Let Them Eat Cake

When Leigh bought Chanteclaire Farm in 2011, she took on the task of decorating the wedding cakes herself.  The project is always a labor of love, with hours spent bending over each tier to create the couple's perfect vision.  Leigh has studied boxes full of magazines and combed the recesses of Pinterest to make sure that her creations are modern and gorgeous.  The results speak for themselves.

Naked Cakes

Naked cakes are all the rage, and Chanteclaire creates some gorgeous examples.  With cakes as moist and delicious as ours, your guests will never miss the extra icing.  This design lets local produce take a staring role.

Photocredit: Row 1- Karlo Photography Row 2- Karlo Photography, Karlo Photography, Karlo Photography, Happy Couple Photography Row 3- Chrisman Studio, Karlo Photography, Chrisman Studio, Higher Focus Studios

Tree Inspired

Our couples are often drawn to Chanteclaire Farm for the natural beauty that surrounds us.  What better way to honor that love of nature than with a tree inspired wedding cake?

Photocredit: Row 1- Leigh Hewitt Photography, Derek & Diane Photography, Karlo Photography, Grace Photography Row 2- Kirsten Smith Photography, Karlo Photography, Derek & Diane Photography, Derek & Diane Photography

Modern

Clean lines, unique shapes, and fun geometric patterns make for some stunning modern wedding cakes.

Photocredit: Row 1- Karlo Photography, Karlo Photography, Leigh Clarke, Rebecca Kiger Fotografia Row 2- Karlo Photography, Higher Focus Studios, Life on Location, Leigh Clarke Row 3- Leigh Clark, Leigh Clarke, Higher Focus Studios, Leigh Clarke

Glitz and glam

Who says a country wedding can't sparkle and shine?

Photocredits: Karlo Photography, Karlo Photography, Karlo Photography, Leigh Clarke

The More the merrier

From cupcakes, to pies, to a farm favorite- Swedish Princess Cakes, Chanteclaire has options for the couple who aren't interested in a traditional tiered wedding cake.

Photocredit: Row 1-Julia Rendleman, Leigh Clarke, Kaypea Photography, Karlo Photography Row 2- KayPea Photography, Karlo Photography, Sonlight Images, Higher Focus Studios Row 3- Karlo Photography, Karlo Photography, Karlo Photography, Leigh Clarke

Rustic

Rustic cakes are some of our most popular.  Burlap, twine, and delicate florals make a beautiful statement on your cake.

Photography: Row 1- Amanda Ivy Photography, Amberlee Christey Photography, Karlo Photography, Photography by Amanda Row 2-Karlo Photography, Higher Focus Studios, Derek & Diane Photography, Amberlee Christey Photography Row 3- Higher Focus Studios, Higher Focus Studios, Amberlee Christey Photography, Leigh Clarke

Romantic

Dreamy and feminine, with hints of floral, ruffles, and scallops, romantic wedding cakes are a beautiful finishing touch for your wedding meal.

Photocredit: Row 1- Derek & Diane Photography, Kuirsta & Seth Photography, Kuirsta & Seth Photography, Karlo Photography Row 2- Karlo Photography, Kelsey Kradel Photography, With Love & Embers, Higher Focus Studios Row 3- Sonlight Imaging, Joyeuse Photography, Karlo Photography, Jamie Brashear Photography

The Chanteclaire Farm Tasting Event

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Twice a year Chanteclaire Farm hosts a tasting event for our contracted couples.  The group tasting allows us to prepare all of our most popular recipes, including specialty items like our famous cornmeal and honey cake.  It's also a time when Leigh gets to guide couples through the stages of their wedding day, giving invaluable advice as to how to create the best wedding experience for the couple and their guests.  Each April and September, about twenty- of our couples and their families gather at the farm to participate in this all day event.  

Photocredit: Shannon Gray                            Leigh conferring with Ann, our booking manager, on the day's events.

Photocredit: Shannon Gray                                              A Chanteclaire team member prepares for beverage service.

Our guests began their tasting experience in the lower grange, home of our cocktail hour.  They sipped on our signature lemonades while discussing event timing, rehearsal dinners, and decorative ideas.

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

The tasting continued upstairs in the dining room where our receptions are held.  Tablescapes were created with items from Chanteclaire's treasure trove of decorative accessories (available for use by our couples).  Our linen options were laid out so color choices could be explored.

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Our kitchen staff was busy preparing and plating the many entree and side dish options available for tasting.

Photocredit: Shannon Gray                                                        

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Outside Baby Blue and Beau Coup were available for a peek.  Couples can reserve the classic car or truck for photo ops or a ride to and from their ceremony.

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Cake tasting is always a sweet finale for the event, especially when it includes our favorite pie and cookie flavors too.

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

We want to thank each of you for attending, and hope that you found the information as helpful as the food was delicious.  We'd like to thank Shannon Gray for being with us for the event, and the beautiful photography she captured.

Where We Come From- Part 1

A Farm is Born

Three miles southeast of Friendsville, MD lies a parcel of land known as Elder Hill.  While those frequenting our blog have come to know this area as Chanteclaire Farm, a breathtaking haven for elegant country weddings, the history of the spot runs much deeper.

Photocredit: A. Burns, 1980

Friendsville was named for it’s first European settler, John Friend.  If you spend any time in Garrett County, you are sure to run into several people with the surname Friend.  John first entered the area known to the Shawnee as the Hunter’s Bowl in the mid-1700’s.  By the 1820s lumber, coal, mining, and the railroad created a population big enough to sustain restaurants, saloons, three hotels, and an opera house. 

John’s grandson, Jonathan, purchased what is now Chanteclaire Farm in 1835 and had built the log cabin for himself and his family by 1840. 

From the article Jonathan Friend House at Elder HIll, by Ina Claire Hicks- Friendship News, May/June 1996

Jon was known for building sides so straight you could immediately cover them with siding.  This is why, from the outside, the cabin looks sided, but inside you see the original log and chinking.  Our favorite part of the cabin, by far, is the attic.  Take a peek up there and you’ll see tree trunks, still with their bark, holding up the roof.  

By the late 1970s the cabin had fallen into disrepair.  In 1981 a Garrett County native who spent his childhood at the farm began restoring the cabin.  He dismantled the fascia of the cabin, rebuilt its supports, and then replaced every board and stone exactly as it had been.  To maintain historical integrity, each board and stone was numbered as it was removed, and replaced in its exact original location.

Photocredit: A. Burns, 1980

In 1870 Jon’s son built the bank barn in which we dine and dance today.  At this point the farm was fully productive, with cows in the lower level and hay upstairs.

By 1896 Jon’s grandson was now involved in the family farm, and they were prosperous enough to build the farmhouse where today’s brides love to ready themselves.  

Photocredit: A. Burns, 1980

These buildings are surrounded by half a dozen outbuildings holding farm equipment and sundries.  The old carriage house is a favorite for photos – you can still picture bringing horses to it and attaching them to the carriage for a ride into town.  Below, a cooling room stored milk and other goods the family wanted to be able to dip into the passing stream to keep cold.

Photocredit: Leigh Clarke

Photocredit: A. Burns, 1980

Our connection to the community through the Friend family homes is one we cherish. John Friend’s descendants founded the Friend Family Association 40 years ago, including the National Headquarters and Family History Museum, both located in Friendsville, MD.  For more information, please visit their website at www.friendfamilyassociation.com.

Style & Nuance- Wedding Shoes

“A Woman with Good Shoes is Never Ugly”

— Coco Chanel

Photocredit: Derek & Diane

Here at Chanteclaire Farm we admit to being a bit shoe obsessed.  There's nothing quite as satisfying as finding a gorgeous pair, and spending the next few days daydreaming about the perfect outfit to wear with them.  If shoes are that important on a regular day, you can imagine how captivating  it can be for brides to find the perfect pair for the biggest day of their life.

Being a farm that specializes in outdoor ceremonies, there are a few practical considerations to keep in mind.  We love a good pair of stilettos, but they don't pair particularly well with soft grass.  Don't let this make you think for a second that the sky isn't the limit in choosing the most amazing pair for your big day at Chanteclaire Farm.  Here are just a few examples of swoon-worthy shoes our beautiful brides have rocked in recent seasons.

A hint of bling peeking out from your gown is fun and gorgeous.

Photocredit: Joyeuse Photography

Flats are far from boring when they're made of delicate lace.

Photocredit: Kuirsta & Seth

We're in love with the sparkly rhinestone accent on these ballet flats.

Photocredit: Karlo Photography

These booties hit the mark on so many levels- ruffle trim, gorgeous lace, and a delicate bow accent on the back.

Photocredit: Karlo Photography

Photocredit: Karlo Photography

Boots are a fun choice, especially with the delicate lace detail

Photocredit: Higher Focus Studios

Two brides are better than one...and two pairs of matching teal flats are made even more adorable with the gold accents.

Photocredit: Chad Heller

We were swooning for these green peep toe classics.

Photocredit: Leah Hewitt

These bright red heeled oxfords manage to be fun and comfy at the same time.

Photocredit- Cassidy Duhon

We love the saturated color of these royal blue beauties, and polka dots are always a yes.

Photocredit- Karlo Photography

Now it's your turn, Chanteclaire ladies.  Show us your favorite pics of your wedding shoes to inspire this season's brides.

Baby Blue

Everyone who loves Chanteclaire Farm also loves Beau, our vintage blue Ford truck.   But recently we decided that Beau needed a classy little sister for our couples to enjoy. 

We are proud to introduce....Baby Blue!

Baby is a gorgeous 1965 Triumph TR4, available for our couples starting in the 2016 wedding season.   

The Triumph was the epitome of the British sports car in the 1960s, driven by wealthy men wearing racing gloves, a blazer and a wool tweed cap.  They raced through the countryside, and pulled magnificently up to their humble castles.    

Here is a cousin of Baby Blue's in a scene from The Avengers TV Series, 1961-1969Ep. 6.04.

Chanteclaire Farm sprinkles this country chic ideal over the American countryside, so we think Baby Blue will fit in perfectly.

Right now she is snuggled in a garage for the winter, but we can't wait to get the first shots of her with a Bride and Groom waving goodbye down the lane.  Email leigh@chanteclairefarm.com if you'd like to learn more about featuring her at your event.