The theme: Fun and gorgeous, with bridesmaids in amethyst and gray. Quirky and traditional, with natural touches.
The threads: Nikki’s jaw-dropping sea-of-flowers skirt was created around a bird cage form. She was not allowed to sit, lean, eat or drink in it, and it took three people to lower her onto the grass for a shot among the cherry blossoms. Still totally worth it. A skirt perfect for twirling worked for group portraits. Bridesmaids’ lavender or grey outfits blended with two very young junior bridemaids’ togs, while the guys’ 1930s gangster Peaky Blinders look fit best with Britt idling the Model A getaway car.
The details: Family and friends helped create almost everything, including the food. Nikki, a salon stylist, built the photo booth and dinosaur centerpieces, and Britt, a carpenter, set the rigging for the dramatic, 200-pound floral backdrop. Nikki wore jewelry her father sent her on her 18th birthday when he was posted in Afghanistan. The couple lit a sage stick for “a fresh, happy beginning,” and moss, dried lavender and curly willow tied the theme to the backyard setting. The geometrical cake reinforced the fun, fanciful vibe.
The hitches: Nikki nailed Britt with the cake, then went in for some face time with it herself.
The honeymoon: A non-relaxing week in Riviera Maya for these two, who said yes to everything, from swimming with dolphins and exploring underground caves to zip lines and even cliff jumping. Not a fan of heights, Nikki said, “Never again.”
Resources
The threads: Bride’s floral skirt—Splints & Daisies, Lancaster, splintsanddaisies.com; Over dress—Francesca’s, Lancaster, Park City Center, parkcitycenter.com; Bride’s second dress—etsy.com, alterations by Country Threads by Gail, Manheim, 717-665-3711; Bride’s shoes—bhldn.com; Groomsmen—Jos. A. Bank, Susquehanna Shops, Harrisburg, theshoppesatsusquehannamarketplace.com/store/jos-a-bank/; American flag socks—amazon.com
The hair and makeup: Steele Hair Salon, Hershey, steelesalonhershey.com
The rehearsal dinner: Woo De La Kitchen + Nourishment, Hershey, facebook.com/woodela
The blooms: Splints & Daisies, Lancaster, splintsanddaisies.com
The rentals: Sweetheart table & benches—Barnes Handcrafted Farmhouse Tables, Central PA, barnesfarmtables.com
The paper suite: vistaprint.com
The images: Photos—Brittney Raine Photography, Philadelphia, brittneyraine.com; Video—Birdhouse Productions, Harrisburg, birdhouseweddings.com
By Cindy Kalinoski | Photography by Brittney Raine Photography
