Spring 2023 Southern Maryland Wedding

You are Invited to

Under theVeil

& Beyond the Bowtie

2023 WEDDING TREND REVEAL EVENT

Sunday, February 26th, 2023 - 1 to 4 pm Kent Island Resort

500 Kent Manor Drive, Stevensville, MD

Under the Veil is a Chesapeake Bay Wedding event highlighting 2023 trends in a new way. Held in the elegantly rustic Farmstead at Kent Island Resort, attendees will be able to connect with vendors across the entire Chesapeake Bay region to craft a wedding day of their dreams. This edition of our magazine will highlight the emerging trends, the event will further elaborate what’s in. Be part of our exclusive faux wedding set ups, showing off design ideas in an immersive and realistic way.

To the outside eye, the region that surrounds the Chesapeake Bay is rural. Perhaps it is even a mystery, an unknown land. But not to us.

Although our team lives in the Upper Chesapeake region of Cecil, Harford or Baltimore counties, Southern Maryland or the Eastern Shore, each edition of Chesapeake Bay Wedding gives us a chance to learn more about our home. We are so lucky and delighted to share that with you.

Come on this journey with us as we delve into the beauty of our region, of historical venues and serene waterways. This edition, we are even more excited because we really feel like we get to be a part of the latest and up-and-coming trends.

I haven’t even mentioned the best part yet! In conjunction with the publishing of this magazine, we are also simultaneously debuting our first ever Chesapeake Bay Wedding event. We have partnered with incredible vendors from around the region to showcase the trends of 2023. We will be at the Kent Island Resort (more on that beautiful location later in these pages) on Feb. 26.

Our mission to highlight the wonderful places, people and vendors of Maryland has never been more clear and opportune. The best part is you get to be a part of it with us. It’s why every edition we welcome your submissions and value your feedback. Want to be a part of this with us? Want to let us know how we are doing? Don’t hesitate to reach out!

We can’t wait to hear from you and share your story.

Eli Wohlenhaus

Have ideas for what you want to see in Chesapeake Bay Wedding magazine? Email me at ewohlenhaus@chespub.com.

PRESIDENT

Jim Normandin

jim.normandin@adamspg.com

PUBLISHER

Betsy Griffin bgriffin@chespub.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Eli Wohlenhaus ewohlenhaus@chespub.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Jennifer Quinn jquinn@chespub.com

ADVERTISING

Brook Ash bash@chespub.com

Tyler Edwards tedwards@chespub.com

CIRCULATION

Chad Campbell ccampbell@chespub.com

CONTRIBUTING CONTENT CREATORS

Audrey Wozny, Caroline Shively Sucher, Tara Zarilla, Jenn Quinn, Katie Begley, Denise Lew, Meredith Dean, Natalie Jones, Dkin Photography, Niambi Davis

DISTRIBUTION:

Chesapeake Bay Wedding will help couples plan their special destination wedding around the Bay.

Queen Annes

Caroline

Talbot

Anne Arundel

Prince George’s

Newark Baltimore Charles

St. Mary’s Calvert

11,000

Target dropped in high traffic locations.

3,100 home delivery inserted in the Cecil Whig.

Full list can be viewed at chesapeakebaywedding.com

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Harford

About the Cover OUR TRENDS: BRIGHT

& AIRY, DARK & MOODY, ANTIQUE & VINTAGE

STYLED SHOOT

STORY BY ELI WOHLENHAUS & CAROLINE SHIVELY SUCHER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RIVER LANE PHOTOGRAPHY & JENNQUINN CREATIVE

LOCATIONS: LES PETITS BISOUS & THE LIRIODENDRON MANSION

It happens all the time in Hallmark movies — a cute couple meets in a quaint town with decorations for the season and, of course, love in the air. The romantic scene is the perfect setting for a life of bliss.

That’s what we found at Emily Yeatman’s bakery, Les Petits Bisous. Our couple, Chris & Kateri Brohawn, gave us that picturesque setting just two blocks from the Susquehanna River.

LOCATIONS

Les Petits Bisous lespetitsbisous.com

100 N Washington St. Havre de Grace, MD

The Liriodendron Mansion liriodendron.com

502 West Gordon St. Bel Air, MD

PHOTOGRAPHERS

River Lane Photography riverlanephotography.com

JennQuinn Creative jennquinncreative.com

HAIR & MAKEUP

Liz Gondeck - Revelry Hair Studio revelryhairstudio.com

FLORALS

Wildly Native Flower Farm wildlynativeflowerfarm.com

BAKED GOODS

Les Petits Bisous lespetitsbisous.com

STATIONARY DESIGN

JennQuinn Creative jennquinncreative.com

BRIGHT & AIRY

BRIGHT & AIRY

SIMPLE BACKGROUNDS WITH NATURAL VIBRANT COLORS.

In May 2019, Emily left her career as an English teacher to pursue her dream of baking. Her specialty? Macarons, which are sweet meringue-based confections made with egg white, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond meal and food coloring.

“When you take a bite it pops in your mouth and as you chew, the flavors come alive,” Emily said.

Emily welcomed us in with open arms and our team was able to bond with the assembled team, which included Liz Gondeck on hair and makeup. She is the co-owner of Revelry Hair Studio in Bel Air.

Liz is no stranger to this world, as she has been in salons since she was 14. Chris and Kateri are also no strangers to their craft.

