The Essex Resort & Spa

as INSANE. Everyone has told us how amazing their meals were and how it was the best food they'd ever had at a wedding. We still talk about how our only fault was eating too much on our wedding day. The accommodations were perfect as well as the amenities! We will continue to visit the essex and enjoy ourselves just as we did on our wedding weekend.

looking to get married in the VT area!

better venue and event manager. We highly recommend this venue to any couple considering The Essex. Our guests loved the venue and hotel as well!

free. Monique, Emily, and all the Essex staff were so friendly and accommodating. Our wedding guests had so many great things to stay about the hotel and the food! It ended up raining the day of our wedding so we had to move the ceremony inside, but it still ended up so beautiful and there was no stress about turning it quickly into a reception space. I loved my wedding here and would recommend the Essex to anyone looking to get married in the area!

ere was rain on Friday causing the welcome dinner to be inside, they were quick to come up with alternatives, and went the extra mile by having some staff set-up a space outside for once the rain had cleared. We had our reception off site at the Ponds location, and it is an absolutely gorgeous late summer venue. The space is some distance from the hotel and you need to arrange your own transportation, but it is well worth it for the spectacular views and scenery. Our wedding coordinator, Bekah, deserves a special shout out. Prior to the weekend she was willing to meet with us whenever we needed clarification on questions, both in person and remotely. During the weekend, she stayed in constant communication and coordinated both with our vendors and us to make sure everything was perfect and running smoothly. She was essential in making it feel like our special weekend. Overall we were very happy with our experience getting married at the Essex, and we would definitely recommend.

h, our Essex event planner. The food was delicious and the various settings were beautiful! We were thrilled and can’t wait to get our professional photos back to relive every magical moment!

ng, I started working with the day of coordinator (Monique) who guided me every step of the way. She made sure that no detail was overlooked and made me feel confident going into my wedding day. On Friday 8/5 we had our rehearsal and Monique did amazing dealing with our rowdy bridal party. Monique was patient and gave us enough practice rounds to make sure everyone knew what they should be doing. Monique didn’t miss any detail from how the bridal party was positioned, down to making sure all the guys had their hands the same way. After rehearsal we had our rehearsal dinner in their backyard area. Out of all their options for rehearsal dinner packages, this turned out the best in my opinion. We had a buffet style dinner outside. They set up a bar outside just for our party. We opted to purchase drink tickets for our guests and then cash bar afterwards. The entire dinner was very relaxed and enjoyable. After dinner we could enjoy the backyard games, fire pit and goats. On the actual wedding day.. minutes before the ceremony started, Monique came to me and let me know that rain was expected. I made the decision to move the ceremony inside. I’m glad we did, because it started down pouring minutes later. The staff at The Essex were SO quick in making the transition from outside to inside. My guests were amazed at how quick they were able to pull it off (like 5 minutes). As the bride, it was a little disappointing to not have the ceremony outside, but Monique and her staff made it a seamless transition that I didn’t feel one ounce of stress. The ceremony took place in the Atrium (where my reception was) and it was just as beautiful. They even brought in the arbor! After the ceremony, The Essex staff had my entire reception area back to the way it was in another 5 minutes. By time I got back from family photos (which were quick btw), all of my guests were sitting and enjoying the cocktail hour. The reception itself was flawlessly executed. I luckily picked vendors that have worked with The Essex and so the communication between everyone was on point. I also felt supported and never felt the need to watch the clock to make sure everything was happening when it should (I’m a project manager with a type A personality.. so that’s saying a lot). For the food - we picked steak, salmon and a mushroom ravioli. We were able to taste all of the food during a private tasting months before our wedding. The chef brought in each entry separately followed by different cake options that we were able to mix and match. It was such a fun experience that my spouse and I were able to enjoy with our moms. We left the food tasting very full and excited to serve our guest the food on our wedding day. Overall it was an amazing weekend! About 80% of our guests were from out of state, so it was nice that everyone could stay at the venue with us. Photo/Video: Todd Stoilov - Still In Motion DJ/Photobooth Top Hat Entertainment (DJ Darren) Flowers: Flowers by Nicole (Nicole Nappi) My Hair/Makeup: I worked through Amanda Hopcroft. The artist who did my hair/makeup was Sarah Crowley from Finishing Touch VT. bridal party hair/makeup - Jodi Anthes and Rheanna Gaudette Table cloths - The Linen Company

ievable, and we would not have had as great of a day without her expertise. The food was so good, and we were so happy that we chose this venue.

details of the day. About 80% of our guests were from out of town, and they all stayed at The Essex. We had a bonfire with s'mores the night before the wedding behind The Tavern which our guests loved (also, we talked to ~70% of our guests during the bonfire, so there was less pressure to see everyone during the actual reception!), and a welcome brunch the morning of the wedding that was delicious and so fun. The only issue we had was the communication leading up to the wedding. We booked The Essex about a year before our wedding date, and during that time we had a series of four "main contact" people that seemed to change without reason. The constant changes meant having to re-explain and express our plans over and over, which was frustrating and time consuming. Overall, it was a great venue and our guests enjoyed it!

