Chesapeake Bay Wedding Fall 2022 by APG Media of Chesapeake

wedding Chesapeake Bay

ENGAGEMENTS

The first step to creating memories before saying ‘I do’

ON LOCATION

A look at some of the area’s finest wedding venues

COUPLES

The most dazzling photos submitted by you

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◆ Restrooms

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chesapeakebaywedding.com

Well,this is a bit of a different letter to write for me. A big part of my role with APG Media of Chesapeake is managing numerous magazines and special publications that require me to write an introduction.

As I type this one, though, it has a somber feeling due to the loss of our dear friend Laura Olson. One day you’re all together as a team working to bring to life the styled shoot and the next you are grieving while still having to put together the next issue of the magazine. It has been a really hard process for us all, but we quickly realized the best way forward was to dedicate this edition to her.

So we honor Laura in this edition, memorializing her positive energy and contributions to Chesapeake Bay Wedding magazine. There wasn’t a meeting we had or a shoot we did where she wasn’t effortlessly positive and funny. Her sense of humor and ability to work through any kind of complications made working with her exciting. You’ll see that as it is written later in the magazine.

Beyond that — with her help — we present yet another edition of Chesapeake Bay Wedding magazine where we highlight the best of the region. The locations, behind-the-scenes, trends and more. Thank you for picking up our latest issue.

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

Debra Messick, Caroline Shively Sucher, Denise Lew, Matthew Langsdale, Jeff Heeney, Laura Olson, Jennifer Quinn, Audrey Wozny

DISTRIBUTION:

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

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Target dropped in high traffic locations.

3,100 home delivery inserted in the Cecil Whig.

be viewed at chesapeakebaywedding.com

Queen Annes

Talbot

Caroline

Dorchester

Kent

Cecil

Newark

Baltimore

Charles

Prince George’s

Anne Arundel

St. Mary’s

Calvert

52,000 emails sent to couples and bride’s mothers residing in the Washington DC and Baltimore area who have asked for information on Chesapeake Bay weddings Full list can

Harford

AboutCoverthe Cover

BY DERBA R. MESSICK

STYLED SHOOT | PHOTOS BY IN HIS GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY

LOCATION: HYATT REGENCY CHESAPEAKE BAY GOLF RESORT, SPA AND MARINA

From their first date to the moment they said, “I do,” Chase and Dylan Nepert’s love story never followed a traditional fairy tale script. But the surprising twists and turns seemed to only add magic to their journey together.

Offered a chance to revisit and share their memorable winter wedding for Chesapeake Bay Wedding magazine, without hesitation the couple said “we will!”

The venue may have changed, from the original remote country farm setting in Middletown, Del. (Thousand Acre Farm) to a scenic elegant enclave on the banks of the Choptank River at The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Club and Resort in Cambridge.

But Chase was still excited to put on her wedding gown, as unconcerned now as she was then that the hem of her stunning white dress was a bit discolored from kicking up

LOCATION

Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina

100 Heron Blvd. Cambridge, MD

PLANNER & DESIGNER

Maisy Cline On Cloud Cline Planning & Coordinating oncloudcline.net

PHOTOGRAPHER

Laura Olson In His Grace Photography

HAIR

Amber Gray Ohh My Hair 215-554-1806

MAKEUP

Chelsea Blake Instagram: chelseablakebeauty

STYLIST & RENTALS

Faded Sol - Jessica Ludwig fadedsol.com

FLORALS

Bloomin Wild bloominwild.net

CAKE

The Baking Mariner in partnership with Blackwater Bakery Facebook: The Baking Mariner black-water-bakery.com

RINGS

Shear the Jeweler shearthejewelry.com

WOODEN SIGNS & CAKE TOPPER

Chapel Creek Customs

Facebook: Chapel Creek Customs

her matching bling laden cowgirl boots at the celebration following the ceremony.

“I remember having such a good time, picking up the skirt bottom and stuffing it into my pockets,” she recalled, smiling at the happy memory.

