Chesapeake Bay
Capture the Moments
From rehearsal dinners to scenic brunches and allthe moments in between... every occasion finds its place.
Ialways try to start these with some kind of personal anecdote, so here goes. Yes, that picture to the right is me on a horse. If anyone else is thinking of that funny Old Spice commercial that ends with the model/spokesman saying “I’m on a horse,” then we are on the same page.
Well, that was a fun opportunity I wanted to take during our cover shoot at Fairwinds Farm in Cecil County. I grew up riding horses — and my family even owned one for a few years — and wanted to have the chance to do it again. Unfortunately, I was very rusty and did not remember much about the mount and dismount process. In my head I was thinking that perhaps they changed how it was done, but then again it had been well over 15 years since my last ride.
If you have had the chance to go horseback riding before, you will likely agree with me how freeing it is. You know what else is freeing? The information inside this edition of Chesapeake Bay Wedding magazine, as it will release you from some of the stresses of your big day.
As you flip through these pages, you will see countless resources for everything you can imagine and then some. At our last wedding event we had dentist office representatives there and I realized I hadn’t considered how important that profession can be to making people feel more confident and comfortable on their wedding day.
You’ll note just how many wonderful contributors and partners we have in here — we’d love for you to get involved! Want to tell your story? Reach out. Want to help tell others’ stories? Let me know. Want to partner with us on something unique and special? Talk to me. We are a mirror to reflect all the incredible people, places and things the Chesapeake Bay region has to offer.
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 jennquinncreative@gmail.com
ADVERTISING
Jo Ann Geiger jgeiger@chespub.com
Stacy Moreland smoreland@chespub.com
CIRCULATION
Chad Campbell ccampbell@chespub.com
CONTRIBUTING CONTENT CREATORS
Jennifer Quinn, James Young, Cecelia Shilling, Madison Bateman, Jake Russell, Jordanna Garland, Stephanie Allen, Alex McComick, Carl Elixir Studios, KA Photography, Doug Ramey, Kristen Clemons, J. Moon Photography, Eli Wohlenhaus, Ryan Roche, Casey Cichocki
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Chesapeake Bay Wedding will help couples plan their special destination wedding around the Bay.
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for information on Chesapeake Bay weddings
Queen Anne’s
Charles
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Anne Arundel
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Calvert
emails sent to couples and bride’s mothers residing in the Washington DC and Baltimore area who have asked
Harford
jennquinncreative.com
“Our go to photographer and we love her! She makes pictures look effortless and they always come back looking so good!”
ABOUT THE COVER
LOCATION
Fairwinds Farm fairwindsstables.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
JennQuinn Creative jennquinncreative.com
HAIR & MAKEUP
Megan Trees with Revelry Studio revelryhairstudio.com
FDRESS
Brooke & June Bridal brookeandjunebridal.com
FLORALS
Twisted Vine twistedvinefloraldesign.com
DESSERTS
Cakes by Mimi cakesbymimi09.com
airwinds Farm, a horse farm located in North East in Cecil County, is an ideal location for an intimate countryside wedding. Set on a partially-wooded 52-acre property, Fairwinds features a gorgeous, well-shaded ceremony site overlooking horse pastures, as well as a restored Victorian-era farmhouse that doubles as a bed & breakfast.
The attractive landscape is punctuated with antique stables and barns, giving the lively farm a sensation of rich history. In addition to weddings, Fairwinds Farm offers hay rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, trail rides and horse-riding lessons, as well as youth programs and private events including birthday parties, baby showers, and more.
Ted and JoAnn Dawson, owners of Fairwinds, are skilled in several fields: Ted holds a B.S. in business administration and
RENTALS
Pretty Little Wedding prettylittleweddingco.com
STATIONARY DESIGN & ART DIRECTOR
JennQuinn Creative jennquinncreative.com
finance and has decades of experience in livestock, dairy, crop, and fish farming; he also teaches equine classes at Cecil College.
JoAnn has a B.S. in animal science and agricultural education, as well as a master’s in education, and teaches both equine science and theatre at Cecil College. As a member of SAG-AFTRA, she is also an experienced actress and animal wrangler for television and film, with credits on works such as The Sixth Sense and 12 Monkeys. The couple also host agribusiness seminars at the farm, including the entertaining and educational “Thinking Outside the Boxstall: Top Ten Ways to Avoid Getting a Real Job!”
“We bought the farm in 1998, and it really was a dream come true for us,” JoAnn Dawson said. “We’ve put a lot of care into it, and I think people can see that when they visit.”
Styled Shoot
Story by James Young
PERFECTLY ENCHANTED
Fairwinds Farm’s animal talent, including horses, dogs and more, has been featured in shows including House of Cards and Duck Dynasty, as well as advertisements for the Democratic National Convention, NAACP, and other organizations; Fairwinds itself has also been used for on-location filming. Additionally, Cream of the Crop, a film written by JoAnn and directed by Douglas B. Maddox of DBM Films, was partially filmed at Fairwinds, and features the farm’s animal talent. The film is available for streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and several other services.
Local entrepreneurs Brett and Presilah Davis came to Fairwinds for our cover photoshoot to showcase the aesthetic opportunities the farm has to offer; Brett grew up on the Eastern Shore, but moved to New York City to begin his career in modeling and entertainment, through which he met Presilah.
The two grew their acting careers in Los Angeles, appearing in shows including The Haves and the Have Nots, NCIS, and 9-1-1. During the pandemic, the couple moved back to the Shore, buying a property in Galena; after just a few months, they decided to make their stay permanent, and soon after welcomed their first child.
“The Eastern Shore is the perfect place to start a family; the people here are friendly and laid-back, and there’s so much space for kids to spend time outdoors,” Brett Davis said.
Together, the Davis family founded Luxe Lavs, a company which provides premium lavatory trailer rentals with a focus on luxury and style. Three trailer models are available with varying quantities of restroom stations, and all options include climate control as well as curated artwork and décor. More information and bookings can be found at theluxelavs.com.
The first step was for Presilah to get her hair and makeup done, which was courtesy of Megan Trees from Revelry Studio.
Then, too begin the photoshoot, Presilah was brought out to the ceremony grounds in a beautiful horse-drawn carriage. Fairwinds offers a
selection of three carriages to suit the style of your wedding. The carriages also provide transport to the reception site after a ceremony is complete; receptions are located in a spacious carpeted tent including a dance floor, bar and seating for up to 288 guests. The reception area can also double as an indoor ceremony site in case of inclement weather.
