I was lucky enough to start my November off with Steph and Adam’s late autumn Woodstock Inn wedding. It was a nearly perfect Saturday; the air was crisp, the sun was shining, and even though peak foliage had come and gone, the trees around the inn were still speckled in orange. Wanting to aim for the thick of foliage season, Vermont wedding photographers get bombarded with wedding inquiries for October – and more often than not, clients turn away at the thought of being photographed in November. They want an abundance of color in the trees and shy away from November’s reputation of being more muted and full of neutrals, no matter how many times I explain how beautiful November light can be. (November in New England provides a truly stunning backdrop, but that’s a soapbox for another blog post.) Lucky for me, Steph and Adam chose November to honor the month that they first met, and they celebrated with a vibrant and beautiful day!
A Woodstock Inn Wedding: The Recap
Though Steph and Adam live in Connecticut, Adam’s parents own property in nearby Quechee, Vermont so the couple chose a Woodstock Inn wedding to celebrate their nuptials. When I arrived at the Woodstock Inn, Steph was celebrating with her closest friends and family in the bridal suite. I could easily tell from the get-go that I’d be surrounded by a FUN crowd for the day. I was able to steal Steph away for some quiet moments upstairs, and those moments led to some of my favorite bridal portraits of the season. Meanwhile, Adam held down the fort on the ground level with friends and family, watching football and soaking in the early moments of the day. By early afternoon, we ventured just steps away from the Inn to Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church for their ceremony. Following a rallying huddle with his groomsmen on the front steps, Adam walked in and patiently awaited his bride at the end of the aisle. Steph was escorted into the church by her godfather. Her biological father, whose picture hung delicately from her bouquet in remembrance, walked with her in spirit.
After the ceremony, we wandered to the courtyard behind Woodstock Inn to start their portrait session. From there, we adventured across the Woodstock green and, lastly, to the town’s covered bridge during the late afternoon light (scroll to see some stunning golden hour light).
Steph and Adam then returned to their guests at the Inn and mingled at cocktail hour for a while before receiving a standing ovation during their introduction into the reception. They dove right into their first dance, complete with both a dip AND a lift. Speeches and dances followed throughout the course of dinner. Due to her father’s passing, Steph’s brother led her through a father-daughter dance, leaving nearly every guest – and photographer – in the room with a misty eye. When the dance floor opened up, Big City Wedding Band kept the elbow-to-elbow crowd moving, capping off the big day perfectly.
A Woodstock Inn Wedding: The Couple
Steph and Adam are as much alike as they are different. She’s laid back, while he’s more structured and organized. She’s always freezing, and he’s always too hot. She thinks “Goldfish and M&Ms are an acceptable dinner meal” while he loves to cook. But perhaps the most astonishing difference? She’s a Steelers Fan and he roots for the Packers. *gasp!* Luckily, that friendly rivalry sparked conversation in a Boston sports bar years before, and as they say, the rest is history! They enjoy watching sports together, going away for ski weekends, and playing board games at home. Despite their differences, Steph and Adam love all of the same activities, and as I could tell instantly – each other.
Thanks again, you two, for hosting the perfect Woodstock Inn wedding! I wish you all the adventures, friendly rivalry, and love you could hope for!
A Woodstock Inn Wedding: Sneak Peeks!
And lastly, a few kind words from Steph and Adam:
“Jenna: I have sat down so many times to write this and I still don’t know if I have all the words to say just how grateful I am to have had you by my side on our wedding day.
Your energy, spirit, kind nature, and talent are remarkable. It’s so refreshing to be surrounded by someone who is doing what they’re passionate about and loves doing it at the same time.
Thank you for calming my nerves when I let my internalized anxiety get the best of me, and for turning that moment into some of the most raw and beautiful photos. You are an incredible person, both Adam and I feel like better people knowing you. Your photos came out amazing and I still get so many compliments.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Vendor Shoutouts
Florals: I Do Flowers – East Hampton
Venue/Catering/Dessert: Woodstock Inn
Second Photographer: The Great Blue Photo Co
Band: Big City Wedding Band
Hair/Makeup: Hillary Fay Studios
Dress: Essence of Australia
Bridesmaids Dresses: Dessy Group
Jewelry/Rings: Longs Jewelers
If you’re interested in learning more about photography for your Woodstock Inn wedding, click here.
For more Vermont wedding inspo like this Woodstock Inn Wedding, check out my Ultimate Wedding Guide here!
