Honeymoon Destination | Lake Tahoe

Honeymoon Destination | Lake Tahoe

Images: Zephyr Cove Resort | Joanie Karapetian via Italian Wine Geek | Céline Colin via Flickr

Lake Tahoe is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains along the border of California and Nevada. The Sierra Nevada is made up of nestled away romantic cabins and breathtaking views of hot springs, mountains, bodies of water, and so much more.

The clear, blue freshwater at Lake Tahoe is perfect for kayaking, dinner cruises, fishing, or swimming. The enormous lake is divided between North and South, with each offering its own city experiences. Nightlife at Lake Tahoe consists of dozens of high-class casinos and live shows.

Coming in the winter? Get a honeymoon package at one of their many world-class ski resorts. Even if strapping two sticks to your feet and speeding down a mountain doesn’t interest you, you have to still take time to enjoy the snow. Ideas include a snowmobile tour, tubbing, toboggans (fun wooden sleds), or even an old fashioned snowball fight! Many resorts offer luxurious spas and pampering as you may enjoy the scenery of the snow capped mountains.

A reviewer who returned from a trip with her husband stated, “Since my husband and I are not skiers, we were happy to visit Lake Tahoe during early fall when the air was crisp and the sky was a perfect, brilliant blue.” They said the Lake Tahoe gave them an exclusive experience, that made them feel like one of the rich and famous. Favorite activities during their stay included a private yacht cruise on the lake, a visit to the luxurious Harrah’s Hotel and Casino, and getting to browse through the expensive shops and galleries unique to the Lake Tahoe city.

So whatever the season, your honeymoon at Lake Tahoe will offer plenty of year-round outdoor activities and things to do for you and your spouse to discover!

Annapolis & Port Tobacco River Engagement | Greg Keysar Photography

Today’s engagement session by Greg Keysar Photography is the perfect mix of Annapolis charm and creative artistry! From historic streets, to sunset images along the water, and finally with a larger than life mascot series that you’ll absolutely LOVE! We’ll let Greg take it from here:

“Ryan and Martha came down from New Hampshire for me to shoot their engagement photos. We shot along Port Tobacco River at Chapel Point State Park at sunset and in and around down town Annapolis. It was fun filled weekend full of laughter and good times.”

Annapolis & Port Tobacco River Engagement | Greg Keysar Photography Annapolis & Port Tobacco River Engagement | Greg Keysar Photography Annapolis & Port Tobacco River Engagement | Greg Keysar PhotographyAnnapolis & Port Tobacco River Engagement | Greg Keysar Photography Annapolis & Port Tobacco River Engagement | Greg Keysar Photography Annapolis & Port Tobacco River Engagement | Greg Keysar PhotographyAnnapolis & Port Tobacco River Engagement | Greg Keysar PhotographyAnnapolis & Port Tobacco River Engagement | Greg Keysar Photography Annapolis & Port Tobacco River Engagement | Greg Keysar Photography Annapolis & Port Tobacco River Engagement | Greg Keysar PhotographyAnnapolis & Port Tobacco River Engagement | Greg Keysar Photography

And how amazing is this set? So creative!

Annapolis & Port Tobacco River Engagement | Greg Keysar Photography

Wedding Vendors
Photographer: Greg Keysar Photography

Classic Oldies Inspiration Board

With the elegance and flair of a vintage aesthetic, today’s inspiration board is the perfect ode to all things old! We love the soft mix matched bridesmaids dresses and the mason jars with chalkboard hearts! A little bit of vintage bliss!

Classic Oldies Inspiration Board

JetFete | John Robert Woods via Ruffled | Ely Fair via Green Wedding Shoes | Lane Ditto via Style Me Pretty

This Week on Bayside Bride:
– Navy Baseball Engagement Session by Love by Serena.
– Are you having a Tented Wedding Reception ? See our post with ideas!
– A beautiful Naval Academy Wedding by Abby Grace Photography!
– A cute Nautical Cupcake DIY Project that you’ll absolutely adore!

Thank you so much to everyone who made it out to the Annapolis Wedding Vendor Happy Hour last night! It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces and meet some new ones!