In 2013, Chris started RAR Brewing with his high school buddy, JT Merryweather, in Cambridge. Kateri joined the staff as a bartender in 2015 and not long after that, they began dating. On Sept. 24, 2022, on a friend’s property in Cambridge, the two were officially wed.

This was our most unique cover shoot, as we focused on more than one location. From Le Petits Bisous in downtown Havre de Grace to the Liriodendron Mansion in Bel Air, we hopefully have brought you some of the best that Harford County has to offer.

At the Liriodendron, brides who kiss their grooms under a gilded chandelier or dance the night away on the historic grounds could be walking straight out of a photo from 1898.

DARK & MOODY

The Georgian Revival style mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is as beautiful as its namesake. Liriodendron (pronounced leeree-o-dendron) is the botanical name for the tulip poplar, the magnificent trees found throughout the 100-acre property in Bel Air, Maryland.

Fittingly for a wedding venue, the house was constructed by a man to please his wife. Dr. Howard Kelly, one of the founders of Johns Hopkins Medical College, had it built as a summer home for his beloved, reminiscent of her childhood spent in European villas. That effort to please remains the motto of the property 125 years later.

“The Liriodendron will help you create a celebration that is perfectly, uniquely yours. Our elegant setting and attentive staff will make sure your special day is everything you imagined,” according to the property’s website, https://liriodendron.com.

ANTIQUE & VINTAGE

Bridal parties have full use of the mansion and grounds on their big day. Before the ceremony, brides can prepare in a three-room suite while the men can lounge in the spacious Grooms Room. The venue hosts weddings for up to 120 people followed by an intimate buffet or a formal sit-down dinner.

They can choose from an indoor ceremony with the bride making her entrance down a formal staircase or use one of several outdoor spaces including a wisteriacovered terrace.

For wedding parties considering the Liriodendron, open house hours are held most Wednesday afternoons, and on the Second Sunday of each month. CBW

READ MORE ONLINE...

TIPS

Find helpful posts about avoiding the jitters, creative invitations, fun favors.

REGIONAL VENDORS

Looking for a vendors in your area? Check out our regional pages to see who near you for any part of your wedding.

READ OUR PAST EDITIONS

Wish you could find a story from last year? Or can’t get enough of us? Check out our past editions all on our site.

EVENTS

Looking to be a guest at a Chesapeake Bay Wedding Magazine event? See what we have going on and make sure to sign up.

ADVERTISE

We want you to be part! Contact us about advertising in at our events, online and in our upcoming editions.

PHOTO CONTEST SUPERLATIVES

MOST ETHEREAL

Location: OLDE BRETON INN

Photographer: BE STILL PHOTOGRAPHY

Sophie & Patrick

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

Location: THE WINSLOW BALTIMORE

Photographer: JENNY B PHOTOGRAPHY

Shelby & Nathan

Check out some of our other favorite photos submitted to the Chesapeake Bay Wedding magazine Photo Contest. We hope to see yours next issue!

Annie & Mike

MOST UNIQUE

Location: FALSTON, MD + DOUBLE T DINER

Photographer: MORGAN SHOOTS FILM

Shania & Terrez

MOST ROYAL

Location: MAGNOLIA MANOR

Photographer: SHAYLA NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Kent Island RESORT & FARMSTEAD

STORY BY NIAMBI DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIYAH C PHOTOGRAPHY

Down a long tree-lined country lane, Kent Island Resort stands as a witness to the sentiment that “life is good on the Eastern Shore.” To many Kent Island locals, the property’s past is as important as its rebirth.

Deborah Terhune, Kent Island Resort Corporate Sales Manager, knows as much about the history of Kent Manor Resort as she does about the current property.

“I’ve done extensive research on the house, the genealogy of its families and its history,” said Terhune. “It’s a story of family history, principles and a series of 19th and 20th-century home improvements.”

According to Terhune, Dr. John Smyth owned the original property. His daughter Sarah married Dr. Samuel Thompson, who built the left side of the house in 1820. When Sarah passed away in 1843, she left the 309 acres and the house to her son Alexander.

Between 1861 and 1864 Alexander built the middle section. Because Alexander’s brother John was Stevensville’s Episcopal priest for 16 years, and because the family did not believe in indentured servitude or enslavement, the land was never a working plantation. Instead, it remained a working farm. When Thompson passed away his third wife and two daughters sold the property in the late 1800s.

From that point, it passed through several families and

many names. It was owned by the Bright family, and was known at one time as Pennyworth and later Kent Hall.

“We’ve found artifacts on the property that carries the name Kent Hall Farm,” said Terhune, noting the property stood empty for years until a third wing was added in 1987.

In October 2020, the VivaMee Signature Collection purchased Kent Manor Inn. In French, the name translates to restoring the soul; in this instance, restoration became synonymous with renovation.

Chicken coops were transformed into office and conference meeting spaces. A beautiful barn was

constructed from the ground up with a capacity for 300 guests. The garden house and pavilion, overlooking farmland and Thompson’s Creek, are the resort’s latest renovations. The building originally constructed by Dr. Samuel Thompson in 1820 now houses the 18Twenty Bar and Restaurant.

The reputation of Kent Island Resort, both as a premiere wedding and corporate destination can be counted in last year’s numbers.

