Top Locations to Elope in Vermont

Best Places for A Vermont Elopement

SWELL & STONE / Adventure Elopement Photographer / New England & Beyond

How to Plan Your Vermont Elopement

Eloping can spare a lot of the stress and anxiety that comes with planning a traditional wedding. With your partner by your side, the life-changing moment is sure to be a lot less overwhelming. Planning an elopement also offers a lot of benefits for people who are looking for an intimate, less costly ceremony. This article will explore some of your options, what to expect, and the best locations to elope in Vermont.

Vermont has so many stunning landscapes from waterfalls to mountain ranges and is considered one of the best places in the Northeast region and the country for elopements. Those looking for an adventure wedding experience should look no further than Vermont. The autumn in particular offers some of the best views in the entire world during fall foliage season.

Want to spread your search a little broader? Here’s my New England elopement guide. Check out these articles if you’re looking for Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, or Upstate NY. Or check out galleries from Vermont elopements here: A.J. & David, Sara & Joe, Anna & Sean, Lucie & Michael, Brittany & Wayne, Holly & Louis, Alexis & Nick, Rachel & Ryan, Kelsey & Kirsten.

There are a lot of reasons why people elope. Some people want to get married without their families present, some want to avoid the stress of planning a big wedding, and some just want the ceremony to be small and intimate. Whatever your reason for eloping, there are plenty of beautiful places in Vermont that are perfect for an intimate ceremony. You can also find a range of affordable options on Airbnb or VRBO if you’re looking for an alternative to hotels or bed-and-breakfasts.

Known as the Green Mountain State, Vermont is the 14th wonder of the natural world. Ok, that’s not true, but what is true is that it is home to more than 100 19th-century covered wooden bridges and it’s a major producer of maple syrup with “sugar houses” all over the state. It boasts thousands of acres of mountain terrain which are crossed by hiking trails and skiing slopes. It’s charming and cozy, and from enchanting forests that hide incredibly beautiful waterfalls to the mountain peaks, there is something everyone will love.

Mt. Mansfield State Park is home to the tallest mountain and only one of two spots where you can get above treeline in the state. Nearby Camel’s Hump is the other. Lake Champlain is a huge lake that has private islands, a ferry across to New York, and incredible sunset views. Go north to Lake Willoughby and find an incredibly clear and beautiful lake with mountains rising straight up out of the sides.

When planning an elopement it is always best to plan on a weekday. If you plan on having no guests, or just your immediate families, it is ultimately less expensive, plus easier to plan ceremonies with fewer crowds. Here are some of the best spots to elope in VT.

Where to Elope in Vermont

Mt. Mansfield

The tallest mountain in the Green Mountain State is Mt. Mansfield, and there are a multitude of ways to get up this mountain. From May to early October, you can take the Auto Toll Road which costs $22 per private vehicle and an additional $9 per passenger. Their hours are 9am - 4pm and it open generally from Memorial Day to the second weekend in October. This road takes you to the Visitors Center near the top of the mountain, however, it’s still another 1.2 mile hike to reach the summit. And don’t be mistaken there are somewhat sheer faces, and temps can be in the 40’s and 50’s on the summit even when it’s a warm summer day at the base. You can also choose to take the gondola which is a shorter but steeper hike to the summit via the precarious cliff trail. Taking the Gondola Skyride costs adults (age 13+) $30, and children (age 5-12) $20, the Family Pack (2 adults, 2 children) is $85. This is also open generally from Memorial Day to the second weekend in Oct, however, it’s also open in the winter during ski season. The cliff trail is too dangerous to ascend in the winter, but you can walk around the top. Gondola hours are 10 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Of course, then there are hiking trails to the top. They range from 3 miles roundtrip (going straight up) to around 8 miles round trip. These are open all year except for mud season which generally lasts from April to late May when snow is melting rapidly and causing the trails to become basically waterfalls. Check out this gallery, and this one, and this one.

Various Waterfalls

There are so many amazing waterfalls in Vermont and they are one of my favorite spots to take people to who have never been to Vermont before. When they see the clear and pristine waters flowing over the granite rock they can hardly believe it’s real. The water is a deep blue-green and it really does seem like something only seen in movies. Several are super popular swimming holes, so in the summer especially I highly recommend a sunrise ceremony. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a bunch of eager swimmers waiting to jump in the water during your ceremony. There are a few with only a short hike to the falls, making them great spots if you are eloping with some family that can’t walk far. Check out this gallery.

Stowe

Stowe has so many great hikes and options for ceremony spots with views. This is a favorite spot for winter elopers too because of the ski resort on Mt. Mansfield. The town itself is extremely charming, and there are a ton of great options for places to stay. There are short and easy waterfall hikes nearby, you can ride the gondola, or you can do a more strenuous hike and find a little more seclusion here too. Check out this gallery.

Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain is a huge freshwater lake that runs the length of the top third of Vermont all the way to Canada. It lies on the eastern border of Vermont and on the western border of upstate New York. From the Vermont side you can see the Adirondacks in New York, and from the New York side, you can see the Green Mountains and Mt. Mansfield. There is a ferry across that is super fun to take if you are looking for a more interesting way to go from one side of the lake to the other. It’s around $10.75 for the driver and car, and then an additional $4.50 for passengers after that. The lake has numerous lake houses, VRBO’s, Airbnb’s, and resorts along the shoreline, along with some conserved lands for public access. It’s a great place for eloping couples to rent a place to stay and come back after an exciting and incredible elopement day to watch the sunset over the mountains and the lake. Check out this gallery.

Lake Willoughby

Willoughby is a glacial lake over 320 feet deep in places second to only Lake Champlain whose deepest point reaches 400 feet. Lake Willoughby resembles a Norwegian fjord. There are a variety of hikes near the lake that allow for an elevated view of the lake and make for great ceremony spots. The water is beautiful and clear and this is also a great spot to canoe, paddleboard, or go boating.

Camel’s Hump

Hiking Camel’s Hump is a fairly strenuous 6-mile round trip hike, but the views from the top make it all worthwhile. Beautiful seemingly endless mountain layers stretch on for what feels like forever. Along with the nice views you get a challenge as well in terms of the hike. This won’t be ideal for everyone, but for those who want to experience the views and leave some of the crowds behind this might fit the bill.

Texas Falls Recreation Area

This is a gorgeous…gorge, haha. There is plenty of hiking to do here, and great views of the gorge, plus spectacular mossy trails in an old-growth forest. It’s a dreamy spot for those looking for quick and easy access to an intimate and beautiful area. Check out this gallery.

Smugglers Notch State Park

There are a ton of beautiful hikes in Smuggler Notch State Park near the Stowe area. One trail, in particular, leads to an incredible pond flanked by mountains on all sides. From here you can continue on and summit an awesome peak, which also has great views. It’s only a 2.3 round trip hike so there is a lot of beauty for relatively little exertion.

Emerald Lake State Park

Another state park with gorgeous views and crystal clear waters, but this one is actually in southern Vermont. This park is a favorite for outdoor recreation in the summer, but it’s just as pretty in the spring and the fall. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent right on the beach, and there are great hiking trails around the edge of the lake making finding a secluded ceremony spot a little easier. Check out this gallery.

Haystack Mountain

A mountain in southern Vermont, the summit of Haystack Mountain has views of Haystack Pond down below, along with incredible views of the rest of the mountain range. It’s not an easy hike, but there is only about 1000 feet of elevation gain over the 2.5 miles up, making it not all that steep and therefore doable in a wedding dress. A lot of people also snowshoe this one in the winter.

Brousseau Mountain

This mountain falls in the far north of the state of Vermont. It’s a short hike to incredible views and it’s very lightly trafficked, making it an ideal spot for a more secluded elopement experience.

How Do You Legally Get Married in Vermont?

The requirements for getting married in Vermont are simple - you just need to be 18 years old, have a valid photo ID and know where the wedding will take place. There are no residency requirements for getting married in Vermont.

You do not need witnesses to get married in Vermont.

How Much Does it Cost to Get Married in Vermont?

The average cost of wedding venues in Vermont is $3,000 to $5,000, and the average cost of a full, traditional wedding is around $35,000. But if you choose to get married by eloping in the great outdoors that cost can go down significantly. Check out an elopement cost calculator here. Eloping couples choose to pay for what they care about and forget the rest. For some couples, creating an adventurous experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives is more important than paying for a party for a large number of friends and family, most of whom they don’t see that often. Eloping couples often choose to spend more on the experience and the process of documenting their day, than the guests involved.

Whether you’re from Vermont, New England, or anywhere else in the country or world, VT is an incredible place to elope or have a small outdoor wedding. From epic mountain destinations to lush forests, lakes, and rivers, there are a lot of options to host the perfect outdoor elopement getaway. So if hiking to a stunning waterfall, summiting mountains, or paddling a lake or river sounds like your idea of a great elopement day, get in touch. I don’t just take small outdoor wedding and elopement photos. I help you plan your perfect, adventurous day from beginning to end.

Ready to start planning your Vermont Elopement? Get in touch with me today!