this beautiful location. We worked with the Essex Resort for our small COVID wedding last year, so already knew how BEAUTIFUL the resort is and how accommodating all of the staff are. Michele (our wedding coordinator) was a ray of light over the last two years, helping us coordinate everything and execute our two weddings over the last two years with multiple food allergies and special requests. The food is phenomenal (and could accommodate all allergies expertly), the bar staff and servers are friendly (shout out to Dan the bartender, who was with us for rehearsal dinner and bonfire as well!), and everyone at the Essex is a pleasure to work with (including Alan in reservations who helped with a million room block questions, and all of the front desk staff who welcomed our guests all weekend!) Our Ponds wedding had 128 guests but could have easily fit 175 or more (which was our original guest count). The backdrop was a guest favorite, from the deck view to the ceremony arch. One of our favorite parts was being able to include our 5-year-old black lab (Gary) in all of the celebrations; he walked down the aisle and was able to stay through cocktail hour. Gary is a BIG FAN of the Ponds. We are so grateful for all of the amazing memories we have because of the Ponds, the Essex, and the entire wedding team at the venue.

is an actual angel, and worked with the staff to make sure us and our guests had a great time, while remaining safe and adhering to guidelines. Every event, from the Rehearsal Dinner on Saturday, to the Wedding on Sunday, and the Farewell Brunch on Monday, was meticulously planned and went by without a hitch, thanks to the team there. Us and our guests stayed at The Essex for the whole weekend, and the staff made sure we were taken care of the entire time. Julia and Amanda were at each event making sure things ran smoothly. Chef Dante led a super fun private cooking class for our wedding party. We rented out Junction and Chef Nicole made a world class dinner our guests are still talking about months later. And Aleksa, the hardest working waitress I’ve ever met, helped make sure our needs were always met, including helping the bridesmaids plan room service for a surprise bachelorette brunch. If I wrote about every single incredible thing the team at The Essex did, this review would be pages long. They took away all the stress of planning a wedding during a pandemic, and I cannot thank them enough for that. Needless to say, I wholeheartedly recommend having your wedding there.

ad a response in less than 2 days. They made wedding planning 100% stress free and fun! When the final months before our wedding finally rolled around, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Even with all of the uncertainty & changes we had to roll with, the staff (shoutout to Julia!) was extremely understanding & honest and made the time leading up to our wedding a breeze. Our day was a dream come true. The venue is an absolutely stunning indoor/outdoor cabin with tons of scenery and privacy. We had no surprises - the food was phenomenal and they worked hard to make sure we were well taken care of. We didn't want to leave. All we want to do is go back to our wedding day and relive it over and over again! We cannot recommend The Ponds enough! Thank you to everyone who had a hand in our special day! Love, Cait & Chris

aff at The Essex made sure our day went smoothly and they all provided such warm, genuine service.

had more than enough space and looks amazing in photos. The Resort- Great service, great amenities and wonderful people. So many of our guest were so appreciative of everything from check in to check out.

since everyone would be traveling from out of town, with many flying into Burlington's airport. We initially worked with one coordinator who gave us the on-site tour and was one of the main reasons we chose the Ponds. Unfortunately, about a year before our wedding we found out she had moved on. I realize it happens. We were assigned to another coordinator who was on time with her communication and kept things moving. However, 4 days before our wedding, we got a call from the Essex that said coordinator was no longer working with the Essex. I was distraught, worried that details would get lost in the last minute change but Emily and Julia who were assigned to our wedding went above and beyond to make sure our wedding was everything we envisioned! Everyone said it was the best wedding they had been to and the food was superb! Thank you Essex for making sure our special day went smoothly!

a whole weekend experience and it is conveniently located just outside of Burlington given that the majority of our guests were flying in. People could easily explore all that Vermont has to offer in the peak Fall season. Given that it was a destination wedding, we relied heavily on communication with the day of coordinator that we were assigned as part of our package. We were able to do an in person walk through at a visit prior to the wedding and the coordinator appeared organized and eager to meet our needs. However, email communication leading up to our wedding day was poor. We would have large lapses in communication, details were missed, and multiple times our banquet bill had errors. Had we not been reviewing it thoroughly, we would have been overpaid. Despite their ongoing errors regarding financials, we found that the Essex seemed to nickel and dime us for just about everything. For example, if you need something hung that would require a ladder, they would require an Essex staff member to be involved and would charge $150/hour. The pricing reflected on the Knot is inaccurate and I would highly recommend reviewing a contract thoroughly. Our coordinator stopped communicating altogether and a week prior to our wedding we learned from management that there was a new coordinator that would be with us the day of our wedding. This didn’t exactly put us at ease since there were was poor communication with our second coordinator and further mistakes being made. We choose to host a welcome bonfire the day before our wedding and it was a wonderful way to greet people as they arrived and this was very unique to our guests coming from big cities. Our guests were able to enjoy the grounds of the Essex which are for the most part beautifully maintained. The bonfire area, however, is quite dark and was not really suitable for our elderly guests. Blankets are an extra charge and no one maintained the fire for the $250 fee. Overall, the serving staff was wonderful and the Atrium did look beautiful. We did get compliments on the food and our guests enjoyed themselves. We were disappointed that one of our vendors did not receive the meal that we paid for. Given the hotel rates during peak season, we would have hoped for more upscale finishes throughout the hotel and more welcoming, friendly, and professional staff. Given the investment to host a wedding, we did not feel that our guests or we received extraordinary service.

