Inspired! Vol. 6 | Fall/Winter 2016

eastern shore MY

WEDDING

p ns ire I d!

IN THIS ISSUE:

R E A L E N G AG E M E N T S | p g . 1 8

SOMETHING BORROWED | pg. 50

We Love: Eastern Shore Weddings! | pg. 42 S H ORE G OU RME T: S E A G LA S S CA NDY | p g . 6 4

FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 6 | I S S U E

No. 6

X the Eastern Shore’s PHOTOBOOTH EXPERIENCE!

X

PHOTOBOOTH INFO@PHOTOMATICBOOTH.COM | 410-690-3606

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM! q u e e n st ow n , m d

v i st u s : e b bt i d e t e n t re n ta l s . c o m e b bt i d e 5 @ v e ri z o n . n e t 8 0 0 - 6 7 5 - 6 0 5 3

P U BLI S H ER ’S L E T T E R FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 6 | I S S U E

Time just flies. I don’t know about you, but

No. 6

We look back on wedding traditions with

we here in the MESW studio don’t know where

planner Katie Parks of While Oak Weddings &

the summer went, much less the early fall. So

Events in “Something Borrowed”, embrace the

it’s with this feeling of the days slipping by that

season with a couple lovely fall engagements from

makes me realize that in order to appreciate the

Karena Dixon and myself, get to know Cece of

good in our lives, we must slow down and live in

Cecile Davis Films in this month's "5 Minutes

the moment a little more. I think this season is a

With", and show you a super simple (really!) Sea

wonderful time to do just that. Take a day and

Glass Candy DIY! It was the perfect addition

enjoy a short getaway or a scenic drive. With the

to our mermaid-themed “Will You Be My

days getting shorter, I know I am cocooning more,

Bridesmaid” box, another featured article.

planning holiday menus, and anticipating guests & the joy of being together.

Appreciation also makes me think about the love of family and friends—and what better example of that than weddings? Couples want their wedding day to be enriched by the important people in their lives and in a place that feels like home. On the Shore, that place in some ways, becomes another character in their overall wedding experience, defining and showcasing their style and taste.

Our love of the Eastern Shore became the inspiration for our featured article, 20 Things We LOVE about Eastern Shore Weddings. After all, who could pick just one?

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We can't wait one more minute to show you all the treats we have for you in this issue, so sit back, relax and appreciate!! Happy Thanksgiving, loves!

Stay in Touch: 114 NORTH WASHINGTON ST., SUITE 1 • EASTON, MD | 410.690.3606 InspiredIdeas@MyEasternShoreWedding.com

VENDOR SOIRÉE aboard patriot cruises

Inspired! m eet

THE TEAM

publisher MELISSA GRIMES-GUY art director CARA SMITH marketing manager BETSY GRIEVES community manager HALEY GELLER cover photo by MELISSA GRIMES-GUY back cover photo by JOY MICHELLE

contributing photographers

Photography by Tom Miller

COTY JONES, CECILE DAVIS, KARENA DIXON, PERRY VAILE, JENNIFER GULLEY, CHELSEA FLUHARTY, LEAH ADKINS, CAROLINE FROST, LAURA'S FOCUS, JOY MICHELLE

COPYRIGHT ©2016 My Eastern Shore Wedding Inspired!. All rights reserved.

Copyright of articles and photographs of My Eastern Shore Wedding Inspired! remain with the individual contributors and may not be reproduced without permission.

For more information, visit MYEASTERNSHOREWEDDING.COM

patriotcruises.com

S TAY CO NNEC TE D i n a ll your favor ite p l a ces

C C D D D

eastern shore MY

WEDDING

MYEASTERNSHOREWEDDING.COM

TA BLE

of C O N T E NNo.T6S

FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 6 | I S S U E

50

58 In Every Issue 4

Real Engagements

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

58

16

5 MINUTES WITH Cecile Davis Films

REBEKAH & BRANDON Photography by Karena Dixon

16

42

W E LO V E Eastern Shore Weddings

CHRISTEN & ANDREW Photography by Melissa Grimes-Guy

64

SHORE GOURMET Sea Glass Candy

Features 9 50

POP THE QUESTION Will you be my bridesmaid?

SOMETHING BORROWED Time-honored traditions with a modern twist

find us on

443 -786 -6616

POP

the

QUESTION!

Where would be without our best friends?

You can’t imagine life without them, much less something as important as your wedding day. You want them beside you as you do one of the most exciting and meaningful things you’ll do in your life—get married.

You know you’re going to ask them to be your bridesmaids and perhaps one will be your maid of honor. Why not surprise them with a gift that says how you feel about each of them? One that says “your friendship means the world to me”. More and more often brides are choosing to do just that- give their favorite ladies a themed gift that they’ve either made

or had created and that both delights and lets them know how much you love them.

And this styled gift isn’t only for the ladies! Grooms can get into the fun, too. With so many ideas out there on Pinterest and other social media, the inspiration isn’t hard to find.

My Eastern Shore Wedding has designed three themed styles for you. Two nauticallythemed boxes for both bridesmaids and groomsmen, as well as a rose pink gift box for the ladies. Asking your wedding party to be a party of your day will be that much sweeter!

BE MY

bridesmaid

FLORAL WINE GLASS | BOTTLE OF ROS É | MACAROONS, B a r t l e t t Pe a r B a k e r y ESSIE NAIL POLISH | ROSE PETAL SOAP 10 | I S S U E No. 6

BE MY

first mate

CAPTAIN SUNGLASSES | ANCHOR BOTTLE OPE NER, Ch e f & S h o w e r | CUSTOM KOOZIE SEA GLASS CANDY, DI Y | FIRST MATE TUMBLER | HEAVY SEAS BREW, W i sh i n g We l l L i q u o rs 12 | I S S U E No. 6

BE MY

mermaid of honor

ANCHOR BRACELET | MERMAID BOTTLE OPENER, C h e f & S h o w e r | ESSIE NAIL POLISH CUSTOM TEE | SEA SALT SOAP, Ch e f & S h o w e r | CUSTOM KOOZIE

5 minutes

WITH

CECILE DAVIS

c

FILMMAKER/PHOTOGRAPHER

o t y

CO M PA N Y: C EC I L E DAV I S F I L M S

jo n es ph

C EC I L E DAV I S F I L M S .CO M

o t o g r a ph

C EC I L E . DAV I S @ G M A I L .CO M

y

I S TA RT E D S HO OTING PRO FESSIONALLY right out of college, but didn’t get up the courage to become fully self-employed until three years ago.

M Y FAVOR ITE PART ABO U T WHAT I DO IS the storytelling. I love people, I love LOVE! I jokingly (not really) say I love watching people make-out, that’s why I feel so at home in the wedding industry.

But really it’s about the storytelling, real stories. Perfect documentaries, always with happy endings.

I L IKE TO THINK I’M S U PER ADAP TABLE . I’ve always been good at “reading the room” and going with the flow, both with client and personal interaction, but also technically, in my work. I wish all weddings happened at dawn (the morning blue/pink/golden hour being the most beautiful on skin tones), but that’s a tough sell :) I F IN D INS PIR ATIO N FRO M art history and great photographers and filmmakers. I think it’s important to learn from the best (my photography coffee table book collection is impressive) and to find inspiration from aspirational artists. Then there’s the eternal muse… MUSIC. Music is everything, it truly drives my creativity.

H AV IN G A VIDEO G R APHER AT YOUR WE DDING IS SO IMP ORTANT. Years ago my dad told me a story about my grandfather, (who died tragically when my dad was a teenager) in the 1950s. At the time, my grandpa was the vice president of the Oxford Boat Yard and he was interviewed for a TV show about building wooden boats on the Eastern Shore. My dad’s voice became full of emotion as he said “I wonder if that footage still exists. If only I could hear his voice one more time.” That’s when it hit me- we have to plan for this. We have to take steps now so that when we’re gone our loved ones still have the sound of our voices, the living color moving images of us. That’s why it’s important to have a video. It’s not just about documenting your wedding day, it’s about family, tradition and memories. The pictures capture a moment in time, the video is like a time machine.

