A Weight Loss Challenge – The Vermont Bride Edition

Rebekah and Brady's Love Story

May 15, 2009 at the beautiful Sunset Ballroom in South Burlington, VT

How We Met
Even though Brady and I both attended the same youth group every Sunday night, we didn’t notice each other until two years later! One night at a youth retreat Brady approached me and introduced himself – from then on we were best friends. Throughout high school we were inseparable. I attended every one of his basketball games at Burlington High School and even though we both knew how we felt about the other, we didn’t want to pursue those feelings until we knew it was God’s timing.
Entering into Brady’s senior year we began to date one evening after we prayed together and felt the timing couldn’t be better. The following year Brady went off to college in TN where both our worlds felt like they were falling apart, yet we held true to the promise of God. We toughed it out and although it was the hardest time of our lives, God remained faithful. To this day Brady recalls that one night at the youth retreat when he approached me and telling God “One day I will marry that girl.”

OUR ENGAGEMENT:

December 14th, 2008 will always be engraved in my memory as one of the happiest days of our lives. Brady was coming home for Christmas break and to me it was just another short vacation. I’d have to soak up as much of him as possible; to him it was the first day of the rest of our lives together. Brady and his parents, William and Mia Callahan, were planning to take us to see my favorite basketball team, the Boston Celtics, later that evening. Brady thought it would be the perfect opportunity to sweep me off my feet!

I told him to come over that morning and I could cook him breakfast so that we were fed and ready to go to the game. When he arrived at my parents, Bernard and Kimberly Valley’s house, he was acting a bit strange. I ignored the thought and continued making pancakes, scrambled eggs, and toast. After breakfast we were getting ready to leave when he sat me down on my bed and got down on one knee. He then said, “Rebekah, you are my best friend and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Bek, will you marry me?” To this day Brady claims I just stared at him for five minutes in shock, but I remember looking into his eyes and saying “YES!”

He then said, “Rebekah, you are my best friend and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Bek, will you marry me?”

Click here to read more of Rebekah and Brady's love story, memorable wedding details, planning advice, and other wedding details...

Vermont Bride Magazine Winter Edition Now Available at News Stands Throughout Vermont!

Cover photo by Whipple Photography

Maryanne (Azur) & Adam Routhier - Winter, 2011 Cover Bride Love Story
July 18, 2009 at the Stowe Mountain Resort, (Spruce Peak Base Lodge) Stowe, VT

Winter issue LOVE STORIES:

• Jennifer (Hough) & Tony Duda (at Edson Hill Manor, Stowe, VT)
• Maryanne (Azur) & Adam Routhier (at The Stowe Mountain Resort, Stowe, VT)
• Ariana (Giust) & Jamie Fallon (at The Spirit of Ethan Allen III, Burlington, VT)

26 Feature Articles in the Winter 2011 Issue!

1. Northern Vermont Oral & Facial Surgery: Offers a wide range of full-body aesthetic procesdures
   
2. Your Wedding Story — Remembered By Amanda Kuhnert
   
3. Make-up Tips for Perfect Photos By Kim Scofield
   
4. Vermont Engagement Erica Marie Twenge & Aubrey Rex Augustus Gates
   
5. Importance and Uses of an Engagement Shoot By Linda Russell & Joe Crosby
   
6. Getting into the Wedding Spirit By Rachel Connor & Tiffany Suitter
   
7. Bridal Show Tips; How to Avoid Stress & Have Fun By Pat Esden
   
8. Spotlight on Wedding Flowers: Calla Lily By Karen Sturtevant
   
9. Your Wedding Your Way: Ceremonies: Secular and Sacred By Dr. Rev. Michael Caldwell
   
10. From Grand & Glamorous to Intimate & Cozy, Indulging in the Magic of a VT Winter Wedding By Susanna Keefer
11. How to Choose a DJ By Grant Allendorf
    
12. Stress-Free Thank You Notes - Ten Tips for Minimizing Angst & Getting Them Done By Kristin Anderson
    
13. Vermont Engagement Rebecca Provost and Jeremy Goulet
    
14. Mendelssohn’s Wedding March: A Brief History By Lisa Carlson
    
15. Safeguarding Your Life Together By Patrick Cahoon
    
16. 1st Annual VT Bride Gala held at The Barn at Boyden Farm a Great Success! By Lauri Boyden & Karen Sturtevant
    
17. VT Bride Gala Recap By Susan Lackey
    
18. A Clever & Beautiful Wedding by the DIY Bride at Ye Olde England Inne By Chris Francis
    
19. Nuptials and Nest Eggs By Benjamin Nostrand
    
20. The American Dream is More Affordable Than Ever By Jeff Teplitz
    
21. Focusing on the Details: Factors of Home Buying By Gayle Oberg
    
22. Love, Commitment, and Blue Sneakers By Karen Sturtevant
    
23. Your Jewish Wedding By Rabbi Howard A. Cohen
    
24. Spa Corner: A Champagne Toast to Beautiful Nails By Sara Daly
    
25. Marriage Does not Have to be a Taxing Time! By Roger A. Schoenbeck
    
26. Dream Team from a young love perspective By Kayla Sturtevant

See our gallery of of past issues

Highlights of 2010

What is LOVE?

Here are some of our favorite answers from the young and not-so young.

What’s your Answer?

• “All you really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt. ”

Charles Schulz

• “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. ”

Mignon McLaughlin

• “With our love, we could save the world. ”

George Harrison

• “A loving heart is the truest wisdom. ”

Charles Dickens

• “There is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door

at the end of a day knowing someone on the other side of that

door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps.”

