Nestled in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, a summer camp love story blossomed into an enchanted celebration where childhood memories met sophisticated romance. Under a canopy of twinkling disco balls and lush florals, their lakeside beginnings transformed into an elegant feast surrounded by the same majestic peaks that had witnessed their journey from counselors to soulmates.
Location: Chester, Vermont, USA
Style: Romantic, elegant, glamorous, timeless
Time of planning: 2 years
Setting: Farm
Season: Summer
Some love stories are written in the stars; this one was written on a lakefront in the Adirondacks, where summer camp friendships blossomed into something magical. First meeting as children at Camp Baco and Chenawah, their paths crossed again years later when he returned as the Waterfront Director and she worked as a counselor. A chance encounter at a New York City concert ignited their connection, sealed with a perfect first kiss that led to an unforgettable summer together at the camp where it all began.
When COVID closed their beloved camp for the first time since 1995, they returned for what seemed like a simple visit to their special place. As golden afternoon light danced across the lake, he knelt by the water’s edge and asked her to be his wife while their families captured the moment from the Arts and Crafts Shack – a surprise that perfectly honored both their past and future.
Location & Planning
High in the Vermont mountains, The Farm at Williams River House offered more than stunning views—it provided a canvas for their dreams. Lindsey Leichthammer Events understood their vision, creating a celebration that balanced playful touches like disco balls with sophisticated romantic details. Design professionals Griffin & Griffin brought the surrounding nature indoors through cascading greenery installations that seemed to dance in the evening light.
A Morning Together
Breaking from tradition in the most meaningful way, the couple began their wedding day together at the bride’s grandparents’ home in Weston – the place where they first whispered, “I love you.” As Vermont’s morning sun streamed through old windows, their wedding party gathered for an intimate pre-celebration. The groom prepared a thirty-minute lunch while music filled the air, and everyone moved peacefully. Katie Jean captured these genuine moments of laughter and anticipation, preserving the relaxed joy that defined their entire celebration.
Bridal Style & Groom's Look
The bride’s Dan Jones gown from SPINA Bride told its own story of transformation, featuring cleverly designed detachable sleeves that allowed her to move seamlessly from ceremony to celebration. Jennifer Perellie Makeup created a luminous look that would last from first light to last dance, while The Hopcraft Collective styled her hair to catch Vermont’s summer breezes. Her Jimmy Choo shoes featured whimsical disco ball details – a subtle hint at the party to come – while jewelry from Robin Gibson Jewels added heirloom-worthy elegance.
In his perfectly tailored suit from Mur-Lee’s, the groom embodied the day’s refined yet relaxed atmosphere, his smile growing brighter with each passing hour.
Ceremony
Under Vermont’s vast sky, Clayton Floral crafted a chuppah that embodied their love story’s natural beauty. Delicate garden blooms intertwined with wild mountain flowers created an organic canopy that seemed to emerge from the Vermont earth itself. The structure stood as a perfect metaphor for their relationship – strong yet graceful, rooted yet reaching skyward.
As their friend Yali’s words echoed across the valley, the couple exchanged vows beneath this living bower of flowers. Their promises spoke of journeys from lakeside summers to mountain futures while Mark Daly of Madalia’s music danced on the breeze, weaving through the emotional tapestry of the moment. When the bride’s late father’s best friend rose to speak, his heartfelt words bridged heaven and earth, bringing an absent presence so close it could almost be touched. Their tale found its perfect chapter in this sacred space, where mountain air carried centuries of love stories.
Private Moment
As the sun descended behind the Green Mountains, casting long shadows across the estate’s rolling lawns, the newlyweds stole away for moments of quiet connection. Katie Jean followed at a distance, capturing their peaceful wanderings through wildflower meadows and along ancient stone walls. The golden hour light painted everything in honey tones while distant laughter and music from East Coast Soul floated on the breeze. These quiet minutes together, watching shadows lengthen across the same mountains that had witnessed their love story unfold, became some of their most treasured memories of the day.
Decor & Setting
Griffin & Griffin created a masterful interplay of nature and light that transformed the tented celebration. Their cascading greenery installations seemed to bring Vermont’s landscape indoors, while strategic lighting made each leaf dance with golden warmth. As the day faded to dusk, their artistry revealed new dimensions – soft uplighting made the greenery glow from within while disco balls caught and scattered light like stars across the canopy. The result was magical: a space that felt naturally wild and elegantly curated, where mountain beauty met celebration beneath a ceiling of twinkling lights and living green.
Vermont Tent Company‘s dark wood tables and layered linens provided the perfect foundation, while Clayton Floral‘s arrangements echoed the surrounding landscape. Each thoughtful detail created an atmosphere that celebrated both the natural setting and the playful spirit of their love story.
Reception
The celebration reached new heights during dinner, where The Hindquarter presented a feast that guests still rave about. Family-style service encouraged connection as platters of grilled peaches with burrata, handmade corn and ricotta tortellini, and perfectly prepared cuts of beef were passed between new friends and old. The 126 kept glasses filled with carefully crafted cocktails while a curated dinner playlist provided the perfect soundtrack for intimate conversations.
East Coast Soul took over as night fell, filling the tent with energy that kept everyone on their feet. Those disco balls overhead caught every moment of joy as guests celebrated beneath them while Cronin Cakes provided sweet treats for dancers needing to recharge.
Their summer camp romance had grown into something magnificent – a celebration that honored who they were as children and who they’d become together. Against the backdrop of Vermont’s eternal mountains, surrounded by the people they loved most, they created new memories as magical as those first days by the lake.
"Oh my god, we put together the best dinner playlist while the band took a break, the lighting was glowy and perfect, and the food and wine were out of this world."
Advice from the couple:
• Begin each morning with those who matter most – our decision to get ready together created memories we’ll treasure forever.
• The joy of sharing breakfast, music, and laughter with our wedding party set the perfect tone for the celebration.
• Most importantly, stay true to your vision, whether that means disco balls twinkling overhead or passing plates between new friends at dinner.
LIGHTING & GREENERY Griffin & Griffin | PLANNER Lindsey Leichthammer Events | PHOTOGRAPHER Katie Jean Photos | VENUE The Farm at Williams River House | FLORALS Clayton Floral | MUAH Jennifer Perellie Makeup, The Hopcraft Collective | DRESS Dan Jones, SPINA Bride | SHOES Jimmy Choo | JEWELRY Robin Gibson Jewels | SUIT Mur-Lee’s | CATERING The Hindquarter | BAR The 126 | RENTALS Vermont Tent | ENTERTAINMENT East Coast Soul | CAKE Cronin Cakes