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engagement

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REBEKAH & BRANDON p h oto g r a p h y b y

K A R E N A D I XO N

22 | I S S U E No. 6

24 | I S S U E No. 6

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engagement

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CHRISTEN & ANDREW p h oto g r a p h y b y

MELISSA GRIMES-GUY

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�love we

I L L U S T R AT I O N 42 | I S S U E No. 6

| Sara Koch

On Board with Nautical We know you love the Eastern Shore for all the water—after all, being the “meat” between the Bay and the ocean counts for a lot. So it’s not surprising that so many weddings embrace this ubiquitous theme and style. Anchors, oars, crabs, oyster shells—we see it all, and honestly, to us, it never gets old. p e r r y va i l e p h o t o g r a p h y

Plan on a Planner If there's one piece of advice that almost any bride can agree on, it's the benefit of a planner! Whether you want design assistance for every step of the way, or just need someone to coordinate the day-of, we have a planner to fit your need and budget. When the day comes, you want it to be truly enjoyable and RELAXING. Leave it to our amazing planners to keep the trains running on time, and your day flowing flawlessly.

Shore Adds Up! Not only do we have some of the most beautiful spots in the state for your wedding, we also have a wide range of prices to suit any budget. Looking to make your own bouquets? The DIY bride can visit our f lower farms for buckets of fresh locally-grown f lorals.

And for your guests, hotels, inns, and bed & breakfasts offer something for everyone’s pocketbook.

Flowers Galore Can we say how much we love our flower people?! Our florists never fail to amaze and inspire. From DIY floral packages to total custom design, your wedding floral needs are covered.

Engagement Pic Heaven Photo-ops galore! We're not short on scenic views, which makes the hardest part picking just one! Beaches, marinas, parks, fields & farms are just a few of the fantastic backdrops the shore has to offer. The adventurous type?

Oysters are for Lovers

Cruise up the river, hike the trails, or have a picnic on the beach. The possibilities are endless!

With their craggy grey outside and smooth pearly-white inside, oysters are a study in contrast. But our favorite thing about oysters is their versatility—fry 'em, roast 'em, stew 'em, or even eat 'em raw! And for wedding decor, use their shells as place cards, in floral displays or create an unusual ornament with them. We love seeing the waterman's trucks stuffed full of oyster baskets on their way to markets all over the country. Did we mention they're also a symbol of love? c h e l s e a f l u h a rt y p h o t o g r a p h y

Be Our Guest If it's romantic charm you're after, look no further.

From small homey inns like The Bartlett Pear, to sweeping waterfront views at the Harbourtowne Resort or Harbour Inn, your wedding night can be everything your hearts dreamed it would be. Looking for a larger estate to host your friends and family for the whole c e c i l e d av i s f i l m s

44 | I S S U E No. 6

weekend? Contact Eastern Shore Vacation Rentals!

Shore Meets Vintage As a place with deep roots and a rich history, it's no surprise we're lovers of vintage details.

The Little Rusty Shop has you covered for unique rentals. Paige's selection of velvety settees, charming old Victorian chairs, delicate glassware, and even assorted textiles is sure to create the perfect lounge area and satisfy the antique-lover in us all. No matter your style, let them help you bring your vision to life! leah adkins photography

We Have our Cake, and Eat it too!

Raise your hand if you agree that dessert is the most important meal of the day. Okay, us too. Thankfully, the Shore is home to a some of the most talented bakers & pâtissiers. Our cake designers can make everything from the perfect “naked” cake to a cake in the shape of a crab! And f lavor possibilities? Endless. Your sweet ending will be guaranteed!

Venue Variety You’d be right if you thought the Eastern Shore had almost as many wedding venues as it does geese in the fall! Our little peninsula has a lot to offer couples looking to have their wedding within an hour and a half of the region's largest cities. Want waterfront? We have plenty, needless to say. Want charming small-town America? Got that, too! Want off-beat vintage, classic manor house, or a big beautiful rustic barn?

Check, check, check!

ka r e n a d i x o n p h o t o g r a p h y

True Blue Crabs!

To say the Eastern Shore is serving up the best blue crabs in the world is practically undisputed! We live and breathe Old Bay & these succulent crustaceans make our tummies very happy. We love the idea of a crab feast rehearsal dinner with the whole spread— crabs, corn on the cob, ripe c h e l s e a f l u h a rt y p h o t o g r a p h y

local tomatoes—served up on

We g Water

newspaper-wrapped tables with a roll of paper towels at the ready. Whether you

Sometimes we can’t believe the beautiful expanses of

like yours with melted butter

waterfront that is the Shore! Not only do we have the

& Old Bay, vinegar and

Chesapeake Bay, but we also boast the Atlantic Ocean and

"mustard", or straight from

several lovely rivers and creeks! So, for those who simply

the pot, there's always room

MUST have a waterside event, there is no shortage. Why not

at our table. Give your guests

arrive at your reception by boat? Or take it one step further

a souvenir of this memorable

and host the reception on the boat? Patriot Cruises has the

meal with Bay Imprint's

perfect setup!

custom-branded crab mallets.

