The Best Wedding Cruises in Maryland
Imagine sailing along the water with the glowing sun and skyline as your backdrop while you say “I do”. Not only are wedding cruises incredibly romantic, but they also often come with their own wedding packages to include everything you could need on your special day. Here are a few of the best wedding cruises in Maryland.
Spirit of Baltimore
Photo courtesy of Spirit Cruises
As part of Spirit Cruises, the Spirit of Baltimore allows you to exchange vows along the Patapsco River. With seating for up to 450 guests, their 119-foot ship features observation decks along with climate control for the cooler months. Whether you want to host your ceremony or your entire wedding onboard, Spirit of Baltimore can accommodate engagement parties, bachelorette parties, and bridal luncheons as well. They also offer a variety of wedding packages such as dinner and lunch packages, onboard ceremony, a premiere reception and more.
Wedding on the Bay
Photo courtesy of Weddings on the Bay
Say your “I do’s” aboard a private yacht charter while sailing through the Chesapeake Bay. Weddings on the Bay offers a gorgeous venue for your wedding ceremony, rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, and more. You’ll have your choice of the vessel – all offering spacious and flexible floor plans along with catering kitchens and full-service bars. Their homeports include Baltimore Inner Harbor and Annapolis City Dock. You’ll also be given your own personal wedding coordinator to help guide you through the process.
The Black-Eyed Susan
Photo courtesy of The Black-Eyed Susan
Originally built in 1986, The Black-Eyed Susan is reminiscent of the time when luxurious riverboat cruises sailed the waters. The ship is certified for up to 149 guests as well as 20 additional crew members and staff. Based out of Havre de Grace, it navigates both the Susquehanna River and Upper Chesapeake Bay. Along with its Victorian-style upper deck, it also features a climate-controlled Main Salon with an oak bar, audio system, and foodservice. The Black-Eyed Susan also offers hand-picked food for you and your guests, open to any special preferences you may need as well.
Sail Selina II
Photo courtesy of Sail Selina II
Designed after the classic New England Crosby Cat, Sail Selina II was originally built in 1926 in Greenport, NY. The ship’s current Coast Guard Licensed Captain is also granddaughter to the original owners. This wedding cruise is perfect for those looking for a smaller, yet romantic wedding on the water. Docked in St. Michaels, Sail Selina II creates a personalized nautical wedding complete with photography, video, live bagpipes, custom music program, and more to treasure for years to come. They also offer a variety of wedding packages if you would like to further customize your special day.
Now that your engagement is complete, are you ready to start planning your wedding? Consider booking one of the best wedding cruises in Maryland for your big day. You will also want to book an appointment with our bridal boutique today and let us help you find your dream dress!
How to Deal with a Bridezilla
Wedding and a Bridezilla
Bridezillas can be one of the most difficult obstacles for a person to overcome when planning a wedding. Here is a person that is under such an intense level of stress that they start taking it out on their friends and family members. If you’re going to survive the next few months with this woman, you’re going to have to follow a few of the tips we’ve lined up for you below:
1.) Realize who you’re dealing with. Everyone gets stressed about something, and chances are you know the bride so well that you know what she’s stressing over. So help her calm some of her stress. If she thinks there’s absolutely no way she’s going to be able to stuff 368 envelopes full of wedding invitations, get on the phone and get a small collection of people over at her house to do the job.
2.) Really give everything a legitimate try. Even if you think it’s crazy, at least try. Of course there are just some things you won’t be able to do, like travel to Rome for the wedding dress fittings. In these cases give a strict, non-negotiable “No”. For other things though, go ahead and try and indulge her. Baking 400 cookies for the rehearsal dinner sounds pretty impossible, so bake as many as you can and then stop by the store the next day to make up the difference. She’ll see how much of an effort you put in as well as possibly realize that her original demands were pretty impossible to begin with.
3.) Treat her like a princess. Sound tough? Of course it is, but she’s planning her wedding day. In her head, nothing is more important than this wedding, so treating her like the important person she feels she is right now will actually help you both to get on the same page. Don’t worry, as soon as she’s married the urgency will go away and everyone will be more relaxed.