After exiting the carriage, Presilah and Brett walked together to the ceremony grounds, flanked by a pristine forest on one side, and a charming horse pasture on the other. The couple’s background in modeling was clear to see as they perfectly complemented each other and the ceremony area. Lovely white chairs and benches provide seating for up to 160 on the ceremony grounds, with fabricclad hay bales offering extra seating if needed.
The elegant dress worn by Presilah for the photoshoot was provided by Brooke and June Bridal, a premium bridal boutique located in Chester. Founded by Kent Island native Kallie German, Brooke and June provides private appointments to ensure that brides can find their perfect look in a comfortable, welcoming environment. You and your party can relax and enjoy refreshments and charcuterie while browsing the carefully curated selection of bridal wares.
“I noticed my friends were having a hard time finding good wedding designers on the Shore,” German said about what inspired her to start the business. “I wanted to help people to have a really special experience with designers who understand where they’re coming from.”
German’s keen eye for fashion can be clearly seen in the suite of dresses and accessories available in her cozy storefront. Appointments are available through their website at brookandjunebridal.com.
In addition to the carriage ride, Fairwinds Farm offers numerous special touches, included in the price of the wedding, to complete the pastoral atmosphere of the venue. These include the classic dove release as well as horse and pony rides, bonfires, and a complimentary overnight stay in the Victorian B&B for two-day weddings.
Luxe Lavs additionally provides a premium threeunit restroom trailer. Wedding bookings are available from May 1st through October 15th each year; fees are $5,000 for one day, $6,000 for two and $6,500 for a full weekend.
Free tours of Fairwinds Farm are available upon request, as well as rehearsal ceremonies and dinners. Couples may also schedule an engagement announcement photoshoot at any of Fairwinds’ picturesque locations.
Contact information and a preferred vendor list are provided on the farm’s website at fairwindsstables. com, though couples are always welcome to select their own vendors. Choosing Fairwinds Farm for your special day ensures a picture-perfect experience that you and your loved ones will remember for the rest of your lives.
Photo by Nicole Marie Photography
Photo by Nicole Marie Photography
Photo provided by Fairwinds Farm
Photo provided by Fairwinds Farm
FIND YOUR PERFECT VENDORS AT:
Lavender and Lace
Bridgerton-Inspired Wedding Show at The Brampton 1860, Chestertown, MD
November 2024
Under the Veil & Beyond the Bowtie
2025 Wedding Trend Reveal Event, Kent Island Resort, Stevensville, MD February 2025
July 2025 2024
At First Sight
A Wedding Showcase, Bohemia Manor Farm, Chesapeake City, MD
HERRINGTON
on the Bay
STORY BY CECELIA SHILLING PHOTOS BY CARL ELIXIR STUDIOS
As Sasha Bennett, now Sasha Lundquist, turned the corner down the aisle in her delicate white dress, she faced her fiance Chris Lundquist while a string rendition of “I Will Always Love You,” played softly.
“I wanted it to be wildly emotional,” the newlywed bride said. In a square-neck dress with lacy floral appliques, Sasha carried a bouquet of white longstem roses to the bayfront wooden archway.
After five years of dating, Sasha and Chris tied the knot at Herrington on the Bay’s Polynesian lawn and ballroom on July 12. The pair met while working at Clyde Group, a D.C. communications firm in 2017. Since then, they’ve moved to Bethesda together and enjoy hiking, cooking and trying new restaurants.
Sasha remembers sitting in a final interview for Clyde hen Chris walked into the room.
“I was interviewing back in 2017 and it was actually my last round and I had to interview with a panel of seven or eight people; it was awful,” Sasha said. “Then Chris happened to walk in the room and he sat right next to me. I was already nervous and I was like ‘Oh my god, he’s so cute.’ But he was so
sweet and professional.”
Though the pair rarely worked together during Sasha’s early days at the company, she “definitely” had a crush on him, she said.
“Here’s a little cliche element,” Chris said. “I didn’t detect a crush. Typical guy, you know? It took me a while to pick up on things.”
When they first started dating about a year and a half later, they attempted a “covert office romance,” hoping to avoid drama or comments from coworkers. When they did finally announce their relationship, however, they helped write the office dating policy.
“We thought we were really good at hiding everything,” Sasha said. “By the time we ended up officially telling people, everyone was like ‘Oh, well obviously we’ve known about this for a while.”
Since they became official in 2019, the couple went through COVID together and were shocked at how easy and worry-free their relationship was. It was clear to them both, they said, that this was the “real deal.”
I DIDN’T DETECT A CRUSH. TYPICAL GUY, YOU KNOW? IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO PICK UP ON THINGS.
On May 13, 2023, Chris asked Sasha to visit a newly renovated D.C. spot before seeing an opera at the Kennedy Center. Little did she know that he had planned a surprise proposal with a photographer hiding nearby and a romantic dinner near the neighborhood where they first fell in love.
“The joke that I make now is that the only thing I would change if I could go back and change it,” Chris said “Is I would have done it so much sooner.”
Though their relationship is typically worry-free and easy, the day of their wedding was a bit nerve wracking, Sasha said, as storms threatened to move their event inside.
“Once we came together to do our first look photos, the rain just stopped,” she said. “We did bridal and group portraits outside, and right as we were finished wrapping up photos before we were going back inside to wait for guests to arrive to do the ceremony… the skies just opened up and it biblically poured for like 10-15 minutes.”
Once the rain settled, the team at Herrington jumped into action to wipe off chairs and hang decorations.
Herrington on the Bay ensured the couple was well taken care of leading up to the wedding and provided more than enough staff to tend to them and their guests.
“We have a good amount of specialized staff,” said Lexy Buchanan, director of design and planning at Herrington on the Bay. “One of the benefits is that we do a lot of the in-house planning and logistics. You don’t necessarily need to hire an outside person to pull all of those details together because we do provide you with those each step of the way.”
Herrington provides their couples with an event specialist who will create timelines, plan menus and answer all their questions leading up to the big day. Then, the month before their celebration, an event coordinator helps with any additional planning. Couples are also taken care of by a VIP attendant during the wedding. This person is responsible for things like lining up the wedding party, making sure everyone is ready to walk down the aisle, and guaranteeing the couple has food and drinks when they’re ready for them.
“I love this job,” said the Lundquists’ event coordinator, Megan Mulford. “My favorite part is definitely [when] you’ve been emailing with these people back and forth for a month and then finally getting to meet them. Knowing their personality and meeting with them on their wedding day is really cool to me.”