Impress With Letterpress Nothing makes an impact like custom letterpress.

We paper people know how important it is to have an invitation suite that sets the tone for your wedding. Calligraphy, letterpress, envelope liners, oh my! Let Susan Wilson Designs make the stationary-lover in you go weak in the knees.

46 | I S S U E No. 6

caroline frost photography

Rehearsal Dinners The Shore is chock full of great places to eat and it goes without saying that many of those places make great rehearsal dinner venues, too!

Things to Do We've got fishing (both charter and off the pier), boating, paddle boarding, sightseeing, cycling, shopping, hiking, yoga...well, you get the picture!

l au r a ' s f o c u s p h o t o g r a p h y

Golden Hour Sunsets Can red have so many shades? Can blue? Our sunsets, especially in the fall, are spectacular! Set the scene with a water view, a sailboat bobbing on the waves, and a Chesapeake Retriever at the end of the dock...yeah, that.

Let's Eat! If you or your guests have special diet restrictions or allergies, our caterers and venues will work with you to deliver delicious food that fits your needs! If you really want to work with folks who understand special diets, give Brian and Cathy a call at Garden & Garnish. They will work with you to design a custom menu that you and your guests can enjoy, worry free! Delicious and fresh food is their specialty!

j oy m i c h e l l e p h o t o g r a p h y

Furry Friends Welcome!

Well, now we can talk. Eastern Shore folks love their canine family members and many who come here Best dog? You betcha. Many venues

Gift Boxes & Bags

allow pets for ceremonies. If you

From our custom-designed gift

want to see a comprehensive round-

bags to all the goodies that go

up of our venues and their pet

inside these special guest treats,

policies, take a look at the last issue

the Shore is a bounty of ideas.

of Inspired!—there's a great chart for

Custom crab mallets anyone??

for weddings do, too! Ring dog? A

easy reference.

Love is Love is Love The Shore is host to tons of weddings each year including LGBT weddings. We welcome and celebrate the love of anyone lucky enough to find it!

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WEB | PRINT | BEYOND 410-690-3606

•

EASTON, MD

R O C K F I S H M E D I A G R O U P. C O M

borrowed something

photog raphy | planning | hair and makeup |

melissa grimes-guy photography

shapers salon

transportation | invitations | cake |

floral |

susan wilson designs

s u s i e s a lt z m a n

models |

events

sherwood florist

co n co u r s v i n tag e l i m o u s i n e

s t e v e ko n o p e l s k i pât i s s i e r

je welr y |

&

white oak weddings

rentals |

callig raphy | gown |

oak

&

ash

annapolis formal

w h i t e g lov e r e n ta l s

tay l e r b o dz e r , a n d r e w w i n g at e

W ho says you can't honor tradition while celebrating ne w love? Take a look at these nods to yester year’s bride and get inspired to put your own twist on your favorites. All of these sweet sug gestions and details come to us from planner extraordinaire, Katie Parks, of W hite Oak Weddings and Events!

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VEILS Veils originally symbolized the bride’s purity, innocence, and modesty. The veil can be traced back to the Roman era when it was a complete head to toe cover. In some Middle Eastern and Asian cultures, the veil was worn to hide the bride’s face completely from the groom who had never seen her. Only after they were married would the groom be allowed the lift the veil to see his new wife’s face!

I N V I TAT I O N S Weddings were traditionally held on Sundays in a church, with an early ceremony and a small breakfast reception hosted by the bride’s parents at their home following. In the seventeenth century, Puritans stopped this practice, believing it was improper to be festive on the Sabbath. Today, Saturdays are busiest, despite this old saying, “Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday best of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, Saturday for no luck at all.”

MENU Because of the early hour for weddings, the reception was traditionally a breakfast. It was an English custom to have a noon ceremony with breakfast to follow at the bride’s home. There, the couple received the guests and accepted congratulations. Brunch anyone?

HONEYMOON The term “honeymoon” comes from ancient Germanic weddings, where the newly married couple would drink mead (honey wine) for thirty days after their wedding, until the next full moon, hence the name “honey moon.” It was also tradition for the bride and groom to leave immediately following the wedding reception.

