The Lilac Inn

Beautiful inn with lovely rooms and gardens. The food was a big hit with all the guests, and the wait staff and bartender were wonderful. It was great to have the whole inn to ourselves for the weekend. The communication, however, was lacking throughout the process. Many emails went unanswered until I called the inn. One time a whole month went by without response until I phoned. Closer to the event date someone started responding via a secondary email account, which I later learnt was going to my spam folder, causing more confusion. The owner, Shelly, also told us she would be available as our day of coordinator. That was offered on our very first tour of the inn. I even double checked on that a few times over the year, because heck yeah, coordinator included! The weeks leading up to our wedding Shelly unfortunately broke her ankle and needed to be in a boot. However, she said she'd still be available to coordinate since she could still walk short distances. The rehearsal she wasn't there to coordinate though, and we had to figure out the placement and timing on our own. It was raining, so we were having the ceremony in the main hall/entrance. Our guests started arriving for the rehearsal dinner and it added some chaos as everyone wanted to hug and say hello. I had to direct the guests to the dining room so we could actually finish the rehearsal. The rehearsal I was totally freestyling. My maid of honor later organized guests during dinner to the buffet by table so there wasn't a huge crowd of people standing and waiting for food. The actual ceremony Shelly was also not present. We worked out a system among the wedding party so people out of line of sight would each know when to start walking. Of the whole wedding, including our musician almost not making it, being rained out of our planned garden ceremony, it was standing offside at the ceremony worrying about people knowing when to go--that our plan we made 5 minutes prior was sound--that was the most stressful moment. That's when I was like "wait, isn't the day of coordinator supposed to be managing this?" If I knew she wasn't going to be there I would have prepared more ahead of time. I had taken for granted that I didn't have to think about it. We were also overcharged accidentally, and again had to make a phone calls to get money correctly refunded since the email responses went silent. In short, beautiful inn, wonderful waitstaff, food is delicious, rooms are lovely. We all had fun at the end of the day. They do give you a lot of flexibility in whatever you'd like to do. The communication is a hassle though. And they don't do contracts. Our coordinating issues may have just been a one-off with Shelly's ankle though--she may really be on the ball with coordinating other times for all we know. Oh, and the cost of meals was higher than what's listed. They do make a note that costs are subject to market pricing, I believe the meals were about $10 more a head for us. We found that out when the bill came, so be aware for your budgeting.

We could not be happier that we chose the Lilac Inn to host our wedding. We booked the whole inn for a long weekend, and we hosted not only our wedding ceremony and reception, but also our rehearsal dinner and multiple casual meals and lawn parties on the property. Shelly, Betsy, and the rest of the team were so committed to helping us realize our vision of a full weekend of events and fall fun with our family and friends. The Lilac Inn could go from a casual venue for a bonfire with friends to a decked out, beautiful and classy venue for a formal wedding within hours. The gardens were absolutely gorgeous for our ceremony, and the food was delicious and felt homemade, even for 150 people. The bridal suite was a dream, and our dog could enjoy it with us! We were able to make decisions about the most minute of details, and Shelly was so flexible both about finding the food, drinks, and decor that we wanted and allowing us to bring in our own food, drinks, and decor when that made more sense for us. We really felt like it was our inn for the weekend, and many of our guests said the same thing! The inn itself is in a great location, a quarter-mile from downtown Brandon with all its small-town Vermont charm and additional lodging, and it is full of charm and unique details. Shelly was also super transparent about all costs at every step of the way, even at the last minute, when we needed to rent a heater to counter the cold front that came through on the day of our wedding. As a small inn with a small staff, the wedding planning process was not as streamlined and structured as it might have been if we chose a bigger and more corporate venue. Additionally, our wedding day schedule was looser than many other weddings we have attended, as a small staff was attending to and feeding 150 people, and everyone is doing multiple jobs at all times. This worked for us, because we wanted the flexibility and the non-corporate vibes, but it might not be for everyone. We really can't say enough about how perfect the Lilan Inn was for us, and how kind and committed Shelly, Betsy, and the whole team are. We will be going back to relive our perfect weekend for a long time to come!

Oh my. Where to begin. The Lilac Inn's slogan is "Unspoiled, unhurried, and unforgettable." I think that does some justice, but really only scratches the surface. The Lilac Inn is less a "wedding venue" and more a spectacular old home-turned-inn, meticulously managed and loved by Shelley and her wonderful staff, and that spirit fills the rooms & the grounds & everything they pour into making their establishment feel like home to all those who stay there. You don't feel like a hotel guest here. You feel like you're staying with an old friend. Shelley accommodated every twist and turn of our 22 month engagement and wedding planning process, helping us execute on and even exceed our own vision for what our wedding day (wedding weekend, really) could be. I could go on, but you get the picture. Vermont. Laid back. Beautiful. Comfortable. This establishment is a crown jewel. We will be back for anniversaries. Thank you Shelley!

