REAL WEDDINGS: Carlyn & Mike

OCTOBER 13, 2018 | BASIN HARBOR | VERGENNES, VT | PHOTOS BY AMY DONOHUE PHOTOGRAPHY

The Proposal... Mike and met at work. We worked at the same hospital but on different units. We started eating lunch together and "coincidently" getting out of work at the same time to walk to the train together. Our first date was a lunch date on MLK day and we've been together ever since! He proposed in Napa. The vacation had been planned for a while as a combination celebration of a 30th birthday present for me and finishing grad school for him. My parents took us out there in September and little did I know, back in July he has asked for permission and they were all in on the surprise. When he asked for permission from my parents my mother gave him her mother's ring. Mike got the diamond reset into a beautiful antique style ring. He proposed at Chateau Montelena on a gazebo set over their small lake. After the proposal with my parents trying to sneakily watch from a distance my mom told me the diamond had been my grandmothers and I burst into tears! I didn't realize something like that would mean so much to me, but it is truly special!

The Inspiration... My family has celebrated "cider weekend" since I was 1 year old. Everyone who knows me has heard me talk about it and countdown to it as that October weekend approaches every year. It is hands down my favorite weekend of the year. To me, making apple cider is the epitome of fall in VT and it always feels like home to me. When Mike and I first started dating he had not only never picked apples or made apple cider but he had never even been to VT! Of course I introduced to him to all three and it is one of his favorite weekends of the year now too! This year during cider weekend I got to marry Mike. My two favorite things in one weekend! We wanted to create a weekend for our guests to experience a quintessential fall weekend in VT, and enjoy everything it has to offer. From pre-wedding apple picking shuttles and cider making at the reception to our "cider donut" cake and fresh pressed cider favors, we wanted every guest to feel that same sense of "home" that we feel every year.

DIY... I did as much DIY as possible! Not only does it save money but I love being crafty! All of our wooden signs were stained by Mike and hand lettered by me. Our white pumpkins were embellished with bronze glitter to give them some personalized flair. Our wooden guest book was laser cut by my sister with our custom monogram. In general our decorations were on the lighter side. Mother nature helped with our decor- both the space for our ceremony as well as reception were beautiful with gorgeous view of the lake and foliage.

The Florals... Our florals were done by New Leaf Organics and they were a stunning mixture of so many different flowers and plants- including cabbage! For the ceremony we had floral arrangements across the arch we were married in front of, two beautiful urns at the walkway and simple vases hung on shepherds hooks along the aisle. The boutonnieres and bouquets were all unique and radiated fall colors.

Personalization... Our most prominent personalization was the cider making! Guest were able to press the cider and bottle their own favor. Of course everyone got a favor even if they didn't put in the work!

The Wedding Day Look... My dress was a beautiful Pronovias lace fit and flare with 3/4 length sleeve and an off the shoulder neckline. I knew that was the look I wanted when I went shopping for a dress but had a hard time finding it. The owner of Flair in Boston, Stacy, worked with me and got creative to combined two pieces to make my dream dress. The talented tailors and Newbury Tailoring Co made the idea into reality! I wanted something elegant but with a rustic flair to fit the venue. Mike and his groomsmen wore gray 3 piece suits. Groomsmen wore navy ties to match the bridesmaids and Mike wore a special bowtie. Mike is primarily Scottish and it was important to him to represent his heritage. The bow tie he wore was his family's tartan or plaid (the Smith clan).

Special Moments... Getting married! Being husband and wife! Besides that I would say the most special moment was being on the dance floor with all of our favorite people. Mike and I love to dance... He is a much better dancer than I but I love it all the same! We had so much fun with all of our friends and family tearing up the dance floor all night!

Wedding Advice... Everyone says to enjoy every moment because it goes by in a blink of an eye, and that's true! We were given the advice to take a moment or two to ourselves, to step away from the party and just watch everyone enjoying and relish the fact that everyone was there for us, to celebrate us and the beginning of this new adventure. We did that, and I pass along that advice whole heartedly.

FEATURED PROFESSIONALS

PHOTOGRAPHER: Amy Donohue Photography VENUE, CATERER, CEREMONY, & CAKE DESIGNER: Basin Harbor, (802-475-7818) www.basinharbor.com VEILS & HEADPIECES: Miss Allaneous, www.missallaneous.com WEDDING GOWN DESIGNER: Pronovias BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Lulus INVITATIONS: Smitten on Paper FLORAL DESIGNER: Newleaf Organics HAIR STYLIST: Hair & Makeup by Natalie DJ: Top Hat Entertainment MUSICIANS: Dwight's Wedding Guitar SHOES: Kate Spade