ADDISON COUNTY
Weddings
7 local brides share their Vermont wedding stories
Contents Why we chose a Vermont wedding................18 & 23 Things we learned from our weddings ...................19 Couples: That special moment ............................20-21
Anneka Werner-Gavrin and Daniel Klein enjoyed the wooded retreat at Starksboro’s Common Ground Center for their June wedding.
Photo by Madeline Druce
ADDISONINDEPENDENT OCTOBER 19, 2015
PAGE 18 — Addison Independent Special Wedding Section, Monday, October 19, 2015
Why we chose a Vermont wedding Aof glorious venues at which hun-
ddison County is home to dozens
dreds of couples declare their commitment to each other through wedlock each year. From public parks to classic church venues, or rented facilities like inns, barns, theaters and restaurants, there is something local that
fits just about any style or theme. People choose Vermont for its magnificent backdrops with vibrant foliage, gardens, local food, history and culture. They sometimes come in from out of state, visitors who identify with this quality of life or tradition, but they are also often residents or former
residents who consider Vermont home and want to share it with their guests, and hold it as a central part of their relationship to each other. In this feature supplement, we found eight couples who were married in Addison County in 2015. Some live in the area, others are
former residents who came back as a tribute to this place that they hold tight in their hearts even when far away. We asked these couples to respond to a variety of questions about why they chose to get married in Addison County and what makes it special to them.
Brit and Jamie Lindsay and Jonathan Lindsay Jordan and Jonathan Willson both grew up in Middlebury and knew of each other starting in elementary school, but they had hardly spoken until late in high school. “When we were 17, I told a mutual friend that I thought Jon was cute,” Lindsay said. “A few days later she invited us both over to her house. We all ate Annie’s macaroni and cheese on her front lawn and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing at everything he said. I think we were dating within 48 hours.” The couple dated for several years following, but still the engagement came as a surprise to Lindsay. “We knew we would end up together, but I thought we would get engaged in another year or two,” she said. “One day Jon went into a jewelry store on his lunch break out of curiosity and happened to find a ring he knew I would love. He talked to our parents that weekend, planning to propose a few weeks later on vacation; but when he got home, he couldn’t keep the secret and immediately proposed in our backyard.” Lindsay’s mother, Laurie Jordan, is the chaplain of Middlebury College and officiated the wedding, held at Mead Chapel. “It meant that much more to have the person marrying us be someone who knows and loves us both so much,” Lindsay said.
Would you believe that Brit Hartung and Jamie McKenna met at the Maplefield’s gas station in Middlebury? Brit was visiting Middlebury from the Northeast Kingdom and struck up conversation with Jamie on the beautiful weather, his New York license plate, and her dislike for the Yankees and Giants. “We became friends that night over pizza at American Flatbread and a showing of Moonrise Kingdom at the Marquis Theater,” Brit recalled. After that it was history. Jamie proposed to Brit walking along the shore of Lake Champlain. He had picked up a ring and talked with her dad earlier in the day. The couple’s celebration was held at Lincoln Peak Vineyard in New Haven, where Brit works part time. “Getting married at Lincoln Peak Vineyard was a really special honor,” Brit said, who feels it has a special place in her heart as one of her first connections to the community. “We loved being able to be married in Addison County, which is the home that we have built together. We had guests travel from all over the United States, Switzerland and Sweden. It meant so much to share not only our wedding day, but also our home in Cornwall, and where we are building a life together.” The wedding was a fun, casual celebration, with a BBQ picnic theme.
Abby and Aaron Abby DeGraw and Aaron Josey were high school sweethearts, but life took them in two different directions after graduation. “We stayed friends reconnecting here and there, but unfortunately we just couldn’t quite figure our stuff out,” Abby recalled. “So when years later we met yet again, both self-employed and finally on the same page, it was like heaven. I felt like I was finally exactly where I was supposed to be and my best friend just happened to be the love of my life.” “Abby was always the one that got away,” Aaron said, but finally he was able to catch her and the timing was just right. The couple got married at The Vermont Wedding Barn in Bridport, home to the Champlain Valley Alpaca farm. As they say, “we wanted a rustic wedding that we could put our own spin on.” When the couple walked into the barn they knew that it was right; they would be able to utilize the whole farm and have their unique touches on everything. “I’m a perfectionist, so being able to have the barn most of the week was a huge help,” Abby said. “I didn’t have to rush and we could really pay attention to the little details.”
