Vermont Bridal Shows new online

New online!

Vermont Bridal Shows is now online. Check it out for latest info on Vermont area bridal events, like the VT Bride Gala to be held October 24 at the Barn at Boyden Farm, the Needleman's 6th Annual Bridal Expo, and the Central Vermont Bridal Expo, to be held at the Montpelier Elk's Club.



Click to go to Vermont Bridal Shows online

Sara and Justin

Who would have imagined that the girl who owned a chocolate store and the boy who managed a fitness center would meet and fall in love? In 2006 my father and I opened a dessert cafe in Philadelphia.



Conveniently for me there was a gym on the lower level of the building. Scared of what all of the cupcakes and chocolate would do to my figure (what girl could resist the temptation when surrounded by them every day?), I joined immediately. Justin was at the front desk everyday when I came in to work out. I remember thinking he was extremely handsome and always had the biggest smile on his face.



One day we were working out at the same time and he struck up a conversation with me (his version might be the other way around). We realized how much we had in common and before he left he made sure to get my phone number. After going out on our first date we were pretty much inseparable. And as it turns out, he’s a huge chocolate lover!




Read more of Sara and Justin's love story including: their engagement, most memorable details, and planning advice for brides...

Vermont Bride GALA at the Boyden Farm October 23

SAVE THE DATE!
Vermont Bride GALA at The Barn at Boyden Farm

Saturday, October 23, 2010 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm The Barn at Boyden Farm
Tickets $30 each sold in advance only at www.boydenfarm.com
Cocktails . Eats . Dessert . Dancing Evening Attire Expected
Not your typical bridal show!

The Barn will be transformed by four seasons of celebration decor and ideas for
planning the wedding day of your dreams. You will see exquisite floral arrangements,
table decor, centerpieces, place cards, stunning photography, the latest bridal fashions, and so much more. Your senses will be wowed by the gourmet catered eats, decadent desserts, and signature drinks. Dress to the nines and enjoy music, dancing, and entertainment.

Exhibitors will display their special talents and products in unexpected and spectacular ways throughout the Barn. The unique style of this bridal show will allow you to envision these creations as your own. This gala is meant for your future wedding planning as well as your evening enjoyment. We look forward to seeing you there!

In honor of friends and family and Breast Cancer Awareness Month a portion
of the proceeds will benefit The Breast Cancer Center of Vermont.

Vermont Bride Magazine, Fall 2010 Edition Now Available!

Cover photo by Ayer Photography

The cover story for the Fall 2010 issue features Jaimie (Demars) & Richard Welcome

•AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT VERMONT
•116 PAGES
•250+ VENDOR BRIDAL RESOURCE GUIDE
•46 LOCATION ACCOMMODATIONS GUIDE
•33 REGULAR AND FEATURE ARTICLES


The FALL 2010 ISSUE - - OUR LARGEST ISSUE YET, is now here! Weighing in with 116 pages of information, resources, beautiful photography and extensive vendor lists, Vermont Bride Magazine is the guide to bridal events for this 2010 Autumn Wedding Season. Look for a copy available throughout the state of Vermont.

Check back here for more online info soon!

Rehearsal Dinners: Relaxed & Casual

The wonderful American tradition of rehearsal dinners started more than 50 years ago, being first attested in 1953.

It was originally a time for the wedding party and their spouses or significant others to share a meal following the rehearsal for the following day’s ceremony.

Traditionally hosted by the parents of the groom the night prior to the wedding the dinner has more recently evolved to include out of town guests who are also welcomed to this pre-wedding party. Nowadays it is not unusual to include all guests attending the wedding particularly at a destination location.



Subsequently the function of this pre wedding party has changed somewhat and now serves as an effective tool to ‘Break the ice’ providing a great opportunity for the two families and the wedding couples various friends to meet and interact in a friendly and relaxing environment.

Read more of this article by Christopher Francis of Ye Olde England Inne (recently honored as the Stowe Business Person of The Year 2009).

First Comes Love …

Capturing the Story Behind the Wedding Day Magic



As a personal historian who helps individuals and families share and preserve their memories, I often interview couples celebrating a golden anniversary or milestone birthday. And we always touch on one topic in particular–their wedding day. But after fifty years or so, memories can be a tad bit fuzzy...