Gorgeous Fall Elopement in Stowe Vermont

Kirsten & Kelsey Elope to Vermont During the Most Colorful Time of Year

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / VERMONT & BEYOND

To say that Kirsten and Kelsey’s gorgeous fall elopement in Stowe, Vermont didn’t go according to plan is an understatement, but they didn’t let anything stop them from having the time of their lives. I got a call the night before we were supposed to meet for a sunrise hike. It was Kelsey telling me she had just sprained her ankle going down the stairs. No worries, I assured her, there are plenty of spots around town that are short walking distance and we can pivot and still have a stunning and wonderful day. Kirsten was there to support her over the uneven terrain, and her crutches made a few appearances in the photos, but overall she was able to limp and sit and rest when needed. And at the end of the day, they were able to say their vows and they were married to one another, which is the most important part.

To add to the excitement of the day, there was rain in the forecast. But ultimately it only drizzled on us here and there, which honestly just adds to the ambiance. Their families made the trek to their waterfall ceremony location. They enjoyed a mini celebration at a mountain lake before heading back to their rental for the after celebration dinner with family. Their ceremony included tears from the officiant, Kirsten’s sister, and many of their family members were misty-eyed as well. The fall colors were in absolute peak form, just putting on the show of a lifetime and everyone was in awe of the scenery.

Watching Kesley and Kirsten together throughout the day was one of the most fun parts of the day. They genuinely have so much fun together, even when nothing goes as planned. They didn’t seem stressed at all, again even with plans changing from their original form. After our sunrise session where there was more misty fog than sunshine, Kirsten mentioned that she was a little bit nervous before the first session, but that honestly it just felt like we were hanging out and that it was so much fun. The rest of the day I just captured as it unfolded because their family was along for the ride, and in the end, the visual story of their day is one of my favorite I’ve captured so far!

Their joy, happiness, and love took center stage, and they let go of the things they couldn’t control, and honestly, they were the easiest, go-with-the-flow couple ever. Stowe is one of the easiest and loveliest places to elope because there are so many options for beautiful places to elope, even if you have a couple of changes of plans.

Couple Elopes in Magical Vermont Winter Wonderland

Olivia & Dave’s Frosty Vermont Adventure Elopement

Swell & Stone / Adventure Elopement Photographer / Vermont & Beyond

When trying to find the proper adjectives to describe Olivia & Dave’s elopement day in the dead of winter in Vermont I went through a whole slew of descriptors trying to find the best fit: sparkly, fun, joyful, adventurous, frosty, wintry, and then finally…magical. I think the word magical best describes their elopement day.

They did their first look in the Stowehof in Stowe, VT. Their great room has a ton of windows and it was pretty much empty on their wedding day which made for a beautiful, private moment. We packed up our winter hiking gear and headed out to hike an incredible trail that has 360 views on the top. The high that day was 10 degrees, so it was frosty, to say the least. It had snowed in the days before their elopement so I brought snowshoes and they had microspikes, but we only ended up needing the microspikes because the trail was packed to the top. This made for some funny moments, however, whenever one of us stepped off the trail and sunk into the snow up to our waists.

We stuck body warmers, toe warmers, and hand warmers on Olivia, which ended up being both too warm and not warm enough. The thing about hiking in the winter is that as long as you are moving, it’s comfortable. But the second you stop moving things get chilly fast. On the way up we got too warm, so I made them stop for photo opps so they wouldn’t get too sweaty. But as we neared the top they turned on the hiking speed and summitted quickly! We were hot at the top so they had no problems taking off their jackets for some shots. But after about 5 minutes they got chilly so the coats went back on and the jumping jacks began. That’s the other thing about hiking in the winter, it’s always a great workout.

The primary view spot was in the frosty wind, so we picked a spot for their ceremony that was protected by trees. The read the sweetest vows to one another, laughed, maybe shed a tear or two, and it was adorable because Olivia tried to kiss Dave somewhere in the middle, but he said they had to wait until the end for their first kiss!

“I can be my complete self with Dave and it’s not only accepted but celebrated. It’s so freeing. I don’t have to be anything but me and I know deeply that he loves me exactly for who I am. We also spend 99.9% of our day laughing at anything and everything. I just can’t help but smile and laugh with Dave and I genuinely have the best time with him doing something totally boring to anything adventurous. We make a great team and are truly best friends,” said Olivia of Dave.

And that was true, they complement each other in the most wonderful way, and genuinely do laugh at EVERYTHING together. They had so much fun, even though they were freezing cold, they embraced the adventure and lived in the moment, and you can just tell when you are around them that they love every moment of time spent together.

In fact, this elopement day was in the middle of a two-week long adventure road trip where they tried skiing together for the first time, they went snowmobiling for the first time, they hiked mountains in the winter for the first time, and enjoyed so many other adventurous firsts. As we were hiking up and they told me all about their trip so far it was clear that they were making memories that would last a lifetime. And this is something they will continue to do together forever.

