organized,” so I’m working on controlling that a bit. We’re planning a long engagement, so we’re mostly trying to enjoy it. Right now we’re still talking about it as a big picture; we fantasize about the day but we aren’t really in the thick of it yet, so it’s just all fun. We talk mostly about potential bands, who will be (Continued on next page)

Weddings ~ Planning Edition ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, January 22, 2015 — PAGE 3

Weddings

Addison County

(Continued from previous page) there, FOOD!, and fun outdoor lawn games we could play. Nothing serious, nothing set in stone, just what would be involved in our dream wedding and what can we make happen without breaking the bank.

I’ve asked my sisters to be in the wedding party, so they’ve been helpful. Also, my mom is chiming in, of course. She’s so much fun to talk about it with, everyone has great ideas and we’re all really close so they have a good grasp on my personality and sense of style. For instance I love sequins and glitter, so they’ve been helpful in filling my Pinterest boards with such.

My older sister got married a couple years ago, so she is going to be incredibly helpful, whether she knows it yet or not. She’s also the organized one, so I’m counting on her to keep me in check a bit.

Have you identified things that you have differing ideas about in terms of your wedding or marriage? How have you begun to navigate these differences?

Of course, but we’ve been dating for over five years. The engagement didn’t really bring anything new to light; I like to think we know what we’re getting into. Kai’s favorite color is red but he was willing to switch to blue for the color scheme … that’s about as heated as it gets.

again. We both love summer parties, having friends over and playing lawn games. So, I’m really excited to have different games for friends and family to enjoy, like corn hole, ladder ball, badminton. Since we’ve known each other for so long and have a lot of mutual friends, it will be a lot of fun getting everyone together for one big celebration!

It might seem a little silly, but it’s a good reflection of our personalities and what we enjoy. Friends, family, games, food and most likely beers.

What are you most looking forward to planning/coordinating for your wedding?

We’re potentially having an outdoor wedding at Kai’s grandmother’s farm in southern Vermont. I really cannot wait to see the space

How and when did you meet?

We met about four years ago in Burlington when we both were employed in the area. We started out as friends but it quickly became a real relationship and we have been together

PLANNING EDITION driving back from a trip to the coast in Connecticut when we were cut off from travelling any further and decided to try to lay low until the storm passed at his parents’. This was my first time really spending time with Pat’s parents as well.

His proposal was very characteristic of our relationship as it was a grand romantic plan that in reality was full of unusual surprises and humorous issues but it was perfect for us.

Have you started planning any details of your wedding? Which are first on your list?

We have started by looking into venues and locations and making decisions about when to hold the wedding but past that most of our planning is still in the very early stages.

B. Patrick Dempsey & Brianna Desautels From Cornwall Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Addison County while Pat went to Otter Valley and grew up in Florence about 20 minutes from me. I went to college in Massachusetts and received my bachelor’s in forensic psychology, moving back after graduation to find employment and think about the prospect of grad school. I found a great job locally working for Addison County Court Diversion here in Middlebury and have been there for three years. Patrick and I moved to Cornwall about three and a half years ago and he has been a manager at the Skihaus of Vermont since then.

PATRICK & BRIANNA ever since.

Please describe your “engagement story.”

Do you think your engagement is characteristic/representative of you as a couple?

Our engagement was a surprise. Patrick managed to save the money in secret and keep the whole plan completely under wraps until he proposed on Christmas Eve with his whole family present in front of the Christmas tree. He chose his parents’ house because it is where we were stranded during Hurricane Irene without power for days; flooding surrounded the house blocking any travel. Needless to say, we really got to know each other and our relationship became more than friends and more of a couple. We were

How have you begun to prepare yourself both mentally and organizationally for your wedding? What are some of the first steps you are taking? How have you made these decisions and begun to navigate this process?

We are just starting the process and I would say so far our parents are who we are looking to the most for advice and guidance at this point in the process.

What are you most looking forward to planning/coordinating for your wedding?

I would say that right now I am most looking forward to a girls’ weekend away with my mother and future mother-in-law to find and purchase my perfect dress. We are very excited about choosing a venue and trying to make our wedding look perfect.

Let us create the perfect piece for your perfect day.

