Their story began years earlier at Northeastern University's orientation for the school's Ireland program. What started as a brief introduction turned into a friendship while the two were living in Dublin. There were moments filled with city walks, Boston sports debates, and movie nights carefully curated by Brooks. Even when life pulled them in different directions, they stayed connected, eventually finding their way back to one another.
A Wedding Rooted in Vermont Family Traditions
Choosing Vermont for their wedding felt natural for both the bride and groom. Brooks was born in nearby Hinesburg before moving away as a child, but his New England roots (and loyalty to its sports teams) never faded. Elizabeth also grew up visiting the New England state, including her father’s childhood on a dairy and maple syrup farm in Newport and her parents' college years at Norwich University and the University of Vermont.Manchester, in particular, held years of memories for Elizabeth’s family. Childhood trips often included skiing at Bromley Mountain, lunch at Zoe's Deli, and an always-must-stop at the town bookstore. It was the obvious choice to both Brooks and Elizabeth when dreaming about where to have their wedding day!
Meaningful DIY Details with Family History
Personal, handmade details played a big role in their wedding design. One of the most meaningful elements was Elizabeth’s veil, which featured lace from her mother’s 1980s wedding dress (a fabulous bridal fashion era of lace and puff!). After carefully transforming the dress into the veil, the seamstress also gifted Elizabeth a small Turkish evil eye pin for good luck.Family history also shaped the reception tables. Elizabeth, her mom, and a bridesmaid spent time antique shopping to build a collection of mismatched vintage china plates for the tablescape and mirrors for signage. Additional pieces came from her mother, aunts, and grandmother, making each table setting feel like a small piece of shared family history. After the wedding, Elizabeth kept a few sets and gifted others to her bridesmaids as keepsakes.
A Creative Guest Experience Before the Ceremony
While guests arrived and found their seats, Brooks and Elizabeth created a playful activity: a custom crossword puzzle designed just for the occasion. The puzzle featured clues about their relationship, favorite places, and shared memories, giving their loved ones a fun way to connect with their story before the ceremony began. We love these kinds of simple wedding guest entertainment ideas that make a big impact on experience!
Reception Tables Inspired by Their Travels
Travel has always been an important part of these two lovebirds' relationship, so it naturally became the theme for their reception tables. Instead of traditional numbers, each table was named after a destination they had visited together. Their place cards even tied together with the table numbers as illustrations related to the destination were used next to each guest's name!The assigned tables added another layer of meaning as the couple paired guests with places that reflected shared memories. Friends they often hike with were seated at the Yosemite table, while Brooks’ uncle and his Costa Rican family were placed at a table named for La Fortuna in honor of visits to their home. We adore these kinds of Easter egg details!
A Candlelit Tent Reception in the Green Mountains
As evening settled over Manchester, guests gathered beneath a reception tent glowing with soft light and a dramatic two-tier chandelier draped in greenery. The mountain backdrop, warm lighting, and family-style atmosphere created a space that felt celebratory without losing the relaxed chic tone of the weekend.Late into the evening, the celebration ended on the sweetest note with late-night ice cream scoops by Ben & Jerry’s – an unmistakably Vermont icon of a treat and the perfect finish to a wedding weekend centered on family, travel, and the history that has shaped Brooks and Elizabeth’s love story.
VENDOR CREDITS
Photography & Video: The Leighton Co. | Venue & Catering: The Wilburton | Florals: Flowers By Cara | Cake: Fancy Pants Cakes VT | Band: A House on Fire | Bonfire Music: Mr Moose | Beauty: Alexandria’s Beauty Salon | Wedding Dress: Alon Livne from The One Bridal Boutique | Reception Dress: Park and Fifth | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Groom's Attire: Men’s Wearhouse | Ice Cream Station: Ben and Jerry's | Stationery: DIY by Family | Signage: DIY by Couple and Family | Bar Sign: DIY with Cain and Co Stationery via Etsy | Mirror Vinyl Decals: Mirror Muse Decals and Fixate Designs via Etsy | Bridesmaid Dresses: Anthropologie, Birdy Grey, Azazie, Revelry, and J Crew