4.) Seek out close friends. If you do have some issues going on in your own life, contact your friends and vent with them instead. You’ll be able to clear your head all while they’re intently listening and not worrying about what exactly you are doing.
5.) Stay positive. It’s perfectly natural to want to talk about the bride behind her back. If she’s bossing you around like crazy, of course you’re going to be bitter. However, you have to remember that she is not herself right now. All of the crazy demands and even insults that she hurls your way are not what her personality is made of. You’ll have your friend back as soon as the wedding is over, so keep the negative talk to yourself for just a few more months, at least.
Lily’s Bridal and Prom Boutique offering Wedding Gowns and Prom Dresses up to size 30. Lily’s Bridal offers the largest selection of exclusive designer Wedding Gowns and Prom Dresses in Maryland. Curvy and Plus Size Brides you must come see the best selection of Wedding Dresses in Maryland.
How to Know When You’ve Found “The One” (Wedding Dress)
Finding the right wedding dress is actually a lot like finding the person you’re going to spend the rest of your life with. You’ll do some searching, you’ll question whether or not it’s worth the investment and you might even have second guesses about taking the leap. Thankfully though, we’ve compiled a list of ways to know when you can put down that bridal magazine and put down a deposit; here’s how you know you’ve found your dream dress.
1.) You can afford it. No matter what dress you think you might need, if you can’t afford it, it’s the wrong dress. There’s no use putting yourself in debt for the rest of your life for one night in a beautiful garment. Think about it; it’s going to be pretty tough explaining to your kids that only one of them gets to go to college because Mom “just had to have 10,000 hand placed crystals.”
2.) It matches your personality. Your dress should be a perfect reflection of who you are. If you’re a free-spirited bohemian bride, you probably aren’t going to be very comfortable in something very structured or architectural. Likewise, if you’re a funky, high fashion bride, you should hold out for something with a unique cut or embellishment. You should feel 100% like yourself in whatever you choose.
3.) It makes you feel like a million bucks. This is your day to feel absolutely amazing! You’ll know you’ve found “the one” because it will make you feel like a goddess the second you slip it on. Things you’ve been self-conscious about will melt away and beautiful curves you may have never even noticed will be perfectly accentuated.
4.) You know your fiancé will love it. Your wedding dress is your choice alone; it really doesn’t matter what your fiancé thinks of it. However, your fiancé will still love it. Not because he has a specific taste in wedding dresses, but because the right dress will be a perfect reflection of yourself, along with all the little reasons your fiancé fell in love with you in the first place. If you can imagine the look on his or her face as you walk down the aisle, you’ve probably found “the one”.
5.) You get “the feeling”. “The feeling” refers to that same feeling you get when you know you’ve found the right person. You know this is it; you have no other reason to keep searching for your dress. As soon as you get “the feeling” trust it. Doubting yourself will only create confusion. If the dress fits, is a true reflection of yourself and is in your price range, you’ve probably got it made.
Lily’s Bridal and Prom Boutique offering Wedding Gowns and Prom Dresses up to size 30. Lily’s Bridal offers the largest selection of exclusive designer Wedding Gowns and Prom Dresses in Maryland. Curvy and Plus Size Brides you must come see the best selection of Wedding Dresses in Maryland.
Post-Wedding Depression and How to Cope
The Wedding is over….now what? While it hasn’t been defined as an actual disorder in the DSM-IV, that doesn’t mean it isn’t real. In fact, many brides (and even some grooms) have experienced a form of depression immediately after the wedding. And as a student of psychology myself (I have a Master’s in the subject), it makes perfect sense. Spending a significant portion of your life planning a special event (like spending a year and a half planning the “perfect” wedding) can lead to a bit of a let-down in the day following your celebratory climax. So here are a few ways to prevent the horrible post-wedding blues.
1.) Keep it in perspective. The most exciting thing about getting engaged shouldn’t be the wedding; it should be the fact that you’re getting married. You’re going to spend the rest of your life with your soulmate, and will be able to take on life’s challenges (new career, a family, owning a home) together. When you view the wedding as just a milestone rather than the end result to your engagement, you’ll be able to see all the positives about life after saying “I do”.
