Storied Events

Without Carrie from Storied Events, I honestly have no idea what we would've done. In a few words...she.was.amazing.

She saved us in so many aspects. She saved us from pulling out our hair from frustration and stress of dealing with every tiny detail of the planning process. Saved us hours of researching who to use for vendors and avoiding the dreaded mistake of hiring someone that is completely awful. She made the planning process fun. I can honestly say I enjoyed it without any stress!

Always calm and collected, so made sure our rehearsal, welcome dinner, getting ready, ceremony, and reception went off without a hitch. I'm sure things went wrong, but she handled absolutely everything to make sure not a thing tainted Jeff, my family, my guests, and my day.

Thank you so much Carrie for all that you did. Thank you for putting up with my nit-picky questions, my millions of emails, my indecisive moments, etc, etc, etc. It takes a person with real patience to do what you do, and I have the highest respect for you. Thank you for helping put together the most gorgeous wedding I have ever been to (obviously I'm biased!). Every aspect was perfect, and we have you to thank. <3

For all your future VT/NH brides...I would HIGHLY recommend hiring Carrie. It is the best decision you will make in regards to planning your wedding!

The Durfee-Bender Wedding Plan

So to give you a more clearer picture of how our wedding went...here is our minute-by-minute timeline. It really was not as hectic as it seems!

8:30AM SML Spa:

Hair: Betty McHale (Jeffrey’s Grandmother)

Sharon Bender (Jeffrey’s Mother)

Tomiko Anctil (Jessica’s Grandmother)

Lorraine Durfee (Jessica’s Mother)

9:00AM SML Spa

Hair: Bernadette Trenholm (Bridesmaid)

9:30AM SML Spa

Hair: Meredith Mills (Bridesmaid)

Amanda Pluta (Bridesmaid)

Make-up: Betty McHale

Sharon Bender

Tomiko Anctil

Lorraine Durfee

10:00AM SML Spa

Hair: Katelyn D’Eramo (Bridesmaid)

Elisa Johnson (Bridesmaid)

Make-up: Bernadette Trenholm

Summersweet to deliver and set up at Saint Andrews Church

Port lighting to arrive @SML for set up.

10:30AM SML Spa

Hair: Jessica Durfee (BRIDE)

Emily Durfee (MOH)

11:00AM SML Spa

Hair: Kristina Aufiero (Bridesmaid)

Robyn Blake ( Bridesmaid)

Make-up: Katelyn D’Eramo

Elisa Johnson

All Jessica’s Bridesmaids, Mom should be dressed

Jeff: To get dressed – photos with Mike

11:30AM SML Spa

Make-up: Jessica Durfee (Bride)

Emily Durfee (MOH)

Pre-Ceremony Photos with Jeff, Groomsmen & family.

Meet in SML Lobby

*Flowers to be in Lobby for Groom/Groomsmen, family

* Flowers for Bridal Party, Jessica’s dad, family delivered to suite

12:00PM

Jessica and Emily Dress - in Family Suite

Jessica’s family – Dad to be Dressed

12:30PM
Groom and Groomsmen to be in SML Lobby to leave for church

(*SUV LIMO – Groom and Groomsmen)

(Town Car for Sharon and Jeff Bender and Jeff’s Grandmothers – Betty McHale and Eugenia Bender)

12:35PM
Bridal Party pictures at SML – meet in Lobby

1:00PM
Jessica’s family leaves for Church

(Town Car for Clover Durfee, Paul and Tomiko Anctil)

(Town Car for Lorraine Durfee, John Durfee, and Debbie Phillips)

********

Groomsmen/Groom and family to arrive at Church

Guests /other family begin to arrive at Church

Groomsmen to act as ushers.

********

Musicians arrive/begin prelude music at St. Andrews

1:15 PM
Bridal Party and Jessica and Dad leave for Church

(Stretch Limo for Bridal Party)

(Town Car for Jessica and Dad- Lang Durfee)

1:45PM
Bridal Party Arrives at Church

2:00PM
Ceremony Begins

Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke

Jeff and Best Man – Sean Arroyo to take place up front

Parents & Grandparents Entrance Music: "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire" by Bach

Lorraine Durfee escorted by Matthew Durfee & Andrew Durfee

Sharon Bender escorted by Ralph Johnson followed by Jeff Bender Sr.

Tomiko Anctil escorted by Jonathan Dioli followed by Paul Anctil

Debby Phillips escorted by Jeff Duelks followed by John Durfee

Clover Durfee escorted by Andrew Durfee

Grandma B escorted by Dylan Oteri

Grandma M escorted by Sean McManus

Bridal Party Entrance Music: "Canon in D Major" by Pachelbel

Katelyn D’Eramo (Far End)

Robyn Blake

Bernadette Trenholm

Elisa Johnson

Meredith Mills

Amanda Pluta

Kristina Aufiero (closest to Bride)

MOH: Emily Durfee

Bride’s Entrance Music: “Bridal March” by Wagner

Bride escorted by father

First Reading:

Margaret Berkley Hedden

Responsorial Hymn:

Song by Victoria - Path of life

Second Reading:

Mary-Jeanne Taylor

Gospel Reading:

Father Lance

Lord Hear our Prayers:

Emily, Andrew, Matthew, & Elisa

Lighting of Unity Candle:

Lorraine & Sharon light tapers

Light music will be playing in the background.

