Maryland Weddings

Amy and Ben’s wedding day was the equivalent of a scoop of your favorite ice cream on a warm summer day: just right. This outdoor, brilliantly colorful, and maritime-themed wedding at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in Maryland boasted pops of bright magenta and the prettiest orange. What’s more is the newlywed couple, with the help of talented wedding planner and designer Kari Rider Events, included details with an ode to their profession as teachers like gold paper clips for the escort cards and (the most chic) clipboards for their seating arrangement. Enjoy this ridiculously happy couple and the beautiful photos from Renee Hollingshead Photography.

From Kari Rider Events… Nothing says “summer wedding” like a palette of coastal blues, colorful blooms, hand-dipped ice cream, and endless sailboat views. That was the scene at Amy and Ben’s waterfront celebration at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland.

With both the bride and groom working as principals at schools in D. C., we wanted to incorporate some subtle nods to their careers in education—coming in the form of adorable white “clipboard” menus with the cutest little gold clips.

We carried that theme into the escort display, as well, using wooden clipboards to create contrast with the white board, blue lettering and vibrant blooms. 

The maritime setting inspired the rest of the décor—layers of coastal blues, scalloped gold-rimmed chargers, a fun self-service beer boat, and a gorgeous sailcloth tent, to name a few details.

The result was a relaxed and intimate celebration with perfect personalization and even more perfect weather (80 and sunny with a fabulous breeze!).

Thank you so very much to the adorable Amy & Ben for sharing their absolutely beautiful, charm filled day with us. We love every, last wildly person detail that you infused!

Best parts from our sweet seats? The polkadot linens paired with the poppy, oh-so-happy colors of the coral charm peonies. The gold flatware upped the on-trend game and the ice cream surprise is one that we hope to see at every wedding reception from now until forever.

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Photography: Renee Hollingshead Photography | Event Design + Planning: Kari Rider Events | Floral Design: Monteray Farms | Cake: Bay Country Bakery | Stationery: Susan Wilson Designs | Catering: Gourmet By The Bay | Makeup: Allison of Natural Makeup Chic | Hair: PSC Hair Artistry | DJ: Mixing Maryland | Ceremony Music: Bay Strings | Transportation: Extraordinar Limousine | Wedding Venue: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum | Ice Cream: The Scottish Highland Creamery | Rentals: DC Rental | Tent + Rentals: Eastern Shore Tents and Events

Clouds couldn’t damper the spirits at this stunning celebration – or this beaming Bride and Groom. Far from it. Their “I do’s” were moved inside but smiles never wavered and that’s the type of attitude we love around here. It’s no surprise that these cuties met as Peace Corp volunteers – their positive approach and love of life is radiant in every one of Elisa Bricker’s pics and throughout the film by Shaking Hands Productions. Kari Rider Events tapped into that fabulous energy and created their romantic, warm wedding that leaves us feeling oh so good; enough with the talk though, let’s dive into the photographic proof right this way!

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From Kari Rider Events… Jaime and Brendan’s love story is something out of a movie. Fresh from the campuses of University Delaware and Georgetown, the couple’s journey began in Miami, where they gathered with 48 other Peace Corps volunteers en route to Paraguay. Looking for nothing more than to make a positive impact on a developing country in need, Jaime and Brendan found so much more over sips of wine, late-night card games and impassioned talks about their dreams for the future during their training time in Cumbarity. Two years, an 8-hour drive between assignments, and many abbreviated phone calls (due to poor reception) later, the couple knew they were in it for the long haul. Their engagement was a true reflection of the journey they’d travel as a couple – a mutual proposal and exchange of rings atop the Mauna Kea Volcano in Hawaii with the promise of forever.

Jaime and Brendan chose to wed at the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, Maryland – a nod to Jaime’s roots as an officer in the Navy and the couple’s shared love of the water. Rain prevented the planned waterfront ceremony, but that didn’t put a damper on the festivities. Following cocktails inside the Inn, guests were escorted to the sailcloth reception tent, where layers of white, blue and gold created an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. Lacy white and ocean blue linens were juxtaposed with grey-wash farm tables to add textural interest – all tied together with classic white rounded back chairs. Gold-rimmed swirl chargers, sea-glass blue water glasses, and navy and gold flatware stole the show atop the tables, with subtle nautical accents like knotted napkin folds bringing everything full circle. The rain outside only added to the ambiance inside the tent -an intimate celebration for two warm-hearted newlyweds.

