I asked. You answered. I started to second guess my/our decision. Ha!
Let’s start from the beginning. I asked you which location you thought we were leaning towards for our big day. Here are the results of the poll:
As you can see, with 31 percent of the votes – you thought we choose the Ponds at Bolton Valley. And before we left and for over a year, I think I had on some level. Excluding the family field, which is not only beautiful but 100 percent sentimental, the ceremony spot at the Ponds was by far the best. That picture really speaks for itself! Beautiful. And the resort would allow our guests to stay close by and had lots of options for additional events. But as much as we loved the Ponds, H and I weren’t in love with setting our guests up at the resort for the weekend. It kind of felt secluded, which granted, a lot of Vermont is, but I want to make sure that people get to see more than just one mountain. And, H and I personally thought that the resort was a tad dated, and smelled. Just a little! But we did really like it and I’ve seen lots of beautiful wedding pictures from there. But ultimately, cue Heidi, the Ponds was OUT.
Tying for second place in our poll were the family field in Worcester and the Inn at the Round Barn. The field – part of me feels that if I were to get married in Worcester, in my family’s field, that it would mean that my grandparents are there. That they are as close as possible to being part of the day that I always dreamed they would share with me. The idea of a beautiful tent thrills me. And sadly, even more so, worries me. What if it’s too cold, especially for all of the out-of-staters? Yes we could rent heaters, but would it be enough? Then what if it rained – the inevitable outdoor scenario question. What if the fields were too dewy? OMG, what if there was a frost?! A total possibility! I couldn’t see asking my guests to stomp through fields, though I have willing sled and run through them for years, that could be a big mess. And while we are a family of logistical planners, it would have been a lot more for us to personally worry about. And living over 500 miles away, I just couldn’t commit to to the growing list of “What If?” Though I 100 percent plan to do photos in the field before the ceremony, doing our full event there was out. And it broke my heart to make that decision.
The Inn at the Round Barn was amazing. I think it was actually H’s favorite. The biggest problem for us was that it could hold a max under our invite list, and only had 12 rooms attached – meaning we would need to place our guests at another site. We really like the idea of everything going down at one location, and then giving our guests the option to explore on their own. I almost think that the Round Barn is the perfect place for a non-Vermont couple to have a Vermont wedding, if that makes sense. In fact, the amazing planner we met with (seriously knowledgeable, kind and thorough) told us that the majority of their weddings are destination weddings for non-Vermonters. It was very perfect. Very everything. But ultimately, it wasn’t quite right for us, and thus, it was out.
Coming in last place in your votes, and rightly so, was the West Monitor Barn. While it is a beautifully restored barn and a historitcal site, we were very underwhelmed and could not picture our event taking place there. And it smelled like hippies. OUT.
That leaves us with your third place but our FIRST place winner – Spruce Camp at Stowe Mountain Resort! We – perhaps mostly I – love it. It is the perfect mix of Vermont, with beautiful views of the mountains – hello, it is the base lodge of the ski resort! – and yet modern and new. It is full of beautiful exposed timber beams, lovely windows to take in the view, and nice chairs and tables – which I know should not mean the world, but, I really like! There is so much to say about this beautiful location, why we chose it and why I of course am second guessing said choice, but this post has become MONSTER, so I will tell you all about our winner tomorrow! But not without throwing in a couple more pics of H and I at Spruce Camp!