The venue’s team also worked with the happy couple to create a customized late-night menu for the reception. While short rib, salmon, chicken,
mushroom strudel and vegan crab cakes were served during the main dinner, buffalo chicken sliders and Herrington’s version of McDonald’s shoestring fries were served later that evening. The couple also added an espresso martini bar as a tribute to one of their favorite cocktails.
The Lundquists’ day was filled with funny and special moments, like catching their ring bearers and flower girls rolling down a muddy hill in their dress clothes and “landing the lifts” during their choreographed first dance to Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You.”
Chris and Sasha knew that they would end up married for a long time before the ceremony, they said.
“It was genuinely the most perfect day I could have ever imagined,” Sasha said. “Everyone keeps asking if it feels different and it doesn’t - like, it was fun, but it had been meant to be for so long.”
“We had been married in our hearts for a long, long time before this,” Chris said.
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The Inn at
PERRY CABIN
STORY BY JAKE RUSSELL PHOTOS COURTESY OF INN AT PERRY CABIN
Some may want a small, intimate getaway that is the epitome of escapism, serenity and relaxation. Some may want that same feeling, but suitable for the more the merrier for an entire weekend grandiose trip. Some may merely just want the authentic Wedding Crashers “Crab Cakes and football!” experience.
The historic Inn at Perry Cabin not only has ties to the iconic comedy movie, but the venue has a rich history, memories that are created past down from generation to generation, and is a blank canvas of a customizable wedding location to provide whatever your biggest or most minute dreams of one of the happiest days of your life.
HISTORY
While built in the early 1800’s, the Inn at Perry Cabin has been the pinnacle or weekend hospitality and entertainment going back to the 1980’s, becoming an iconic spot for leisure when Sir Bernard Ashley purchased the property and transformed the property ranging from adding a fine dining restaurant, an indoor pool in a banquet hall and creating a “local getaway.”
“Parents and couples often remember it from memories of anniversaries, getaways and moments throughout various generations of families,” Emily Wilhelm, director of meetings and events at the inn, said.
The phenomenon of Lord Ashley himself mingling amongst the people, exposing the lovely property and valuing the experiences, has made it a property still as critically-acclaimed and rooted in sentiment for events today.
PARENTS AND COUPLES OFTEN REMEMBER IT FROM MEMORIES OF ANNIVERSARIES, GETAWAYS AND MOMENTS THROUGHOUT VARIOUS GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES
“Some couples boated and had getaways, and when their daughter got engaged years later, it was their immediate first place to go as it matched their aesthetic,” Katherine Saad-Loman- director of sales and marketing, said. “There are generations of people that have a connection that is so broad spectrum. We hear over and over ‘I brought my kids here!’ or ‘I’m bringing my grandma here for her 90th because she took me here!’ There is always a memory and a connection.”
Described as a “local destination wedding” complete with a stunning driveway to remove you from the hustle-and-bustle of the D.C. area, the waterfront property with a classic coastal design has a large capacity of rooms that is spacious for any kind of guest complete with a variety of features where the sense of togetherness and intimacy at the event takes the stage.
“We have a variety of venues big and small,” Wilhelm said. “Each event hosted to us feels unique in comparison to the night before. We have an indoor ballroom with an intimate space for rehearsal dinners, the ceremony is right on the water’s edge, there are farewell brunches, there are gardens and wildflower fields, croquet lawns, and more. Each is appropriate for different personalities that fit different couples and whatever it is they want.”
Everyone has their own vision of their dream day or weekend where the bride is entitled to feeling like a queen-to-be just as much as the groom is entitled to feeling like a king-in-waiting, and the whims and vision are catered to in whatever way imaginable at the inn. Just as much as the planning of the intricate details and color schemes, the logistics of indoors vs. outdoors, what season the day or weekend will take place, or what flavor the cake will be are entirely subjective depending upon the couple’s dream, the Perry Cabin can provide and cater for whatever the dream may be with limitless possibilities for the space for you and the guests best optimized for anyone in attendance.
“With acres of outdoor space, it’s a blank canvas with a myriad of possibilities, said Saad-Loman. “You can walk and take the grounds and make it whatever you want. The creative spaces and nooks and crannies are meant to be made on your own for a variety of guest counts. It could range from two to 300 guests.”
While being an Ashley Property and having traditions of families coming back for more may have put it on the map in the 1980’s, later generations may know it as the property used in one of the most intrinsic Maryland movies of all-time: Wedding Crashers. Couples or guests that have been fans of the film have
308 WATKINS LN, ST MICHAELS, MD 21663
Photo by Costola Photography
done everything from bringing cardboard cutouts of Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson to threatening to crash the wedding with constant references to the cult classic film.
A large part of what’s made the Inn at Perry Cabin the prestigious, long-lasting venue for a wedding is that it has remained true to itself and the property for as long as it has. The blue herons and the eagles and the feeling of disconnecting on the waterfront as you sail, take a trip to the spa, play a round of golf or croquet, or have a drink at the local distillery in town together are much more meaningful than the stoplights and the separation as everyone may be off in their own world rather than celebrating with one another in fellowship.
“You arrive and feel like you’re at a destination, but no one has to get on a plane to come here,” Wilhelm said. “It’s a slower pace. Everyone relaxes. Everyone can spend time together outside of the scheduled celebration.”
The Inn at Perry Cabin is a waterfront venue where your happiest, Hollywood film-level romance is made possible in whichever way you can imagine is made possible from the way that is has treated families and the serene area and created generational loyalty because of their commitment to everyone’s happiness and idea of a lovely gathering being subjective and accommodated.
Of course, the Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn cutouts are only optional.
VILLAMOUR
Virginia-based photographer hosts euro-style wedding shoot at luxury Huntingtown home
STORY BY CECELIA SHILLING
PHOTOS BY ALEX MCCORMICK
On May 1, photographer Alex McCormick hung a floral wedding dress from an airy, arched window in what looks like an Italian cottage and snapped photos of a white rose bouquet near a marble statue. With glistening waterfront views and extensive gardens in the background, anyone might mistake the setting for a European getaway.
Actually, the European-inspired wedding shoot took place at Huntingtown’s “Villamour,” a Côte d’Azur, or French Riviera, style home along the Patuxent River.
“I was looking for a venue that was unique and would cater to people looking for more of an intimate, small wedding — the type of place that’s off the beaten path,” McCormick said.
