What did Kate and Ted Hake use to decorate their wedding? “Anything I liked,” says Kate. Fortunately, she has great taste. Nearly two years prior to the big day, Kate began working with David Everett of The JDK Group to plan and coordinate the celebration. To capture the earthy, romantic feeling that characterized the wedding, Kate and Ted chose Moonstone Manor as their venue. Moonstone’s expansive grounds provided different elements for each guest. They could stroll by the cozy fireplace, check out the antique furniture, wander by the Conewago creek, or admire the old stone structures.All guests were enamored by the beauty of the ceremony last September. As if in a movie, the sun rose quite perfectly that day to create a spirited glow over the ceremony. Kate and Ted said their vows in front of the large stone grotto laced in green vines and moss. Rose petals were scattered about the grass, the creek gurgled softly nearby, and hovering trees allowed just enough warmth through the shade. This was not the ceremony where guests are checking their watches, wondering what will be served for dinner. This was the airy tranquility of a walk through the woods with the romance of a fairy tale
Afterwards, guests walked to the open patio for small bites and raspberry-studded champagne. They signed into the thumbprint guest book where each guest placed a pink thumbprint on a family tree. Now, the framed picture hangs in the Hake household. For the card box, Kate took a leather suitcase that Ted’s grandparents used on their New England honeymoon—the same destination as the Hake’s honeymoon—and draped lace and bunting inside the suitcase. Before the wedding, Kate collected wire antiques, like birdcage and tricycles, and took them to Hueter’s Greenhouse. Hueter’s planted succulents inside the birdcages and tricycle baskets, so after a year and a half, they became unique centerpieces for each table. Different succulents were also planted in flowerpots hand-painted by Kate and Ted themselves—150 hand-painted flowerpots, to be exact. These doubled as décor and favors for each guest. An additional favor was created by Ted’s dad: a button personalized with “Ted and Kate Hake” for a memorable souvenir. Since Kate’s mom passed away when she was young, the bride asked a seamstress to cut fabric and lace from one of her mother’s dresses and sew it into a heart. Kate stitched the heart to the inside of her gown so it was invisible to guests but woven into her memory.
Under a large white tent, guests were served a duel entree of steak and chicken with vegetables. Since neither Kate nor Ted loves cake, they decided on the less formal cupcakes that came in three flavors to fit the taste of each guest. This way, Kate said, they would not be burdened with leftovers of unwanted cake. The dessert station was crafted from a vintage cabinet borrowed from a local antique shop as well as two barrels holding a wooden tabletop loaned by their wedding planner. Jasmine Clouser lined each display with lace doilies, stacked trays of cupcakes, and jars of flavored popcorn, then scattered the succulent flowerpots.
After years of planning, Kate and Ted reached the “throw your hands in the air” moment when they were more than ready to walk down the aisle, with or without the rose petals. However, their tedious work paid off when each careful detail and personal touch knotted together flawlessly. Weaving earthy elegance with the celebration of family and friends, the Hakes were able to call their wedding “the perfect day.”
Vendors
Invitations, Menus, Signs, and Thank-Yous: Sweet Invitation Company, East Berlin, www.etsy.com/shop/sweetinvitationco Venue: Moonstone Manor, Elizabethtown, www.moonstonemanor.com Succulents for Centerpieces and Flower Pots: Hueter's Greenhouse, York, www.huetersgreenhouses.com Photographer/Videographer: Artistic Difference Photography, www.artisticdifference.com Bouquets: Heather Kendig, Floral Designs By Heather Ann, Lititz, www.floralsbyheatherann.com Cupcakes/Popcorn Display: Jasmine Clouser, The Couture Cakery, Lemoyne, www.couturecakery.net DJ: Adam McCallister, Birdsnest Productions, York Hairstylist: Rebecca Gibney, York Wedding Dress and Tuxedos: Blondie's Bridal Salon, York Makeup: Makeup By Chelsea, Mechanicsburg, www.makeupbychelsea.com Cabinet for Cupcake Display: Hometown Antiques, Red Lion Button Favors: Ted Hake, Busy Beaver Button Co., York, www.busybeaver.net Wedding Bands and Engagement Ring: Pat Elicker, Leon Ness Jewelry Barn, York, www.leonnessjewelrybarn.com Caterer and Coordinator: David Everett, Weddings by JDK, Camp Hill, www.weddingsbyjdk.com
By Kaila Young / Photography by Artistic Difference Photography and Jasmine Clouser