My wife and I loved working with Shelly and Doug to hold our our rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, and reception at the Lilac Inn. They and their staff were kind, flexible, and helpful. They were also extremely transparent about pricing, providing us with a complete spreadsheet of costs which helped us manage the expenses more easily. Finally, the inn is a beautiful, quirky place with a lovely ballroom where we had our first dance, and the breakfast for our wedding party and family was delightful!

Absolutely perfect experience! Our wedding was wonderful and we are so happy we chose the Lilac Inn. Very accommodating, communicative, well cared for venue that really gave us all the perfect experience!

This venue was the absolute best. It was so wonderful to have the inn for the entire weekend. Shelly and Ashley were so helpful in making our day so magical. The rooms in the inn are lovely and well kept. The food was delicious. The venue has both indoor and outdoor options. We had our ceremony outside in front of the gazebo and it was so beautiful. There are lodging options near the inn, which was great for out of town visitors. The decor matched what we envisioned on our special day. All expenses and expectations were clear. We would highly recommend this venue as your southern VT wedding.

From the moment we walked into the Lilac Inn, we knew it was where we would get married. It was a snowy Vermont day, but Shelly welcomed us with a smile and a big heart plus she loved dogs and the Patriots. We came back for a tasting and the food was to die for! In planning the event, Shelly and Ashley went above and beyond. They customized their schedule with what would work best for our bridal party. We were able to have the entire bridal party and our parents stay at the Inn with us for the weekend and our families and friends were within walking distance. We went to the spa Friday morning, came to setup at the Inn afterwards. It wasn't hard to do because the Inn offers a historical charm that doesn't need to be covered or changed. Shelly and Ashley did help us move things around or offered suggestions if we needed assistance. We then went to the local brewery/winery at Foley Brothers which is on the edge of a golf course to socialize with our guests. They loved it! We headed back to the Inn for a rehearsal and Shelly had our BBQ dinner waiting. The ribs fell off the bone! I love BBQ so this was icing on the cake, and it wasn't even the big day yet. After the rehearsal, the bridal party joined guests at the Center Street Pub which is a walk away. On Saturday, my makeup and hair stylist came to the Inn to find a large Honeymoon Suite/Bridal Chambers big enough for everyone in the party to sit back, relax and get ready. The groomsmen got ready in another equally as large room called the Fireplace Room. Breakfast was ready both mornings and cooked to order with pastries and fruit laid out. I'd highly recommend the omelets. Our first look photos were in the gardens with our bridal party photos afterwards in the front of the Inn and in the gardens. Everything went very smooth seeing as we were all in one place. The bridal party was able to gather before the ceremony to celebrate, and then we got married! Walking down the stairs, through the courtyard to the gazebo was a magical moment in time! It was perfect and everything I wanted. But, it didn't stop there. We had a cocktail hour with yard games, and then the reception started with the same amazing food and impeccable timing from the staff. We ended the night with a cookie station where we ate our cookie, dancing and smores. A full moon rose over our occasion that evening to make it the best weekend ever with family and friends all there to celebrate. I'd highly recommend the Lilac Inn!

Doug and Shelly were great to work with. Shelly was so sweet and able to do everything we requested of her. She got us the mugs they sell for special guest we wanted to honor. She kept my butterflies happy and healthy until they were able to be released. The food was amazing. The place was beautiful we look forward to going back some time for a weekend getaway.

Shelly and Doug were amazing. We are three weeks out from our wedding and guests are still talking about how beautiful the Inn is and the delicious food at the reception. They were flexible and provided options that fit our budget. They were also very resourceful with helping us sort out last minute mishaps (extra tables and vases for flowers, dinner options for out of towners, to-go breakfast for early travelers, forgotten suitcases and returning rentals to vendors). They really helped to ensure that we had a relaxing and enjoyable time with what could easily have been a very stressful event. Booking the Lilac was one of the best wedding decisions we made.

Deciding to get married at the Lilac Inn was the easiest and best decision we made while planning our wedding. If you're thinking of getting married in Vermont, you should definitely book a tour here. Shelly is amazing and will help you plan your dream wedding. When you book the Inn, you get the opportunity to use the grounds for the entire weekend while Shelly coordinated all of the catering, tent rental, and staffing. I still keep dreaming about the butternut squash ravioli we had as one of our food options, it was out of this world! Our 140 guest wedding felt intimate and our guests enjoyed exploring the beautiful gardens and taking advantage of the ballroom for dancing and the fire pit for relaxing. We chose to have the ceremony in the garden and I'm so glad that we did. Brandon is a beautiful example of small town Vermont and your guests will love the hospitality and all the area has to offer.

