1. Put a crab mallet and some Utz chips in your welcome basket.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-1 - Washingtonian](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-1.jpg)
Two necessities for proper Eastern Shore living.
2. Plan your ceremony right on the water.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-2 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-2](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-2.jpg)
No ceremony decor needed.
3. Or rent Gibson Island for the wedding weekend.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-3 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-3](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-3.jpg)
Follow the lead of these gentlemen, who rented part of Gibson Island for their outdoor wedding celebrations.
4. Hire a roaming raw bar for cocktail hour.
![Christine & Dan - May 2nd, 2015 - Washingtonian Christine & Dan - May 2nd, 2015](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-4.jpg)
Wow your guests with Chesapeake Bay oysters that will follow them through the party.
5. And serving crab cake appetizers is an obvious must.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-5 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-5](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-5.jpg)
But you already knew that, didn’t you?
6. Include some seafood instructions for any landlubber guests.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-NEW4 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-NEW4](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-NEW4.jpg)
7. Use a rowboat as your beer cooler.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-6 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-6](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-6.jpg)
Because a boat is way cuter than a bar.
8. Include a preppy, navy blue stripe in the decor wherever possible.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-7 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-7](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-7.jpg)
Because navy blue and nautical themes go together like lobsters and butter.
9. And include a crab motif as well.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-8 - Washingtonian Photograph by Jim Kennedy Photographers.](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-8.jpg)
Print tiny crabs on cocktail napkins, on escort cards and invitations, or on your cake. The options are endless.
10. Incorporate a compass into your wedding crest.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-9 - Washingtonian Wedding of Anna Leist and Kevin Weigand at the St. Michaels Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md. Saturday, September 6, 2014. (©2014 Michael Connor / Connor Studios)](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-9.jpg)
Custom wedding crests are an awesome way to celebrate a couple’s unique traits. Give it an Eastern Shore flair by including a compass, like Anna and Kevin did at their Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum wedding.
11. Hang life preservers on the back of the bride and groom’s chairs.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-10 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-10](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-10.jpg)
A cute and easy decor addition.
12. Use empty oyster shells to serve seasonings.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-11 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-11](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-11.jpg)
An elegant addition to your tablescape.
13. Let nautical symbols act as table numbers.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-12 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-12](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-12.jpg)
These wood carved versions were hand-carved by the groom at this Eastern Shore wedding.
14. And replace centerpieces with lighthouse-inspired lanterns.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-13 - Washingtonian Wedding of Anna Leist and Kevin Weigand at the St. Michaels Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md. Saturday, September 6, 2014. (©2014 Michael Connor / Connor Studios)](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-13.jpg)
Swap out giant floral arrangements with something more seaside-inspired.
15. Pose for portraits on a dock.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-14 - Washingtonian Wedding of Anna Leist and Kevin Weigand at the St. Michaels Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md. Saturday, September 6, 2014. (©2014 Michael Connor / Connor Studios)](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-14.jpg)
Bonus points if you get a sailboat in the background.
16. Open your tent to reveal the water-front views.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-15 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-15](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-15.jpg)
Tents are perfect for outdoor receptions, but you definitely won’t want yours to block the view.
17. Have the groomsmen ditch the black suits.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-16 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-16](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-16.jpg)
Dress the gentlemen in your wedding party in lighter fabrics–such as tan or seersucker suits–for a look that’s a little less heavy for the shore.
18. Take your wedding party on a boat cruise.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-17 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-17](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-17.jpg)
A perfect add-on to the wedding weekend, renting a boat on the Chesapeake Bay is a group activity that’ll get everyone ready to celebrate your Eastern Shore love story in style.
18. Order a nautical-inspired cake.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-18 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-18](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-18.jpg)
This stunning confection was crafted by Fancy Cakes by Leslie.
20. Or keep it simple with starfish cake toppers.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-19 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-19](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-19.jpg)
Simple and sweet is sometimes best.
21. Pass out pretty jars of crab seasoning for favors.
![2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-20 - Washingtonian 2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-20](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2-4-16-eastern-shore-wedding-ideas-20.jpg)
Buy the seasoning in bulk, then DIY the packaging to make for an inexpensive favor.
Related: 25 Ideas to Make Your University of Maryland Wedding Amazing