Cover Brides of 2010

Here are the brides that have been featured on the cover of Vermont Bride Magazine during 2010. Click the links to go directly to their love stories!

Winter 2010: Laura Shea


Spring 2010: Sabrina Sikora


Summer 2010: Elizabeth Tobin


Fall 2010 is available at many locations throughout Vermont. The love story of our Autumn cover bride and groom below will also be available on line soon - so stay tuned!

Winter 2010 Issue of Vermont Bride Magazine: Coming Soon to Locations Throughout Vermont!

Cover photo by Whipple Photography

Check back for more information on the Winter issue - in production right now!



See our gallery of of past issues!

Underrated Undergarments

Appropriate undergarments can add significantly to your desired appearance

One of the most important accessories is never seen, your undergarments.



Women have figure flaws. Even seemingly flawless swimsuit models have admitted insecurities about aspects of their bodies. With appropriate undergarments, they can be corrected.

Improved fabric technologies smooth your silhouette without the use of traditional girdles; however, a laced corset can dramatically change the shape of your torso, if you prefer an hourglass shape.  Gentle banding in a spandex torsolette often achieves the same look. They don’t have to be uncomfortable to be effective.

Click here to read the full article about underrated undergarments...

Related: See our oneline article by Pat Esden "Avoiding Bridal Gown Hell"

For additional info about bridal clothing in Vermont, look at Needlemans Bridal and Formal.

Avoid Bridal Gown Hell: True Stories and Tips

by Pat Esden



At closing time on the day before her wedding, Bride X picked up her gown from the bridal shop.
Months ago, she’d ordered her dream gown. It had come in as expected and the alterations had been completed on time. She’ad left it at the shop rather than storing it in her cramped closet. A smart choice—-or so she thought.

When Bride X reached her car, she couldn’t resist taking a peek at the gown. She unzipped the garment bag and to her horror discovered—-the gown was not hers.

Running full tilt with the heavy dress draped over her shoulder, Bride X got back to the shop just as the owner was locking the door. As it turned out the skirt of the two-piece gown was hers, but, because of a mistake in alphabetizing, the top belonged to a different bride’s gown.

This problem was relatively simple to fix, but other bridal gown issues can cause major stress. Click here for six anonymous stories from brides who have survived bridal gown hell.

Selecting Music for Your Ceremony

by Lisa Carlson



You can perfectly envision the moment you’ll begin the walk down the aisle and into your new life: the perfect location, gorgeous dress, the flowers. Now even the flower girls have completed their walk down the aisle, the music stops, and your processional has begun.

It’s the moment you’ve dreamed of for so long, finally here. What music will usher you down the aisle to the love of your life? What will he be feeling when he hears the music?

There are so many choices for today’s couples. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all the choices, here are a few thoughts to help make the ambiance of your most special moment truly memorable, and truly personal.
First, are you a person who likes tradition, or someone who likes to forge new ground? Does a wedding without Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” at the end feel like a birthday without singing “Happy Birthday” or Hanukkah without latkes? I know some who can’t stand the thought of the popular wedding music choices at their wedding. But for some they are as dear as “Silent Night” at Christmas time, as comforting as a “welcome home” hug, and as full of anticipationand excitement as a child’s birthday wish coming true.



Click here for the full article, including popular processional and recessional choices, as well as unusual selections made by some wedding couples...


Click here for more information about wedding musician Lisa Carlson.

“Listening to Learn, Learning to Listen”

by Michael Caldwell, Partnership Center of Vermont



A man whose marriage hit a rough patch went to a sage in his hermitage.

“For one month, just listen to what your spouse is saying,” said the sage.
The man did that for a month and then went back to the sage, reporting that they were still having a hard time.

“Okay, now go back and listen for a month to what your spouse is not saying…”

DeMello suggests that preparing for the crucible of loving well that marriage implies requires a period of “listening to learn and learning to listen.” In his experience, most people didn’t listen well. They weren’t taught. It was one of the causes of the contemporary epidemic of divorce. People get easily distracted. They weren’t committed enough to being curious enough about where their partner’s opinion originated. And it seemed to be cross-cultural. In other words, not many communities or families seriously taught listening skills to their children.

Click here for the full article by Michael Caldwell...