“We had 178 weddings this past season, and 82 corporate events between May 1 and Dec. 31,” said Terhune. “We do not have a Friday or Saturday night available in the barn for 2023.”

Behind this success are teamwork and the determination to give clients and guests the best experience possible. Cheyenne and Naomi, Resort wedding coordinators, want each bride to feel as if they’re part of the family. That means answering a 9 p.m. email or phone call, if it will make brides feel at ease and that they have the team’s undivided attention. As much as it’s work, in their opinions, it’s also fun to work with the couple, the chefs, the florists and the bands to create the couple’s vision for their wedding.

“When I think of an Eastern Shore wedding, I think of Shore hospitality in a setting incomparable to anywhere else,” Terhune said. “Among the resort’s most memorable weddings was a ceremony for which the entire wedding party arrived by boat. We’ve had everything from simple elegant ceremonies to outrageous, colorful and extravagant celebrations.”

Perhaps equally as memorable was one weekend with two weddings on Friday, two on Saturday, and two on Sunday with 780 people on the property at the same time.

“And everything went off without a hitch.”

As much as the Kent Island Resort is known for its weddings, its corporate, social and family events are equally as popular and crafted with the wishes of its clients in mind. Near the top of individually crafted events was a 106-person, 5-day family reunion with a crab feast, a big banquet, and a day spent at Talisman Therapeutic Riding Center. More than a horseback ride, it was a hands-on experience in which the family helped build paddocks and cleaned tack.

“It was one of our most memorable events,” Terhune said.

What makes all this come together is the company’s core values — what it means to be a team and to give their guests a fabulous experience. They’ve all pitched in to do each other’s jobs.

“There’s no such thing as ‘it’s not my job.’ We do what’s necessary and if that means washing a bathroom floor in your Easter dress it gets done,” Terhune emphasized.

The Kent Island Resort has become involved with the Queen Anne’s County Office of Economic and Tourism Development, supported Talbot County’s Waterfowl Festival as a hospitality sponsor, and partnered with Talisman Therapeutic Riding Center.

On March 4, the resort will host a gala featuring Jason Morton for the Giving Edge Foundation. The group’s mission is “to help young people to grow into successful, caring, responsible, and productive adults by building partnerships and community support.

“We’re trying to promote goodwill in the community and county,” said Terhune.

The Kent Island Resort will also be home to the inaugural Under the Veil & Beyond the Bowtie 2023 wedding trend reveal event, hosted by Chesapeake Bay Wedding magazine, which will take place on Sunday, Feb. 26, from 1-4 p.m.

To find out why you should plan an event, a weekend, or a day at Kent Island Resort, go to kentislandresort.com for a complete listing of activities at this “lovingly restored Eastern Shore gem with a 200-year legacy of hospitality.” CBW

Discoverthe rustic elegance of aweddingin CarolineCounty, Maryland! Hereyou’ll findstunning venues brimmingwith historic charmand character, includingCow BarnEvents in Ridgely. Be open forromance. Go to VisitCaroline.org.

HAPP ILY EV ER AFTER OP EN FO R

The White Rose WEDDING VENUE

STORY BY CAROLINE SHIVELY SUCHER PHOTOGRAPHY BY TARA ZARILLA, RG SOCIAL

explained with a laugh. “Now I can read the room and guide them through those rough spots.”

When Patty Sparks says she knows weddings from every angle, she means it. Patty has been a caterer for decades and most recently a venue owner and events coordinator. But the job where she learned the most about weddings was in a very different role.

Mother of the bride.

“When I was seeing it before, I knew the moms and daughters were fussing, but when we went through it, I finally understood it,” the owner of The White Rose

You might call that dynamic her specialty – making sure everyone is satisfied, including the wedding party, guests, groom, mom and most especially the bride.

Or as Patty puts it: “I have to come up with a plan that meets the mom’s budget but gives the bride her Pinterest vision.”

Patty is taking all that experience and pouring it into The White Rose, a wedding and events venue in

A PLAN THAT MEETS THE MOM’S BUDGET BUT GIVES THE BRIDE HER PINTEREST VISION

Callaway, Md., located in the Shops at 5 South. The white brick and black trim of the elegant building houses a stunning interior that can hold a 600-person wedding or a more intimate event of just 30.

Patty is also the owner of Personalized Touch Catering, which can provide the food for weddings at The White Rose or brides can choose their own. At every job she’s catered over the years, Patty took notes on the different venues about what worked and what didn’t. From parking to the location of the catering trucks to how far guests had to walk to get to the ceremony.

Before she opened The White Rose in May 2022, she consulted that notebook to put together an elegant, functional venue where the wedding party can focus on the fun and Patty and her team can take on all the little details.

“Our venue is geared to weddings,” Patty said. “It looks like there should be a wedding there as soon as you walk in. The only thing you need to do is come in with centerpieces, and maybe a backdrop behind the head table. It’s a very easy set up for a

wedding because everything is pretty much already there.”

The main room can be cleared out to make room for huge weddings or broken into what Patty calls “conversation areas,” groupings of chairs and tables and bistro tables where guests can gather and catch up with old friends.

“It feels homey, and people gravitate to those areas, especially women. It’s basically a couch and a couple of seats. It gives it another layer and makes it feel more intimate.”

The venue also has a farm table and wooden cabinet for desserts and an antique table that can be used for cake.

Then there’s the bridal suite.