These two rolled with all the punches and unknowns that come with getting hitched in the middle of winter in Vermont, and it totally paid off. The snow sparkled in the sunlight and their love and joyful fun nature made the afternoon even brighter than it already was. Cheers to these two lovebirds- keep adventuring and making snow angels together forever.

Frosty Alpine Elopement on Mountain Summit | Vermont Mountain Wedding

Sara & Joe’s Adventure Elopement on Vermont Summit

Swell & Stone / Adventure Elopement Photographer / Vermont & Beyond

WOW! What can I say about Sara and Joe’s alpine adventure elopement in Vermont? I think the photos speak for themselves, but I’ll delve into the backstory a bit. Sara and Joe reached out having seen several other elopements I’ve photographed on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest point and a stunning mountain. In the spring they snowshoed to the summit, and it was there that Joe proposed to Sara. The mountain was special to them, although they’ve hiked dozens of summits together, they knew they wanted to say their vows on the summit of Mt. Mansfield. The date they chose, 10/25/20, was also their anniversary!

They reached out, and I’ll admit, I was a little nervous about the plan. Most of the couples I work with reach the summit of Mt. Mansfield via the Auto Toll road, the gondola, or the chairlift. However, because of Sara & Joe’s desired date, none of those options were available. But they didn’t want to take the easy way regardless! They had a specific route in mind, the Profanity Route to the Chin on the Long Trail. It’s the same route they took when they got engaged, and let me tell you, it is straight up. I knew they were in great shape, and I knew I could do it, so our plan was set in stone. However, there was one more wildcard, and that was what the weather would be like in the alpine on the day of their elopement. We all carried microspikes, just in case, and although it was icy on the summit and the summit ridge, we ended up not needing them.

Now I’ve hiked up Mt. Mansfield via nearly every imaginable way, and during winter, summer, and fall. But I have never hiked it during the transition from fall to winter. It was a truly incredible sight. There wasn’t a lot of snow on the trails, but there was a layer of frost and ice on all the trees. Some of the trails were icy, but not enough to need spikes. It was so cool to see the summit in a way I never had before, and Sara and Joe thought the same.

The forecast called for a cloudy morning easing into a clear sky mid-morning. We began our hike around sunrise and made it up to Taft Lodge where Sara touched up her makeup and Joe touched up his mustache, fairly quickly. They changed into their wedding clothes just below the summit in an area protected from the wind. It was cold up there, but these two were absolute troopers. They had their first look on the alpine boardwalk, and then we headed up to the summit for their vows. The summit was mostly socked in, but it seemed like the sun was trying to poke through. After some emotional and tear-filled vows, we needed to touch the actual summit. Hands were getting cold, and I knew that on the other side of the ridge, even if the summit was socked in, you could usually see great views, so we decided to hike down about a half-mile and that’s when the sky opened up for us! We hung out for about 15 minutes taking photos with the incredible views before the clouds rolled in again, so we started back down the trail. On the way down the trail, the clouds intermittently opened and closed, and we were in awe the whole time.

Sara and Joe both completed the entire hike down in their wedding clothes, a truly amazing feat considering how many times we had to scramble down rocky and icy parts. I have no idea how Sara kept holding her dress up through all the tough parts. We stopped at Taft Lodge again to update the logbook, and then stopped at a few beautiful spots along the hike down. At the base of the mountain, it was like a different world, no ice or snow, just dead colorful leaves on the ground, and naturally, you have to play in them for a bit!

Ultimately, we had the best freaking day, in one of the most beautiful places, and Sara and Joe’s vows were sweet and intimate and they were surrounded by clouds. It was so unique, and I love that more and more couples are choosing to dedicate their lives to each other is by creating experiences they will remember for the rest of their lives!

Joyful Fall Elopement in Vermont

Holly & Louis’s Vermont Adventure Elopement

Swell & Stone / Adventure Elopement Photographer / Vermont & Beyond

Holly and Louis’s Vermont adventure elopement can best be described as fun-loving, colorful, and an absolute blast. They started with a sunrise first look at a gorgeous mountainside lake, followed by some good old-fashioned romping around the area. Their first look was adorable and Louis was blown away by his gorgeous bride. I loved his facial expressions throughout the whole day, but seeing Holly for the first time in her dress took the cake. Fun fact: Holly and Lauren (Holly’s cousin, and the officiant) blindfolded Louis and brought him out to the lake for the first look. He showed up having no idea where we were but kept saying how amazing it was!

