Pretty in Pink: An Inside Look At This Couple’s Joyful Vermont Wedding

Born and raised in Vermont, Orla and Jess always dreamed of getting married in the mountains. Charmingly tucked under Mount Mansfield, there was no better spot for their wedding than the Squabetty family homestead. The happy couple’s special day was filled to the brim with nature, vintage charm, romance, and a whole lot of pink! We can’t wait for you to see all of the beautiful moments from this day as photographed by Mia Moran Photography and coordinated by Vermont wedding planner Danielle McFarland from Green Mountain Gatherings.

From Saving Lives to Finding Love

As a medevac helicopter pilot and a critical care transport nurse, Orla and Jess’s love story began at work. While their story started with friendship, over time their bond grew into the relationship they both had been waiting for their whole lives!

Jess introduced Orla to the show The Office, where the love story between Jim and Pam unfolds. In so many ways, Jess and Orla are the Jim and Pam of their own love story. (Love that!) The couple got engaged in Ireland, which holds deep meaning for Orla, as both of her parents were born there, and her mother was buried there. Jess proposed on the Cliffs of Moher, a stunning and unforgettable location for the both of them.

A Pink-Themed Party with Heart Sunglasses, Bluegrass Beats, and All the Joy

As a couple who spent so much time outdoors– skiing, hiking, and embracing every season and activity together- picking  Vermont, and ultimately, Squabetty as their wedding location was an easy choice; it truly felt like home! Jess and Orla knew from the start that they wanted their wedding day to be vibrant, joyful, and full of personality. To set the tone, they chose a lively bluegrass band that kept the energy high throughout the celebration. They also encouraged guests to lean into a playful pink dress code—and let’s just say, everyone understood the assignment! Before the festivities kicked off, Orla got ready with her bridesmaids in matching robes and fun heart-shaped sunglasses, setting the stage for a morning filled with laughter and anticipation ahead of the couple’s sweet first look.

Moving violin music played as Orla and Jess came together for their ceremony, sharing vows that expressed a love deeper than they had ever imagined before meeting one another. They stood beneath a unique triangle arch (its shape mirroring the surrounding mountain peaks!), creating a striking focal point. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a relaxed cocktail hour complete with lawn games, cozy lounge seating, and a spread of delicious bites from Caja Madera. With gorgeous pops of color and vintage charm, courtesy of Orla’s epic thrifting and collecting skills, this wedding was truly an event bursting with charm! 

The celebration continued in a beautifully decorated event barn, adorned with lush florals by Pistil Production, personal photos, and vintage glassware collected throughout the planning process. One of the most important elements of Orla and Jess’s wedding was a memorial table dedicated to Orla’s mother and best friend. We also love the couple’s epic dessert display, crowned with a custom cake topper that paid homage to the couple’s shared careers, a personal and meaningful detail that guests won’t soon forget.

While their wedding day was certainly memorable on its own, the most unforgettable moments were the love, support, and help the couple received from their friends and family. Congratulations, Orla and Jess!

Vendors

Venue: Squabetty, Planner: Green Mountain Gatherings, Dress: Hinterland Bride, Flowers: Pistil Production, Photographer: Mia Moran, Hair: Erin McCarthy, Makeup: Majorie Mason, Spray tan: The Bronzed Blonde VT, Skin Care: Peche Medical & Wellness, Catering: Caja Madera, Table/Chairs/ Tent Rentals: McCracken Tent Rental, Decorations: sourced by Orla, the bride.

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Best of 2024: Wedding Design

Behind every seamless Vermont wedding day is a talented team of wedding professionals working their magic—transforming countless details into a flawless celebration. From executing stunning design concepts and coordinating timelines to handling last-minute surprises with ease, these experts bring creativity, organization, and dedication to every moment. Whether it’s planners, florists, stationers, or anyone in between, their hard work allows couples to relax and fully enjoy their special day. This category celebrates the pros who went above and beyond to bring wedding dreams to life. Explore their incredible work below and help us crown the best in the business.

What is the Vermont Weddings ‘Best Of’ Series?

It’s that time of year—our Vermont Weddings Best of Series is here! We’re celebrating the amazing work of Vermont’s top wedding professionals this wedding season, and we need your help to pick the best of the best. Check out the entries, get inspired, and vote for your favorites via the form at the end of this blog post. At the end of it all, we’ll announce the Reader’s Choice winners. Let’s celebrate together!

One for the Books

This wedding truly turned the page to the next great chapter for the happy couple. Featuring stunning greenery, florals, and an elegant bookshelf seating chart (the bride works at a library), who wouldn’t be charmed? Not pictured is another sweet detail- the bride’s father handmade a flower bud pot for every guest to take home as a wedding favor!

Photographer: Madison Anne Studio

Venue: The Barn at Smuggler’s Notch

Florals: Snaps and Sunflowers

Sit & Stay a While

Flowers, couches, and candles, oh my! With velvety textures and stunning pops of color, this cozy yet sophisticated sitting nook was the perfect place for lounging, catching up, or snapping picture-perfect moments with guests.