You handle where Your guests will sit–

Let us create the perfect piece for your perfect day.

we’ll handle where theY sleep.

383 Exchange St. Middlebury • 388-2221

Custom Bridal Jewelry for the Bride, Mother-of-the -Bride, Bridesmaids & more

Custom Bridal Jewelry for the Bride, Mother-of-the-Bride, Bridesmaids & more

383 Exchange Street, Middlebury • 388-2221

We’ll make your guests feel as special as you do!

88 spacious guest rooms and suites • Some suites with jetted tubs and fireplaces • Courtyard Refreshing Business Bistro • Indoor pool, whirlpool and fitness center • Cable TV with HBO • Complimentary high-speed internet access •

Courtyard by Marriott-Middlebury 309 Court Street Middlbury, VT 05753 To reserve your wedding block, contact the Sales Department at (802) 398.6604 or toll free at (800) 388.7775 Wedding blocks are based upon availability. Please contact the Sales Department for more information.

PAGE 4 — Weddings ~ Planning Edition ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, January 22, 2015

Addison County

Weddings

PLANNING EDITION

Wedding Services: Updo • Makeup • Nails • Waxing Massages • Facials • Women’s Cut Men’s Cut • Color and Highlights.

Wedding Packages Available.

Bride/ Bridesmaids Mother of the Bride/Mother of the Groom We can travel Call to schedule a consultation

388.0007 • Studiosevenbeautylounge@gmail.com 32 Merchants Row • Middlebury, VT

Invitation and postage tips

(MS) — Whether a couple is planning a lavish wedding or a more low key affair, the wedding invitations are an essential part of keeping guests informed about the big day.

While couples can now share details of their wedding through email or even digital invitations, many still prefer to go the traditional route and send paper invitations. In addition to the cost of the invitations themselves, couples need to factor postage into their wedding budgets. It may not seem like much, but the cost of postage can add up quickly. The following are a few postage pointers for couples about to tie the knot.

• Choose envelopes wisely. The size of your envelopes contributes to the cost of the postage necessary to mail your invitations. Postal services have specific size a n d shape parameters that govern postage. Envelopes that are oddly shaped or fall outside of these strict measurements are usually susceptible to additional postage charges.

That’s because the envelope cannot run through standard sorting machinery and must be handprocessed.

• Consider the weight. Mailings that exceed one ounce will require additional postage, even if they are in standard envelopes. Invitations, with their various components and thick card stock, typically weigh more than one ounce. Never purchase postage in advance, as you will not know what the completed invitation costs prior to mailing. Always weigh the invitation with all inserts included to get an accurate estimate of postage. Then purchase stamps accordingly.

• Get to know your local postal employee.

Many postal employees, especially those who work at the smaller branches, grow accustomed to seeing the same customers over and over. They can be very helpful and good resources when it comes to saving money on postage. Strike up a conversation with the person behind the counter and ask advice on the best way to mail invitations and ensure they arrive looking beautiful. Choose an off-peak time so the postal employee can give you his or her full attention and will not feel rushed by a line forming behind you. The employ-

ee may suggest hand-canceling envelopes, which means the invitation will be processed by hand rather than run through machinery to avoid damage.

• Stamp the return envelope. Invitations typically include response cards that guests will send back to confirm if they will be attending the festivities. To facilitate the RSVP process, stamp the response card.

• Prep invitations six to eight weeks in advance. Invitations should be mailed nearly two months prior to the wedding. This allows guests to plan and respond accordingly.

• Double-check envelopes before sending.

Ensure that postage is sticking well and that envelopes are well-sealed. In addition, verify that you have the most current addresses for recipients. If invitations get returned to sender, they can cost you even more time and money to resolve any issues.

• Consider custom postage. The post office should carry several attractive options for wedding invitation stamps.

However, you also may be able to go online and purchase custom postage that features a graphic or an uploaded image to make the invitations even more special.

• Do a test run. You may want to send a complete invitation to yourself just to see how it arrives in the mail. This way you can check the level of damage and have an opportunity to make any changes, such as adding a piece of vellum to prevent ink from smudging or to place bows or adornments in another area.

