Winter Elopement at Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont
Twin Farms, nestled in the scenic Barnard-Woodstock area of Vermont was just dubbed "The best hotel in the world!" by The Boston Globe and Forbes Traveler and after photographing Blake and Nick's lovely elopement there, I have to agree. I have photographed elopements at Twin farms before, but this was the first winter elopement and it was truly a magical wonderland with the weather perfect and the evening light amazing for our brief session.
Vermont elopements are something I really enjoy photographing, but during the busy wedding season here in New England, I only have weekdays and the occasional Sunday available for my elopement photography packages. If you are considering such an elopement in 2020 or 2021, please contact me as soon as possible so we can save your special day and if you are looking for that exclusive, romantic venue, please contact Twin Farms as they do not come any better than "The best hotel in the world!"
When I arrived at Twin Farms, I took a few detail photographs of the complimentary elopement bouquet and boutonniere white I waited for Blake and Nick to arrive from their cottage.
A little history
Twin Farms was purchased in 1928, by Sinclair Lewis for his new wife and at the time it was an 18th-century farmhouse surrounded by acres of fields and forest. These days, the farmhouse and 10 freestanding cottages offer lavish amenities such as fireplaces, screen porches, and private hot tubs. The hotel also boasts a range of top-notch complementary perks including unpacking services and same-day laundry.
While views of Twin Farms’ enchanting landscape can be enjoyed from all of its suites and cottages, the accommodations themselves are as striking as the scenery. Dreamed up by local interior designers and architects, these include the Studio, a two-story, 2,215-square-foot cottage featuring artwork by Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney, and Jim Dine. Twin Farms also boasts work by artists including Jasper Johns, Milton Avery, Donald Roller Wilson, Cy Twombly, Frank Stella and David Bates.
Before we headed outside for some winter elopement photos, we took a few in the guest bar area and main drawing room while Blake and Nick enjoyed a glass of champagne and looked over one of the Jigsaw puzzles avaialbe for guests to have a go at.
I also went up the spiral stairway to the library gallery above the drawing room and took a few photos looking down on the couple. Most venues lend themselves to photographs such as these but Twin Farms had the dark fireplace beside them and made for a very "film noir" or Hollywood romance feel to the photos we took.
A couple more traditional and candid photos and then we went outside to take in the scenery and lovely winter setting.
But first I wanted to get a detail photo of Blake's engagement ring. It was absolutely striking and the Twin Farms guest book made a great background to show off the bright blue of the sapphire. Taking detail photos with the venue logo included somehow is always a nice touch to the wedding album and a beautiful way to capture just one of the many special memories for my wedding couples.
Then we headed outside where Blake and Nick had a champagne toast before heading down the hill for their winter wonderland elopement session. The light in Vermont is so beautiful and putting the sun behind them made for a lovely, romantic photo. This is another shot I always try and get for my wedding and engagement couples.
The day before, Blake bought a super, warm flannel blanket from The Vermont Flannel Company and she wanted to be sure we included it in some of the photos. The Vermont Flannel Company is a family owned business which has been making flannel products in the USA for over 25 years. Their Woodstock, Vermont store is always a popular spot for friends and family who visit me and I must say, I liked the blanket Blake had so much I went down the next week and bought a similar one for myself!
I have always loved the large metal sculpture of the horse in front of the main hotel and we thought it might be fun to use the blanket as a horse blanket for a few photos, then Blake and Nick started to walk down to the birch trees for some more photos, but the snow was a tad too slippery so we opted to go over towards the pub instead.
The sun was setting so we hurried along to get a few more photos on our way to the pub.
It was almost dark when we crossed the bridge and I noticed the lights illuminating Blake and Nick as they walked in front of me, so I asked them to stop for another "film noir" style wedding photo. This photo was taken using only the light from the one light bulb above Blake while the rest of the scene was almost in complete darkness.
We went into the pub, but were running out of time as they did not want to miss the cocktail reception in the Twin Farms bar and drawing room and they also had a special dinner planned. Blake and Nick were married on February 29th, so that is the significance of the pool balls....it was the best we could so since there were not "2" 2's or a "20" :) . The mirror is made out of beer bottle caps and you can see the fun beer collection behind them in the pool table photo. Before we headed back to the hotel we stopped for one quick kiss under the lights at the fire pit, just one of the many fire pits dotted around the Twin Farms estate.
Once back in the hotel drawing room I quickly took one more photograph of the couple by the roaring fireplace and then after our hugs goodbye, I left them to enjoy the rest of the romantic evening in typical Twin Farms style.
I honestly cannot think of a more romantic, magical setting for your Vermont wedding or elopement than Twin Farms. Twin Farms also hosts large weddings as well as romantic weekend getaways and with enough notice I am usually available to photograph these events.
To inquire about your Twin Farms experience, please contact them: Twin Farms, Barnard, VT
For wedding, elopement and find art portrait photography not only at Twin Farms but anywhere in the western world, please contact me: Sally Carpenter Photography
I offen have couples ask me how many photographs they can expect in a micro wedding or elopement situation and roughly it is about 75 to 100 per hour, however, a lot depends on the details and time line. When planning your Vermont micro wedding or elopement, always try and allow at least 45 minutes for your romance photo session and if there are a lot of details, which always adds so much to a wedding album, be sure and let me know and I will arrive early to photograph them.
For more information on our complete Vermont micro wedding and elopement packages, including officiant, professional photography and flowers, please head on over to our Vermont elopement page: