Photographed by  David Hartcorn of Hartcorn Photography and submitted to us by the talented ladies at Little Bit Heart – This styled shoot adds a new level of ritz to the Chesapeake Wedding arena of inspiration!

We hope you love it as much as we do!

Words from Little Bit Heart: The hotel – a recent and beautiful addition to Baltimore’s Harbor East waterfront- had asked Julie to style a mock wedding display to show off the ballroom for guests during their opening week. From there, it turned into a photoshoot, and we were thrilled to work with this talented vendor team- any day we get to collaborate with Julie from Strawberry Milk Events and David Hartcorn from Hartcorn Photography is a good day in our book! Katie from the Four Seasons was awesome to work with and let us take over the Cobalt Ballroom for a modern glam tablescape and seating area. The venue itself is gorgeous- sophisticated and sleek with a ton of awesome details and a killer harbor view. Julie brought in her signature touch of glamour with a lovely color palette of peach, gray, white and gold. Mixing soft details with crisp accents gave the whole shoot a subtle retro, Mad Men vibe (can’t you just picture Don Draper in that bespoke groom’s suit?) in an unbelievable setting- we’re still in awe of the balcony shots.

“After dating for over five years, Aaron was ready to make the love of his life, Dana, his bride to be! And after finding one of the most beautiful diamond rings that I’ve ever seen – he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. The rest, as you will see, is history!”

We are absolutely in love and inspired by this shoot! Enjoy!

“Daniele and Brendon’s Annapolis engagement session was an absolute blast. With the combination of Downtown Annapolis and Quiet Waters Park, we were able to capture an eclectic set of images that are tied together by how amazingly good looking Daniele and Brendon are, and how obviously in love and fun they are to be around.”

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*Britt Croft Photography is a member of our Vendor Guide. For more information on joining the Bayside Bride Team, submit an Application.

Photograph by Sunday Romance | Cake by Hey There, Cupcake! via Wedding Chicks | Save the Date by Little Bit Heart

This Week on Bayside Bride:
- DIY Utensil Holder with downloadable pdf filled with cute designs!
- The Governor Calvert House Wedding filled with nautical details that will sweep you off your feet!
- MyDeejay’s guest article on Hitting the Right Note with amazing advice!
- An absolutely rockin’ Naval Academy Engagement Session that is an instant favorite!

Download and print your own labels here »

Materials

• Tin cans – I used basic ones from black beans, soup and corn. I just made sure they were all the same size.
• Soda – the tall vintage Coke bottles work best because they’re small enough to fit in the can with utensils
• Fork, spoon and knife
• Napkin
• Straw
• Glue
• Labels

Directions

1. Print out the labels, trim, label with guests names and glue to the cans
2. Place Coke bottle in the can with a napkin, fork, spoon, knife and straw

Designs by Holly Morrison and Krista Jones

“After four years of being together and nine months of wedding planning, August 26, 2011 ended up being the best day either of us could have asked for! Our special day was a strong reflection of who we are, we stayed true to our style and personalities.”

In the Bride’s Words:
“After four years of being together and nine months of wedding planning, August 26, 2011 ended up being the best day either of us could have asked for! Our special day was a strong reflection of who we are, we stayed true to our style and personalities. The week leading up to the big day, we were nervously stalking the weather reports because Hurricane Irene was creeping up on us. Upon booking the venue, I thought we would possibly regret choosing Friday nuptials, but it ended up being the calm before the storm – a beautiful day! Thankfully, Hurricane Irene didn’t grace us with her presence until the next day. Our entire wedding party and family even made an appearance on the Channel 11 News! Today, our hearts are filled with unforgettable memories, overwhelming feelings of love and support from our close family and friends and our everlasting vows!”

Photograph By: Amy Raab Photography

Choose your DJ wisely.  This should go without saying, but equally important as the DJ’s experience and mixing skills is his/her judgment.  You want a DJ who truly understands the kind of wedding you’re planning, as well as your likes and dislikes.  By choosing a DJ who’s truly trustworthy and who shares a connection with you and your soon-to-be-spouse, you’ll be able to relax knowing that your music – and any guest requests – will be handled in the way you desire.

Consider whether to include requests at all.  Since the majority of couples want to incorporate a mix of musical styles, from classics and oldies to currently popular tracks, requests usually add to the atmosphere rather than detracting from it.  However, if Aunt Mildred is well-known for her obsession with “The Chicken Dance,” or you know your childhood friends may think it’s hilarious to get the DJ to play all the songs you loved when you were eight (and face it, not every song withstands the test of time), you may decide to forego the requests altogether and rely on your own (or your DJ’s) picks.

Tread carefully with requests solicited in advance.  An emerging trend is inviting guests to submit music requests as part of their RSVP or via the couple’s wedding website.  It’s a really cute idea, and guests undoubtedly will enjoy sharing their favorite songs.  However, keep in mind that by asking guests to send you songs, you’re also implying you’ll actually play those songs – something you may not want to do once you’ve seen the list!  A good alternative is to ask a trusted group of friends and family members – people whose tastes you know and can live with – for ideas.

 Review any advance requests with your DJ.  A good DJ will be able to look at a list of songs – whether they came from you or your guests – and tell you which will be the most successful on the dance floor.  You can then use this knowledge to fine-tune the list, eliminating any “dance floor killers.”

Give your DJ a directive about requests made on-site.  Almost inevitably, at least a few of your guests will approach the DJ during the wedding to ask for a song.  Again, your DJ’s judgment is so important – it’s great if you’re open to having your guests’ requests played, but you want a DJ who’s smart and sensitive enough to politely deflect any requests that clearly contradict your tastes and wishes!  If you decide to allow your DJ to play songs suggested by your guests, be sure to give him/her a detailed “do not play” list to avoid any songs that you’d hate to hear on your wedding day.

If you decide to skip guest requests, personalize the music in other ways.  Accepting song requests from your guests isn’t the only way to make your wedding feel inclusive.  It’s a great idea to include songs that are sentimental to your closest family members and friends.  Other couples’ first dance songs, songs you and your friends enjoyed in your school days, your university fight song, your favorite sports team’s theme…the possibilities really are endless.  By putting some thought into songs that really will mean something to your guests, you’ll be making your playlist personal and meaningful without totally giving up the reins!

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*MyDeejay, Inc. is a 2012 Handpicked Vendor in our Vendor Guide. To learn more about becoming a member of the Bayside Bride Vendor Guide, submit an Application.

Get ready for your heart to skip a beat!

Before entering, please make sure you read all the details below. All entries must be received by 5pm on May 11th and Megan Beth will chose three finalists and online voting will begin May 14th at 7am.

The Details:

• Wedding date must be before February 28th, 2013
• Megan Beth must be available on your date
• Submit a picture with a story or a video of your story by 5pm on May 11th, 2012. We don’t have a preference but we will admit that we would LOVE to see a short video that really showcases you and your personalities!
• If your wedding takes place after sunset, you must do a first look
• Winning couple must sign a contract with Megan Beth and pay sales tax on the value of the package price.

To Enter:
Please send an email with your full names, contact information, wedding date, wedding location and a photo or video to info@baysidebride.com by 5pm on May 11th. If you’re submitting a video, we recommend uploading it to Vimeo or YouTube and then sending us the link. Most email systems won’t allow you to mail a video.

Now that you’ve met Megan, check out some of her stunning images below!