“It’s really huge,” she said. “We have four stations, the girls can get made up, there’s a coffee table with a couch and table and a counter with food on it, a changing room, a bathroom. We bring you food so you’re ready and happy when the ceremony starts.”

Patty said she likes to guide the process from “birth to death,” from the planning to the cleanup. She estimates that 25 percent of brides come in with a book and an idea of exactly what they want, and 75 percent don’t know what they’re doing. It’s up to Patty to turn those “Pinterest visions” into reality.

“We do their timeline for them and lay out their wedding,” she said. “We will sit down and say, ‘Hey, this is the beginning all the way through to the end,’ and I usually give them a sample of how things can go.”

With the venue that can hold dozens or hundreds, and a menu of plans for food and decorations and rentals, the possibilities are only limited to the bride’s imagination.

“There is no tradition anymore. It used to be that most weddings were all alike, but people are all over the joint now, you can do whatever you want. My daughter only had two females in her wedding party. The rest were males.”

The same goes for food. While some brides and grooms go for the traditional cake, Patty has also done weddings at The White Rose with cheesecakes and donuts and even pie.

The White Rose is also seeing more and more wedding parties from outside the St. Mary’s area, more from Washington, DC and Annapolis.

Patty says one reason is affordability. “If you compare a $10,000 wedding in St. Mary’s and one in Annapolis, the difference is night and day. If I go to Annapolis and think I’m going to rent a place for a couple thousand dollars, then they’ll probably just laugh.” Another reason is the setting.

“I feel like in St. Mary’s, the people will be different than what you see in the city. Everyone is pretty gracious and different from what you see in the city. When someone gets married here from up the road, they feel like it’s

more peaceful here, a little more scenic,” Patty said. But she also cautions, “If you’re a bride who wants hustle and bustle this may not be your location.”

No matter what the size of the wedding or the food served, Patty says she focuses on the wedding party, marked by her experience as mother of the bride.

“I can feel the bride’s nervousness, the mom’s love for her, I know what they are feeling like because I’ve been there.”

That experience has also helped Patty understand where to save money and where to splurge, and she passes on that knowledge to her brides.

So, did that work at her own daughter’s wedding?

“Oh, no. Her wedding blew the budget!” Patty admitted with a laugh.

For more information on The White Rose and vendors across the St. Mary’s area, wedding parties are invited to attend a bridal show February 19th from 1-4 p.m. The location is 21030 Point Lookout Rd, Callaway, MD 20620. In addition to the vendors, the winner of the Southern Maryland Love Story contest will be announced, with the grand prize a free wedding package at The White Rose Hall. CBW

Features waterfront roomsina serene setting, with magnificent viewsofthe Chesapeake Bay, convenientlylocated at Kent Narrows, andcloseto Eastern Shore’spremier weddingvenues.

Bridesmaids

The people in your bridal party are so important that you want them by your side the day you marry the love of your life. It’s fun to hear about the wedding and the parties leading up to it from their point of view. Tales from these bridesmaids tell of personalizaed bachelorettes, to the ultimate bachelorette trip and doing everything long distance.

Flannel Fun

Meredith was a bridesmaid for Cedar’s wedding. Best friends since their freshman year at Fairmont State University, they met in a Christian group called Chi Alpha. They are as thick as thieves.

Not only did Cedar ask Meredith to be part of the wedding party, she also asked Meredith to take the engagement photos and build the wedding arch. The couple found a love of the outdoors together and wanted ways to bring that into their wedding day and even the parties before.

The bachelorette party was perfect for the personalities of the group. Instead of bar hopping or sitting on the beach, these women opted to have a flannel party. It played out a little like the sleepovers we all enjoyed and now miss. Everyone wore their own flannel, keeping it casual and comfy for a night in.

Pottery painting, Buffalo Wild Wings and a big game night. Everyone got a chance to get to know each other better, enjoyed the luxury of a hotel stay and took turns trying to convince Cedar to get the lingerie they had found online.

Submitted photo: Left to right: Bridesmaids Hannah, Laci, Shelby, Meredith, and bride Cedar

Nashville Nights

Natalie, bridesmaid for Rachel, met her freshman year at the University of Maryland on the sailing team. They grew to be friends as they served on the executive board for two years and made sure planning regattas got done and operations went smoothly. One of six bridesmaids, Natalie was part of the bachelorette trip to Nashville, Tenn.

Being her first bachelorette party, she didn’t know what to expect but found it to be incredible. Meeting the bride’s closest friends and celebrating was just what a bachelorette is for.

“The various things we did in Nashville were fun of course, but seeing our beautiful bride

glowing with happiness and love as she had a fantastic time surrounded by her favorite people was the most special part,” said Natalie.

There were definitely some highlights to the weekend long party. The group started the trip off on Friday with a daytime tiki boat cruise outside of the city. Later that evening, they got a pretty great bachelorette staple into the itinerary, the Music City Gents.

Saturday’s favorite was the afternoon pole dancing class and then moving on to bar hopping on Broadway. They ended the trip with a Sunday morning pedal tavern tour of downtown Nashville and Broadway.

Planning Process

2023 Maid of Honor to two spring brides, Jennifer is enjoying the fun and stress of the weddings coming up soon. Dress buying and planning takes on new challenges when one of the brides lives across the country in Utah.

Both brides are Jennifer’s lifelong best friends, meeting Casey (the Utah bride) in kindergarten and becoming instant besties, and meeting Danielle when they were 8 years old and becoming super close.

