When the snow grows high enough to block our front doors and even the pine trees shiver in our yards, we hide away by a fireplace and wrap up in cashmere throws. If we’re lucky, that blanket is big enough for sharing with the person whose Christmas gift you wrapped in heart-sketched paper. That is because winter was made for love. Romantic holiday movies, Valentine’s Day, his and hers mugs–the cold season is the romance season, and, consequently, a perfect wedding season that is growing in popularity.
Kevin Braasch, founder and owner of KLB Events and Design, and Kaila Brady, the company’s wedding coordinator, put together an inspirational winter wedding that highlighted the work of multiple local vendors. They designed the layout of a faux reception then asked a florist, baker, makeup artist and many others to show off their most fashionable trends. KLB wanted to show that it is possible to throw your wedding in the coldest of months yet still make guests feel warm.
The Venue
A continuing trend is the mingling of rustic and industrial. Last year, The Historic Acres of Hershey added a new pavilion to their grounds that combines stained concrete floors and aluminum piping with a wood beamed ceiling and grand stone fireplace. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the walls, exposing drooping willow trees and gardens stitched with brick pathways. Chandeliers glittered against the white linens draped over the wooden beams, like icy tree limbs reflecting sunlight on snowfall. To add richness to the space, Mike Miller, founder of Mixed Up Productions, used purple lights to illuminate the ceiling and walls, layering more depth into the soft purple and ivory palette.
The Décor
That woodsy sophistication continued as Kevin and Kaila turned the room into a glamorous take on a Snow White wedding. They placed two 18-foot-long farmhouse tables close to the fireplace and lined them with silver runners stitched with tree branches. Kevin said this family-style seating has become popular because it encourages socialization and intimacy among guests. Nearby, he and Kaila set up a sweetheart table lined in the same silvery shadowed cloth. They created special bride and groom chairs by tying white and purple throws over the backs with ribbon, then fastening bunches of greenery into the bows and hanging the appropriate bark sign on each chair. For more coziness, they enhanced the tables with white candles in glass hurricanes. Lori Witmer of Wildflowers by Design chose garlands of ferns and eucalyptus to weave through the hurricanes, letting them fall over the tables' edges towards vintage lanterns on the floor. Kevin and Kaila filled the empty spaces with pinecones, small silver candleholders, and mini vases with purple roses and white dahlias. They stacked wooden crates in a small tower, then arranged lanterns and matching vases around. Kevin often chooses greenery over bouquets when he creates that "wandering through the woods" feeling. The Barnes farmhouse tables, which have become a go-to for guest seating, also embellished the rustic chic vibe.
The Sweets
Marrying couples are beginning to stray away from a showpiece cake and opt for a dessert display. Jasmine Clouser, owner of Couture Cakery, created an array of the latest sugar trends. A tall, thin cake with metallic touches and purple edible flowers stood as the focal point among cupcakes with matching flowers and silver liners. Cake pops, chocolate dipped pretzels, French macarons and canelles were spread among sprigs of greenery and flickering candleholders. Jasmine also played with the popular ombre trend by decorating a smaller cake in graduating shades of purple. Kevin said this arrangement of “mini indulgence” is ideal for both its attractive design and its appeal to more guests.
The Fashion
Originally, Kevin had imagined the bride wearing lacy three-quarter-length sleeves for a hint of warmth. However, as he dress shopped at Taylored for You Bridal Boutique with faux bride and model Heather Stevens, they struggled to find the perfect gown. Owner Taylor Eisenberger suggested strapless–the style that continues to be her best seller, regardless of the season. Another trend Taylor has seen on the runway lately is texture. So Kevin and Heather chose a strapless sweetheart gown with a ruched bodice, drop waist, and full skirt of ivory organza roses. To keep the bride warm into the evening, Kevin turned to a favorite solution: DIY. He found a $1.99 eggplant-hued sweater from Community Aid, cut out the back, and draped the sweater over Heather’s shoulders. Then, he took the beaded belt from the dress itself and used it to cinch the waist. For hair and makeup, Shelbi Harmes, owner of Shelbi Harmes Expressions, wanted to keep that soft, romantic feel. She tied Heather’s blonde locks into a low, messy chignon and completed the effortless look with a smoky eye and peach lip.
The groom’s style was simple: clean and sophisticated. Faux groom and model Tim Suplizio wore a black tuxedo, crisp white shirt, and black tie. His look was offset by a boutonniere of small ferns and greenery, matching Heather’s bouquet of greens and wildflowers. This blend of chic and natural created a most majestic mock-up.
Vendors
Design: Kevin Braasch and Kaila Brady, KLB Events & Design, Mechanicsburg, www.klbevents.com Venue and Chiavari chairs: Historic Acres of Hershey, Elizabethtown, www.historicacres.com Flowers: Lori Witmer, Wildflowers by Design, Lancaster, www.wildflowersbydesign.com Paper suite: Persnickety Invitation Studio, York, www.persnicketyinc.com Glassware and flatware: Event Central, Mechanicsburg, www.eventcentralpa.com Tables: Barnes Handcrafted Farmhouse Tables, Seven Valleys, barneshandcraftedfarmhousetables.yolasite.com Vintage décor: Treasured Events, Lancaster, www.treasuredrentals.com Bridal gown, flower girl dress and jewelry: Taylored for you Bridal Boutique, Mechanicsburg,www.tayloredforyoubridal.com Cake and dessert display: Couture Cakery, Lemoyne, www.couturecakery.net Tuxedo: Central PA Tuxedo, Lancaster, www.centralpatuxedo.com Linens: Special Occasions & Queen StreetLinens, Lancaster, www.specialo.com Sheer drapery: Shumaker PDT, Lancaster, www.shumakerpdt.com Lighting: Mixed Up Productions, Camp Hill, www.mixedupproductions.com Makeup and hair: Shelbi Harmes Expressions, 717-598-2288 Photography: Leslie Gilbert Photography, Marietta, www.lesliegilbertphotography.com Videography: Matt Stambaugh Films, www.mattstambaughblog.com
Text by Kaila Young Styling by Kevin Braasch and Kaila Brady Photography by Leslie Gilbert
