Vermont Bride Military Wedding Giveaway

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Something I have wanted to do for a while is figure out a way for Truly Noted to give back to the community. That is why I am so excited to finally announce our participation in the Vermont Bride Military Wedding Giveaway! This amazing giveaway is for a complete wedding package to be awarded to one deserving military couple. There are so many great local vendors participating and Jackie of VT Enchanted Events is doing all of the planning and coordination so you know it will be beautifully done.

The wedding will be held on September 2, 2012 at the charming ye olde England Inne in Stowe. Here is a list of the local talent lending their services and expertise to make it unforgettable:

Bear Pond Productions | Videography
Barbara Graham Buzzi | Officiant
Green Mountain Photo Booth | Photo Booth
Jay View Wedding Flowers | Wedding Party and Bride and Groom Flowers
Jamie Norse | Groom's Cake
Polis Photography | Ceremony and Reception Photography
Sarah's Weddings by Betty's Flower Basket | Centerpieces
SuperSounds DJ Co | DJ
Sweet Crunch Bake Shop | Wedding Cake
Truly Noted | Invitations
Uncle George's Flowers | Ceremony Flowers
VT Enchanted Events | Planning and Coordination
Weddings, Tents & Events | Linens
Ye Olde England Inne | Reception Venue & Catering

To enter simply tell us your love story and why you deserve to be the lucky couple to win this fabulous event! You can read the contest rules and enter on the Vermont Bride Magazine website. Entries are only accepted until April 1st so don't delay and send us your story today!

Vermont Bride Gala

 

 Gorgeous shot of the entrance to the barn.

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of participating in the Vermont Bride Gala at Boyden Valley Winery. It was a gorgeous blue skied afternoon and the foliage was just starting to hit peak colors.

I had never been inside the barn at Boyden Valley before {although I am very familiar with their wine!} and it was gorgeous! I only wish that it had been available for events when Matt and I were married- which was five years ago today!

So it is fitting for me to share these wonderful photos of this fabulous event that took place in a barn, on the anniversary of my own fabulous event that took place in a barn.

 

 Bold and hip sitting area arranged by Vermont Tent Company

It was a smaller bridal show, but the wow factor was not at all diminished. All of the vendors that were there brought it in spades. Gorgeous colors and textures. Delicious smells and mood pumping music. The theme of the day was Alice in Wonderland and everyone did an amazing job of making that them resonate throughout the day.

Here is a pic I took of my table, right inside the door as the guest's arrived and across from the wonderful Fiori Bridal. My position couldn't have been better and I met many charming couples and their families. Of course every baby that walked by me I had to google at and I probably mentioned 'I have a one year old at home...' a dozen times. That's motherhood for ya!

 

The deep red and purple color scheme on this table done by Vermont Tent Company was very striking.

This tablescape was done by Vermont Tents and Events and also featured Gold Vellum Menus and White Rabbit Placecards from Truly Noted. I love the teacup flower arrangements and I am stealing the idea for my niece's 1st birthday party {which will also be Alice in Wonderland themed}.

 

Close-up of the Gold Vellum Menus and White Rabbit Placecards.

 

Loved this display of tasty cakes by BakeAria

Overall it was a spectacular event and a beautiful Fall day. Can't wait to participate in next year's Gala!

An Apple Orchard Afternoon

One of my greatest pleasures in being a wedding stationer is helping my friends and family realize their vision for a perfect wedding. So when my younger sister became engaged earlier this year I couldn't wait to get started on all of her wedding stationery (and any other wedding details she was kind enough to seek my advice on)!

 

This past weekend while she and her fiancé (and my adorable niece Lucy) were visiting for Eli's birthday party, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and take their engagement photos. I consider myself an amateur photographer, even though many have encouraged me to pursue it as a source of income. There are so many wonderful professional photogs out there that I can't imagine throwing myself in with them, but it is nice to be able to take some decent photos without having to spend a lot of money.

My sister used to dream of having her wedding in an apple orchard, but in the end they decided on an ocean side affair with a lobster theme (can't wait to share all of the details as they unfold!). But I thought that the apple orchard idea could still work for their engagement photos, so off we went in search of one. Of course all you have to do is spit in Vermont and you will hit an apple orchard so we didn't have to go far. The first place we went to check out was a family run orchard that my husband and I had gone to many years ago in our early years of dating. The couple that own the orchard had long given up offering their apples to the public, but they were more than willing to allow us to take some photos amongst their overgrown trees.

 

I made 'Mr,' and 'Future Mrs.' signs for them to hold for some of the shots and the sun was gorgeous through the leaves. Many of the trees were practically falling over with all of their fruit and despite Lucy's protesting we managed to get some nice shots.

 

After I was done taking their photos my sister was kind enough to take some shots of us, too :-)

Orange You Glad It's Summer?

