April 4, 2014
MEANT TO BE: They met through mutual friends.
He was interested; she was not. She even avoided conversation during a chance encounter. While at a friend's beach house, her mother said, “He seems like a really great guy. Have you ever thought about dating him?” He was outside alone that night, sat down and broke a chair. She came out. It’s okay, she said. He stood up. The back door opened, flooding the yard with light and thoroughly entertaining Laura’s sister and a friend who caught Laura and Ken in their first kiss.
THE THEME: Open-air comfortable amid the fields of Lancaster County. The backdrop was an elegantly renovated barn. Setting the tone were cowgirl boots worn by Laura, her bridesmaids, and the groomslady, an old friend of Ken’s.
THE HELP: Many family and friends pitched in. Laura’s mom took the lead on the invitations. An artistic friend designed labels for the guest favors of local jam. Another friend designed table numbers. Ken’s mom loaned Laura beautiful pearls to wear.
THE HITCH: The officiant, stuck in traffic, was thirty minutes late. Ken’s cousin, originally asked to play a few pre-ceremony tunes on the piano, improvised. Played every song he knows, including Disney tunes.
THE MEMORABLE MOMENT: The funfetti cake, decorated to look like funfetti spilling onto the outside, was topped with Laura’s grandparents' cake topper of a sailor and bride. The cake-cutting song: “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You,” because Laura’s dad and grandmother love Elvis Presley. Wait a second. That’s not Elvis singing. It’s Laura’s dad.
Vendors:
THE REHEARSAL DINNER: Maison, Lancaster, www.maisonlancaster.com.
THE THREADS: Bride, bridesmaids, and groomslady: Alfred Angelo; cowgirl boots, Ariat, www.ariat.com. Groom and groomsmen: Men’s Wearhouse.
THE HAIR: Kris Miller, Chignon, Lancaster, www.chignon.us.
THE MAKEUP: Amanda Clark, Blush Beautiful, Lancaster, www.blushbeautiful.com.
THE BLOOMS: Petals with Style, Lancaster, www.petalswithstyle.com.
THE STATIONERY: Just Be Studio, www.justbestudio.com.
THE CEREMONY: Wedding chapel, DoubleTree by Hilton, Willow Valley, www.willowvalley.com.
THE WEDDING PLANNER: Simply Elegant Occasions, Deb Erb, www.simplyelegantocc.com.
THE RECEPTION: Farm at Eagles Ridge, Lancaster, www.farmateaglesridge.com.
THE EATS: The Greenfield Restaurant, Lancaster, www.thegreenfieldrestaurant.com/catering.
THE IMAGES: Jeremy Hess Photographers, photographed by Lauren Fisher, www.jeremyhessphotographers.com.
THE WHEELS: Trolley from Elite Coach Transportation, Ephrata, www.elite-corporation.com.