Planning bachelorette parties for these two brides is coming up but they aren’t your typical ideas. Making them perfect for each of them feels as important as any of the other parts of the Maid of Honor job.

For Casey, the struggle is that she is very far away and won’t be back in Maryland until close to the wedding, so the plan has two parts. A custom bride box to help her feel the excitement of the upcoming day, and the second part is a night out on the town a few days before the wedding, making sure everyone has time to recuperate.

For Danielle, she’s a busy woman but isn’t into the night scene. The plan for her is a day of calm and some pampering. A mini spa day, lunch, nails done is part of what would make a day great for her.

Tips from the bridesmaids

FROM MEREDITH:

• On the wedding day, if something could go wrong, or did go wrong: Do not tell the bride! If you can’t help, talk to the wedding planner.

• Learn how to tie a tie, you never know when a groomsman or groom will need the help.

• Don’t forget to embrace the bride.

FROM NATALIE:

• Plan more downtime than you think you need in between excursions on your bachelorette trip, especially if your events aren’t within walking distance of where you’re staying. Traffic exists even on bachelorette trips! It’s important to make sure that everyone has enough time to eat, get ready, take a break, etc. — this will make sure all of the bridesmaids (and the bride!) are relaxed and not stressed about timing or feeling exhausted bouncing from one event to the next. Don’t forget to get easy snacks!

• Download the Splitwise app to easily handle evenly splitting bills for Ubers, dinners, drinks and groceries. Make sure you save your receipts!

• If conflicts arise that don’t involve the bride at all (drama between the bridesmaids, etc), try your best to keep the bride away from it! The overall goal of the bachelorette party is to celebrate the bride and have fun, and it’s not fair to her to handle interpersonal issues when she should be having fun.

• On the wedding day - Appoint one person (who hasn’t had their hair done yet) ahead of time to steam bridesmaids’ dresses and the bride’s veil.

• Carry a little emergency kit with fashion tape, bandaids, breath mints, chapstick, etc.

FROM JENNIFER:

• Don’t worry about the typical bachelorette plans, and just plan something you know the bride and the group can enjoy.

• Get your bridesmaid’s dress as soon as you can, it will weigh on you if you let that task sit.

• Find little ways to keep yourself calm and then you can help the bride stay calm and feeling excited.

2023WEDDING TRENDS

Film Photography

Embracing the old while celevrating the new is a big deal this year. Film photography is a perfect example. The beauty of a film photo can capture the feeling in a way that traditional digital photography does not. Have a friend with a bit of film experience? Might be the perfect addition to your wedding album

Geometric Details Volume

Mixing florals with geometric shapes has been a trend for a while but continues to grow. Covering stationary or tables in strictly flowers is a thing of the past, bringing in shapes allows for more dimension and textures. Consider new ways; fun table shapes, creative decor, geometric beading on the wedding attire?

Sleek and smooth don’t have to be at battle with volume. Using volume in wedding clothing makes for a more playful look, whether it be for the ceremony or just for the reception. Even bringing it into your decorations can make your venue feel more like a dream.

Creative Lighting

Lanterns, candles, a discoball? Another way to make a wedding your own is to play with the lighting. Using your own accent lighting can transform a space into something magical.

Photo by JennQuinn Creative

PARTY

STORY BY JENNIFER QUINN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DKIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Pets

Our pets are family. Some of the most important guests at the wedding are those we see everyday, and pets are no exception. Many couples are planning for ways to make them a part of the big day.

Cristin and David Kelley made sure their furry best friends were by their sides as they officially became a family. Ellie and Dusty were even a part of the bar menu, each being a signature drink. During the ceremony, Ellie had a few things to say, making sure the bride was always in sight. Dusty couldn’t get enough of the love in the air and the pats on his head.

Ellie, a Boxer-Pitbull mix, is Cristin’s best friend. Nothing beats walks around Chestertown or trips to the family home in Philadelphia. Since the day Ellie was adopted from Puppy Paws Rescue Maryland in 2018, the pair have been inseparable.

Dusty and David have been pals for almost 8 years, when David took him in summer of 2015. The 10 year old Chesapeake Retriever couldn’t have a better

home, loving all types of attention and belly rubs. The term “man’s best friend” is certainly true with these two. Not only are Ellie and Dusty important to their humans, they are important to each other. Dusty is a comfort, “essentially Ellie’s emotional support companion” said the bride.

On Feb. 1, 2021, David got down on one knee in Worton Park and proposed. The surprise was made better having the dogs, and they even helped to disguise the true nature of the outing. Walks in the park and adventures with the dogs were a big part of their relationship. They knew the dogs had to be a part of the wedding day.

Dusty is always up for anything but Ellie was the worry. Making sure to think of everything was what made this day possible. The venue had to be OK with dogs, be close to home and there had to be someone to take the dogs home after the photos. Everything worked out perfectly. Great Oak Manor was great with the dogs, a family friend would rather

hangout with the pups and miss cocktail hour mingling and the dogs were on their best behavior.

Practice was the true hero.

The dogs got time in front of a camera at engagement photos as well as experiencing new places like Wildly Native Flower Farm and the Chestertown Farmers Market. On the day of, Dusty got his fill of attention, hanging with the groomsmen and watching everyone come down the aisle while Ellie waited until she saw Cristin. The second she was in sight, Ellie’s eyes never left her.

