Personal DIY touches made for a special day these couples will never forget.
Ben & Mattie Wetzel
Married June 6, 2015
Ceremony: Zion United Church of Christ, Arendtsville
Reception: The bride’s grandparents’ property nicknamed “The Cabin,” Arendtsville
How we met: The bride grew up with the groom’s sister
What made our wedding unique: Wooden textures for table tops, cake and pie stands, signs, and table numbers; handmade centerpieces and runners by the groom’s grandmother; custom designed invitations, programs, and signs by the groom’s sister; chalkboard art and bar drink menu; personalized cake topper of the bride and groom; wooden bar built by the bride and groom; homemade apple butter favors by the groom’s mother; boutonnieres with gold bullet shells to capture the groom’s love for hunting; flowers by Greystone Flower Farm arranged uniquely by family; homemade cakes and pies by family and friends; and more.
“It was simply the perfect day,” says Mattie. “We were surrounded by so many family and friends that had given us so much support. The work we put into it gave us a better appreciation of what we got out of it. We had touches of everything we love from all the people we love. ”
Photography by Kylene Lynn
(kylenelynn.com)
Anthony Neiderer & Kristen Duncan
Married August 8, 2014
Ceremony: Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, McSherrystown
Reception: The Links at Gettysburg, Gettysburg
How we met: Potter County, Pa., on a cabin getaway with friends
What made our wedding unique: Handmade jewelry; lace from the bride’s grandmother’s sewing kit; diamonds from the bride’s grandmother’s engagement ring from WWII; handmade baskets; natural wood elements from Central Pennsylvania; Utz chip bar; a veil from the bride’s cousin’s wedding; sand collection from East and West Coasts; custom wine labels; a memory table; desserts made by the groom’s sister; personalized vows; and more.
“Many items were made or belonged to women in my family (some living and some deceased),” Duncan says, “so everything felt personal and unique to our family’s story. They gave everything a personal touch and honored the women in my family.”
Photography by Michael Bupp
(www.michaelbuppphotography.com)
Amanda & Casey Martin
Married October 18, 2014
Ceremony: Great Conewago Presbyterian Church, Hunterstown
Reception: Battlefield Brew Works, Gettysburg
How we met: York Hospital—Casey was visiting an injured traveling rodeo partner, who was dating Amanda’s friend at the time
What made our wedding unique: Welcome sign made with original barn wood from the barn at Rodeo Ranch; custom, embroidered handkerchief for the bride’s “something blue” with the initials of the groom’s brother, who was killed in a car accident at 19, and the bride’s late grandfather; custom printed growlers and cuff links with the groom’s father’s rodeo company logo; a mix of bull skulls, cowboy boots, gun belts, and Western longhorn furniture to complete the rodeo theme; antique memorial frame for the groom’s late brother, which included his prize rodeo belt buckles; custom printed wedding programs/fans with a poem by the groom’s late brother; bluegrass music by Bluestone; the couple’s dog, Karma; and more.
“Together, we came up with all of these things that would best represent our style and taste,” Casey says. “I grew up around the sport of rodeo, so that’s where the Western theme came from, and Amanda’s family is from Kentucky so we went with the traditional bluegrass sound. These special touches are what made it so warm and personal.”
Photography by Nemo Niemann
(www.nemophoto.com)
Chad & Jennifer Yingling
Married August 29, 2014
Ceremony & Reception: Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel, Taneytown, Md.
How we met: Introduced by the groom’s cousin after a wedding at the Gettysburg Hotel in 2008
What made our wedding unique: Vintage necklace and earrings hand-sewn with ribbon and gold thread to make the bride’s headband and sash; a blue French knot sewn into the bride’s dress by her mother right before the ceremony using a sample from her sewing kit; a surprise salt ceremony by the officiant; repurposed glass containers and candles; set of candelabras gifted to the couple by the bride’s father with candles placed by the bride’s aunt before her passing; homemade ceremony entrance signs and programs, bride/groom chair labels, and seating cards; and more.
“My father owns an antiques store and has been in the business for more than 30 years,” says Jennifer. “I’ve developed an appreciation for and collected antique and vintage jewelry since I was young, and I repurposed some of my favorite pieces. It was a really meaningful way to feel unique, not cookie-cutter on such a special day.”
Photography by Casey Martin
(www.caseymartinphotography.viewbook.com)
