Photography by Kimberly Denn
Caterer: Occasions Catering (Chestertown)
Rentals: Eastern Shore Tents + Events
Place cards: Jackie Maloney Art
Venue: Great Oak Manor
Photography by Kimberly Denn
When wedding planner Lauren Corrigan’s clients invited her to organize a crab feast for their rehearsal dinner, she knew she had an interesting challenge on her hands. Obviously, Marylanders love to get down and dirty when it comes to their prized crustaceans. But what about out-of-towners who haven’t picked their way through sharp claws and stinging spices, who might be expecting a formal dinner with cutlery instead of mallets and messy hands? Here, the Baltimore native explains how to plan a blue crab blowout that even the uninitiated will enjoy.
1. Set Expectations Early
Give guests a heads up about what to expect, especially if they’re unfamiliar with the crab feast concept. Include a dress code on the invitation—“Please come casual”—and let people know the kind of dinner that will be provided.
2. Keep the Party Small
A crab feast is more intimate than a traditional rehearsal dinner since it’s all about the conversations that happen while picking. Corrigan advises to keep the guest list small, ideally to no more than six tables.
Photography by Kimberly Denn
3. Provide Menu Alternatives
Don’t force feed seafood. Guests will have more fun if they are comfortable and can count on flexible food options.
4. Make a Rain Plan
An open-air setup provides the best ambience, but it will be spoiled quickly by bad weather. It’s a good idea to come up with a rain plan and if a tent is available, have it as backup.
Photography by Kimberly Denn
Photography by Kimberly Denn
What You’ll Need
basic: Folding tables covered with paper
bourgie: Specialty linens
“We bought really cool blue and white checkered tablecloths to provide the feel of a nice, plated dinner. We knew they’d get tossed, so we bought them on the cheaper end and avoided losing tons of money in deposits.”
basic: Mallets
“You can provide seafood crackers for people who haven’t used mallets before.”
basic: Bibs
“A must, since everyone is coming so nicely dressed from the rehearsal!”
basic: Cleaning supplies
“You’ll definitely want wet wipes, as well as accessible hand-washing stations and plenty of paper towels or disposable cloth napkins.”
bourgie: Crab picking place cards designed by an artist
basic: Crabs
“Ours were caught in the Wye River by a friend of the caterer’s.”
basic: Options for non-crab eaters
bourgie: A full plated dinner
“We served elevated comfort food, like you might eat at a summer barbecue: fried chicken, skirt steak, and a tomato, corn, and mozzarella salad.”