Photography: Elisa Bricker | Videography: Shaking Hands Productions | Event Planning + Design: Kari Rider Events | Wedding Dress: Matthew Christopher | Cake: Steve Konopelski Patissier | Invitations: Cheree Berry Paper | Reception Venue: Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Hair + Makeup: Alison Harper and Company | Band: Elan Artists | Transportation: Extraordinar Limousine | Tent: Sugarplum Tents | Day of Paper: Stephanie B Design | Day of Paper: Surcee Calligraphy | Floral Design + Custom Rentals: Amaryllis | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Select Event Group | Tabletop Rentals: borrowed BLU

Aren’t these two just the cutest? From their sweet kisses and smiles, to this fantastic locale (hello Inn at Perry Cabin), we’re loving every single one of these pics from Audra Wrisley. They met in college, started as best friends, then gave dating a try and well, the rest is history. If their e-shoot is any indication, we see quite a lovely future ahead but let’s not get ahead of ourselves; we got a gallery of pretty pics to enjoy first!

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From Audra Wrisley… Brittany and Alex’s engagement session was the embodiment a beautiful summer afternoon, and we absolutely loved capturing this sweet couple’s love story! The Inn at Perry Cabin was so kind to host us, and we had the best time exploring their beautiful grounds with a greenhouse, beautiful boats and bicycles.

From the Bride-to-be… We grew up several miles from each other in Washington, D. C., but didn’t meet until we both showed up freshmen year at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. We quickly became best friends and, in hindsight, soul mates, but didn’t start dating until our senior year. We stayed together as a bicoastal couple through a few years of graduate and law school before settling back together in Washington D. C. Last summer, we took a memorable and romantic trip to Nantucket Island and with the sunset behind us and our lives in front of us we got engaged. This September we will be married in the Bishop’s Garden at the Washington National Cathedral with family and friends there to celebrate the launching of our life journey.

Photography: Audra Wrisley Photography | Floral Design: Petals and Promises llc | Makeup: Nour Kazoun Makeup Artistry | Venue: Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond | Blue Dress: Tory Burch | Coordination + Styling: Caroline Dutton Events | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Striped Dress: Tuckernuck | Sunhat: Tuckernuck

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Audra Wrisley Photography

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Perfect weather and a beautiful Bride and Groom make for a Vault gallery that we can’t wait to get our hands on. Add in the stunning sights of the sea and Michael and Carina’s gorgeous images, and our Monday just got magical. See every pretty pic right this way!

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From Michael and Carina… Bettina and John-Paul’s wedding is the dream of every bride who loves outdoor weddings. The weather was absolutely perfect and they said their “I’do’s” right next to the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

A private boat tour took the bridal party out for a ride. Fresh oysters were prepared at the outdoor cocktail hour.

Sara Reynolds Events created an elegant, yet simple reception area for the couple with gold accents and plenty of greenery.

Photography: Michael And Carina Photography | Cinematography: Shutter And Sound | Event Design: Sara Reynolds Events | Floral Design: Seaberry Farm | Wedding Dress: Christos | Cake: Graul’s Market | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Gourmet By The Bay | Makeup Artist: The Makeup Chic | Hair Stylist: PSC Hair Artistry | Band: Attraction | Groom's Attire: Bonobos | Wedding Venue: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Getting Ready Location: Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond | Paper Goods: Minted | Rentals: Eastern Shore Tents And Events

If you’re in the boat of believers that lavender filled celebrations are exclusive to France, then we invite you to peek at this gallery from Caroline Frost Photography. Because lucky for those of us that are stateside it’s a celebration that proves this flowering plant is all inclusive and perfect for any celebration. Complete with a crazy cool funfetti cake and handfuls of fragrant purple pretties, it’s a day dreamed up with the incomparable Kari Rider Events and we’ve got the entire day waiting for you in The Vault!