Presentation of Gifts:

Lorraine/Lang & Sharon/Jeff will bring them up.

Wherever You Go by David Haas

Communion:

In Love we choose to Live by David Haas

Meditation after Communion:

Ave Maria

Recessional Music: “Wedding March” Mendlessohn

Jeff & Jess will walk to the end but remain inside and wait till everyone else is

outside

Bridal Party will then proceed out and then form two lines for Jeff & Jess to walk

through. (top of church stairs)

1. Emily (MOH) - Sean Arroyo (best man)

2. Kristina Aufiero - Sean McManus

3. Amanda Pluta - Matthew Durfee

4. Meredith Mills - Andrew Durfee

5. Elisa Johnson - Ralph Johnson

6. Bernadette Trenholm - Dylan Oteri

7. Katelyn D'Eramo - Jonathan Dioli

8. Robyn Blake - Jeff Duelks

Jeff & Jess then will proceed out of the church and guest will blow bubbles- prime

photo op.

3:15PM
Depart Church for SML Formals

(Everyone back in same vehicles, except Lang to ride with Lorraine and

family 4^th in vehicle. One passenger in front)

3:45PM
All hired vehicles arrive back at SML for Formals.

Formal pictures in SML Lobby with family – elderly guests.

Pictures with bridal party (can use lobby – spruce camp. Not the golf course

with entire party).

Golf cart will be waiting for Jess and Jeff to go to golf course for photos.

4:00 PM

Supersounds arrives - Time tbd - Corey

Vermont Cake Studio to deliver the cake. VT cake Studio supplying cake

stand.

4:30PM

Cocktail Hour begins

Pool side @SML

Rain Plan - Lobby

Cocktail Music provided by Tom Cleary

(will need to provide keyboard)

* Tom will need power out in the pool courtyard.

5:30PM

Guests directed to Ballroom for reception – asked to be seated

Champagne passed as guests enter room

Bread already on tables

{Parents, Bridal party and B&G to remain in hallway}

5:45PM

Bridal Party announced into the Reception as follows:

Parents announced: {Parents of the Groom } Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Bender

{Parents of the Bride} Mr. and Mrs. Lang Durfee

Bridal Party announced:

Mrs. Robyn Blake and Mr. Jeff Duelks

Ms. Katelyn D’Eramo and Mr. Jonathan Dioli

Ms. Bernadette Trenholm and Mr. Dylan Oteri

Mrs. Elisa Johnson and Mr. Ralph Johnson

Ms. Meredith Mills and Mr. Andrew Durfee

Ms. Amanda Pluta and Mr. Matthew Durfee

Ms. Kristina Aufiero and Mr. Sean McManus

MOH, Ms. Emily Durfee and Best Man, Mr. Sean Arroyo

Bride and Groom announced:

“For the first time please welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Bender.”

5:55PM

First Dance – Jessica and Jeffrey - "Your Everything" - Keith Urban

6:00PM

Blessing by Father Lance

6:05PM

Welcome toast by Lang Durfee {Father of the Bride}

6:10PM

First Course – Tomato Bisque Soup with Pesto Melted Cheese Crostini

6:20PM

Best Man Toast – Sean Arroyo

Maid of Honor Toast – Emily Durfee

6:30PM

Salad Course – Simply Green with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette, Candied

Walnuts, Dried Cranberry and Cheddar wedge.

6:45PM

Mr. Jeffrey Bender to speak {Groom}*

Announcing Emily Durfee’s Birthday – Birthday cake to be presented with gift

from Jessica and Jeffrey.

DJ To play happy birthday.

6:55PM

Entrees Served – Split plate of Wood Creek Farm Steak with Maple Black

Pepper Jus and Jonah Crab cake with Basil Aioli

7:20PM

Dessert – Panna Cotta and Coffee Service

7:30PM

Traditional Cake Cutting - Jessica and Jeff

Then *Surprise* - presentation of three cakes

(1-Benders, 1-Durfee’s 1- Grandparents) DJ asks all three couples to come

up to cut their cakes.

*Bridal cake to be served to each place setting.

*Other cakes (all 4 to be saved and presented to guests at end of reception)

7:45PM

Surprise – First Dance Anniversary Montage compiled for the parents

and grandparents, played by DJ

7:55PM

Bridal Party Dance {guests asked to join ½ way through song}. - "You &

Me"-DMB

8:15PM

Father – Daughter dance - "Daddy Let's Dance" - Jamie Tate

8:20PM

Mother – Son dance - "Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong

9:30PM

Late night snacks out –

passed warm cookies and milk shooters – carrie will supply wood trays

trimmed with pink ribbon for cookies.

flatbreads - Display

9:35PM

Bridal Toss (2^nd bouquet to toss) and Garter removal

10:00PM

End Reception – Bars Close

(NOTE: CHECK WITH LANG DURFEE AT 9:45 about keeping the dancing going for another hour or ½ hour). ...Sidenote- our reception went to 11!

