Local Weddings: Pamela and Matthew in Chestertown

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The proposal. Coincidentally, Pamela and Matthew's families vacation in Bethany Beach around the same time every summer. One such year in which the two vacations coincided, Bethany and Matt took a morning stroll up and down the Ocean City Boardwalk, and then prepared to rent a sailboat off of Fenwick Island. Storm clouds were on the horizon, but with ulterior motives, Matt insisted they take the chance and make the trip anyway. As soon as they were on the water, Matt stopped the boat and popped the question. Mother Nature must have approved, because the clouds opened up and the sun poked through, allowing the two newly engaged lovebirds to sail a bit longer before returning to the beach where both families were waiting to celebrate.

Before the vows. Pamela and Matthew called on the help of Pamela's mom, aunt and sisters to help with decorations and stationary and make the day extra special. "We made almost everything ourselves, including signs as people came up the driveway, stationary, table cards, place cards," says Pamela. The bride also took time to find the perfect dress. "I tried on what felt like hundreds, and I wanted something simple but elegant," says Pamela. "I tried on the Maggie Sottero and just knew right away it was the one."

The ceremony. Pamela and Matthew said "I do" in front of 230 guests on a hill next to the Brittland Manor house, overlooking the river. "It was gloomy and raining all morning," Pamela recalls. But just as she headed down the aisle, Mother Nature did her thing once again and the sun came out. "It was perfect. Our friends tell us that we both had enormous good grins—in addition to a few tears from me—on our faces the entire ceremony."

The reception. Taking full advantage of the weather and scenery, Pamela and Matthew invited guests to place croquet, bocce ball, and bean-bag toss, and nosh on local seafood and soup during the 90-minute cocktail hour while the bridal party took photos. The couple got the party started with an intro to AC/DC's "Thunderstruck," while Matt and his groomsmen rocked "his traditional sunglass look." At dinner, guests dined on a duo of Maryland crabcakes and filet mignon. "Our catering was amazing; everything went so smoothly," says Pamela. "Our band, Rollex Band, was one of the best decisions we mad. They had the dance floor overflowing all night." As a toast to their love of wine, Matt and Pamela used old wine barrels they purchased for a lemonade stand, the cake stand, and the guest book table. For dessert, Pamela and Matt added the unique touch of a gelato stand, in addition to three types of cake: chocolate butter cream, vanilla with raspberry reserve and vanilla with mascarpone and Kahlua.

•Amy Russell

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