When McCormick, a former teacher turned full-time photographer, started her new career journey after moving to Virginia in 2022, she kept an eye out for a unique space to showcase her work. She stumbled upon Villamour on an Airbnb-like platform called “Peerspace” while planning her father-in-law’s 60th birthday party, she said.
“I loved the architecture, the water views, the French-inspired decor,” McCormick said. “I’m building my business out here (and was) hoping for some beautiful photos.”
Inside Villamour, the home is designed with art deco stained glass, greek-like statues and cathedral ceilings, not to mention an indoor heated pool and jacuzzi. Outside the home, however, is the showstopper. The grounds are covered in masterful stonework and impeccable greenery. As the greenery ends, a long pier stretches into the river.
“It’s kind of like an arboretum here,” said Will Johnston, whose family owns the house. “It’s an informal garden and the terrain is really beautiful with all the stonework and the landscaping. I’ve had quite a few people come and they were just shocked that there was something like this here in the county.”
The home was built in 1977 by Johnston’s parents, Bill and Cristina, who took inspiration from their travels around Germany, France and Mediterranean Europe.
“My dad was from D.C., but his family had a cabin in Scientists Cliffs,” Johnston said. “So my parents knew that they wanted to buy a house and build something unique down here in the county.”
The home became a labor of love with renovations and projects added over thirty-some years, Johnston said.
“They bought the land and had an architect design the house,” he said. “There’s lots of antiques and
Planning: @ lauraelizabethweddings
Photography: @alexmccormick. photo
Venue: @villamour_
Stationery: @pressedfigpaperie
Hair: @kanikastyles
Makeup: @rcd.artistry
Content Creator: @ inthemomentcontentcreators
Florals: @drivebyflowers
Ceremony Gown: @ zakaacoutureflagship
Reception Dress: @ taylarmaderentals
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stained glass built into the house. They’d been buying the stuff up from antique shops, from churches, and just stockpiling it.”
McCormick began planning the shoot alongside event planner Laura Smith in January. The duo first met after being hired for a 2025 wedding and were excited to plan a collaborative shoot with natural-inspired decor like oyster-shaped place cards and rose centerpieces.
“That was something that was really cool about this specific venue,” Smith said. “It kind of has that old-
world feel. We were able to play off of the stucco and the tiles and those types of textures, which was really fun for us to be able to keep that as part (of the) organic vision that we had. It was a very upscale farmto-table feel in a European way.”
The pair pulled from a Pinterest vision board McCormick created with images of wedding parties eating from an outdoor oyster bar, a marble fountain filled with bottles of champagne, oversized cheese wheels and baguettes centered on white-clothed tables and long, dinner party style seating as opposed
to separate, smaller tables common at large weddings.
With a vintage, coastal feel, the photoshoot was dotted with elegant and playful touches like pearlescent and red accents. Villamour’s long pier is a piece of typical Southern Maryland imagery that ties the home’s European inspiration back to its roots. Models Byron Campbell and Alexis Pineda floated through floral gardens and posed along the riverside.
Like their Pin-spiration, the dinner tables were delicate and whimsical, using food as centerpieces alongside white roses. The minimal color palette of black, white and red with soft pops of green and pale pink allowed the simple design to be elevated and sophisticated.
The shoot was a nice change of pace for Smith, she said. Because the event wasn’t a literal wedding, McCormick and Smith could put their own spin on the designs instead of meeting a specific client’s requests.
“It was a lot of fun,” Smith said. “I felt like the vendors, including myself and Alex, we all got to express our creativity for the shoot.”
As for Villamour, Johnston plans to keep the space as a boutique events venue and small wedding space.
“If [a couple] is looking for something really unique and out of the ordinary, then this might be the special location for them,” he said.
McCormick and Smith agree, suggesting Villamour as the perfect spot for couples interested in a micro-wedding, those who want a destination wedding without the hassle of travel or any couple looking for an adventure.
Alex McCormick (on left)
STORY BY JORDANNA GARLAND
PHOTOS BY JOHN PAUL LACAP
LOVE YOU TO Death
A MARRIAGE TO DIE FOR: Di and Karen Pines’ zombie wedding
Known as “The Zombie Brides” to Milton, Del., locals, Di and Karen Pine professed their undying love for each other on Oct. 21, 2023 while dressed as zombie apocalypse hunters during Milton Theatre’s Zombie Fest. As the winners of the “UNEARTH YOUR LOVE: Zombie Fest 2023 Wedding Package Contest!”, hosted and sponsored by The Vault Radio Station and The Red Roof Inn, the Pines tied the knot with over 150 people in attendance.
In 2020, after a year of matching with each other on online dating site, Hinge, but zero communication on the dating app, the Pines first met after Di became in need of a custom desk for her at-home work. Seeing that Karen had included the name of her carpentry business on her Hinge profile, Di contacted Karen to take on the new project.
“I was like, ‘Let’s meet up for coffee and talk about your design.’ So we did,” Karen said. “In the time between having that conversation and actually meeting her in-person, I put two and two together and I figured out that she was the person that was trying to message me on the dating app.”
Having just recently moved to Milton that September, the couple wanted to become more familiar with the town, so they followed Milton centered social media pages and groups, including the Milton Theatre. They saw that Zombie Fest was coming up and planned on going, but when they saw a post about the zombie wedding contest a few weeks later, they decided to enter despite having originally planned to get married in October 2024.
The Pines were announced as the winners of the contest eight days before their wedding, which just so happened to fall on Friday the 13th. Since she isn’t
from Delaware, Di explained that even though there was some sadness from her family not being able to attend on such short notice, having a free zombie wedding was the perfect way to get married.
Everything from the venue to the food to the officiator was taken care of. According to Di, all they had to do was show up at the venue. As entertainment for the wedding, there were circus performers, fire performers, hearse drivers and people dressed as zombies.
“It was on the other side of the house, next to Milton Theatre with the tree,” Karen said. “We live a couple blocks north of the venue and so it was easy. We just got dressed at the house and walked down together.”
Aside from their wedding ceremony, their ‘brain wedding cake’ and the wedding officiator, also
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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.
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included in the Pines’ wedding package was a two-night stay at any Red Roof Inn across the U.S., a $50 gas card, tickets to see The Rocky Horror Show and a Milton Theatre gift bag.
To enter the contest, contestants had to be 21 years or older, able to obtain an official marriage license in Sussex County, not currently married and able to attend the marriage ceremony. Contestants also had to fill out the online application form explaining why they deserve a hauntingly beautiful wedding ceremony and package.