After Chelsea Blake perfected her makeup, and as Amber Gray of Ooh My Hair delighted in styling the model bride’s long brunette locks, Chase enjoyed the waterfront window view while sharing the couple’s uniquely storybook saga, harkening back to their junior prom 7 years before, when she asked him to be her date.

“Fortunately, he needed a date, too,” she laughed. They’ve been together ever since.

In the Fall of 2020, Dylan decided it was his turn to do the asking, and began shopping for an engagement ring. But before he got a chance to pop the question, the couple learned that come Spring, they’d be needing a baby crib.

Concerned she might think he was asking for her hand mainly from a sense of duty, Dylan doubled down to surprise Chase with an extra special proposal.

(Later, when asked about the stress of wedding details, Dylan disclosed that for him, the proposal was way more challenging. “Once that came together and she said, “Yes!”, I was good with whatever she wanted to do for the wedding,” he recalled, smiling.)

Searching for both a restful, relaxing beach getaway and romantic ambience, Dylan consulted his and Chase’s mom’s for ideas then reserved a Cape May, N.J. air bnb for an October weekend. He reached out to a photographer cousin, who, as luck would have it, was returning from a nearby vacation and assured him she’d swing by to help him capture the big moment. Making sure to keep a low profile so as not to arouse suspicion, she managed to meet up and keep her promise. The groom-to-be could finally exhale.

Thanks to the unlikely aligning forces of site availability and baseball, the couple settled on January 15, 2022, for their wedding day.

Having played and coached baseball at Washington College in Chesterton, math major and

current police academy member, Dylan, wouldn’t have many, if any, groomsmen able to attend “during the season,” Chase explained. While adding that having the winter date open at the venue she’d fallen in love with at first sight, Dylan agreed that it had worked out for the best, all the way around.

Their son Bohannon, who had arrived April 30, 2021, as a birthday present for dad Dylan, was honorary ring bearer at the wedding. Present at the engagement, it was only fair he be part of the ceremony officially making them a family, Chase noted fondly.

Along with learning she was expecting a baby, getting engaged and landing her dream job as an art teacher at Easton High School, she somehow made room on her busy plate to plan the wedding with her mom and find a dress from David’s Bridal in Bowie, and, of course, the perfect dressy cowgirl boots, via Amazon.

Crediting teamwork of family and friends, plus a ‘take things as they come’ attitude, the bride felt ready for her big day. Even when the person set to do her hair broke her leg skiing, someone else stepped right in, problem solved!

After the ceremony, as the celebration wound down, it turned out that Mother Nature had one more last surprise up her winter coat sleeve. As often happens only in Hallmark movies, snow magically began to fall. Fortunately, shuttle buses had been arranged to safely transport everyone across the remote roadway.

As the couple reflects back, they happily look forward to facing each future season together, with Dylan describing Chase as “just the best mother,” and she admiring his “caring, protective” nature.

Scenic Views, A Variety of Venues The Perfect Canvas To Customize Your

Special Day

Whether you envision your dream wedding ensconced within an elegant ballroom, enjoying a waterfront pavilion at sunset, posing picturesquely on a lushly manicured lawn, or warming to the intimate glow of firelight, the Hyatt Chesapeake Bay Resort offers an abundance of choices designed to make your special day sparkle.

Set on 322 acres overlooking the Choptank River near historic Cambridge, since opening in 2002 the Hyatt has become among the most sought out mid-Atlantic destinations, thanks to a backdrop of stunning natural beauty, serenely laid back ambiance, and welcoming array of amenities.

A premier location which has earned a reputation for hosting successful events, the Hyatt’s seasoned professional staff provides a full measure of expert assistance, including personal wedding specialists and planners to help seamlessly bring the big picture to life, down to the tiniest detail.

PHOTO BY JENNQUINN CREATIVE

CBW

ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

The best way to engage with your photographer Reasons to not skip out on an engagement session with your wedding photographer!

In a lot of cases, it is included with their wedding package as a complimentary service!

2 It gives you an opportunity to meet with your wedding photographer and connect, this will help you feel more comfortable in front of the camera on your wedding day.