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From Kari Rider Events…Villa B is nothing if not a gathering place. The waterfront escape near St. Michaels, Maryland, has welcomed countless guests in the 15-plus years since Rich and Sandy purchased the scenic retreat. For their daughter Dana, Villa B is an anchor, a constant source of treasured memories with the people she holds most dear. Never was the family property more special, though, than when she began sharing it with Colin Watson. A visit to Villa B was one of the first trips Dana and Colin took together as a couple, the beginning of a love story destined to come full circle.

An invigorating mix of nostalgia and possibility filled the June air when Colin and Dana said “I Do” overlooking Villa B’s scenic shoreline. An elegant, Tuscan-inspired celebration followed—a dream of soft lavenders and cool grays swirled with white-washed farm tables and natural wood accents, all beneath a sweeping sailcloth tent. “An intimate backyard wedding, only bigger,” as Dana put it. And another cherished memory to add to the Villa B file.

Photography: Caroline Frost Photography | Event Planning + Design: Kari Rider Events | Wedding Dress: Temperley London | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Invitations: Rifle Paper Co. | Catering: Gourmet By The Bay | Hair + Makeup: Alison Harper and Company | Band: Project Orange | Transportation: Towne Transport | Venue: Villa Brusca | Beverage Services: Hair O' The Dog | Floral Design + Rentals: Amaryllis | Rentals: DC Rental | Tent Rentals: Eastern Shore Tents and Events

There simply isn’t enough space on this one page to house all the delightful details included in this beautiful blue and white wedding (thank goodness we got our Vault to hold every pic!) Strawberry Milk Events led the team and thanks to Katie Stoops we don’t miss one preppy piece of this party – so pop open Pinterest and getting ready to pin to your heart’s content because it all really is that good.

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From the Bride… Being a designer who had helped many brides realize their own unique wedding visions, I approached our wedding day planning with lots of ideas for the look and feel that I wanted to create. We wanted a wedding that reflected us as a couple, traditional, yet fun, and definitely near a body of water. The Inn at Perry Cabin embodied the beauty and historical feel that we were hoping for. Andrew proposed to me with a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring and that, along with our venue choice, with its lovely water views, lead to our delft blue-inspired romantic theme.

At the time of our engagement we were stationed in Washington, DC so the proximity to the Inn, located in St. Michael’s, Maryland, was manageable during planning. That was important to us as I was deep into my MFA thesis during the process and yet I still wanted to design as many of the details as I could manage in order to personalize our special occasion. There were many hours spent in the weeks prior the big event making sure those welcome bags were perfectly put together and the escort card tassels were the correct shade of blue. I focused so much of my energy leading up to the wedding on those small details because, to me, they mattered. It seemed important that there be continuity of design throughout all of the weekend’s events. I custom designed our letterpress save the dates and wedding invitations. For our guests, these set the tone for the entire weekend. I also hand-designed all of the other welcome materials and paper goods, from escort and menu cards to welcome maps and bags of goodies. Needless to say, I was busy but the finished product was well worth the effort. I had so much fun watching everything come together and, in the end, it was just beautiful. Julie, my planner from Strawberry Milk Events, helped to harmonize our look through venue décor, tenting, linens and table arrangements. She also kept us on track the day of. Lauren and Rachel from Sweet Root Village designed those stunning floral arrangements and the greenery canopy over the dance floor. The exquisite results blew me away. Lastly, Katie Stoops Photography helped us capture all the special moments and details of the day in the most beautiful way possible.

One of my favorite memories from that day was surprising Andrew by walking down the aisle with my Dad to an electric violin version of a Dave Matthews song. Andrew loves Dave Matthews Band, and the surprise was of special significance for the two of us. Seeing the big grin on his face when he realized what song was playing as I walked towards him reminded us that this was a special moment between the two of us, even as it was being witness by all of our family and friends. Those friends and family being there meant so much to us as we have moved many times over the years due to our careers. Finding the right balance between entertaining and enjoying your guests and taking the time to appreciate the moment with your spouse is really important.

What I would say is… the day goes by so quickly and we made an effort to enjoy our “moments” together. You are throwing a really big party and you, as a couple, are the center of attention. We wanted to remember what the event was about… our love and future together. It is important to take time to remember throughout the day how, and why, we were celebrating our love.
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Peruse more Maryland weddings here!

