Vermont Wedding Photographer Courtney Cania’s Insider Guide

PHOTOGRAPHING VERMONT WEDDINGS

TIMELESS & BRILLIANT VERMONT WEDDINGS

Getting Married in Vermont?

A Vermont Wedding photographer, I document weddings by creating a mix of timeless portraits paired with all those emotional, authentic moments in a light-inspired and joyful way.

I offer a full-day wedding experience which includes 8 hours of coverage, an optional second photographer, an engagement or “bonus” session, edited, high-res digital files with print rights, plus in-gallery print and album options.

architecture of barn at riverledge farm
Just married couple smiling with red barn behind them at Riverledge Farm in Grafton, Vermont

More time celebrating. Less time posing.

I get it. You don’t want to spend an overwhelming amount of time posing for photos. Your friends and family traveled a long way to share this day with you and you want to enjoy your day with them.

I promise your portraits will look natural, cheerful, and romantic. I want you to feel your wedding day when you look at these photo memories in the years to come.

I also offer photography coverage for elopements and intimate weddings in Vermont.

bride and groom standing under arbor at riverledge farm in vermont with foliage behind them
couple walking together during wedding party portraits at Riverledge farm

Beyond The Photos: Vermont Wedding Locations

Planning your Vermont wedding is no small undertaking, I hope to help make your Vermont wedding planning a tad bit easier with a streamlined wedding photography experience. I photograph weddings across New England. I am based in Lebanon, a stone’s throw from Vermont on the New Hampshire border in the Upper Valley, however I grew up in the small Vermont village of Saxtons River. Having lived between these two states for most of my life, it’s hard to say if I’m a Granite Stater or Vermonter.

Why Get Married In Vermont?

The Green Mountain state of Vermont is an incredible place to get married and hold your wedding. If it’s an elopement or grand affair, you have unlimited options that offer a breathtaking landscape, rustic elegance and small-town charm, lakes, or an elevated experience. If you’ve lived here your whole life, made years of memories through visiting, or planning a destination wedding for your friends and family to enjoy a celebration weekend with you, there are so many good reasons to get married in Vermont. Each part of the state offers something different with notable features and wonderful venues.

Where to Get Married in Vermont

Vermont, known for its stunning natural beauty and charming small towns, is divided into distinct regions, each with its own unique features and top wedding venues. Believe it or not, this is not an exhaustive list. Below are venues where I’ve photographed weddings and some that I am dying to shoot at! There are many more settings in Vermont for you to hold your wedding or elopement. Barns, resorts, and quaint inns are just waiting to welcome you.

Northern Vermont

Notable Features:

  • Green Mountains: Known for outdoor activities, especially skiing and hiking.
  • Lake Champlain: A large freshwater lake offering scenic views and water activities.
  • Burlington: Vermont’s largest city, known for its vibrant arts scene and waterfront.
  • Northeast Kingdom: Remote beauty abounds; this region is notable for mountain biking, hiking, skiing, and lakes.
wide angle photo of engaged couple walking down the shore of lake champlain during vermont engagement session. Trees and green foliage overhead
cotton candy sunset sky over lake champlain at burlington waterfront. perfect spot for your vermont wedding

Northeast Kingdom

Notable Features:

  • Remote and Rural: Known for its unspoiled natural beauty.
  • Kingdom Trails: Popular for mountain biking and hiking.
  • Lake Willoughby: Known as the “Lucerne of America” for its clear, glacial waters. Vermont’s deepest lake and typically the last to freeze in winter!

Top Wedding Venues:

  • Jay Peak: Jay Peak combines alpine beauty and modern amenities for a spectacular mountain wedding.
  • Inn at Burklyn: A historic mansion with elegant interiors and expansive grounds, perfect for a sophisticated and timeless wedding.
  • Lake Willoughby: Ideal for intimate ceremonies and elopements with a stunning natural backdrop.

More Top Northeast Kingdom Vermont Wedding Venues

  • Barn at The Top of The World: Perched high with breathtaking views, the Barn at The Top of The World offers a truly elevated wedding experience in Newport.
  • Crofter’s Green: Charming and rustic, Crofter’s Green provides a cozy and intimate setting for your special day.
  • Inn at Mountain View Farm: A historic inn with beautiful grounds and mountain views.
  • The Notch House: Located near Lake Willoughby, The Notch House offers a historic charm and breathtaking views for a memorable wedding.
  • Willoughvale Inn & Cottages: A lakeside venue with cozy accommodations and stunning views of Lake Willoughby, ideal for a picturesque wedding.”

