A Spring Wedding at Amee Farm

There is nothing quite like a Spring wedding in Vermont!  Tricia and Nick's wedding at Amee Farm is a day I will always remember.  They wanted their wedding to represent their love for each other and their sweet children; how important family is to them; a bit of Vermont with at touch of elegance and lots of different shades of purple... we accomplished all of that and more.  It was a fabulous day!

I absolutely loved being your Vermont Wedding Planner and working along side of these great vendors...

Photographer:  Jennifer Mardus Photography // Venue:  Amee Farm Lodge   // Hair: Finishing Touch           

Floral Design: Jasper & Prudence Floral and Events // Caterer: Vermont Farms Catering         

Cake: Irene’s Cakes by Design // Officiant: Annie Alexander Kramer // Linens: The Linen Shop 

Makeup: Elizabeth England // Entertainment: Green Mountain Sound and Entertainment

Rentals: 1888 Builders Wedding Rentals

                                                                           

Always have a Rain Plan for your Vermont Wedding

Randi's number one rule for your Vermont Wedding

Always have a backup plan or two in case of rain

Can you even imagine if this was your wedding day?  Storms seem to sweep over the lake or through the mountains very quickly here in Vermont. While the majority of our wedding days are suuny, you never know if a storm will hit during your outside wedding ceremony. Thank God for Weather Bug!  I know that I make my staff crazy by checking the app about every 10 minutes on of our wedding days.  Some might say I'm a little obsessed.  I like to say that I am 'always prepared.'

So, what will I do if it rains on your wedding day?  Well, I will jump into the predetermined Rain Plan.  We will have this plan in place weeks ahead of your big day. 

But what will you do? 

First, just give yourself a minute to be disappointed if you had been praying for sun, then remember what the day is truly about. I will be there to remind you to take a deep breath and focus on the positive.  This will be OK.  It will be better than OK, it's your wedding day!

Next, we want you to get back to that place of calm and happy, (maybe not calm but I aim of I do aim for happy) enjoying your closest friends and family as we change the plans from outside to inside or on to the porch and prep for the impending storm.  We need you to trust your vendors.  They've done events in the rain hundreds of times.  They will be prepared to shift plans on a moments notice.  This is why we encourage you to hire the best seasoned professionals available.

Here's a ceremony that had to be brought up onto the porch at the Grand Isle Lake House captured by North Photography.

Just for a moment let's look at all of the great things that come out of a rainy day wedding.

First, good luck, this is what my grandmother always said.  Who can argue with her or a future full of good luck?

Adorable rain boots...  we know you want to get a pair anyways, now you have a reason to do so.  And of course, a cute umbrella.  If you don't pick one up ahead of time we can always rent them for you. And finally, gorgeous images in the rain like one captured below by Jennifer Mardus Photography.

This next shot is one of my all time favorite rainy day wedding images captured by Stina Booth Photography at Vermont National Country Club.  The misty rain was the perfect backdrop for soft romantic images.  The rain meant we moved the ceremony up onto the porch over looking the gold course.  It really brought everyone together.  The whole day had such a warm and intimate feel.  The rain does not have to ruin your day.

If it does rain on your day, let us help you through it.  We will talk and think about how this scenario might play out ahead of time so that you are mentally prepared.  We will be there with you to walk you through each step.  And all of your vendors will be ready to dig in and help on that day.  Like I mentioned above.  This will be OK.  It will be better than OK, it's your wedding day!

And sometimes you get a few moments when the rain slows and you end with a moment like this.

                                                                                                               Stina Booth Photography

Let's talk soon about your wedding day Rain Plan.  And remember, even on the rainiest wedding day the bride still shines bright.

Your Vermont Wedding Planner,
Randi

Your Vermont Wedding Ceremony

What's more important than the ceremony on your wedding day?

I'm hoping that you agree with me and answer, 'Nothing!'

We all worry about so many details leading up to a wedding.  We worry about the flowers, the music and the food.  We worry about the linens, the candles, the seating (ohhh, the seating!) and that certain shade of plum that's not too dark but not too light.  If my office walls could talk, you would hear it all.  These details, little and small, really are important.  These are the details that keep you and me up at night.  These are the details that we dream about.

But, really the ceremony should be the bright shining moment in the day.  It's when you say your vows and unite in marriage before your family and friends.  It's everything.  Your ceremony does not have to be extravagant but should be memorable and reflect who you are.  No matter what else happens on your wedding day, at the end of it, you walk away with your partner for life.  It's just the start of your lifetime together.  And this my friends, is what it is all about.

I can't wait to talk with you more about how we can make your ceremony unique and special.

Your Vermont Wedding Planner,

Randi

Ceremony Site: 1824 House Inn

Escort Card Displays

Escort Cards.  What are they, really?  I get asked this question all the time.  An Escort Card is what some call the casual cousin to the Place Card.  A Place Card will direct to your table and your exact seat at a wedding.  An Escort Card will direct you to your table where you are free to choose your own seat.

Another question I get all the time, "Won't it be fun to let guests sit where ever they want?"  In a very short answer, NO.  That is usually not a great idea for so many reasons.  I know it seems fun and it allows your guests to feel like they are at your home for a fun casual evening but none of that is true.  Your guests will feel a bit lost when no table is suggested for them.  Some tables will end up with one, two or several seats never used. You will need extra tables, linens and centerpieces because the tables will not fill up like they will when you assign them a table.  Plus, in my opinion it makes the caterers job much harder.  Now, if you truly are having a backyard barbecue or a wedding with only 20 guests, go for it.  But for a larger wedding, assigned tables is always the way to go.

One of my favorite areas to design is the Escort Card displays.  It's a way to bring the different elements and special touches together for the day.  Here are a few of the different displays we have done over the years. 

Your newest Vermont Wedding Planner,

Randi

A simple room divider transformed into a fab Escort Card display.

Birch, succulents, glitter and lavender were some of the brides favorite's things.

A simple vase full of flowers completes this table.

Your Wedding Table Design

I have been lucky enough to be involved with many, many weddings over the last 13 years.  There are so many elements I love about wedding design and one of my absolute favorites is the couples table.  Whether is be a sweetheart table for two or a long banquet table full of family I love getting to make this table special and personalized to the couple.

One of the hardest parts of the transitioning from floral designer to planner is not having my hands on every aspect of the flowers.  I can hear my flower friends saying 'Hands Off Randi', right now.  But thankfully, I can still be part of the overall design and collaborate with the floral designer to come up with that perfect table to top off the day. The flowers are the crowning touch but the linens, the chairs, the place settings, those are the strong and sturdy design elements that give structure to the day.

Here is a sweetheart table I did last fall for a couple who loved color yet clean and classic design with a hint of vintage.  Can you see those little butterflies on their glasses? Too cute!    And candles are, in my opinion, pretty much a necessity, adding a nice warm glow to any venue.  I truly believe, the more candles and the more variety of candle vessels used, the better.  What can we do to make your table special on your wedding day?

Another part of the design I love, the Escort Card Table.  More on that soon.

Until next time.

Your newest Vermont Wedding Planner,

Randi