Coastal elope: a delmarva coast guide to elopements and micro-weddings
Written by Cori Burcham | Banner Photo by Rachel Sea Photography
Shedding the more infamous aspects of its reputation, elopement is no longer viewed as a risky final resort for couples separated by circumstance. The image of runaway lovers fleeing together in secret has become more fiction than reality, and nowadays, elopement has grown into a permissible alternative to the conventional, full-scale wedding.
Given the celebration’s long list of traditions, expenses, and lofty expectations, many couples are opting for a more simplified elopement or micro-wedding that prioritizes the most essential part: each other. Couples planning a destination wedding to the Delmarva coast will find a breadth of vendors that can not only accommodate a more exclusive guest list, but also have an expertise in services suited to intimate, small-scale weddings.
An Intimate Space
Despite their association with Las Vegas chapels or city-hall clerical nuptials, elopements aren’t that different from the more extravagant celebrations, with the one key difference being scale. Instead of resorting to sweeping ballrooms for a party of six, there are plenty of venues to explore along the Delaware coast that can host small events without compromising on the romantic coastal aesthetic.
With a view of buoying boats on the horizon and the tides lapping against the pier, the Inn at Canal Square can be the ideal venue for those who favor a nautical aesthetic without sinking their budget.
Nestled along the Lewes Harbor, the Nantucket-style hotel has an affordable package for special occasions that can serve up to 55 guests for dinner — a perfect fit for micro-weddings. The Spinnaker Package includes the use of their Waterview Room for the ceremony, the Parkview Room for the reception, and access to the canal and harbor viewing deck throughout the evening.
Since both wedding packages at this venue feature the same ceremony room, every newlywed couple, no matter the size of their guest list, can enjoy the same romantic ambience, while smaller parties benefit from a less extravagant rate.
At Hopkin’s Heartland in Lewes, the expanse of farmlands and the classic wooden barns at the Covered Bridge Inn combine modern elegance with a rustic farmhouse charm — especially in its smallest venue, Honey Bee. The space, which can accommodate up to 85 people, has a pergola for the ceremony, an uncovered and covered patio for the reception, and eight farmhouse-style tables set up for dinner within a refurbished, sage-green barn. The rural setting, paired with the distant accompaniment of crickets and birdsong, can lend the wedding a fairytale vibe without giving away the kingdom.
For more information on these venues, visit www.theinnatcanalsquare.com or www.hopkinsheartland.com.
The Picture of Passion
The decision to host a micro-wedding or elopement can begin with the humble wish to spend that special day with those to whom the couple is closest. Given that the exclusive guest list features only a select few friends and family who have a special connection with the bride or groom, it’s essential to hire a wedding photographer who can capture such an intimate gathering on film.
Jes and Chris, the husband-and-wife team behind Hand & Arrow Photography, specialize in elopements and preserving the big day for couples getting married on Delmarva.
In addition to the standard wedding-day moments — from the first look to the first kiss — Hand & Arrow’s photography captures the essence of the romance and adventure often associated with traditional elopement. Through atmospheric candids, their team can expertly preserve both the magic of the couple’s relationship and their chosen natural venue — options that are diverse throughout Delmarva.
Whether the couple is getting married on a public beach, at an inn by the bay, or in a barn backing woodlands, Hand & Arrow’s photography services — which start at $5,000 for full-day coverage of local weddings — can encapsulate the passion that first inspired the couple not to wait the traditional length of time to be united.
For more information about Hand and Arrow’s local elopement packages, visit www.handandarrow.com.
Something Short and Sweet
Instead of something borrowed and blue, couples can start a new wedding tradition with something literally short and sweet. Elopements and micro-weddings naturally favor minimalism over grandiose displays. And with its towering layers of decadent white frosting and a tendency towards excess, one tradition that often gets downsized or replaced entirely by another sweet treat is the wedding cake.
However, at Sweet Disposition, a small business and local bakery based in Ocean City, Md., couples have the option of designing their own mini wedding cake that’s the ideal serving size for smaller gatherings. Partners can choose a predesigned cake from the bakery’s Dessert Shop album or can customize the cake to fit their wedding’s theme.
To schedule a consultation, call (302) 436-3616.
Hand Off That Checklist
For couples who want to eliminate the hassle of wedding planning altogether, Barefoot Beach Bride — a wedding service that curates ready-made beach weddings on the sandy shores of Ocean City, Md. — offers cost-effective packages suited to simple tastes.
The Elopement & Vow Renewal package, which serves the couple and four guests at the price of $899, includes a beach ceremony, a non-denominational officiant, photographer, basic décor and the option to add on a reception at the Coastal 59 venue.
In the spirit of the event, Barefoot Beach Bride provides the happy couple with enough planning support for the wedding to retain the same spontaneous feeling of elopements but with the efficiency of a party years-in-the-making.
For more information, visit www.barefootbeachbridesoc.com.