The Lilac Inn is a beautiful location to have your wedding. Shelly and Doug are wonderful hosts. Shelly allowed us to take over the inn and decorate premises as we pleased (within reason- no tape on walls, or digging things up, etc-I wouldn't have requested that). The dinner was delicious and everyone had an amazing time. Despite our reception being washed out, we were able to fit guests in the bar, library, porch, and ball room. There is enough space to spread out and not feel claustrophobic. The inn offers breakfast to individuals who were staying. Breakfast is certainly memorable! You are offered fruit pastry, made to order eggs, and sweet made to order breakfast option, home fries, and side of meat. The only thing that was a negative is that I had to remind the staff which guest ordered which meal, despite me making a list of guest names for each table with their order on small cards for wait staff. I also had to remind the servers to remove a table after dinner. The staff also began taking drinks that were half enjoyed. Despite the wait staff taking drinks, Shelly quickly fixed the issue and provided new drinks. Bar tender also refused to serve people that were inline for drinks prior to 10 pm as soon as 10pm hit. I still give it 5 stars despite some issues because Shelly worked to make everything right and the inn is beautiful.

My husband and I were married two weeks ago at the Lilac Inn. The whole affair was beautiful. I had wanted things done a little differently than they usually do them and that was no problem. Instead of round tables we had a large horse shoe of farm tables. We also had no meat at our wedding, and the staff was very accommodating. We got tons of compliments on the food and atmosphere. It was a great wedding. I'd recommend this inn to anyone.

What do a bride and groom need in a wedding venue? Well, there are the tangibles: enough space for guests and any musical entertainment, good food, plenty to drink, decent dance floor. And then there are the intangibles: a creative yet reliable contact person/planner, delightful spots for photos and an overall magical appeal, and a location that your guests will feel quite comfortable in. The Lilac Inn in Brandon had all of these tangible and intangible qualities, and more. I’d need to write pages in order to capture all of the wonderful things about having your Special Day here; I can’t do that so will settle for three reasons. First, Shelly is a wonderful partner in planning your wedding. The owner of the inn, she is thoughtful, patient and imminently flexible; she considered each of my many requests and delivered nearly every one of them to a tee, and she has plenty of her own helpful ideas and suggestions to offer. We credit her for making the wedding of our dreams come true. Second, the Lilac Inn truly is magical. From the gardens to the entry to the ballroom, it is a beautiful place without being ostentatious. And, it is one in which your guests will feel comfortable. I recommend renting the inn for your entire wedding weekend: the bridal suite is a perfect home base for your time there and the breakfasts in the morning are just as yummy as dinners. Third, the food is delicious: our guests enjoyed it and there were many choices. And finally, there are incredibly talented vendors for your other needs (photographer, wedding cake, florist) nearby. Shelly has suggestions. My husband and I strongly recommend having your wedding at the Lilac Inn!

well i rented the inn for the bed and breakfast feel. i had a brunch wedding teaparty theme on dec 1. i said no x mas decor there was. for such a highly rated place they did omlet station on camping coolman grill(not my idea for wedding). for the amount of $(5000about) i dont feel like i got it. also the professionalism from the innkeepers was that there no contract to hold them to either. But the handyman/chef saved the day with his help of the removal of x mas decor.

I had my wedding here a little less then a month ago and everything was absolutely perfect. Everything was so amazing and Shelly and Doug are so helpful. It looked as though we were going to get rained out and Shelly sprung into action planning other places for us to have the ceremony which we actually didn't need, but knowing that she was planning for another place in the inn kept my nerves at ease. They are so laid back, but not to a fault. Knowing that the wedding was going to go off without a hitch because of their confidence kept me completely at ease the entire time. The food and service was amazing and I also really liked that they let you do pretty much whatever you want in terms of decorating. My guests and my husband and I had a wonderful time. It really was the wedding of our dreams!

You cannot go wrong. Owners Doug and Shelly Sawyer are fantastic to work with. The Inn is perfectly designed (indoors and outdoors) for weddings.

From our first visit at the Lilac Inn, we knew this would be our dream wedding. The innkeepers, Shelly and Doug were very helpful and they and their staff knew what we needed before we did. Shelly and Doug were there at the reception and treated our guests exceptionally well. The place was absolutely gorgeous and we were all so comfortable there. THE FOOD WAS EXCELLENT! All of our guests want to come and visit the inn again. We had the perfect day and we're thrilled that we had our wedding at the Lilac Inn.

It was beautiful... everyone had a great time. Doug and Shelly Sawyer (owners) are awesome and work the whole wedding!

I highly recommend checking the Inn out for your summer or fall wedding...their gardens are lush and beautiful, the perfect ceremony location. I was a little unsure going into the final preparations process, because Shelly is very laid-back, and not always on top of answering phone calls and emails. Also, since we had our wedding on a Sunday, I was concerned that her other guests would "crash." There was no need to worry in the end...the food was delicious, service excellent, and we saw not a single one of her other guests.

The Lilac Inn is a perfect place to host your wedding! Shelly and Doug do a wonderful job of letting you plan your perfect wedding. The Inn is beautiful and the food fantastic!