Black Tie Wedding at Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home

Weddings

Step into this timeless black tie wedding at Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home in Manchester, Vermont. With a vintage 1938 Buick entrance to the welcome party

Zack and Kayla set the tone for their wedding weekend at Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home with a portrait session in a vintage 1938 Buick before kicking off the welcome party. Surrounded by Vermont’s mountain views and the rich historic charm of Manchester, this black tie wedding was a masterclass in romance, elegance, and unfiltered joy.

Planned by Lia Bancroft Events, every moment of the day felt like something out of a movie—from the soft afternoon light spilling through the gardens to the bald eagle soaring overhead just as the couple exchanged vows.

Step into this timeless black tie wedding at Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home in Manchester, Vermont.

The Feeling

“We were emotional from beginning to end,” Zack and Kayla shared. “There was so much joy and gratitude. Signing our Ketubah with just our immediate families was a moment of stillness we’ll never forget. It helped us slow down and take in the meaning of what we were doing.”

Later, walking down the aisle, surrounded by loved ones and blue skies, the emotion was palpable. Add in a surprise fly-by from a bald eagle? Pure magic.

The Vision

Kayla and Zack are the kind of couple who live for connection. “We’re both very social. Spending meaningful time with people is what makes life feel rich and full for us—so naturally, we wanted our wedding to reflect that.”

With that in mind, the weekend was built around warmth, beauty, and joy. Lia Bancroft Events brought it all together with a floral design full of color and energy—cheerful but elevated, romantic but lighthearted. Every detail felt intentional. Every moment, celebratory.

“We saw a lot of venues. Nothing compared to how we felt at Hildene. The view, the elegance, the historical significance—it had everything.”

The Moments

From their first look in the gardens to the crowd surfing finale at the reception, Zack and Kayla’s wedding was filled with unexpected joy. That perfect blend of classic and fun.

The vintage Buick arrival kicked things off with old-school glam. Their black tie attire set an elevated tone. And in one of the most unforgettable moments of the day—a bald eagle soared overhead just as the ceremony began. It felt symbolic, cinematic, and completely surreal.

By the end of the night, shoes were off, champagne was flowing, and no one wanted to leave the dance floor.

Hildene Wedding Photographer

“We felt, ‘Wow. I’m so happy we hired Julia.’ Hiring her was the best decision we made,” said Kayla. “She made us feel beautiful, special, and completely at ease. Her calm presence and artistic eye made the day flow seamlessly.”

From organizing the family portraits to offering bug bite cream during their portraits (yes, really), “She thinks of everything so you don’t have to. It’s amazing.”

Final Thoughts

Creating photographs that reflect the emotion and energy of the day lights me up. Zack and Kayla brought such depth, joy, and presence to their weekend—and Hildene was the perfect backdrop for every second of it.

From historic charm to fly-by eagles, this one’s going to stay with me for a long time.