Vermont Vows Magazine

Did you know that the average American wedding produces 800 pounds of garbage?

Emily Anderson, author of Eco-Chic Weddings, encourage brides to think about "the repurposeful wedding;" seeing how many things from your wedding can be used again. If you're buying fabric for tables or other decor, think about colors and patterns you can use in your home later, refashioned as curtains or pillowcases, for example.

A candy apple bar brings a touch of old-fashioned charm to any reception. Think decadent caramel and delicious toppings like butterscotch chips, chopped nuts, and toasted coconut to top off the good times! If setting up a candy apple bar sounds a little too "labor intensive" - yet you want your guests to take home a "taste" of Fall - check out Hammond's Candies. Since 1920 they have been making tempting treats with true craftsman ship.

There's hardly a better time than the fall harvest season to bring local color and natural decorative elements into your overall wedding design scheme.

 Late-season local sunflowers lend a glow to autumnal bouquets, and fall produce such as pumpkins, squash, and apples make sculptural centerpieces. Add some straw bales, dried cornhusks, and perhaps a scarecrow or an antique milk can - and don't forget a splash of festive fall leaves from right outside the barn door! Harvest time in Vermont offers riches for the eye and the palate alike.

Whether you're a DIY bride or need help creating your vision, these tips from some of our favorite wedding professionals can guide you on your way.

1) Summer is the perfect time for bold color choices. "Think ocean-blue dresses with seasonal flowers in every color from yellow to orange to red and magenta," suggests Alison Ellis of Floral Artistry.

More and more brides who value the health of our planet are choosing to express themselves by making sustainable wedding choices. You can find lots of ideas for a greener wedding. Pick what works for you-and feel good about it!

One way to reduce your wedding's burden on the planet is by avoiding unnecessary one-time purchases. Rather than specifying a particular bridesmaid dress, "give them a color palette and let them pick a dress they'll want to wear again or one they already have," suggests Kate Harrison, author of The Green Bride Guide.

Preparing for outdoor wedding photography can prove a bit challenging, but with these tips, you'll be on your way to perfect photos with even more beautiful backdrops!

Here, some tips from a few of Vermont's most celebrated and seasoned wedding professionals on staying toasty, fabulous looking, and unflustered during outdoor photo shoots.

There's always something new to discover in Vermont, and there is no better way to keep the memory of this picturesque state alive then with a handcrafted treasure from a local artisan. Whether you're looking for a bridesmaids gift or a favor, there's a Vermont-made item for you. With so many choices, it can be hard to narrow things down - to help get you started, we offer this list of some of our new favorites.

From florists to cake makers to photographers, the best way to ensure that you're working with true professionals that "get you" is to sit down and meet with them, the old-fashioned way: face-to-face.

More excellent tips from the wedding pros on planning:

-Meet your photographer. Even if you've fallen in love with a photographer's style, make sure you also like the actual photographer. You'll be spending a lot of time together on your wedding day, after all!

Confused about wedding etiquette in the 21st century? We turned to Anna Post to lay down the law for the modern bride; even in the modern era, some essential values remain.

To have a fabulous reception today involves more than choosing a venue, planning the menu, hiring musicians or a DJ, and arranging for cake and decorations. Here are some helpful tidbits:

Whether restored to like-new condition, or majestically weathered by time and the elements, there is something about a barn that speaks to us. With their elegant post and beam architecture, ancient wood, and soaring ceilings, barns possess an undeniable poetry - they are truly the cathedrals of the countryside. No wonder so many couples marrying in Vermont choose a barn as the site for their celebration.

{1} Vintage styles are popular now because they give your wedding a timeless look that won't feel dated when you look back at your wedding photos on your tenth anniversary.

{2} If you're having trouble coming up with an idea for your bouquet, bring a picture of your dress to your florist, suggests Allison Ellis of Floral Artistry.

With so much information literally at your fingertips, it's no surprise that more and more brides and grooms like you are going online to start their wedding planning process. But no matter how thoroughly you investigate details or options online, there's still no substitute for real-world footwork.

Here are some tips from the wedding pros on planning:

- Plan it out. Besides meeting with wedding professionals, leave yourselves time to shop, eat, and check out places and activities that might appeal to your guests.