Real Wedding: Alice & Hunter
Band: The Detonators
Cake: Jen Davis
Floral Design: In Full Bloom
Tent: Sperry Tents
Transportation: Classic Limo Service
For Alice and Hunter, the idea of love at first sight was more than just a tired cliché or wishful thinking: it was real. The couple met in Colorado after Alice’s sophomore year at Middlebury College. She had driven to Colorado from Vermont with her best friend, and the two had plans to stay in Denver for the summer. During the cross-country drive, Alice’s friend mentioned she had an old childhood friend, Hunter, and she had a feeling they would get along. It turned out she was right. The two met on Alice’s second night in Denver, and it was as if they were instantly in love. “We started dating a week or two after, and even though I lived in Vermont and Hunter in Colorado, we knew we were meant to be together,” says Alice.
The couple dated long distance for two years while she finished school, and as soon as Alice graduated, she moved to Colorado to be with Hunter. It wasn’t long before they had purchased a house and adopted a cat, ecstatic to have finally been permanently reunited. Although the couple had discussed marriage fairly often, Alice admits that the proposal was a little unexpected. When she came home exhausted after a long day of work, Hunter surprised her with a romantic dinner set for two. After they had finished eating, Alice says, “He got down on one knee and asked me if I would love him forever.” Thrilled, she said yes before accepting his grandmother’s ring, honored to have a treasured family heirloom that perfectly symbolized their love.
Though they lived full time in Colorado, Alice and Hunter knew right away they would be married in Vermont. “The rolling hills, winding dirt roads, colorful maple trees, and ever-changing views of Lake Champlain always make me feel right at home,” says Alice, who spent most of her childhood years in the Green Mountain State. Once they had decided on their destination, the two embarked on planning, ultimately envisioning an intimate day that showcased their personalities. “We wanted to make the day very personal, creating a ceremony that was a reflection of us and not simply the standard,” says Alice.
The day of their wedding, the sun shone brightly on the lake and surrounding mountains through the windows of the chapel. The bride walked down the aisle to a string rendition of “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney, one of her favorite songs. They began the ceremony by reciting Alice’s grandmother’s favorite prayer, the Shehecheyanu, which encourages offerings of thanks for new and unusual experiences — an appropriate sentiment for Alice and Hunter’s remarkable love. Their mutual friend who had originally introduced the couple read a beautiful passage she had written on the meaning and promise of marriage. Alice and Hunter were then married under a chuppa that Alice’s parents had crafted using birch trees cut from her grandmother’s farm.
Following the ceremony, guests arrived at the Crandall Farm, Alice’s parent's residence, ready to celebrate. In lieu of champagne, everyone was encouraged to drink homemade mead, or honey wine. It had been made by Alice’s uncle in honor of the old tradition of newlyweds drinking honey wine for the first month of marriage. Needless to say, guests were more than happy to oblige.
Looking back, Alice can easily call to mind her favorite moment of the day. She and Hunter were newly married, on the way to their reception, and enjoying a quiet moment of solitude, “It was surreal, exhilarating, and wonderful.” Just as the Shehecheyanu suggests, it’s likely that Alice and Hunter will be offering thanks for many years to come. After all, it’s not every day that you find true love at first sight.
Alice & Hunter's Advice
#1 Don’t get hung up on the small details - the only person who is going to notice that something didn’t go exactly as planned is you!
#2 Incorporate as many personal elements as you can. In the end, it makes the day that much more special & memorable to both you & your guests.