JP Lacap, Milton Theatre’s marketing director, explained the theatre has been hosting Zombie Fest since 2014, only canceling the fest in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Taking place on Union Street in downtown Milton, Zombie Fest offers live music and entertainment, food vendors, bouncy houses for kids and more.
“We’re going to have roaming freak shows,” Lacap said. “We’re also going to have a laser light show…We’re going to have the unique merch from the Milton Theatre as well. It’s definitely going to be bigger…”
People are encouraged to come dressed to impress in their spooky outfits for the costume contest, which is open to adults, children and even pets. For those who really want to tap into their inner zombie, students at the Delaware Learning Institute of Cosmetology offer their makeup skills to transform attendees into the undead for a small donation of $5 at various stations at the festival.
Moreover, there will be a zombie walk led by the newlyweds of this year’s zombie wedding. As part of their wedding package, Di and Karen walked downtown with their friends and other attendees.
Lacap described that the radio station that previously hosted the zombie wedding revamped and is no longer sponsoring this year. Assuming they weren’t able to have another zombie wedding this year, the theatre planned to do a mass vow renewal ceremony instead, but when the Pines heard of this change, they couldn’t bear to see the zombie wedding tradition come to a close.
“I [Di] reached out to the theatre and I said ‘I really don’t want this to ever end. Can her business and my business sponsor it so we make sure… the wedding doesn’t die?’ Di said. “There will be another Zombie Fest but
we will be sponsoring the zombie wedding as well.”
This year’s Zombie Fest is Mardi Gras themed and will be on Oct. 19, starting at 4 p.m. Information on parking, vendor sign-up and other frequently asked questions can be found on the Milton Theatre website at miltontheatre.com/zombiefest.
“Over 150-200 people showed up around that corner and gathered to celebrate love,” Di said. “They didn’t know us. They didn’t know who we were, we had just moved to town. But we got to be celebrated.”
BY
PHOTO
JENNQUINN CREATIVE
Now you’re giving me nothing
but Woven Dreams giving me woven dreams
STORY BY MADISON BATEMAN Ι PHOTOS BY J. MOON PHOTOGRAPHY
For Emily Brown, it’s all about the details when it comes to her small event planning and decor business. Whether it’s the perfect placement of wine glasses on a table or the little surprises she loves to include, this is what sets her business apart from the rest.
“No two events are alike,” Brown said, “We always build around the client’s vision.’
Woven Dreams by Emily was born in September 2021 when she decided to follow her passion for decor setup and creating experiences for people that they would never forget.
“It all started with a romantic picnic in my living room to surprise my husband when he got home from work,” Brown said. “I posted a few pictures on Facebook, the positive comments came rolling in, and that’s all I needed to hear. I was off to the races.”
She returned from a vacation and began putting the pieces together. Her first event was a 10-person picnic and after that was a success, she made her business official.
Brown continued to invest the money she made into her business, buying more and more inventory. She began offering décor rentals and other services, in addition to event planning. When questions about balloon display offerings came up, she went straight to YouTube and taught herself to make various balloon arches.
Eventually she took on new ventures, such as setting up scenes for photographers and parties. She was soon coordinating sleep overs, glamping, holiday gettogethers and even bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and weddings.
“It’s really taken off in the last year … I just never said no,” Brown said.
Brown also has a newly renovated brick and mortar space located in Chester. This micro-venue can accommodate up to 30 people with the option of picnic seating, high-tops and standard seating. This space is
perfect for kids birthday parties, small showers, workshops, photography sessions, business meetings and more.
Pamela Faraci of Pasadena is a loyal client of Brown’s after she’s planned a number of events for her.
“Emily is an extraordinary event planner who effortlessly transforms every vision into captivating reality,” Faraci said. “Her unwavering dedication and meticulous attention to detail ensures that each event she orchestrates is not only one-of-a-kind but also flawlessly executed.”
Brown has worked with Faraci most recently on a baby shower.
“Everything was perfect … It was a soft by the sea theme and there were pearls on everything,” Faraci said.
When asked about her favorite part of her work, Brown said she likes being able to take the stress out of planning an event for her clients.
“The stress of planning an event can ruin it for some people. For me, I just love when brides and their families can enjoy the day and don’t need to worry about anything other than having a good time … my team does that for them,” she said.”
Brown has another full-time job and runs her business in her free time.
“I didn’t expect to get this big so quickly,” she said. “It’s scary, exciting and fulfilling … I discovered a side of me I didn’t know existed.”
Arlette Cross, owner of The FaceBar in Pasadena, has hired Brown to handle her business events and said she was truly impressed with her work.
“Her creativity shows no bounds, consistently delivering unforgettable experiences,” she said. “I’m grateful for her dedication and contributions to the success of my events.”
Brown currently employs a small staff of stylists who help her to create the client’s vision.
Katie Wood has worked for Brown for about a year now as a senior stylist. She said the job is a fun opportunity to work with clients and see their reactions to the events put together for them.
“Emily really pays attention to the conversations she has with her clients and she tries to make their event unique,” Wood said. “It’s never just about the invoice with her … nothing is left incomplete. These events are an opportunity to bring happiness to people.”
As owner of the company, she lets her employees be creative, Wood said, adding Brown goes above and beyond to make her staff feel appreciated.
“I was there with her in the beginning and I watched her small business grow, grow, grow,” Susan Harrison, Brown’s mother said. “She always has so much energy … And she enlists her family to help out.”
Harrison often cleans up after the events and Brown calls her husband her ‘unpaid employee.’
“I’m a very proud mom,” Harrison said. “We always leave saying this is the best we’ve ever done.”
Woven Dreams by Emily will be three years old in August. So far, no money has been spent on advertising, Brown said, attributing her growth to word-of-mouth and Facebook posts. So far, the business has three weddings booked this year. Visit wovendreamsbyemily.com for more information on her bridal packages and other services.
BY EMILY BROWN
2025Tablescapes
In 2025 you will see a wedding trend of earthy romantic tones. Tablescapes will blend natural elements with a touch of elegance to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Picture wooden tables, salad plates and napkin rings to balance color. Touches of vintage, gold rims and metallics will bring in that extra little detail your guests will love.
For the place settings, opt for ceramic or stoneware plates with a handcrafted look, paired with linen napkins in shades like sage green or warm taupe. Simple, elegant flatware with wooden handles or matte finishes complements the natural theme. Consider using mismatched vintage glassware to add a touch of charm and personality.
