Vermont is one of the elite destination wedding spots within New England. As a New England Wedding Photographer based in Vermont, that has traveled all across New England and beyond I truly appreciate the unique beauty that Vermont has to offer. With so many options of wedding venues in Vermont I wanted to introduce some of my favorite weddings venues that hold the charm of Vermont & New England, but focus on historic and chic vibes that speak to an elegance and elevated design. I hope you enjoy.
Mountain Top Inn is a true gem of a venue nestled in the heart of Vermont, surrounded by 700 acres of breathtaking meadows, forests, mountains, and gardens. Whether you're planning an intimate elopement, a micro wedding, or a large weekend-long celebration, this venue is perfectly set up to accommodate your needs.
Couples can choose from four stunning ceremony locations, each offering its own unique charm. The reception hall boasts a luxurious yet rustic barn vibe, with twinkling lights hanging from the ceiling and natural light streaming in through windows thoughtfully placed along two walls.
To make planning even easier, Mountain Top Inn offers on-site floral and beauty services, eliminating the stress of finding your own vendors. Guests can enjoy a variety of accommodations, including cozy lodge rooms, charming cabins, and spacious guest houses, ensuring comfort for everyone throughout their stay.
For cocktail hour, the venue provides excellent indoor and outdoor options, ensuring comfort in any weather. As a photographer, you'll find endless opportunities for breathtaking formal photos, from the serene horse meadows and stunning mountain backdrops to vibrant gardens and the venue's private beach.
My Favorite Things:
The Jewel House View
The Knoll Ceremony Site & View
The Variety of Photo Options & Backgrounds
If you love The Sound of Music, gorgeous mountain views, and adorable cows, this is the venue for you. Nestled on 2,600 acres atop Trapp Hill in Stowe, Vermont, the Von Trapp Lodge — also known as the “Trapp Family Lodge” — is perfect for couples seeking historic elegance and stress-free wedding planning.
With 96 guest rooms and reception space for over 200 guests, it’s one of Vermont’s most iconic getaways and wedding venues. Couples can choose from multiple event spaces, ideal for everything from rehearsal dinners and welcome parties to post-wedding brunches, ceremonies, and cocktail hours.
The main ceremony site offers a breathtaking mountain view that makes you feel immersed in nature. For larger gatherings, their expansive tent in the Wedding Meadow provides ample space and creative freedom for you and your guests to celebrate in style. Alternatively, their indoor spaces, like The Mozart Room, offer a warm and intimate experience with high ceilings, a cozy fireplace, and natural light streaming through large windows on either side.
My Favorite Things:
The Cows
The spacious elevated & elegant tent
The multiple locations for wedding weekend gatherings
Sterling Ridge Resort I often describe this venue as Vermont’s “Western Vibe.” It's the perfect choice for outdoorsy couples who want to celebrate all weekend while staying close with their loved ones. As a Vermont family-owned resort, Sterling Ridge Resort offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere with onsite accommodations for roughly 100 guests, ranging from chic cabins to luxurious homes.
Nestled in the mountains of Jeffersonville, Vermont, this resort features a stunning ceremony backdrop, a camp-like feel, and an inviting sense of togetherness. Their outdoor tented reception site can host up to 150 guests, providing ample space and creative freedom to design a celebration that’s uniquely yours.
Couples who choose Sterling Ridge can enjoy endless activities, from hiking and mountain biking to swimming and exploring Vermont’s natural beauty. With accommodations conveniently onsite, you and your guests can fully relax and embrace the weekend without the hassle of traveling far when the festivities wind down. It’s the ideal location for curating a memorable wedding experience that feels personal and special.
My Favorite things:
The family run style of business
The stunning ceremony backdrop
The vendor choice and creative freedom
A venue for couples who want to take charge of their wedding day from scratch incorporating all the best design and details that their heart desires without losing the stunning location. Set on a peaceful road in Rochester Vermont, Sunny Hollow offers it's services for up to 100 guests with on site housing for wedding parties that also acts as getting ready space for and before the ceremony. Their ceremony location features a stunning mountain view and pond which can double as a "formal photos" space as well for all the pictures loved ones. Unlike other venues Sunny Hollow offers suggestions not requirements of the vendors that you would like to work with making it that much more of a personal experience and ensuring you get vendors that meet your vision.