• Give your mail carrier a heads-up. Let your assigned mail carrier know that response cards will be on the way. They tend to be small and can get lost in among other letters and mail. A small token of gratitude, such as a gift card, for your mail carrier may ensure all of your response cards arrive.

A wedding just isn’t the same without the guests. Make sure friends and family are well informed about the wedding by sending out invitations in advance and ensuring the proper postage will get those invites where they need to go.

Weddings ~ Planning Edition ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, January 22, 2015 — PAGE 5 Addison County

Weddings

PLANNING EDITION

Almost Home Market offers the best of catering and wedding planning in Addison County. With more than 20 years of experience, Beth can help you design a wonderful wedding weekend with great menus featuring local fare. From simple barbecues 28 North Street • Bristol, VT www.almosthomemarket.net

to elegant plated dinners, Almost Home Market can provide it all.

nn

Marsala

Pantone Color of the Year 2015

By SIMONE HILL for theknot.com In December, Pantone announced that their official color of 2015 is marsala, a brownish red that evokes the richness of the Italian wine it’s named for. We’re predicting marsala is going to be a hot hue for weddings too! The past two years Pantone chose jewel tones for their color of the year, a rich fuchsia called Radiant Orchid was their 2014 pick and in 2013 brilliant emerald topped the color list. We love that marsala has a sophisticated earthiness, which pairs well with a variety of metallic colors like gold, rose gold and copper (which is

having a moment of it’s own right now).

Even though dark red is usually associated with fall and winter weddings, marsala is actually a very versatile wedding color when paired with complementary colors or neutrals. Marsala, blush and ivory is a classic and pretty palette for any season or pair the color of the year with bright corals and oranges for a summery vibe. When it comes to wedding flowers, peonies and dahlias grow naturally in this dark red hue, and these big-headed blooms evoke a romantic quality. We especially love them layered with eucalyptus leaves.

Hidden expenses that can sink your wedding budget

(MS) — In the days of yore, the responsibility of paying for a wedding fell to the bride’s parents. But that tradition has largely fallen by the wayside in recent years, when more and more couples have used their own savings to finance their weddings.

Couples know that certain wedding expenses, such as the cost of booking a reception hall, will eat up a large portion of their budgets. But there are some hidden expenses that couples must build into their budgets to avoid finding themselves in debt as they walk down the aisle as husband and wife.

TAXES Sales tax might not seem so significant when you’re buying everyday items, but the taxes add up quickly when paying for a wedding. Depending on where you live, state and local sales tax can exceed 9 percent in the United States. Before signing contracts with any vendors, couples should ask for a total price quote that includes all applicable taxes so when the time to pay up arrives there are no surprises.

GRATUITIES Gratuities are another potentially hefty expense that often takes engaged couples by surprise as they start to plan their weddings. Some reception halls build gratuities for staff into their estimates, and these tips for the staff can be as high as 25 percent. But even if gratuities for reception hall staff are already accounted for, don’t forget to include tips for additional vendors the day of the wedding. Couples may be

expected to tip the florist, photographer, band or DJ and even the reception hall maître d’ if his or her gratuity is not included in the aforementioned staff tip. Brides-to-be typically tip their hairstylist and makeup artist on the day of the wedding as well.

POSTAGE Couples who plan to invite guests via email or online invitations can skirt the cost of postage. But many couples still prefer traditional paper invitations, which include return envelopes that tradition suggests should also be stamped.

Save-the-date cards have grown in popularity as well, and these cards must also be stamped and mailed. Depending on the size of your guest list, postage can cost several hundred dollars before you mail your last invitation. And don’t forget to save some money for postage to mail thank-you cards once the big day has come and gone.

OVERTIME Overtime fees for reception hall staff and additional outside vendors are typically written into contracts, but few couples imagine needing more than the predetermined allotment of time noted in their contracts. But it’s better to be safe than sorry, as unanticipated events such as a misplaced wedding license or heavy traffic on the way to the venue can force the party to start late and thus extend past its deadline. Set aside some money for overtime so you don’t find yourselves scrounging for dollars or charging the extra few hundred dollars on your credit cards.

