St. Michaels MD Wedding | Julie + Phil

Eastern Shore Wedding

Julie and Phil decided on a St. Michaels MD wedding because they wanted a venue where their guests would have the option to arrive by boat. And their wedding day by the Chesapeake Bay couldn’t have been more beautiful!

Saint Michaels, MD is about 20 miles from Annapolis by boat, 52 miles by car. The main wedding reception in the movie, Wedding Crashers, was shot in St. Michaels at the nearby wedding venue, Inn at Perry Cabin.

The town’s historic claim to fame was how the citizens outsmarted the British during the War of 1812. Residents all dimmed their lights and hoisted lanterns high in the tree branches, fooling the Brit’s to fire their cannons too high and saving their homes. A walk through the historic district lined with idyllic Victorian homes, picket fences, and gardens will make you grateful they were able to preserve their lovely village. The charming town has a rich history in oystering and shipbuilding, making it a perfect choice for the groom who not only sails but is a boat mechanic who helps manage his friend’s race boat and crew.

It was Phil’s passion for boats and Julie’s newfound interest in sailing that would allow these two to meet, become friends, and fall in love. They met at a crew listing party in Annapolis organized by a local newspaper to help boat owners find crew (and vice-versa.) Phil invited Julie to come out sailing and the rest is history!

Julie is an artist and has a successful graphic design business. So it’s no surprise that she was able to plan a beautiful, classic, timeless wedding! Their day was the perfect combination of romantic coastal with a dash of Maryland Eastern Shore.

The two got ready at Aida’s Victoriana Inn, a gem of a wedding venue right by the water, and walking distance across a pedestrian bridge to the Chesapeake Maritime Museum (who graciously allowed us to visit for some of the couple’s portraits!) After a first look off the front porch, we headed over to the harbor for portraits. As we walked, passersby congratulated the couple, and one shipbuilder who was restoring a boat nearby offered to let the couple aboard a vintage sailboat to take photos.

During their ceremony by the water, the couple tied a fisherman’s knot. A fisherman’s knot is known as the strongest knot that can be tied. Fisherman’s knots don’t break, but rather they grow stronger under pressure.

After the ceremony, the couple and guests walked across the lawn and enjoyed a tented reception with toasts, dinner and dancing. Those who shared toasts all remarked on what a great team Julie and Phil make. And they all comment on how romantic Phil is with Julie, calling her ‘his lady,’

Later, as I was editing their photos, I noticed how many times I had captured Phil kissing Julie’s hand. That wasn’t a pose, that was just Phil! At one point, he kissed her hand and arm all the way up to steal a smooch. Gomez Addams has nothing on Phil in the romance department!

Julie and Phil, it was an absolute honor to have witnessed and documented your wedding day. Best wishes as you set sail on the next chapter in your love story together.

I had a really hard time narrowing them down, but here are a few of my favorite images from Julie +Phil’s St. Michaels Wedding by the Chesapeake Bay!