FLOWERS Originally, bridal wreaths and bouquets were made of herbs which had meaningful significance for the couple’s future. It was believed that herbs, especially garlic, had the power to cast off evil spirits. If a bride carried sage, she became wise; if she carried dill, she became lusty. Flower girls carried sheaves of wheat, a symbol of growth, fertility, and renewal.

Eventually,

flowers

replaced

herbs and assumed meanings all their own. Orange blossoms, for example, bring happiness and fertility, ivy represents fidelity, and lilies signify purity.

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CAKE From the 17th century to the beginning of the 19th, the “bride’s pie” was served at most weddings and guests were expected to have a piece out of politeness. One tradition of bride’s pie was to place a glass ring in the middle of the dessert and the maiden who found it would be the next to marry, (similar to the modern tradition of catching the flower bouquet).

Bride’s pie eventually developed into the bride’s cake. No longer in the form of a pie, cake was also sweeter than its predecessor. The bride cake was traditionally a plum or fruitcake, and eating it would bring good luck.

Fruitcakes were a sign of fertility and prosperity, which helped them gain popularity. The bride’s cake eventually transformed into the modern wedding cake we know today.

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THE WINE TOAST Throughout the ages, wine has been used for

to the water, making a wish or blessing for them, then

celebrations. Wine has signified life, vitality, love, and

casting their stone into the water. The ripples that were

a life of plenty. Drinking wine from a common cup

created represented the spreading of love and good

has always been an intimate sign of deep connection.

wishes for not only the couple, but for all the world.

Wine is frequently shared between the bride & groom during the ceremony, at the reception, or both.

THE BLESSING STONES When the ceremony was near water, “blessing” or “wishing stones” were often gathered at the site by guests or provided by the couple. After the ceremony, everyone would follow the recessional

shore

gourmet

SEA GL ASS CANDY 64 | I S S U E No. 6

a sweet treat from under the sea 2 cups granulated sugar

Tart & Sour (optional)

powdered sugar

candy thermometer

⅔ cups light corn syrup

measuring cups

¾ cup water

medium-sized saucepan

cooking spray

round pan (any sort of cookie sheet with a rim will work)

food coloring hard candy flavoring oils (optional)

DIRECTIONS: Add granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water to the pot. Stir on low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Do not stir the mixture again until the end!

toothbrush (or bottle-brush) wax paper

Add the food coloring of your choice. (See tips for amount of color to add for desired result).

Let the mixture continue to boil until it reaches 300°. Remove from heat.

Add the candy thermometer to the pot,

Remove the candy thermometer from

making sure that it does not touch the bottom of the pot.

the pot and place the pot in hot water so that the candy does not harden. Add the flavoring oils and/or the Tart & Sour of your choosing, stirring thoroughly.

Let the mixture boil on low-medium heat until it reaches 260°.

While the mixture is boiling, grease the pan. If there are bubbles, wipe the pan down with a paper towel.

Once it has stopped boiling pour the mixture into the greased pan and let it sit until it is completely hardened.

While the mixture is hardening it is a good chance to clean up the utensils that you used to make the candy so far. Don’t worry if some of the candy hardened to the pot! A good rinse in hot, soapy water should do the trick.

Once the candy is solid, flip the pan onto wax paper. Place another sheet of wax paper on top, and gently break into bitesized pieces (we used a crab mallet!).

Coat the pieces in powdered sugar and brush the excess off with a toothbrush to give it the perfect sea glass texture.

Package the candy in bags or boxes for your guests to enjoy!

TIPS: The handle on the candy thermometer is probably adjustable and will slide up and down to be the appropriate height for your saucepan height. Adjust the thermometer height before starting so that it’s ready to go when you need it.

The base color of the candy is yellow, so coloring can be tricky. A few drops of blue food coloring will make a very pretty green candy as the result. To get a deep blue it’s going to take a lot more than a few drops. No coloring at all will harden into a creamy off-white color. A few drops of purple coloring will come out as a light amber.

We created a green, amber and dark blue, but play around with different batches and color combinations!

The flavoring oils and the Tart & Sour are optional and if you leave both of these out the candy will taste like cotton candy!

S

UR TYLED O S E W SEE HOW 13!

N PAG E O Y D N S CA EA GLAS

until next time

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j oy m i c h e l l e p h oto g r a p h y