Venue: The Tillerman

 
Planner & Furniture: Julie Martin Olsen Weddings & Events
 
 
Tent: Celebration Rentals

A Fall Fairytale

This floral installation totally nailed the essence of autumn in Vermont! With vibrant colors and rich textures, it feels like stepping into one of the iconic, breathtaking landscapes the season is known for. 

Venue: An Affair by the Lake

Florals: Jayson Munn Design

Linens: The Linen Shop

Photographer: Julia Rebecca Photography

Bound to Bloom

We are absolutely in awe of this stunning display of florals, and its incorporation into a sweet and simple chandelier. With bouquets perfectly poised to surround the couple, this modern ceremony space is truly in full bloom!

Planner: Sara Judith Events

Florals:  A Clover and One Bee

Photographer: Danielle Allendorf Photography

Rentals: Vermont Tent Company

Venue: Waterworks Food + Drink

Timeless & True

This Woodstock wedding is so timeless! Draped in twinkling fairy lights and linens, this reception tent is so effortlessly elegant and sophisticated. With subtle pops of silver, green, and gold, this aesthetic will truly outlast the test of time!

Planner: Jaclyn Watson Events

Photographer: Charlotte Jenkins

Venue: Billings Farm & Museum 

Catering & Bar: Woodstock Inn & Resort

Florals: Valley Flower Farm

Rentals: Rain or Shine Tent Co., and PEAK Event Services

Linens: Reverie Social

Restrooms: 802  Restrooms

Lighting & Draping: Griffin & Griffin 

Photobooth: 802 Events

Reception entertainment: On the Move Entertainment

Color Meets Creativity

This couple’s wedding was a feast for the eyes, filled with stunning blooms and meaningful details! We’re in love with their gorgeous chuppah and how the florals flowed beautifully into the decor of their reception tent. Each table was named after artists the couple admires, complete with fun facts about their favorites and song recommendations for guests to check out. Colorful weddings and personalized touches were big in 2024, and we hope this vibrant, creative style is here to stay!

Planner: The Event Sisters

Venue: Magic Mountain

Photographer: Arielle Thomas Photography

Videographer: Matthew Binginot Creations

Florals: Full Moon Blooms

Rentals: Celebration Rentals, Jones Rentals and The Linen Shop

Bathrooms: Preferred Restrooms

Brewing Up Love

These newlyweds seamlessly blended one of their favorite things—craft beer—with their new chapter by featuring personalized beer bottles for guests to enjoy during their reception. When it comes to your big day, it’s all about the little details, especially when they reflect your interests (and your new last name!)

Venue: Sugarbush Resort

Photographer: Juniper Studios

Florals: M’s Wedding Flowers

Pastels Please!

Bursting in joy and color, this wedding is an enchanting garden party dream come true! Bright florals, glowing candles, and an intricate and inviting seating chart created a cheerful and vibrant ambiance on this couple’s special day.

Planner: I Dews Design & Events

Venue: Mountain Top Inn & Resort

Florals: Oak and Bee Florals

Photographer: Anne Mientka Photography

Something Blue

This bride (who happens to be a wedding pro!) knew that every detail counts on your big day. From the matching accent pillows to the perfectly coordinated carpet, she and Wild Fern Boutique created the ultimate getting-ready spot that seamlessly tied into her wedding color palette.

Month of planner: Sara Judith Events

Venue: Maquam Barn & Winery

Florals: Tipsy Tulip Designs

Seating area rental: Wild Fern Boutique

Entertainment: 802 Events

Photographers: Jenna Brisson Photography and Danielle Allendorf Photography

Hair: Ashley from AshleyMStudios

MUA: Brittney Eileen Beauty

Desserts: Cronin Cakes & Sweets

Snow in Love

This couple’s love of snowboarding and Vermont added a unique, personal touch to their special day. Their seating chart invited guests to “Find your peak,” with each table named after a mountain the couple loves. The custom photo booth during the reception was a hit, featuring a snowy Stowe Mountain backdrop, and vintage ski props –  a fun tribute to the bride’s impressive snowboarding skills!

Photographer: K. Lenox Photography

Photobooth: Saratoga Photo Booth

Venue: Old Gray Barn

Florals: Flowers by Cara

Day of Coordinator: Candice Grace Events

Greenery Galore

A tent lined with draping greenery, lines of practically floating rattan lanterns, and subtle floral tablecloths tie together such a special occasion! White and green blooms scattered across the venue added a lively touch to the beautiful tables.

Venue: Equinox Resort

Linens: The Linen Shop

Florals: Birds of a Flower

Photographer: Rodeo & Co

Planner: NJoy Events

Rentals: Rain or Shine Tent Co.

Vintage Treasures and Rustic Elegance

This wedding blended rustic elegance with vintage charm, thanks to the collaboration between the bride and her wedding planner, Dannie! Thoughtful details, like the bride’s bouquet honoring her late mother, and beautifully curated vintage elements—antique rugs and weathered suitcases—created a whimsical ambiance!

Planner: Green Mountain Gatherings

Florals: Pistil Productions 
 
Photographer: Mia Moran
 
Venue: Squabetty

Readers Choice Awards

Now that you’ve seen our picks for the best Vermont design in 2024, it’s time for you to vote! We’ll share your top picks for each category at the end of the month.

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