What is this thing the wedding world deems "Engagement Season"?! Couples get engaged whenever, wherever, they want, right? Right! But did you know the amount of couples who get engaged around the holidays is twice as many, if not three times as many, as any other season? 

​According to a report from WeddingWire, 6 of the 10 most popular dates to get engaged in 2016 landed in December. Beginning at Thanksgiving and carrying through Valentine's Day, couples are saying "I Do" more often than any other time of the year. As wedding professionals, we see an influx of inquiries just following the holidays, but also find when we ask "When did you get engaged?!", we often get an engagement season categorized response. WeddingWire claims that 38% of engagements take place between November and February.

What makes this time of year such a great time to be engaged then? Well, think about it! The holiday season presents multiple opportunities to see family members at holiday gatherings or old friends you don't see often! It also gives couples almost an entire year and a half to plan their big day, assuming they are choosing to get married in the warmer months. This can take some of the pressure off of decisions and give plenty of time for venue and vendor research. The Knot tells us that the average couple is engaged for about 14.5 months before wedding day. That being said, every couple is different! Some couples enjoy a long engagement without the pressure of to plan and make decisions quickly. Others may be looking for more of a low key and simple wedding, meaning they may not need as much time to plan, allowing for a shorter engagement time.

Whether you're engaged "in season" or not, it is an exciting time to share with your loved ones, family, and friends. Wedding professionals everywhere are always excited to hear about a new engagement and chat about the possibilities they can help create for your big day! 

Thank you so much to all who participated in and attended this season's Valley Wed 2017!

While the weather may not quite have been exactly what we hoped for, we still had an absolutely wonderful show. Cozied into the barn were over 25 of the area’s best industry professionals ready to share their trade, skills, or services. Couples, families, and friends were greeted at the door with a mimosa and a beautiful Valley Wed monogram projection provided by Steve G Productions. As they entered, the sounds of Classic Wind Ensembles crept to their ears and they became immersed in the quiet din of excited musings of endless possibilities for The Big Day.

​Tastings were offered by local breweries, Hitchocock Brewing Company and Berkshire Brewing Company. Crooked Pop Sticks provided delicious and fun pops for guests to try at their leisure. Vermont Country Deli greeted guests with some of their catering crowd-pleasers, leaving guests satiated and content. 

​As attendees ventured further into the barn they could first learn a little bit about our venue, Quonquont Farm, before choosing a path around to the different booths! To the right Emily Foxtrot shared her dance expertise with couples experiencing trepidation about their first dance. Mary Kay representative, Pam, welcomed couples offering tips on make up products and day-of styling. Trip advisors from Escapes for Everyone stood ready to chat about possible honeymoon destinations.

Top left to right: Quonquont Farm                                                                                                                              Photos by Stephanie Craig Photography
Bottom left to right: Emily Foxtrot, Escapes for Everyone

Pam, of Popular Parties by Pam, stood at the ready for those couples still in need of an incredible wedding planner or some assistance in the logistics for their day! Don Muller Gallery offered beautiful samples of designer rings, having something to suit everyone’s wedding band style. Cakes By Amanda drew guests in with the sweet smell of sample cupcakes and Amanda’s incredible cake artistry. Across the way Hannah of Grace Ceremonies welcomed couples to her booth to chat about getting to really know their story in order to officiate and orchestrate their ceremonies in a way that really represents them! 

​Guests still in need of a DJ chatted with Steve, of Steve G Productions, one of the area’s best DJs! The awesome monogram projection that greeted attendees as they entered was graciously provided by Steve! As guests rounded the corner, Badger’s Flowers and Co’s booth burst with color and possible floral arrangements and décor. Danielle, of The Bridal and Tux Boutique lined the end of the barn with both wedding and bridesmaids dresses- from simple to dazzling and detailed! Love and Perry Photography displayed their work across the way for couples who hadn’t found the perfect photographers quite yet!

​For couples looking for something a little more unique or more specifically catered to their style, Jackson & Connor came with samples of ties, bow ties, and menswear to display. To their right, Big Wheel Press was set up with a word press, example invitations, decorative wine bottle covers, and more. The Hilltown Tents booth caught everyone’s eye, constructed of beautiful whiskey barrels and a vintage board. They displayed their beautiful glassware, dishware, and flatware that could be a part of each couple’s big day!

​Cameron & Fairbanks’ booth was lined with flowers and samples of their arrangements, dotted with decorative votives. Tanya, of Tanya Costigan Events, came with samples of her decorative rental items and invitations, and chatted with attendees about her full fledged planning services! Flora-ly displayed a light board of samples of her beautiful work with pressed flowers, for brides looking for a preservation solution for their bouquet after the big day! After seeing almost all of the vendor’s booths guests were delighted to come upon Frosted Swirl, where Valerie offered tastings of her delectable cupcakes displayed on a beautiful wooden slab cupcake tower. 

As attendees rounded the final corner of vendors, Classic Wedding Ensembles, played some of their social hour favorites. At one point they even collaborated with Emily Foxtrot and guests were entertained with a dance demonstration to a piece played by Classic Wedding Ensembles!

​Daisy Stone Studio displayed a beautiful vendor booth, decorated with sample arrangements, a bouquet, and table décor. Susie also provided an incredible floor length flower wall back drop made entirely of greens! It was a perfect photo booth for guests to enjoy and snap a keepsake photo of their experience at Valley Wed! What a recap!