One of the best things about living in Maryland is its rich history. It feels like every time you turn around, you’re faced with another monument that dates back to before our nation was even a proper country. With so much legacy, you’re bound to end up with some pretty amazing wedding venues that will give your celebration a unique touch. As a Maryland photographer, I spend a lot of time getting to explore all the best historical venues in the area. If you’re on the search for a legendary location, I would love to tell you all about what you can expect from a Tidewater Inn Wedding.
101 East Dover Street, Easton, Maryland 21601
The history of the Tidewater Inn dates back to 1712. At the beginning of the 18th century, the Talbot County Courthouse moved from Oxford to the town we now know as Easton. At the time, the town was pretty tiny. There was a single tavern serving the four homes in the area. These houses frequently saw travelers who needed to attend to business around the area before heading back out. It wasn’t until 1786 that the area finally achieved township. While it was originally coined Talbot, it was quickly renamed to Easton. The town received its first official hotel in 1891 on the site where the Tidewater Inn now stands. Sadly, the original structure was lost during World War II when a fire broke out and consumed it.
Three years later, construction began on the Tidewater Inn. Post-war shortages stalled the process, but the hotel was finally able to open its doors in 1949. The hotel hosted pretty big names like Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, and Bing Crosby, just to name a few. It was sold in 2009, and the process of restoration began. Today, it stands proudly as a beacon of the past while helping write the stories of the future.
The Tidewater Inn provides you with two indoor locations where you can host a mid-sized wedding. The most popular option is the Gold Ballroom. This area is simply exquisite, with tall ceilings, elegant lighting, and herringbone-patterned flooring. This area leads out to the Gold Ballroom Gardens, giving your guests a place to mingle once your ceremony is over. You are also able to use the Crystal Room for this portion of the day. This area is lit by chandeliers and features a fireplace as well as bay windows you can stand in front of as you exchange vows. This area also has a private garden just outside.
Both the Gold Ballroom Gardens and the Crystal Room Gardens are able to be used for outdoor ceremonies. The spaces give you a paved space to set your chairs as you get married, with the iconic building in the background.
If you would like to host your reception outside, the Gold Ballroom Gardens is the best spot for you. This area can be tented so you can protect your guests from the elements if the weather doesn’t want to cooperate. This area has a brick fireplace and a brick fence that will keep your event intimate and private.
For indoor receptions, you can use both the Crystal Room as well as the Gold Ballroom. Both these spaces give you a refined yet neutral palette you can dress up however you’d like for your day. You’ll also have tons of space to move around and dance.
Both garden areas can be used for your cocktail hour. Your guests will be able to admire the meticulously landscaped grounds while enjoying your signature cocktails. The interior of the Inn features several spots where you can set up a bar in case of bad weather.
One of the best things about the Inn is its accommodations. The estate owns the Tidewater House, which is less than a block from the Inn. This gives you a space where you can get ready and put on all the finishing touches before it’s time for your wedding ceremony to begin.
The Crystal Room can hold 120 guests seated, while the Gold Ballroom can host up to 220 seated guests.
Both interior rooms feature crown molding, tall ceilings, herringbone wooden floors, and lots of windows to let in natural light. Meanwhile, the exterior features ivy-draped pergolas, stately columns, bistro lights, and brick-paved grounds.
The Inn has so many intimate spots you can use for both individual and couple portraits. The gate in front of the hotel, as well as the covered archways, give you the perfect spot to sneak a kiss while using the hotel as a backdrop. The streets in front of the hotel also give you a way to incorporate the positively scenic town. Inside, you can use the stairway for first-look pictures or as a way to show off the details of your gown.
The Tidewater Inn has been recognized as one of the best places to host a wedding with a WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award. The guest rooms can be blocked, which will give out-of-town visitors a cozy place to stay throughout the weekend. During the planning process, you will be paired with a wedding coordinator who will help you iron out all the details of your wedding. The venue offers catering and can provide you with a tasting event to make sure you have the menu that’s right for you. They can even take care of the dessert! The on-site coordinators will be there throughout your day and will ensure everything goes according to plan. They will provide dinnerware, barewear, glassware, chairs, tables, and linens. The site has parking, and the venue can assist with both setup and cleanup.
With a Tidewater Inn wedding, you can have a positively dreamy garden wedding with top-of-the-line accommodations. As far as capturing all the memories of your day, that’s where I come in! I am a Maryland photographer, and I adore working with couples to make sure they have gorgeous moments celebrating the next chapter of their lives. If you’re still looking for your wedding photographer, I would love to talk! Then you can decide if I’m the one for you. Let’s chat soon!