If you’re dreaming of a scenic, guest-friendly Vermont wedding experience, a Mount Mansfield elopement might just be the perfect fit. Rae and Andy’s day was such a perfect example of how you really can have the best of both worlds during an intimate wedding day. They got to celebrate with their families surrounded by breathtaking Vermont views, while also carving out plenty of time to explore Mount Mansfield together, just the two of them. Rae is also an incredibly talented elopement photographer herself, which made it feel extra special to document their day. Between the stunning mountain scenery, the quiet moments together, and the excitement from their families, their Mount Mansfield elopement felt so full of joy from beginning to end.
The Most Iconic Venue for a Stowe, Vermont Wedding
If you want to get married in the Stowe, Vermont area, I can’t think of a more picturesque location than Mount Mansfield. It’s the perfect place for an adventure elopement, especially one with guests. Not only is it easily accessible, but it also features unbelievably breathtaking views, making it the perfect place for an intimate celebration like Rae and Andy’s.
A Real Mount Mansfield Elopement
Rae and Andy drove up Mount Mansfield with their families last October on one of the most beautiful autumn days. After spending a year planning their intimate elopement, it was incredibly rewarding to see it come to life. Rae got ready in the parking lot, while Andy got ready halfway down the Long Trail before they met back up for their first look! In a nutshell, their day centered around family, adventure, and even cider donuts.
A Ceremony on the Long Trail in Vermont
After checking out the crowds at some spots that would be accessible to everyone in their group, we opted to hold the ceremony right on the Long Trail, which spans 273 miles throughout Vermont, and this little section was the perfect spot to say “I do”. Rae, Andy, and their families hiked a quarter of a mile to the spot we had chosen, and then Rae changed into her flats with some gentle help from Andy. It was one of the sweetest moments of the day. I loved seeing this pair slow down to take it all in before we got started.
Rae’s dad officiated their ceremony, and their guests enjoyed views of Mount Mansfield’s peak as a backdrop throughout. The happy couple kissed, and everyone cheered! Then it was time for a champagne toast and cider donuts. I loved seeing how Rae and Andy incorporated some of their favorite things into this celebration.
Adventurous Mount Mansfield Portraits
Once Andy and Rae had celebrated for a while with their families, with “just” and “married” signs strapped to their backpacks, we set off to hike the Mount Mansfield Loop Trail for some adventure portraits. On our way up several hikers stopped us to congratulate the newlyweds, which added what I call “wedding day magic” to the experience. After a short but rewarding hike, we found the perfect spot with a breathtaking view. There, we snapped some adventure portraits that felt so true to the two of them. As the evening wound down and the sun began to set, you could see so far in every direction from Vermont’s tallest peak.
When to Visit: Vermont Foliage
If you’re hoping to see the vibrant foliage spread across the Stowe, Vermont area, I recommend heading there during the last week of September through mid-October. The true peak differs every year depending on the weather. If you visit during that period, though, you’re bound to see some seriously colorful foliage, which adds a touch of magic to every photo!
Rae and Andy’s wedding was on October 2nd, and the leaves were bright orange and yellow, which made for the most stunning backdrop! I love that they’re able to literally feel the autumn vibes throughout their elopement photo gallery.
Getting Up Mount Mansfield: The Auto Toll Road
The Auto Toll Road is a 4.5-mile narrow gravel route that takes you directly to the top of Mount Mansfield. Taking the ATR might seem a little bit intimidating when looking at pictures, but it’s not as scary as the internet likes to make us think. My pro tip? Just make sure to drive slowly, and know that traffic going up has the right of way! On the way back down, try to stay in a low gear and make stops as needed, so your car doesn’t overheat. If you’re planning to visit Mount Mansfield in the fall, I recommend opting for an early-morning or weekday visit for the least crowded conditions. Taking the Toll Road costs $37 for the first person, and then $14 for each additional passenger, unless it’s a peak date, then it’s $48 and $18 for each additional passenger.
Learn more about the Auto Toll Road and find information to help prepare your guests!
Planning Your Mount Mansfield Elopement
There are a few things I encourage you to keep in mind when planning your Mount Mansfield elopement:
- If you want to avoid crowds, opt for a weekday, and you may even want to choose spring or summer rather than fall.
- In Vermont, you don’t need witnesses when signing your marriage license! So if you want to get married on Mount Mansfield, just the two of you, it’s easy peasy (especially if your photographer is ordained, like me!)
- Vermont has no waiting period, so you can apply for your marriage license and get it the same day. Though I recommend taking care of this step a week or two in advance, unless this side quest sounds fun for you on your big day!
- If you’re opting for a fall elopement in Stowe, remember to budget extra time for the drive in. Route 100 can get really backed up in the fall!
- If you want to hike all the way to the summit from the top parking lot of the Auto Toll Road (near the visitors center), you’ll be hiking around 2.6 miles round-trip.
- They only allow a certain number of cars up at a time, so you may have to wait for cars to come down before you can go up! You’ll want to pad your timeline for this.
The Magic of a Mount Mansfield Elopement
Mount Mansfield is such a favorite of mine, not only because of how easy it is to access, but because of the STUNNING 360-degree views (so many photo ops!). It almost doesn’t even feel like New England! Instead, couples feel transported to a totally unique viewpoint. The exposed rock summit is giving alpine vibes, something most people don’t expect to find tucked into the East Coast mountains. Mount Mansfield is also near and dear to my heart because of how picturesque the sunsets are. I love helping couples bring their elopement vision to life here because it truly does feel like the possibilities are endless – this place makes people happy!
If you think a Mount Mansfield elopement might be right for you, I’d love to help you plan and capture your day!