Why My Dad Is THE BEST!

A few weeks had gone by and we still had not chosen a venue. Not because we couldn't decide, but because my parents and I were so busy and we hadn't had a chance to really discuss it. I knew where I wanted to have it. My Mom knew where would be perfect. My Dad could see it in my eyes exactly where I wanted it to be at, but I would never say I want it here, because of the different logistics...

A few weeks after we had visited the Stowe Mountain Lodge I got an email from Heidi, saying that there was another couple that was very interested for June 5th, 2010 at their venue....oh great....the stress and anxiety was kicked up a level, so I just forwarded the email to my Dad. I might also add that we had not hired our wedding planner at this point yet, so we had no one on our side working for us. So STRESS. I figured I would just let my parents handle it, I honestly didn't care where they chose, I was already so happy because I was marrying the love of my life, so what else did I need?

It was Friday, July 17th, I was just sitting at my desk, anxiously waiting for 2pm for when I could leave for the weekend, and I was also planning on meeting my Mom, sister, and Memere to go to my first dress appointment. As I was watching the minutes pass slowly by, all of a sudden an email popped up from Carrie, the wedding planner...hmm interesting? So I open it and it said "Welcome to our services!" Ummm OH MY GOD! I kept reading and it said that she had been in contact with the Stowe Mountain Lodge and they have put it on hold for us for June 5th, 2010. OH MY GOD. I instantly was overwhelmed with emotion and just bawling at my desk. My Dad had just gone ahead and hired Carried, booked the exact venue I wanted, and completely, and utterly surprised me. I should have known that my Dad always seems to pull through for me, and always knows whats best. I called my Mom right away, and she had no idea either that my Dad had done this, and she started crying as well. Thinking about that moment I could not express how filled with joy and happiness I was.

This is why my Dad is the best!

SO Venue, check!

Hiring my Wedding Planner

So the conversation came up between my parents and I if we should hire a wedding planner or not. At first I was pretty opposed to it, because 1. any venue we choose most likely will come with an "event/wedding coordinator" and 2. I LOVE THIS STUFF , and I felt like it would be a huge waste of money because I actually enjoy planning weddings, not that I have done it before, but in my other life I would've been a wedding planner!

My Dad had mentioned that a friend of his had used a wedding planner for their wedding, and she was the best investment ever for their wedding. She was so helpful and knowledgeable, and she definitely earned her money the day of the actual wedding. The day of the wedding, this family friend was stress free, he enjoyed his daughter's wedding, didn't have to worry about ANYTHING like paying the vendors and making sure they actually showed up and were on time. And that got my Dad and I both thinking....maybe a wedding planner is a good idea?

We set up a meeting with Carrie, from Storied Events, the same wedding planner that my Dad's friend used. I was pleasantly surprised and very impressed with her. Even though she came very highly recommended, I thought I was quite capable of doing this on my own. When we first met she introduced herself, told us about her experience and previous jobs, all veryyy impressive might I add. She also told us everything she could do for us. She touched upon things we hadn't really thought of, overall a really good first impression. She talked about everything that my Dad and I were looking for from a wedding planner without having to ask her to. One of my Dad's main objectives is he doesn't want me, him, or anyone else in my family to be stressed out at all...and especially on the wedding day. She will be in charge of negotiating with all the vendors, researching different options and setting up meetings with them for me, taking my visualization of my dream wedding and making it come true, and also handling everything from the payment of the vendors, to the instruction of set up, to the rehearsal and making sure everyone knows what to do and all their cues, to make sure the reception runs smoothly...she does it all...and we have NOTHING to worry about. She also mentioned that on the actual wedding day if an issue arises she will take care of it, and make sure that we do not even know about it, because there is no need for that. Unless something is pressing, she will approach my Dad, but I will be the last person to know about anything that is wrong, because it is my wedding day and I should not even have an ounce of stress. She also mentioned she has a "wedding day kit" that she takes everywhere, like Jennifer Lopez does on the movie the Wedding Planner, so I was pretty excited about that. She also wanted to make sure that we knew that she worked for us...while the "wedding/event coordinators" that the venue usually provides you works for the venue....which is also a very good point.

So I've been working with Carrie for about 2 months now, and she has been beyond helpful! I basically tell her my dreams and my thoughts and ideas, and she makes it come true, but she always suggests something I didn't think of or haven't heard of...and makes it even better! AH I can not wait till it is all put togetherrr!!!

So done, hired! Date, check! Bridesmaids, check! Color, check! Wedding Planner, check!