3 You have the opportunity to perfect your poses!

4You get the chance to hear and learn the photographer’s lingo, “nuzzle” closer, “kiss with your teeth.” #

List and photos by Audrey Wozny from River Lane Photography

The photographer gets to see how you naturally act in front of the camera and adjust their posing flow before the big day. An example would be if a bride or groom is not a fan of PDA, the photographer has a chance to adjust their posing ahead of time rather than the day of to ensure a full beautiful gallery of images that don’t include kissing!

Showcase more of your personality as a couple. These sessions should align with things you enjoy together, local hangout spots, your pets, the city you live in, etc…

If you schedule your makeup trial on the same day you will get to see how it looks on camera before your wedding!

This session is solely about you as a couple…you are the focus. Meaning there are no family formals or bridal party images so you get more images of the two of you together on this one day than you will on your wedding day which focuses on the entire event and all the details that go into it.

Resor tmarinas suited for any special occasion

Photo Contest Superlatives

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

Photographer: Daniel Bostwick

Photographer: Arden Haley

Photographer: Olga Gurton Photography

Photographer: Katie Horseman

All in a dye’s work at Ohh My Natural Hair Care

There are few in this world that are fortunate enough to find their calling early in life.

Meet Amber Gray, an up-and-coming hairstylist no stranger to Chesapeake Bay Wedding magazine. Gray and her team recently wrapped up a third shoot at the historic Oxon Hill Manor in Oxon Hill, Md.

Based out of Newark, Gray’s small business, Ooh My Natural Hair Care, serves a diverse list of clientele. Gray is an amazingly versatile hairstylist, having worked extensively with different types of hair. Her burgeoning small business offers a plethora of services for all types of women’s hair and best of all, unlimited service for bridal packages.

Gray developed her love of styling hair starting at a young age with none other than her own family.

“I’ve been doing hair for over 12 and a half years. I started out at the age of seven by planning my mother’s hair and continued to do it. As I got older, I continued to do all the other girls’ hair in the community (and) our neighbors,” she recalled.

After graduating from Wilmington University, Gray worked as a medical assistant at a local hospital

for two years. Despite working in a different industry, she found a unique way to incorporate her giftings.

“I would comb their hair, every patient; I saw that their hair was all over the place. Each and every morning, I would speak to them. They would let me comb,” she said.

Affectionately known as the “hair lady,” Gray comforted older patients, some suffering from dementia, with her “hair care.” Yet inevitably, she could not help thinking about what her heart yearned for.

“I enjoyed being a medical assistant but something was missing,” she explained.

That life realization soon motivated Gray to enroll in Paul Mitchell the School – Delaware. In 2015, she received her cosmetology license, graduating at the top of her class. While working at a local salon, Gray continued to build her brand “Ooh My Natural Hair Care,” the name aptly encapsulating her own philosophy.

“I wanted to teach people how to do natural hair and be a very diverse stylist where I could teach absolutely anybody how to take care of natural hair. I’m a firm believer that you can still get the results of your hair that you want without processing it, putting a harsh chemical on it… I always come to my clients with their overall

“A very diverse stylist where I could teach anybody how to take care of natural hair”

health,” Gray said, explaining that dying gray roots is a popular service. “We can (choose to) do henna, which is an all natural hair coloring source. It’s healthy not just for the hair, but for the skin as well,” she said.

In December of 2018, Ooh My Natural Hair Care was officially launched as a small business from Gray’s home with the support of loyal clientele built over the years. Since then, her hair styling work has been featured in Chesapeake Bay Wedding at several wedding shoots. Gray was introduced by Christina Maddox of Heaven Sent Weddings to the magazine, where the two beauticians have enjoyed collaborating on several wedding shoots.

“I love how knowledgeable Amber is about the care of your hair,” said Maddox. “I also love the uniqueness of (her) hairstyles. You can show her any style in a magazine and she can recreate it so that it looks good on your face. Amber also educates you on continuous care and how to keep your hair maintained after you leave her chair.”.