Spotlight on Wedding Flowers: Roses

By Karen Sturtevant



The Rose
Meanings
•White – Spiritual Love & Purity
•Yellow – Friendship, Joy
•Pink – Grace, Sweet thoughts, Admiration
•Orange – Desire, Enthusiasm, Fascination
•Red – Sincere Love, Passion
•Green - Calm
•Lavender/Purple – Majesty, Love at First Sight, Enchantment

Roses are one of the most widely recognized flowers and are available in hundreds of varieties year round. Roses from California, South America and Africa are shipped throughout the world. Florists purchase in bunches of 25. Click here to read the full article by Karen Sturtevant...

How to Make it Work Without the Headaches

by Pat Esden

Keeping organized with a few easy tips

... Assigning duties to family and friends can eliminate headaches, but make sure to keep a list of who is doing what and when



Whether you are a last minute bride or have allowed yourself a year or more to plan your wedding, there are two keys to eliminating the headaches--organization and simplicity.

Being organized and keeping your wedding simple will make planning fun and give you time to relax and enjoy this very special time with your friends and family.

Read more of Pat Esden's organizational tips by clicking here...

For more information about Pat Esden of Esden Florists click here.

Michelle (Barrett) and Calum Gardner

The Story of Our Romance

It was just over seven years ago that our paths began to cross with an increasingly frequent basis. Though not by design, our romance spanned many years and several continents before culminating in our October 2009 wedding in Vermont



As with many couples, Calum and I met at the office; we were both working at the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the UN’s humanitarian food agency, based in Rome, Italy. Rome was a wonderfully romantic place to start our relationship. Dates included moonlit motorino (moped) tours of the city, classical concerts in ancient churches, dinners featuring full-bodied wines and delicious cheeses and weekend afternoons in the Italian countryside.



Our time together wasn’t without its interruptions, though; only three months into our budding romance, the war in Iraq began and WFP launched one of its largest operations ever - and I was sent in as part of the emergency team, with only days to prepare for what would be a six month deployment. Intrigued by the challenging aspects of this operation (and perhaps concerned that our romance was facing a rather abrupt end), Calum also joined the operation and within a few months we were together again, though in Baghdad rather than Rome. I think we were probably one of the only American/British couples to be dating in Baghdad during the summer of 2003. Needless to say, our opportunities for actual dates at that time were rather limited, consisting of an occasional coffee in between meetings and dinners together when we managed to get rooms at the same hotel.



This pattern of moving to new countries with WFP continued for the next few years. Following a bombing at the UN compound in Baghdad in August 2003, we were both relocated to Jordan. A few months after that, my assignment with the Iraq operation was finished and I headed back to Rome, and shortly thereafter onto Cote d’Ivoire and then Senegal. For the next few years, our relationship consisted of e-mails, phone calls and periodic vacations together, meeting up in places like the lavender fields of Southern France, the Lake District of Northern England (Calum’s home), and the souks of Morocco.

In 2006 our paths brought us both back to Rome, where I remained for nearly two years before moving back to the US for a position with the UN in New York.

Thus began another year of e-mails, phone calls and vacations together until, while in England celebrating his April 2009 birthday together, Calum proposed to me on bended knee.



Click here to read more of Michelle and Callum's story, wedding planning, and more...

Spa Corner: Relaxation Takes Practice

By Sara Daley

Being positive is stress relieving in that it puts life in perspective and you realize all you are grateful for.



Have you ever wondered how to relax?

There are times when relaxing is a difficult thing to accomplish. Sure, on the beach in Negril, relaxing is easy. But the week of your wedding, not so easy. At the spa, we are amazed at the number of times we have heard bridesmaids tell their brides, “Just relax!” The brides look at them with an anxious expression of, “I would if I knew how!”

Relax is a verb which means to spend time resting or doing things for pleasure; a relief from the effort and stress of everyday life. Using this definition as a framework, let’s explore how to do this the week leading up to your wedding.
Schedule time for rest. Make sure you are not up late at night doing tasks that you can easily do in the daytime. Try to maintain your sleep schedule and stick to it. Being refreshed the next morning will help you accomplish more the next day. Lavender is a great essential oil that can aid in sleep and relaxation.

The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.
~Attributed to both Jim Goodwin and Sydney J. Harris



Click here to read more tips on keeping relaxed in this article by Sara Daley...

