Many couples dream of a destination beach wedding. Fortunately for those living in or around the Mid-Atlantic region, declaring “I do” at a beach-based locale is a fairly doable endeavor. Just the same, there are still several things to consider when choosing to go this route. So, to make things easier, I’ve compiled this easy-to-follow comprehensive guide for planning an Eastern Shore beach wedding, highlighting all those vital considerations in the process.
Party Size and Package Rates
It’s already a given that you’ll need to establish a working budget when planning for your big day. This is true wherever you intend to hold the ceremony and reception. But if you are planning an out-of-town wedding specifically it’s important to be mindful of your guests and that they too will be making the journey. Are you covering the cost of their accommodations? Are they expected to pay their way from a list of viable options you intend to provide for them? Given the costliness, it may be worth reducing the number of attendees to keep things smaller and reasonably limited.
Once the finalized count is in an optimal range, you may even explore possible package rates that apply, particularly if your intended venue is a hotel or other area inn. Many couples work it out so that their ceremony, reception, and honeymoon are all held at the same great location.
Services and Setup
Whether you book an official wedding planner or not, you’d do well to consult those caterers, photographers, decoration suppliers, and other required services local to your intended beach-based wedding site. For instance, it would be impractical to get your cake from your hometown caterer if you live three hours away from your intended wedding venue in Ocean City. That’s why it’s better to decide on your location first and then check and see what’s around.
Maryland and Delaware Eastern Shore locations are known for some of the best event services in the region. So, rest assured that you will be in good hands with plenty of options to choose from. You can, of course, do it all on your own and look around for caterers, suppliers, photographers, and other services in the surrounding area independently. But in truth, it’s always best to go with an established wedding planning service, particularly for a destination wedding. Not only is it beneficial for avoiding any potential hurdles regarding approved services based on a particular venue, but it reduces your stress immensely when you leave it up to the professionals to take care of all the details directly.
The Eastern Shore boasts several credible wedding planning services throughout the surrounding area. Here are three that come top-rated in the region:
Ocean City Beach Weddings
Sunny Beach Weddings
Barefoot Beach Brides OC
Marriage Licenses and Legalities
Do your homework on the ins and outs of obtaining a marriage license. Different rules apply to different locations throughout the Eastern Shore. For example, a Worcester County, Maryland license is required for all weddings conducted in Ocean City, Berlin, Snow Hill, and other County locations. The application process can be done in person or via mail for a fee of $35.
A Sussex County, Delaware license is needed for weddings in Fenwick Island, Bethany Beach, Dewey, Rehoboth, Millsboro, and other southern Delaware locales. You can apply for a license in person or online, although you will still need to pick it up in person if you do it online. The cost of obtaining a license from the Sussex County Clerk starts at $100 (higher for non-residents). An extra $15 applies for online applications.
Indoor/Outdoor Considerations
Do you want to get married directly on the unbridled sandy shore beaches? Or perhaps you long for indoor comforts and assurances that unpredictable weather patterns won’t infringe on your special day. Many indoor options still offer a scenic ocean view or iconic bayside backdrop anyway.
It all comes down to what you want—whatever works for you, your budget, and your party. Again, as you devise your plans, you have certain things to consider. For instance, certain venue beach locations may require you to obtain a permit, especially if your party size is larger and results in more setup services being required to carry out the grand occasion. Depending on the site, guest parking may or may not be provided as part of the package, so that’s another thing to check into.
Some beach locations, like those in West Ocean City and based on Assateague Island, do not require permits for conducting outdoor ceremonies. Do take note, however, that all vehicles entering Assateague will still be required to pay an entry fee. Also, for those looking to hold a beach wedding during the peak summer months, take heed of the fact that ceremonies may not be performed during regular lifeguarding hours.
All rules and requirements are subject to updates and changes. That’s why it’s always best to stay on top of everything throughout the planning process so as not to become blindsided by any sudden surprises.
Vast and Versatile Venues
Here comes the fun part. It’s time to pick the place to profess your nuptials. You have many viable options awaiting you, an endless array really, seeing how plenty of area establishments—even those that may be less conventional wedding go-to picks—may be agreeable to working with you.
Eventective is an excellent source for viewing a vast and versatile array of different wedding venues in Delmarva and beyond. Click the link for a full listing. The listing I’ve compiled below is for some of the Eastern Shore’s most popular picks for wedding venues in the immediate surrounding area.
