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Freedom To Marry

With Vermont joining a handful of other progressive states in legalizing gay marriage, “Till death do you part” is now a pledge that can be made by all. Here come the brides (and grooms)! Gay or straight the angst, the planning, the worry, the timing... it's all the same.

Cozy On Up!

New to Vermont Tent Company — lounge furniture for your wedding. It’s down-home comfort, just decidedly more posh. For more, go to vttent.com.

Cake Couture

A master of all things flour and fondant, Irene Maston’s wedding cakes are extraordinary. And it’s not just Vermonters who are singing her praises. In a recent national “Dream Wedding and Groom’s Cake Competition,” she placed fifth — no simple feat. Visit irenemaston.com for more information.

Vermont Made

Baby, it’s cold outside, but have no fear – chilly weather makes for delectable dessert wines. Vermont’s premier ice wine producer, Boyden Valley Winery (boydenvalley.com), offers a topnotch selection that will pair beautifully with wedding cake.

Pamper Yourself Pretty

Buff away those wedding-party blues with the only full-service spa in the Burlington area that has been designed to accommodate all of your bridesmaids. Nothing says “I love you” to the girls like indulging in a manicure, pedicure, and facial at the AAA Four Diamond-rated Essex Resort & Spa. For information and a spa services menu: vtculinaryresort.com.

There’s always something new to discover in New York State, 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 New York-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.

{1} Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard’s distinctive wines are dry, crisp, and delicate and are considered one of America’s finest white wines. Their Riesling put the Finger Lakes on the world stage; the vineyard is considered a top U.S. Riesling producer, according to the New York Times. {wiemer.com}

{2} Channel the rustic aroma of the woods with “Woods Potpourri,” made from essential oils and all-natural botanicals, from from The Adirondack Store. {theadirondackstore.com}

{3} Shaver-Hill Farm Olde New England Maple Coffee ranks in the top six percent of beans. The Arabica beans are complimented perfectly by deep maple flavors. This coffee isn’t sweet, but will give guests the warm fuzzies. {shaverhillfarm.com}

{4} Shaver-Hill Farm’s Blueberry Pancake Flour Mix is a simple and special reminder that behind every great cup of coffee is a blueberry pancake. Breakfast is the most important meal; make it a grade-A maple syrup {#7} memory for your guests. {shaverhillfarm.com}

{5} Not all chocolate is Lucky. Lucky’s Hot and Sweet chocolate assortment box, 15 pieces packed gently into a bright-pink box complete with vintage label and organdy ribbon, is a mouthwatering and scorchingly spicy set of truffles. Treat your guests to a 15-alarm fire! {luckychocolates.com}

{6} New York grapes aren’t just good for wines they make great jelly as well. Arbor Hill Winery’s Burgundy Wine Jelly is full of the taste that makes Finger Lakes Burgundy wine famous. This unique jelly will add flavor to any occasion. {thegrapery.com}

{8} Art Bars are born of certified organic, Fair Trade-certified Swiss chocolate crafted by Ithaca Fine Chocolates. Inside each chocolate bar is a replica work of art on a collectible card. Ten percent of the profits benefit art education. {ithacafinechocolates.com}

Lake Placid Lodge knows that weddings can be overwhelming, so much so they've created the perfect answer to avoid the wedding chaos...ELOPE! Their elopement packages offers everything you need to make your "I do's" easy as pie and includes the following:

Accommodations

* Lodge King room, to be upgraded if available

* Complimentary made to order breakfast daily

* All onsite activities o Including bike riding  Kayaking, canoeing, electric boats, Mountain Biking, Yoga on Wednesdays at 8:00am 

Afternoon tea Arrival – Three-night minimum

* Chilled Champagne upon arrival

* Fresh flowers in your room (card may be personalized)

* Thick, luxurious monogrammed robes

* Tandem massage in your room Ceremony

* Beautifully Decorated Adirondack Style Arch

* Bride’s bouquet

* Groom’s boutonniere 

Private post-ceremony Hackercaft Champagne Cruise on Lake Placid Post Ceremony

* Private Dinner in the Wine Cellar, menu created especially for you by our Executive Chef, Kevin McCarthy

* Wine Cellar Dinner to include Sommelier paired wines

* Wedding Cake for two This Elopement Experience is $3,900.00 including three nights’ stay.