By Denise Lew Photos by In His Grace Photography & provided by Ohh My Natural Hair Care

According to Gray, working with her loyal clientele is what she enjoys most about her job. She loves “to make (her clients) feel beautiful, to give them a very peaceful service… and just seeing the smile on their face and their beauty come alive.”

Gray uses some of her spare time to give back to the local community by speaking at area hair schools, including her alma mater. She desires to educate and encourage young, aspiring cosmetologists – like she once was.

“My future plan is to keep going, keep encouraging the younger generations, and to keep teaching others on how to take care of their hair without it being processed,” she said. Drawing from her own path taken, Gray wishes to give future generations three pieces of essential advice, “One, always give back; two, be patient; and three, never give up.”

Hearts in Annapolis

BY JENNIFER QUINN PHOTOS BY JENNQUINN CREATIVE

Annapolis, ooVoo, and the Naval Academy. Molly and Brandon met in a non-traditional way and continued the trend with the planning of their upcoming October wedding.

Molly Myers, now a web content specialist at the American Chemical Society, was just starting her freshman year of college, making new friends and letting life start when she met Brandon Khoury, now a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, working as an intern physician. At the time, he was in his second year at the Naval Academy. The two met online and quickly formed a connection.

Before they agreed to meet up for a date, they got to know each other through long ooVoo video chats. Many times, roommates were around to interrupt, internet issues would arise or plans would change, but eventually Molly and Brandon were comfortable enough to meet in person.

Their first date was a waterfront picnic at the Naval Academy. The date lasted for hours and six years later they are engaged, about to get married.

The proposal was just as special to them both. March 26, 2022, was a day to remember. Recalling the day, Molly knew something was coming.

“With our six year anniversary approaching, I kind of figured the proposal was coming sooner rather than later,” she said. “The week leading up to the actual day, I knew something was up. There was nothing in specific that led to that feeling other than the impromptu decision to have a day in Annapolis that weekend.”

“The morning of, I could tell that he was a little stressed — and maybe even a little nervous — but I just brushed it off and kept the thought of a proposal in the back of my head,” Molly said. “When we got to Annapolis, we immediately started walking around the Naval Academy. I still felt like something was looming once we started to walk around all of our favorite spots.”

“Once we reached a very secluded area right behind Hopper Hall — because he knew I didn’t want anyone around — something in me said, ‘don’t turn your back to him because next thing you know he’ll be on one knee,’ and sure enough, that is exactly what happened. After looking out over the Severn, I turned around to see Brandon getting down on one knee. The answer was, without hesitation, a yes!”

“Annapolis has always held a special place in our hearts since it’s where we met, where we had our first date, and where we spent most of our time,” Molly continued. “It only made sense that our story would continue there.”

“...it only made sense that our story would continue there”

Telling his side of the story, Brandon remembered hoping for water views as he popped the question.

“I knew I wanted to propose to her for a pretty long time at this point, but finding the right time was difficult,” he said. “Moving in together, starting new jobs — all these big events made it feel difficult to add on another life changing event to the mix. In the end though, it didn’t matter though — all I did was essentially ask my best friend to continue being my best friend.”

“Our first date occurred at my alma mater, the Naval Academy, so I knew I wanted to propose there, ideally in a scenic area on the water,” Brandon continued.

“The plan had a couple obstacles; first, running into my younger sister on campus and, secondly, there being a giant group of students playing sports right next to the waterside where I wanted to propose.”

The one thing Brandon knew Molly didn’t want was a public proposal, so he took her on a scenic tour of the campus as he brainstormed a new plan.

“We ended up going into Hopper Hall, the new building on campus, which has a beautiful outside waterside overlook. Most importantly, there was no crowd, since nobody goes to academic buildings on weekends,” he said. “As we looked over the water, I could tell she definitely knew I was about to ask, but I eventually got the opportunity to when she turned away for a moment.”

“all I did was essentially ask my best friend to continue being my best friend”

Molly and Brandon might seem like a couple that would do their wedding the traditional way but they decided they wanted something a little different. Planning a wedding in less than seven months led them to get creative.

