Ocean City Wedding Spots Getting married in Ocean City and you are not sure where you’d like to get have the wedding location or reception? Allow me to inform you of the places that make for some great Ocean City Wedding Photography spots and give you my thoughts about them. Please keep in mind that these Ocean City venues are looked at from a photographer’s point of view and what I’ve experienced there working.

Seacrets – a great place to check out, you can’t go wrong with Jamaica USA in Ocean City. Often times couples book their dance club area which can fit a lot of people. What I liked most was the staff was off the hook friendly, and being there as a wedding photographer, they let me go everywhere I wanted to go to get the good shot. This place offers some great sunset shots, out by the palm trees and on their pier, plenty of little hidden areas that will make for some interesting photos. They have their own catering and chatting with one couple they said it was at a really good price. Keep in mind in the summer this place is a mad house but in the off season its cozy and relaxing.

Fager’s Island – Pretty close to Seacrets which offers a nice reception area, hotel close by, great food and the staff was really nice. There are so many cool places in Fagers to get great photos; you often getting lost and you can take a couple to like 10 – 15 different spots and make 50 -75 images unique. Plenty of palm trees, a gazebo on the water, the upper deck reception area is a little tighter but for smaller weddings this is a really good place.

Lighthouse Sound - this little gem is hidden away right outside of Ocean City, a little ways over the first Hwy 90 bridge in into Bishopville. It’s located right on a golf course which is a good thing because you have beautiful landscapes to get great photos on and one thing to consider is adding some time with the photographer as you might like to take a golf cart to some of these very pretty photo spots. You’ll end up having Ocean City on the bay as you backdrop which makes for an awesome photo. The staff is great, food it good too, I like the huge fireplace they have indoors, and the overall area is able to accommodate a lot of guests. If you get a chance to get you and your guests together for a group photo, you have a couple of hills to get height on the crowd.

Golden Sands – this hotel and condominium is located around the north end of Ocean City right on the beach. You can get married right on their little patch of sand or you can get closer to the water and have your ceremony there. Depending on the time of day and weather conditions I might lean towards closer to the beach, were you’ll have more sun, the building itself is cuts out a lot of sun for sunset ceremonies. They have a really lovely reception area up on their top floor; hope you aren’t afraid of heights. Nice dance floor, easy to accommodate a lot of guests, and even though you are up so high take advantage of the rear of the building on the 22nd floor for some quick photos of the sun setting.

The Clarion - another hotel not too far away from the Golden Sands, and every bit just a good. What I found unique about this place, if you foresee bad weather, this place has several giant rooms for having the ceremony and reception. The whole inside offers a lot of great spots to take some fun and unique photos and chances are you will have sun for your wedding, you have the beach right there. keep in mind the building will shadow you and your guests quite a bit, so by getting closer to the water, you’ll enjoy some better photo opportunities. They have an onsite coordinator here, Lisa I believe who is super nice and will bend over backwards to help you.

Ocean Pines Beach Club – Located on the Ocean side of Coastal Hwy and not be confused with the Ocean Pines Yacht Club and Ocean Pines Country Club. If you aren’t careful you’ll find family and friends heading to the yacht club or country club and might miss out. Here is another place that has their own patch of sand close to the main building structure and if you are planning a sunset wedding you might find a very distinct shadow going on here which depending on your timing you might deal with as they have a nice huge deck to place chairs on for your guests to sit on. They have a nice little second floor section where all the brides end up getting ready at. The poor guys end up hanging out in the basement area, down under the deck. Part of the deck wraps around and makes for some lovely sitting and eating outside. Plenty of spots for a DJ or Band to set up and while the guests are relaxing you can roll out on the beach for those beautiful sunset photos.

The Beaches – Ocean City beaches are some great beaches to get married on. Unlike the Delaware beaches right up the road they don’t require permits to be on the beach or get married on the beach. Getting married in Delaware isn’t as easy as in Maryland where you can walk right out there on the beach with the wedding minister and say your vows and walk right back off. All the beach ceremony’s I’ve photographed, it happens 100 percent of the time, were you have very friendly and accommodating people that step aside for you to get married and often times they cheer, clap, and whistle when you get to “you may now kiss the bride”. To get the better photographs I’d recommend scheduling your ceremony around Sunset whenever possible and the next best time would be around sunrise. Those high noon weddings always end up with dark shadows under the eyes and lots of other unpleasant features. And if you can decorate the beach a little with an archway, flowers, tiki torches, or something. A naked beach is ok, but it really reflects well and looks like wedding photos when you have things to enhance the photo. For brides I’d stay away from heels in the sand, it’s a no brainer but every year someone does it and it’s difficult on the bride to walk in. Also a runner would be pointless, as it will get ripped to shreds.

There are many other wonderful places that I have not mentioned here that I could turn this article into a full blown book, but I wanted to name a few of my favorites. Some other ideas for wedding locations in and around Ocean City, Maryland that I’ve photographed and liked: Assateague Island State Park
Coconut Malorie
Catched 54 (used to be known as Sharks Cove)
Ocean Pines Yacht Club – Ocean Pines
Ocean Pines Country Club – Ocean Pines
Ocean City Inlet on the Beach
Harrisons Harbour Watch – Inlet area
The Hilton – Ocean Side Fresco’s – Bayside
Macky’s – Bayside
Princess Bayside – Bayside
Princess Royale – Ocean side
Carousel Hotel – Ocean side

Have a Happy Wedding Day!

