Daydreamin' Planners

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Five local planners share the larger-than-life Chesapeake Bay weddings they wished their clients asked them to plan.

B. ASTONISHED EVENTS: Melissa Williams

Her dream wedding: A glossy summer fête for 150 at a private estate.

Color scheme: White with hints of green, mauve, dusty rose, and lavender.

Ceremony aesthetic: The ceremony takes place in front of a lush, circular floral arch, with the

Chesapeake Bay serving as backdrop. The groomsmen wear black tuxedos and the bridal party wears a mix of ombre hues from mauve to dusty rose. Guests sit in lucite chairs. The ceremony opens with traditional, classical music, until the bride arrives, walking down the aisle to “Why I Love You” by MAJOR.

Cocktail hour vibes: During a poolside cocktail hour, live swim entertainers pass out lavender mojitos to guests from a floating boxwood stand. The drinks double as escort cards, with guests’ names and table numbers written on the acrylic straw stirrers. A live band is playing jazz music, but they transition to R&B to cue guests when the reception begins.

Reception aesthetic: The reception is held in a sailcloth tent, lit with greenery-bedecked chandeliers. There is a mix of round and long estate tables with ivory linens and a black-and-white checkered dance floor to complement the chic, garden style. Guests feast on salmon and crab cakes with filet, served as a dual entree, while watching a live dance performance.

Exit strategy: The couple departs with a sparkler exit to a vintage Rolls Royce. As the evening closes, guests pick up a lavender frosé from a vintage bar cart.

BETTY LOU EVENTS: Caitie Hanrahan

Her dream wedding: A minimalist, modern fete with 15 of the couple’s closest family and friends.

Color scheme: Warm fall neutrals - cream, blush, hazelnut, oat, sand, linen, burnt orange, olive, golden hues.

Ceremony aesthetic: The wedding takes place outside at the bride’s family estate on the Bay. A stunning suspended foliage arch with lush flowers flanks each side of the aisle. The bride is in a suit from Fifth and Welshire and the groom wears a deep plum jacket with black trousers.

Cocktail hour: Bubbles are popped directly following the ceremony. The bar is stocked with IPAs for the boys and apple cider Bellinis for the girls.

Reception aesthetic: Guests sit at an impactful king’s table with alternating arrangements of single stem florals in ceramic vases and larger lush arrangements. Amber votives and sandstone taper candles create a golden glow under bistro lights hanging from the trees above.

Menu: Seasonal farm-to-table fare, served family style. Guests start with a hearty pumpkin gazpacho, followed by a pear escarole burrata salad, short ribs, seared scallops, mushroom and pancetta pasta, and sides of broccoli rabe and roasted harvest vegetables. For dessert, there is earl grey creme brûlée and fireside s’mores.

Party favors: In lieu of favors, the couple makes a donation to the World Central Kitchen, a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters.

OAK + POPPY EVENTS: Pia Crone

Her dream wedding: A open-air beach blowout for 200 with casual, boho vibes.

Color scheme: White, ivory, sandy beige, and gold tones.

Ceremony aesthetic: Lots of white florals with dried grasses and dried greenery. The ceremony takes place under a canopy with bistro lighting. Ghost chairs add a pop of glam and make the beach backdrop the focal point. The bride wears a spaghetti strap, A-line gown and walks down the aisle to “Glitter in the Air.” The groom is in something casual, like ivory pants and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

Reception setup: The reception takes place under the stars. There’s a lot of lounge furniture, giving the reception a modern, laid-back feel. Tall, marquis letters spell out the couple’s last name and table assignments are written on lanterns displayed on a shelf.

Menu: The food is light and refreshing, with a seafood bar (raw oysters + crab legs = a must!), and a taco station. Guests are drinking mojitos and margaritas while a live band performs summer songs.

Perfect photo opp: The bride isn’t afraid to get wet and opts for a beautiful “trash the dress” portrait session.

RACHEL KENDALL EVENTS: Rachel Cumberland

Her dream wedding: A moody, cool soirée on the coast for 100.

Color scheme: Black, gold, green, with hints of burgundy and blush. 

Ceremony aesthetic: The bridesmaids are wearing black, midi-slip dresses. As guests take their seats, a harpist is playing. The altar design consists of lush florals in a semi circle, with the water as the backdrop.

Cocktail hour vibes: Cocktail hour consists of a few grazing tables with gourmet meats, fruits, and cheeses and an on-site oyster shucker. Guests are drinking estate-grown wine, craft beer, and two signature drinks - a spicy mezcal margarita and the perfect old-fashioned, served with one big ice cube and a Luxardo cherry. A bluegrass band provides entertainment.

Reception setup: Lounge areas are scattered throughout the tent and lawn with elements of black and rattan. Dinner is a family-style Mexican/Mediterranean feast with authentic tacos, hummus, pitas, and fresh avocado and corn salad. For a late-night snack, an old-school ice cream truck serves up soft-serve with sprinkles. There’s also a black and gold cake. After dinner, the folk band grows and becomes a jack-of-all trades group that plays oldies, contemporary, and jazz.

Favors: Mini estate-grown wine bottles 

STATUESQUE EVENTS: Feyisola Ogunfemi

Her dream wedding: A tony "ghost" gala for 100 guests.

Color palette: White and crystal.

Ceremony setup: The ceremony would take place outdoors overlooking the water. Seating for the guests would feature clear chairs, and the altar would be made with a clear chuppah topped with fresh, white florals.

Cocktail hour vibes: Champagne station with peach and mango Bellinis.

Reception aesthetic: An all-white room with clear chairs and crystal tables covered in luxurious flowers. All of the tables would be either squares or rectangles for a clean, estate-like look. Crystals would also be hanging from the ceiling. 

Live entertainment: A steel pan band during cocktail hour and fire blowers during dinner.