2.) Talk to your spouse. Even if you both have different feelings about life after marriage (you’re slightly depressed about the wedding having come and gone and he couldn’t be happier), you are still in this together. Ask him why he’s so happy to have to wedding in the past and you could tune in to his way of thinking. Maybe now is when you get to start saving for a house or a family, or that vacation to Australia you’ve both wanted to take.
3.) Enjoy the honeymoon. And speaking of a vacation, make sure you get one! Even if it’s just a weekend away holed up in some hotel one town over, it’s still a chance for the two of you to just focus on each other. It doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant it just has to be about the two of you. This will give you a chance to unwind and let the idea of being married really sink in.
4.) Rearrange your time. Planning a wedding takes time, and the closer the day came the more efficient you probably became at fitting in your to-do list. So after the wedding, you’re basically looking at a huge chunk of free time that you don’t know what to do with! So fill in that time with something fun! Join a book club, take a class, take up skydiving or simply relax; you’ve got free time again!
5.) Clean out your stash. Having old bridal magazines around isn’t going to do you any good. So give them to a good friend who has just gotten married or drop them off the next time you’re at the gym. You want to start fresh, not dwell in the past. After all, your amazing wedding photos will be enough to remind you of your perfect day!
Lily’s Bridal and Prom Boutique – Gorgeous Wedding gowns up to size 30 in stock. Maryland’s Premiere Bridal Boutique. Offering Wedding gowns, Prom Dresses, Bridesmaids Dresses, and Mother’s gowns up to size 30. Book your appointment today.
Why You Should Have a Wedding Website
It seems like a new idea, but the wedding website has really been circling around for a few years now. What’s more surprising, is how few couples actually take advantage of this service. It’s understandable to shy away from it if you’ve never gotten along well with computers, but let me give you an idea of what your missing out on, and why having a wedding website will make your entire wedding run much, much more smoothly.
1.) A website doesn’t get lost. As much effort as you’re putting into your invitations (and yes, they look absolutely stunning), many of your guests are going to lose them, along with all the additional information you stuffed them with. Nearby hotels, directions to the wedding venue, where you and your fiancé are registered, the dress code, all of it: gone. A wedding website allows you to put all this information in one place, so even your most disorganized guests will have a place to find all the information they need.
2.) Websites are more intimate. This may seem counter intuitive, of course, and you’ve probably got your mother in your ear explaining how hand-written invitations are much more meaningful, but I stand by my statement. Websites allow you to upload much,much more than what you could put in a mail-out invitation. You can add countless photos of you and your fiancé, not to mention photos of important people in the wedding party. People are going to need to get ahold of the Maid of Honor and the Best Man for various things and a website lets people know how to get ahold of them and just who exactly they are. Plus, how awkward is it go to a wedding and not know the bride’s parents or the groom’s brother? A website takes care of these issues.
3.) Websites are active 24 hours a day. You know those idiots (oh yes, I’m calling them idiots) that end up calling the bride on the day of her wedding asking for directions to the venue? Yeah, a wedding website will cut those idiots in half, if not eliminate them completely. And no one has to worry about when they can or can’t get ahold of you. Think of it as your own personal wedding secretary; the website will have all the required information and it will be available to all of your guests every second of the day. That’s got to be enough to give you a little sigh of relief.
4.) Websites are convenient. Attending a wedding is more of a process than many people think it is. You have to find a place to stay, figure out something to wear, buy the couple a gift, get time off work, book your tickets, budget for the trip, etc. So make things easier on your guests. Having all the information in one area will make it infinitely easier for them to book their trip, find out where you’re registered and RSVP.
Lily’s Bridal and Prom Boutique – Offering Wedding Gowns and Prom Dresses up to size 30. Maryland’s Premiere destination for Exclusive Designer Wedding Gowns and Prom Dresses.