The day wouldn’t have been the same without these kind creatures.

David and Dusty had their own moment and laugh getting Dusty upstairs to hang out with all the men. He loved the “Best Dog” treatment.

CBW

BEST

DRESSED

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DKIN PHOTOGRAPHY

CONSIDERATIONS:

Before adding Fido or Garfield to your wedding program, consider a few questions:

• Does your pet behave around large groups?

• You’ll be a bit busy, so will your pet follow instructions from someone other than you?

• Does your venue allow pets to be present?

• If yes, is there an extra fee associated?

Animal-lovers want to included their furry family in all aspects of their lives — even getting married. The wedding industry is ripe with dog and cat accessories that will help your pet fit right in to your wedding party.

Don’t have a ring bearer? Use your dog. Need an adorable pet addition to your wedding photos? Include your cat.

From pet tuxedos to dog ring pillows, there are specialty shops online and in your own backyard that will be more than happy to prove the perfect pet accessory for your special day.

PET PRACTICE

You know pets — creatures of habit. And if yours isn’t used to wearing little pet clothing, you may consider letting them get used to it weeks ahead of your wedding day.

Your dog may need time to adjust to wearing a ring pillow tied around its neck or a skirt tied around its back. Letting your pet do so ahead of time will help teach it not to eat or rip apart these items.

The same goes for your favorite feline. Let the cat get used to a new custom cat collar, T-shirt or bow. The more comfortable the pet is in its new attire, the smoother your ceremony and reception will go.

CBW

If you feel confident after answering these questions, proceed with the miniature tuxedo order.

If not, there are other ways you can incorporate your pet into your special day. Add the pet to your invitation photos or include pictures on table settings.

If you have enough time to coordinate, ask your photographer to include your pet in your engagement photos.

Truly CinkCustomArt

STORY BY DENISE LEW

BY KATIE BEGLEY

PHOTOGRAPHY

Aseasoned wedding artist, Cink DeVeas never imagined that one day, her inherent artistic talents would transform into a full-fledged business and enrich the lives of couples to be wed. Founded in Severna Park, Cink Art LLC specializes in hand drawn art for wedding invitations, stationery and accessories, all tailored and customized for wedding couples.

For the past 25 years, DeVeas has enjoyed creating a multitude of drawings of prominent landmarks, historical churches and wedding venues in the Annapolis area. Notable buildings include the United States Naval Academy, Historic Inns of Annapolis, Chesapeake Bay Beach Club and the William Paca House.

“I have always loved to draw and paint since I was very little and had an uncle who was an artist who encouraged and taught me some specific skills,” said DeVeas.

After obtaining a college degree in health education and an MFA in graphic design, DeVeas worked in the health sector and graphic design for a number of years, while freelancing in artwork. In 1986, just one fortuitous event would forever change the course of her career.

“My husband told his boss that I could draw the United States Naval Academy (USNA) Chapel and make his daughter’s wedding invitations. It was something I had never done, but I stepped up to the plate,” DeVeas recalled. “I blame the whole business on my husband since he started everything with the request from his boss. He even named the company when I could not think of a name after the wedding coordinator at the Academy asked me to put up a display in the Officer’s Club,” DeVeas laughed.

And the rest, they say, is history.

“I did wedding invitations for the Naval Academy and slowly other customers for the next few decades until making the invitations my full time business in 2015,” she said. “That freed up more time to create the artwork my customers want and use today.”

One of DeVeas’ absolute favorite and unique wedding projects took place at a large barn in Westminster.

“The bride was an animal lover after growing up on the farm with a veterinarian Dad,” she said. “The family raised sheep and kept all kinds of animals on the farm which were a big part of the invitation’s design.”

“We were married on my childhood farm, and the animals and plants, as well as the historic structures are precious to me,” said Susanna, the bride. “I wanted to give our guests a taste of the joy we experience being at Good Fellowship Farm and the celebration amongst our sweet creatures and vegetation. Cink is incredibly organized and supportive of crazy ideas, making

CUSTOM DESIGNS CAN BE HAD WITHIN MANY WEDDING BUDGETS AND YOU CAN’T BEAT PERSONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR SOMETHING THIS IMPORTANT!

them a beautiful reality! I think our wedding was a gargantuan task, and she kept us on track with impeccable grace and care.”

Last October was another memorable wedding venture for DeVeas, yet this time, both as an artist and proud mother.

“There is the ultimate pleasure of creating all the stationery for your own son’s wedding; a total delight,” DeVeas said. “I did a painting of their venue, Brittland Estates, on the belly band and a sketch for their save the date.”

Also, years before, at her son’s college graduation, DeVeas had gifted him with a gorgeous sketch of the Rotunda, which is the architectural heart and symbol of the University of Virginia, also lined with Jeffersonian architecture.

Nowadays, Deveas continues to enjoy helping wedding couples prepare for their special day with her beautiful handiwork.

“My favorite aspect about doing weddings is working with customers to provide the products that help form the entire event (such as) the creation

aspect of each customer’s vision for their wedding invitations,” she said.

DeVeas explained her most recent project: “I usually wait for my customers to request a specific type of artwork, especially buildings and venues. After years of using my drawing of the USNA Chapel on invitations, finally someone asked me to paint the chapel, which I have wanted to do for years! I love visiting the site of any building I need to render. I spent a great afternoon on the Naval Academy yard taking photos and making sketch notes on the Chapel.”