To enhance the romantic feel, scatter tea light candles or small pillar candles in varying heights across the table, perhaps nestled in small, reclaimed glass jars or wooden holders. Fresh greenery, like sprigs of rosemary or eucalyptus, can be woven into the table runner or used as napkin rings for a touch of greenery.
Overall, the key is to combine natural elements with subtle sophistication, creating a cozy yet refined ambiance that invites both intimate conversation and appreciation of the natural beauty surrounding you.
For this Tablescape we combined neutral and warm tones for the fall season featuring an emerald green velvet runner, butterscotch linen napkins, gold amber goblets and gold rimmed vintage water glasses. A stunning stone vase for the centerpiece filled with earthy tones and pops of red to balance the setting. Varying heights of hurricanes, tapered candles and vintage tealight candles to bring on the romance. Lastly, touches of wood, rattan and jute rugs to tie everything together for a stunning look.
Photos By: Jessica Mooney J. Moon Photographyjessicamooney.mypixieset.com
Flowers By: The Flower Shop - mdeasternshoreflowers.com
Venue: Chesapeake Bay Beach Club - baybeachclub.com
Setup and Design: Woven Dreams By Emilywovendreamsbyemily.com
STORY BY STEPHANIE ALLEN PHOTOS BY KA PHOTOGRAPHY
The latest trend for big festivities MICRO-WEDDINGS
The past decade welcomed lavish weddings on a budget. Brides and grooms deviated from tradition to showcase their unique personalities with everything from photo booths to food trucks. Don’t forget the monograms.
With guest lists soaring into the hundreds, couples had to find ways to accommodate Great-Aunt Gertrude and her plus-one, often at the cost of their dream venue or special vendors.
Not anymore. Enter the latest trend: micro-weddings.
Just like the name implies, micro-weddings are far more intimate ceremonies with a select group of
attendees – usually no more than 50 guests made up of the bride and groom’s closest friends and family. Sorry, Gertrude.
These downsized weddings certainly don’t lack flair –many couples opt for the smaller guest list in order to maximize their budget in other ways.
Here in the Chesapeake Bay, one local waterfront property called The Bay Break has piqued interest as a destination for micro-weddings. Take a glimpse into this luxurious country estate and one couple’s dream wedding celebration that lasted a full five days.
Nestled along the Chesapeake in Rock Hall, The Bay Break is an enchanting nine-bedroom villa complete with amenities galore; every guest has something to enjoy during their unforgettable getaway.
AN UNEXPECTED VENUE, THIS AIRBNB IS PERFECT FOR A MICRO-WEDDING
The five-acre property, situated around ample farmland, has most recently become an unexpected hotspot for micro-weddings, according to owners Ashleigh and Chad Gallagher. In fact, the first time a couple approached them about hosting their wedding on the property, they said no.
“We didn’t initially plan on that to be honest, we just got a ton of requests for it,” Ashleigh said.
“They kind of found us,” Chad agreed.
Seeing the demand to turn their Airbnb rental into a micro-wedding venue, the Gallaghers, who also own a second property in Chesapeake City called Bohemia Manor, decided to give it a try. In order to ensure that weddings hosted on their property are the right fit, the Gallaghers have a strict 35-guest count for weddings at The Bay Break (though Bohemia Manor can accommodate a larger guest list). They also provide
a list of preferred vendors guests can utilize for their nuptials.
The estate boasts floor-to-ceiling windows for breathtaking views and natural light throughout. Outside, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge serves as the picturesque backdrop for ceremonies by the water.
Throughout their stay, guests can enjoy the heated pool, hot tub and private sauna. With rooms designed both for children and elderly guests in mind, the Gallaghers made sure all ages would have access to essential items like a crib, toys, safety gates and more.
“One of our goals is to create these environments where your whole family can stay on the property in this space with you,” Chad said. “You’re having a wedding, you’re bringing two families together. It creates this bonding experience.”
CREATING CORE MEMORIES: GUESTS CAN BE PART OF THE BIG DAY
For Savanna and Zackary Kline, the Bay Break was the perfect venue for their small gathering of 40 guests on May 11.
Savanna, who works as a behavior analyst in Delaware, came across the idea to check Airbnb for a potential micro-wedding venue after searching TikTok. When Zackary, a former Air Force service member, searched online, “[The Bay Break] was literally the first thing that popped up.”
With only two months to plan, the couple didn’t even have time to send out official save-the-dates. After whittling down their original guest list of 200 people, they chose to invite only their closest friends and family. Many of their guests stayed with the newlyweds at the villa throughout the weekend, too.
Thanks to their significantly smaller wedding, the couple was able to use better portions of their budget on details like their catering – barbecue from Phat Daddy’s BBQ and cake and cakesicles from Cakerybake Bakery. The venue’s amenities provided most of their needs, even including speakers and batteries, while Savanna and Zackary brought personal touches like their neon sign that read, “The Klines.”
The more intimate setting was an opportunity to have their guests involved on the Klines’ special day. For example, Zackary’s step dad acted as the officiant for their ceremony, while a friend set up the music.
“We relied on our family and friends to be a part of it and help us make it happen,” Savanna said. “Everybody had a job.”
According to Ashleigh Gallagher, The Bay Break is the perfect venue to keep special memories alive: “You can come back every year for your anniversary or bring your kids there.”
BAY BACHELOR PARTIES
Recently, I had the pleasure of spending a day with Jerry Hayes, founder of Elusive Tours, in his hometown of Cambridge. Jerry offered me a sample of what the historic town has to offer and showed how local entrepreneurs, himself included, have breathed new life into Cambridge.
Bachelor parties are one of Jerry’s specialties, and his curated selection of destinations will ensure you will have a night to remember. Elusive Tours promises to provide a bachelor party tailored to your needs and wants; for unforgettable experiences ranging from bar crawls to nights at the arcade, Elusive has you covered.
Our first stop was at the RaR Brewing complex on Poplar St. in the heart of Cambridge’s downtown. This location stretches nearly across an entire block, featuring a trio of conjoined eateries. The central feature is RaR’s Taproom, including a handcrafted Cedar bar plus 12-tap draft
Story by James Young
Photos by Doug Ramey
system with a constantly rotating selection of RaR’s creatively crafted beers.
On the taproom’s left flank is the LabRaRtory, a cozy yet cultured cocktail bar that would not feel out of place in Brooklyn. With floweradorned white brick walls and classy leather seating, the inspiration of the space itself is a perfect match for the off-the-wall cocktail selection, including a delightful cocoainfused twist on the Old-Fashioned.
