Why Small Vermont Weddings Are Big on Meaning
For couples who want less stress, more connection, and a wedding that feels like you*
If you’ve been dreaming about a wedding that’s less about managing a guest list and more about making eye contact during your vows, you’re not alone. More and more couples are trading the traditional wedding blueprint for something quieter, more intentional, and deeply personal. And there’s no better place to do that than Vermont.
Whether you're eloping at the edge of a misty lake, hosting a candlelit dinner for a handful of your favorite people, or hiking to your ceremony spot with your dog in tow, small Vermont weddings are proof that intimacy and meaning go hand-in-hand.
So why are couples choosing smaller weddings—and why is Vermont the perfect place for them? Let’s dive in.
1. Small Weddings Give You Space to Be Present
Big weddings often come with big expectations. From tightly packed timelines to endless to-do lists, many couples find themselves rushing through their own day—barely able to breathe, let alone savor the experience.
When you scale things back, everything shifts.
With a small Vermont wedding or elopement, you have the gift of presence. You get to move through the day slowly. You’ll remember the sound of your partner’s voice during your vows. You’ll have space to laugh and cry with your parents or chosen family. You’ll eat dinner sitting down, not squeezing in bites between table visits.
Presence is the ultimate luxury—and small weddings make room for it.
2. Vermont Is Naturally Built for Intimate Celebrations
If you're looking for a setting that feels wild, grounded, and soulful, Vermont is it. Our landscapes invite intimacy. From forested trails and secret waterfalls to quiet lakes and backyard meadows, Vermont gives you permission to step away from the noise and just be together.
The beauty here is raw and unfiltered. The kind of beauty that doesn’t need much dressing up. That means your elopement or small wedding doesn’t require chandeliers and ballrooms to feel stunning. All you need is each other, a plan that feels true to you, and a photographer who can document it all with heart.
3. You Can Craft a Day That’s Authentically You
There are no rules here—just possibilities.
Want to hike to your ceremony spot in boots and then change into a dress under the trees? Let’s do it.
Thinking of inviting 10 guests to a cozy Airbnb and having a private chef cook dinner afterward? Yes, please.
Want to canoe across the lake before your vows, or exchange rings during a snowshoe hike? It’s your day. Let’s make it yours.
With small weddings and elopements, you're not locked into someone else's timeline or vision. You can toss the traditions that don’t fit and keep the ones that do. That freedom? That’s the magic.
4. The People You Invite Really Matter
When you keep your guest list small, it naturally becomes more intentional.
Instead of inviting coworkers you haven’t spoken to in years or distant relatives you barely know, you get to focus on the people who love and support your relationship. Whether that’s your best friends, your dog, or just the two of you—this kind of wedding is all about celebrating with the ones who truly see you.
The result? More meaning, deeper conversations, and a celebration that feels safe, warm, and full of love.
5. You Can Invest in What Actually Matters to You
Fewer guests = more room in your budget for what really counts.
Want a documentary-style photographer who captures the real, unfiltered moments? You’ve got room for that.
Want a flower crown and a wild bouquet of local blooms? Done.
Thinking of spending your honeymoon weekend in a cozy cabin or going on a post-elopement road trip? Go for it.
Instead of stretching your budget to feed 150 people and rent a ballroom, small Vermont weddings give you the freedom to invest in experiences, details, and people that matter most to you.
6. You’ll Have Gorgeous, Meaningful Photos to Look Back On
When you’re not rushed and overwhelmed, your photos reflect that.
Small weddings allow you to slow down, breathe, and actually enjoy your portrait session. You’ll have time for golden hour photos in a field. For snowy mountain views or moody lakeside portraits. For capturing the real emotions—not just the posed ones.
As a Vermont elopement and intimate wedding photographer, I work with couples who value connection, emotion, and authenticity. My goal is to help you feel comfortable, to document the real story of your day, and to create images that feel just like you.
And trust me: when the chaos is removed, the real stuff shines through. That’s the kind of photography that lasts.
7. You Get to Start Your Marriage With Intention
Your wedding isn’t just a party. It’s the start of your life together.
Choosing a small Vermont wedding is an act of intention. It’s a way of saying, “We’re doing this our way.” It sets the tone for a marriage rooted in connection, not performance. In values, not pressure.
You get to begin your next chapter with clarity, with peace, and with each other at the center of it all.
A Small Wedding Isn’t “Less”—It’s More
More presence. More meaning. More connection.
Less pressure. Less chaos. Less distraction.
Small weddings aren’t a backup plan or a second-best option—they’re a deeply beautiful, soul-filled choice for couples who care more about the marriage than the performance of the wedding. And if you’re here reading this, that’s probably you.
So whether you’re eloping in the Green Mountains, hosting a backyard dinner with your closest crew, or planning a sunrise ceremony on a trail you love—know that your wedding can be whatever you want it to be.
And I’d be honored to photograph it.
Let’s Document the Day You’ll Never Forget
If you’re dreaming of an intentional, small Vermont wedding filled with meaning, I’d love to help you bring it to life and document every heartfelt moment along the way.
Take a look at my elopement and intimate wedding photography offerings—or reach out and tell me what you're dreaming up. I'm here to help with location ideas, local vendor recs, and the kind of photography that feels like a deep breath.
Let’s make some magic.
