After a total reno, the legendary Equinox resort, in Manchester, Vermont is ready to welcome a new generation of destination weddings.
Some couples want their weddings to showcase what’s hot and trendy. Others want to wrap themselves in the comforts of time-tested tradition.
Personally, we like it best when the two worlds meet. And one place that happily marries the old and new is Manchester Vermont’s storied Equinox. (The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, for you formal types.) A society hotspot during the Victorian era—four U.S. presidents stayed here—the compound is just emerging from a full remodel. The renovation kept the grand dame’s beautiful bones in place while introducing a slew of fresh charms. Here’s how to plan the perfect Equinox wedding:
Establish a wedding headquarters
The resort’s main building is large enough to accommodate even the biggest wedding, with a pair of ballrooms and scores of guest accommodations. But if you want something more intimate, several inns on the property are small enough to enable couples to do an entire buy-out, for total privacy.
One likely candidate: Meadow House. Fronted by a lush lawn on the edge of Manchester, it comes with an expansive deck ideal for either a ceremony or a reception, as well as four guest suites.
The best after-parties happen at 1811 House, where Abraham Lincoln’s granddaughter lived. You’re invited to take over the entire home, which comes with a wood-paneled bar ideal for late-night lingering.
If you’re traveling with a full complement of second-cousins, the Charles Orvis Inn is an even larger property. A total reno of the property will be completed this summer, and you’ll enjoy tons of privacy…plus room service and housekeeping.
Choose a splendid spot for the vows
The waterside ceremony location, the Pond Pavilion, comes with a floating dock that is the ultimate for photo-worthy vows. At the foot of Mt. Equinox, you’ll have front-row views of the Green Mountains whether cocktail-ing on the deck or at a rustic indoor feast. (Bonus: no bugs!)
For history buffs, a bounty of courtyards and gardens provide charming outdoor venues backdropped by classic New England architecture.
And if you’re planning a winter wedding, complete with vintage fur stole and horse-drawn carriage, think about an intimate ceremony in front of a blazing fire. Want something a bit grander? Try a ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on the snowy village.
Keep the gang busy
Of course their primary reason for trekking to Vermont is to celebrate the two of you and your ever-lasting love. But destination wedding guests also want to get out and about. The staff will happily help your organize any of the following:
Off-road driving. Buckle up your party in a fleet of Land Rovers, make sure they hang onto their hats, and set them loose on an off-road driving course that ends with a picnic on Mt. Equinox.
Falconry: The Equinox employs a master falconer, who can take your folks on a ‘hawk walk’ in the woods, then let them practice the ancient sport of falconry.
Golf and tennis: With a par-71 golf course and three plexi-cushion tennis courts, there’s ample opportunity to challenge the other side to a “friendly” game.
Fly fishing: If you’re in need of a little zen time, spend an afternoon attempting the perfect cast.
Spa: For some guests, the most exciting part of a New England visit is a maple body scrub. Go with the flow and point them to the spa’s popular Spirit of Vermont treatment, which includes a combination of massage, reflexology, and reiki.
The Equinox resort’s Pond Pavillion and its floating dock let weddings wrap themselves in nature.