Sending out invites and save the dates were done with a 21st century spin and sent to guests’ email addresses. Instead of planning a big wedding with all of the extras, the couple planned for a ceremony at the State House in Annapolis with their close family and a dinner afterwards.

The following night, the couple is planning for a bigger celebration with a unique personal twist: dining and bowling at Pinstripes in Bethesda.

Something else they have done a bit differently is taking their wedding photos a few months early. On a

warm July Sunday morning in Annapolis, Molly and Brandon dressed in their wedding attire and set out for the Naval Academy campus to take photos in their favorite places, enjoying the time to get any and every shot they could want without the pressure of a schedule and guests waiting their turn.

The couple received many congratulations and smiles. All while sharing many laughs between each other as they went from place to place, pose to pose. Strolling over to the state house for some wedding location shots and even doing some in the street, they got out of their comfort zone, picking up on the rhythm of the shoot. After doing this shoot, they have one less big thing to worry about on the day of and can just focus on the love they have for one another.

Annapolis will forever hold an important place in their hearts no matter where their lives take them. Meeting, dating, getting engaged and soon getting married there, solidifies the bond they have with the beautiful city. CBW

CONFERENCE &MEETINGROOMS

St.Michaels Inn, featuring eventspacesthat canhostupto150 people.Eventssuchasfamily reunions, birthday parties, yoga retreats, wedding receptions, baby showers, board retreats, company outings. GroupWedding RoomBlocks available. Convenient to St Michaels area Wedding Venues. Come celebratewithus!

CHESAPEAKE INN Chesapeake City, MD

Outdoor weddings are some of the most beautiful and romantic events that the world has to offer. The budget-friendly rates, unbeatable waterfront vistas, and Ballroom that the Chesapeake Inn Restaurant and Marina offers will have you and your spouse saying “I do” in every step of your wedding process.

The Chesapeake Inn Restaurant and Marina, located at 605 2nd St. in Chesapeake City offers a variety of outdoor wedding ceremony locations. This includes the Moon Property, which overlooks the canal and sits below the Chesapeake City Bridge and the Pell Gardens, which features an assortment of flowers along the walkways and a few structures also overlooking the canal.

The Chesapeake Inn was started in 1996 by Giuseppe Martuscelli and his family. The family has been in the hospitality business for nearly 45 years since 1978. It started off with the ownership of La Casa Pasta Restaurant in Newark, Del., which is still owned and run by the family today.

Giuseppe’s son Gianmarco and his wife Gilda are the owners and operators of the Chesapeake Inn. The pair also owns Klondike Kates in Newark. They formed the Martuscelli Restaurant Group, which runs the restaurant group and provides an array of different dining options and special event spaces throughout their locations for guests to enjoy.

All of the ceremony locations are within walking distance of the Chesapeake Inn and guests are encouraged to proceed back to the restaurant’s ballroom for the reception after the ceremony has ended. This vast space, added to the inn in 2007, boasts room for up to 150 guests and features a fiber optic ceiling that sparkles above as family and friends

dine and dance.

The entirety of the premises and every room in the building is wheelchair accessible. There is an outdoor Terrace connected to the ballroom which is great for cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres, it is possible to view a 360° tour of it on the Chesapeake Inn’s website, www.chesapeakeinn.com. The site features a host of information about the venue and it also includes contact information in case you have a question that is not answered by the details provided.

Renting this venue for wedding ceremonies and their receptions is very affordable, with most full service weddings ranging from $100 to $175 a person per wedding, depending on the day and season.

“A BACKDROP OF DEEP BLUE WATER THAT EXTENDS BEYOND

THE green of the grass

”

This does not include the costs of and DJs and live entertainment, flowers and other addons traditionally seen at weddings.

The venue’s affordability leaves plenty of playroom in the couple’s budget. Of course, the beauty of each of the ceremony locations is enough to persuade almost any engaged couple to ditch the lofty arches and stained glass of a church for the verdant, open scapes that the Chesapeake Inn has to offer.

