Trend Set without the Jet Set
By Tina Byland
Photography. Pacific Northwest: Lusher Life Studio | Southern California: EP Love Photography | Colorado: Amy Bluestar Photography | Texas: Courtesy of The Peached Tortilla | New York: Katie Kett Photography | Tennessee: Alex Thornton Photography | South Carolina: Aaron and Jillian Photography
As lucky as we are to call the Chesapeake region ours for gorgeous weddings, let’s be honest… amazing wedding inspiration can be found around every corner of the country. With how connected we are through social media, it’s also easy to catch on to the trends and local flair of a different spot on the map and want to ing it home for your wedding day on the Bay.
The trick is to make it your own. Bring it home. Take what you love about a certain trend and make it work with what we’ve got here. Better yet? Make it an improvement! We’ve rounded up some of the hottest wedding trends from elsewhere to show you how you can ing them home.
The Trend: Pacific Northwest Woodland Wonder
Forest greens are plentiful in the northwestern corner of the country and couples are harnessing the beauty of nature for their style and décor. Brides and grooms in Oregon and Washington are digging moss covered wedding cakes, bouquets abundant in ferns and wildflowers, and ceremonies nestled deep in the canopy of the forest.
The Chesapeake Twist: Rustic Boho
Tap into the natural resources that Maryland has to offer by situating your wedding at a state park or a tree-covered venue with ample shade. The richness of this trend comes from the deep, shaded cover of the forest, which can easily be replicated in a patch of wooded land back here at home. Complete the rustic bohemian look with flower crowns, plenty of greenery, and rich jewel tones.
The Trend: So Cal al Fresco
With scenery and weather fit to perfection, why wouldn’t you dine outdoors on your wedding day in Southern California? Couples are jazzing up their dinner receptions with strings of lights, plentiful candlesticks, and dramatically long rows of tables.
The Chesapeake Twist: Dinner Under the Stars
We’re not short on perfectly warm dining nights, either. However, weather can be a concern in our climate and that shouldn’t stand in your way. Rent a clear-topped tent for your reception and, if necessary, a couple of space heaters. Deck the halls (I mean tent) with chandeliers, strings of Edison light bulbs, or Chinese lanterns for the perfect mood lighting while guests eat under the stars.
The Trend: Big Skies and the Rockies
It’s all about wide, expansive vistas and eathtaking views in Colorado and the surrounding Rockies. Brides and grooms are happily inviting the scenic views into their portrait shots for eathtaking romance and that one shot to last a lifetime.
The Chesapeake Twist: Stretch the Horizon
Whether you are marrying near a cornfield, a creek, or bayside, steal this look by requesting to have your photographer zoom out and grab a few romantic shots of you from afar. The Chesapeake Bay region has such strong, defined seasons and so this is a great opportunity to tell a visual story of the day of your wedding, too. The weather, the colors, the love between you and your honey.
The Trend: Taco Trucks Keep Austin Weird
Food court trailer parks satisfy the Texan appetite in Austin. These same food trucks are also making a booming business catering to ides and grooms looking for something a bit more casual than a traditional reception dinner. Naturally, tacos and barbeque are top menu items for this part of the country.
The Chesapeake Twist: Let them Eat ( Crab) Cakes
Food trucks hailing from as far as Washington, D.C., Ocean City, and Philadelphia are frequenting the area regularly. Most food trucks have a website with information on how to book your event. Bringing the taste of the Chesapeake locales to your guests straight from the original oven is a great way to keep everyone content.
The Trend: Shot in a New York Minute
It’s the epitome of a stylish city wedding. Not to mention, the couple ought to be so gorgeous that they stop traffic. There’s no better way to tip your hat off to your location than to stand right in the middle of things and snap a moment in time.
The Chesapeake Twist: Main Street Love
Whether you are heading uphill on Main Street in Annapolis or stopping traffic in downtown St. Michaels or Easton, we’ve got the quaintest ick streets and storefronts for your wedding photos. Make use of them!
The Trend: A Taste of Tennessee
Nashville couples are sending their guests home with local delights such as Moon Pies and Goo-Goo Clusters. They’re also quenching everyone’s thirst with individual samplings of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whisky.
The Chesapeake Twist: Free State Finds
Sure, we’ve got our blue crabs. But Maryland has so much more to offer than just a pot of steamed shellfish. Set up a table of goodies ranging from Berger cookies and UTZ potato chips to bags of Fisher’s popcorn and slices of Smith Island cake. A can of Natty Boh on ice would also fit the bill.
The Trend: Low Country Charm
Between the Gullah culture and the surrounding plantations, Charleston, South Carolina is not a location easily replicated. Take Boone Hall Plantation, for example, where ides have access to the historic Cotton Dock, complete with a barn and a gorgeous waterfront view for photos, ceremonies, and receptions.
The Chesapeake Twist: Sitting on the Dock of the Bay
It doesn’t matter which side of the bay you are on, there’s a dock, a view, and probably a barn nearby, too. The best part of using the local landscape for your wedding festivities is that your flowers and décor will have a great canvas naturally built in.