Complete your wedding with Cole’s www.colesmiddleburyflowers.com

388.4003

21 MacIntyre Lane • Middlebury, VT Next to Greg’s & Middlebury Discount Beverage

PAGE 6 — Weddings ~ Planning Edition ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, January 22, 2015

Brights a

8 color palet that are anyth

By SIMONE HILL for theknot.com White and green weddings have been a hot trend (and we can never get enough of this classic combo), but in the next few months hot hues are going to make a major comeback. And why wouldn’t they? A bit of color can take even the simplest setup to wow-worthy. Tip for the taking: The way to pull off a color saturated palette is stick to one neutral base like white, black or gray to make it look

Elegant Orange and Pink

Pretty Pastels and Neon Florals

Christian Oth Studio

Christina Carroll Photography

Navy and White With a Pop of Orange

Saturated Coral and Yellow

Our Labor of Love

Gabriel Ryan Photographers

Weddings ~ Planning Edition ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, January 22, 2015 — PAGE 7

are back!

ttes for 2015 hing but boring cohesive. Then throw all the rules out the door, you can layer 50 shades of pink — or go for contrast with pops of one neon hue on an all-white background. Take a look and get ideas below (just make sure to grab a pair of sunnies first!)

Photos and story provided by theknot.com

Neutrals Paired With Purple and Green

Tangerine, Yellow and Gold

Aaron Delesie

Heather Waraksa Photography

Layered Pinks With a Splash of Teal

Tropical Lime Green and Yellow

Ambient Eleven Photography

Orchard Cove Photography

PAGE 8 — Weddings ~ Planning Edition ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, January 22, 2015

For All Your Bridal Needs We’ve got you covered... h h h h h h h h h h

Wedding Gowns Bridesmaid Gowns Tuxedo Rentals Mother of the Bride/ Groom Dresses Prom Gowns Flower Girl Dresses Bridal Gifts Jewelry Veils Shoes

The Fashion Corner BRIDAL & FORMAL WEAR

4325 Main St., Port Henry, NY • 518-546-7499 M, T, T, F 10-5, Sat 10-3 • Closed Wed & Sun

Glorious Weddings & Events

Decades of Staff Experience help plan the event We listen and embrace the vision of the bride and groom

Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Next Day Brunch

CATERING

Complete commitment to every wedding and event Our grounds are picturesque in all seasons Budgets are a big part of the planning process Our attention to detail is painstaking

The food at the Inn is exceptional

From Rehearsal Dinner through the Wedding Reception,

Greg’s can CATER your day. ◆ Our Catering Staff will work with you to create your special menu with the high quality, freshly prepared foods that Greg’s is known for.

February 21– the Inn invites you to an open house~ Visit with our staff about your event plans, enjoy refreshments And consider the Waybury as your event destination!

◆ We’ll prepare Appetizers to Sit-Down Meals, BBQ and more formal menus.

◆ We have over 30 years of experience exceeding the expectations of brides & grooms.

◆ Delivery, set-up and clean-up services

Where

Quality & Service Come Fir

st

GREG’S

◆ Satisfaction Guaranteed!

Waybury Inn - 802-388-4015 www.wayburyinn.com

Chef Talmage Jestice, Greg’s Catering

Middlebury, Vermont Established 1981

3 Elm Street

•

Middlebury, VT

•

388-2162

•

gregsmarket.com

Weddings ~ Planning Edition ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, January 22, 2015 — PAGE 9 Addison County

Weddings

PLANNING EDITION

Copper shines in 2015

Tarnished pots or glossy plates, pounded or smooth textures that are thin as paper or solid as a Moscow Mule mug, we can be sure to count on copper sightings at weddings in 2015. Copper in these many forms will surprisingly pair well with many colors and other themes you may want to carry through your big day. The sky’s the limit with this trendy theme.

TONY’S MOBILE SOUND SHOW Tony Lamoureux Toll Free: 888-821-3511

Tony has entertained over 200 hundred wedding receptions since 1989. If you are looking for the best music entertainment for your wedding, you have found it with Tony. His energy, state of the art equipment, and full selection of music will inspire your guests to tap their feet and get up to dance!

Consultation

Tony offers free consultations to plan you big day. He has seen what works well and can give very helpful advice. Excellent references available.