Outdoor Wedding Dos and Don’ts
It is wedding season. The overwhelming majority of couples choose to get married in the warmer months for a variety of reasons; it’s easier for family members to travel, it’s far enough from the holiday season everyone has some money and vacation days saved up and, of course, there’s a better chance of having an outdoor wedding. However, if you aren’t prepared, your outdoor wedding can turn into a disaster in the making, so here are a few tips to help ensure things run smoothly:
1.) Obtain the necessary permits. It might not seem like such a big deal, but if you don’t have all the required permits on your wedding day, you could be looking at some serious fines, and we can bet you’ll already be over-budget as it is. Virtually any public land or site (public parks, wildlife preserves and historical landmarks, just to name a few) requires a permit to not only use the land but also gather a large number of people.
2.) Have a backup plan for the weather. No matter how stable the weather seems to be, there is always a higher chance of inclement weather on your wedding day (according to Murphy’s Law, that is), so you’re going to need a solid backup plan. You’ll have to make sure your backup plan has many of the same features as your original wedding site, like the ability to contain 250 people without creating an overcrowded fire hazard.
3.) Be safe. There are plenty of things that could go wrong at an outdoor wedding, so it’s best that you cover your bases. That means leaving the candles at home and using enclosed lanterns instead. Wear plenty of sunscreen and use common sense; you don’t want to be having a BBQ in the middle of a bear preserve.
4.) Think about your guests. Many brides have no idea how hot it is sitting in those chairs in direct sunlight because they’re not in direct sunlight; they’re under a shaded arbor. If it’s going to be 100 degrees outside, make sure your guests are sitting in a shaded area, have plenty of water and have something to fan themselves with.
5.) Don’t forget about the restrooms! No one wants to think about restrooms on their big day, but trust me, you need to. If there’s a business nearby you’ll have to check with them first before telling your guests to use their facilities, and if you’re out in the middle of nowhere you’re going to need to bring in some porta-potties to keep everyone comfortable.
Lily’s Bridal and Prom Boutique – Maryland’s Premier Bridal Boutique. Offering Wedding Dresses and Prom Dresses up to Size 30. Plus Size Brides love our inventory.
Wedding Proposal “Mistakes” that Aren’t Mistakes
Oh, proposals! I can’t think of a person alive that doesn’t love a good proposal story, regardless of what happened. Of course, every story is different so that means every story is often up for criticisms.
So one day after browsing the internet, I came across an article that claimed the dos and don’ts of a proper proposal. One of these ‘tips’ was to avoid a public place. “It should be an intimate moment,” it said, “so it should be just the two of you. Having other people around is a recipe for disaster.”
Excuse me? I’m not yet engaged, but every proposal fantasy that I have has one thing in common: everyone I know will be there. I think it takes a certain amount of bravery to announce your love to the world and not care what anyone thinks. The more people around, the more romantic I feel it is.
But that’s just me. So I started browsing articles for other common ‘mistakes’ and found these. And here’s why none of these are proposal mistakes:
1.) Proposing without a ring. The ring does not make the proposal. Theoretically, it’s supposed to show that you’ve been thinking about this for a while are sure that it’s what you want to do. You’ve clearly been saving and planning the appropriate design for someone you love. However, that doesn’t man proposing without a ring is a mistake. It takes a lot of guts to get down on one knee and ask someone to spend their life with you. That is all that matters.
2.) Proposing in front of family. Many “experts” say proposing in front of family is a no-no, but all they say is that it adds to the stress of the event. Get over it. In all honesty, she’s going to call every single person she knows as soon as that ring is on her finger, so many women love turning around to see all the other people in her life ready to congratulate the two of you. If you want to do it in front of family and friends, do it.
3.) Proposing without a plan. Proposing is a big deal, so planning it out only seems natural. However, there are many people out there that only get more and stressed when trying to plan something, so the answer is to just do it already. Drop to one knee in the middle of the living room as soon as she gets home from work. Do it when your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere in the pouring rain. You don’t need a plan for it to be perfect.
