Kris is from Cape Cod, Christine is from upstate New York. They met on their very first day of “ski instructor training” at Stowe Mountain Resort, and have been together ever since. They lived in Stowe, VT for four years as ski instructors, Kris is a stonemason and arborist in summer, and Christine as a nanny for the Grimes family, who own the Stowehof Inn (where they got married), and both hitting the slopes as often as possible during the winter. They recently moved to Jackson Hole, WY, so they could ski even more, so tho this was formerly home, it was also a destination wedding for both of them.

Kris & Christine are an incredibly fun couple— happy, healthy, creative, love-life-to-the-fullest people who cherish their loved ones, crave adventure, and squeeze as much sweetness as they can out of life. This love of adventure (and the mountain setting) inspired the natural setting and decor design. Attempting to be, as Christine said, “sustainable and non-wasteful at every turn, but not hippie crunchy,” she created all of the centerpieces herself, using mountain ranges as an inspiration, both in shape and in name. And, as a trained graphic artist herself, she designed her entire gorgeous invitation suite.

Christine’s dress is embroidered with ferns, inspired by the forest around the Inn.

Christine’s earrings are made of raw, unpolished diamonds. Gorgeous, aren’t they?!

Kris & Christine chose to do a First Look (yay!!), which gave us plenty of time for portraits before the ceremony, as well as allowing them time to enjoy their guests during Cocktail Hour. I always respect my couples’ choice on this, but I have to say, the First Look moment is one of my favorites throughout the entire day. It’s so sweet, intimate, and so entirely different from the ceremony that the emotions are incomparable. 

From this spot, you see the mountain ski trail where Kris told Christine of his intentions to make her his girlfriend.

It is such a sweet gift when clients become friends!!

Even though it was an outdoor wedding and we all kept our fingers crossed for clear skies, Christine loves the moody grey of Vermont skies against the Green Mountains that she couldn’t help but hope for a bit of stormy weather. The skies were perfect— moody during portraits, sunny during the ceremony, and even though it rained during the reception, everything was covered, and nobody cared.

Upon deciding they were in love and that they should stay in Stowe after their first winter, Christine became a nanny for the family who own the Stowehof. They had three children, and Christine spent a lovely summer together with them. Then in September of 2009, Christopher, the oldest, was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a deadly, nasty form of childhood cancer. Christine moved with the family to Boston overnight to be closer to Children’s Hospital, and take care of the two littles ones while mom and dad took care of their son. Long story short, Christopher passed last past September, at age 8, after a very valiant battle. Whenever the family holds fundraisers or memorial events for Christopher, a rainbow appears in the sky. Partway during Kris & Christine’s reception, a downpour began. And shortly after, a double rainbow appeared over the tent. Christine and the family gathered outside and watched with tears, rejoicing that Christopher was there, celebrating with them.