Photography: Katie Stoops Photography | Event Design: Strawberry Milk Events | Floral Design: Sweet Root Village | Wedding Dress: Enzoani | Stationery: Danielle Herrold Design | Wedding Shoes: Kate Spade | Engagement Ring: Lauren B Jewelry | Jewelry: Kate Spade | Wedding Venue: The Inn At Perry Cabin | Ceremony Music (Electric Violin, Harp): Music By Gigi | Paper Goods: Danielle Herrold Design | Reception Band: Ebe Amsterdam | Reception Dress: Jesus Peiro | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Table Decor: DC Rental | Welcome Bags: Danielle Herrold Design

Dear Michael and Carina, thank you for sharing this anchor of lovely. It’s the type of wedding day where every element of nautical charm sends us into an ocean of bliss with each sea-inspired detail and cool blue hue. From the post ceremony sail, to the tented reception sprinkled with gilded details, we’re going to be harbor every moment forever in THE VAULT!

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From Michael and Carina Photography…Kelly and Gary married on a beautiful summer day at the lovely Maritime Museum by the Chesapeake Bay. The nautical feel of their wedding fit the location perfectly; the light blue details and golden oyster shells completed the elegant setting. Neutral floral arrangements and the groomsmen’s navy suits were selected thoughtfully to match the location and feel of the wedding. The bridal party even took a sailboat out to sea!

Kelly and Gary’s ceremony took place by a lavishly decorated floral arbor, a few feet from the Chesapeake Bay. Everyone celebrated under a sailcloth tent by the water. We couldn’t imagine a more elegant and fun maritime wedding inspiration for brides-to-be.

From the Bride…Gary and I have always felt so lucky to have found each other and to have such wonderful friends and family who support and love us unconditionally. We wanted our wedding to be uniquely our own and for each moment to feel purposeful and meaningful. Above all, we wanted it to be a true celebration of our love for one another. We continued to remind ourselves of this, throughout the planning process, which helped us keep perspective on what really mattered.

When we found the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, in St. Michaels, Maryland, we knew it was the perfect place to say ‘I do’. St. Michaels is a charming coastal town along the Eastern Shore, ideal for many of our out-of-town guests to enjoy a weekend getaway. The museum was effortlessly beautiful and gave us the creative liberty to really be ourselves. Even though having an outdoor wedding was a big risk, we made sure to surround ourselves with a team of wonderful vendors who we trusted to make it amazing. We immediately knew that we wanted to work with film photographers, Michael and Carina, as they always capture flawless photos that tell a beautiful story. Having Sara Reynolds, to coordinate the month-of, lifted so much weight off of our shoulders and really let us enjoy every moment of getting married. She was a huge part of bringing our vision to life.

With the Chesapeake Bay as our backdrop we were inspired to keep our details natural and elegant. Our bridesmaids wore shades of blue to complement the nautical setting. Each girl picked a different dress from two designers. The groomsmen looked handsome in matching French Navy suits topped with light blue linen bowties. We arrived to the ceremony on the HM Krentz, a vintage skipjack docked at the museum. As guests arrived they were greeted with a refreshment served in a keepsake oyster cup from Gary’s grandfathers oyster house. The signature drink was made with local micro, craft rum from Lyon Distilling Co. A strings duo played a handpicked selection of songs before we walked down the aisle to exchange vows we had written to one another. Making our ceremony personal meant so much to us. We knew we would look back on those words, and our commitment to each other, for the rest of our lives.

Our escort cards were DIY, hand-painted oyster shells, and the seating chart was crafted from a nautical map of the Chesapeake Bay. We also filled a dinghy boat full of local brews from Buffalo, New York as homage to my hometown. Locally grown greenery, delicate garlands, and full white blooms beautifully juxtaposed the rustic museum. Dinner was inspired by local produce and included a farmers market ceviche, with a lump crab cake, followed by an entrée of choice.

Organic linen tablecloths, seersucker napkins and draped café lighting gave us a soft and romantic feel. We also setup a small breakout space with tall multi-candle lanterns and Adirondack chairs for guests to relax and enjoy the bay breeze when they wanted a moment away from the dance floor. Our photo booth, complete with custom props, was a total hit! Guests shared their photos in our handmade guestbook (we loved having this to look at the next day, too). As the night came to an end we had one last local surprise – The Scottish Highland Creamery set up their cart near the exit with six delicious flavors of artisan gelato for guests to enjoy. It was the sweetest way we knew how to say ‘thank you’ for sharing the weekend with us.