Opposites Attract

Can a marriage with different views and opinions be successful? By Karen Sturtevant



He likes country music; she likes alternative rock. He’s a gamer; she’s a reader. She loves dogs; he hates anything that sheds.
Should people contemplating wedlock who share few common interests take the plunge? Are they destined to fight, bicker, and disagree which radio station they should listen to, who should take out the trash and when the house should be cleaned? Can a marriage with different views and opinions be successful?

Democratic strategist James Carville and Republican consultant Mary Matlin may disagree politically, but they have found common ground in marriage. The eccentric lead singer of The Cars, Ric Ocasek, and supermodel, Paulina Porizkova, are another example of opposites not only attracting, but flourishing with years of marriage and family.

Prince Charming lives only in storybooks. Mr. Perfect is alive and well in our fantasy worlds and imaginative minds alone. If you are fortunate enough to have fallen deeply, passionately in love, honor that commitment and realize that differences can bring a couple together and strengthen the bond between them. Would you honestly want to live with and marry yourself? As a friend of mine said “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, sometimes it’s artificial turf.”

Let’s set the scene: take two people; place them under one roof with common goals: be happy, get along, compromise, negotiate, respect one another, grow together and don’t lose your identity in the process. Mature yourself, expand your thoughts, encounter new experiences, meet new people, learn new skills, and by the way, remember your partner. Impossible task? Can’t be done? “Happily married” is not an oxymoron; sustaining a satisfying, healthy relationship is attainable - even with an odd pairing.

Marriage is not meant to be easy; it is the ultimate pledge of commitment and a work in progress.

Click here to read more of Karen Sturtevant's article...

The Graceful Charm of a Hampton Inn Wedding

If you are looking for an uncomplicated way to create the perfect celebration with all of the personal touches that celebrate you, selecting a site that “has it all” will make the road to your wedding day nothing but stress free. Shouldn’t you enjoy this time in your life?



An outdoor gazebo is surrounded by tall trees and quiet gardens; the perfect spot for a ceremony or for the cocktail reception. Why worry about Mother Nature when the peaceful flow from the gardens to the ballroom makes allowances for any surprises she may have up her sleeve!? Up to 250 guests leisurely make their way to a Ballroom basking in candlelight and filled with all of the personal touches that make the day yours and yours alone.

Click here to read the full article
Or click here for more infomation about the Hampton Inn.

Hauyin and Doug

There were two strangers from worlds apart: A Chinese girl and a Jersey boy. Little did they know, they were meant for each other. The Chinese girl is me: let me tell you our story.



My name is Hau Yin; I am a city girl. I am originally from Hong Kong but moved to Vegas for my college career. In 2006, I decided that a change of pace would be welcome in my life. I moved to quaint New England, a territory I barely new existed 2 years prior. In Stowe I have met Doug: the love of my life.



Well to be honest it wasn’t exactly love at first sight, rather it was “chores” at first sight. Doug and I were housemates! I had a busy traveling job and would only see Doug between trips at which time we would do chores together. After a year of non- stop traveling I have decided to settle in Vermont.

My first “Vermont winter” was 2007. Doug was the best tour guide one could dream of. He showed me how charming and exciting Vermont was. We spent countless hours together. We experienced all winter sports and activities: from snowshoeing to skiing to snowboarding and let’s not forget about hiking and riding motorcycles. We were spending so much time together that it was obvious that our friendship was blossoming into something more. Together we saw an adventurous future with a special connection. The rest is history. Doug and I flew to Honk Kong to meet my parents. There, he asked them for my hand in marriage. The best part? He did it in Cantonese.



Read more of Hauyin and Doug's love story here...

Budget Stretching Centerpiece Ideas

Centerpieces for your wedding

Often couples try to stretch their wedding budget by spending less on the table centerpieces for the reception. But, in truth, increasing the amount of money allocated to the centerpieces can often reduce the overall cost of the wedding—and make the reception more elegant at the same time.

One way to do this is to create centerpieces which serve multiple purposes.

If a couple plans on spending five dollars for a gift to put beside each guest’s place setting, then they might want to consider gifts that are suitable for gathering into a centerpiece. Click here to read more!




There are tricks that can add the illusion of size to smaller, less expensive arrangements, such as single plants or vases of solitary roses.

The easiest way to achieve this is to use a flat object under the centerpiece to make it appear larger. Drapes especially made for this purpose, linen napkins, mats, trays, or natural objects such as slate or slabs of wood, all work well.

