Fresh off their first anniversary, we’re taking a little trip down Memory Lane (yes, pun absolutely intended!) to revisit Kate and Raymond’s beautiful Vermont wedding day. After spending so many celebrations bringing other couples’ floral visions to life, Kate of Memory Lane Floral Designs finally got to experience what it felt like to be on the other side of the aisle and, naturally, there were plenty of gorgeous blooms along the way! Continue reading for all the details, photos by Mountain Hearts Photography, and wedding planning advice straight from Kate herself.
From “You Look Familiar” to Forever
Despite growing up only about 15 minutes away from one another, Kate and Raymond had never officially met. That changed when Kate spotted Raymond on social media and had a feeling the two would hit it off. Her opening line? A carefully crafted, “You look familiar.” Apparently, it worked! The two started getting to know each other, and years later, they found themselves planning a wedding that felt completely true to them.
When it came time to choose where they would celebrate, Vermont Swiss & Bloom Farm checked quite a few boxes. Kate and Raymond fell in love with the surrounding farm views, the rustic-yet-elegant barn and the farmhouse, but there was a personal connection, too. As fellow dairy farmers, the venue’s owners immediately resonated with the couple. That sense of connection carried through the rest of their vendor decisions. The couple chose Mountain Hearts Photography because Kate loved the photographers’ personalities as a married couple, the inclusion of two photographers, and their warm, candid style. That warmth became especially fitting once their August wedding day turned rainy and stormy. More on that later!
An August Wedding Day That Felt More Like Fall
On the morning of the wedding, Kate sat down and handwrote her vows. Rather than having one more task to check off the list, writing them that day gave her a rare opportunity to be by herself, slow down, and take in what was about to happen. She then got ready with the help of Hair by Christiana. Even her getting-ready outfit became a keepsake. Instead of something she’d only wear once, Kate chose an oversized denim T-shirt as her getting-ready layer. She still wears it today, and it continues to carry memories from that morning with it!
Kate and Raymond’s wedding happened to fall on the only rainy day of the entire month of August 2025. The rain held off just long enough for Kate and Raymond to have their ceremony before the skies opened again. Rather than looking back on the weather as something that went wrong, Kate considers them incredibly lucky to have had rain on their wedding day.
As Kate and Raymond snuck away for couples portraits, guests made their way inside to kick off an evening of dinner and dancing. Susan Leclair Catering LLC served up delicious bites, a particularly meaningful choice for Kate, who had grown up enjoying their catering at family events over the years. For music, the couple turned to Evan Brannon, a DJ Kate had already seen in action at other weddings. (From classic rock and country to current pop, there was a little something to get everyone out on the dance floor!) Florals galore, pops of dusty blue throughout the linens, and an incredible pie spread from Poorhouse Pies rounded out the lively reception.
As guests began heading home, their DJ stayed a little longer, giving Kate and Raymond nearly 30 minutes on the dance floor essentially to themselves. The newlyweds slow danced together to songs that remain some of their favorites today.
When the Wedding Florist Becomes The Bride
Of course, when a wedding florist plans her own wedding, we have to talk about the flowers! Kate designed all of the florals for her big day, giving her the unique opportunity to create for herself after spending so many Vermont wedding days bringing other couples’ visions to life. She loved getting to put her own ideas into action, but she’ll also be the first to admit that it was work.
Taking on her own florals and DIY decor gave Kate an entirely new appreciation for the advice she regularly gives her couples. One of her biggest takeaways? Give yourself plenty of time.
Kate created a planning timeline almost as soon as she got engaged, with separate timelines for the year, wedding week, and day itself. The week-of schedule became especially important as she worked through her DIY projects and florals while still leaving room to actually be present and enjoy the experience.
As someone who now knows what wedding planning feels like from both sides of the aisle, Kate also came away with an even greater appreciation for choosing the right vendor team.
“My biggest tip is that you must love the style that your vendor offers,” she says. As a florist, Kate considers whether her own aesthetic is a good fit for each couple and the vision they have in mind. When it came time to be the bride herself, she realized just how important that compatibility really is. For couples with a specific vision, Kate also encourages clear communication with their vendors. Sharing inspiration and explaining exactly what you have in mind can help your team better understand the celebration you’re envisioning and ultimately bring it to life.
And her biggest piece of Vermont wedding planning advice? Plan as much as you can, but know when to let the plan go.
“I also found that you must be flexible, and things will never really stick exactly to plan. BUT you can actually plan for exactly that,” says Kate. “You will enjoy it all so much more if you can accept that things will change and really focus on the point of the wedding…celebrating your love!”
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