1. Real Weddings

A Modern Mountain Wedding at a Private Residence in Manchester, Vermont

Christine Elliott (28 and a marketing manager) and Addison Minott (28 and an environmental engineer) met at the University of Vermont and got engaged

Christine Elliott (28 and a marketing manager) and Addison Minott (28 and an environmental engineer) met at the University of Vermont and got engaged while hiking Mount Mansfield in northern Vermont, tying the knot in the Green Mountain State was a no-brainer. The only trouble was finding the right venue to accommodate their lengthy guest list. “Fortunately, Addison’s family has a beautiful home in Manchester that ended up being the perfect setting for a tented wedding,” Christine says. The couple pulled off an elegant backyard soiree laced with hints of understated glamour. A palette of cream, French blue and copper popped against the lush green surroundings without overwhelming the natural scenery, while playful touches such as dip-dyed escort cards and a balloon canopy infused the decor with a sense of whimsy. Sage and rosemary were planted around the tent site to fill the expansive space with a fresh herbal scent, and a live bluegrass band got guests in the mood to party. Dinner was a mouthwatering spread of inspired barbecue fare—the perfect pick for a backyard bash—while a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream cart, freshly made pies and craft beer (served in an Airstream trailer!) gave guests a taste of local flavor. “Addison and I are very into coffee, so Western Woods Coffee came in for pour-overs and affogatos as a late-night pick-me-up,” Christine says. Words of wisdom from Christine: “Relax, and roll with the punches. Planning can be so fun but also stressful—between family, friends and your significant other, there’s a lot to juggle. Remember that you can’t cater to everyone, so prioritize what you both want right away.” —Libby MacCarthy

Christine and Adam let the landscape take center stage for the ceremony, incorporating elements that played up the setting’s woodland vibe. The aisles were lined with lush garlands of eucalyptus and a wooden arch draped in copper cloth, and an eye-catching arrangement of greenery and ivory florals framed the couple as they said their “I dos.” The pair customized the ceremony with readings from Rumi, Thoreau and Pablo Neruda, as well as instrumentals of their favorite tunes. “We wanted our ceremony to speak more to our journey together and the roles that our friends and family played in it,” Christine says. “Addison and I met almost exactly 10 years before the wedding—freshman year at UVM—so our wedding felt like this climactic moment that everyone present was a part of, and we were excited to honor that during the ceremony.”
When it came to the bouquets, simplicity was essential. “I love the look of a petite arrangement and didn’t want to feel overwhelmed by an enormous bouquet,” Christine says. To accompany her Rue de Seine gown, Birds of a Flower pulled together a pint-size arrangement of ivory garden roses accented with bright green eucalyptus.
Christine opted for a casual yet modern look for her bridesmaids, letting them choose their own white dresses. “Dresses ranges from Rachel Comey to Reformation, and they looked so stunning and ethereal," Christine says. "I think it was because they were comfortable and felt like themselves."
After cocktail hour, Christine and Addison and their guests headed to the reception tent where they found their seats with the help of dip-dyed escort cards created by Storied Events. Guests' names were scrawled on the cards in copper ink, and the cards were hung on a wooden frame that reflected the subtle rustic vibe of the fete in Manchester, Vermont.
In lieu of garlands or classic “Mr. and Mrs.” signs to distinguish their seats, Christine and Addison decorated their chairs with Geronimo balloons wrapped in vines of ivy. Birds of a Flower also built a giant cluster of balloons to hang over the dance floor for a festive touch.
While the couple opted against farm tables, they used lengths of foraged wood to achieve a similar effect. The wooden panels gave way to flickering table candles wrapped in copper-striped taper candles and bundles of fresh greenery for a beautifully bohemian look.
To keep their guests young and old entertained during dinner (just in case the urge to doodle strikes), Christine and Addison placed colorful notebooks and pencils at each seat. “It was a play on the crayons you get at a restaurant as a kid,” Christine says.
The centerpieces were the reception’s piece de resistance, with fresh herbs, sweet peas, dahlias, ranunculus, tulips, anemones, ferns, eucalyptus and more bringing life to the foraged wooden planks and crisp white linens.
With the celebration unfolding at Addison’s family home in Manchester, Vermont, including their dog in the wedding day was a must. Their dog was decked out with a polka-dot bow tie to add a hint of formality to his everyday look.
Christine and Addison shared their first dance to “Stay Forever” by Ween, a sentimental song for the couple and their college friends. “Addison’s dance with his mom really stole the show; they choreographed a whole dance in secret—I had no idea,” Christine says. “My maid of honor also arranged a special all-girls dance to ‘Wannabe’ by the Spice Girls, and it was the ultimate way to kick off the night.”