For the past seven weeks, Shorebread has been uncovering an abundance of wedding information and sharing tips, secrets, and the philosophies of local wedding gurus. We’ve sat down with photographers, a videographer, cake bakers, dress specialists, restauranteurs, and decorators in hopes that they’ll merrily enlighten us on their professions. Have you liked exploring the shore’s doses of “I do’s”?

As a way to wrap-up this lovely feature, the Shorebread staff planned, arranged, and executed a free-spirited event… A styled wedding presentation at the historic Atlantic Hotel in Berlin, MD.
The stylish Victorian hotel was built in 1895 and has constantly served as a vital social center for Berlin. The hotel is elegant, gracious, and has a meaningful past. Inside the hotel, the Atlantic Ballroom steals the show. The ballroom has lovely natural light featuring beautiful windows and stained glass, brass, and etched glass antique chandeliers, a fireplace, and a graceful arch extending across the entire ballroom. It is the ideal setting for small weddings with dinner seating up to 80 people and cocktail receptions for up to 125.
Eco-friendly, off-beat, and original; three things every modern wedding should be. In an attempt to accomplish a few different wedding styles, we went shopping locally, picked out lots of nontraditional wedding items, and put together a photo shoot staged at our favorite hotel, the Atlantic. Here’s the outcome:

Glamazon

Bring on the glitz and the glamour. 

Our blonde bombshell of a bride chose a dramatic black and white dress with a full train. A sheer, black lace top was added to the strapless dress. The large black sash was accented with a rhinestone brooch. 6” black platform heels were worn.
Big, voluminous hair without a veil. Diamond stud earrings were simple and elegant. Moody black nail polish. Lightly glossed lips with smoky dramatic eyes.
The bride’s bouquet was made out of white feathers and flowers of cotton fabric. The bouquet was wrapped in black ribbon covered in silver glitter. A silver cross necklace covered in purple rhinestones, a memento close to the bride, was secured on the arrangement with pearl pins.
The table settings in the elegant Atlantic Ballroom were regal, yet simple. Fresh press white linens, spotless glassware, place settings for 8. In the center of the table were floral arrangements of light pink roses, lilies, white orchids, and exotic greens. Clear glass vases overflowed with tulips on adjacent tables. A champagne and wine station was set up in the hotel’s cozy dining room. White pillar candles were placed in clear glass globes throughout the ballroom.
Dress: Amber Nicoles Bridal – Salisbury, MD

Flowers: Flowers by Allison – West Ocean City, MD

Bouquet: Feathers and fabric flowers from Michael’s Arts & Crafts – West Ocean City, MD

Venue: Atlantic Hotel – Berlin, MD

Colorful Bohemian

Bright, bold, sweet, but definitely not traditional.

Our stunning bohemian bride wanted something colorful, playful, and far from ordinary. She chose a cream, short, long-sleeved 1960’s vintage dress to wear on her special day. Paired with eye-catching teal tights, the short baby-doll dress appears casual and fun. Vintage boots added even more causality to the ensemble. In her hair, the bride chose to wear a hand-made feather clip. Cream enameled metal earrings and her natural stone wedding ring were hand-made also.
The bride kept her makeup selections colorful, too. Jewel toned makeup, in shade of plums, were used on her eyes and lips. Natural nails for this easy-going bride.
A custom bouquet was created using local reeds and marsh grasses. A few yellow tinted ostrich feathers and dried lavender were incorporated into the bunch. The bouquet was secured with a bright pink ribbon tied in a bow with two lime green and pink beaded tassels hanging below.
Tablescapes and decorations were created using brightly colored glass bottles; pink, teal, and lime green. Just like the bouquet, marsh grass plumage and dried feathers occupied the bottles.  The arrangements were accented with bunches of pink, teal, and lime green feathers. Glass candle holders in matching jewel tones were filled with white candles. Candelabras were placed throughout the room and provided ambiance.
Dress and hair piece: Little Miss Lovely Vintage – Berlin, MD

Earrings and ring: Copper Chameleon – Greensboro, NC

Flowers: Grasses and florals collected locally, feathers from Michaels Arts & Crafts – Salisbury, MD

Bouquet: Grasses and florals collected locally, ribbon tassles from Hobby Lobby – Salisbury, MD

Decorations: Colored glass bottles from Hobby Lobby – Salisbury, MD

Cupcake: Baked Dessert Cafe – Berlin, MD

Venue: Atlantic Hotel – Berlin, MD

Shabby Chic Vintage

Soft, feminine, and romantic vintage.

