Vermont Vows Magazine

With nearly two decades in the industry, Carrie Macmillan-Lane of Storied Events provides her couples with a stellar wedding experience.

The team here at Vermont Vows and WellWed Magazines couldn't be happier with the success of last Saturday's Vermont Wedding Affair! Record-setting numbers of eager attendees had a chance to mingle and meet with some of the state's finest wedding professionals, getting a great head-start on planning while having some carnival-themed fun along the way!

At last year's Vermont Wedding Affair, the talented Cynthea Hausman of Cynthea's Spa provided fabulous makeup for our models who walked in the bridal couture fashion show while Justin of Justin Cruz Salon created gorgeous Marie Antoinette-inspired hair. Check out our behind the scenes shots of last year's ladies - their hair and makeup is amazing! This coming Saturday, November 6th, Cynthea and Justin will be exhibiting their talent once more at this year's event, providing hair and makeup for the runway show, which is sure to be an extraordinary display of beautiful bridal couture.

"I love cake, I really do," says Irene Maston, owner/founder of Irene's Cakes by Design. Her passion dates back to an Easy-Bake Oven and a neighbor who loved to bake. Later, Maston attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and went on to work with award-winning European pastry chefs before opening a restaurant and catering venture with her husband, Michael.

One of Vermont's most experienced and respected wedding pros - Tara Pollio, owner of Tara Pollio Floral-Event Design - offers a "backstage" glimpse into the planning, creative decision-making, and plain hard work that went into creating a "winter wonderland" reception for the wedding of Lindsay Barnes and Maxwell Wilcox last February at Magic Mountain Ski Area in Londonderry, Vermont.

Calling herself "The Parsonne," the feminine form of "Parson," Annie Alexander-Kramer honors a proud tradition. "In the olden days," she says, "the parson would go town to town at different times of the year to marry people and perform baptisms. That's sort of what I'm doing by traveling for ceremonies throughout the state."

Nancy Jeffries-Dwyer of Njoy Events knows that no detail is too small when it comes to planning a wedding fit for a king (and queen).

When Nancy Jeffries-Dwyer says she'll go to any lengths to make a wedding perfect for the bride and groom, she means it.

When it comes to wedding decorations, experience counts for a lot, whether it's uncovering bargains or dealing with the unexpected. Nancy Murray of A Schoolhouse Garden is one floral designer who knows how to find the best for her brides.

*Be flexible about seasonal blooms. Remember that seasonal blooms may have higher demand, making them more expensive than other flowers might be. Trust your designer to offer lower-priced alternatives.

Debbie LaFramboise, owner of Sewly Yours & Once Upon a Bride in Burlington, Vermont, has been offering exquisite custom, vintage, and fine designer bridal wear since 2001. When you walk through the doors of her shop, it becomes apparent why LaFramboise's boutique is one of Vermont's premier bridal-wear establishments.

When Newton Wells of Peak Entertainment enrolled in the Environmental science and Natural resource program at Johnson State College, he didn't expect that 14 years later he'd be making music at Vermont weddings.

Belinda Norris, owner of Belinda Norris Events, knows a lot about weatherproofing for a wedding.  As an event planner, she is always thinking about the big picture. Here are a few of Belinda's tips on how to plan for your memorable wedding:

*Check references. If you plan your own wedding, having reliable vendors is key. Talk to other brides to find the most experienced and trustworthy professionals you can.

Putting a new, spicy twist on the tried and true is the essence of Matthew Pearsall and Maggie Barch's business and their relationship. Former high school sweethearts and now co-owners of Vermont's Spice of Life Catering, Matthew and Maggie offer innovative interpretations of traditional menus, along with easy and interactive menu planning, and an awareness that each one of us is unique, with different tastes, styles and needs.