Vermont Summer Elopement at Grand Isle Lake House | August 9th, 2024


Carole and Tom gathered family and friends for an exuberant summer Vermont elopement reception at the Grand Isle Lake House in Vermont. The pair had eloped the year prior and wanted to commemorate their union with a party, dancing, and good food with loved ones in attendance.


Tom's previous wife tragically passed away, but the love that he discovered with Carole kicked off a 20-plus year connection, and they decided to formally marry in 2023. The couple's rainy summer day consisted of joyful family portraits, bicycle entrances, a live band performance and a beautiful rainbow behind the signature green mountains of Vermont.


The Venue: Grand Isle Lake House | Grand Isle, Vermont


Located along the shores of Lake Champlain just an hour north of Burlington, the Grand Isle Lake House has gorgeous views of the mountains. The venue offered plenty of open space for photos, gathering and dancing.


Summer Vermont Elopement Celebration | The Story


Carole and Tom began their day at the Grand Isle Lake House greeting attendees and getting ready for the reception with loved ones. For the occasion, Carole wore a non-traditional pink dress and was assisted in putting on her wrist corsage by her sister, while Tom looked debonair in a navy blue suit, striped shirt and orange tie. Carole personally assisted him in putting on his matching orange corsage. Because there was no wedding party for the elopement, the couple spent the early afternoon taking official photos with each other, family and loved ones on the porch in the rainy Vermont afternoon before cocktail hour. Hurricane remnants didn't put a damper on the festivities as The Grift created a lively musical experience for the start of the celebration.


The party and wedding guests made their way down to a large white tent for the official wedding reception, where Tom and Carole made their grand entrance on a two-seater bicycle—with a "Just Married (Finally)" sign on the very front—to cheerful applause from those in attendance. The couple are avid cyclists, riding all over the world from France to the United States, so this was the perfect way to make their grand entrance.


Tom and Carole exchanged emotional speeches in the presence of guests ahead of dinner, which was enough to clear the cloudy skies in favor of a sunnier evening and a rainbow to boot! Everyone made their way back to the lake house for speeches from the wedding party and a special PowerPoint from the wedded couple's siblings, containing memories throughout the years. The Grift took the stage one more time as guests danced vibrantly and took more photos to round out the night.


Congratulations, Carole and Tom, on your beautiful Vermont elopement and reception. Wishing you continued jubilation on your journey together!


Looking to book a photographer for your Vermont elopement or summer reception? Get in touch with me today!


Venue: Grand Isle Lake House

Florist: Savage Gardens, Amanda Gervais

Cake/Desserts: Em’s Cakery, Emily Hertle

DJ/Band: The Grift

Hair/Makeup: Marisa Ward

Catering: Let’s Pretend 

Wedding Dress(es): Black Halo

Shoes: Rieker

Jewelry/Rings: Monelle's

Save the Dates/Programs/Invites: Paperlesspost

Favors/Gifts: Swaying Daisies Honeybee Farm, Karen Posner

 

Grand Isle Lake House entrance sign with colorful balloons tied to stone pillar.
Elegant wedding table setting with orange napkins and small favor jars.
Wedding reception tent decorated with greenery garlands and wooden cross-back chairs.
Small glass jar favor on bright orange napkin at elegant place setting.
Minimalist black and white detail of wedding tent peak against tree line.
Wedding guests descending wooden staircase inside historic venue.
An intimate moment captured during a wedding prep as flowers are pinned onto formal attire.
A corsage being pinned on a navy suit with an orange tie during a formal event.
A couple in formal attire poses on a white columned porch wearing magenta and navy.
A romantic moment shared between a couple in formal wear on a classic southern porch.
A couple shares an intimate embrace under a clear umbrella in a garden setting.
A romantic kiss under a clear umbrella on a rainy day.
A couple shares a tender moment under an umbrella wearing coordinated formal attire.
A joyful moment shared between a couple in formal wear under a clear umbrella.
A couple in magenta and navy embrace outdoors during a formal photo session.
A tender embrace captured between a couple in formal attire against a garden backdrop.
Mini tacos arranged in a wooden serving tray with an orange zinnia flower as decoration.
Three guests walking towards a white wedding tent set up on a grassy lawn.
Musicians performing with acoustic guitars on a covered porch during an outdoor event.
A couple in formal attire embraces on a hilltop with a rainbow and ocean view in the background.
A romantic moment captured against a scenic coastal backdrop with a rainbow in the distance.
A joyful couple sharing a laugh together on a scenic overlook with water and rainbow views.
A couple embraces while admiring a rainbow over the ocean from a hillside viewpoint.
A couple riding a tandem bicycle with white balloons tied to it during an outdoor celebration.
A couple cycles together on a tandem bike along a tree-lined path with white balloons.
Playful couple on a tandem bicycle striking poses with white balloons in a garden setting.
Couple on a bicycle with white balloons and a sign enjoying an outdoor celebration on a grassy lawn.
Couple dancing together under a white tent during an outdoor reception celebration.
Guest in blue suit jacket reading note during elegant outdoor dinner reception.
Wedding reception guests enjoying dinner under tent with woman in vibrant magenta dress.
Reception guests seated at tables under white tent listening to speeches.
Wedding guests laughing while seated in white chairs during indoor reception.
Reception guests enjoying entertainment while seated in white folding chairs indoors.
Large group of wedding guests seated in rows of white chairs during indoor celebration.
White tent illuminated with purple and orange lights against dark night sky.
Couple dancing together under string lights during evening reception celebration.
Guitarist in orange patterned shirt performs on stage under purple lighting and string decorations.
Guitarist plays custom wood-grain electric guitar at event with purple ambient lighting.
Wedding reception dance floor with purple and blue lighting under tent with hanging greenery.
Performance under tent with string lights and purple ambient lighting.
Party guests dancing under tent with string lights and ambient lighting.
Dancing guest jumps energetically at wedding reception under tent lights.
Artistic motion blur capture of dancing couple under string lights at reception.
Three energetic dancers celebrate on dance floor with live band performing in background.
Group of guests perform synchronized dance moves on wooden dance floor at reception.