4.) Proposing in any way someone else would consider silly or stupid. Proposing in a supermarket aisle? Might sound awful, but the truth is anywhere can be romantic when presented in the right light. You might think being proposed to onstage at a concert is over-the-top and attention seeking, while someone else might see an intimate mountaintop proposal as boring and lame. You know your soon-to-be-fiancé better than anyone; propose however you think they would love it. If you think she’s prefer you dressed up as a penguin and surprised her at work, do that. If she’ll love it, that’s all that really matters.
Lily’s Bridal and Prom Boutique – Wedding Gowns and Prom Dresses up to size 30. Maryland’s Premier Bridal Boutique.
Cut Costs on Your Wedding Catering
Wedding food tends to be one of those topics that has brides a bit befuddled; either they’re completely clueless in the food world so they leave everything up to the caterer (meaning their food will most likely be somewhere generic, dull and expected), or they have no idea how to budget for more interesting fare. Well, as it turns out, you can do both.
You don’t have to be an amazing cook yourself to have amazing food at your wedding, nor do you have to be rich. Instead, a little creativity and a lot of communication can end up going a long way.
1.) Have the right recipes. If you’re going to serve chicken, make sure it’s some of the most delicious chicken you’ve ever had, which often means hiring the right people for the job. For the same price, an experienced caterer will know exactly what temperature the meat should be cooked at for how long, rendering you a juicy and flavorful main course, while a less experienced caterer will give you a dried out, chew-toy for a similar price.
2.) Change how things are served. Mac’n’cheese might seem like the last thing you would put in your wedding, but when made with the correct recipe and served in martini glasses, it raises to a whole other level. Serving things in interesting and fun ways will make them more memorable, while the cost of the food itself remains the same.
3.) Have a “pick and choose” theme. Mexican food, an Asian station or make-your-own pizzas, for example, tend to be crowd pleasers at weddings. Guests can pick and choose what goes on their individual taco or pizza. A few meat choices and plenty of vegetarian toppings mean every guest can make their entrée exactly how they like it.
4.) Choose crowd pleasing flavors. Sure, you and your fiancé may absolutely love that chipotle chocolate icing used in your deserts, but unless you’re planning on taking 80% of it home with you, you’re going to have to go for some more generic options. And don’t be afraid of the word ‘generic’. Vanilla frosting may sound boring, but when done right, the best vanilla frosting can taste better than any outlandish creation you might dream up.
5.) Go bite-size. Bite size means you’re controlling the portion size, and it’s been rumored that having bite-sized desserts cut the cost of a dessert buffet by up to two thirds.
6.) You don’t need champagne. A toast is just as beautiful and meaningful if guests use the drinks they have in your hand.
7.) Use cheaper cuts of meats. Once again, the taste and finesse often comes in the way the dish is prepared. Ask your caterer to show you different pricing options for different cuts of meat.
8.) Choose in-season. Choosing fruits or vegetables that are out of season could end up costing double not triple what in-season fare would cost. Do a little research about your local market and ask your caterer for a price list of fruits and vegetables around the time of your wedding date.
Lily’s Bridal and Prom Boutique is Maryland’s premiere Bridal and Prom Boutique. Offering dresses up to size 30. Call to book your appointment today. Prom Dresses, Mother’s Gowns, Bridesmaids, and Tuxedo Rentals.
Unique Wedding Transportation Ideas
Unique Wedding Transportation Ideas
One of the most interesting things about your wedding day is often the transportation from the ceremony site to the reception venue. There are literally countless ways to arrive at your reception in an unforgettable manner, so by no means is this an all-inclusive list. Instead, we’ve rounded up a list of options people have actually used for their wedding transportation (not lying!).
1.) By Animal. Yes, a horse-drawn carriage has been done time and time again, but it’s still one of the most romantic ways to travel! There’s no getting around the fact that a horse-drawn carriage causes everyone, and we mean everyone to stop and stare. You’re virtually royalty for a day!
2.) By Air. Sure you might not have the budget for it, but getting dropped off to your own reception via helicopter is just too James Bond (read: awesome) to ignore. Of course if you’re more of a realist and prefer that all the effort your stylist put into your hair be wasted in hurricane force winds, there’s always the more relaxing option of a hot air balloon.