Wedding Ceremony Program Fans

Happy, happy Friday!!! It's starting to cool down a bit around here, which is nice, because it has been a HOT, hot summer. Smokey, too, with all of the wildfires. Bleh! I thought that given the warm summer weather, we'd focus on the rather seasonally appropriate wedding ceremony program fan today. I was actually at a music festival a couple of weeks ago, and I was so happy to have a fan with me beneath the blistering sun.


As you can see, ceremony program fans are not only cute, but functional. They are typically designed one of two ways, using either a standard rectangle attached to a stick, or a series of paper panels that fan out. No matter the design though, your guests will be especially thankful for them if your ceremony is outdoors this summer, believe me! Here are some great wedding stationers who design ceremony programs, and a little bit of inspiration should you want to try creating them yourself!



Wedding Ceremony Program Fans

Wedding Ceremony Program Fans Cherish Paperie



Wedding Ceremony Program Fans Rifle Paper Co.



Wedding Ceremony Program Fans Heart shaped program DIY by bride, photo by Elyse Hall Photography via SMP | Program by Paper Daisies Stationery , photo by Our Labor of Love by Heidi via SMP



Wedding Ceremony Program Fans Yellow programs by Stephanie Laursen via Oh So Beautiful Paper | Circular program by Scout's Honor Co. , photo by Tania Lezak Photography via 100 Layer Cake | Photo by Jess + Nate Studios via SMP | Heart shaped program by Blue Eye Brown Eye , photo by Veil and Bow via SMP



Wedding Ceremony Program Fans Cherish Paperie



Wedding Ceremony Program Fans Akimbo | Silhouette programs by Lauren Elise Crafted via The Knotty Bride | Atheneum Creative via Oh So Beautiful Paper


Wedding Ceremony Program Fans


Pennant Flag Cupcakes | Nautical Wedding DIY

For those brides looking to create the perfect nautical dessert table – we love the idea of creating pennant flag cupcakes with just the right dose of sailing style! Today’s DIY project shows you not one, but TWO, different pennant flag cupcake designs that are both easy to construct and gorgeous when displayed together!

The scrumptious cupcakes featured in the images are from the local gourmet bakery, Kupcakes and Co , out of Elkridge! We highly recommend that any brides who plan to decorate their cupcakes for the big day, have a professional baker prepare all of the treats first so that the bride can focus on creating the adornments! Leave the baking to the professionals and the crafting to yourself & your handy team of bridesmaids!

Pennant Flag Cupcakes | Nautical Wedding DIY

The first DIY project features our hanging pennant flags on a thin string of bakers twine! We love the idea of alternating colors and patterns of the different flags to create a perfect array!

Pennant Flag Cupcakes | Nautical Wedding DIY

If you love the hanging nautical flags, we also suggest using a single kabob stick to create a posted set of pennant flags! By twisting the bakers twine around the mast of the cupcake, it creates volume and life that mirrors the ropes on an actual ship! Very nautical and extremely fun!

Pennant Flag Cupcakes | Nautical Wedding DIY

Once you’ve created your masts and pennant flag banners – pop them into a sweet cupcake and enjoy! We love the idea of alternating some nautical cupcakes with regular ones, to save you time and give your display a more dynamic feel! Enjoy!

Wedding Vendors
Photographer: Natalie Franke Photography
Cupcakery: Kupcakes & Co

10 ways to do your something blue part 2

10 ways to do your something blue. This is my second post on this, but there are so many great ideas out there I had to do another. if you haven't already check out part 1: 10 ways to rock your something blue .

1. Brooch it: This is actually my brooch bouquet and my something blue. I added a blue brooch to my brooch bouquet one that I got from my grandmother. I love the sentimental. I actually made my brooch bouquet and if you want to see how, check out my post on DIY brooch bouquet .

10 ways to do your something blue part 2

2. Top it off- A pair of blue love birds makes the perfect cake topper and the sweetest something blue.

10 ways to do your something blue part 2

3. Purse-ue your blue- The bride uses a bright blue purse, in the same way many brides wear bright blue shoes. It stands out and totally rocks.