As for new brides and grooms looking to send out invitations, DeVeas recommends checking out Cink Art’s custom design resources before opting for online invites.

“Custom designs can be had within many wedding budgets and you can’t beat personal customer service for something this important! Also give us plenty of notice (several months) so we can create the perfect stationery for you.”

CBW

For more information on Cink Art, please visit https://www.cinkart.com/

Disaster DODGE THE

STORY BY CAROLINE SHIVELY SUCHER

Perfection. That’s the goal for most brides-to-be. A wedding day filled with sunny skies, flawless decorations, perfect timing, and a new husband who doesn’t drop chocolate cake down that flawless white dress. But sometimes… that’s not what you get.

“Expect something to go wrong,” Terry Kaye, owner of Terry Kaye Events, advised. “In my 24-years of planning, I have seen it all. Just because something goes wrong it should not ruin your couple’s day.”

We thought of the worst wedding calamities (so you don’t have to) and asked Kaye plus Kate Wertsch, manager of K&B Bridals in Bel Air, for their best pro tips. Here’s their advice on how to dodge a disaster.

DISASTER

IT’S POURING RAIN ON YOUR OUTDOOR WEDDING

“Weather is one thing I cannot control on your wedding day. What I can control is planning ahead and coming up with a solid inclement weather plan. No one wants rain on their wedding day, but it is always a conversation I have with my clients. Delicate conversations are best handled early in the planning process so that all parties make hard decisions without the stress of the event taking place.”

— Terry

YOUR DRESS FIT WHEN YOU BOUGHT IT A YEAR AGO BUT NOW YOU CAN’T ZIP IT UP

“Having your last fitting with your seamstress just a few weeks prior to the wedding is the best way to make sure you’re happy with your dress on the wedding day. You want to start the process two to three months before the wedding. You don’t want to be surprised when you try your gown on right before your wedding after altering your dress months ago!”

Kate

DISASTER DISASTER

YOUR VENDORS NEED FOUR HOURS TO SET UP, BUT THE VENUE ONLY ALLOWS TWO

“Many venues have set-up and tear down restrictions. This is something you need to discuss prior to signing your venue contract. Set-up restrictions affect the budget and can challenge your vendor’s capabilities.

“To ensure your set-up and tear down goes as smoothly as possible, you will need to share these restrictions with all vendors prior to signing any contracts. Most vendors require a minimum of two to four hours for set-up… If the time is limited, vendors will need to double or triple their staff, which will up your budget. Always ask if you can add on set-up and tear down hours directly through the venue. Many charge an hourly rate which is more cost effective than your vendors adding on staffing fees.” —

Terry

DISASTER

THE GUESTS ARE AT THE DOOR AND YOUR DECORATOR IS STILL TYING BOWS ON THE PEWS

“You should always be set and ready for the earliest guests to arrive approximately 45 minutes prior to your ceremony start time. Setting a “completion” time with all vendors ensures you have a buffer in case something does not go to plan.”

— Terry

DISASTER DISASTER

YOUR BRIDESMAID RIPPED HER DRESS RIGHT BEFORE THE CEREMONY

“Throw a portable steamer, some safety pins, spare travel toiletries like deodorant and oilabsorbing wipes, and a small sewing kit into a tote bag and keep it handy!” — Kate

YOUR COUSIN’S FRIEND’S SISTER WITH NO EXPERIENCE SAID SHE COULD PLAN YOUR WEDDING BUT THEN FLAKED

“Your planner should have years of ‘real wedding’ experience under their belt so that they can handle any crisis… Create a strong and cohesive vendor team that can tackle any hiccups.”

— Terry

DISASTER

YOUR NEW HUSBAND TRIED FEEDING YOU CAKE AT THE RECEPTION BUT INSTEAD DUMPED IT DOWN YOUR DRESS

“Use spot cleaner from the wrong side or back side of the fabric and have a paper towel on the stain to easily get rid of stains from the front of your dress. Try and do it as soon as possible before the stain sets in. Dry cleaning will remove most stains in the process. We offer cleaning and preservation for brides at K&B Bridals.” — Kate

DISASTER

SOMETHING WENT WRONG AT THE WEDDING AND YOU’RE ABOUT TO FREAK

“There will be small problems that pop up on your wedding day whether you know about them or not. The important thing is to stay in the moment and don’t let these things take away from the joy of your wedding.” — Kate

MARSHALLHollie & Alan

How they met: We met through a mutual friend that talked me into modeling for a fitness shoot. We hit it off incredibly well and began talking all most daily for months.

Best Part: Reciting our vows, Alan and I have been together for almost a decade, that moment was very emotional for not just him and I but our 7 year old son as well. We were all in tears by the end of the ceremony.

Hardest Part: The hardest part was mitigating last minute changes but to weather. We chose the Beach location at Bohemia Overlook because it was a beautiful waterfront setting. On our wedding day we were dealing with hurricane Ian moving up the east coast line. Due to the high winds and rain moving in we had to move our ceremony from outdoor to indoor around 2 hours before the ceremony was set to begin. I love the rain so the the showers were welcome and made for fantastic photos.

