Weddings 2018 ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, October 18, 2018 — PAGE 1
Addison County
Weddings 2018
INSIDE THIS ISSUE we have profiled three couples that celebrated their nuptials in Addison County this year. Here, Kristen and Travis Wilson pop a celebratory bottle of champagne as they pull away from their wedding ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage.
Photo credit: Held in the Moment Photography
PAGE 2 — Weddings
2018 ~
A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, October 18, 2018
Weddings 2018 ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, October 18, 2018 — PAGE 3
Amy & Ben Carlin
By CHRISTY LYNN tomized for Amy. He had a local jeweler from Amy and Ben met in the fall of 2011 at a his hometown in Florida do the work and got party where they had mutual friends who were the ring back on December 23, 2016. His initrying to set them up. They both were a little tial plan was to propose during a planned vareserved about attending, but decided to give cation in New Hampshire after the holidays, it a shot. but he couldn’t wait “We met and I found that long. He proposed Ben to be sarcastic, funafter only having the ny and very cute,” Amy ring in hand for two recalls — much like the hours. pitch she had been given Amy and Ben deabout him by her friend. scribe the wedding “And he, of course, planning process found me to be intelas fun, exciting and ligent, kind, and stagemotional all at once. geringly beautiful,” she They were committed added, with just a hint of to having a ceremothe sarcasm that perhaps ny with strong famhelped seal the deal. ily connections and The rest was history. meaning. During the fall of This led them 2016, Ben started makquickly to deciding to ing preparations for have the ceremony at the engagement. His Ben’s parent’s house mother gave him the in Bristol. ring that this father had “It was a no brainer proposed to her with for us,” Amy said. Amy and Ben cut the cake made by and Ben decided to have “Having the wedit embellished to make it Erin Bettencourt of Sweet E’s, based ding at a family home more personal and cus- in Middlebury. was something that we Photo credit: Drew Vetere
Ben and Amy were married at Ben’s parents house in Bristol. The couple wanted their wedding to have strong connections to their family and the place where they live. They had a large tent set up on the property and were able to use the house to prepare for their big day. Photo credit: Drew Vetere
agreed on very early in the planning process and it turned out to be a wonderful decision.” Amy made plans to borrow her sister Catherine’s veil and earrings that her sister Sarah wore for her wedding day, which she says made her day that much more wonderful. Ben asked his close family and friends to share their wedding songs or songs that were otherwise special to them, and he incorporated them into the after party playlist. These simple but meaningful details helped Ben and Amy incorporate some their special guests into their celebration, sharing it with those closest to them. The wedding was set for September 1, 2018. Looking back, Amy says that one thing that surprised her was just how much fun the ceremony was for her. “It was light and funny. Ben’s cousin Jill married us, and to start the ceremony she told our history as a couple. It was riddled
with jokes that had all the guests laughing. I thought I would be nervous but as it turned out marrying Ben was the easiest thing to do.” One memory that both Ben and Amy say they know will last forever is of their first dance. Amy says she had actually slightly dreaded this moment, since she doesn’t consider herself a great dancer. Quite the opposite, Ben is a wonderful dancer, so Amy was nervous going in. “We actually changed the song last minute and played ‘Never in my wildest dreams’ by Dan Auerbach instead of the song we initially picked. We only danced for a little bit before everyone joined but just like the ceremony it was easy and fun,” she says. As for advice for those embarking on their own wedding planning process, Amy says, “just have fun with it.” “Something will inevitably go wrong, but so much more will go right.”
We make a couple of promises to all brides and grooms, they are: ~ Throughout your planning process at the Waybury we will give you individual attention and guidance that is so important to the assurance that your visions for this important day are realized. ~ On your wedding day you and your party will be the complete focus of the Waybury Inn and all of our staff. There will be no other weddings or other business that will divert our attention from our service to you. ~ Menu tastings are a part of every wedding, this is to ensure that menus and the plate presentation have your blessing and that you are confident that your selection will be one that you will be proud to serve at your celebration. ~ We are sensitive to your budget, with a goal to provide you the maximum celebration for a sensible investment.