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Addison Independent Special Wedding Section, Monday, October 19, 2015 — PAGE 19
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Things we learned from our weddings
Iny and celebration can be. However, we asked for these featured couples to consider any t can be challenging to give advice for a wedding because of how personal each ceremo-
words of wisdom that they could lend to others who may be considering a wedding in Addison County, especially the words that they were given by others… or wish they had been.
lots of “Be open to new ideas and do tely ple research, our wedding was com t. ugh But different than originally tho do what mostly let your style show and that is all you want. It’s the one day about you and your partner. thouAlso, you don’t have to spend set We . sands and thousands of dollars to k stic to a strict budget and tried hard the in and it. It forced us to be creative ing even eth som h wit up und wo end we gined.” more beautiful than I ever ima Abby and Aaron
“Make sure you incorp orate something quintessential Ve rmont for your guests like hiking, app le picking, or CREEMEES!!!!!” Abby and Mitchell
“Considering that you’v e already decided to get married in Addison County, you are off to a great sta rt. Try to remember that the other details you are stressing out about won’t matter bec ause it will still be one of the best days of your life.” Lindsay and Jonathan 383 Exchange Street Middlebury • 388-2221
t is “If creating a locally-sourced even abso are you e, valu you something that zama t mos the in ried mar lutely getting exing place possible! We had the best so e wer who , dors ven our perience with in lly ona essi prof and lly ona invested pers e com m drea a day ding wed making our loe, spac a ing Find ! tive true. Get crea rs cally sourced decadent food, and flowe char with all , farm by near a grown from a as es valu r you and you ects acter that refl ncouple is truly possible in Addison Cou ” ess! proc the y enjo and , ty! Good luck Brit and Jamie
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PAGE 20 — Addison Independent Special Wedding Section, Monday, October 19, 2015
Addison Independent Special Wedding Section, Monday, October 19, 2015 201 — PAGE 21
That special moment
Brit and Jamie
’
.
Anneka and Daniel “Our first look at each other before the ceremony was such a high. We had both been running around all day, and so taking the time to just be together was so grounding and emotional. It really helped us connect to why we were there, and relieved some of our wedding jitters. Our photographer captured some of our favorite pictures during that time.” –Anneka
Christina and Dan “Every moment of the wedding was incredible. Everyone helped with everything and it was the most beautiful day. We loved dancing all night. We loved sitting around the campfire. We loved hearing friends speak. We loved being surrounded by so much love.” –Christina
Lindsay and Jonathan “When I reached Jon after walking down the aisle, he turned to me and whispered, ‘This is way more fun than I thought it would be!’ We both felt like all our pre-wedding nerves had suddenly lifted and we were so happy to be standing next to each other. All the other planning details didn’t matter anymore.” –Lindsay
Abby and Aaron Amanda and Brandon “Our wedding day turned out to be the wedding of our dreams. The rain held out and we had an outside ceremony with the reception at the Old Lantern. Peonies and baby’s breath, rustic surroundings along with all of our dear friends and family. Truly a day to remember.” –Amanda
“Our ceremony was the most special to us. We both wanted something personal and unique. My grandfather officiated and we had decided not to share our vows until that day. Aaron is quick-witted so I shouldn’t have been shocked when he joked and incorporated funny memories that had everyone laughing. We both mentioned the same things in our vows, which to me showed how much we know and love each other… his love for grilled cheese and guns followed by my boot obsession seemed to be a trend even in our toasts.” –Abby
“Getting married in a field, among the grapevines at Lincoln Peak Vineyard, was an intimate setting with the people we loved standing around us. Our pastor, Mary Kay Schueneman, was friendly and personable, and had people laughing and crying during our ceremony. We will always remember the sincerity of our vows and commitment to each other, and how amazing it felt to be surrounded by so many wonderful, loving people who had traveled such great lengths to celebrate with us.” –Brit
