Jonathan proposed to Rachel in their New York City apartment, setting up the moment by convincing her they had an important Zoom meeting with their mortgage broker. To ensure she dressed up, he told her about the meeting, but Rachel, in true Zoom fashion, paired a nice blouse with comfortable sweatpants, assuming no one would see below her waist. When Jonathan popped the question, Rachel was utterly taken aback. After joyfully accepting, she turned to find their entire family gathered for a catered dinner and champagne celebration!

Jonathan ensured that their family was a part of this important moment in their relationship, showcasing how important family ties are to both of them. Rachel believes that their love for family is one of the many things that has drawn them closer throughout their relationship. Keeping that in mind while wedding planning, the couple knew they wanted a place where all of their friends and family could gather, relax together, and of course all celebrate!

Selecting the Perfect Lakeside Paradise

The couple’s original idea for their wedding was to rent a large AirBNB, but after creating their guest list, they realized that they were not able to host all of their guests. When Jonathan and Rachel found Lake Bomoseen Lodge (located in Bomoseen, VT) with its onsite lodging, opportunity for multiple events throughout the weekend, and beautiful, relaxed lakeside vibe, they realized they had discovered the best venue for them! 

Despite being from out of town and never visiting Vermont before, Jonathan and Rachel were able to have a flawlessly planned wedding, thanks to the expert help of Wild Fern Boutique. Rachel and Jonathan’s primary inspiration for their wedding was to express their profound love and gratitude to the guests who came to celebrate with them. Chelsea and Cassie of Wild Fern Boutique made sure that sentiment was apparent in every detail of the day! Some sweet details from the wedding include: welcome bags with handwritten notes for each guest and a large family-style house on the property the couple reserved for everyone. The couple also opted for no bridal party and the seating arrangements during both the ceremony and reception made everyone feel equally included in the celebration! 

All The Details Of The Big Day

On the morning of their wedding, the couple chose to get ready separately in Lake Bomoseen’s Pine Cottage, which offered them eight bedrooms for some of their family and friends to share during their important weekend. Since Lake Bomoseen is a dog friendly resort, the couple was able to bring along their dog to celebrate with them. Rachel had both her hair and makeup done by Bridal Services by Laela in one of the many rooms of their cottage. Rachel had a first look with her dad, and then with Jonathan on the wraparound patio, which was perfect for the drizzly Vermont weather. The hanging flower baskets on the patio added a touch of color to the white cottage and gray skies. The emotional photos captured by Joe Codrington Photo for both first looks are so heartwarming!

Wild Fern Boutique did a great job of ensuring that their wedding was ready for any kind of weather. We love how Rachel’s rainbow-colored bouquet by Tipsy Tulip Designs added even more color to her look. Jon also opted for a nontraditional maroon-colored suit with a black tie and a matching vest, and we always love to see a groom express his personal style! Rachel incorporated her own style by choosing to wear bedazzled sneakers that were simultaneously comfortable and fashionable. 

Due to a drizzly forecast, the ceremony was hosted inside the Loft at Lake Bomoseen Lodge, which combines indoor warmth with picturesque lake views. The rustic lodge was adorned with two floral chandeliers that added a feminine touch. The altar itself was flanked by two rainbow-colored floral arrangements, as well as matching hanging florals behind the officiant. The bride and groom glowed with joy in the warmly lit venue, and it was heartwarming to see the many family members they included in the ceremony. A small detail that we love is how the mother of the bride’s dress matched almost perfectly with the bride’s bouquet. Most of the other guests also wore florals which brought an amazing vibrancy that brightened up the rainy day!

Beautifully Decorated Tables, Dancing and Delicious Desserts 

After the ceremony, the Loft space was transformed into family-style dining with a large dance floor and a live band. The tablescapes were charmingly rustic, and The Linen Shop chose the perfect peach colored napkins to match the candles and dark brown Chiavari chairs. Floral arrangements placed in bud vases by Tipsy Tulip Designs looked gorgeous at each table.

Instead of using tablecloths on every table, the couple opted for a mixture that added variety to their tables. The tables without tablecloths incorporated a rose colored table runner, also from The Linen Shop. It’s so great to see couples putting in the effort, with the help of talented vendors, to craft memorable tablescapes! On top of beautifully designed tables, the wedding reception also featured a selection of delicious desserts from Blue House Bakeshop to fuel guests for an evening of dancing! There was truly something for everyone, including Nutella donuts, blueberry cheesecake tarts, an assortment of cake pops, and a maple carrot cake. Blue House Bakeshop did a fantastic job of creating a unique dessert table that transformed the wedding into a culinary experience.

As the evening came to an end, guests who were not staying at Lake Bomoseen Lodge were securely chauffeured to nearby accommodations, thanks to TriState Transportation‘s reliable service. Lake Bomoseen Lodge offered Jon and Rachel the family-focused weekend that they were looking for. Despite the rainy weather, the couple, along with their stellar Vermont wedding vendors, were able to brighten the day with their expertise, love, and vibrancy!

Congratulations Rachel and Jonathan, and happy (belated) first anniversary!