The venue has several other rooms and locations of note, such as the marina out back where boats can dock for an evening of drinks and food. There are the Anna and Veranda rooms, which can each host up to 50 guests, and several outdoor attachments such as the Deck and the Terrace encourage similar numbers.

Imagine you and your spouse standing underneath a white arch, before a backdrop of deep blue water that extends beyond the green of the grass, and you have a portrait of perfection til death do you part.

Fall & Winter WEDDING TRENDS

Jewel Tones:

Fall and winter weddings are the perfect time to pull out the jewel tones. Added a little more warmth and personality to a seaon that isn’t always as easily vibrant creates a magic and playful space to enjoy your day!

165 Guests w/ DanceFloor,or up to 200 Guests Cocktail-Style PrivateBar,OptiontoRent Half of theBarn

Seatsupto14Guests Perfectfor Smaller Gatherings HuntsmanInspiredDecor

Seatsupto22Guests OurMostPrivate, Intimate Space, Complete contro over Sound, Volume, Lighting andTemperature

Seatsupto25-40 Guests

RetractableWalls/Windows Fireplace PrivateBar

In addition to spaces, we have avarietyofdifferentmenus to suit everystyle.Weare abletoaccommodate formal dinnerswithplated, buffet, andfamilystyle farm-to-tableinspiredmenus.Ifyou arelooking forsomethingabit more unique andinteractive,wecan create itemslikeclassic charcuterie displays, whimsical pretzelboards, theeverpopular Taco Bar, andheartier PastaorCarving Stations

Cori Grafer,EventsDirector cgrafer@barnandlodge.com|(410) 317-2276| 329GambrillsRoad, Gambrills, MD |BarnAndLodge.com

After spending time apart, many people have kept the small ceremony. A small intimate exchange followed by a bigger celebration keeps the stress down during the official parts but allows for the fun of celebrating with family and friends.

Small Ceremonies: Unique Guestbooks:

Instead of the classic book for your guestbook, many are opting to do something a little more interesting. Whether ir be a piece the couple can display in their home, or date ideas they can try out, there are all sorts of new ways to be reminded of those who celebrated such a special day.

Colorful Reception Outfit:

A wedding is the perfect place to show personality. Switching into a colorful outfit lets the couple feel more comfortable while still feeling like they can be the stars of the show.

Photo by JennQuinn

TWO LIONS VINEYARDS

Upper Marlboro, MD

12600 CROOM RD, UPPER MARLBORO, MD 20772

WRITTEN BY CAROLINE SHIVELY SUCHER

AtTwo Lions Vineyards, it’s all about balance.

Between beauty and function. Between creating a swoon-worthy wedding venue and getting your hands dirty running an up-and-coming vineyard.

Or as owner Callie Hankey puts it, “Between my crazy ideas and my husband’s practicality.” Callie and her husband Brad built the vineyard from the ground up a little over four years ago in Upper Marlboro along the Legacy Wine Trail of Southern Maryland.

“I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to own a winery?’” Callie recalls. “I could drink wine and talk to people all day and my husband could be on the farm and ignore people all day which is what he likes to do.”

What started as a casual thought blending the couple’s interests has blossomed into a vineyard that looks straight out of the European countryside.

“It was inspired by our love of places in Italy and Spain and that old world feel. The walls have this textured limewash paint, we did a lot of clay inside and have that feel where you can walk in at any time of the year and it looks beautiful,” Callie says.

The vineyard only holds one event a day, featuring their tasting room, barrel room and outdoor patio for up to 120 guests.

“We really want to specialize in smaller, more intimate weddings,” Callie says. “The experience is the goal. We know if weddings get really big then you lose some of those special touches.”

The vineyard has a suite for the bride and her bridal party as part of the full package for a wedding where they can get ready, drink some wine, and relax while preparing for the ceremony.

From there, brides often start with their photographs in the vineyard’s tasting room which features a chandelier made of handrolled clay beads made by women artisans in Africa.

“NOTHING

The Hankeys chose it for its simple beauty, so brides wanting a minimalist look can use the room as is, while those looking for a swankier feel can fill it with decorations and flowers.