10 ways to do your something blue part 2

4. Hang on to blue- If blue isn't part of your color scheme and you are looking for a more subtle something blue consider a blue hanger. Your dress will need a hanger might as well make it a blue one.

10 ways to do your something blue part 2

5. Monogram your blue- Celebrate something blue and the brides new initials, not on her dress but engraved on his sleeve instead. It is subtle and so sweet.

10 ways to do your something blue part 2

6. Dress it up- Add your something blue to your wedding dress: tie a blue bow, a blue pin, or even a blue sash.


7. You have my heart- I love this idea. Sew a blue heart made from the fabric of one of  your groom's blue shirts, or even your dad onto your wedding dress. So adorable.

8. Unveil your blue- a subtle blue engraved heart is a sweet addition to any veil and an amazing something blue. 10 ways to do your something blue part 2

9. I do blue- Use blue glittery sparkly I do stickers under your wedding shoes for your something blue. These are from Your Happily Ever After

10. Tie it up- A sweet little something blue and a touching addition to the groom's tie. Plus you can make it a surprise. Love this.

1, Blue brooch by Mastin Studio, 2. Blue cake topper from Morgan The Creator, 3. Blue clutch purse by Patricia Lyons , 4. Blue wedding hanger by Sean Walker Photography, 5. Blue Monogram by Rebekah Westover, 6. Blue Pin by Alissa Ferullo Photography , 7. Blue heart on dress by Sequins and Candy Photography , 8. Blue heart on veil by McGowan Images , 9. Blue I do Stickers by YourHappilyEverAfter, 10. Blue engraving on tie by Jennefer Wilson Photography

Do you have a fave?

Naval Academy Wedding | Abby Grace Photography

Almost a year ago we featured Abbeigh & Jamie’s Engagement Session in downtown Annapolis by the talented Abby Grace Photography !

It’s always an honor when we have the ability to feature not only a couple’s e-session, but also their wedding ceremony and reception! From the elegant bouquet to the beautiful couple portraits – this is wedding we know you all are going to love! Congratulations newlyweds! Be sure to check out Abby’s recap after the images!

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Words from the Photographer: “Jamie & Abbeigh are high school sweethearts and maintained a long-distance relationship during Jamie’s four long years at the Naval Academy. I’ve never seen two people so excited to be MARRIED before- Abbeigh was excited for her wedding, sure, but she was over the moon at the thought that she would be Jamie’s wife. Jamie adored her just as much, if not more- there was a point during the reception that he found her, declared “it’s been more than 5 minutes,” and kissed her.

Jamie and Abbeigh’s first sight of each other on their wedding day had everyone in tears- it was so precious! After their USNA Chapel
ceremony, everyone headed over to the Governor Calvert House on specially chartered trolleys. The reception was amazing- everyone present knew that Jamie & Abbeigh were absolutely designed for one another. The dancing commenced and went all night, only interrupted once when Jamie’s groomsmen decided to bless the couple with their own rendition of “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” All in all, the perfect day.”

Wedding Vendors
Photographer: Abby Grace Photography
Hair & Makeup: Behind the Veil, LLC
Flowers & Decor: Scentsational Events
Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew
Ceremony Venue: USNA Chapel
Reception Venue: Governor Calvert House
DJ: Music Masters, LLC
Ring Bearer Sign: Jolie Mae Collections on Etsy

Drool worthy photos and a canvas print giveaway

Believe it or not after you get your wedding pictures you might have difficulty finding one that you can frame. Chances are you'll have lots of beautiful pictures but only a few that you can hang on your wall. So what makes a picture frame- worthy? Here are 5 things that take a photograph from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

1. Props: Often times the simple addition of props makes a picture really stand out. I love the black and white balloons as a picture prop.

2. In the heart of it all: Even though this picture has more than just the couple it too would be beautiful to frame. Why? It captures the moment perfectly plus if you can't have balloons have bubbles.

Drool worthy photos and a canvas print giveaway

3. Tender moments are perfect for framing. And you'll notice no one has to be looking at the camera.

Drool worthy photos and a canvas print giveaway

4. Make eye contact: This one is so sweet. Only the bride makes eye contact but the bride's eyes say it all.

5. A different angle: I love this picture especially because no one is looking directly at the camera. It is playful and would look great on the wall.

images courtesy of Style Me Pretty .