3.) By Sea. Arriving to your reception location via water not only means your spot is probably relatively exclusive, but it also shows you have a carefree personality. And if you’re wearing a short dress, a paddleboat or a jet-ski isn’t going to be too difficult to navigate. And I don’t know about you, but I’ve found that it’s simple impossible to frown while riding a jet-ski, so go ahead and get your party off to a great start!
4.) In something completely you. Fun fact: I drive an ice cream truck during the summer time. It’s a teeny-tiny little thing, and it’s been used as a prop for a variety of things across town. My mom has always said that if she remarried, she would love to make that little truck a part of her wedding.
So don’t be afraid to add a little bit of yourself into the mix. Sucker for classic cars? Borrow a buddies 68’ Camaro for the day (let him drive if it makes him feel any better). Are you and your hubby local firemen or police officers? Consider using an out-of-commission fire truck or one of your cruisers to travel in style.
5.) Embrace your inner kid. Everyone loves a couple that isn’t afraid to have a good time, and those pictures of you and your hubby on an old-school tandem bicycle are sure to bring a smile to peoples’ faces for years to come. So think about a moped, a motorcycle with a sidecar or even a couple of skateboards!
Lily’s Bridal and Prom Boutique of Maryland offers Wedding Gowns up to size 30 and Prom Dresses up to size 30. Plus size brides will be amazed with our inventory. Call to book your appointment today. 410-553-9336
Before Hair and Makeup: How to Look Gorgeous For Your Big Day
Brides don’t need anyone to stress to them the importance of looking good on their wedding day. After all, they already know of the photographs that they will be displaying for the rest of their life, the friends and family members they haven’t seen for years and probably won’t see again for a few more years to come and the fact that they (along with their partner) are going to be the center of attention all night long. But as much as a hair and makeup professional can make a difference, there are some things you can do to help them out. Clear skin and healthy hair, for example, are easier for any professional to work with.
1.) Get plenty of sleep. As much as you’ve probably heard it, sleep has more benefits than you think. Growth hormones that initiate tissue repair, for example, are most active during your deepest stage of sleep (the stage right before REM. Plus, collagen (which is responsible for increasing the firmness of your skin) is at its peak during sleep hours. Beauty sleep, indeed.
2.) Drink plenty of water (and ditch the other stuff). Drinking enough water is one of the best things you can do for your body. It helps to flush out toxins and other waste products (which your energy drink, coffee and wine are only adding to), and it helps your organs function properly (which can be reassuring with the amount of stress you are probably under). Plus, being properly hydrated helps you have more energy and improves the texture of your skin.
3.) Eat clean food. That means lay off on the preservatives and salt, specifically. If you’re drinking plenty of water, let it do its job! Don’t sabotage it by eating crap! Fresh fruits and vegetables (especially those that are darkly colored, like spinach, blueberries and blackberries) have anti-oxidants and plenty of water, while foods like bananas, cranberries and asparagus are natural diuretics, ridding your body of any excess fluid it’s holding on to (hello no more bloating).
4.) Get plenty of exercise. Not only does an adequate amount of exercise keep you feeling great (literally, it’s the best natural anti-depressant out there), but it also keeps your looking great. Besides the obvious health and beauty benefits (you’ll look amazing in your wedding dress and be able to dance the night away without feeling out of breath), your skin, hair and nails will thank you as well. Not only does regular exercise keep cortisol levels (which create wrinkles) at bay, it also improves circulation, which means less acne, healthier shinier hair and the end of yellow, brittle nails.
5.) Moisturize and use SPF. Dry hair and skin is not attractive on anyone, and as much as you love that tan, it’s only doing damage to your body. Help yourself out by keeping your skin moisturized with an SPF rich lotion, and consider giving your hair a weekly deep moisturizing treatment during the weeks leading up to your wedding.
Lily’s Bridal is Maryland’s Premier Bridal and Prom Boutique. Lily’s Bridal offers wedding gowns and prom dresses in sizes up to 30. Our plus size collection is a must see.
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