A Traditional Wedding at the Holiday Inn in Rutland, Vermont
Alexis Ravenna (24 and an echocardiographer) and Andrew Kearns (25 and an IT account manager) planned a festive affair for their mid-March wedding in Rutland, Vermont. With a palette of pink and gold, the pair transformed the Holiday Inn into a whimsical scene, complete with gilded birdcage centerpieces, intricate lanterns and dozens of lush green succulents. “I wanted everything to look extravagant, yet still feel classy and not forced,” Alexis says. “I wanted there to be an element of surprise as well, while still having everything scream 'Lexi and Andrew.' ” Before treating guests to a night of dinner and dancing, Alexis and Andrew gathered their families and friends at Christ the King Church for a traditional Catholic ceremony. With the church's awe-inspiring ceilings and ornate finishings, the space needed little in the way of decoration. The pair adorned the aisles with gold bows and placed two standing candelabras on the altar, framing the spot where they would exchange vows. “We went a little off tradition in that I had my mom walk be down the aisle,” says Alexis. “She is such a strong woman who raised me to be the woman that I am today and I only felt it was fair to her to be able to give me away. Only a few people knew this was happening so there were a lot of tears when we turned the corner.”
Early in the planning process, Alexis and Andrew knew they wanted to create a lively, laid-back atmosphere for their early-spring soiree that encouraged guests to let loose and have fun. While the tables’ gilded chargers, elegant linens and shimmery mirrored centerpieces read whimsical and glam, the evening was filled with plenty of unexpected touches that got guests in the mood to party. A decadent dessert table got everyone up and moving after dinner, encouraging guests to mix and mingle, while a photo booth stocked with silly props provided an amusing way for guests to capture the evening and break the ice. The couple provided a candy bar in lieu of traditional favors and surprised everyone with a popcorn cart, a mashed potato martini bar and a hot dog stand toward the end of the night. “To be able to put our personal touch on everything was so special,” Alexis says. Some tips from Alexis and Andrew: “Enjoy the planning process. It gets so chaotic and overwhelming at times, but it really is such an important day in your life. Figure out what means the most to you and go for it. You can never dream too big for your day. Make sure to enjoy every moment—there are not that many times in life when almost everyone who means something to you is in the same place celebrating with you.” —Libby MacCarthy