Our vintage bride wanted nothing more than to get married in her grandmother’s dress. The vintage dress, originally worn in 1954, was altered slightly to fit the bride just right. To achieve the soft, feminine style known as shabby chic, the bride chose to wear peach 1950’s inspired heels and a vintage birdcage fascinator instead of a veil.  She chose not to wear a necklace because she liked the dainty accent of the lace neckline. Chandelier earrings of crystal and diamonds hung from the bride’s ears. A stack of silver bangles paired nicely with a sea foam green amethyst and diamond ring.
Her makeup was kept traditional. The bride’s eyelids sparkled with shiny pink, peach, and tan eye shadow. The eyes were lined with dramatic black liquid liner to create a dramatic cat eye. Faint pink blush accented the cheeks and bright red lipstick set off the vintage look. Pin curls proved to create a bob hairstyle filled with bounce. Her nails were painted soft peach with pink glitter polish applied only to the ring fingers.
The bride’s bouquet was filled with viney leaves from a fern and light pink wildflowers. Wrapped around the bouquet was peach ribbon tied in a box. Glittery rhinestones secured the ribbon and added sparkle.
Throughout the bridal space, mason jars filled with grey moss were topped off with live succulents. The bride wanted to be surrounded my living plants that she could replant at home after the big day as a way to remember her wedding. Vintage baskets and old suitcases were used as decorations.
Dress and birdcage veil: Little Miss Lovely Vintage – Berlin, MD

Earrings and ring: Treasure Chest – Berlin, MD

Flowers: Village Greens Landscaping center – West Ocean City, MD

Bouquet: Faux flowers purchased at Hobby Lobby – Salisbury, MD

Decorations: Mason jars purchased at Hobby Lobby – Salisbury, MD

Venue: Atlantic Hotel – Berlin, MD

The Atlantic Hotel

With a background dating back to the 1800’s, the hotel’s atmosphere is warm and inviting. The casual elegance felt throughout the building is accented with beautiful antique furniture. Gracing almost each room are crystal chandeliers, historic prints, and intimate seating areas.  Angela Reynolds, the events manager, and Kristin Basmajian, the catering manager, at the Atlantic are accomplished in assisting prospective brides and their families in preparation for their weddings. All wedding related information is available by contacting Angela or Kristin.
A one-on-one menu selection can be created with the help of the Atlantic Hotel’s executive chef, Leo D’Aleo Jr. Reception dining options or wedding celebration dinners can be customized to each and every couple who chooses to get married at the Hotel.  Special menus for a wedding breakfast, brunch, and lunch, tea for a wedding party, close friends and relatives can be planned on the day of or the day after any wedding.
The Atlantic Hotel is a celebration destination appropriate for a multitude of wedding-related events; engagement parties, prenuptial or rehearsal dinners, bridesmaids’ luncheons, wedding showers, or an English tea ceremony. Gift certificates are available for all wedding party attendants.
Guests at an Atlantic Hotel wedding will enjoy the unique experience of hospitality from another place in time. The Atlantic Hotel works closely with several other historic properties which can handle anything from a ceremony to every aspect of a wedding.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our coverage of Down the Aisle – Eastern Shore Style.  Thank you for exploring the many ways the shore does the “I do’s.” Our best wishes to those getting married on the shore this year! To see more photos from the photoshoot, take a peek at the Shorebread Wedding Styles gallery.