The graceful details of this Vermont wedding, held at the Equinox Resort and Spa, strike me as blend of luxurious and country fresh. Camden and Rob met at Middlebury College and though they now live in another state, Vermont was the perfect place to return to when they exchanged their vows. “To us, Vermont symbolizes excellent craftsmanship, people who care about their work and the finished product, incredible local food and attention to sustainability, and, of course, natural beauty,” Camden says. The setting, along with details like a cake to match her dress, a blossoming ceremony archway, and a courtyard cocktail reception, certainly make for an enchanted event. Be sure to read below for their full story!

Before the Ring:
We met at Middlebury College as sophomores and kept up the friendship for the next few years.  Between disparate majors and our involvement with various sports teams on campus (by senior year, Rob was the captain of both the water polo team and the swim team and I was the captain of the crew team), we saw each other infrequently.  Toward the end of senior year, we had begun spending more and more time together, and our relationship changed from friendship to much more in May 2006, when Rob surprised me by driving down from Middlebury for my regatta.

We graduated that semester, and Rob moved to New York City and I moved to D.C. for our respective jobs.  We quickly became quite familiar with the various modes of transportation between D.C. and New York, and via planes, trains, and automobiles (literally!) we spent a total of two years traveling back and forth.  Rob moved to D.C. in September 2008, right as I started law school. Once we moved in together, everything really started to click. We’ve known each other for close to a decade now, been through so many changes together, and I, frankly, still have a crush on him. 

The Proposal:
During my second year of law school, Rob bought tickets for the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in D.C. After the lovely performance we went up and sat out on our building’s roof deck. We were sitting and talking for a while, and somehow, the subject turned to whether we were going to any weddings over the next few months.  I made some comment about how we had a blank slate, and he goes “Well, I suppose we’re next.”  I, not looking at him and totally considering it a joke, replied, “That’s up to you.”  Then I turned to look at him, and he was down on one knee, with a ring in his hand, and asked me to marry him.

Special Details:
The ceremony was held outside, at the Equinox, in the 1811 House Gardens.  The setting was incredible, we let it take center stage—nothing manmade could possibly compete.  We have a lot of siblings between the two of us (Rob has two sisters and a brother, and I have two sisters), who were all part of the bridal party, as well as many friends.  Also included was our dog, Otto, who was “standing in” for a groomsman who was deployed at the time.

One focal point of our design (and really the wedding) was the use of Adirondack chairs. They appeared on the design for the save the dates and invitations, on the clear glass bottles that were our favors, and in the décor of the hallway that led guests from the cocktail reception to the event space.

I loved everything about the reception; the candles on the tables had maps printed on them, which was a lovely touch by my mother and a nod to my interest in geography. Later in the evening, there was a passed offering of late night snacks which was a huge favorite among the guests! They included grilled cheese triangles, paper cones of French fries, and my favorite: chocolate chip cookies and shooters of milk.

Favorite Moment:
One of my clearest memories is the feeling that overwhelmed me when we walked across the street from the 1811 House Garden to the cocktail hour in the Lincoln Garden. I hadn’t yet seen the transformation of the space, and to see that, standing next to my new husband, faced with nearly all the people we loved best in the world, caused a tremendous bubble of joy to swell up and burst in my chest.

Camden’s Advice:
There’s no good time to get married. What’s important is to ask for help and to work with the people around you- a wedding planner/coordinator if you can (I wouldn’t have survived without mine), family if they’re interested, friends if you’re lucky, but most importantly, your finance(e). I was studying for the bar exam (which I took two weeks before we got married), but Rob just kept stepping up and handling everything. Grooms can be great wedding planners!

Don’t get so wrapped up in the idea of what a wedding “should be” that you forget to have fun.  Talk to your guests. Laugh with your wedding party. Take a moment before the day starts to think about what it means. And really, truly, try to remember to slow down and look around–the day goes so fast.

Photography: Kathleen Landwehrle Photography / Venue: Equinox Resort & Spa / Invitations: Stephannie Barba of Couture Maps / Coordination: Belinda Norris of Belinda Norris Events / Floral Design: Tara Pollio Floral Event Design / Catering: Equinox Resort (including the pies!) / Bridal Hair & Makeup: Stephanie Gardiner of KLS Studios / Rings: Liljenquist & Beckstead Jewelry Boutique