REAL WEDDINGS: Meg & Chris

Meg Parker & Chris Root

JULY 21, 2018 - CHAMPLAIN ROOM & TERRACE AT CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE - BURLINGTON, VT | PHOTOS BY KATIE FIGURA PHOTOGRAPHY

The Romance...

Chris and I met in Boone, North Carolina. I moved there for college and Chris moved there for a new adventure and to find a "southern belle." The joke is on him, however, because although I am from the south, I am no "southern belle!" Our paths finally crossed when we were both working at a local restaurant downtown called Cafe Portofino. We can both remember the first time we saw each other. He was wearing a black bandana around his forehead and he says I was wearing a white tee with my hair in a braid, sticking out like a sore thumb since everyone else was dressed in black. I anxiously awaited when he would speak to me for the first time. I would go out of my way to polish wine glasses, just so I could sneak glances at him while he worked. He waited two weeks because, in his own words, he was "building up the courage." The first thing he ever asked me was if I wanted a jolly rancher. Our life has been pretty sweet ever since!

The Proposal...

Chris proposed to me during a beach vacation to the Outer Banks in South Carolina for his cousin’s graduation. His entire family was there, and it was at the same beach that my family would take me every summer growing up. One evening before we went out to dinner, Chris asked if I wanted to walk on the beach. It was a beautiful sunset, and during our walk Chris pointed to something by the dunes, and I saw that in huge letters there were sea shells that spelled out, “Marry Me?” His family had secretly helped set up the shells during the day, so I wouldn’t notice. His mom was filming from the dock and got the whole thing on video!

Why Vermont...

We are technically not a destination wedding, but we moved to Vermont less than a year before our wedding. Chris grew up here and he had always wanted to bring me back to start our lives after college. We were engaged for three years, but I wanted to wait until we moved to Vermont because it is such a magical, amazing place to get married. Lake Champlain took my breath away the first time I saw it, and for years I had envisioned getting married with a view of the lake. Also, Vermont has so many great local businesses, I knew it would be easier for us to find great wedding vendors (which we did).

The Venue...

I knew that we wanted a space with a great view, either of the lake or the mountains, and we wanted something that included a lot of extra benefits. We went to dozens of different venues, some great but too way pricy, before we finally found Champlain Room and Terrace. I was hesitant at first because I didn’t like the idea of getting married at a school, but this place was too great to pass up. It included an outdoor ceremony space with a tent and an amazing view of the lake, a reception room with tables and linens and lights and a dance floor, in house catering and bar service, and even a day-of wedding coordinator. The entire staff there went above and beyond to make our day amazing. The location was also perfect, my guests loved being right in the middle of downtown Burlington!

Theme / Color Palette...

Pink, Navy, and Gray (my favorite color plus his favorite color plus one color to tie them both together)

Fav Moments...

Our favorite part was honestly the ceremony. When we said our vows, it felt like there was no else there but us, and I will always remember the look in his eyes. Chris says his favorite part was everything, but mostly getting to celebrate our love with all our family and friends. Another of my favorite parts was taking pictures by the lake—it was such a beautiful day and we had so much fun taking pictures and laughing together. And of course, dancing. So much dancing. You can never spend too much on a good DJ!

Wedding Advice...

Hire a planner if you can! Wedding planning should not have to be one of the most stressful things you ever do, so if you can afford it, I recommend hiring a planner! But if you can’t afford it, just as I couldn’t, I recommend getting all the help from friends and family you can, and don’t stress about the small things—you don’t even notice a lot of the details you spent time worrying about on the day of your wedding! And the best part is, you’re with all the people you love, and those small things just don’t matter!

FEATURED PROFESSIONALS

PHOTOGRAPHER: Katie Figura Photography VENUE, CATERER, CEREMONY, BAR SERVICES, EVENT LIGHTING & LINENS, WEDDING COORDINATOR: Champlain Room & Terrace at Champlain College, www.champlain.edu/weddings/VTB DJ SERVICES: SuperSounds Entertainment, Inc., www.supersounds.com VIDEOGRAPHER: Video Memory, www.supersounds.com/videography WEDDING OFFICIANT: (Pat Johnson) Lotus Ministries FLORIST: Chawna Cota Designs ACCOMMODATIONS: Hilton Garden Inn HAIR & MAKEUP: Persona Salon CUPCAKES: New Moon Cafe WEDDING GOWN DESIGNER: Allure Bridals WEDDING GOWN STORE: Chantilly Lace ALTERATIONS: S & J Creations BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Lulus JEWELRY: Chantilly Lace GROOM, & GROOMSMEN’S FORMAL WEAR: Needleman’s Bridal & Formal WEDDING REGISTRY & GIFTS: The Knot, Target, & Bed Bath & Beyond