A fairy tale wedding

 

" If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?"  ( Alice in Wonderland)

On a lovely summer day I was blessed to be apart and help create a new journey into a wonderful couples wedding and travel down down down the tunnel with Alice (Jenny) the bride herself! What a great couple, full of energy, character and ideas galore. A party that knew how to celebrate with Top Hats and all. 

As the owner and event planner of VT Enchanted Events I have to say getting into character with this event was so much fun! 

Vendors present:
VT Enchanted Events
The Ponds at Bolton Valley
Kim Martin Photography
Supersounds DJ 
A School House Garden 

xoxo

VT Enchanted Events

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Preferred VS Exclusive

As a wedding planner I wanted to write about the differences between the preferred vs exclusive vendor. It is my job as your planner to find a great match that suits you the bride & groom. Not only must the wedding vendor be able to work within your budget but for me they must be able to understand your wedding style, your thought process, and mesh well with you as a couple. Finding these matches are sometimes easy as pie, while other times it can be very difficult, because we all know that we have different personalities and some of them clash.

So now that I have found the "potential" vendor matches for you I also at the same time need to make sure all these vendors are a good match for each other.  I often times think of cupid with an arrow and say to myself, OK Jackie,  shoot and aim for a bulls-eye! This is where the "preferred" vendors for me come into play.  Let's start with the meaning first. Preferred simple means,  these are the vendors that we love to work with because we have done an immense amount of work with them in the past. I know that they are an incredible team and will not only have each others backs but our bride & groom will walk away unbelievably happy!

 I have a set list of people ready to go, I have 2-3 DJ's 3 florists,  2-3 photographers  and so on. With each client if one of my preferred vendors match, and 99% of the time they do I send them your way. Now onto the exclusive vendor. When you sign with an amazing venue like the Inn at Essex, well you will not need a Caterer, as they are the exclusive caterer and as they should be, some of the best food I have had! What exclusive means is that you the bride & groom are not allowed to bring in certain wedding vendors of your choice, this can be a great thing or this can be a bad thing it all depends on you the client.

I had the privilege this past Oct to work with Pigeon Hill Farm, they did not only the catering, but also the floral design and I walked away so impressed beyond words that they are now a preferred vendor! There are other places where you really want to choose your own caterer do to personal choice, financial cost, or a host of other reasons- to this I say when choosing a venue that works "exclusively" be mindful and ready to work with only their team, make sure your personality matches along with the vendors that you may be allowed to bring in.

One of the many things that I love about Vermont is the fact that so many of us work so well together! However, you need to still do your homework brides & grooms the old adage of you get what you pay for really does apply.

Here is just some of our preferred vendors!
Creative Muse Floral: http://www.creativemusevt.com
Jonathan Couture Photography: http://www.jcouturephoto.com
Supersounds DJ: http://www.supersounds.com
Truly Noted: http://www.vermonttent.com
Caketopia Cakes: http://caketopiacakes.com
Vermont Tent Company: http://www.vermonttent.com/
The Barn at Boyden Farm: http://www.boydenfarm.com
Kim Martin Photography: http://www.kimmartinphoto.com/
Just weddings- just beautiful flowers: http://www.justweddingsvt.com/index2.php
Weddings Tents & Events: http://www.weddingstentsevents.com/
The Wooden Spoon Catering: http://www.woodenspoon-vt.com/
3 Squares Catering: http://www.3squarescafe.com/catering

photo by http://www.jcouturephoto.com

xoxo
VT Enchanted Events

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Vermont Wedding Warriors

 This past Sept at the ye olde England Inn was my first ever military giveaway.My inspiration came from hearing emotional stories from our local military servicemen and women. My thoughts were to create an opportunity where the Vermont wedding industry could give back to the community as a whole. What better way than a wedding to celebrate the families, their love and support.!

What I did not know would happen was the overwhelming response from the VT wedding and non wedding community. Crickett Polis, of Polis Photography said it best, “wedding warriors unite”, and unite we did. Like a family coming together, twenty-seven wedding and non-wedding vendors pulled all our resources and created a wonderful wedding for a couple who thought a wedding for them was near impossible.

The Story of Kelly & Shawn was submitted with many other stories from amazing couples, but their story touched our entire panel so much so that it was with out a doubt, the winner of the contest. It had such depth and character. The story not only made me cry but had the other vendors saying, “this is the couple”! 

            As a wedding planner, it is my job to go on a journey with each of my couples, to capture their vision and see it through. With this wedding, it was so much more. Twenty- Seven other wedding and non-wedding professionals went on an incredible journey with me and the couple! Shawn Lane, our groom told me that, “the military is about family, sticking together, and being proud”. All I can think is,  this is what the Vermont wedding industry is all about to! This is Vermont!

            Not one of us hesitated to jump on board for this event, Matt Richardson, from BearPond Productons said, “Were not doing this for the exposure, were doing this because it’s the right thing to do!” This is why I love Vermont, why I love being a wedding planner, and most of all why I love working with these amazing wedding warriors!

            Kelly’s and Shawn Story brought us all together in different ways because it had love, sacrifice, and unity in it.  

 The big day finally arrived and my heart was pounding. I swear I think I might  have been just as excited as the bride and groom! For me I am usually very focused and straight to the task, this time I felt a strong calmness over me, and felt very much at ease, as I knew that all the vendors were now a part of my extended family and will never be forgotten. This gave me such a since of pride and joy. I knew that we as a team would make this wedding happen.  As with every wedding, there are hiccups; as our proud groom would say, but we did not skip a beat and with swift execution from start to finish a beautiful wedding emerged and a new journey began for an amazing couple.

