Why Vermont Is the Ideal Wedding Destination

Vermont is well-celebrated as a year-round hotspot for nature lovers and foodies, with seasonal active opportunities to hike, jump in a lake, take a walk on a farm, tour an outdoor sculpture park, ride an alpine slide, go fly fishing or ski some of the East Coast’s best terrain. You’ll find plenty of ways to extend the fun of a wedding in Vermont even if you prefer your physical activity by the way of shopping—the state is also home to some of the best farmer’s markets, well, anywhere, as well as QT outlet shopping you won’t want to miss out on.

Whether snow-dusted or surrounded by wildflowers hugging a stream, Vermont is known for its covered bridges—an ideal backdrop for a group wedding party photo. Those visiting in the fall months will find a spectacular display of fiery red, orange and yellow leaves. These leaf-peeping opportunities alone keep domestic and international travelers returning to Vermont on a yearly basis, as do the plenty of opportunities they find to spoil their stomachs.

Even aside from innovative restaurants—many of which are housed directly on farms, in charm-filled historical buildings, and even a brewery in a train station overlooking the Connecticut River or on top of a mountain—the state has become seriously synonymous with good eats. Those with a sweet tooth will find summer a particularly good time to try a Vermont creemee, soft-serve ice cream that’s thick, rich and often maple-flavored. If maple isn’t your thing, most creemee stands have other flavors, sometimes up to 100. Time to plan a creemee stand tour, stat.

Couples choosing Vermont for their wedding may want to consider integrating local offerings, whether during the main event or a postnuptial brunch. Vermont maple syrup brand Runamok Maple, which creates barrel-aged, infused, and smoked maple syrups are sure to be a hit, as will cocktail classics made with Barr Hill Gin. The independent distiller-owned operation produces their spirit with raw honey and the state-of-the-art facility—which is also home to a dedicated craft cocktail bar—can be visited in Montpelier.

An experience in its own right, and a must for any visitor, the Marble House is a beautiful estate with gardens, fountains, and artistic flair, thanks to the residency program that attracts top-tier talent from all over to work, live and collaborate with one another. The spring-fed swimming pool, splendid fields and organic farm will intrigue attendees, but it’s the photo-worthy Italianate Garden that makes this a fantasy-like choice for couples celebrating their love.

If you’re looking to zero in on a more rustic chic wedding vibe, just one example can be found at Vermont’s Ohana Camp. The traditional family camp doubles as a picture-perfect place to say “I do” thanks to its glittering mountain views overlooking the valley. Guests can take over the property’s main lodge and barn, lakefront and grounds, plus all of the adorable cabins. With recreational activities including boating, kayaking, archery, nature walks, yoga and gnome home exploration (!) this will be a welcomed choice for those couples looking to integrate young children or families into their big day.

Another outstanding Vermont wedding destination to earmark: Inn at the Round Barn Farm. Just go ahead and Google weddings held at this farm to get a sense of all the diverse offerings a couple can dream up for their very own celebration. Indoors, you might fall head over heels for the property’s namesake barn where dark wood beams are wrapped in twinkling lights. Outside, you can imagine floral arches against dramatic backdrops, wooden fences, ponds filled with flowering plants and more luminous lights draped on trees by nightfall. It’s easily one of the best barn wedding destinations in Vermont.

The Green Mountain state is further spoiled with lots of inspiration you’ll want to Pin on your wedding boards. Check out Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm, which looks particularly wondrous blanketed in snow; Hildene, the stately home and grounds built by Robert Todd Lincoln and his wife Mary Harlan Lincoln; An Affair by the Lake, where a gazebo is the focal point over crowd-pleasing Lake Champlain; or, the meticulously restored mansion with a love story of its own, aptly named Chez Nous or “our place” in French. Pro tip: The magical Cedar Circle Farm is another lovely spot to create a custom floral bouquet for your big day. With the help of your wedding party and other guests, this organic farm hosts pick-your-own wedding flower parties as a unique and memorable wedding activity.

The Wilburton, an elegant hilltop estate set on 30 acres in Manchester Village is the ideal setup for a micro-wedding. Built in the early 20th century, it is centered around The Wilburton Mansion, which is filled with many of the original furnishings and paintings from the Gilded Age. With 11 bedrooms, a Billiard Room Bar, solarium-meets-dining room, and awning-covered terrace, it’s easy to see why this dreamy, intimate wedding venue will capture your heart.

You might also find Lady Whistledown leading you to The Wilburton. This summer (July 16-19), they will play host to a Bridgerton-themed event, featuring a lawn party with Regency dances, garden tours, country-themed meals, costume contests, and more.

Located on a separate and private five-acre estate a stone’s throw from The Wilburton, The Battenkill Valley Mansion is a sprawling mansion that can accommodate groups of up to 34 guests. To wow them during a wedding welcome, their team can arrange a bonfire on the grounds, with a romantically lit tiki torch pathway, s’mores and Vermont craft beer, as well as farm-to-table cuisine from the organic family farm, Earth Sky Time Farm. Not too shabby!

Whether it’s a private, secluded garden party, a magical celebration hosted in a historic, Adirondack-style boat house overlooking a pond, or a more classic lawn fête with white folding chairs you’re after, Equinox has all the right spaces and then some. The resort can also accommodate larger wedding parties (220 indoors, 300 outdoors), should you be considering a more robust guest list. As a bonus, the resort is completely pet-friendly, meaning guests can travel with their precious pooch, and couples can even integrate their pets into a ceremony or outdoor wedding events here.