But there are steps that you can take today that will boost memory recall later on. Click here to read some of Amanda Kuhnert's tips on keeping those memories fresh.

Best Plans + Imperfections = Perfection!

Planning the perfect wedding, you say? Is there really such a thing as planning the perfect wedding? I believe there is - the perfect wedding that is. Planning it and having it are two different things.




As you start to plan your perfect wedding, take on a casual attitude and roll with the decisions. As your plans begin to gently fall into place, so will the whole occasion and you will find total enjoyment in it. Have faith in your decisions and know that with your best laid plans, the majority of the imperfections may happen whether you know it or not; behind the scenes. Someone will take the reins and control the situation. It could be the chef, the on site staff, or your Aunt Claire who was sworn to secrecy never to mention the missing toasting glasses.

Days later you will telephone her to thank her for coming. She will respond “Darling, please you are so very welcome. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. It was the perfect wedding!”




Read on and you will see why all weddings are perfect. Click here for true stories from actual weddings with imperfections and all but perfect through and through.

Eco-Friendly Weddings: Going Green

We’ve all changed our lifestyle due to the way we care about the environment. We turn off water when brushing our teeth, lights (powered by energy efficient bulbs) are clicked off when we leave a room, we return empty cans and don’t think twice about separating plastic from cardboard. We’re doing our part to preserve Mother Earth. For couples choosing to further this cause as part of their wedding, they get two big green thumbs up. Our favorite frog Kermit said: “It’s not that easy bein’ green.” If Kermit ever got his willpower energized and popped the question to Ms. Piggy, he would have realized that going green doesn’t mean sacrificing style or panache. It’s easier than he imagined. These thoughts empower all of us to make decisions that will have positive, rather than destructive, impacts on our planet.

Continue reading this article by Karen Sturtevant for specific suggestions on "green" choices for your wedding, including your gown,jewelry, ceremony and reception, decor, flowers and more...

Laura and Chris

Laura (Shea) Lafaille was the cover bride from the Winter 2010 issue of Vermont Bride Magazine


As corny as the saying may be, I believe that how we met could truly be described in one simple word - kismet.




Both Chris and I had recently come out of long-term relationships, so we were “new” to the dating scene. All of our friends were no longer single …they had families of their own, and were rarely interested in accompanying us to local singles hot spots, or in playing matchmaker. But all that changed the day after Christmas 2006 when a good friend from high school called me up and invited me out for drinks with her and some friends. They were celebrating her new boyfriend’s birthday. At some point in the evening, the story of how they met came up. We all learned they had met on Match.com. They shared how great an experience it was. I saw how truly happy they were. After much coaxing and consideration, I decided to give it a shot; after all, what did I have to lose?




I was in the kitchen doing dishes when Chris returned home from a morning round of golf. He was hanging around the kitchen island, carrying on about how great a morning he’d had. I paid no real attention until he started telling me how lucky we were to have met. As I turned to face him, he was down on one knee holding a small blue box. He proclaimed his love for me and asked if I’d spend the rest of my life with him.



Photography by Stina Plant Photography. Event held at the Catamount Country Club.
Read more of Laura and Chris's Love Story!

Jodi and Justin's Love Story

Photographs by Great Impressions Portrait Studio

It all began when I received an Instant Message from a stranger one afternoon my senior year in high school. Little did I known, seven years later, that stranger and I would be saying, “I do”...



Our relationship has overcome many obstacles. But with each obstacle we have faced, our love for one another has not wavered and our relationship has only become stronger. At the end of the day, no matter the distance or the challenges of day, we are happy knowing that we have one another.




Read more of Jodi and Justin's Love Story.

Click here for more information about the historic Middlebury Inn.

Your Floral Style

If I were to walk into your closet, would I find the latest fashions from Valentino, Christian Dior, and Elie Saab? Would I see secondhand treasures from a downtown Burlington shop? Or, would I appreciate timeless classics like a little black dress, white button-downs, and coordinated camisoles and sweaters? Your choice of clothing reveals glimpses of your statement of style. When the time comes to choose your wedding flowers, you will be asked to select the blooms that best reflect your personality and individuality. What are your preferences?

Take our quiz to find your floral style!