Just look at how cute they are when they describe what they love most about one another. Holly said, “I love how he always makes me laugh, is amazing to my kids, and never settles for less than what he wants. Also, he’s gorgeous which doesn’t hurt.”

Louis said, “I love how patient she is with me and how she always makes me feel like I am the most important person to her. She is literally my perfect match.”

After the first look, we headed over to the ceremony spot, the always stunning Warren Falls. We were there just after sunrise, and it was mid-October so there wasn’t a person in sight. Lauren performed a beautiful and emotional ceremony, and the happy couple exchanged rings and sealed it with a kiss. After the ceremony, we spent some time exploring the falls and taking in the sights before heading over to a local covered bridge. What I love about Holly and Louis’s choices for their day was they chose to include so many small touches that are uniquely Vermont. They picked up apple cider donuts, stopped at the covered bridge, and we even explored a corn maze in Stowe. It was the perfect day filled with all things quintessentially Vermont.

Lauren was taking Instax shots the whole time which created a super cool, unique real-time vision for the day. It was so fun to have her along to perform the ceremony and instigate goofiness and fun!

What I love most about this gallery of their day is how much they let loose, ran around, and enjoyed themselves like kids. They were goofy, fun, and most importantly themselves, and their day could not have been more special.

When asked why they decided to elope they said, “We’re just not traditional people, hate the spotlight and avoid stress whenever possible. An adventure wedding is so us.”

Idyllic Vermont Elopement in A-Frame

Morgan & Ryan’s Backcountry Wedding in Southern Vermont

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / VERMONT & BEYOND

Morgan and Ryan had a clear vision for their absolutely stunning elopement in southern Vermont. They had the A-frame picked out, but they didn’t know the area super well, so I suggested some nearby locations, and they ultimately choose Jamaica State Park and a secluded little waterfall to say their vows.

We started the day at the A-frame, and when I rolled into town it was rainy and overcast, but the sky opened up and the sun came out right before we left for the ceremony location. As they were getting ready for the first look Morgan was pretty much ready to go, and Ryan called family to figure out how to tie is bow-tie. He never fully got it, and me and the videographers were no help, so he decided to abandon it altogether in favor of a more casual look. It was funny, and cute, and a fun way to start the day.

After the first look on the beautiful grounds of the A-Frame Airbnb we headed out to the waterfall location of their ceremony. They recited emotional vows and did a hand-fasting ceremony followed by a ring exchange, and then on to popping the champagne. We had fun exploring the area, and had plans to go hike to a view point for the sunset, but on the drive in Morgan spotted this gorgeous lake that looked so peaceful and serene and was reflecting the fall colors surrounding it.

That’s something I LOVE about eloping couples, they are open to go with the flow of the day, and if we see something that inspires us, we stop and take in the view, and truly, fully, enjoy the day without rushing from one place to another.

Here is why they decided to elope- “For us to truly enjoy our day, we wanted to remove a lot of the stressors that cause anxiety when planning a wedding. We want to make this day intimate, fit for us, and spend the entire day together celebrating together.”

After enjoying cake, which Morgan was beyond excited about, and enjoying a charcuterie board we headed back to the A-frame for a bonfire. The gathered s’mores materials, plus they cooked what looked like mini-pizza’s over the fire. They danced, kicked around in the leaves, and generally played like little kids. At the end of the night we all watched the stars come out. It was an incredible end to an unbelievably fun and beautiful day.

“My husband and I hired Kat as our photographer for our fall elopement in Southern Vermont. During the planning process, Kat was absolutely key since we were traveling from out of state. She sent a list of potential locations, researched state marriage laws, and helped us plan a schedule that met all of our elopement goals. On wedding day, she arrived hours ahead of time to scout sites while we got ready. Kat stayed flexible and was willing to do whatever it took to get the perfect shot. Though it was just my husband and I at our elopement, Kat still found ways to make the day special. We especially appreciated the added bonus of her being able to legally sign our marriage license since we didn’t have an officiant! In the end, our elopement photos (there’s A LOT of them) turned out stunning and we have Kat to thank for that.”

— Morgan & Ryan

Misty Morning Mountaintop Elopement in Vermont

Lucie & Michael’s Enchanting Wedding at Mt. Mansfield and Warren Falls

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / VERMONT & BEYOND

We went into Lucie and Michael’s Vermont elopement knowing there would be a chance of rain in the afternoon and we would be racing it to the top of Mt. Mansfield. But Mt. Mansfield is one of my all time favorite Vermont wedding venues, so we hoped for the best. They had an amazing sunrise ceremony at Warren Falls. Their vows were emotional and sweet, and it was amazing to watch them commit their lives to one another in such a beautiful setting.