For a country wedding, homemade mats could be created from mix and match fabrics, and later stitched together to form a keepsake quilt. Another way to add size is to use candles with the centerpiece. Candles are inexpensive and holders can be rented. Many times candles are provided by the reception hall for low or no cost. Rose petals or sparkles scattered around the centerpiece will give the illusion of larger size—but most often, skipping them and adding a few more flowers to the centerpiece will provide as much if not more visual impact.

Read the full article...

For more information about this author - florist Pat Esden - click here!

Vermont Bride Gala - Tomorrow Evening!

It's not to late to buy tickets for tomorrow's Gala at Boyden Farm! Click here for more details!

Elizabeth (Tobin) & Kevin Eddy

Photographs by Ayer Photography

How We Met
I knew that I wanted to marry Kevin the moment that I saw him. I didn’t feel lightheaded or like I had been hit by lightening. I felt a comfortable sense of calm when I saw Kevin. It was as if the thing that I had been waiting for was finally here. I just knew and I felt safe and quiet and happy. Kevin says that he knew I was his future bride when I stood in line for hours at an autograph signing and never complained.





The Proposal
Kevin proposed on December 18th, 2007.

At the time, I was living with my parents in Rutland and Kevin was living in an apartment in Proctor, only seconds away from his sister, her husband and their children Nathan (then 2) and Catherine (then 4). Kevin called that evening and I was exhausted. Only 4 hours earlier I had finished my nursing final exam for the semester. I was stressed, anxious and very, very tired. My younger sister was expected to arrive home from college in a few hours and I was looking forward to spending time with her and decorating the Christmas tree with my family. When Kevin called he insisted that I come to his sister’s house. Catherine had a special Christmas present that she needed to give us immediately. I told him I wanted to stay home and relax and decorate the tree – maybe I would see him tomorrow.

I eventually called Kevin to tell him I was on my way and I few minutes later I arrived at Kelly’s house in Proctor. I sat on the couch and Kevin came around the corner. He was holding Catherine and she was dressed as an angel (for Halloween that year my mother-in-law made her a wonderful angel costume that came in quite useful). Kevin came towards me and said, “Catherine has something she would like to ask you.” He got down on one knee. I had no idea what was happening. He handed me a small wooden box. I still had no idea what was happening. Despite Kevin being on one knee and me holding a box perfectly designed to hold a wedding ring, I still had no idea what was happening.



Finally, Kevin and Catherine said together, “Will you be my Auntie?” I still had no idea what was happening. Kevin told me to open the box and then I finally realized that this was it. Kevin was finally proposing. He had me convinced it was never going to happen. So before I could Yes! or I love you, I said, “I hate you, you jerk,” and a few other choice phases. I was laughing and crying and telling Kevin I hated him. And then in between my tears and laughs, I said yes. I can still hear Kelly squealing and prancing around in the background. I of course did not hate Kevin. He just had me believing he wasn’t ready. For that moment to finally be happening was just unbelievable to me.





Special Details
Our wedding ceremony and reception were full of personal touches. It is one of the many reasons our guests had such a wonderful time and why our wedding was so memorable. The ceremony was performed in front of a wishing well at the Echo Lake Inn. At the end of our ceremony we tossed pennies into the well. Each penny was created in the year that we were born. The penny represented the hopes and dreams that we had for ourselves and the wish for a long and happy marriage together.



Click here to read more of Elizabeth and Kevin's Love Story.

Elizabeth was the cover bride for the summer edition of Vermont Bride magazine. This and other articles from Vermont Bride Magazine's Summer edition are being uploaded daily. Click here to check out other articles.

The Long and Short to Amazing Bridal Hair

Perfect bridal hair compliments and completes your personal wedding style. Not only does the ideal hairstyle accessorize and enhance your beautiful features, it also offers you a chance to create a dramatic sophisticated look as your bridal image.




Deciding Your Style
There are many considerations when choosing a hairstyle that will work for you. The first and most important is to be realistic with what your hair can do. If you have fine hair, a thick full updo may be more difficult. The setting and formality of your wedding should be taken into consideration. Is the wedding inside or outside? What does your dress look like? Is it strapless, or what type of straps does it have? Are you wearing a veil? Are you wearing a tiara? Where is the veil going to sit? Do you plan to take the veil off after the ceremony? Check to see if the style you have chosen is age appropriate. Does the hairstyle compliment your attitude? Looking through wedding magazines and cutting out photos of what you like are extremely helpful to stylists.