“Thank you so much for “Just wanted to say thanks again everything. You really pulled for the awesome job you did our wedding together and DJing our wedding! We knew made everything happen so you’d do a great job with the wonderfully.” music, and we were so impressed - Ryan and Krystal with how you keep things flowing.”

- Erin & Chris

Service

As Master of Ceremonies, Tony will coordinate with all of your wedding professionals (photographer, caterers, etc.) to ensure the timely progression of your special moments.

He has the experience to observe your guests to play the music they love. Tony is not just a DJ, he is your entertaiment!

Costs & Terms

Tony will give you the finest entertainment around at a Vermont price you can afford.

Call now for reservations! www.tonysmobilesoundshow.com

PAGE 10 — Weddings ~ Planning Edition ~ A Special Section of the Addi Addison Indepe Independent, ndent, Thursday, January 22, 2015

Addison County

Weddings

PLANNING EDITION

Addison County is full of experts on planning a Vermont wedding

By CHRISTY LYNN ADDISON COUNTY — Without a doubt, there are endless resources for engaged couples to access on the World Wide Web that will outline the checklists and priorities to help them plan their wedding. A simple Google search for “wedding planning” yields over 85 million results.

While this functionally endless stream of information can be a dream come true for some couples who enjoy the details of planning and relish each decision to be made, for others it’s just a great way to increase their blood pressure.

For some, talking to real people and obtaining advice from the experts who work in the field every day is a more manageable way to make some of those early wedding plans.

Fortunately for those of us living in the Green Mountain State, talented craftspeople, designers, and event planners abound, helping people plan weddings and other special events all year round.

Locals benefit from the fact that Vermont has long been a wedding destination. With picturesque backdrops and dreamy places to stay, eat, play and relax, it’s a popular venue

for many looking for a romantic getaway. For those who live in the state, it means a lot of infrastructure already in place to stay close to home where friends and relatives may not have to travel as far and where we have many familiar options.

In Addison County alone, we have experts in many of the key aspects of a typical wedding. In just a quick phone call or short visit, you can obtain valuable tips and advice that will truly make your wedding planning easier, quicker, and perhaps more fun.

VENUE Choosing a venue and a date for your wedding is one of the earliest and most important steps in planning the big day. Whether you want a church ceremony or an indoor or outdoor ceremony at an inn or a resort, book your reservation early as spaces do fill up.

Middlebury Inn marketing manager Michaela Goodyear says asking a few key questions upfront can help direct decisions about venues early on in the planning process.

How many guests will be attending and how mobile are they? Goodyear says determining the answer to both of these questions

Hollyhocks

Flowers

• Fresh • Fragrant • Fabulous!

5 Green Street Vergennes, VT (802) 877-6663 hollyhocksflowersvt.com

will help best accommodate guests on the big day. “Although this is your day, you want to consider how comfortable your guests will be,” she says.

What you envision for your ceremony should help determine the kind of venue you need and whether you will want two sites or one, Goodyear continues. “If you would like to offer both the ceremony and reception at the same property, it is very important to consider parking.” If, on the other hand, your guests will need to travel between sites, plan for how they can safely do so.

Privacy is another important consideration when choosing a wedding venue. “Take the time to envision your day and how you see the main event areas at any location. Are you looking for that private venue for an intimate occasion, or are you envisioning an inclusive event for all guests and bystanders,” Goodyear advises.

While it’s easy to get lost in the venue as a picture perfect site for when you’re walking down the aisle or dancing the night away, a big part of choosing a venue is actually about the guests at your wedding. “What is there to do for guests while they are not attending the

festivities?” Goodyear asks. “Does the venue offer a walkable downtown, hiking and other outdoor activities, swimming, restaurants or bars? Many guests will travel for the weekend, so it is important to provide information for local activities and ‘must see’ sites.” Those considerations could make your wedding that much more wonderful for all who attend!

(See Planning, next page)

Wedding Directory

MAKE YOUR PARTY SPECIAL

A party tent makes it special!

★ Weddings ★ Graduation ★ Birthday Parties ★ Barbecues TOM BROUGHTON RENTALS Jct. 22A & 125 Bridport, VT 05734 (802) 758-2494 www.tombroughtonauctions.com/tent_rentals tombroughtonauctions.com

Small Weddings & Rehearsal Dinners 25 Stewart Lane • Middlebury • 802-388-9925 www.swifthouseinn.com

An Affair by the Lake Country elegance on Lake Champlain.