“The way he looks at me and sees me make me fall in love with Michael all over again, every day. The moment when I realized I am in love with him was when I realized I can be 100% me silly, loud and weird and he still looks at me the same way,” said Lucie about Michael.

And Michael said, “I fell in love with Lucie because whenever I am with her we live in the moment. Any stress related to work, family, or friends seems to fade away and my thoughts are about her and her weird sense of humor that makes her so unique! There was a specific moment early in our relationship when we were looking into each other’s eyes and I told myself ‘I am going to marry this girl one day’. I felt almost guilty thinking that at the time, but now I realize it was meant to be.”

After exploring the falls for a while, we headed up north to race the rainclouds to the summit of Mt. Mansfield. And race them we did! The start of our hike was beautiful and sunny, but partway up clouds started to blow over the saddle. It was August, but the temperature was in the mid 50’s on the summit ridge and at the summit. It was cold, but we made it, and those who saw Lucie in her dress exclaimed with congrats. We decided not to stay on the summit for too long, it was socked in, but as we descended a little we came out of the clouds again.

They decided to do the champagne toast and pie a little lower and out of the wind, so we found a nice spot on the mountainside for relaxation and celebration.

On why they decided to elope, “We both love the outdoors and really enjoy hiking, snowboarding/skiing, and adventure. On our wedding day, we want to focus on one another as opposed to worrying about guests and event planning that comes with a larger wedding!”

Ethereal Small Wedding in Vermont

Brittany & Wayne’s Dreamy Wedding at Warren Falls

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / VERMONT & BEYOND

Brittany and Wayne got engaged at Warren Falls in Vermont, so naturally, they wanted to elope there as well! They chose a quiet weekday evening for their magical elopement, and honestly, it could not have been more perfect.

“We usually visit Vermont every summer, and when we do we always go swimming at the waterfalls. Last year my dad and stepmom came up at the same time that we did so we decided to show them our favorite spot at Warren Falls. My dad and I were looking over the side of the waterfall when my stepmom gasped and I thought my dad was falling off the side. Thankfully he wasn’t and they told me to turn around, when I did there was Wayne on his knee. My immediate reaction was disbelief so I started saying ‘no no no’ lol. He was like... ‘umm that’s not the response I was hoping for!’ Of course, my real answer was.. yes!”

They enjoyed their first look at Texas Falls Recreation Area, an exceptional gorge outside of Warren, VT. They spent some time alone and we hiked around taking in the sights of this breathtaking area before heading over to Warren Falls for the ceremony.

Here’s the thing about Warren Falls, in the summer it is absolutely overrun with swimmers and sometimes party people on summer evenings. For that reason, I tell couples that I will only recommend sunrise ceremonies there, especially in the summer months. That has worked out great for me so far. Check out other Warren Falls galleries here, here, and here. But Brittany and Wayne were eloping on a mid-September Monday afternoon/evening. So I hoped for the best, and the best it was. We waited long enough for the harsh sun to go behind the canyon walls and we were treated with some of the nicest views of the falls yet. There weren’t a ton of people around, but there were a few, so they chose a less traveled and quieter location for their actual ceremony.

After the ceremony, we gathered the family for formals. A super sweet touch was that Brittany’s family brought along a photo of Wayne’s mom, who he lost several years ago. She was there in spirit and he was happy to see her face.

The newlywed couple and I headed over to the falls for some more portraits while the rest of the family went back to Brittany’s mom’s house to set up the celebration. Our last stop of the evening was to Blueberry Lake for sunset. This is one of my favorite spots in Vermont, and I still want to get a couple to stand up paddle, or canoe to the island on the lake. It’s so picturesque!

Brittany and Wayne’s enthusiasm for the day and each other never waned. It was amazing to see how in love they are, and their vows reflected the love that is obvious when they look at one another.

From Brittany, “What made me fall in love with Wayne was his kindness and thoughtfulness. He is always thinking about others and wanting to help anyone in any way that he can. From day one he has always made me feel like I was important.. he never made me wait for a text message or a callback. He has always wanted to spend all of his time with me, we very rarely do anything without each other. Since the day we met, he always made sure we saw each other every day even though we lived an hour apart. I don’t remember a specific moment where I fell in love with him.. it just happened very quickly after we met.”

And from Wayne, “I never believed in love at first sight until I met her I knew she was the one. I tried online dating for the first time and I thought people were crazy or weird that did it. I'm glad I became one of those crazy and weird people. From the moment we spoke and the moment we met I knew she was the one. We bonded right away, we can talk about anything she's truly caring the most amazing woman I have ever met I could never live my life without her. She truly is my best friend I love spending every moment of my life with her.”