My Favorite Things:
The ceremony backdrop
The natural light farmhouse
The creative freedom for clients
While it may be a barn wedding venue, The Barn at Smuggs offers a fresh, modern feel with its white walls and light wood floors, creating a bright and chic atmosphere. This family-owned venue boasts stunning 360-degree views of Mount Mansfield, providing a breathtaking backdrop for your special day.
The venue features an elegant, naturally lit bridal suite and a beautiful post-and-beam design, making it the perfect choice for couples seeking barn vibes without sacrificing natural light and an airy ambiance. Inside, a stunning chandelier and charming café string lights are already installed, adding warmth and elegance to the space.
For receptions, The Barn at Smuggs provides custom farmhouse tables, allowing couples to design personalized tablescapes that match their vision. Additionally, the venue offers a spacious 45' x 30' elegant tent — free of charge — along with a covered patio, outdoor seating, cozy fire pits, and a sprawling lawn for guests to enjoy. Their onsite catering is farm-to-table, ensuring a fresh and locally inspired dining experience.
My Favorite Things:
They are dog friendly
the view during the ceremony
the natural light
Venues I Love And Want to Work At
From a photographer's perspective, this venue offers an incredible blend of natural beauty and versatile spaces, perfect for capturing every special moment. Nestled on 38 acres of picturesque landscape, it provides an intimate setting for smaller gatherings of 30 guests or the perfect canvas for grand celebrations of up to 200. The exclusive use of the property from Friday to Sunday allows ample time to document every detail — from the quiet, emotional moments during the rehearsal dinner to the joyful energy of the after-party at the tavern and patio.
The outdoor ceremony site features a charming natural arbor, creating a stunning focal point framed by the surrounding greenery — ideal for dreamy, light-filled portraits. Cocktail hour in the lower meadow offers a relaxed, open-air setting where guests mingle against a serene backdrop, while the upper meadow transforms into a vibrant reception space, perfect for capturing laughter, dancing, and heartfelt toasts.
For more intimate celebrations, the Manor House offers two inviting options. Receptions hosted on the restaurant’s upper patio can accommodate up to 75 guests from June through early October, providing a cozy yet elegant outdoor setting. Year-round events can also be held in the dining room, which offers an intimate space for up to 45 guests — perfect for smaller gatherings filled with meaningful moments.
The venue's walking trails, as well as ski and snowshoe paths, provide endless opportunities for unique couple’s portraits in every season. With an experienced event planning manager on hand, every detail is thoughtfully coordinated — allowing couples to relax and enjoy their day while I focus on documenting the emotions, connections, and unforgettable moments that unfold.
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When it comes to elegance and history, this venue takes the cake. Set between the Taconic Mountains and the Green Mountains in Manchester, Vermont, Hildene offers vintage charm and timeless beauty from May through October.
As you drive up the scenic country road and pass through the grand entrance gate, you'll be welcomed by an atmosphere of refined elegance. Couples have the privilege of exchanging vows in the stunning formal garden, surrounded by meticulously curated hedges and vibrant flowers. There’s truly no bad angle when capturing ceremonies in this picturesque space.
After the ceremony, guests can enjoy cocktail hour and savor selections from the onsite caterer in front of the historic museum. To help bring your wedding vision to life, Hildene also offers an onsite florist dedicated to creating breathtaking floral designs that complement your unique style.
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From a photographer's perspective, the Kimpton Taconic Hotel in Manchester, Vermont, is a dream venue that blends classic New England charm with modern elegance. Its picturesque setting, surrounded by the rolling Green Mountains, creates a stunning backdrop for every moment — from intimate portraits to vibrant reception scenes.
The hotel’s thoughtfully designed spaces offer endless photo opportunities. The charming outdoor ceremony site provides a beautiful, natural setting with lush greenery and mountain views, perfect for capturing couples exchanging vows. For receptions, the elegant ballroom offers warm lighting and sophisticated decor that photographs beautifully, while the inviting wrap-around porch creates a cozy atmosphere ideal for candid moments with family and friends.
The Kimpton Taconic’s boutique accommodations, including stylish guest rooms, suites, and cottages, offer a luxurious yet relaxed feel — perfect for those intimate getting-ready shots. The well-manicured grounds, combined with Manchester’s quintessential Vermont charm, make this venue a treasure trove of stunning backdrops for timeless wedding photography. With its blend of elegance, comfort, and scenic beauty, the Kimpton Taconic is an ideal setting for capturing love stories in an authentic and unforgettable way.
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