Read more tips for your perfect hair style here...

Come online with the celebration of your engagement and wedding events! Vermont Bride Magazine wants to show your photos online. Vermont Bride Magazine is not only the first and foremost Vermont wedding magazine, but we have also have an extensive online web presence along with Facebook, Twitter and this Blogspot.

Post your photos and wedding details (zany, romantic or silly) and you will automatically be entered in our database for possible publication of your love story in an upcoming issue of Vermont Bride Magazine. (You can download complete copies of our magazine in PDF to see sample issues)

If you already have a Facebook, Twitter or Blogspot account, it is easy to just friend/follow us online. Or you can click here to access our handy online form (at the bottom of the page) to upload your photos and a description of your story to us, and we will then 'spread the news.'

We are especially interested in your stories which include the names of your event locations, towns in Vermont, and the vendors that you used.

Note: We cannot use every story and image that we receive, but we appreciate every submission that we receive. Thank you!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Boyden Farm

Tickets are selling fast for the Vermont Bride Gala to be held at the beautiful Barn at Boyden Farm. Here are a few pictures of recent events held at the barn. You can click here for more information about the October 23 Vermont Bride Gala or to purchase tickets. Not your typical bridal show!

And Now for the Cake!

For billionaire Donald Trump and his most recent bride, Melania Knauss, a wedding celebration wouldn’t be complete without a showstopper cake. The couple went with a 5-foot tall, seven-tiered orange Grand Marnier chiffon cake with a light Grand Marnier butter-cream filling. The paltry pastry weighed more than 50 pounds, was garnished with 3,000 white-icing roses and probably cost its weight in gold.




In a nutshell, if you want to get the perfect cake for the perfect day, you’ll need to “plan ahead, know what you like and take your time to find the right chef to fit your needs,” says Michelle Lunde of Delicate Decadence Cake Boutique.




Maybe you should consider looking at the magazines or website over a glass of wine with your fiancé. The cake is often a reflection of the two of you, so make sure you are on the same page when it comes to the design, flavor and size.



Don’t worry too much about picking a cake based entirely on what might appeal to guests, says Gretel-Ann Fischer of Fischer’s Fancies.




Click here for more thoughts on wedding cake selection!

The Barn at Boyden Farm: October 23 Gala

The beautiful Barn at Boyden Farm is opening it's doors to wedding couples on October 23!

An evening of live entertainment, delicious foods including dessert, cash bar and signature drink specials.

You will attend a wedding style fashion show which includes elegant styles for the entire bridal party. Inside the Barn, the evening will move you through four seasons of celebration décor and ideas for planning your own exquisite day. You will see fabulous floral arrangements, table décor, centerpieces, place cards, stunning photography, and so much more. Your senses will be wowed by the gourmet catered tastes, signature drinks, music, dancing and entertainment.

Exhibitors will display their special talents and products in spectacular ways throughout the Barn. This unique style of bridal show will allow you to envision these creations as your own and make your wedding plans even more spectacular. This extravaganza is meant for your future wedding planning as well as your evening enjoyment.

In honor of family & friends portions of proceeds from this event will benefit The Breast Care Center of Vermont.



GALA HIGHLIGHTS
•Photo Gallery featuring works by Larry Asam, Ayer Photography, Kim Martin & Orah Moore
•Cocktail Hour Music provided by Professor Fairbanks: Violinist Extraordinaire
•Decor Provided by VT Tent Company
•Floral Arrangements and decor provided by Creative Muse, Village Green, Howard's Floral and Esden Florist
•Dance the Night away with the band Shakedown
•Spectacular fashion show with all the latest from Needleman's Bridal
•MC & Impromptu tunes by Super Sounds DJ
•Splendid Catered tastes by Tasty Persuasions Catering, Susanna's Catering, Chow Bella, Jeff's Seafood and Montgomery Catering Company
•Delicate Cake tastes by Fischer's Fancies, Snaffle Sweets and The Little Purple Cake Shoppe
•Prizes & Give Aways!!!
•Enjoy a festive evening at the Barn & help support The Breast Care Center of VT - October is Breast Care Awareness Month!

Click here for further information.