I think if you convince yourself that it’s going to rain, snow, or hail on your wedding, you’ll turn out with the most beautiful weather you can imagine for your wedding. That’s what Allie did anyway… For months leading up to the wedding, she had convinced herself that it would rain on her wedding day. Turns out that May 24th came along, and the sun was shining. The weather couldn’t have been better, and it set the scene for the beautiful celebration ahead.

When I arrived, I was greeted by Allie with the biggest hug & smile. Before last October, I didn’t know Allie & J. They found me online and we met for a drink so we could meet & chat all things wedding photography. Little did I know, I would be meeting friends. We had their engagement session at the Vermont State House (Did you miss it? See it HERE) and they baked me a loaf of challah bread and made me feel like the most loved wedding photographer on the planet. Their caring & kind nature carried all the way through their wedding day. They were constantly checking in with me to make sure I was okay (to which I usually responded, “Me?! How are YOU doing? You’re the ones getting married!). But that’s just Allie & J… they are seriously two of the most kind-hearted folks I’ve ever met. As I was getting ready to leave, I got this feeling of sadness that their engagement session & wedding had come to an end and I had no photography-related reason to see them again in the near future. But we promised to remain friends and meet up for drinks & meals when we’re passing through each other’s towns! Allie & J… I’m going to hold you to that :)

Below you’ll find a true day of celebration from start to finish. Their beautiful decor in the barn was all designed by Allie’s aunt, who hand picked all the decor & designed all the table decorations from scratch! Everything from the table decor to the bridesmaids dresses were perfectly mismatched.

My 3 Favorite Things About Their Wedding:

1. Allie displayed beautifully what I truly believe– that your wedding should be yours. Not what you think it should be or is what other people what, but make it your own. Wearing a traditional wedding gown was not for her, so Allie rocked a knee-length dress with blue boots and she couldn’t have looked more beautiful.

2. The Food. Oh my gosh, the pizza was scrumptious. The pizza was wood-fired from Woodbelly Pizza and they brought the pizzas out as they were ready (coming fresh from the oven) and guests could eat as they please. Although, I quickly learned, if you weren’t there within the first 30 seconds of the pizza being put down, you’d probably have to wait for the next to come out (hence the crowd around the pizza table). It was that good. Second only to the pizza was the massive dessert potluck that they had. Guests brought all different kinds of desserts, creating a mouth-watering display of treats. I take no responsibility for hunger experienced when looking at these photos below.

3. All of the homemade touches really made this day theirs. All of the decor in the barn was done from scratch by Allie’s aunt. Allie wore her mom’s bracelet. J made the chuppah that they exchanged vows under. All of the dessert was provided by friends & family. All of the DIY details contributed to the day just being a true celebration of Allie & J.

If you are even remotely considering an unplugged wedding, DO IT! It made an unbelievable difference in the presence of the guests during the ceremony. As you look at the photos of the ceremony below notice what you don’t see… iPhones & cameras in the aisle & the air. Just happy guests witnessing Allie & J commit their lives to one another.

A group of Allie’s friends sang, “I Can See Clearly Now” as she walked down the aisle to J. It was nothing short of perfect as they sang, “It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day.”

Probably a highlight of my wedding season… the day before Memorial Day I got to share a dance with Charlie, a WWII veteran who was very light on his feet :)

Of course I had to get in for a photo with the bride & groom– thank you Allie & J for inviting me to document your wedding!

VENDOR CREDIT

Venue: Inn at Mountain View Farm

Florist: Spring Hill Designs 

Hair & Makeup: Colour By Candace

Bride’s Dress: Eliza J from Nordstrom

Bride’s Boots: Lord & Taylor

Catering: Woodbelly Pizza

Second Photographer: Laci Frazier Photography