Montpelier, Vermont's small capital city, sits in a state with a strong sense of place, from maple sugaring to covered bridges to a long history of progressive politics. If you are marrying here or nearby, you can weave those local touches into your day and preserve them in a keepsake.
Vermont touches that show up in weddings
Maple is an obvious local favorite. Many couples serve maple treats, give maple syrup as favors or work it into a toast and a dessert. Others use fall foliage, wool, wood and locally grown flowers as part of the decor.
Covered bridges are another icon of the state and a popular portrait backdrop. Ask your photographer which bridges and villages are within a short drive of your venue, and plan time to stop for photographs.
Local food and drink are part of the culture, too. Cider, cheese and baked goods from nearby farms often appear on wedding tables, and they make excellent detail photographs for a book.
A place with a history of inclusive weddings
Vermont was the first state to create civil unions, in 2000, and in 2009 it became the first to legalize same-sex marriage through its legislature. Many couples choose Vermont partly because of that history, and the sense of welcome shapes the atmosphere of the weddings held here.
If this history matters to you, consider including it in your keepsake with a short note about why you chose Vermont. It is a meaningful addition that future readers will appreciate.
Small, local and seasonal
Micro weddings and elopements are common in Vermont, where a small town hall, a farm or a forest clearing can be a perfect setting. Montpelier itself offers a compact downtown with historic architecture and the dome of the State House as a distinctive landmark.
Plan for the season. Spring is muddy, summer is green, autumn is brilliant and winter is snowy. Each gives a different look, and each is worth planning with a backup indoor space and warm layers.
Because Vermont is small, the community around a wedding is often tight. Guests may include neighbors, local musicians and friends who helped set up, and a few photographs of the helpers are worth including.
Preserving the details in print
A wedding magazine, at 20 pages and 8.5x11 inches in one of 15 original styles for $70, is a good way to document a small Vermont wedding. Captions can explain the local touches, from the maple favors to the bridge where you took portraits.
For a larger day, an album gives each tradition a spread. Albums start from $240 classic or $275 lay-flat with 15 spreads and a photo cover. Upload photos to the Folio Forever designer, let Smart Auto-Layout arrange them and approve every page.
Sharing the story
Make copies for the people who shaped your day: parents, grandparents, close friends and anyone who traveled. Printing takes 5 to 7 business days after approval, with Express $60, Standard $32 or Economy $12 delivery.
A line written in your own words on the final page, about why Vermont mattered, turns a keepsake into a family record.
Keep a copy for your own home and consider sending one to the town clerk, officiant or venue that made the day possible, as a small thank-you.
Questions to ask before you plan
Check the marriage license process for the town where you will marry, since requirements and timing can vary and it is better to ask the clerk early. Confirm that your officiant is ready, and plan for a witness if one is required.
Then give your photographer a short list of the traditions and places that matter most. With that information, the finished keepsake will feel like a record of your own Vermont story rather than a generic album.
Questions
Can I add text and captions to my book?
Yes, on the Smart Auto-Layout path. You can rearrange and recrop every spread, place text on the page, and approve each one before printing. Text is not saved on the older manual path. Where you want several paragraphs per page, the wedding magazine has editorial text that is yours to rewrite.
Is a magazine or an album better for a small wedding?
A magazine suits a small, story-driven day and is easy to gift, while an album gives a larger set of photos more room.
Planning an album from your Montpelier photos? Design it online; you approve every page before it prints. See wedding album sizes and prices or the 20-page wedding magazine.