Ronald Reagan

• “We can only learn to love by loving. ”

Iris Murdoch

• “Where there is love there is life. ”

Mahatma Gandhi

• “ You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality

is finally better than your dreams. ”

Dr. Suess

• “Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.”

Terri, age 4

• “Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving

cologne and they go out and smell each other.”

Karl, age 5

• “Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.”

Noelle, age 7

• “I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old

clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.”

Lauren, age 4

• “When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and

little stars come out of you.”

Karen, age 7

• “Once I’m done with kindergarten, I’m going to find me a wife.”

Tom, age 5

• “No one is sure why love happens, but I heard it has something to

do with how you smell. That’s why perfume and deodorant are so popular.”

Jan , age 9

• “If you want to be loved by somebody who isn’t already in your

family, it doesn’t hurt to be beautiful.”

Jeanne, age 8

• “You learn it (to kiss) right on the spot when

the gooshy feelings get the best of you.” ,

Doug age 7

Highlights of 2010: A Summary of the Most Helpful Information for Planning in 2011! Hair, Make Up and the Gown!

Click the links below to read thoughts about planning your hair, make-up and gown.

Hair and Make-up:

The Long and Short to Amazing Bridal Hair By Sara Daly

What's your style? What's realistic for YOUR hair?
Sara Daly writes a regular "Spa Corner" article for Vermont Bride Magazine. You can check out her other articles at www.vermontbridemagazine.com.

Up do Down do... What will YOU do? by Drew Whitney

Check out other articles by Drew Whitney at www.vermontbridemagazine.com.


Two Ways to Perfect Bridal Makeup by Sara Daly (Please note that you'll need to scroll to p. 65 for this article).


And the Gown:

Avoid Bridal Gown Hell: True Stories and Tips by Pat Esden

"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." True stories and tips on how to avoid them!

Pat Esden writes regularly for Vermont Bride Magazine and can also be found through the Esden Florist page at Vermont Bride's web site.

Highlights of 2010: A Summary of the Most Helpful Information for Planning in 2011! Music and Flowers

Click on the links below to read articles on planning music and flowers for your wedding day.


Music

Selecting Your Wedding Music By Lisa Carlson

Are you a lover of traditional wedding music selections or do you wish for unique and personal choices? Here are some ideas for choosing your repertoire. Lisa Carlson writes regularly for Vermont Bride Magazine. Click here for Lisa's Vermont Bride web page.

This photo by Orah Moore.

Flowers

Your Floral Style: What are your preferences? By Karen Sturtevant

Check out Karen's other fine and helpful articles regarding many angles on the wedding planning process at www.vermontbridemagazine.com.


Stay tuned. More highlights from 2010 for planning in 2011 yet to come!

Highlights of 2010: A Summary of the Most Helpful Information for Planning in 2011! Invitations, Photographers and Food

Click on the links below to read helpful articles for each category. Please note that some articles require scrolling down to the page noted.

Invitations:

(After clicking please scroll to page 50) Wedding Invitations By Karen Sturtevant

Karen Sturtevant writes regularly for Vermont Bride Magazine. Many of her articles are helpful for your planning needs - pick up a free magazine or check out more of her articles posted online at www.vermontbridemagazine.com.


Photographers:

Photographer Showcase

Check out samples from a large number of photographers around the state and see which fits your style best!

Food

(Scroll to page 46) Finding a Caterer to Match Your Style By Drew G. Whitney

Drew has written numerous helpful articles on a variety of topics, from cakes to gowns. Check out other articles by Drew at www.vermontbridemagazine.com.

And Now For the Cake! by Drew G. Whitney


Stay tuned! We'll be continuing highlights of 2010 for planning in 2011 with articles on: Music, Flowers, Hairstyles and more!

Highlights of 2010: A Summary of the Most Helpful Information for Planning in 2011!

(Please note that two titles below link to the full magazine and require scrolling down to the page noted, but most link to the article directly).


Location:

(Scroll to page 90 - or 46 of the 2 page spread - of the summer magazine) Accommodations at a Glance
This convenient chart shows all the information you'll need to choose your ceremony and/or reception venue. A quick scan will answer all your questions about which location will serve your needs.

(Scroll to page 26 - 14 for 2 page spread - of the winter magazine): Stowe: A Winter Wedding Wonderland By Christopher Francis


Questions of Faith and Relationship:

How To Find A Rabbi By Howard Cohen
Howard Cohen writes regularly for Vermont Bride Magazine. His quarterly articles guide you through the process of planning a Jewish wedding. Click here for his Vermont Bride web page.


Your Wedding Your Way:
Listening to Learn, Learning to Listen by Michael Caldwell
Michael Caldwell writes quarterly articles for Vermont Bride Magazine about officiating and relationship coaching. Click here for his Vermont Bride web page.


And helpful advice for all your general planning needs:

Getting Ready: The Legal Details for a Vermont Wedding

Best Plans + Imperfections = Perfection! By Lauri Boyden
Lauri Boyden writes regularly for Vermont Bride Magazine about wedding planning details. Click here for Vermont Bride's Boyden Farm page.


Eco-Friendly Weddings: Going Green in 2010 By Karen Sturtevant
You can find more articles by Karen Sturtevant regarding flowers and other details in numerous Vermont Bride Magazines.

Stay tuned! This week we'll be posting more highlights from 2010, including invitations, food, photography, music, flowers, hairstyles and more!