Danny and Madi's Weekend Long Wedding in Vermont With Lots of Personal Touches by Hailee Rawson

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you have all had a good week so far? What have you got planned this weekend? We are off to see Diversity on Saturday and then Sunday we are going to Manchester for the Banksy exhibition which I am really excited about! For todays wedding I am taking you to the mountains of Vermont for the super personal wedding of Madi and Danny. As this was a destination wedding they decided to make the wedding last a whole weekend, not just a day and what a weekend they had! With over 200 guests they really made the celebrations not just about them but about the people close to them, honouring their parents and grandparents in different ways throughout the weekend. The results were this highly personal and well thought out wedding, oozing with care and attention and of course a whole lot of love. All captured by Hailee Rawson.

Madi and Danny chose to get married at Stowe Mountain Resort in Stowe, Vermont, the same place where they got engaged. September in Vermont is unreal. The mountain views were layered in fall colors and the town of Stowe was perfectly decorated for autumn with pumpkins and bails of hay. Over 200 guests travelled in from Texas, Florida, and all over the country, turning the weekend into a true destination celebration. The setting felt both elevated and grounded in nature, which matched their vision perfectly.

Madi is incredibly sentimental and intentional, and that showed up in so many handmade details throughout their destination wedding weekend. The couple hosted multiple events throughout the weekend including a Bridal Brunch, Welcome Party, and their Full Wedding Day. Their Bridal Brunch was hosted At Michael’s on the Hill, a cozy Vermont brunch location, consisting of Madi’s closest family, friends, and bridesmaids. The rehearsal dinner was at Stowe Cider, a classic Vermont brewery. Guests were met with a cozy Vermont meal consisting of several Vermont cheese dishes, live music from a local band, and fresh brewed cider. The couple gifted their guests cozy fall blankets to use to warm up with during the outdoor celebration.

One of the most meaningful touches was the way she honored the women who came before her. Her bridal shower dress was recreated from her grandmother’s wedding gown, and her welcome party dress was made from her mom’s wedding dress. With the remaining fabric, she had small clutch purses custom made for both of them to carry on the wedding day. She also framed photos of herself wearing their original gowns and gifted them those images. It was such a full circle moment. Additionally, she used a clutch from her great grandmother throughout her wedding weekend.

Every single detail of Madi and Danny’s day was personal and heartfelt including her five first looks. Madi truly did not want anyone to feel left out on her day.

The ceremony was held right as the sun set over the Green Mountains. Madi and Danny were married by Danny’s father making their ceremony even more sentimental.

The cocktail hour was outdoors of the beautiful Mountain Resort and included a local musician playing acoustic guitar and singing. They served local ciders and had custom beer cozies for their guests. Guest sat around the outdoor fire pits visiting and eating appetizers.

Another favorite detail was the couple framing photos from the 27 weddings they had attended together as a couple before their own. Guests loved walking through and recognizing themselves in those memories. It felt like a celebration not just of Madi and Danny, but of their entire community. The couple gifted guests maple leaves with their names on them as a part of their seating chart.

One of the most unforgettable moments was when Madi surprised Danny by having his sword brought out to cut the cake. Danny was thrilled and the guests loved it. In true Madi fashion, she wanted to celebrate everyone, so not only did they cut the cake, but her grandparents, parents, and Danny’s parents all had a chance to cut the cake and celebrate like it was their own wedding day again.

And of course, watching her transition into her fourth dress and fully let loose on the dance floor was pure joy. The energy in the room was magnetic. The couple finished the night by playing “Thunder” to represent their Texas roots and excited with sparkly gold streamers.

Advice for Brides Planning Now:
Focus on what feels meaningful to you. The most powerful details from this wedding were not necessarily the biggest or most extravagant, but the most personal. Honor your story. Honor your people. Do not be afraid to incorporate legacy pieces or surprising moments that reflect who you are as a couple. Those are the details guests will talk about for years. And if you are planning a destination wedding, choose a location that already holds significance in your relationship. It changes the entire energy of the weekend.