Mountain Top Inn and Resort Wedding
Located in Chittenden, Vermont, and surrounded by the stunning Green Mountains; The Mountain Top Inn & Resort is an all-inclusive venue that is an amazing choice for New England wedding - big or small. They offer multiple ceremony sites to choose from, 700 private acres, a 740 acre lake, meadows, woods, gardens, mountain views, accredited culinary and service staff, and dedicated wedding planners. In addition to all of those options they have a luxury lodge, cabin & guest house accommodations, on-site spa and floral/décor services, an extensive list of seasonal activities – and breathtaking scenery all four seasons of the year! PHEWF that's a heck of a lot!
Even if you're considering having a small wedding or elopement in Vermont - booking a venue like the Mountain Top Inn can make your experience stress-free and seamless! You don't need to invite 100+ guests to make your wedding day complete. By hosting an intimate wedding with just you nearest and dearest friends and family, you can create a day that is more personal and relaxed. Take a peek at the intimate wedding Krissy and Brian hosted at the Jewel at Meadows edge, on the Mountain Top Inn Property!
First, a shout-out to the Vendor Team:
Venue: Mountain Top Inn
Photographer: Tamara Merri Photography
Videographer: Veiled in Motion
Hair and Makeup: 802 Glow
Florist: Petal and Crumb
Dessert: Sweet Birch Bakery
Meet Krissy & Brian:
These two have a light that shines out of them - I mean just LOOK at those smiles! They're some of the sweetest and most welcoming people I've ever met. And not only them - but their entire family, friend group AND their sweet pup! They planned their intimate summer wedding to be a low-key, no-stress celebration with around 25 of their loved ones. The Green Mountains in Vermont were the perfect backdrop to their intentional and relaxing day. They got ready at the Jewel Guest house (which doubled as the reception location) and then had the sweetest first look out on the meadow just outside the house. Their ceremony location was on site at the Knoll with the most stunning natural greenery arbor (and mountains!) for the backdrop of their "I do's".
After they said helllll yes they want to marry each other we headed back to the Jewel for their intimate reception. They decorated their farmhouse-style tables DIY style with floating candles and eucalyptus garland. It was minimal yet elegant, perfectly fitting for their low-key reception. We all enjoyed dinner, had some heartwarming speeches, and then cut their cake! As they were cutting their cake, one of their buddies walked in the background so they smashed some cake in his face!!! I love how intimate weddings like this one leave so much room for enjoying the moments with your favorite people. While larger weddings are wonderful, there are so many guests that you don't always have the opportunity to really be present with your loved ones like you do at a smaller / intimate / micro - wedding / elopement (whatever you want to call it!).
Kind words from the couple:
Tammy is incredible! She is professional, attentive, friendly and so much fun to work with. Everybody at our wedding couldn't stop raving about her! She's bubbly, fun, and chatted with our guests throughout the night. She's extremely communicative and organized. I was legitimately excited to see her when she arrived the morning of the wedding. Her photos are true to life, which is exactly what we were looking for. She made my husband and I feel super comfortable in front of the camera (which we generally are not) and was able to direct us in a way that didn't feel too stiff or posed. She captured a variety of photos, from romantic to moody to goofy and candid. She was great with our dog and we are so happy with how the photos came out. I was feeling anxious after the wedding, not having seen any photos of the day yet, but Tammy texted the next morning a whole grid of amazing sneak peek photos to share with us! We also did our engagement photos with her and we were thrilled with those as well. The location we picked for the engagement photos was busy with people and other photographers, but Tammy wasn't phased at all and we still got all the shots we wanted, while also being respectful of the others who were there as well. We will absolutely be using Tammy for any photography we need in the future. We can't recommend her enough. Hire her, you won't regret it!
- Krissy
Getting Ready in the Jewel at Mountain Top Inn & Resort
From my and Krissy's first conversation she said she couldn't wait to get a photo of her dress hanging in the big windows at The Jewel. Can you blame her?!?! I mean look at that stunning architecture! I am obbbbsesssedddd with this building and the light that it lets in. Also - fun fact... I wore the same dress on my wedding day that you see Krissy wearing here! :) It was so fun to be able to pose her because I knew what it was like to walk around with so much light, flowy fabric.
First Look at the Mountain Top Inn & Resort
One of my favorite things that I've been seeing lately is that after a couple has their first look, they then do a first look with their pup and I AM WEAK at how much dogs are so excited to see their owners. Did you know there is a company called For the Love of Paws that will look after your dog on your wedding day, and will take behind the scenes videos / photos from your dogs point of view? Maybe I should switch my job because that seems like the best gig of all time haha.
Related blog: what is a first look?
Ceremony at the Wedding Knoll
Stunning ceremony site, stunning couple, stunning service. I mean, just the greenery and Salvia officinalis (or lavender...? I don't know, I'm not a botanist) growing naturally to frame the ceremony site without even needing a florist is just *chefs kiss*. The addition of the sliding doors is cool so even though the ceremony is outside, there is still that moment for the big reveal for the bride/groom. I LOVE the bench seating in lieu of chairs, and am honestly surprised more venues don't offer this. I think it really enhanced the intimate feel of their day; everyone's together.
Related Blog: Lynch Park Wedding
Wedding Portraits at the Mountain Top Inn
Since we did a first look, we didn't spend too much time after their ceremony taking couple's photos, but OF COURSE we had to do a few "ommggg" just married photos! There can be a shift in the energy between first look and post-ceremony, so even though we were in the same sort of area for photos, I really do think the photos have a different air to them!! Plus, it's always a good opportunity to get some photos showcasing both partner's new rings!
Related Blog: If you like mountainous backdrops like these Green Mountains, you might enjoy Becca & Justin's Mount Greylock elopement in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts
Related
Cocktail hour at Mountain Top Inn
Oh I love a good balcony to be able to get a good angle for a group photo to see everyone clearly!! Look at this cute baby guest list. Every single person there was intentionally invited and extremely loved. Man, I just adore intimate weddings. Although sometimes they're tough, because I also end up bonding with the guests and then it's sad I'll never see them again! Weddings are always bitter sweet for me because while I'm soooo excited to finally meet my couple (if we didn't have an engagement session), it's also the last time we'll really talk for a while since all the wedding planning is complete. Anyways - in happier news, look at Willow trying to eat Krissy's flowers :).
Related Blog: If you like their quaint Vermont wedding venue that's perfect for their smaller guest list, check out these unique lodging opportunities in New England for your elopement.
Wedding Reception at the Jewel Guesthouse
The Balcony of the Jewel at Mountaintop Inn and Resort made for the most perfect dinner location for Krissy & Brian's intimate wedding. The farmhouse tables brought everyone closer, but were split up enough so that mingling was easier. I really loved the perspective for the speeches I was able to achieve with this set up as well. It was way easier to get candid photos! Okay and last but not least, scroll all the way down to see their friend getting cake-faced. You know I wouldn't leave you hanging!!!
Related Blog: If you're a fan of DIY wedding reception decor, you might enjoy looking through my blog for Elsie & Mike's Northern Maine wedding
I am truly blessed to have this career and get to be invited into couple's most precious days!! I am so, so lucky to have met Krissy and Brian and all their family and friends!!
Mountain Top Inn, Vermont Wedding Photographer
Hey, I'm Tammy - your Vermont wedding and elopement photographer! I love documenting the in-between, unprompted moments and getting to know my couples on a personal level! I photograph weddings + elopements in Vermont and all over New England!
Contact me and let's start planning your dream day!
xx,
Tam
Tamara Meri Photography
hello@tamaramerriphotography.com
