Bella and Zach’s luxury wedding weekend at West Mountain Inn in Arlington, Vermont began with a Halloween rehearsal dinner turned full-scale costume celebration, setting the tone for a wedding inspired by fantasy, storytelling, and music culture. The wedding party arrived dressed in Lord of the Rings–inspired costumes, a style choice that reflects the growing popularity of fantasy and Lord of the Rings–themed weddings. As a Vermont luxury wedding photographer specializing in large, multi-day celebrations, I documented this opening night with more than 200 guests in attendance, where costumes were mandatory and creativity was on full display throughout the historic inn. Bella, the daughter of Phish frontman Trey Anastasio, and Zach Lewellen of the band Guerrilla Toss, welcomed friends and family into an immersive, joy-filled evening that felt cinematic, playful, and deeply personal. These first images focus on the Halloween celebration, capturing the elaborate costumes, theatrical performances, and electric energy that launched this unforgettable Vermont wedding weekend.

Bella and Zach got ready at the inn, beginning the wedding day in a relaxed and intimate setting surrounded by close friends and family. Bella wore a custom Jade/Kate gown by Lihi Hod, a modern and timeless design that reflected her personal style and love of refined details. A playful duck theme quietly appeared in the getting ready space, with oversized inflatable ducks waiting in the room to make their debut later at the wedding reception. Zach also got ready at the inn, keeping the morning experience close, calm, and connected as the day unfolded. These early moments set the tone for a wedding weekend that balanced elegance, creativity, and joy.

Bella shared a deeply intimate first look with her father, Trey, a quiet and emotional moment filled with laughter, tears, and connection before the day unfolded. After their first look, Bella took a few moments to touch up her makeup while her parents looked on with happy tears, savoring the significance of the moment together. Shortly afterward, Bella and Zach chose to have a completely private first look, just the two of them, away from guests and distractions. This uninterrupted time allowed them to be fully present with one another, grounding themselves before the celebration ahead. After their private first look, Bella and Zach spent a few additional moments alone before rejoining family and friends for pre ceremony portraits, creating a calm and intentional transition into the next chapter of their wedding day.

Before the ceremony, Bella stepped into the quiet edge of the woods with her family for a series of pre-ceremony portraits that felt both grounded and deeply meaningful. Surrounded by tall Vermont trees and soft autumn light, these moments unfolded naturally—shared glances, gentle laughter, and the unmistakable closeness of a family savoring what was about to come. The bridal bouquets, designed by Nancy Bishop Floral, was absolutely stunning—lush, romantic, and perfectly suited to the natural woodland setting. The forest offered a calm pause before the celebration, giving Bella and her family a chance to be fully present together, honoring the love and connection that shaped the day from its very beginning.

When it came time to sign the marriage license, Bella and Zach were joined by one very memorable witness—their best man, fully committed in a bear costume. Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, it was a perfectly on-brand moment that captured the couple’s sense of humor and love of playful surprises. Proof that even the most official moments of the day can still be full of personality, laughter, and a little bit of absurd joy.

The ceremony unfolded before an awe-inspiring Vermont autumn backdrop, with more than 200 guests seated and taking in the golden leaves, crisp mountain air, and unmistakable charm of West Mountain Inn. As Bella made her way down the aisle, the processional set the tone with a joyful twist—flower men delightfully handing out wild flowers, instantly drawing laughter and smiles from the crowd. Zach’s father officiated the ceremony, making the moment deeply personal and heartfelt, while Nancy Bishop Floral’s stunning arbor and arrangements framed the scene beautifully, perfectly complementing the bridal color palette and elevating the natural landscape. As always, her florals were nothing short of exceptional. From the ceremony setting to the elegant dinner tent and onward to the reception barn, the seamless flow of the day embodied everything West Mountain Inn does best—timeless Vermont charm paired with a relaxed yet refined sense of luxury.

During cocktail hour, Bella and Zach stepped into the colorful labyrinth garden at West Mountain Inn for a brief, romantic photo session. Surrounded by autumn mums and wild grasses, they wandered quietly together—newly married, unhurried, and fully present. It was a natural pause in the day, offering a few intimate moments before rejoining their guests and the celebration ahead.

Cocktail hour at West Mountain Inn was anything but ordinary, with laughter, relaxed group photos, and an interactive murder mystery unfolding throughout the grounds. Guests explored, mingled, and compared notes as clues were scattered here and there, turning the cocktail hour into part party, part playful puzzle. From college friend group shots to spontaneous moments of discovery, the energy was lively, social, and perfectly suited to a Vermont fall wedding with personality and flair.

A lavish plated dinner was served under the grand tent at West Mountain Inn, welcoming over 200 guests to an evening that felt both elegant and deeply personal. The tent was beautifully decorated by Nancy Bishop Floral, with thoughtful details and lush arrangements that elevated the entire space. Each table featured a handwritten notebook where guests were invited to share sentiments and wishes, created to be opened and read by Bella and Zach on future anniversary years. A series of toasts followed—some comical, others heartfelt—before the evening reached a joyful high point with a fun, surprise song performed by Bella’s family, filling the tent with music, laughter, and the unmistakable magic of a Vermont wedding celebration.

The reception photos captured an unforgettable night of live music, laughter, and pure celebration as the Love Revival Orchestra kept the dance floor packed at Bella and Zach’s West Mountain Inn wedding reception in Vermont. One of the most joyful surprises came when Trey Anastasio joined his family on stage to perform a hilarious, heartfelt song written just for the newlyweds—an unscripted moment that had guests cheering, laughing, and wiping away tears. As if that weren’t enough, the energy soared even higher when a fully choreographed flash mob involving more than 200 guestserupted on the dance floor, turning the reception into a full-blown rock-and-roll party. These candid reception photographs reflect the spirit of the night: live music, spontaneous moments, and a wedding celebration that felt as epic and original as the couple themselves.

Bella and Zach’s wedding was the kind of celebration that reminds you why you love this work — effortless joy, meaningful moments, incredible music, and a room full of people truly in it. From heartfelt toasts to laugh-out-loud surprises and a dance floor that never slowed down, the entire weekend felt more like a once-in-a-lifetime party than a traditional wedding day.

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels elevated yet unfiltered, luxurious yet wildly fun — whether it leans rock-and-roll, fashion-forward, or beautifully unconventional — I would love to document it for you. Get in touch to learn more about my bespoke wedding collections and availability. Let’s create something unforgettable together.

A celebration like this doesn’t come together without an extraordinary team. Bella and Zach were surrounded by an incredible group of creatives who brought vision, style, and heart to every detail.

venue: West Mountain Inn

main photographer: Sally Carpenter

assistant photographers: Gael Cantlin & Russell Fox   

florist: Nancy Bishop   

hair: Candice Birns

make-up:  Misha Shahzada

ceremony musician: Ethan Silver Wheeler

reception band: Love Revival Orchestr

deserts: Dorset Bakery