Britta Petersen (bride) and Dan Schowerer (groom) share the details of their recent wedding.

Photos by Jon Ilio Photography

Britta Petersen and Dan Schowerer held their Nordic wedding feast at the Pond House. Photo courtesy of Jon Ilio Photography

Maybe it was the masks or the music or the moonlight or just a touch of magic.

Either way, Dan and Britta were in among the guests at a friend’s masquerade party in Manhattan a few years back, when they took one starry-eyed look at each other and were struck instantly by a heavy dose of kismet. It wasn’t long before Dan slipped his grandmother’s wedding ring on Britta’s finger and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. She said yes.

Fast forward to West Hartford, where the couple relocated after living for several years in New York City. Britta had her heart set on a Halloween wedding – inspired by her Aunt Bernice, who married on Halloween, then celebrated every year thereafter by throwing a mega masquerade party on her anniversary.

Britta and Dan put their own twist on the masquerade theme by embracing Nordic mythology – as did their guests.

In search of the perfect place to hold their Nordic wedding feast, Britta and Dan discovered the Pond House. The exposed beams, fireplace, and large windows overlooking the pond gave the Pond House the look of an authentic Viking hall.

Of course, a fabulous venue isn’t the only ingredient necessary for a memorable wedding, Nordic or otherwise. There’s also the matter of the menu – and the couple couldn’t have found a more delectable one.

Through the Pond House, Britta and Dan met Carol of Classic Cakes and Sandy of A Special Place. The Pond House, Carol, and Sandy made for an energetic and innovative team, collaborating with Britta and Dan, putting their expert spin on every idea presented to them by the couple, and taking their ideas to the next level … and the next and the next.

At the end of the day, Britta and Dan not only had the spectacular Nordic wedding of their dreams, they had tons of fun planning it.

Originally published in West Hartford Magazine. To see the full magazine, click here. 

Britta Petersen and Dan Schowerer held their Nordic wedding feast at the Pond House, with a cake by Classic Cakes. The wedding cake was frosted to represent a shale cliff. Photo courtesy of Jon Ilio Photography

Britta Petersen and Dan Schowerer Nordic wedding. Photo courtesy of Jon Ilio Photography

Friends toast to Britta Petersen and Dan Schowerer at their Nordic wedding feast at the Pond House. Photo courtesy of Jon Ilio Photography

Wedding cake by Carol Murdock, Classic Cakes was a custom-made long boat made of modeling chocolate, with pastillage, gum paste and fondant. Photo courtesy of Jon Ilio Photography

All the wedding guests for Britta Petersen and Dan Schowerer at their Nordic wedding feast at the Pond House. Photo courtesy of Jon Ilio Photography

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