I recently had the honor of being included in a wedding inspiration photo shoot featuring some of the area's top talent. Kathleen of North Photography and Merriam of The Little Purple Cake Shoppe hatched the idea over cupcakes and set out to gather all of the necessary details to make it amazing.

The orange and lime theme is fresh and colorful- perfect for a Summer wedding on the lake! I love all the light and airy details plus the antique touches that add just the right amount of romance. Hints of teal make the orange and lime really pop and adds just enough contrast for a truly gorgeous setting.

But enough talk and on to the photos! But first, here is a list of all the area professionals that were involved:

The Little Purple Cake Shoppe

Just Weddings Floral Design

Fiori Bridal Boutique

Truly Noted Stationary

The Grand Isle Lake House

North Photography

The shoot took place at The Grand Isle Lake House in Grand Isle. It is a beautiful spot overlooking the lake. Set away from the nearest town it is a serene and peaceful location. It also offers rooms for your guests to stay in and booking the entire Inn is definitely the way to go and offers you the most bang for your buck. My Brother-In-Law was married here a few Summers ago and I can say it was one of the most memorable weddings I have ever attended!

I designed a pocketfold style invitation for the shoot, but it is not your traditional pocketfold. I took a patterned pocket and adhered it to the inside of a folded invite. I love the bright green floral pattern with the hints of orange and the faded, antique illustration with the bride and groom's names.

Gorgeous floral bouquet (and all other flowers) were done by Just Weddings Floral Design. The teal and lace wrap really make this bouquet special.

Dress and shoes provided by Fiori Bridal (my favorite wedding dress shop). The necklace and earrings were custom made by Fiori as well- something I never knew they offered, but what a fabulous service!

These gorgeous cake jars from The Little Purple Cake Shop look so yummy! I also designed a menu for the place settings.

I love the idea of using oranges (or any kind of fruit or vegetable) for the name cards. I cut these leaves out of metallic paper and they are attached with colorful pins. Such an easy and fresh way to make your tables special.

Fun, custom labels hung off of the cake jars.

Merriam and I collaborated for the Bride and Groom signs. I created the frame and name part and she painted the wooden signs for them to go on. I love the ribbon and floral touches!

Vermont Etsy Street Team Giveaway!

Even though things are winding down for me as I prepare for our new bundle of joy, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to host a give away for the Made In Vermont Etsy Street Team!



So from July 12-15 you can enter to win a set of Custom Note Cards from Truly Noted! You get 10 beautifully printed note cards made with thick linen textured cardstock complete with matching lined envelopes. I will customize them with whatever name you like, or if you would prefer a message such as 'Thank You' I can do that as well.



They come nicely packaged in a box tied with ribbon so they are perfect for a gift if you choose to get them for someone else. Or enjoy them for yourself and never be without a pretty card to send to a friend!

There are four ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post.

2. Leave a comment on the Made In Vermont Etsy Street Team blog.

3. Become a fan of the Made In Vermont Etsy Street Team on Facebook (leave a comment here letting me know that you did).

4. Tweet about this giveaway or the Made In Vermont Etsy Street Team (leave a comment here letting me know when you tweeted).

The winner will be announced here and on the Made In Vermont Etsy Street Team blog on Monday July 26th!

Catch The Spirit

On Tuesday night I had the pleasure of dining on the Spirit of Ethan Allen dinner cruise on Lake Champlain. I have lived in the Burlington area for almost a decade but had never made it on any of their famed cruises. Lucky for me, my work decided it was the perfect retreat for a sales conference and we were all invited to come along.

We lucked out and it was a gorgeous day- sunny and yet mild compared to what the temperature had been lately.



The Spirit of Ethan Allen does a nightly dinner cruise, with a different theme each night, but you can also book space on the cruise for a wedding or function and have them cater an entirely different menu. I was excited to see what it was like and to taste the food and check out the interior of the ship.


You can choose whether or not you want to have your ceremony on board the ship as well as your reception. If you do book the boat for your reception than a ceremony is included, free of charge, in the package- so it is something to consider. Also, there are many decks on the boat that offer stunning panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains that would make for a breathtaking ceremony. This is a pic on the forward deck of the boat, which is normally outfitted with tables and chairs and has a casual bar feeling to it.




We had dinner on the lower deck of the boat, which is where you initially come into after you board. There were several other rooms above that were reserved for special parties, that I am sure would be where a wedding event would take place. The walls were all windows which allowed for amazing views all around of the water, boats passing by, and the mountains.




The night that I dined aboard The Spirit was Italian Night, or Mangia Mia as they call it. For appetizers we had an Antipasto plate with pickeled and roasted veggies, several different kinds of cheeses, and some bread. We also got some flatbread pizza topped with fresh mozzerella, black olives and cilantro. It was all very tasty! For dinner we had the choice between four entrees. I got the Frutti di Mare which was an assortment of scallops, shrimp, calamari, and white fish in a tasty tomato based broth with potatoes. To finish the evening we had some Tiramisu which was really good- light and fluffy with a perfect balance of chocolate and espresso.


