Get Ready for PHOTO OVERLOAD. Seriously, I had the hardest time narrowing down which photos to showcase on my blog. Heck, why not show most of it? ;] And WARNING! This might be the longest blog in the history of Jasmine Lee Photography. But I assure you it is well worth the read. :]

I’m still pinching myself that Adrienne (from Tickled Events) and I had the opportunity to go to Pittsfield, Vermont this past weekend. For 72 hours, I got to experience Perfect Vermont, visit Riverside Farm, Amee Farm, the Stonewell Barn, the “Adult Summer Camp” Barn, make ricotta cheese with Sweet George P’s, eat lunch at Pittsfield Original General Store, meet incredibly talented wedding professionals, relax with yoga, a one hour full body massage, and eat farm to table fresh meals.

Speaking of meeting new friends, Adrienne and I and one other photographer were the only vendors from the West Coast. Everyone else was from the East Coast and Canada! I’m so inspired meeting vendors from the other side of the country. It was so lovely meeting two bloggers that have actually published my photography, Michelle from WedLoft (see my publication here), Brenda of Brenda’s Wedding Blog (see publication here), Jessica and Matt of Jessica Bosse Photography, Michael from Monachetti Weddings, Kristin from Reverie Events, Jennifer from Hill City Bride & The Clutch Guide, Heidi from Heidi Vail Photography, Christine from CLS Photography, Lynzie of Love by Lynzie, Mary from Mary Dougherty Photography, Diana from Jubilee Events, Caroline from Light House Images, and Linda from Silk Style Events.

What an honor to be found all the way in California and to visit these amazing venues.

We’re gonna divide up this blog by locations:

1) Amee Farm

2) Riverside Farm (Red Barn, White Barn, Adult Summer Camp)

3) Sweet George P’s

4) Perfect Vermont

Hopefully it gives the full scope of what I’ve learned about these venues in Pittsfield, VT!

First up is…

AMEE FARM

Amee Farm is the lodge where we all go to stay for the weekend. It’s a beautiful bed a breakfast lodge that has 15 deluxe guest rooms. Each room is spacious and has memory foam mattresses (so comfy). Adrienne and I were in awe that they gave us our own separate rooms to sleep in… let alone have our own private bathroom! Each room and bathroom were very clean. They even made our beds for us each day!

Amee Farm rests up top on a hill overlooking Route 100. 

You got me at handwritten homemade signs… Ahh! I fell in love, INSTANTLY. 

When you first enter Amee Farm, you walk right into the reception room. Smaller weddings and events can be held inside this room. The room is also cozied up with a fireplace, lounge chairs, a pool table, bean bag toss games, and a twinkling staircase. 

Amee Farm provides you with slippers (just incase your shoes are too muddy) to preserve their 125 year old floors! A cozy area to hang out!

We spent majority of the time hanging out in this area below. We had the fireplace going and their couches were quite comfy.

Some super cool wooden staircases that lead up to one side of the bedrooms.

RIVERSIDE FARM

Just down the road from Amee Farm, Riverside Farm is where majority of the weddings and events happen. There are three properties on this location in which I’ll be getting into. First up is the Red Barn.

The road as you enter Riverside Farm. Everywhere you walked just had a rustic vibe to it. Totally up my alley! I felt right at home being here. On the photo on the right with the tree, many outdoor ceremonies can be held at the area with the beautiful mountains in the background. I can’t emphasize enough how beautiful this backdrop will look in photos. This might just be photographer’s heaven! (I know I was in heaven).

Inside the red barn, brides can host a few hundred guests. There are lots of details already in place so you don’t need much to decorate! Maybe bring a chandelier for an ultra rustic chic vibe?!

This is another room inside the Red Barn where many of your guests can relax after dinner and eat cake! I love how airy this room looks. Doesn’t it make you want to grab a cup of hot chocolate and cozy up with your loved one?!

I can already picture a dessert bar on this table.

Downstairs in the Red Barn, you’ll come across a bar area with the most UNIQUE chandelier… real trees with twinkling lights!!!

This space below is another area where you can have your indoor ceremony. Dim the lights and light up some candles around the edges and isle and you’re good to go!

A few photos of our tour with Courtney and Jen. Courtney is the owner all Riverside Farm properties. She’s so amazing and the sweetest woman you’ll ever meet! She’s so passionate about weddings and being able to let bride’s make their property “their own.” Every bride is so different and unique. They come with a vision and they want to see how they will transform the barns!

On the left is Jen, the kindest reservation and planning specialist who is so knowledgeable about all the properties. If you need a place to stay, give Jen a call and she’ll get you accommodated right away!