Continuing to the right of the Taproom, one will find Chessie Burger, a veritable heaven for the 80s geek in all of us. Pop culture memorabilia, retro gaming consoles and an actual Lego wall provide ample nostalgia to enjoy alongside the comfort food menu, abounding with burgers, hot dogs and wings.
Next on the agenda was RaR’s Dive Club, just across the street; with no exaggeration I can say it is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. Crossing the threshold, one is
I WILL DRIVE YOU LITERALLY ANYWHERE
Photo by Eli Wohlenhaus
transported to the cabin of an old-timey ship, following the journey of the fictitious Captain Bernard to locate the infamous Chessie (Chesapeake Bay Monster).
No expense was spared in crafting the environment: Hollywood set designers were brought in to meticulously prepare each and every detail, from the cannonball holes in the walls, to the artificial “thunderstorm” light shows that roll through the bar at regular intervals. As you absorb the nautical atmosphere, you can enjoy a curated selection of maritime-themed cocktails, as well as a tapasstyle small plates menu designed for sharing.
After the Dive Club, Jerry took me for a ride through Cambridge’s historic district in the comfortable and classy Elusive Tours van, boasting several rows of roomy seating and top-of-the-line features. Our next destination was the Hyatt Regency, a hotel and resort on the banks of the scenic Choptank River, which includes an 18-hole golf course, indoor and outdoors pools, a full-service spa and a 150-slip marina.
Set on a natural marsh, the golf course spans a gorgeous hardwood forest and pristine riverfront, and is recognized as one of the most popular destination golf courses in Maryland. After golfing, one can relax by the poolside, enjoy a fantastic river view and cool off with a tropical drink at the Off the Rook poolside bar.
Seeing what Elusive Tours could offer was a remarkable experience for me, as I’m sure it is for his clients. Though our sample tour was limited to Cambridge due to time constraints, Jerry regularly schedules tours to Annapolis, Philadelphia and Ocean City, among many other locations.
From restaurants to casinos, from beach days to nights at the club, there’s no limit to what Elusive offers for your bachelor party.
“I will drive you literally anywhere,” Jerry said.
To book your own truly exceptional experience, contact Jerry at elusivetours.com.
TIP FROM A BEST MAN:
Curate your party to the group and the groom! Not everyone is cut out for a night on the town in terms of bar hopping or parties.
Stephen Quinn, a recent bachelor party planner, created a less-than-traditional party for his friend.
“The groom and the rest of my friends aren’t the type to drink or gamble, so I planned around our interests,” Stephen said. “The groom is a big fan of arcades and mentioned that he had never gone to a Dave & Buster’s.”
The group scheduled visits to Dave & Buster’s in Pennsylvania, Main Event in Delaware, as well as an escape room.
©Anna CPhotography
HOW THEY MET:
We met online during the pandemic, and even though the world was at a standstill, our connection was anything but. Those early conversations allowed us to truly understand and appreciate each other before we even met in person. Our first date at the Kennett Creamery was like something out of a dream, and from that moment, I knew I had found someone incredibly special.
THE PROPOSAL:
Our proposal story still gives me butterflies. My husband planned the most incredible surprise during a local train ride. He thought of every detail—from the photographer capturing every moment to the perfect romantic setting. But the biggest surprise was when, after I said ‘yes,’ the doors opened to reveal our entire family waiting for us in the back of the train. It was like a scene from a fairy tale, and I’ll never forget the overwhelming joy and love I felt that day.
BEST PART:
The best part of our wedding day was hands down marrying my best friend. As I walked down the aisle, I wasn’t just gaining a husband—I was gaining a partner who has been by my side through every high and low. That day, we didn’t just say ‘I do’; we committed to a lifetime of love, laughter, and adventures together. Now, as we prepare to welcome our first child this fall, it feels like our journey is just beginning. It’s been such a beautiful, blessed ride.
HARDEST PART:
The hardest part? My husband would probably say it was helping me out of my heels at the end of the night! But honestly, I think the most challenging part for both of us was not being able to see each other until our first look and when we exchanged our vows. That anticipation made the moment we finally saw each other even more powerful, filled with so much emotion and love.”
Outstanding Vendors:
Venue- Bohemia Manor House/Farm Florist- Bloomin’ Wild DJ- Crow Entertainment Photography- Elegant Exposures by Britt
Hair/Makeup- Donna Walsh Sola Salon Studio 13 and Hitomi Mahani (Instagram laylo.glam)
Live Painter- Event Painting By Jamie
HOW THEY MET:
We are high school sweethearts. We met at a mutual friend’s bonfire and shared the last camping chair, and we were smitten with each other fairly quickly!
06.09.23
The Proposal:
We planned a trip to Isla Mujeres, Mexico, just us two for a vacation. One night we planned to bring a bottle of wine to the beach at sunset for happy hour and Johnny wanted to buy *real* wine glasses. I was a little suspicious, but wrote it off as him wanting it to be a romantic time! After Johnny sought out the perfect sunset spot on the beach, he asked a stranger to take our photo and I noticed a small box in his back pocket. Then he popped the question and it was the best day ever!
BEST PART:
Our first look was so special to us because it gave us time just the two of us before all of the craziness. Also, saying our vows to each other during our ceremony was magical. It started to drizzle just barely as we made our way down the aisle, and it eased both of our nerves and made the day perfectly imperfect. We recorded the ceremony on a cam corder and it’s the sweetest memory to look back on.
HARDEST PART:
Waking up so early to get ready after not sleeping much out of excitement, ha! Otherwise it was smooth sailing. I give a lot of credit to our beauty team and photographer for that! Our vendors overall made it such an stress-free day.
Outstanding Vendors:
Caterer-
DJ- Steve Moody
Floral- WildflowerMD
Rentals- Honeywood Rental
Transportation- Annapolis Trolley
Gown- Grace Loves Lace
Lighting- Event Dynamics
Dance floor-Tent.com
Photography- Ashley Elena photography
Coordinator- your fairy Godmother
Cake- Blue crab cupcakes
Music- Eric Riley
Suits-Annapolis Bridal
Guest book -After the Tone
Hotels- Annapolis Waterfront, Historic Inn
Brunch- Killarney Hous
Venue- Historic LondonTown and Garden
Zeffert and Gold and The Local Oyster
CASSIE & CALVIN
Outstanding Vendors:
Venue - Piney Grove Events Coordinator & Florist - The Bloom Wagon
Photography - Karlie Whitt Photography Hair - Krista Blosser Bridal
Make-up - Artistry By Ta-lia Venaye Dress - Schers
Celebrate your most cherished memories at Magnolia Manor. Magnolia Manor offers a stunning water view from the nineteenth centur y manor house, located on the bank s of the Tred Avon River. The venue brings life to the past, present, and future with each celebration.
