Our Unique Approach to Changing Laws . . . A Massachusetts Wedding and a Vermont Civil Union rolled into one event on the state line . . .

     Every day, issues about same-sex weddings are in the news. Our rights, and the battle against them, rages on and changes daily. Here at Averill Stand, we've been arranging Civil Unions for a few years, much to the satisfaction of dozens of couples.
     And now, in a very special offering, we're combining both a Civil Union and a Marriage into one event. In light of changing laws, it's not clear whether Civil Unions or Marriages will be recognized by the various states, so we offer an event that, we believe, offers the highest likelihood of maintaining legal status as things evolve in other states. 

Your Vermont Civil Union is

$699*

for two persons. See our Civil Union page for details.

*plus Vermont Meals & resorts tax
If you're looking for the simple legal acknowledgement of your status as a couple, we'd recommend our Vermont Civil Union - it costs less. But if you're seeking to maximize the chances that your union will be considered legal in other states, we highly recommend that you take the extra step and allow us to plan BOTH a Massachusetts marriage and a Vermont Civil Union for you. If you have the extra time that a Massachusetts marriage will take, we make it easy!
     Our unique offering takes place on the state line, in rural Whitingham, Vermont and in Heath, Massachusetts. Bob and your Vermont officiant will accompany you to a lovely farm in Whitingham, Vermont. There we'll be met by our Massachusetts officiant. Standing quite literally on the state line, you will be united by our Vermont officiant, and take a few steps over the line, to then be married by our Massachusetts officiant. Then, we're off and back to Averill Stand for your private celebration of your union.
     Please see our web site on Massachusetts marriages. The law in Massachusetts is different than Vermont, and you are required to have a health certificate with blood test, and there is a 3-day waiting period after the issuance of the license. All things considered, you'll need to be around for at least five or six days in order to meet all the requirements.

If you want to add a Massachusetts wedding, add

$699

to your Vermont Civil Union

The Massachusetts Wedding includes

  • 3 Additional nights at Averill Stand (extra time needed for marriage 3-day waiting period after licensing)

  • Massachusetts officiant

  • Escorted trip for your Massachusetts license

  • Well-orchestrated Wedding day combined with your Civil Union, including Bob's undivided attention and accompaniment to walk you through it all.

In the event that you book the Mass Marriage add-on and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not follow the Supreme Court's decision and offer marriages (or Civil Unions in their stead), you will only be charged a discount rate of $459 for the three additional suite nights. In other words, $240 will be deducted off your Massachusetts add-on if the state decides they will not perform marriages or civil unions.