Gary and I danced the night away surrounded by everyone we love. It was the best day of our lives and a perfect way to begin our happily ever after!

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See more sailboat celebrations in THE VAULT!

Photography: Michael And Carina Photography | Cinematography: Wood Room Cinema | Event Planning: Sara Reynolds Events | Floral Design: Seaberry Farm | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Graul’s Market | Invitations: Just Ink On Paper | Bride's Shoes: BHLDN | Jewelry: Heirloom | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Catering: PeachBlossoms Events | Makeup: The Makeup Chic | Hair: Jewel Hair Design | DJ: DJ Wax | Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew | Bridal Boutique: Garnish Boutique | Event Venue: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Ice Cream Stand: The Scottish Highland Creamery | Music: Chesapeake Strings | Paper Goods: Just Ink On Paper | Photo Booth: Smith Landing Photobooth

If you’re just joining us, today, a quick recap …

Mikel and David’s wedding in Maryland was one of pure joy for their families. Amy & Srinu Regeti have shared many stunning photographs of the day, but for the full effect, we really wish you would view the slideshow on their site {Regeti’s Photography}.  Although the words true love may sound cliché in this day and age, the term so perfectly describes the looks on Mikel and David’s faces throughout the entire event

Needless to say, the photography is absolutely brilliant!

And what an absolutely awesome family they have now!

According to Amy Regeti, Mikel left nothing out when planning her wedding … down to the tiniest details!

Thank you so much to the Regeti’s for sharing their fabulous photos with us.

And a huge Congratulations from all of us at Style Me Pretty to Mikel, David and family!

Mikel and her lovely ladies … David and his dashing men … the stage is set for a very special day.

From behind the scenes, this is what the Regeti’s, their photographers shared with us about Mikel and David’s wedding …

“As we arrived at this private residence in St. Micheals, Maryland, we were greeted by Amaryllis’ beautiful arrangements perched upon the entrance columns sending chills down our spine with suspense that something wonderful was going to take place, very soon. We pulled up to the house as Rick’s team was very busily making final preparations within this tiny beautiful Chapel that had been constructed in every perfect way possible from the lighting to location.

Mikel and I hit it off almost immediately over the phone and needless to say we are certainly happy that she and David decided to use us as their wedding photographers. We love being part of events that are so real. Real in the sense that the couple never loses touch with what truly matters and that, is family.

It was unmistakable to see how in love these two truly are… as Mikel looks up to David and has this joyous and inebriated “in love” look about her. David’s love for her shows through his touch and with each glimpse of her. Their love is contagious to everyone around them.”

These stunning centerpieces were provided by Amaryllis Flowers, a highly acclaimed floral and event design studio in Washington,DC.

There are SO many ways to describe high-end, elegant affairs, but it usually comes out sounding rather stuffy. Mikel & David’s celebration looks anything but stuffy! Refined elegance. Simple sophistication. Posh, but not showy. Family-friendly. Joyful. Overflowing with ambience. Put this all together and it totals up to a wedding celebration that any of us would love to have attended!

We have a few more photos from this lovely celebration of love, so check back in a bit…

Have you ever heard a song, and you just knew you were in the right place at the right time? A song that instantly takes you back to a remarkable place and time in your life that was filled with new and amazing experiences?

That’s how I felt today when I went over to the Regeti’s Photography website.  Amy and Srinu Regeti are two of our premier Little Black Book photographers, and honestly, I LOVE their site. I’m no expert on websites, so I’m not going to be very good at describing why it’s so cool, but … it’s very DYNAMIC. Their featured weddings are dropped into and out of the maze of images in rhythm with the haunting melody that first captured my attention, and it’s SO unbelievably mesmerizing … seriously. I was spellbound.

One of the weddings, in particular, caught my eye, because they had sent it to us awhile back. And this is where it gets tricky. While I absolutely want to show it to you here on Style Me Pretty … it is WAY more powerful seeing it set to music on the Regeti’s website.

Please check it out on their website, first. Then come back and we’ll share the behind the scenes story of Mikel and David’s Wedding as told to us by Amy Regeti.