The Zach attack!
The Peyton Experiment!

Both can be said here as affectionate ways of describing the two. My buddy Justin who is a DJ referred this couple to me for photography and about 2 – 3 weeks before the wedding I hadn’t a clue what I was getting into. Usually I’d have a couple of phone calls with a client before the wedding discussing different aspects of their wedding or I’d have a chance to do an Engagement portrait session if they lived locally. In Peyton and Zach case, Justin gave them my number and I met them about a one week later at a bridal show in Ocean City.

What made this couple unique and what made this wedding special for me was I really had to relying on my ability to think on my feet. I knew the church they were going to be getting married in as I had photographed a wedding there the year before. And their reception was at a house down around Assateague State Park. Anyway, the couple was very flexible with getting photos; I was able to pull them away from the reception twice to get some stunning photos. Zach and Peyton were also pretty creative with what photos they themselves wanted. The combination of creative ideas made for a fabulous time photographing.

It’s time for all the holiday parties to happen! We recently had our Squadron Holiday party at Dover Air Force base which was a great time. I was there in a photographer capacity but enjoyed hanging out with friends and sampled some of the food there. Every one there really liked the fact that I could take their photo and print it right on the spot. There was also a second holiday party going on that took advantage of photos I was printing there. It was so much fun that they had a 70s theme going on, which made for some interesting photos.
Because so many folks had a good time with me, I ended up booking up two more parties for December and a portrait shoot in our studio. It’s pleasant to know my Mitsubishi Printers are finally paying off. I’m hoping for next year to not only be booked up for Christmas parties but also for Halloween.

I also got called again to photograph Pets with Santa at the Gold Coast Mall, in Ocean City and once again I was happy to do it. I enlisted the help of my father to play Santa and my good friend Sue LeMar to help set everything up. This year with Pets with Santa, we had LeMar Custom Framing design custom mats for the customers for their 5×7 photos that went over really well. The mats had cute little paw prints and Season’s Greetings stamped on the mats. We also had Cassandra Rox there with us helping with getting the pets into position with Santa. Cassandra who owns “Paws Time” a pet sitting company was without a doubt super supportive with all the wonderful pets. She has had a lot more experience working with animals then I did working with the cute doggies. If you know anyone in the Ocean City area who needs a good pet sitter, Cassandra is your person.

Weddings in Ocean City, gives you a regular buffet of reception locations and among some of my favorite places is Fager’s Island. Some of the highlights are the staff, all very accommodating, nice and easy to work with. With photography it offers a lot of locations for shooting, such as the lighthouse close by, you have 10 or so backdrops and spots that make for a cozy photo. The sunsets at Fagers is something to stop and take notice, every evening around sunset they play classical music as you gaze out on the bay. The gazebo and back deck are other fun places to take some photos. The couple, Terry and Todd, were such a nice couple to photograph and by the end of the evening, it felt like I was part of the family. I had quite a few conversations with a lot of their family and it was so real easy going and real easy to photograph. The couple needed a DJ, so I suggested my close friend Leo who’s been a professional DJ for 29 years and together we made it a fun night for all. You can imagine how fun it was when you had the bride calling me in to the ladie’s bathroom to photograph her and all her bride’s maids relaxing on the couch. That of course was brought on by the grandfather calling me into the men’s bathroom to get a photo of him with all his grandson’s there. nothing bad, but pretty weird. I like weird, it keeps it interesting.

Giving a shout out to Holly and Walter – to you, your family, and your guests, I had a great time and thanks for having me as your photographer. Holly’s dress was very Very Unique and Beautiful.

For those of you thinking about a wedding location in Ocean City, Seacrets is a pretty awesome place to say your “I Dos”. I chatted with the Holly and Walter about it briefly and they said it was a pretty good deal as far as venues go. The food was great, can’t go wrong with Jerk Chicken. There was so many fun spots to shoot there, I could have spent all day photographing there. it was so funny how every time I took the couple and bridal party around they were getting lost. Just like the Seacrets saying “find us and get lost” it was a true factor here. Back in the day when I was in high school I used to work at Seacrets as one of their line cooks, and they have grown so much since then.
The staff there was pretty awesome and accommodating everything that I could have needed. I wanted to take a photo from the high up balcony and they pointed me there and I was able to get the shot. The DJ was a Seacrets DJ, and he was so very helpful in letting the crowd know we were cutting the cake or doing a dance. And when it came time to take that photo of the whole group of people, DJ BK helped get everyone together. Cool Dude!
Anyone looking for a photographer for your up and coming wedding at Seacrets please give me a call, as I not only work as your photographer, but as a tour guide so you don’t get lost up in there. And if you aren’t getting married there, and never been, definitely go there and try the Jerk Chicken, it’s the best in town in my opinion.