Gorgeous Victorian home, ceremony gazebo, lake and mountain views, spacious lawns for receptions up to 150 people. www.anaffairbythelake.com • West Addison, VT • 802-759-2511

Weddings ~ Planning Edition ~ A Special Section of the Addi Addison Indepe Independent, ndent, Thursday, January 22, 2015 — PAGE 11

Weddings

Addison County

PLANNING EDITION

Planning (Continued from previous page) WEDDING PLANNER Choosing whether to work with a wedding planner and to what degree is also a decision that couples should consider early on. Many wedding planners offer both comprehensive planning services (from start to finish with all the details in the middle) as well as more targeted assistance for certain parts of the planning process depending on what the couple needs help with.

Long-time wedding planner and caterer Beth Marr says, “Experienced wedding planners can bring so much to the table in terms of ease and calmness in a situation that can be quite stressful. Find a planner who is easy for you to talk to and who is looking out for your best interests from the onset.”

In terms of a venue, Marr advises couples to go with locations that “speak to you.”

She also recommends an “organic planning approach” for many couples, “letting the chips fall as

FLOWERS

GROWN

BY

TAYLOR

Hutchinson from Footprint Farm in Starksboro can be custom ordered and arranged to fit a color theme and palate that can add an extra local touch to your affair.

Photo/Taylor Hutchinson

they may.”

“Don’t worry too much about the minute to minute details, as they often do no meet expectations,” Marr says. Instead, focus on the big picture and it will be easier to stay happy and comfortable with what happens.

CATERING Food is one of the most important features to many couples at their wedding. Particularly in Vermont where there is a lot of focus on high-quality artisan foods and food preparation, many couples envision giant spreads of all of their favorite foods and drinks, perfectly ripe, superbly cooked, masterfully decorated, flawlessly mixed…and horribly expensive. If

you’re not careful with your budget, it’s easy to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on food and drinks for your wedding guests.

If that is within your budget, by all means, go crazy (there’s a plethora of incredible local options). But for those with a modest food and drink budget, choose your sources and your caterer well.

Good food doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Limiting the number of dish options and choosing between passed or standing appetizers, plated or buffet entrees, and open or cash bar can greatly impact the final number.

FLOWERS Chatting with a florist early can help you build your vision for the wedding ceremony and reception areas. A florist will help you limit your choices with regard to your budget as well as the season of your event. Allowing your imagination to go wild is good sometimes, but you want to rein it in and keep track of reality before you get your heart set on fall flowers for a spring wedding.

Taylor Hutchinson is a local gardener and floral expert who co-owns Footprint Farm in Starksboro. Hutchinson’s forte is flowers and she grows beautiful rows full of colorful — and organic — blooms that are sold at farmers’ markets, through their flower CSA, and for weddings and other special events.

Hutchinson recommends setting up an early consultation with a florist or gardener to discuss colors and textures of flowers that you like. “Pinterest boards and/or photos from magazines are helpful to help understand the aesthetic you’re going for,” she advises.

“If you have a vision for your flowers, describe it the best you can. It’s better to be detailed up front than be disappointed down the road.”

Like many flower farms, Footprint offers bulk blooms for couples interested in putting together their own arrangements, full-service arrangements, or a mixture of the two.

“It’s often a good route for budgetconscious couples to have professionals do the bridal bouquet, boutonnieres and bridesmaids’ bouquets and to have friends or family arrange bulk flowers for the tables,” Hutchinson says.

Working with a farm on wedding flowers can be a great opportunity to celebrate the local surroundings, but there are some clear limitations in terms of floral varieties that will grow in this climate as well as bloom times relative to your wedding date.

It’s important to remember that most flowers only bloom at certain times of the year, Hutchinson says, “Some farms are willing to buy from a wholesale source to make sure you get the exact flowers you want, but it may come at a premium.

“If you want a farm to grow specific flowers, now is the time to get in touch with them,” Hutchinson continues. “Most flowers take many months to grow and farmers are usually ordering seed in January and February for the summer season.”