Of course the real reason the Spirit of Ethan Allen makes a great choice for weddings is the views of the Adirondacks and Green Mountains, especially at sunset. We were lucky that it was the perfect evening for viewing the sunset, and I happened to be seated on the right side of the boat next to a window! I got so many amazing views of the sun setting behind the mountains.

For more information on booking the Spirit of Ethan Allen for your wedding, or Sunday brunch buffet (which I hear is amazing- gotta check that one out next!), view their website here.

Stowe Mountain Resort

Clockwise from top-left: post-and-beam ceiling in Spruce Camp, outside the Toll House, dining area and view out to the deck at the Cliff House, the staircase leading up to the stone patio at Spruce Camp.

This past Friday I had the pleasure of touring the wedding facilities at the Stowe Mountain Resort in Stowe, Vermont. Stowe is the quintessential Vermont town with a high-end twist- beautiful mountainscapes, charming covered bridges, but superb shopping and fine dining abound in this small town nestled at the base of Mount Mansfield.

Now, I must confess, that when I was first looking into wedding venues I did not inquire with Stowe, fearing they were well above my price range, but I was very much mistaken. With all the glamorous amenities and magnificent scenery you would think Stowe would be in the top ten most expensive wedding venues in Norther Vermont – au contraire! Stowe has so many options for venues (ten to be exact) around their property that there is something for every budget.

Calais on the gondola ride back down the mountain.

But before I get ahead of myself I must talk about the best thing Stowe has to offer – Calais Lovejoy. Calais and I met at the VT Vows Wedding Affair last November and I was at once drawn in by her warmth and sincerity. She is the Wedding Coordinator for most of the venues at Stowe and let me tell you, this girl knows her stuff! As she gave me a tour around the grounds (which took almost two hours- that is how much stuff there is to see there!) all I could think of was how much less stressed out I would have been if I had been lucky enough to have her helping me with my wedding! A personal wedding coordinator, something that most of us would not even dream of being able to afford, comes with the standard package at Stowe – that alone would have sold me!

Don't think that getting married at Stowe is only for outdoorsy types that want to get married at the top of a mountain with the sun setting in the background (although the Cliff House looks amazing- even for the city girls). There is also the gorgeous post-and-beam Spruce Camp with stunning architecture and a native stone fireplace – one inside and a second one outside on the stone patio. And if you want something a little more traditional and ballroom-esque there is the Toll House a little farther down the road, complete with a charming terrace garden hidden in the back perfect for your ceremony and cocktail reception.

Spruce Camp with the mountain in the background.

It's not all about scenery at Stowe, though, with their NECI trained chefs even the food I have had in their cafeteria after a day of snowboarding is to die for. I can't imagine how great their event food is. Of course with entreés like Chevré & Spinach Stuffed Grilled Chicken Breast with Charred Sweet Pepper Coulis and Pan Roasted Duck Breast with Caramelized Onion Smashed Potatoes it sounds like the sky is the limit where cusine is concerned.

The bottom line is that I have done a lot of wedding research in the last few years and I was shocked at how affordable Stowe was- especially considering that you get a wedding planner in the deal, something that would cost you several hundred to a thousand dollars if you hired an outside person. Since most of us are planning on a tight budget these days, it is more important then ever to get more bang for your buck and all-inclusive deals tend to be just that. At Stowe you get the all-in-one package without the stale Hotel Ballroom vibe and that is worth shouting from the mountain top about.

You can contact Calais at: 802-253-3666 or clovejoy@stowe.com

Fall...In Love With Vermont

Fall is my favorite season. Probably because I grew up in New England and learned to appreciate the crisp air, sweet apples and gorgeous foliage that descends upon us before the bitterly cold winter. It's the last hurrah before we all hunker down in our houses in front of the fire.

I chose Fall for my wedding because of the spectacular colors and scenery in Vermont during that time of year. I couldn't imagine any other backdrop for the most magical and special day of my life. My husband also has an affinity for Fall (proof that we are perfect for each other!) so on October 14th of 2006 we pledged our undying love to each other.

As we celebrate our 2nd year anniversary (yes I realize this is a little late- it was Tuesday) we reflect on why we chose Fall. As we drive through our small country town in awe of the fiery color that is overtaking the mountains, or the vibrant reds, golds and oranges that glitter in the sunlight above our heads as we drive through tree lined streets. There is something peaceful and content about Fall- like a well earned reward after all the work of the Summer. The sweet and tart of a crisp, ripe apple that whisks you back to a childhood full of jumping in piles of leaves and carving pumpkins.

It is homey. I want to bake pies and crisps. Heat up stews and soups. It is very similar to the feeling of knowing the person you are with is the love of your life. The feeling of creating a cozy home and nourishing each other's souls. True, Summer is really 'Wedding Season' with it's great weather and warm evenings. But Fall has a magic for me that Summer can never produce and so Fall will always mean love to me.