• Real Weddings

High school sweethearts, Amelia and Andrew’s wedding was a long time in the making. They had been dating for more than a decade when Andrew popped the question while they were walking on the beach at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Andrew managed to surprise Amelia, something she thought was hard to do, as she had been expecting him to propose on their twelve-year anniversary coming up the next month. 

Keep scrolling to see all of the cozy winter photos by Michael Tallman Photography. Belinda Norris Events planned sweet detail, Jayson Munn Design created a winter wonderland florals for this 1950s holiday film “White Christmas” inspired wedding at Pitcher Inn in Vermont. Be sure to browse through all of the images in the full gallery.

The couple knew right away that they wanted a cozy winter wedding. Amelia had a very specific vision in mind inspired by her favorite 1950s holiday film. “I watched ‘White Christmas’ way too many times as a child,” she explains. She had always imagined a destination wedding in a charming Vermont inn with an air of old-school glamour. She envisioned a color palette of cream, shades of green, and pops of orange and navy blue.

As soon as the couple visited the Pitcher Inn, nestled in Vermont’s Green Mountains, they knew they had found their place. The inn is quintessentially Vermont. Rustic, yet at the same time very elegant, with a playful Wes Anderson flavor. Taxidermy creatures and vintage ski equipment are peppered throughout the property.

As an artist and founder of Tiny Shindigs, a stationery and design studio, Amelia was accustomed to collaborating with wedding professionals to bring a couple’s vision to life. She found it easier than she expected being on the other side of the process. “I surrounded myself with other artists, each in their own field. I explained my vision and let their creativity take over. Collaborating with such an amazing team made it really enjoyable.” Throughout the planning process, Amelia and Andrew skipped many wedding traditions in favor of creating a relaxed evening of celebration. The end result was the evening of December 14, 2019 when Amelia, Andrew, and 65 of their guests gathered for a night of merrymaking.

Invitation Suite

Amelia designed all the paper goods herself, starting with the invitation suite. “I felt a little off-brand because I had always wanted something very different from what I usually design for clients,” she explains of her minimalist hunter green and cream letterpress invitation suite. “I’m usually commissioned to paint elaborate watercolor boarders, crests, with calligraphy. But I knew that I could incorporate my illustrations into other elements, so I ended up designing just a simple emblem for each enclosure.” For the promised painted elements? The bride designed an intricate vellum wrap with a Vermont-themed watercolor. Amelia also painted a patterned watercolor envelope liner featuring the wedding colors. She collaborated with Loly of Little Postage House to curate a set of vintage stamps to complete the suite.

Welcome to Vermont!

The couple’s number one priority was to make their guests feel appreciated and that started with welcome boxes. Amelia, her mom, dad and sister assembled each gift box. “We gathered in the Inn’s library with the fire roaring and sang Christmas carols while we put the boxes together. It turned out to be one of my favorite memories from the weekend.” Each box was filled with Vermont treats and a handwritten letter that Amelia and Andrew wrote to each guest.

The Couple’s Attire

The bride admits that finding her dress was the one thing she worried about. “I had a horrible vision of a never-ending dress hunt because I knew I didn’t want a traditional gown,” Amelia says. Luckily, she found the perfect dress at her first stop, Lovely Bride in Charleston, South Carolina. As soon as she tried on Alexandra Grecco's Edith Gown, she knew it was perfect. The long sleeves, flowing skirt, deep V neckline in cream silk had just the right vintage vibe.

For the walk down the aisle, the bride held a small bouquet of privet berries, silver brunia, and dusty miller tied with velvet ribbon that served as her “something blue.” The bride’s something borrowed were a pair of stunning emerald earrings, loaned to her by her mother’s best friend. She wore her hair down in a Veronica Lake style with the help of Vivian E Infantino. She slipped into green velvet pumps for the ceremony but had white moccasins at the ready to change into when the dancing began.

Andrew wore a blue Ermenegildo Zegna suit paired with Sid Mashburn Semi-Brogue shoes. His Drake’s tie featured woodland creatures. His boutonniere of privet berries and dusty miller was wrapped in velvet ribbon.

