Sure, the Green Mountain State abounds with natural beauty -- from emerald hills in the summer to vibrant orange and red leaves in the autumn -- but there’s plenty more to Vermont’s year-round appeal, including breweries, galleries, steepled churches, apple-picking farms, fabulous shopping and, of course, the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory. Plus, the four-hour proximity to New York and Boston makes it an easy escape for New Englanders.
Wedding Requirements
Couples 18 and older will need a Vermont marriage license issued by a town clerk -- out-of-state residents must get their license in the county in which they will be married. (Photo IDs are required, but blood tests aren’t necessary.) Applicants must also provide their parents’ names, their mothers’ maiden names and where they were born. The license is valid for 60 days. For more information, visit sec.state.vt.us.
What to Do
Manchester, Dorset and Stowe Visitors adore Manchester, favorite of famed guests Ulysses S. Grant and Teddy Roosevelt and home to historic inns with romantic four-poster beds and roaring fireplaces. There’s also plenty to keep you busy, like fly-fishing, hiking maple-covered hills and dining on traditional New England dishes, such as lobster bisque and pot roast. In neighboring Dorset, stroll the charming village green, lined with restored clapboard homes, or catch a play at the Dorset Theatre Festival, whose performances take place in an old restored barn. In northern Vermont, the charming village of Stowe, nestled on the slopes of the state’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, is the quintessential mountain town.
Shopping Vermont is a shopper’s paradise, whether you’re interested in outlet malls for discounted designer duds or prefer mom and pop shops where you can find locally made artisanal products. In Manchester, stop by the huge Orvis sporting-goods store to stock up on gear, from fly-fishing rods to fleece jackets; there are also high-end boutiques like Ralph Lauren and Armani. In Stowe, browse one-of-a-kind shops like Shaw’s General Store -- dating to 1895 and hawking Vermont staples like cheddar cheese and maple syrup -- and the Green Mountain Fine Art Gallery, stocked with local works.
Skiing and Ice Skating Although Vermont’s beautiful in any season, wintertime is particularly magical. Schuss down the mountain in resort towns like Killington, the East Coast’s largest ski resort, or Stowe, whose slopeside condos overlook Mount Mansfield. Nonskiers can get a workout snowshoeing on groomed trails winding though fragrant pine forests or ice-skating on frozen ponds surrounded by snowcapped peaks. After a day outdoors, indulge in his-and-hers spa treatments or warm up with hot toddies by the fire.
Off the Beaten Path
Breweries Vermont has a thriving beer-making industry, and visitors can savor handcrafted ales at more than a dozen microbreweries -- definitely a fun group activity for your wedding party. In Middlebury, tour the family-owned Otter Creek Brewing and sample the German-style Copper Ale. At the Alchemist Pub and Brewery, in Waterbury, sip house-made ales like Donovan’s Red and dine on grilled Wood Creek Farms steak. — Jill Fergus
