Truth be told, Vermont already has a fantastic reputation as a wedding destination. The beautiful pastoral setting, the friendly and community-oriented people, and the well-developed year-round tourism industry make it a thoroughly enchanting place to pledge your allegiance.
But in case you’re unfamiliar with Green Mountain State or feeling a little hesitant about where to go, here are some informative facts that might help you get on our way.
1) The Food
Vermont is a place deeply committed to a strong local food economy. We have the Vermont Fresh Network, which partners with farmers and restaurants so that the food served travels a short distance from farm to table. We have numerous co-ops and farmers’ markets filled with fresh produce, homemade cheese, and organic free-range meats. We have caterers that use locally sourced foods. And we have plenty of pick-your-own opportunities at farms that offer everything from berries and flowers in the summer to apples and pumpkins in the fall. No matter which way you turn, you’re guaranteed a delicious marital experience.
2) Music
Vermont may be a tiny country state, but you can’t swing without hitting up an amazing group of musicians. We have world class bands playing folk, bluegrass, swing, funk, jazz, reggae and of course a wedding march or two. No matter what corner of the state you’re in, whether you’re looking for a band to rock your reception, a night of contra-dance after rehearsal, or a fun music festival to spend a sunny summer afternoon, you’ll find yourself well and highly entertained.
3) The Towns
Even in these, our modern times, Vermont is a state deeply committed to maintaining its local communities and small-town character and traditions. Walk down the main street of Bristol, Burlington, Montpelier, or Brattleboro, and you’ll see a plethora of local shops, as well as people making eye contact and greeting each other as they walk down the street. Smaller cities like Shelburne and Charlotte, which I live near, have an even more cohesive feel. What better way to start a life together than in an authentic and open-hearted community.
4) The Inns
If you’re looking for an alternative to having your wedding in a sterile, conventional hotel, your best bet is one of Vermont’s many inns. Usually located on the site of an old farm, you will find charming rooms filled with antiques, barns converted into beautiful halls, beautiful gardens, and owners who are there to greet you and help you create the most magical wedding possible.
5) The Laws of Marriage
Getting married in Vermont is more than easy. You can obtain a license from any municipal clerk and there are no special requirements; no waiting period, no witnesses, no need for blood tests. All the ceremony needs is you, your suitor and an Officiant. While the ceremony can be as elaborate as you like, it doesn’t need to be longer than:
Leader: Do you two want to get married?
You two: Yes!
Leader: You’re married!
Also, same-sex marriage is legal in Vermont. And whether or not you’re gay, if you believe in social justice and marriage equality, Vermont is the place to be.