What could be easier than that? For more information check out their website here Lake Placid Lodge

Leave it to the Queen of the Adriatic, Venice Italy, to inspire photographer Ira Lippke. Lippke has just returned from the Venice Biennale, where he attended the openings of the internationally renowned art festival and connected with other artists, writers and curators. While taking in the latest in contemporary art, Ira was moved by the grandueur and timelessness of the legendary Italian city - and the fact that is it visibly sinking.

"The light was remarkable - the way it changes so drastically between a passageway to a canal and the massive Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute," Ira recalls. "This city is truly a jewel of human culture. The fact that all this irreplacable beauty is visibly being lost makes me enjoy it all the more. It's like life - Our relationships and the moments we have are even more precious, but are also fleeting. We need to enjoy them and fully engage those we love while we can."

Ira is inspired to remind couples to deeply experience and express themselves in their wedding. "The grandeur and artistic creativity of Venice reinforce my belief that couples should really have a great time with their wedding photography. "Kiss, laugh, cry, connect - openly and without self-conciousness: they make truly remarkable photographs. Italians are so expressive, and I encourage you to express yourself in your photos." Like Venice, your wedding day will be a beautiful, yet passing jewel. Photography that captures the spirit and character of the event will stand the test of time and help you continue to celebrate love, beauty, and passion!" For more information, visit www.iralippkestudios.com

Making sure your wedding invitations are just right can be a grueling process. Bella Carta Studio understands this and in order to make the experience easy and efficient for you they're pleased to announce the launch of their newly redesigned custom website, bellacartastudio.com. Bella Carta worked from the ground up with a great web design and production firm, Blend Studios, in Rochester, NY to create this fantastic showcase of their work. The portfolio allows them to show as many of their designs as they want, without limitations of space, and all as a reflection of Bella Carta Studio’s style. One of the most exciting features is the client resource center. Each client is able to easily obtain their design questionnaire and addressing templates, view their proofs online, provide feedback during the design process, and make final approvals on the site. A boon for long long-distance and local brides alike, seamless and secure. Hassle free invitation creation, that's something every bride can appreciate!

Stems is here to reassure you that you don't have to give up what you envisioned for your wedding just because you can't afford it in today's economy. Stems DIY service can be your "virtual" floral and decor designer, offering our resources, information and top design options that you won't be able to get anywhere else without spending a fortune. We personally guide you through every step and all you have to do is the final assembly. Roll up you sleeves and have some fun.

Located in Red Hook, NY, contact Stems at www.stemsinternational.com/ to find out more!

Based out of New York City, Wedding Library Buzz is supported by wedding planners who represent a wonderful group of artists. Posts include information on events in the city, hot tips on stationary, upcoming deals, great finds and much much more. The site has everything a cosmopolitan bride could want. Check it out today!http://weddinglibrarybuzz.blogspot.com/

It's not everyday one of our favorite teams of wedding musicans gets selected to play Carnegie Hall, but indeed it has happened. Two-thirds of the Kende Trio, Crista and Alexis Kende have been asked to play at the illustrious venue. This Juilliard-trained string ensemble provides music for ceremony, cocktails, reception and bridal showers. The past decade, the Kende sisters have added elegance to weddings and private functions in the tri-state area offering classical, romantic, popular repertoire and assistance with all aspects of your musical planning. To contact them for your upcoming wedding call Lisa at lisakende@mac.com for more information. Or to find out more information about their Carnegie performance go to the Carnegie Hall website www.carnegiehall.org

Alexis and Crista Kende

Carnegie Hall Chamber Music Debut

Sunday, March 22, 2009 8:30 p.m.

Carnegie - Weill Recital Hall 57TH ST. AND 7TH AVENUE

Works by: Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart

For ticket information call: Carnegie Hall box office - 212-247-7800