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PAGE 4 — Weddings
2018 ~
A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, October 18, 2018
Kristen & Travis Wilson
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By CHRISTY LYNN he would make it. Kristen Smith married the same man twice So, together with a supportive group of in one month this year. nurses, doctors and social workers, they She and her fiancé Travis Wilson were planning a full wedding celebration for August 18, filled with many of the classic rituals, guests and ceremony. Kristen and Travis had met in high school, but reconnected in 2010 and had been together ever since. The couple has been engaged since August 2015, and finally had plans to cinch the deal. However, in late July, Kristen’s father, Michael Smith, fell ill and was Kristen Smith has been very close to her father, Michael admitted to the intensive Smith, since she was a young child. When Michael fell ill care unit at UVM Medical and was admitted to the ICU at UVM Medical in late July, Center with a terminal Kristen was worried that he would not be able to walk her condition. Kristen very down the aisle for her wedding, scheduled for August 18. much wanted her father to So she and a generous team of nurses, doctors and social be able to walk her down the workers worked hard to pull together a second ceremony on August 3. At the UVM Medical chapel, Michael was able to aisle and give her away and walk his daughter down the aisle and give her away to her despite their wedding being best friend, Travis Wilson. He died just 10 days later, five scheduled just a few short days prior to her scheduled wedding date. Photo credit: Brian Drourr Photography weeks away, she was unsure
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Weddings 2018 ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, October 18, 2018 — PAGE 5 pulled together a wedding in just two days. On August 3, Michael Smith walked his daughter Kristen down the aisle of the small chapel at UVM Medical Center in Burlington, and watched as his daughter wed her best friend. “Just having my Dad there, as well as our closest friends and family, is a memory I will keep forever,” Kristen says. “I was going to Burlington just about every day to be with my father. He meant the world to me. Having his physical therapist work with him to help him gain strength to walk me down the small chapel aisle was so meaningful and Travis and I cannot thank the staff enough for their support!” Michael Smith passed away on August 13, just five days before his daughter’s originally planned wedding day. “We pushed on, and over 100 of our closest friends and family joined us in Cornwall for a second wedding,” Kristen recalled. Kristen’s brother, Pat Smith, gave her away that day. “It was truly an emotional day for me, my brother and all my family, yet somehow we pulled off an incredibly beautiful wedding,” she says. The couple was married on the grounds of Breadloaf View Farm, where Travis works as a property manager. The farm has beautifully restored barns, mountain views and a pond with a zipline over it, which both Kristen and Travis navigated in their wedding outfits, inspiring many of their guests to follow suit. The couple also hired a horse drawn carriage to carry them to and from the ceremony, which had been a dream of Kristen’s since she was a child. “It was truly a day I will never forget, utterly perfect, the only thing missing was my dad.”
The Wilsons were married at Bread Loaf View Farm in Cornwall, a private property where Travis works as a property manager. Along with beautiful barns and mountain views, Bread Loaf View Farm has a pond with a zip line running over it from one side to the other. Both bride and groom took turns on the zip line, inspiring many of their other guests to give it a try. On the hot August day when they were wed, some even took the opportunity to let go and cool off!
Photo credit: Held in the Moment Photography
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o C u n n t o y s i W d d e A d e d e i n r h g s T
Weddings 2018 ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, October 18, 2018 — PAGE 7
A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, October 18, 2018
Amy and Ben Carlin pose with the six bridesmaids who helped them celebrate their big day on September 1, 2018 in Bristol. Pictured left to right, Kara Francis, Amy Patti Foote, Sarah Stanley, Amy Carlin, Ben Carlin, Catherine Quinn, Christine McDevitt and Hannah Hurlburt.
Kristen and Travis Wilson raise their united arms in joy of their marriage, celebrated for the second time in one month at Bread Loaf View Farm in Cornwall. This second ceremony included their two daughters and about a hundred of their closest family and friends. The one person missing was Kristen’s father, Michael Smith, who had passed away just five days before their big day.
Photo credit: Drew Vetere
Photo credit: Held in the Moment Photography
Jess and Josh Rowe celebrated their nuptials at the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury this past September. The couple lives in Boston, Mass., but returned to their home state for their union in a place they love to call home. Photo provided by Jess Rowe
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PAGE 8 — Weddings
2018 ~
A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, October 18, 2018
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Seven wedding tricks to make the big day easier
(MS) — Wedding planning is no small task. From sending out engagement announcements to gifting guests with takehome favors, a couple will pour over scores of details as they plan their weddings. As if selecting a photographer or choosing the right passed appetizers isn’t challenging enough, some unknown variables are sure to pop up on the big day as well. Couples can take their cues from others who have walked the aisle before them with these tricks of the trade, which may help couples’ wedding days go smoothly. 1. Host everything at a single location. Couples who want to simplify their wedding day can select a site that can host the ceremony and reception and also house guests. The cost of such facilities may be more affordable than couples think, as transportation costs will be minimal and the venue may offer discounts on group packages. 2. Think about a day coordinator. Couples who cannot afford a wedding planner to handle all of the details often find that a dayof-service provider is within their budget. This person can handle all of the details of the wedding day so brides and grooms can fully immerse themselves in the festivities. 3. Bring extra cash. Unexpected expenses may pop up. Couples may have to feed an extra member of the band or a guest who was
able to get a babysitter at the last minute. Brides and grooms may want to offer a bigger tip than anticipated to the wait staff or deejay who went above and beyond. 4. Learn how to bustle. Walking around with a free-flowing train all day can become tiring for brides. Brides should make sure that one person practices how to bustle the train and will step in to do so for the reception. Also, it may not be the height of fashion, but having a garbage bag on hand can keep the train clean during inclement weather, or if the bride has to trek across grass or soil for photo opportunities. 5. Give an outgoing person a job. Enlist a boisterous friend or family member to wrangle guests for photo opportunities. He or she can be the photographer’s helper and give the happy couple one less thing to do. 6. Stock the bathroom. Some venues will have courtesy items for their guests, but couples also should bring their own necessities, such as breath mints, toothpaste, extra pantyhose, hairspray, lip gloss, and/or sanitary pads. 7. Be all smiles. Couples can’t predict everything that will happen on their wedding day, but they can help create the mood. Smiling couples can make things better for everyone, even when zippers break or someone gets the chicken instead of the salmon.
