A Rustic, DIY Wedding at the Inn at Baldwin Creek in Shelburne, Vermont

When it came to planning their wedding, Lindsay Francescutti (31 and a graphic designer) and Anthony Francescutti’s (34 and a teacher) could think of no place more fitting to celebrate with family and friends than Vermont’s beautiful countryside. Highlighting the best the Green Mountain State had to offer was an important component of the day, and the couple started by choosing the Inn at Baldwin Creek in Shelburne, Vermont, to host the entire affair. The spot had long been one of the couple’s favorite restaurants, for its delicious offerings, quaint, natural surroundings, and warm, inviting ambiance. With the help of the Inn’s dedicated owners, the couple planned an intimate, rustic affair packed with personal touches. The ceremony took place in a post-and-beam barn, followed by a tented reception on the lawn. “It definitely had a rustic and very authentic feel, and offered a setting that we felt represented us,” Lindsay says. The Inn at Baldwin Creek created a mouthwatering menu for the intimate celebration, showcasing fresh, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients that tempted even the pickiest palates. Lindsay and Anthony took a hands-on approach to the decor, making many of the day’s details themselves. The couple grew herbs and wildflowers during the months before the wedding and potted them in handcrafted wooden vases to brighten up the reception tent and infuse it with a light, natural fragrance. Special readings and songs shared by the couple’s family members added a personal touch to the ceremony, while illustrated escort cards made by Lindsay and displaying maple tree seeds, served as a nod to the pair’s first date. A major highlight of the evening was a lively performance by the bluegrass band Chamomile and Whiskey, who came from Virginia to play the wedding. “They played bluegrass music with so much energy,” Lindsay says. “We had so much fun dancing all night.” A tip from Lindsay and Anthony: “Pick people and vendors that you feel good about making a part of your wedding day, from start to finish. Our photographers were our good friends and they did an incredible job and my sister was our officiant; she created the perfect ceremony for us. And the venue staff and band members became great friends through the process. You want to feel good about the choices you made when you look back on that day and the people who you lean on to help create your wedding matter.”