Allie and Devin’s Victorian Farmhouse Wedding on Lake Champlain, Vermont


Allie and Devin celebrated their wedding in a small Vermont town on the shores of Lake Champlain on a stunning fall day. We drove across the Green Mountains to reach an expansive plateau dotted with farms bordering the lake. It was exciting to climb out of the car and see the Lake Champlain bridge and the Adirondack Mountains to the west – BrightWorks actually began with Stephen’s love of photographing landscapes.


The couple chose An Affair by the Lake, a Victorian home with a barn, gazebo, and plenty of room for guests to enjoy views of Lake Champlain and the giant Eastern Cottonwood tree growing in the center of the property. Devin greeted us from the porch and we started capturing the action and the strong sense of place. We also met Lorraine Franklin, the wonderful host and event planner at the estate. There’s nothing like the start of a wedding day – finally meeting the couple’s family and friends, immersing ourselves in the moment and triple-checking that the gear is ready to go! 


We love taking pictures in spaces that offer natural light and this wedding venue was a great fit. After Allie and Devin dressed in their wedding attire, we sailed into the first look. It was especially great because Allie and Devin were so clearly relieved to be reunited! The weathered barn, the “hand” statue and giant tree trunk made for fun destinations during the couple shots. 


Group shots, groups shots, can I get a group shot? Yes! Allie and Devin planned the flow of the formal group shots so that family members could come and go in logical waves. We placed the soft box (a light stand with a diffused flash attached) so the bright lakeside scene and the faces of the subjects were properly exposed. Rebecca took photos off-angle to capture candid moments.


After a short break, the groom took his place under the gazebo with the lake beyond, and the guests lined wooden benches on the lawn. Allie walked down the aisle with her dad and brother and the ceremony was officiated by a Vermont-based friend of the couple. Devin’s brother played ethereal ambient music on a loop. All of these details reflected the couple, including their handwritten vows. 


The wedding celebration continued with post-ceremony hugs, golden light and beautifully-presented appetizers and it ultimately led to white tent where Allie and Devin thanked their guests for making the journey to Vermont. We are often so moved by the speeches right along with the guests, while taking pictures from all angles. A delicious dinner was followed by dancing to songs that inspired barefoot movements! 


What a day! Congratulations, Allie and Devin! 


​​Shout out:


Venue: An Affair by the Lake

Photography: BrightWorks Photography

Catering: 3 Squares Cafe

Flowers: Farmhouse Flowers VT

Band: Al’s Pals