The Crooked Ram

Welcome Party

Wedding Day

Inn at Manchester

Ceremony

Reception

Sunday Brunch

Our Wedding

Our Story

Photos

Making your way to Vermont can be difficult, depending on where you are traveling from. We recommend booking flights and accommodations by the end of March at the latest. For flights: Mimi suggests the Albany airport (about 1 hr, drive) or the Burlington airport (about 1.5 hr. drive). If those prices are too high, consider the Hartford, CT airport (about 2 hr. drive). Keep in mind that renting a car will be worth it if you are staying in the area for 2 or more nights. There are so many fun places to explore! For trains: Look at Amtrak. Their classic "Vermonter Train" takes passengers from DC to Northern Vermont each day. For driving: Check out the routes now. Some aren't as bad as you might think!

We have a small room block available here! This is walkable to both the wedding as well as the event the night before. If the room block discount fills up before you are able to book, this is still the best option!(Text or email Mimi with questions!) <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=RUTMVHX&amp;groupCode=CHHL6L&amp;arrivaldate=2026-07-17&amp;departuredate=2026-07-19&amp;cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&amp;fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=RUTMVHX&amp;groupCode=CHHL6L&amp;arrivaldate=2026-07-17&amp;departuredate=2026-07-19&amp;cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&amp;fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT</a>

Hampton Inn and Suites Manchester

This gorgeous Inn is .3 miles from the wedding venue. While pricey, it is worth the cost! Located in the heart of Manchester Village the Reluctant Panther offers 20 luxurious rooms and suites all featuring elegant design with antique furnishings fireplaces marble baths and original museum quality artwork. The Reluctant Panther Restaurant features contemporary American cooking in a relaxed yet elegantly upscale atmosphere. With an emphasis on locally sourced products our Chefs create a sophisticated dining experience that is unsurpassed in northern New England. A multiple year Wine Spectator award winning wine list complements the tasteful menu.

The Reluctant Panther Inn and Restaurant

This hotel is .2 miles from the wedding venue and so fun. Kimpton Taconic Hotel offers pet-friendly accommodations in Manchester. The hotel has a seasonal outdoor pool and views of the mountains, and guests can enjoy a drink at the bar. Private parking is available on site. Each room includes a flat-screen TV, soothing earth-tone palette, plush bedscapes, curated local artwork and mountain vistas. There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. A social hour is organized every evening with complimentary wine and local brews. Nestled within historic Manchester Village, Kimpton Taconic offers unlimited access to fall leaf-peeping, winter skiing, spring maple sugaring, summer art festivals and an exhilarating array of outdoor adventures all year round. The nearest airport is Albany International Airport, 47 mi from the property.

Kimpton Taconic Hotel by IHG

Where Matt and Mimi got engaged! There are tons of room options- suites, cottages, etc. This Inn has so many amenities and is .4 miles from the wedding. Surrounded by the scenic Green Mountains, this resort features a full-service spa and an 18-hole golf course. Guests can dine at various on-site restaurants. Bromley Mountain skiing is 10 miles away. The Equinox Resort features rooms with a flat-screen TV, private bathroom, and bathrobes. They are decorated in rich colors and plush bedding. Select rooms offer mountain or garden views. Facilities at the Manchester Equinox Resort include an indoor pool, a sauna, and a fitness center. Activities such as horseback riding and off-road driving are available. Enjoy fine dining at The Chop House, the Equinox’s on-site steak house. Dine outdoors at Dormy Grill or sip a cocktail the Falcon Bar. Various shops in Manchester Village are within 1 mile from the hotel. Cross country skiing at Hildene is a 5-minute drive away.

The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa

Travel

Registry

Why are you getting married in Vermont? Those who know, know. And for those who don't, allow us to take you back in time... Mary Louise (Mary Lou, MLDC, Hawkeye, etc.) and James (Jim) Connelly lived in Garden City New York with eight (yes that would be 8) children. The amazing parents that they were, they would take their children North to Vermont to vacation- teaching the kids to ski and taking turns sneaking in to indoor hotel pools with various arrangements of children. Well, the eight kids grew up and the family grew. Mary Lou and Jim decided that they wanted to recreate the family holidays in Vermont. With Kathleen, second oldest, they found two houses to rent each summer from July 1-31. If you were a Connelly, you were expected to be there each year. If you were a husband, well, you were welcome to join if you wanted to. Because of the generosity of her grandparents, Mimi had 20 summers spent in southern Vermont. Londonderry, Winhall, Jamaica, Stratton, Peru, and, yes, Manchester, are the backdrops for her most precious memories. Summer nights with her mom and aunties in the kitchen while she ran around with ice pops and fireflies with her cousins. Helping her grandparents in, and then out, of swimming ponds. Running Vermont hills and cemeteries. Grandmother and Grandpa reading their paper in their chairs at Hapgood. Indeed, most of the memories involve Mary Louise and Jim, Mimi's grandparents. To say thank you for those summers, and to have them and her Aunt Kathleen close at her wedding, that is "Why Vermont."

Why Vermont?

Let's Swim! 

Interested in the area's best watering holes? Check out Mimi's childhood favorites below! - Stratton's Snow Making Pond, Stratton: Mimi's favorite!Great option for parents that are kid free for the weekend. No real 'sandy' beach area, but it's the perfect spot to take a dog swimming or post up in an inner tube with a beverage. - Memorial Pond, South Londonderry: Mimi and her cousins have done many a jump off of the diving board. There are grills, picnic tables, and lots of play area for smaller kids. This is a casual/retro place to cool off, perfect for families. - Winhall Campground, Winhall: This campground has a cost to enter, but when you are inside you have access to a gorgeous river, perfect for tubing down or just skipping rocks. - Emerald Lake, Dorset: Stunning state park with options to swim, paddle board, fish, or kayak! This lake has a creek alongside it that kids will enjoy exploring, as well as public restrooms. - Dorset Quarry, Dorset: Jump into this 60 ft deep quarry with marble edges and cold water. The old quarry is 120 yards long and is open to swimmers.

Downtown Manchester

The downtown area of Manchester is full of hidden gems. Here are just a few of our favorites:Charlie's coffee shop has Mimi's favorite lattes and treats.Northshire bookstore is a huge two story shop full of books and novelties.The Mountain Goat is your stop for all outdoor gear and accessories.Mother Myrick's has the best candy and sweets in town.Manchester Woodcraft for handmade household items you didn't know you needed.The Works for a post-swim bagel.Simon Pearce if you are a Connelly woman.

Etc.

There are many more wonderful things to do in southern Vermont in July. You could hike Bromley Mountain, drive Mount Equinox Skyline Drive, or check out the famous country stores. Remember to stop and enjoy the scenery around you. The Green Mountains are breathtaking on a clear summer day. We hope you enjoy your time in this beautiful corner of the world.

Mary Louise & Matthew