Photography by Jeremy Hess
The Couple
Meredith & Nathan Baxter
The Big Day
July 16, 2011
The Theme
Vintage romance. Waffling on a color palette, Meri put several combos on PowerPoint and took a family vote. No winners. The bridesmaids’ dresses were what finally led them to blush pink. This shade, with touches of cream, gray and silver, complemented Drumore Estate’s lush garden well. Elements of lace and romance were echoed in the florals' creamy hydrangeas, blush-pink roses, calla lilies and lisianthus. Nate had pearls restrung that Meri’s late grandparents had given her, an inch a year, and commissioned a three-strand pearl bracelet with an Elsa Peretti clasp. Even the phenomenal cake had pearl beading.
The Details
Persnickety’s elegant paper touches were everywhere—from the rose petal cups to signs for the wines Meri’s uncle selected. The monogrammed cake and an antique typewriter motif pulled it all together. Nate, an industrial designer, created a meticulously alphabetized seating chart with the same pattern.
Elegant touches were everywhere, from rose petal cups to a classic monogrammed cake.
The Threads
French Alençon lace embellished the bride’s sweetheart strapless trumpet gown in cream linen, with its exquisitely detailed hem. Satin d’Orsay wedges, dyed pale pink, completed the romantic vintage look. The bridesmaids wore knee-length blush-pink silk organza dresses with a rose accent, while the maid-of-honor’s dress was a one-shoulder tea-length variation. Gray and blush-pink striped ties for the men augmented the charcoal gray suits.
The Unexpected Hit
After drinking “a fair amount of Scotch one night,” Nate and a buddy planned a Scotch and cigar bar. A professional cigar roller brought the 150 they ordered—and rolled extras all night long as guests indulged while sampling globally crafted Scotches.
The Generational Connection
Rather than embarrassing “the three single women there,” Meri’s grandparents (celebrating 61 years) were awarded her bouquet. Nate’s grandfather’s infinity silver cufflinks and Meri’s late grandmother’s vintage opal ring also made an appearance. Seriously Irish, at least in March, this couple got engaged on St. Patty’s Day, so Meri’s dad read the “may the road rise up to meet you” blessing.
Resources
The Threads: Bride & Bridesmaids, Priscilla of Boston (NJ), priscillaofboston.com. Groom & Groomsmen: suits, ties & shirts by Hugo Boss from Bloomingdales, King of Prussia.
Bride Bling: Silver comb with pearls from In White, Lancaster, inwhite.com.
Hair & Makeup: Luxe, Lancaster, luxelancaster.com.
The Ceremony: Drumore Estate, Pequea, drumoreestate.com. Officiated by Rev. Constance Metzner of St. Paul’s Lutheran, Millersville.
The Reception & Catering: Drumore Estate, catered by Karyn Regitz.
The Cake: Bella Manse, Millersville, bellamanse.com.
The Blooms: Petals with Style, Lancaster, petalswithstyle.com.
The Stationery: Persnickety Invitation Studio, York, persnicketyinc.com.
The Images: Jeremy Hess Photographers, Lancaster, jeremyhessphotography.com. Lavon Films, New Holland, lavonfilms.com.
Spa Prep: “Bachelorette Luncheon” at the Spa at The Hotel Hershey followed by chocolate facials and massages, Hershey, chocolatespa.com.
Rehearsal Dinner: The Pressroom, Lancaster, pressroomrestaurant.com.
The Wheels: Friendly Transportation, Lancaster, friendlytransportation.com.
The Smokes: Juan, cigar roller from Hain’s Pipe Shop, York, hainspipeshop.com.
The Tunes: DJ Freez, Lancaster, djfreez.com.
Linens: Special Occasions, Lancaster, specialo.com.
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