“Kat was amazing to work with! Not only were the photos stunning but she was so helpful with recommendations in the area where we were getting married and always answered any questions we had in a timely manner! The photos she took were absolutely everything we had dreamed they would be and we couldn’t be happier with them!”

— Brittany & Wayne

Breathtaking Vermont Mountain Elopement

Anna & Sean’s Picturesque Vermont Elopement at Warren Falls, Mt. Mansfield, and Lake Champlain

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / VERMONT & BEYOND

Anna and Sean’s gorgeous Vermont elopement came about after they had originally planned a much larger wedding, but when COVID hit they were excited for an opportunity to downsize and simplify. They wanted to spend their day doing fun things in beautiful places, and after a couple chats on the phone and a custom location guide I created for them, they knew exactly where that was.

We met at sunrise near where they live, a gorgeous place called Causeway Park. It’s a small strip with a hike/bike path across the water. It’s the perfect spot to watch sunrise or sunset, and it used to be a train track to Grand Isle. After exploring the area and experiencing sunrise we headed back to their place to freshen up and snag a few pics on their newly built back deck. Their entire house was gorgeously styled and their back deck was no different. Sean spent several weeks planning and building it out, and Anna styled it perfectly. It was their private oasis and it was incredible to get to see them enjoying it together as part of their day.

After a little relaxation we headed to Warren Falls for their ceremony. I’ve photographed many ceremonies at this spot, but I NEVER tire of seeing couple’s faces when they see the falls for the first time. The water is crystal clear and a deep blue/green color that looks out of this world. Most people who see the photos for the first time assume it’s from a spot out west. But it’s tucked away in beautiful Vermont in the heart of New England. I do love to recommend early morning ceremonies here, and in the summer it’s an absolute must because around 10 am the entire place is filled with swimmers taking a dip in the pristine waters.

Mid-morning we headed north up to the tallest peak in Vermont, Mt. Mansfield. Their are many trails up this famous peak, but we chose to take the Auto Toll road most of the way, and then hike a bit further to get those stunning views. It was at this point that I became a bit nervous because I was an integral part of a surprise for them. I had been scheming with Anna’s sister for some time now. Their families were going to meet us at the end of the hike on Mt. Manfield. I snuck away to text her and say that we were running behind, but on our way up the mountain. However, spotty phone service means I didn’t know for sure if that text went through, and it is imperative to not ruin the surprise by crossing paths on the way up. Apparently, Anna and Sean are notoriously hard to surprise, and other attempts had be messed up before. I couldn’t be the reason this surprise got messed up! Anna’s sister did get the text, but since it’s rude to be on your phone during your clients wedding day I didn’t get a chance to check her response. I needed to make sure I took enough time on the peak to give the families time to get into position.

Anna and Sean were starting to get hungry and were ready to head back. I made them do a couple more poses, and then we started on the trail back. As we neared the end Sean spotted someone else hiking the path in nice clothes. He said they must be doing the same thing they were doing, but little did he know those people in nice clothes were there for them! As we approached they started to recognize people, and their family burst into cheers upon seeing the couple! They were genuinely surprised and we were so happy to have pulled it off!

After some celebrations we all headed back to Burlington, and then Anna, Sean, and I headed out to a secluded spot on Grand Isle for sunset. With all the formalities done and surprised pulled out we all relaxed and skipped rocks, and enjoyed the beach and the weather. It was the perfect ending to Anna and Sean’s beyond perfect wedding day.

“When our original wedding plans had to be cancelled due to Covid, we began searching for an alternative. As soon as we saw Kat’s page and spoke with her on the phone we knew it was exactly what we were after. Now that all’s said and done, we couldn’t be any happier with the outcome - her photos are beyond incredible, worth every penny. Memories for a lifetime. She was so easy to communicate with, helped us plan our day down to every little detail, and even went out of her way to support a surprise celebration that our family had planned on top of VT’s tallest mountain. Beyond all of that, she is just super fun to hang with. Our day was perfect and we couldn’t have asked for anything more. Can’t recommend her enough!”

— Anna & Sean

Whimsical Vermont Fall Elopement

A.J. & David’s Autumn Mountain Elopement At Warren Falls & Stowe Vermont

Swell & Stone / New England Elopement Photographer

A.J. and David told me the story of their first date while they were enjoying a picnic in the colorful fall forest in Vermont during their elopement. They were munching on unicorn colored cupcakes and cut open a beautiful rainbow confetti cake. Suddenly everything came full circle- I realized that they were in the perfect place at the perfect time, and that some things were just meant to be. I’m beyond ecstatic that they chose me to be their Vermont elopement photographer. Want to see my list of the best places to elope in Vermont? Check it out here.