Addy Sea
99 Ocean View Pkwy, Bethany Beach, DE 19930
www.addysea.com
Aloft Ocean/Bayvista Event Center
4501 Coastal Hwy In Aloft, Ocean City, MD 21842
www.bayvistaeventcenter.com
Ashore Resort and Beach Club
10100 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
www.ashoreresortoceancity.com
Assateague State Park/Assateague National Seashore
(The Rackliffe House Venue)
www.rackliffehouse.org
DNR
Atlantic Hotel
2 S Main St, Berlin, MD 21811
www.atlantichotel.com
Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center
1 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
www.atlanticsandshotel.com
Atrium at Golden Sands
10900 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
www.goldensandsoceanresort.com
Bayside Resort Golf Club
12021 N Hvn Dr, Selbyville, DE 19975
www.livebayside.com
Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club
7 Club House Dr, Ocean View, DE 19970
www.beartrapdunes.com
Big Chill Beach Club
27099 Coastal Hwy, Bethany Beach, DE 19930
www.bigchillbeachclub.com
Boardwalk Plaza Hotel
2 Olive Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
www.boardwalkplaza.com
Cambria Hotel Ocean City Bayfront/Cambria Hotel Rehoboth
13 St Louis Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842
www.cambriaoc.com
17222 Hood Rd, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Cambria Rehoboth
Canalside Inn
34 6th St, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
www.thecanalsideinn.com
Carousel Oceanfront Hotel & Condos
11700 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
www.carouselhotel.com
Castle Farm
7530 Cedartown Rd, Snow Hill, MD 21863
www.castlefarmweddings.com
Chincoteague Center
6155 Community Dr, Chincoteague, VA 23336
www.thechincoteaguecenter.com
Courtyard Ocean City Oceanfront
2 15th St, Ocean City, MD 21842
Courtyard Marriott
Estate at Plantation Ridge
25113 Enge Ln, Millsboro, DE 19966
www.thehudsonwaterfrontde.com
Fenwick Inn
13801 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
www.fenwickinn.com
Furnace Town Historic Site
3816 Old Furnace Rd, Snow Hill, MD 21863
www.furnacetown.org
Grand Hotel and Spa
2100 Baltimore Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842
www.grandhoteloceancity.com
Green Hill Country Club
5471 Whitehaven Rd, Quantico, MD 21856
www.greenhillcc.com
Harrison’s Harbor Watch
806 S Atlantic Ave #5915, Ocean City, MD 21842
www.harborwatchrestaurant.com
Hilton Garden Inn Oceanfront
2800 Baltimore Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842
www.hilton.com
Homer Gudelsky Park
13055 Old Bridge Rd, Ocean City, MD 21842
www.worcesterrecandparks.org
Hopkins Heartland
30249 Fisher Rd, Lewes, DE 19958
www.hopkinsheartland.com
Hyatt Place Ocean City/Oceanfront
1 16th St, Ocean City, MD 21842
www.hyatt.com
Independence Hall, LLC
23767 Samuel Adams Circle, Millsboro, DE 23767
www.schellbrothers.com/independence-hall/
Inn at Canal Square
122 W Market St, Lewes, DE 19958
www.theinnatcanalsquare.com
Kylan Barn
30603 Dusty Lane, Delmar, MD 21875
www.kylanbarn.com
Lavender Fields at Warrington Manor
18864 Cool Spring Rd, Milton, DE 19968
www.lavenderfieldsde.com
Lighthouse Cove Event Center
1301 Coastal Hwy, Dewey Beach, DE 19971
www.lighthousecoveevents.com
Mango’s Bethany Beach
97 Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach, DE 19930
www.mangosbethany.com
Marina Bay Hotel & Suites
3801 Main St, Chincoteague, VA 23336
Marina Bay Hotel
Nassau Valley Vineyards
32165 Winery Way, Lewes, DE 19958
www.nassauvalley.com
Ocean City Golf Club
11401 Country Club Dr, Berlin, MD 21811
www.oceancitygolfclub.com
Ocean Pines Yacht Club
1 Mumfords Lndg Rd, Ocean Pines, MD 21811
www.opyachtclub.com
Plantation Lakes Golf & Country Club
20301 Charlotte Blvd, Millsboro, DE 19966
www.plantationlakesclub.com
Princess Royale (Oceanfront and Bayside)
9110 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
www.princessroyale.com
4801 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
www.princessbayside.com
Rehoboth Beach Country Club
221 West Side Dr, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
www.rehobothbeachcc.com
River House Inn
201 E Market St, Snow Hill, MD 21863
www.riverhouseinn.com
Seacrets
117 49th St, Ocean City, MD 21842
www.seacrets.com
Vanderwende Acres
22304 Atlanta Rd, Seaford, DE 19973
www.vanderwendeacres.com
Venues at Ocean Pines
1 Mumfords Lndg Rd, Ocean Pines, MD 21811
www.venuesatoceanpines.com
Wildflower Estate
24764 Ocean Gateway, Mardela Springs, MD 21837
www.wildflowerestatemd.com
There are plenty of other locations as well as important considerations to keep in mind when planning out a destination wedding on Eastern Shore beaches. But this resource list is a great starting point. Remember, your wedding should be the most magical day of your life. What could be more magical than getting married at the beach?