We encourage our couples to engage their beloved vendors, creating an experience that is as uniquely well-celebrated as possible.
Welcome home
Our newly renovated, historic resort fuses countr y ouse charm and contemporar y sop isticationo ering 24 beautiful rooms and suites, four unique wedding and event venues including e Farmstead, plus our all new 18 Bar & Restaurant.
Serene views, calm waters and a truly magnificent wedding experience awaits you at ent Island Resort.
Photo Credit: Karena Di xo
Bridal Burn?
Photo by Elizabeth M Photography
ASTORY BY KRISTEN CLEMONS, KRISTEN C. ARTISTRY
s a professional hair and makeup company, my team and I love being a part of wedding days. Doing about 40 weddings a year for the past eight years has allowed us to thoroughly enjoy working with couples and other vendors. It has also prepared us to pivot and thrive in situations where things may not go as planned.
I had a bridal situation occur where it could have been devastating but instead ended up working out just fine. One of my brides went to Hawaii the week before her wedding and got severely burned on her chest and shoulders. This bride was in a panic as her dress was off the shoulder and she knew it would stick out in pictures and to guests at her wedding.
I approached the situation calmly as I studied her chest on the morning of her wedding. I’ve been trained in color correction and knew that this was a task I was up for. Most people would think this is an easy fix where you can just apply a foundation that matches her skin all over her chest to create an even canvas. Applying one foundation shade would not work as her chest was several different tones. This was because some skin was freshly peeled (lighter), some was tan, and other parts were still red from being burnt.
I used a color correction palette that I always keep in my makeup bag and mixed greens, oranges and reds to create an even pigment. Where her chest was still red, I added greens to neutralize the red. Where the freshly peeled lighter skin was, I used red and orange along with foundations to create a warmer pigment to match the skin that hadn’t peeled yet. I approached each section of her chest as if it was a blank canvas creating a desired tone. Once each section was complete the whole chest was even. You would never know that some parts had peeled and were different tones. This was then set in place so it wouldn’t transfer on her dress.
My bride was really happy with the result and sent me this when I asked for permission to share her story: “That was quite a debacle, and you really saved the day. It’s a funny story that I still share now with family and friends, but it was truly the worst sunburn I’ve ever had in my life leading up to one of the biggest days in my life. You made me feel beautiful and confident and myself.”
HIS
JStory by Ryan Roche
enn and I have been dating for almost five years, and I’ve known since the beginning that I wanted to marry her. Luckily, she had an inkling of this intention, and we put together a pinterest board with a bunch of rings I could pick from.
I saved up for months and months to buy one. Lots of peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Oh wait, I’m getting ahead of myself. We had a trip planned! To Utah! The land of sand. Jenn’s best friend lives out there and we’ve gone to visit a few times.
I’m really bad at secrets so I had to keep my lips sealed. Except I asked Jenn’s friend for help planning the proposal. But no one else… well, except her husband too. We decided to disguise it as a photoshoot for their anniversary. A ruse for going out into the desert in exceptionally formal clothing.
I ordered the ring at the last minute, and had to beg the jeweler for express shipping. I was worried the ring would arrive at our home in Chestertown while we were already flying out. The faintest glimmer of a backup plan was developing in my mind when the ring arrived in a totally timely manner. Jenn wasn’t even home! I simply stuck it in my backpack for the trip, and off we went!
Our friends made me get a manicure for the occasion. I’m an automotive technician by trade and all the long hours working for that ring had taken its toll on my extremities. I was really nervous about preserving my masculinity, but there were other guys in there, and it kind of tickled at times. I had the salon techs laughing at the before-and-after of my hands.
LOVE OUT WEST
PROPOSAL proposal perspectives
After the salon we headed out into the wilderness. Once Jenn finished up photos of our friends, it was our turn. I picked out the highest point I could, which made for a beautiful backdrop, but I sadly am afraid of heights and this made me extra nervous. I had Jenn look away and told her I wanted to look like Jack and Rose. As Jenn turned around to see the ring, it almost fell out of the box and down into the ravine.
I would have gone down with it, but Jenn has always been a stabilizing force for me, and steadied my hand as she plucked the ring from its box and agreed to marry me. May 10th, 2024 was the best day of my life. I wasn’t afraid to ask, just afraid of falling.
PHOTOS BY CASEY CICHOCKI
PROPOSAL
HERS
IStory by Jenn Quinn
can’t say that our engagement came as a surprise. But it was perfect.
About four and half years ago, I fell in love with my friend, Ryan. We had met in college and grew to be great friends, and two years in, we gave ourselves a chance. He’s from Baltimore and I’m from Kennedyville, so the middle-distance relationship wasn’t always easy.
But after new jobs, a new home, two cats and a lot of driving, we are now together everyday.
So, onto the story of our engagement.
One of my best friends, Casey, lives in Utah, so Ryan, my sister, Laurie, and I had planned a trip out there to see her and her husband, Joe. The first full day out there we were going on a hike at the Chuckwalla trail. Casey and Joe had just celebrated their 1st wedding anniversary and asked me to do a photoshoot for them while we were out on our hike. Tip off number one.
In preparation for the photo shoot, that morning we all went to a nail salon and even Ryan was convinced to get his nails cleaned up while us girls got manicures. Afterwards, we went back to the house and gathered outfits for the photoshoot and our hiking stuff. Casey had told me she wanted to take photos of me and Ryan dressed up since I am usually the one behind the camera, so we brought nice clothes with us. Tip off number two.
During the hike we scrambled up all sorts of rocks, saw a large variety of small critters and constantly lost sight of Ryan, as he has no limit to what he will climb up. He kept looking at all of the peaks, going higher and further to find the best spots for our photo shoots.
Finally, Casey and Ryan decided on a good spot, up on a cliff. Casey and Joe changed and I spent a few minutes capturing photos of them out in the beautiful landscape. Soon after Ryan and I changed, and handed over my beloved camera to Casey.
Of course Ryan insisted we start out with the classic “Titanic” pose.
After a few shots, I was instructed to keep looking out. What a tell-tale sign and tip off number three.
Once I turned around, Ryan was down on one knee. He looked up at me and kept it very simple - “Will you marry me?”