I want to thank all the vendors for participating with me in this journey as without you this would not have happened! Because of this we now will be doing another military giveaway- called A Salute to our Soldiers.. with a Vermont winter wedding next year on Dec 15th, 2013 at The Mountain Top Inn & Resort with vendors from this year and some brand new vendors!! 

            Hoorah!

Xoxo

Jackie Watson

VT Enchanted Events

Weddings & Events Planner

The amazing Vendors that participate in this event were: 

 Ashley Moran, Bear Pond Productions, Cynthea's Spa, Ethan Allen Coach Works, Green Mountain Photo booth, Green Mountain Photo shows, Green Top Market, Jay View Wedding Flowers,Jonathan Couture Photography, Keepsakes by Nana, Kim Edwards, Lisa Carlson, Mary Kay by Linda Leu, Polis Photography, Sarah's Weddings by Betty's Flower Basket, Soldiers Angels Group, Sweet Crunch Bake Shop, The Smuggler's Notch Inn, Top Notch Resort & Spa, Supersounds DJ Co., Truly Noted, Uncle George's Flowers, Vermont Bride Magazine, VT Enchanted Events, VIP Consulting, ye old England Inn, and Weddings, Tents & Events.

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The search for the Great White Gown

Let the hunt begin ladies! Slip on, strap on, and wiggle into all those various white wedding gowns

that you now get to look at. Since I was a little girl I wanted the epic gown with the cathedral train, the princess body frame and the sparkling crown to boot.  

photo by Crystal Young

Of course not everyone is like me and even now my taste has changed and if I had the chance I would look at something entirely different! You have the mermaid, strapless, Halter, A-line, ballgown and an array of others but how do you know what will look best on you. Where do you begin? Well here is a link that will help with your body shape and the styles that will look good! http://www.impressionbridal.com/style-guide.html

Now onto some pictures of my favorite designers and trends that I think are HOT HOT HOT!

Ella Gown 

Essence of Australia Gown

Wtoo Gown 

• Essence of Australia Gown

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A Winter Wonderland in Vermont

 While many of you dream of a spring or summer wedding- a winter wedding should not go unrecognized in our great state. Hmm, let me see if I can paint you a picture.  Imagine yourself inside a wonderful warm venue with a fireplace glowing. How about having your guests arrive by a sleigh ride and being handed a cup of hot cider or cocoa to warm them as they await your ceremony. 

Your colors could be a wide assortment starting with the palest of pinks to the lush reds of roses. You could do beautiful blue hues and whites that scream winter in Vermont with candles surrounding every aspect of your ceremony and reception. Be a little playful and add the jolly cheer that comes with Saint Nick as he is always near! Put a spring in your wardrobe with a lovely winter muff or even a hair piece that looks like ice crystals. 

 A winter wonderland wedding in Vermont is not cold at all; but it is warm and inviting, romantic and loving. It is the heart of who you are as a couple, just as a spring or summer wedding, except there is snow on the ground in which if your brave enough- you can have a snowball fight after the festivities or build a snowman or two!

xoxo
VT Enchanted Events

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Matchmaker make me a match!

                                              Photo by Ampersand photography 



Do you remember the first time that you and your soon to be husband had that instant connection? You know the little twinge you got in your belly, or the smile that came over your face just because? It was The Right Connection!
 This is what you want, more or less, when choosing your vendors. No, you do not have to fall head over heels for them, or have that flame burn bright; but you should have a good working chemistry and a feeling of this is the right choice. 

As you probably have already figured out there are wedding vendors galore in Vermont. You have the wide variety of DJ’s, bands, soloist, and a whole assortment of other music professionals. Then you have all the different caterers and bars that can put together amazing presentations of food, wine, and spirits. There are the many rental companies that will be knocking at your door with an unlimited number of ideas of what you can do for your wedding with all the linens, china, and glassware patterns. A bit over whelmed yet?
 I know I was. I can remember as a bride way back when... and sitting down looking at all these vendors and wondering, how do I choose just one for our wedding. That is where you need to stop, breath, and take a step back.  Before you even begin to look for a vendor a bride and groom should know a few things. Get your pen and paper ready!

1) Budget- know it well as now is the time it will come into play and do not be afraid to say that is too much to a vendor, talk-negotiate brides and grooms!

2) Know your likes and dislikes and do not be afraid to say to a vendor you are not for me

3) Write down your favorite colors, textures, foods, and shapes this will help in the design process.

Now that you have those three little tips let's go back to the vendor list. Do a pro and cons list. Do not just pick the first vendor you see. If you want the venue of your dreams then expect booking a year ahead, same with a DJ and a photographer.  When talking with all the vendors be up-front, and let them know what your all about. See if it’s the “right connection”. My advice, and you certainly do not have to take it, is to go with a vendor that understands you best, that loves what they do and meshes with not only you're wedding but you as a couple.

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Twas the night before the wedding

The day and the night before your wedding is a whirlwind of fun, chaos, pampering, rehearsals and lots of laughter filled with family and friends. It is also a time of high emotions mixed with the jitters and complete and utter bliss.

As a couple you’re getting ready to step into a new role as husband and wife, and leave the role of being two separate individuals. You are ready to share your love story with family and friends. You’re ready to take part in your own traditions and the traditions that have been set in place for centuries.     

One such tradition is the ever present bouquet toss. Where did this stem from? Why must a bride throw her flowers over her shoulder to another lovely lady? Would you believe back in the 14^th century, instead of flowers it was pieces of the bridal attire that was taken apart for good luck, then it went into just the floral piece being thrown for luck and now it’s thrown to single women in hopes that they will be the next to get married.  

No matter how old the tradition or how new, each moment that you have at your wedding is cemented in your hearts and minds as it is a part of who you are and what you have become and the journey that you will take.

xoxo

VT Enchanted Events

                                      photo by Spencer Leonard Photography 

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