“I’ve had a lot of people who book and then stop by, and they end up going for the more minimal look. They’ll decide they don’t need what they’d originally planned because the space is already well and thoughtfully done,” Callie explains.

BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER LIKE food, music and wine”

Then there is the barrel room which houses French oak barrels that are filled with wine surrounding a crystal chandelier at the center of the space. When Callie and Brad were

PHOTOS BY JEFF HEENEY

designing the room, they once again had to balance Brad’s practical side for wine making with Callie’s creative vision of the perfect wedding.

“I had this beautiful waterfall crystal chandelier I knew I wanted in there, and everything had to be planned –how wide it could be, how low it could hang because we drive a forklift in and out of there and have to move the barrels in and out. Everything has been planned as much as possible to be functional yet still have a great aesthetic.”

There is also an outdoor patio, perfect for a cocktail hour and another stunning place for photos with the vineyard as a backdrop. Receptions feature the vineyard’s own wine, but wedding parties can bring in their own beer. The same goes for vendors, with the couples choosing the florists, DJ’s, caterers, and photographers. There is no approved vendors list. “Nothing brings people together like food, music and wine,” Callie says.

That’s the goal for the Hankeys. Bringing people together. It comes easy for this self-described “city girl from Chicago and country boy from Virginia.”

The hardest part of their journey was actually coming up with a name for their venture. They finally settled on Two Lions Vineyards as a reflection of their philosophy and their marriage.

“We are a bit of a different breed, both Type A and strong willed. We believe that you can do anything you want if you work hard enough. We love that parallel for our bride and grooms as well,” Callie explains. “When it’s all said and done, we want our bride and groom to have the perfect experience because they’ve become part of our family and our history at Two Lions.”

Because alifewell-celebrated is alife well-lived.

Celebrateyourspecial dayatMagnoliaManor.L oc ated on theban ks of theTredAvonR iver on theE astern ShoreofMar yland, Ma gnolia Ma noroffers an intimate,elega nt,historicset ting for your wedd ing. Its19t hcentur ySout hern charma nd ma nicuredgardensa nd grou ndse voke a timeless elegance that wi ll providet he perfectbackd ropfor your memorable day.

ANTOINE TRENTON Jordan Morgan &

The Proposal

After being together for almost 6 years, I knew it was time to make things official. It was September 2020 so we were well into the pandemic by that point. I made up a story that we had plans to meet friends at Matapeake Beach on Kent Island, one of our favorite places to hang out with our dog and watch the sunset. My best friend (who would serve as our officiant at our wedding) came along to secretly take pictures. Trenton had no idea when I caught him off guard and started to propose, so he was totally surprised. Thankfully he said yes and we were able to have a celebratory dinner at Flamant, one of our favourite restaurants in Annapolis.

How We Met:

My husband and I met through a location-based online dating site. At the time, I was living in Chestertown and my husband lived in Silver Spring. Work brought him over the Bay Bridge occasionally, and that was how we ended up matching. Sometimes we like to say it was the Bay that brought us together!

The Hardest Part:

The hardest part of the wedding day was knowing that there were family members who had passed away that wouldn’t be there to celebrate with us in person. They were certainly there with us in spirit.

The Best Part:

The best part of our wedding day was seeing all of our hard work and planning come together to create this magical celebration of our love, and even better that we got to share it with our closest family and friends. We also loved that we got to have our wedding in Chestertown. It’s a place that means a lot to the both of us, and it made perfect sense to have our big day there.

My husband Trenton, who sourced almost all of the decorations himself, came up with the concepts for the table decorations, made the flower arrangements and transformed both the Chester River Packet and the Hodson Boathouse into the gorgeous spaces they became. Our day wouldn’t have been what it was without his vision, and plenty of help from our family and friends.

Catering: MISSION BBQ

Rentals: EASTERN SHORE TENTS AND EVENTS

Location: CHESTER RIVER PACKET CO. & HODSON BOATHOUSE

Photographer: KRIS KELLEY PHOTOGRAPHY