Abby and Mitchell “The morning of our wedding we walked with our families to the top of Snake Mountain. Arriving to the summit and looking out over the Champlain Valley was a moment we’ll never forget. It’s the most beautiful view in the world. We all spent time talking together and laughing as a new family group. Right as we were standing up to head down the mountain, a small Cessna plane buzzed right over our heads. It was so close we all waved and could see the pilot waving back. It wasn’t anyone we knew, but it was a great rush of excitement and everyone loved it.” –Abby
PAGE 22 — Addison Independent Special Wedding Section, Monday, October 19, 2015
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Why we chose a Vermont wedding
Abby and Mitchell Christina and Dan Christina Winkler and Dan Dunning met while students at Middlebury College in the mid-2000s, but did not start dating until a few years after graduating when they were both living in Portland, Ore. The couple had been together five years and got engaged while vacationing in Joshua Tree National Park in California in March of 2014. Having grown up in Middlebury and having attended college here, Winkler could not imagine a better place to tie the knot; luckily, Dunning was happy to agree. Their wedding was held at Common Ground Center in Starksboro. “We rented the campground for the whole weekend, with guests staying on site, so we got to spend three days surrounded by the most amazing people,” Winkler said. “It was completely beautiful and wonderful. It was our goal to be able to really connect with everyone who came to celebrate, so being able to have the camp for the weekend and have people stay on site was super appealing. We also were able dance all night!”
Abby Lovshin-Smith and Mitchell Watson met through friends while both were living in Atlanta, Ga., almost seven years ago. “We both went to a happy hour, got on the topic of music and upcoming concerts, and football, and we’ve been together ever since,” Abby recalled. The engagement was a total surprise to Abby. It was her birthday in November of 2014, and Mitchell came downstairs and sat on the couch next to her. “He said to me, ‘Do you want your birthday present now?’ and I said ‘Oh… you got me something?’ He then started saying he couldn’t decide if he should get me a trip, or get me something for my new car, then he said, ‘Instead I decided to get you a ring because I was wondering if you’d marry me?’” Abby grew up in Middlebury and has a deep connection to the area, as well as family still here. The couple wanted their wedding to be an amazing Vermont experience. “We invited only immediate family to attend, keeping it small to allow us to plan some fun activities,” Abby said. “We got married in my parents’ back yard, outside of the house I grew up in. It was simple and pretty.”
Behind the lens
Abby and Aaron: Photos by Darcie Heitmann from Magoo + Loo Photoworks Abby and Mitchell: Photos by Tim Joy Amanda and Brandon: Photos submitted by Amanda Craft Anneka and Daniel: Photos by Madeline Druce Brit and Jamie: Photos by Birke Photography Christina and Dan: Photos by Terra Lange Photography Lindsay and Jonathan: Photos by Gretchen Powers Film & Photo
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Anneka and Daniel Anneka Werner-Gavrin and Daniel Klein live in Brooklyn, N.Y., but Anneka grew up in Addison County and the couple enjoys weekend escapes to the quiet peacefulness of Vermont as often as possible. They met through a mutual friend who had an inkling that they would get along. She was right. While the proposal itself was a surprise, the couple had decided earlier that year that a wedding was in their near future and had picked out a ring together. “Dan proposed during a camping trip in Maryland, on a beautiful spring hike,” Anneka recalled. “We knew pretty much right away that we wanted a full weekend wedding in Vermont,” Anneka said. “We loved Common Ground Center because we were able to host all our guests’ onsite in cabins, and offered a variety of great spaces for our guests to enjoy a beautiful, sun-drenched weekend.”
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PAGE 24 — Addison Independent Special Wedding Section, Monday, October 19, 2015
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