Wendy + Joel
This was another "A Wedding Awaits" elopement we had at the beautiful Boorn Brook Farm in Manchester, Vermont. Wendy and Joel are an extremely busy couple and they were so pleased we could handle their entire elopement from flowers to venue. There is also a rustic, romantic barn at Boorn Brook with a charming master bedroom for the wedding couple should they wish to spend the night there as well.
Annie Alexander-Kramer officiated and Wendy Hybl Fannin was the florist. Boorn Brook Farm was perfect for this weekday elopement and once again the rains held off and it was an absolutely gorgeous day.
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To find out more about Boorn Brook Farm as a full wedding and elopement venue, please view my blog on our stylized bridal photography session there last summer: Boorn Brook Bridal Session and visit their site: Boorn Brook Farm, Manchester, Vermont
With small family weddings and elopements, there is a relaxed and easy feel to the days events and with the perfect venue, time and enchanting locations, we were able to get some amazing photos during the ceremony and the wedding romance photo session that followed.
Boorn Brook has a magnificent mountain back drop for any wedding ceremony, large or small, but since this was just Wendy and Joel, we decided to place the arbor under the maple tree and I do believe that was the perfect spot.
The couple had written vows to read to each other and also decided on a "hand-fasting", the wrapping of their hands with a braided cord. Hand-fasting was, in the simplest of terms, the official wedding of the ancient Celts. Dating back far beyond 7000 B.C. in ancient Ireland, two people who chose to be married were brought together, often on a feast day such as Beltane, and faced each other. With arms extended, they clasped hands and a braided chord or ribbon was wrapped and tied around their hands.
Wendy and Joel also requested a special reading by Annie and then there was the exchange of wedding rings.
Then came the traditional kiss, or in their case "kisses" as Wendy and Joel began their new life together as man and wife!
After the ceremony we walked over to a farm shed to take a few "studio style" wedding photographs. With outbuildings, barns and even garages, it is easy to duplicate this classical style, usually with just the available natural light.
Then we went back to the ceremony site and I continued to photograph Wendy and Joel while they had some fun dancing, walking and enjoying the Vermont sunshine.
From there we took some more wedding photos along the amazing stone wall. Boorn Brook has several such walls as well as a charming walled courtyard for smaller receptions or cocktail hours.
Here are some photos I took of the wedding couple at the pond, which is fully stocked by the way and Jeff, the owner of Boorn Brook gave Wendy and Joel some fish food and let them have a go at feeding the fish.
After that, Wendy and Joel headed out into the woods and made their way to the rushing stream. There are literally miles and miles of trails for exploring, but since we were on the clock we stoped at the stream for some more elopement photos before heading back through the woods.
After some fun down by the stream we took advantage of the setting sun through the woods for a few more wedding photos.
The elopement, romance photo session lasted about an hour and by then we were ready to head back to the barn where Jeff presented Wendy and Joel with a huge bottle of Born Brook farm honey! There is an aviary on the estate and not only do they make delicious honey, there is also Mead which brings back so many memories of winters in England with friends around the Inglenook. The couple then had cake and bubbly in the barn.
Then it was time for a little "alone time" while Wendy and Joel made a toast to their new life together before heading out for their intimate wedding dinner at The Taconic.
vendor list
ceremony and photography venue: Boorn Brook Farm
wedding elopement photographer: Sally Carpenter
wedding officiant: The Parsonne, Annie Alexander-Kramer
flowers: Hybl Fannin Design
Taking all the stress out of your small wedding or elopement is what "A Wedding Awaits" is here for and we have collections including, officiant, photographer and flowers from $1200. Please view my elopement blog "click here" to find out more.