We received an inquiry yesterday from a bride who was considering having a waterfront wedding on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She asked for my opinion as a wedding videographer of some venues on the upper shore and how they worked for photography and video. Here are a few preferred venues where we frequently work on the Delmarva Peninsula:

The Oaks in Royal Oak MD (between Easton and St. Michaels) is a beautiful site for both the wedding and reception. Ceremonies are performed on a lawn next to the water.  The air-conditioned ballroom also has a beautiful water view, and if it rains a covered site also overlooks the water. The food is great, and the staff (especially Carla) is wonderful. It is a great place for photos and videography.

The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge, MD is beautiful, and  the Manor Lawn is the preferred site for a ceremony. It is a dream for wedding videographers!The Hyatt Chesapeake Bay has alternate outdoor sites which can be used if a Plan B or C is necessary. If there is a real storm blowing, however, the ceremony can be held in one of the ballrooms. (We have wedding video productions  from all the sites and ballrooms– both wedding ceremonies and receptions.)

 
Harbourtowne in St. Michaels MD is another site that has a beautiful view of the Bay and is wonderful for both weddings and receptions. The sunsets can be quite dramatic and show great on photos and video. The food is excellent, and Elaine is wonderful to work with. When the weather is bad, the staff can set up the ceremony inside.
 

The Chesapeake Bay Beach Club  in Stevensville, MD (just across the bay from Annapolis on Kent Island) has a great view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and dramatic sunsets. The new rooftop deck with its huge umbrellas for shade is a wonderful addition.  Erin Janes and her staff keep things running smoothly, and the kitchen does an excellent job with the food preparations. The beach itself is a lovely place for photos and video.

(Note: We taped the first wedding held on the new deck last June.) 

Pintail Point at the River Plantation in Queenstown, Maryland  has a beautiful manor house, where the bride and groom usually prepare for the wedding. 

Weather permitting, the ceremony is held on the lawn overlooking  the water. It is a beautiful venue for a wedding and an ideal site for video and photos. Receptions are usually held at Hunters Oak, also located at the River Plantation.

The Sunset Room at the Ocean City Convention Center has a beautiful location on the bayside in Ocean City, Maryland.

This is only a small sample of waterfront venues on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. When we get a chance, we will discuss at a later time, other venues where we, as videographers, like to work in Talbot County, Salisbury MD, Cambridge MD, Ocean City MD, and lower Delaware (mainly Sussex County).

FYI-All of the above stills are from our actual videography.