Central Vermont

Notable Features:

  • Green Mountain National Forest: Offering a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.
  • Montpelier: The state capital, known for its small-town charm and historic sites.
  • Mad River Valley: Famous for its scenic beauty and skiing at Sugarbush Resort.

Top Wedding Venues:

  • Barn at Smugglers Notch: Located near Jeffersonville, close to the Smugglers Notch ski area.
  • Edson Hill: Offering luxurious accommodations and beautiful landscapes in Stowe.
  • The Mountain Top Inn & Resort: Offers breathtaking views of the mountains and lake in Chittenden.
  • Riverside Farm: Offers a quintessential elevated Vermont farm wedding experience in Pittsfield.
  • Top Notch Resort: Located in Stowe, offering luxury and scenic mountain views.
  • Trapp Family Lodge: Also in Stowe, this resort provides a stunning backdrop of the Green Mountains.
Beautiful view at Vermont Wedding Venue mountain top inn chittenden
Beautiful Woodstock Inn on a spring day with tulips in the front area. Vermont Wedding venue

More Top Central Vermont Wedding Venues

Real Vermont Weddings (Central)

Southern Vermont

Notable Features:

  • Mount Snow: Popular for skiing and snowboarding.
  • Manchester: Known for its upscale shopping and historic sites.
  • Brattleboro: A vibrant town with a strong arts community.

Top Wedding Venues:

  • The Equinox: Offers elegance and a beautiful setting in Manchester.
  • Farm Road Estate: Situated in West Dover, this estate provides a charming and intimate setting with picturesque landscapes.
  • Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home: Historic estate in Manchester with beautiful gardens and mountain views.
  • Kimpton Taconic Hotel: Also located in Manchester, offering boutique accommodations with modern amenities in a classic New England setting.
  • Maple Lane Estate: Situated in Danby, this estate offers a rustic and elegant venue with stunning, panoramic views.
  • River Road Farm: Located in Manchester, this farm provides a serene and picturesque setting with a blend of rustic charm and elegance.
  • Stratton Mountain Resort: Great for couples who love winter sports and mountain views.

More Top Southern Vermont Wedding Venues

Hildene during wedding reception, Vermont wedding venue

Real Vermont Weddings (Southern)

Champlain Valley

Notable Features:

  • Lake Champlain: Dominates the region with its stunning views and water activities.
  • Shelburne: Known for Shelburne Museum and Shelburne Farms.

Top Wedding Venues:

  • Basin Harbor: A resort offering lakeside ceremonies and receptions.
  • Essex Resort & Spa: A short drive from all that Burlington hast to offer, plus luxurious accommodations and beautiful setting.
  • Maquam Barn & Winery
  • Shelburne Farm & Museum: Features beautiful grounds and historic buildings.

More Top Champlain Valley Vermont Wedding Venues

couple standing near view of lake champlain at shelburne farms during engagement session

Vermont’s diverse regions offer a variety of settings for weddings, from charming barns and historic estates to elegant resorts and scenic lakeside venues. Whether you prefer a rustic, outdoor ceremony or a sophisticated indoor celebration, Vermont has a venue to suit every couple’s dream.

ELOPEMENTS + INTIMATE WEDDINGS

Elope or Celebrate Your Intimate Wedding in Vermont

The quaint, idyllic, and secluded nature of Vermont makes it a top choice for couples who plan to elope or hold an intimate wedding in its rolling hills and bucolic farmland. I offer wedding packages tailored to capture your unique love celebration. You may opt for 4 hour or full-day coverage.

Epic hiking may not be your style, but you may still want nature, beauty, lakes, wineries, breweries, great food, bike tours, gardens, farms, barns, and all else Vermont has to offer to fill your wedding experience. I want to help you craft a day you’ll remember with gorgeous, authentic images.

snowy oq farm chapel

Unique Wedding Experience in Vermont

We’ll work together or I can refer you to a trusted professional to create an itinerary of activities and timeline for your ceremony and portraits to make your experience seamless and memorable in all the ways you want it to be!

epic snowy veil shot with snow and mountains in background