The Ceremony

Guests were greeted with their choice of hot cider or champagne. They gathered downstairs in the inn's fire-lit tavern, a room of wood beams anchored by a huge stone. The couple wanted the ceremony to feel a casual and organic, so guests gathered around a rich velvet backdrop surrounded by twinkle lights and garland. The couple’s niece served as flower girl, throwing faux snow instead of petals. The florist, Jayson Munn, made the snow from safe and eco-friendly potato flakes. The father of the bride escorted her in as a classical trio played an acoustic rendition of the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun,” in honor of the nickname he had given his daughter when she was a child: Sunshine. Amelia and Andrew surprised each other with readings they had selected. Andrew’s was Ogden Nash’s “Tin Wedding Whistle” and Amelia read excerpts from the children’s book “I Like You” by Sandol Stoddard. The couple also wanted to include traditions from both families, so their officiant read a short bible passage and they sealed their union with the Jewish tradition of smashing a glass.

Cocktail Hour

Next was a cocktail hour, where guests sipped on the two signature mixed drinks; a “Rose-marry Me” champagne cocktail and “Apple of My Eye” bourbon apple cider. Scroll down to learn how to make a Rose-Marry Me and Apple of My Eye. Guests also enjoyed a Vermont cheese board and passed appetizers like bacon-wrapped dates, goat cheese tarts and smoked duck breast with Vermont apple butter.

Escort Card Table

Guests found their seating assignments at a table topped with Christmas trees with envelopes hung like ornaments by golden velvet ribbon. Tucked inside the envelopes were the escort cards. Instead of table numbers, each table was named for a native Vermont animal. The escort cards were decorated with a watercolor of the animal that corresponded to the table at which the guest was to sit. Each table also had a watercolor of the designated critter. All of the beasties were painted by the bride herself.

The Table Decor

The dinner took place in the Inn's dining room. Elegant yet welcoming, the space was lit by candlelight. The tables were topped with cream linens and surrounded by the Inn’s beautiful hand-turned green chairs. Instead of decorating with flowers, florist Jayson Munn opted for centerpieces of wreaths and garlands filled with winter berries, clementines, and kumquats. His collection of antique brass candlesticks and mercury glass votives twinkled throughout the centerpieces. Antique brass frames that Amelia found on Etsy held the painting of each table’s animal namesake. The place settings had a menu tucked into the napkin with a sprig of greenery, all tied up with hunter green velvet ribbon. The sweetheart table was nestled in a nook surrounded by garland and topped with a beautifully embroidered tablecloth. The table was named for the striped skunk in honor of Amelia’s nickname for Andrew: Stinky.

The Seated Dinner

The main event was a leisurely farm-to-table dinner with locally sourced meats, Vermont artisan cheeses, locally foraged mushrooms and seasonal vegetables. The formal portion of the evening concluded with speeches and the cutting of the cake. Instead of a traditional cake, the couple opted for three smaller cakes, each a different seasonal flavor: gingerbread, pumpkin spice, and chocolate with maple buttercream frosting.

After Party

The party continued downstairs in the tavern. The pool table and shuffleboard each saw a series of friendly tournaments. Guests enjoyed fire-pit s’mores on the terrace overlooking a babbling brook. A Vermont maple donut tower and late-night snacks of grilled cheese, tomato soup, and miniature hotdogs on brioche rolls fortified guests. Everyone danced the night away with DJ For Your Day!

Cocktail Recipes

Rose-Marry Me Champagne Cocktail
Champagne, a dash of Angostura Bitters, a squeeze of fresh Orange Juice, and garnished with a sprig of Rosemary

Apple of My Eye Bourbon Cider
Rim a glass with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar, add equal parts Bourbon and Apple Cider, a teaspoon of Honey or Maple Syrup, squeeze of Lemon Juice, and garnished with a sprig of Thyme

See more winter cocktail ideas, see why mulled cider cocktails are having a moment and find 10 holiday cocktails you need to make this weekend.

• DJs: DJ For Your Day
• DJs: Joe Capps
• Event Planning & Design: Belinda Norris Events
• Flowers: Jayson Munn Design
• Groom & His Men: Sid Mashburn
• Groom's attire: Ermenegildo Zegna
• Hair, Makeup & Beauty: Vivian E Infantino
• Linens: Peak Event Services
• Photographers: Michael Tallman Photography
• Postage: Little Postage House
• Rentals: Vermont Tent Company
• Stationery and Paper: Tiny Shindigs
• Venues: Pitcher Inn
• Wedding Dresses: Alexandra Grecco Edith Gown
• Wedding Dresses: Lovely Bride