INVITATIONS/PAPER Invitations, save the date announcements, menus, directional signs, maps, and many other printed materials can sneak up on you and surprise you both with respect to your budget as well as how much time you will (See Invitations Page 12)

PAT DEMPSEY PROPOSED to Brianna Desautels on Christmas Eve. Here, her ring is posed on a Christmas ball hung on her parent’s tree. The couple is planning for a wedding in 2017.

Photo/Brianna Desautels

PAGE 12 — Weddings ~ Planning Edition ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, January 22, 2015

Addison County

Weddings

PLANNING EDITION

Invitations (Continued from Page 11) need to reserve for the task.

Some couples choose to do printed materials themselves, hoping to add personality as well as save a little money by not hiring someone else to do the work. Personality is great, but good luck with the money saving goals. One of the most common misconceptions about wedding planning is that DIY weddings are cheaper and easier. The fact is that while it can be fun and rewarding and add a unique and personal touch, do-it-yourselfers rarely save money and almost always spend more time on a project.

So think about those things you really want to invest your time and energy (and money) into, and consider hiring others to do what they do best for the rest.

Companies like Brandon-based Lasso’d Moon specialize in unique, hand-made wedding invitations, place cards, menus and other printed material and will spend the time to learn what your unique message or style is before settling on a design.

Owner and stationer Carey Bunker says that a key to getting what you’re looking for is planning ahead and working with your stationer to come up with a plan.

“For custom-designed invitations, start four to six months before you want to send them out. This allows plenty of time to work through the design process without being stressed.”

Bunker says it’s standard to plan on sending

your invitations at least six weeks before you want your RSVPs back, which is typically a month before your wedding. For weddings where many guests are coming from out of town, considering sending them at least eight weeks, but as many as 12 weeks, out. More time is better especially for fall weddings when hotels book up quickly.

Save the date cards are best sent out a year to nine months before your wedding, Bunker adds.

“If you miss this window, just send out your invitations around 12 weeks out.”

Save the dates can include a small card about accommodations, which, again, is good if your wedding is during a touristy time of year. A link to a wedding website where you can list important information early for your guests can also be helpful.

Bunker also encourages couples to ask their stationer about any/all other paper goods you might need. “Some other common needs are ceremony programs, place or escort cards, a seating chart, reception signage, menus and thank you notes. Your stationer can then guide you through the best times to order these items as well.”

ATTIRE Wedding attire is part of what makes a wedding an extra special event. A beautiful bride in a glorious dress is how many people envision a wedding and many couples will never find another excuse to dress up like they do

for their wedding day. So by all means, make it special and choose your outfit carefully.

A COLLECTION OF delicate wildflowers arranged by Footprint Farm’s Taylor Hutchinson can add a colorful and local touch.

Photo/Kelly Lorenz Photography

Addison County is without a specialized bridal boutique, but Middlebury is home to Beau Ties Ltd., designers and makers of some of the finest handmade ties in the world. Beau Ties takes pride in working with brides and grooms to match the style and the character of the event with the ties, cummerbunds and pocket squares among the important gents involved.

Beau Ties will even send free swatches of different fabrics to brides and grooms so that they can ensure satisfaction with the look, feel, and fabric chosen, doing their best to ensure the men of the day feel just as special as the ladies do.

RINGS Rings exchanged between couples can act as regular reminders of the momentous occasion of exchanging wedding vows and are thereby deemed extremely important to many wedding couples.

Couples should talk together about the symbolic weight that rings carry and how much each person values that object before they visit the jeweler.

When you do go to visit your jeweler to decide on a design for the rings, you will both understand what it is you are buying outside of that sparkly object. A good jeweler will help you organize your thoughts about the design of the rings and how much you would like them to look similar or different as well as what will fit within your budget.

INN & BARN The Old Lantern is an 1800’s barn with the largest maple floor space in Vermont for dancing! Our Inn has 8 guest rooms with private baths and a dining area for smaller parties.

Only 25 minutes from Middlebury with beautiful views of Lake Champlain, we are available all year.

•

Inn • Weddings • Special Events Bar Service & Catering Capacity up to 350 people PHOTOS BY STINA BOOTH

Charlotte, Vermont • 802.425.2120 www.oldlantern.com