Greetings, Brides and Grooms of Summer 2009
For those of you getting married in around the summer of 2009 and are looking for something different, so you know, I have something for you. If you don’t have any big, Big reception plans, maybe not a lot of guests, looking for something just all out romantic, than our weddings on the bay might suit you.
We are working on 3 different options for couples to choose from, starting with our 10 people or less wedding. We’d take the bride and groom out with up to 8 of their friends and or family on our pontoon boat, to a nice romantic spot on the bay. Perhaps it’s during the day and you’d like to get your feet wet, we could pull up on a sand bar, jump out and have a cute little ceremony right there. We provide the wedding officiant, the professional photographer, music, complimentary champagne, sodas, and water. After the ceremony we can toast, take a few more photos, and maybe head off to another great spot for a nice photo shoot, where I’d arrange the lovely couple in a series of poses the express love and feeling. And then off to shore, were you can continue on to your reception, dinner, or maybe you are eloping.
Option 2 would be better suited for couples, clinging to tradition of not wanting to see each other before the wedding and have more than 10 guests. The max number of guests would be 20 split up between two boats. The idea behind this wedding is to have the wedding minister drive out with the groom and various guests to a predetermined spot, ready to go and eagerly awaiting his bride. Boat number two would have the photographer, the bride and her various guests riding out to the wedding spot ready to be married to her future husband. We can pull the two boats together and perform the ceremony on the boats or if you so desire we can perform the ceremony on the sandbar or nearby island. Afterwards, we toast, take photos, ride off to a great spot for more photo opportunities, and scoot back to shore. Just like the first package, we provide the minister, photographer, champagne, sodas, and water. If you would like we could arrange for a limo pick up and drop off, for an additional charge.
Ahh, but say you have more than the 20 guests, you want something bigger, something more fun, FUN. We can take you out on the Party boat which can accommodate up to 40 people. We can provide catering, drinks, and whatever else you might need. What come with the package on this one are the minister and photographer. We’d have to discuss what all you might like to have in addition to the ceremony. Without a doubt this will be one fun ceremony and ride. We would like to do the ceremony as you would like either on the boat, on a sandbar, or little island. Taking photos, before, during, and after the ceremony. Afterwards, finding a nice spot for some truly romantic photos of the new Husband and Wife.
For those of you interested please give me a call so that we might discuss options, ideas, and what you want to make your wedding magical with us. 443-513-1304 my number, Will.

It was biker week in Ocean City and I had a wedding to do on a Friday. I got called and booked up last minute so I didn’t get a whole lot of details on this wedding. I dread driving into Ocean City during bike week, not because of the bikers but because of my lack of a bike. I had a Honda Shadow 600 that I wanted to trade in for something newer but never got around to getting a newer bike.
Anyway catching up with the bride before the wedding, first thing I noticed was the helmets on the table. After some discussion found out Sherri was a rider, which I got a kick out of. I snapped some photos then went out to where the Minister Sean Rox was ready for the ceremony. I was pretty surprised to see biker after biker coming around the corner with their group colors and vests on. I knew then we were going to have a good time with this wedding.
You can check out the group at https://www.leann2thelimit.com/Home_Page.php
And the photos online are at http://hitchedphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/5953534_iMJK7#371453817_MXT5j

Its been one heck of a busy summer, which is the reason for not Blogging in a long time. If I’m not out photographying weddings, I’m working on the new Ocean City Wedding Guide which goes into production this month. Also busy working on various web pages, and photo editing. I’m looking forward to the off season as it will give me a chance to play catch up on Blogs, projects, web design, photoshopping summer’s wedding photos, and creating new ads for our wedding guide domains. So definately check back to the blog for some updates, news, and fun.

It was the last day of the first annual Ocean City Air Show and I almost didn’t go. I’ve got all this work to do, building websites, getting photos ready for printing, and photos to scan. But my wife says I should go, and take a break. So I did. And boy was it ever cool. I’m used to seeing big air shows at RAF Mildenhall, England when I was stationed there in the Air Force. I got to see the B2, and I even got a chance to touch the F-117. I found out later I wasn’t supposed to, because of the material its covered in. by far my favorite aircraft is the B1B Lancer. When I was at Mildenhall and worked on the flight line I parked my truck right next to the runway, I heard this plane was inbound and wanted to see it. It came in with its wings swept back and zoomed through, it was sooo loud and powerful the whole ground shock around me. It was incredible!

Now Ocean City is having the Air Show and I was thinking that it would only be Bi planes or Cessnas. My father saw it the day before and told me about the F16 and the F15 both Super cool planes and I missed being near fighter planes. So I had to see it. Sean’s parents had a place right there on 19th St, right on the boardwalk. It was the sweetest place to view it all; I definitely had the hook up there. Later we left the family party but they hadn’t shown the F16 yet so I stayed. I was seated right near the beach, and when it came out from behind the hotel area, it scared the crap out of me. I couldn’t focus the camera, I was shaking so bad. It was just so loud and all of a sudden, but it was so cool. So with this being the first Annual Air show, I’m looking forward to the next, how to see you all there.