STONEWELL BARN

This barn is another option to host your wedding reception. I personally liked this barn more than the Red Barn. Not that I have anything against the Red one, but this brown barn just felt intimate. I just loved how the interior looked. This barn got its name because there’s a stone well right in front of it! :]

Isn’t this the cutest bar area??

THE WHITE BARN

You may never guess what’s inside this white barn…. Take a guess… a wild one! Okay… this barn is where many of your guests or wedding party will stay overnight!!! They like to call it the “Adult Summer Camp.” Filled with vintage and antique items and bunk beds, you are bound to have a great time staying here. Often times people oversleep and need to be woken up since they have such a good time. ;]

Do you like vintage cars? Riverside Farm garages a few vehicles that they will bring out so you can take photos with! Now that is SWEET. They even have an Army jeep!

SOOOO in love with this hallway…. it is decorated so geniusly… The women’s restroom even has vintage furniture inside… How COOL is that?!

THE BRIDAL SUITE

Just across the road from the Red Barn is the Bridal Suite. Bride’s have this entire little cottage to sleep and get ready in. You’re fully equipped with a kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom, and vanity. There’s lots of natural light so makeup artists will be very happy! (and us photographers, of course!) :]

Look at the coffee table! It’s a spool of thread!!! Eeks! I want one… Where can I get one?!

THE GROOM’S CABIN

I’ve been to venues where there isn’t even a room for the groom to get ready… I honestly think every venue needs a prep room for their bride and groom. Not to worry here! The groom’s cabin is actually BIGGER than the bride’s cabin. Does that mean more room for the guys to play?!

Can you believe the photo on the right is the shower?! You can fit an ARMY in there!

THE ORIGINAL GENERAL STORE

Omg, look how cute this store is… You can find everything at this store. We even ate lunch here and the food is FANTASTIC. So tasty and big portions. There’s even free WiFi for those needing to find reception (reception was quite limited here). You know Vermont is known for their maple syrups… So I just had to buy a TON and bring them back for my family and friends. Yes, I spent $150 just on maple syrup. NO REGRETS!

SWEET GEORGIA P’S

Sweet Georgia P’s is a family owned organic farm right across the street from Amee Farm. Rebecca was kind enough to show us how to make ricotta cheese that was absolutely to die for.  I’m not a big fan of cheese, but I literally licked up my entire plate of cheese with fresh blueberry toppings on it. It was sooo good… so fresh and warm! The freshest cheese I’ve ever tasted.

PERFECT VERMONT 

All of these amazing properties wouldn’t be complete without Perfect Vermont, a program that brings you relaxation, and a healthy active lifestyle.

While on site, Adrienne and I opted for early morning Yoga with Erlin. The session put me at complete relaxation and mentally prepared for the day. For those not wanting to slow down, you can go snow shoeing with Tom, a retired Marine and snow shoeing marathoner (he walked 200 miles snow shoeing!!).

You can even train for the Spartan Death Races. You’ll train for endurance in a high tempo course.

Another fantastic option you can do is the Great Bike Tours. Jessica and Simon will be happy to assist you. Guests will have the ability to rent out bicycles and take a ride down to the General Store or Riverside Farm. They can even direct you to a nearby river for a swim! (Oh, how I wish I could’ve done that on this trip). Jessica and Simon even offer guided tours of the area so you can get the most out of Vermont and Pittsfield! Feel free to see more information at their link: Great Bike Tours.

Lastly, for ultimate relaxation, you can get a massage from Jane Aikens. I got a one hour massage right inside my bedroom. Wow, did that feel amazing… I totally need a massage after a busy 2013 wedding year.

On our last night at Amee Farm, they threw us a little cocktail hour and dinner provided by Original General Store. They even brought the talented Matt Chase to provide music and entertainment all night!

New friends hanging out having a wonderful time!!!

I was totally blown away seeing our dinner set up. When I’m photographing weddings, I NEVER eat with guests. So it was a real treat to sit at a pretty table!!! WOW!

I can’t believe the weekend is over…. But I’m left with an unforgettable experience, met new friends on the East Coast and got to meet the owners of these amazing properties.

Thank you to Courtney and Joe for inviting us onto your property, Jen for taking care of me when setting up this trip, Liz for helping me get to know more about weddings on the property, Marion for keeping up to date with all my social medias, Simon and Jessica for your hospitality and making us feel at home, Rebecca and Joe for serving us the freshest food possible, and Tom and Erlin for keeping us active and relaxed while on site.

You know how people say they left their heart in San Francisco? I can definitely say that I’ve left my heart in Pittsfield, Vermont. <3

This weekend giveaway was a gift to me. In exchange, I’m writing about my experience in which my opinions are entirely my own. If you’re a bride looking for a destination wedding in a rustic location, hesitate no more and contact Riverside Farms, NOW! :]