The Proposal: We got engaged on New Year’s Day 2021. Alan designed the ring he felt I deserved and had a quote from my of my favorite book series engraved on the band. So, he wasn’t sure when it would arrive, it was delivered in time for us to start a new year and new chapter as husband and wife.

Outstanding Vendors:

Photographer: 1000 WORDS PHOTOGRAPHY - ALEXIS

CROWNOVER

DJ: KBALTIMORE EVENT SOLUTIONS - KOREY DETZ

Food:ZEFFORT & GOLD

Planner: K&L PLANNING - KERI BROCKMEYER

Location: BOHEMIA OVERLOOK

POSCHDesiray & Michael

How they met: Mike and I met via a mutual acquaintance. A coworker of mine had just moved to the area and didn’t really know anyone. She was planning to attend a work party with her husband at a local pub but didn’t want to go alone, so she asked me and another coworker if we would join her. I had been to that pub a million times and didn’t expect to meet anyone let alone my future husband. The night went fine, I had a pretty good time, but it was nothing to write home about. However, about 10 minutes before the group was moving to a different location and I decided to go home, Mike appeared through the crowd after overhearing that I was looking for someone to take a tequila shot with. I had chatted with him earlier in the night and he seemed nice, so I accepted. We spent the last few minutes talking and exchanging numbers.

We texted for a couple of weeks before we met up due to his schedule. He had just finished an overnight shift and decided that he couldn’t wait to hang out any longer. We met at a friend’s private beach just south of PAX River naval air station at 8am and hung out the entire day. We walked along the Bay collecting sea glass, shark’s teeth and really got to know each other.

The Best Part: The best part of our wedding day was bringing our friends and family together to celebrate our love. It’s hard to explain, but when you’re in love with someone, you think that you’re the only one who can feel that love. You’re not sure if everyone else gets it because they’re not “in it.” We felt it that day from everyone. It was magnified 1000%. I’ve had a ton of birthdays at this point in my life. A ton of days that have celebrated me, but there’s nothing like your wedding day and the love you feel. It’s crazy.

Special People: The boys who walked me down the aisle in my dad’s absence are from a family I nannied for many years. The twins, Jonathan and Justin were 14 at the time of the wedding. Their older brother Jordan, 18, flew home from college to be a part of our day. I felt it fitting to include them, along with their dad (the officiant) because I often joke that before my husband, the Campbell boys were the only men in my life. It was quite a long walk from the venue to the gazebo, so I had the twins walk me halfway before giving me to their older brother who officially gave me away to Mike.

Outstanding Vendors:

Photographer: REID SILVERMAN

Food: BAILEY’S CATERING

Location: OLDE BRETON INN

HENNINGKatharine & Dan 09.24.22

How they met: We have always lived intertwined lives thanks to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and the Tred Avon Yacht Club (TAYC) and we like to say we really met twice. First, Katharine was Dan’s bus girl at Latitude 38, in Oxford in 2005 but at that time the age difference was real and it was just a crush. They stayed friends over the years, running into each other at various stages of life, and it was thanks to our second meeting at TAYC the summer of 2019 that led to something more. That July 4th, it was unclear what was louder - the fireworks, or the butterflies. That same spot is where we got married three years later.

There was one more test - even more nervous than their first date on Dan’s boat “Weather or Knot,” was when Albie and Bowie met for the first time. They sniffed....their tails wagged happily, and the rest is history.

Best Part: While we absolutely loved the entire event overall, a couple key moments stick out: our first-look photos on the Oxford Bellevue Ferry, our wedding parties arriving by boat, and fire pits that really set a nice mood once the sun went down. Also, not having a sit-down dinner, but going with passed heavy hors ‘d’oeuvres and food stations gave us the opportunity to move around and spend more meaningful time with all our guests. Lastly, we really enjoyed dancing to the fun tunes from the Bachelor Boys Band.

The Proposal: Dan proposed to Katharine August 2021 in East Boothbay, Maine while visiting his family cottage. Down on the dock, for their usual sunset cocktails with the doggos, Dan got down on one knee after having the ring for only two hours, fresh off a FedEx truck that was a day late, but he (surprisingly) kept his cool. Katharine accepted enthusiastically, interrupting with “yes” not once, but twice (just as she did during our wedding ceremony!) They enjoyed a family celebration that evening after FaceTiming the Greenlee crew + friends.

Outstanding Vendors:

Photographer: WE ARE THE CASHMANS

Catering: TRED AVON YACHT CLUB

Location: ROBERT MORRIS INN, OXFORD

BELLEVUE FERRY, TRED AVON YACHT CLUB

Planner: ISLAND CREEK EVENTS

DJ & Band: THE BACHELOR BOYS BAND

HUMMINGBIRD INN

WEDDING DEST INAT ION

Victorian St yled Venue with lush landscape and private gardens in the heartofEaston, Mar yland.

Customwedding packages available and on-site ordained minister

Accommodate up to 150 wedding guests, with 6beautiful en suite rooms available.TheInn canaccommodate up to 18 overnight guests.

Avariet yofindoor and outdoor spaces to host your perfect day.

14 N. Aurora St. Easton, MD 410-822-0605

www .hummingbir

YOUR DREAM WEDDING is closer than youthink!

Start your life together in Calvert County

The county’s pastoral, waterfrontcharmcreatesthe perfect backdrop fora joyous occasionwhere alifetime of memorieswillbegin. For local venues, vendors and more visit www.VisitCalvert.com/Engaged