Estimate
your wedding attendance (MS) — In a perfect world, men and women invited to weddings would respond promptly and, for unmarried guests, indicate whether or not they’re taking a date. But not all guests respond quickly, and some may forget to respond at all, even if they intend to make the wedding. According to various wedding advice experts, couples should assume 80 percent acceptance for a traditional wedding and 60 to 70 percent for destination weddings. Weddings that fall during weekdays, take place on holidays or during times of the year when the weather can be difficult may affect attendance as well. Some couples may be tempted to create a “B” invitation list of
people who may not make the first cut due to budgetary constraints, but can be invited if family members cannot attend. This is a delicate situation, and some people may be offended if they find out they were not among the initial list of invitees. As a result, it can be better for couples to narrow down guest lists early on and mail all invitations at once. Send the invitations early enough so adjustments can be made with vendors, including the receptive venue and the caterer. When estimating costs based on wedding guests, it’s safer to round up than down so couples are not caught unaware. Overbuy and save receipts as items can be returned later.
Weddings 2018 ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, October 18, 2018 — PAGE 9
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PAGE 10 — Weddings
2018 ~
A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, October 18, 2018
Jess & Josh Rowe By CHRISTY LYNN Jessica Rowe (formerly Jessica Viau) grew up in Bristol amidst a large extended family. Both of her parents were also raised in Addison County and much of her extended family still resides in the area. Joshua Rowe grew up in Burlington. The couple now lives in Boston, Mass., but they cherish any opportunity to return to Vermont and say that every time they do it feels like they never left. Josh is a lighting designer for many different types of performing artists and Jess is pursuing a career in animal welfare. In the spring of 2016, while on a tour in Las Vegas, Josh found himself at the famous Gold and Silver Pawn Shop looking at engagement rings. He and Jess had discussed marriage, but had mutually decided not to risk “messing up a good thing.” However, inspiration struck and Josh found the perfect ring for Jess. When he got home after his month-long tour, Jess had planned a week of day trips to make the most of their time together before he had to hit the road again. On the last day before he left, Josh changed Jess’ hiking plans and took her for a picnic on the beach by his family home in Moody Beach, Maine. He proposed while walking with their dog on the beach, who just happened to be wearing a Go Pro video camera and caught the whole event on film! When considering a venue for their wedding, Jess and Josh only really had one place in mind — the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. When she and her sister were young, Jess’ mother, Robin Huestis, worked back-
stage in production at the theater and the girls spent long hours helping out and spending time around the historic building. Josh, too, has history with the theater, as he completed the sound installation for the refurbishments long before the couple even met. “These histories, coupled with how much performance/live music is involved in our lives, made the theater a no-brainier for a venue for our big day,” Jess says. The big day was set for September 30, 2018. A short ceremony was held on the stage, featuring a backdrop of Josh’s lighting design — colorful light beams that matched the couples green color scheme. This was followed by a casual and fun reception featuring pizza, live music by the Mangroves, and donuts. “We tried really hard to make our wedding unique and one that felt like a party from beginning to end. We featured all of our favorite things, kept the traditions that made sense for us, and scrapped all the stuff that didn’t,” Jess recalls. Acorns are a special symbol for Jess and they were hidden everywhere – from the cake to the bridesmaids accessories – to personalize and have fun with that detail on their big day. Jess says one of the only things that surprised her on her wedding day was the flood of emotions it brought. “We both shed happy tears despite us trying to throw a carefree celebration. There’s just no escaping all the feelings a wedding generates,” she said. In terms of advice she would pass along to others, Jess recommends hiring a wedding
Jess and Josh Rowe knew immediately that the venue for their big day needed to be the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. Jess had grown up in and around the theater since her mother worked backstage when she was a child. Josh is a lighting designer and had previously worked to install the new sound system for the Town Hall Theater when it underwent major improvements long before the couple met.
Photo provided by Jess Rowe
The Rowes now live in Boston, Mass., but seize every opportunity to return to Addison County. This September they returned home to Middlebury for their wedding, which will help them keep Addison County even closer to their hearts. Photo provided by Jess Rowe
planner. “It seems an easy way to cut costs, but your sanity will be saved if you splurge a little here.” At the same time, Jess says that the little things that go wrong can help generate the sto-
ries that you’ll remember and tell for years to come. “Take a second to check in with the moment throughout the day,” she says. “It will be over before you know it and you’ll be reliving the day in those savored moments forever.”
Weddings 2018 ~ A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, October 18, 2018 — PAGE 11
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PAGE 12 — Weddings
2018 ~
A Special Section of the Addison Independent, Thursday, October 18, 2018