This wedding was a special one! As a New England wedding photographer, I’m always excited to photograph a celebration somewhere with this much history and natural beauty. I’m Ellen, the photographer behind Ellen Sargent Photography, and this Hildene wedding in Manchester, Vermont, was such a memorable one to document.
Between the stately mansion, formal gardens, and mountain views, Hildene gave us an incredible setting for timeless wedding photos while still allowing Maddie & Pat’s wedding day to feel relaxed and centered around family, friends, and one cute puppy!
From their Martha’s Vineyard Engagement to Their Manchester, VT Wedding
Maddie and I met in 2020 when I started doing some lifestyle content work for Alice Walk, an awesome, female-owned clothing brand based out of the Boston area. While 2020 obviously had it’s ups and downs, connecting with the awesome women at Alice Walk was truly a highlight. Last summer, Maddie and Pat got engaged on Martha’s Vineyard, picked the stunning Hildene estate to get married, and asked me to document their wedding. Of course I said yes!
Wedding Day Photos at Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
These two are ideal clients – they value the timeless portraits but wanted to spend as much time as possible with their family and friends.
They gave me the creative freedom to document their wedding day as it unfolded, and I’m beyond excited with how their images turned out. Hildene also gave us such a beautiful variety of settings for portraits, from the formal gardens and historic mansion to the sweeping mountain views surrounding the property.
While it was one of the hottest, most humid summer weddings I’ve ever photographed, these two don’t look like they shed one bead of sweat.
Why I Love Photographing Weddings at Hildene
For wedding photography, the gardens and abundant natural light are especially beautiful. Between the mansion, gardens, expansive lawn, and surrounding Vermont landscape, the property offers a variety of backdrops throughout the seasons.
Hildene Wedding Ceremony & Cocktail Reception
Maddie and Pat held their outdoor ceremony at The Overlook, a ceremony space just past Hildene’s historic formal gardens. With the Green Mountains stretching out behind them, it made for an epic backdrop as they exchanged vows.
The mountain views do a lot of the work on their own, while the stone wall, gardens, and surrounding landscape keep everything feeling timeless and very Vermont.
Wedding Reception in Lincoln Hall
After a romantic ceremony and cocktail reception at the historic estate and gardens, Maddie and Pat celebrated their reception in Hildene’s new Lincoln Hall venue, a beautiful addition to the property where guests could eat, toast, dance, and keep the celebration going well into the evening.
What to Know About Weddings at Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
Located in Manchester, Vermont, Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home is a Georgian Revival mansion surrounded by the natural beauty of southern Vermont.
Arriving at Hildene feels like part of the experience itself. Wedding guests enter through a gated entrance and wind more than a mile through woods, pastures, and trails before the property opens up to a sprawling lawn and the stately 8,000-square-foot mansion. Perched above the landscape, the home overlooks the Taconic and Green Mountains, with views of the Battenkill River, farms, and fields below.
The formal garden is just as beautiful, adding another picture-perfect setting alongside the mountain views and historic architecture.
And Hildene has plenty of history to match the scenery. The estate was once home to Robert Todd Lincoln, the oldest son of Abraham and Mary Lincoln (yes, those Lincolns!), giving the property a story that makes it feel even more unique and iconic.
Hildene Wedding Venue Vendor Team
Hildene Wedding Photographer: Ellen Sargent Photography
Venue: Hildene – Manchester, Vermont
Florals: Lily of the Valley
Wedding Dress: Amsale
Groom’s suit: State and Liberty
Hair + makeup: True Beauty Company
Band: Phil Abair Band
Catering: Pangea
Getting ready location: River House – Manchester, Vermont
Bonus: if you haven’t already, check out Maddie’s styling page, @maddiepriorhullstyling. She has some of the best fashion advice on the internet!
Want more stunning Vermont wedding inspiration? This Timeless Fall Wedding at Vermont’s Basin Harbor Resort is a must-see!
For more images of Maddie & Pat’s wedding day, find all the gorgeous images here:
Congratulations, Maddie + Pat (and Bunker)!
+ Comments