-AS SEEN IN BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE-

“Let’s just get married on a boat,” suggested Wil Hamory when the pandemic upended his and now wife Marissa Mash’s planned wedding. Her siblings took the offhand comment seriously and crafted a vision board, and her mom called The Inn at Perry Cabin. Set on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the hideaway showcases the area’s nautical traditions. The couple was joined by a few family members to their literal tying of the knot aboard one of the estate’s vintage boats.

“Together, we tied the fisherman knot and did a blessing of the rings in water,” says Marissa. “Our families brought water from Bethany Beach, Delaware where Wil and I met; from Maine where we reconnected; from our hometown and from Hoboken where we live together now,” she explains. “We poured water from each place and pieces of our lives together in a bowl — combining them was a symbol of our love story.”

The property’s setting is as serene as the surrounding waters. Here, the service and amenities are superlative: “There are few places that meet expectations, and go far beyond those like the Inn at Perry Cabin,” says Marissa

Cuisine is a standout at this storybook water-facing property that stretches over 26 pastoral acres. Executive chef Gregory James sources food from the inn’s garden, neighboring farms and the catch of the day. And since this is Maryland, crab is a center point of all menus. Crab was featured at the intimate celebratory dinner of just 15 guests, all of it sourced from J.M. Clayton Seafood, a local seafood purveyor that’s been serving up regional blue crabs for five generations. Preparations at Wil and Marissa’s meal were haute takes on Maryland classics, including crab imperial, traditionally crafted with mayonnaise and Old Bay seasoning, and the wildly popular hometown dish — crabcakes.

The Inn at Perry Cabin is fantastically photogenic. In fact, Wil and Marissa had two days of photos to capture many of the property’s most Insta-perfect settings. The couple took pictures in front of the estate’s boats, at the entrance to the Inn, in the spectacular gardens and by the pretty pool.

They also posed on a bicycle — Wil steering; Marissa on the handlebars — positioned on the property’s long driveway lined with gorgeous trees and riots of flowers. For the second session, the couple went to the “charming town of St. Michaels to explore the ‘mom and pop’ shops,” says the bride. Another favorite — “the view of the Inn at Perry Cabin from the water is breathtaking!” she notes.

“A most romantic spot is sitting in the Adirondack chairs or a swing by the fire, overlooking the water while the sun goes down. Preferably with a cocktail in hand — it’s such a relaxing way to end the day and start the evening.”

The Inn recently introduced private glass houses, where guests can dine on the water in a cozy, intimate setting. They are perfect for romantic celebrations.

Maritime traditions of Maryland date to the Revolutionary War. And shipbuilding has been an industrial mainstay in the state. In addition, crabbing, oystering and recreational boating have long been celebrated in Maryland. In fact, there are more than two dozen maritime museums and historical points of interest (including lighthouses, canal-adjacent parks and shipbuilding facilities) here.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum, positioned on the banks of the Chesapeake, offers an interactive look at the storied traditions. The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, set on a wharf that once housed seafood packing outfi s and work boats, is just minutes from The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels. The resort property, with its picturesque boat basin, offers myriad nautical experiences including sailing classes, endless boat excursions and yacht transfers from Annapolis. The Inn hosts special occasions aboard its fleet, which is what sold the couple to celebrate at the resort made famous in Wedding Crashers.

Legally Wed: Marriage licenses are required in Maryland. They may be obtained at the local County Clerk’s offi ce or via a non-resident marriage license application-affidavit. Couples should apply in person (unless using the non-resident affi davit) and must furnish proof of age, address, social security numbers and, if applicable, divorce decree or death certifi cate. Fees vary by county. There is a 48-hour waiting period; licenses are valid for six months. Note: Only a judge, the clerk of the circuit court or a specialized appointed deputy clerk of the circuit court may perform civil unions in the state of Maryland..

Travel Notes: It’s almost as if you’ve stepped into a time when life was quiet and pleasures were simple when you check into the secluded Inn at Perry Cabin on the Miles River by the storied Chesapeake Bay. The pastoral property, after all, was first founded just after the War of 1812.

A grand driveway edged in meticulously manicured flowers will greet you upon arrival. Or you may choose to begin your stay at the hideaway with a butler-attended yacht ride from Annapolis to the 26-acre water-facing property.

Whichever you choose, you’ll immediately feel that lounging is the priority. And there are plenty of options to do so — by the pool, on the lawn or on the balcony or terrace of your room.

Accommodations are divided into individual cottages and sumptuous guest rooms. All are decorated with nautical touches and flaunt gorgeous garden or water views.

Activities — of course — celebrate the sea with a sailing academy, yachting excursions and an extensive fleet as well as kayaks. Golf, tennis and spa-ing are also on the robust amenity menu (room rates start $425 a night; innatperrycabin.com). 

Wedding Details

Venue: Inn at Perry Cabin
Catering: Inn at Perry Cabin
Photographer: Hoffer Photography
Officiant: Bonnie Brown
Gift Bags: My Eastern Shore Wedding
Sugar Cookies: Bleacher Street Cookies
Guestbook: Seabags
Bride’s Wedding Dress: Lulus
Bracelet: Tiffany & Co.
Groom’s Attire: Bonobos pants; Proper Cloth shirt