s well as the wedding weekend itself! It feels like your wedding is most important event of the year and all our guests had an amazing time!

rything was included there, from a wedding coordinator and team, to the food prepared on site, etc. It seemed more stress free and that is what we needed. I knew as soon as we pulled into the driveway that this would be the place I fell in love with. Our wedding coordinator, Arienne, was lovely. Emily, the other manager, was also great too, and both answered countless questions (the same ones over and over at times! ) and always got back to us in a timely manner. We had several meetings with them and I felt confident to be in such good hands. We had a menu tasting before the wedding and the chefs were open to a couple of our suggestions and listened to our requests perfectly. Everyone repeatedly told us how beautiful everything was and how awesome the food was, which we agree with 100%! When we asked to have a brownie sundae bar instead of a cake for everyone, they worked with us to provide the brownies and nice cream if we provided the toppings, so this was very accommodating and worked for everyone. They ended up throwing in a cutting cake for us, free of charge and that was gorgeous as well. The day of the wedding I could just relax in the bridal suite and get ready, while also being on site to see my vision come to life, which was awesome. Arienne served us mimosas and truly made my wedding vision come to life before my very eyes and it was exactly as I had imagined it and wished for it. It was an amazing day, and everything went so smoothly with Arienne there to run everything and guide us throughout the day and night. She was calm and collected and so positive, which helped my stress and nerves as well. If you're looking for a rustic but elegant venue, The Ponds at Bolton Valley is the perfect spot. You won't regret it! Words can't express how happy we were with our special day!

turesque, outdoor ceremony/cocktail hour and a large indoor reception space with plenty of natural light. The Ponds is a good combination of a Vermonty, rustic feel and a formal space fit for a wedding celebration. Our coordinator was responsive and so helpful throughout the planning process and everything went seamlessly on the day of. We used The Essex for a welcome party on Friday, which they set up outside by the firepit. We also used their spa services for hair which we loved and moved seamlessly on the day of. I chose not to do my makeup there due to their selection of brands, however they have revamped their selection since my wedding. Lastly, we wanted to provide a casual breakfast for wedding guests the day after the wedding. The Essex set us up with vouchers to the Tavern which created a fun, informal way to say goodbye to guests. Overall, our guests loved the hotel and it felt like a "treat" to stay there.

aff did not meet our expectations. Outside of the Atrium for the reception itself I was not treated like a bride. I did not feel special. My bridal suite that had been booked 8 months in advance for my bridesmaids and I the night prior to the wedding was given away and we were stuck in an outdated suite with terrible lighting. We had to take photographs in another guest’s room because the lighting was so bad! Have every detail in writing because management was not helpful to us because some of the agreements and decisions made were verbal.

much of the usual stress of planning a wedding was alleviated and everything ran so smoothly. In terms of the venue, the lawn and atrium are gorgeous spaces for the ceremony and reception, respectively. Our guests were largely from out of town and it was so convenient for all of them to be able to stay at the resort (which also provides courtesy transportation from the Burlington airport). Our wedding coordinator, Arienne, was incredibly responsive and helpful with inquiries and was organized, calm and flexible throughout the entire planning process and on the wedding day. The food and cake were so delicious and we had many guests with dietary restrictions for whom the chefs made several special plates. All of our guests were very complimentary of venue, food, and services provided. I cannot say enough positive things about the Essex and highly recommend for a wonderful wedding experience.

estions multiple times. On the day of, Arienne made something that could have been quite stressful quite easy and could not have been more helpful. Every piece of our event turned out exactly as I had imagined it. The food was phenomenal, the cake beautiful and delicious, the staff superb. When we entered the Atrium on the way to the east lawn to begin the ceremony I was blown away by what it had been transformed into. It was simply gorgeous. Thank you to everyone at The Essex for helping us to make lasting memories in a beautiful setting.

Ponds I knew we had found our venue. Emily is incredibly professional, responsive, and willing to offer suggestions. I really appreciated her input throughout our wedding planning process, she was not pushy but did let me know if she did not think something would work. She also had suggestions for vendors, all of our vendors were from her suggestions list and they exceeded our expectations. The wedding day went perfect, Emily was there every step of the way, but again not overbearing. The venue was put together beautifully, Emily put out a lot of the decorations we brought and made the space look great. The food at our wedding was so delicious too. We did have feed back for the chefs during our menu tasting, they clearly listened because the food was beyond delicious. The Essex has made the Ponds into a stunning venue space, prepares incredible food, and Emily was a great wedding coordinator to work with. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for their wedding venue!