You see when David first reached out to A.J. he was drawn to how colorful she was- Her colorful hair, her colorful wardrobe, her colorful personality, and the zest she had for life. So he asked her out, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to go on a date yet. Not deterred at all, he told her to get ready for a colorful time, and took her to a graffiti park in Austin, TX where they proceeded to add their own graffiti using a custom created quote stencil David had made. As they spray-painted it together it was like coloring their bond in permanent ink.

Fast forward to where we were now, in Vermont at the peak of fall foliage colors, and A.J. donning her Hutton rainbow wedding gown by the Watters- her 2nd dress. Her first dress, which she wore for the ceremony, was a gorgeous Galatea, also by the Watters. It was certainly a colorful experience. When A.J. walked out in her 2nd gown, she exclaimed “I’m a rainbow!” and David, having no idea it was coming, smiled from ear to ear.

The day began at their idyllic cabin in the woods. A stream ran through the side yard, and fog lingered in the morning air. They got ready in the warm cabin with the fireplace providing the bulk of the light. I took David outside to position him for first look photos, and he was in awe of their surroundings. They had been running errands the whole day before and arrived at the cabin in the evening. He was just getting the chance to look around.

A.J. came out of the cabin and walked down the wooden staircase, pulling the fallen leaves down each stair with her gown. She reached David and they embraced and enjoyed the feeling of it all sinking in. They were eloping and this beautiful scene was just the beginning!

We headed to Warren Falls where we met the officiant. The trail to the falls is less than a quarter mile, but they soaked in the beauty the entire way, and carefully climbed down to the perfect ceremony location. By this time, A.J.’s gown had picked up some mud, leaves, twigs, and dirt. After words from the officiant, they read letters to each other and then read their vows. It was a special moment surrounded by moss, changing leaves, and some of the clearest water flowing right by.

Their ceremony was followed by a picnic at Texas Falls Recreation area and then we headed off to do something they hadn’t done before. We arrived in Stowe and drove up the Auto Toll Road to stand on top of Mt. Mansfield, the highest point in the state of Vermont. At the top of the mountain most of the trees were evergreen, but part of the way down we could see where the pine trees gave way to the colorful foliage. The weather was impeccable and the morning fog had burnt off so we could see forever. They danced in the wind and enjoyed the views. The temperatures were a little chilly, but the hiking combined with putting their coats on intermittently helped them stay warm.

Finally, we headed down the mountain and toward Lake Champlain where we caught the sunset. Light twinkled, the colors of the sunset were amazing as the reflected off of the calm lake in front of us. They were a little bit chilly and very tired, but A.J. smiled and asked sweetly if she thought there was a chance for star photos. I wasn’t very hopeful because we had a full moon rising behind us, and there were some clouds in the sky. But we waited until it got a little bit darker and I went down and tested the shot. I came back up to them, and said if we were going to go for it we needed to go now! They jumped into action, stood still for a while, and then headed back up the beach to pack up and head out. I said goodbye, hugged them, and sat on the beach letting my camera timelapse and thinking about what a day it had been. These are the days when everything comes together and I feel so lucky to be the person they trusted to capture their day.

This was their first trip to Vermont, neither of them had ever been before. I think that says something amazing about who these two are as people. They are up for anything, ready to new experiences, and make the best out of everything. They had the time of their lives, seeing the unique landscapes, dancing in the leaves, letting the wind blow through their hair, and I am so grateful to them for being up for anything. They trusted me to come to a place they had never been to do things they had never done, and then made the best out of every amazing moment.

As we drove down Mt. Mansfield A.J. shared a little with me. She said, “I used to not like if a hair was out of place or if I was the slightest bit cold.”

I replied, “I can’t imagine you like that- you just walked through the mud in 50 degree temps to get married. You stood on top of the highest peak in Vermont with the wind blowing in your hair.”

She responded that she knew she had changed. She had let go of a lot in her life, and the need for everything to be perfect was something she was letting slip away as well.

And in designing the elopement day she truly wanted- a muddy, ruffled, joy-filled day, A.J. and David had, dare I say- one of the most perfect elopement days I have yet to witness.

“I am still in awe of my wedding photos and I owe it all to Kat. Not only did she help me decide on a location, she gave recommendations on florists, bakeries, and lodging! There is no way I could have planned our out of state elopement without her. And Oh My God the photos! They are truly works of art, every last one, and believe me there are a ton. The words stunning & breathtaking have been used most by my friends and family. My wedding day was spectacular and my wedding photos show it. I’m already planning an anniversary vacation so I can have Kat capture that day too. If you need an adventure photographer then you absolutely need to check out Swell & Stone. I’m forever grateful that I did!”

— A.J. & David