Just Married: Katie & Todd

An eco-minded and all-things-local approach defined the Millersville wedding, and its farm fresh local favorite foods, hand-carved cake toppers and a handmade tree-trunk cake stand.

by Cindy Kalinoski

December 20, 2011

2:48 PM

Photography by Epic Photography

The Couple

Katie & Todd Foose

The Big Day

September 17, 2011

The Theme

Eco-locavore, with a fresh take on “family tree.” Most of the food—and all of the flowers—were grown on this third-generation potato farm, and chic chocolate and cherry−colored invites and signs were printed on recycled paper. The wedding and reception were held on the grounds of the Manor View Inn, a restored 1800s farm house, and in the adjacent Country Barn, conserving additional resources. This wedding was so green guests could even calculate—and hopefully reduce—their wedding-related carbon footprint on the couple’s wed-site, weddingwire.com/toddandkathleen.

The Threads

The bride wore a strapless ivory A-line with ivory grosgrain wedges and a “green” garter, made from recycled bottles. Bridesmaids wore haltered satin Alfred Angelos in claret with espresso detailing; chocolate tuxedos for the men were offset by exquisite brocade vests in bisque.

The “Green” Traditions

In Katie’s family, trees are planted for those graduating or getting married; an oil lamp is given to the parents to light at holidays to remember those not present.

The Details

Guests signed a frameable, silk-screened “tree-ring” guest log. From fallen birch limbs, the groom’s father carved a candelabra, a tree stump cake stand and cake toppers; spoons for the candy bar were whittled by a friend. An eco-friendly ring pillow and flower basket were crafted from burlap and jute.

The Locavore

A “Tour of Lancaster County” dessert bar featured pumpkin and red velvet whoopie pies, Wilbur chocolates and, of course, shoofly pie. Local beverages like Nissley’s Naughty Marietta and the Appalachian Brewing Co.'s Water Gap Wheat were served. Regional specialties like baked corn were complemented by a punch fountain and a wagon holding coffee and tea. Special accommodations for the bride were the gluten-free cake and cupcakes, menu options and even a beer selection made from sorghum.

The Blooms

Autumn centerpieces featured stalks of wheat and fall blooms in mason jars, and ferns and mums (borrowed from The Country Barn’s farm store) added to the country ambiance. Todd’s request for orange flowers led to a fab boutonniere of a Gerbera daisy on a salal leaf with seeded eucalyptus.

The Hitch Averted

When Todd proposed to Katie on a tiny island just off Bar Harbor, Maine, he timed it just right so that they made it back to land before high tide closed off the stone beach walkway.

An eco-friendly ring pillow and flower basket were crafted from burlap and jute

The Resources

The Threads: Cartagena, from the Blue by Enzoani collection from Taylored for You Bridal, tayloredforyoubridal.com. Bridesmaids in 7125s by Alfred Angelo, alfredangelo.com. Groomsmen in Pronto Uomo Super 100 Notch label tuxes from Men’s Wearhouse, Harrisburg, menswearhouse.com. The groom’s mother wore a hammered shimmer tiered jacket dress (Style 070480) from David’s Bridal, Harrisburg, davidsbridal.com.

The Bling: Eternity wedding bands from the Higashi Collection, higashipearls.com. Pearl and gold pendant from Laos from mother of the bride. Custom vintage hair clip by Virginia Geiger Jewels, etsy.com/shop/moderndesignsbyvkg. Other jewelry from Bayou Beading, etsy.com/shop/BayouBeading.

Eco-Friendly Garter: Natural grosgrain with a lemongrass grosgrain knotted stripe from etsy.com/shop/thegartergirl.

The Heels: TOMs shoes, which donates a pair to a needy child with every pair purchased, toms.com.

The Ceremony: Manor View Inn, Lancaster, manorviewinn.com, officiated by the Harrisburg-based innerpeaceministries.net.

The Reception, Catering & Blooms: The Country Barn, Lancaster, countrybarnmkt.com.

The Tunes: Dare2Dance Productions, Harrisburg, dare2dance.net.

The Cake: Linda’s Cakery, Mount Joy, lindascakery.com.

The Guest “Log”: Baumbirdy, etsy.com/transaction/55619074.

The Images: Epic Photography, Elizabethtown, epic-photos.com.

Spa Prep: Polished Spa, Lemoyne, polishedspa.com.

The Hair: Nxt Phase Hair Design, Lancaster, nxtphasehair.com.

Rehearsal Dinner: Symposium Restaurant, Lancaster, symposiumrestaurant.com.

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