Canvas Art Giveaway- Turn your own drool-worthy, amazing, adorable, outstanding, and wow pictures into canvas art.

Need more inspiration? Check out these 10 must-have wedding photos .

And if you prefer you can choose to win one of  the following instead of a canvas print :

vinyl banner : these would make great outdoor wedding signs.

yard sign : these are perfect for outdoor weddings or directional signs.

car magnets : these would be fun just married car signs.

How to enter: In the comments below: describe the picture you would like to turn into canvas art. Perfect for past, present, soon-to-be brides, and of course moms.

If you would prefer to win one of the other prizes, just specify that in your comment too.

Get an extra entry when you follow girlywedding on Facebook or Twitter or Tweet or Like this post. And let me know in a separate comment.

Get one entry per comment you leave. Feel free to enter to win more than one thing.

I will randomly draw a winner from the list of comments August 25th.

Good Luck!

Creative Tented Receptions | Wedding Tent Ideas & Inspiration

Gone are the days when a tented reception meant plain white plastic and a barbeque feel! Creative tented receptions are trending in weddings because it’s an additional outlet for expressing the personalities of the bride and groom, and make a fun experience for wedding guests. Whether the venue is waterfront, on a farm, on a personal property, a tent gives a special ambience to the location choice.

Creative Tented Receptions | Wedding Tent Ideas & Inspiration Photograph Courtesy of Sugarplum Tent Company

The purpose of featuring a tent is much more than just to have shelter for an outdoor reception, “a tent is to an event what a blank canvas is to a painter – a place to express yourself!” stated Lauri Dixon from Party Plus . There is no such thing as one size fits all when it comes to planning a tented reception. They can be specially styled to match the taste of the bride and groom, and the theme possibilities are endless. Plus, the atmosphere is so much more lively and fun than your typical banquet hall reception – it gives leeway to the guests to also enjoy the beauty of the outdoor venue!

No worries about inclement weather or any other outdoor setbacks – the tent rental companies can provide all necessities to make the party go smoothly including lighting, climate control, window siding, seating, stage floors, and so much more!

Creative Tented Receptions | Wedding Tent Ideas & Inspiration

Photograph by: Muriel Silva Photography | Tent by: Party Plus

The types of tent options and the decorations to go along seem limitless! Two styles that are great for wedding receptions are the high peaked and clear roof. The high peaked tent gives a wonderful sense of elegance and functions well for hanging lights. And the clear roof tent is so special because it gives a spectacular view to a moonlit sky as your dancing the night away.

The owners at Sugarplum Tenting , a local tent rental company, said their most popular tent style for weddings in the Chesapeake area is the sailcloth tent (pictured below). The sailcloth tent is beautifully detailed with a sunburst pattern and nautical stitching, illuminated by nautical lights and supported by wooden poles. Sailcloth tents are especially popular for waterfront venues because it features “a special ambiance and their lines and details mimic the sails of many of the great sailing vessels of yore.”

Creative Tented Receptions | Wedding Tent Ideas & Inspiration Photograph Courtesy of Sugarplum Tent Company

So what is it that makes a tented reception worth the extra mile? Everything! The owners at Sugarplum Tenting explained how a tented reception really allows for greater flexibility, even for the vendors catering to the reception. The best thing is that there is little to no time limit for the duration of the night of the wedding party, which would be an issue at most banquet halls. And­ there is normally the option to keep the tent set up for the weekend – making it a great additional use for a wedding rehearsal dinner or a Sunday brunch following the wedding day!

Creative Tented Receptions | Wedding Tent Ideas & InspirationPhotograph Courtesy of Sugarplum Tent Company

A tented wedding reception will make the big day much more memorable and special for guests. The possibilities for creativity are exciting and will make the wedding reception one that you always dreamed of!

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*Sugarplum Tent Company and Party Plus are members of our Vendor Guide ! For more information or to apply to become a part of the Bayside Bride Vendor Family, Submit an Application !