It’s hard to accept this fact: As much as we want to understand why things happen the way they do, as much as we try to figure out the why, we will never truly know. This thought can keep you up at night, or you can surrender to the not knowing. Hurricane Helene brought chaos and change into the lives of so many people. Asheville and surrounding areas on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina became impassable. For us, and Jackie and Dave, this meant a last minute change of elopement plans.

After the initial shockwave of thinking, “Oh shit, this is really happening and we have four days to pivot to another plan!”, we started researching locations that checked all of their boxes—an adventurous hike to panoramic mountain views with an easy access ceremony site for their family. What was originally a serendipitous plan at Black Balsam Knob became a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Stowe, Vermont for 20 people. Plus, it became a significant moment for us personally and our mission with Magnolia + Ember.

No matter how an elopement unfolds, we know that we are always given exactly what is meant for us. Rather than expectations, we chase our intentions and how we want to feel during an experience, and that is what drives the creative process of helping couples plan adventures. Our job as your photographers is not only to capture the day, but guide you into being fully present. Connection is the fundamental principle of our art.

As much as we want to control where we get married, weather, the energy of a space, and whatnot, all we can actually do is choose how we move through each moment in time. Plan B for Jackie and Dave carried the same energy as North Carolina; for better or for “worse” – but is there really worst when all the commotion led us to where we felt destined to be?

Fall Elopement in Vermont

For the couple, the morning began at Wildebrook rental home in the mountain town of Stowe. For Colin and Julie, we started a ferry ride away in New York with the couple’s extra vehicle because there were no accommodations or rental cars available within the Burlington area. We woke up early that day, Julie popped some anti-nausea meds for the boat, and we headed to scout for the ceremony site 30 minutes before we were supposed to meet Jackie and Dave. Why were we scouting last minute?

Let us back up the story to give a full concept and how we are committed to creating the best elopement despite what is put in our path. The whole experience was fast-paced from the beginning:

• Figuring out what state we were all traveling to just days before leaving.
• Running through the airport with all of our gear like contestants in the Amazing Race due to a delayed flight and almost missing our connecting plane in DC.
• And what caused having to find a ceremony site last minute… Getting kicked out of a public area while scouting the planned ceremony spot the night before because a woman told us it was her private land. Being advocates for Leave No Trace and obviously not wanting to trespass, we had no choice but to believe her and immediately leave the area. Funny enough, the next morning, the nail salon told the bride the woman is actually known around town as the crazy lady trying to keep people away even though the land is actually accessible to the public.
• The list could go on.

Despite all the frantic happenings, when it came down to what actually manifested, we could not have dreamed of better timing and location. When working with us, we understand how to navigate these types of situations and, at the core of it all, are skillfully passionate about making sure your experience is amazing without adding extra stress to the couple. We have the ability to put our minds together and create moments to feel deeply connected regardless of the circumstances.

After Jackie and Dave dressed separately at the house, Colin and Julie coordinated a first look in the open grounds of the neighborhood. To no surprise, this particular spot was chosen minutes before it happened. Keeping it truly on brand, between Colin placing Dave in position and Julie bringing Jackie to the area, a man weed-eating shows up (literally not even 5 minutes of time had passed). Nonetheless, it was a beautiful and happy moment for the couple. At this point, they were able to navigate the rest of the day hand-in-hand, and that is all that really mattered.

How To Get Married in Vermont

It goes without saying that Vermont is a breathtaking place to get married, and the colors of an Appalachian fall are unmatched. For Jackie and Dave’s elopement, we found Sterling Pond Trailhead to be the perfect setting for their ceremony. With ample parking and a couple hundred feet walk to a semi-private space between the boulders, Colin led the couple through their vows as their family and close friends stood witness.

Step-by-step for filing a marriage license in Vermont

• Submit an application in the Vermont town/city where one of the parties lives (out-of-state couples can go to any town/city clerk regardless of where the ceremony takes place). The couple must pay the $80 fee and will obtain the license from the clerk’s office after immediate review.
• Licenses cannot be issued through the mail, and you cannot be married by proxy.
• Both parties must sign the application and provide basic information about yourselves (names, towns of residences, places, and dates of birth). You must also provide your parents’ names, including your mothers’ birth names, and their places of birth.
• There are no waiting periods between receiving the license and when the ceremony takes place.
• The marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. An authorized person must perform your wedding ceremony — otherwise, the license is void.
• The state of Vermont does not require any witnesses.
• For more information, visit: healthvermont.gov

Who can perform the ceremony?

With every adventure elopement package, we offer the option to officiate your ceremony free of charge. Both Julie and Colin are ordained officiants, and you can choose who you want to lead while the other captures the photos; or we can simply sign the legal paperwork and you exchange vows without us guiding the ceremony. We work together with you and your partner to tailor your ceremony to reflect and honor your relationship. We send you sample scripts to get ideas and craft your unique wording from there. Alternatively, you can choose to have your ceremony without either of us standing with you, and we can sign the legal paperwork according to marriage laws.

If you do not choose to have Magnolia + Ember ordain the ceremony, Vermont requires a Supreme Court justice, a superior court judge, a district judge, a judge of probate, an assistant judge, a justice of the peace or an ordained or licensed member of the clergy residing in Vermont to perform your wedding ceremony.

The coolest option (the route we had to take since we are non-resident clergies) is that any person who is over the age of 18 may register with the Secretary of State to become a temporary officiant to a marriage. They simply pay a $100 registration fee and will instantly receive a certificate authorizing the person to solemnize a specific Vermont marriage. This allows said person to only perform the one ceremony that is applied for, and the information on the application must be the same as the corresponding marriage license. They can obtain credentials on https://sos.vermont.gov/ or call 802-828-2363.

Kind words from the couple:

“Julie and Colin were all we could have asked for and more!! Due to unforeseen circumstances, our wedding plans had to completely shift 5 days before the event. Julie and Colin were there with us every step of the way. They suggested other options for us and were willing to completely switch their travel plans.

To top that, they even found us our ceremony location…THE MORNING OF OUR WEDDING after more setbacks out of our control. It was perfect and we literally couldn’t have done it without them.

We’re so happy with how our photos turned out and everyone who sees them is blown away. They are genuinely good people and made our wedding unforgettable. We can’t recommend them enough.”

Mount Mansfield Hiking Trails

There are many trails leading to the Mount Mansfield summit, the highest peak in Vermont. We chose The Nose to The Chin via Long Trail that originates at the Mount Mansfield Visitor Center. To reach the area, you take the Auto Toll Road managed by Stowe Mountain Resort. They charge $35 per vehicle/driver and $13 for each additional passenger. This choice is available from the end of May through mid-October and is open 9:30am-4:30pm. You can remain on the mountain after the gate closes to enjoy sunset over the vast hills and Lake Champlain.

After much research and scouting the day before Jackie and Dave’s elopement, we discovered this to be the easiest way to the top. Other options we found were taking the gondola at the Stowe Ski Resort and hiking the short, but extremely scrambled trail to the top (AllTrails: The Chin via Cliff House). You can opt to do the entire hike by foot and not have to purchase tickets. Those include the Hellbrook Trail and the Profanity Trail, though the names alone should indicate these are the hardest routes.