A Garden-Inspired Coastal Wedding With Chinoiserie Elements at Blue Heron Landing in Stevensville, Maryland

Elizabeth (Liz) Jaramillo and Adaye Russom’s first phone conversation lasted hours—there’s nothing like a clear, telltale sign to kick-start a relationship. After six-and-a-half years, Liz knew exactly what Adaye was looking for in a proposal. “The pomp and circumstance of big proposals, although exciting and beautiful in their own way, wasn’t for me. I wanted to be fully present and feel the weight of what I was being asked—and Liz knows me,” says Adaye. So Liz decided that the perfect moment was a cozy morning while the couple was cuddled up in bed and enjoying the moment. “Liz pulled out a navy box from behind the pillow, opened it to expose a beautiful engagement ring and asked me if I would be “willing to have moments like this for the rest of our lives.” It was a proposal in the purest of moments.”

During the planning process, the guiding theme for the wedding’s design was simple and classic. “Our theme centered around a traditional English garden, inspired by Adaye’s childhood love of the book The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, as well as the 1993 movie adaptation,” Liz reveals. “We wanted our guests to feel immediately transported to a garden-like experience while still enjoying the views and beauty of summer on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.”

The couple sought ensembles that reflected whimsy and elegance to evoke the desired aesthetic. “I began the day with a classic off-the-shoulder ivory satin gown—it’s particularly special because my mother chose it. During planning, she had been undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer but refused to miss out on the tender moment of finding the perfect dress with her daughter,” Adaye shares. The couple selected a gradient of blue gowns for the bridesmaids to represent the waters surrounding Chesapeake Bay, while Liz’s wedding party sported ivory jackets, white tuxedo shirts, blue chambray dress pants, navy-and-chinoiserie socks and navy suede shoes.

The lovebirds ran into a few disheartening obstacles while planning their June wedding—specifically in looking for their dream venue. “In our initial search for a venue, we found ourselves in the shocking position of being unable to host our event at our desired location because of our LGBTQ+ status,” Adaye says. “We continued our search for venues and vendors that matched our vision and values. Everything truly happens for a reason, as we ended up with the most amazing group of vendors and people that were not just accepting but truly in love with our love.” Once they’d assembled their incredible team, the details quickly fell into place.

Guests gathered on the front lawn of Blue Heron Landing, facing the estate’s front steps, adorned with delicate blue-and-white vases of varying sizes. Vines ascended the handrails, and large floral installations featuring lush greenery and ivory blooms flanked either side of the makeshift altar on the front porch. “We selected floral towers to highlight the chinoiserie accents at both the reception and ceremony space. Ground florals on either side of the aisle leading to a grand display of chinoiserie vases lining the steps served as the backdrop to our ceremony,” explains Adaye.

Following the vows, the newlyweds led their friends and family into the alfresco reception space resting underneath a flowing tent. “For the reception, we selected blonde farm tables with a simple white linen runner to highlight all the details to be placed atop,” notes Adaye. “Our sweetheart table was an antiqued round table perfectly fitting our theme and came alive when nestled between florals and vases.” The pair ensured each decor element had a slight vintage flair to match the Old-World charm of an English garden. “In further keeping with our theme, we opted to make selections that touched on the elegance of times past. We designed a custom monogram that felt both regal and modern, which we displayed on our wedding cake, reception bar and hand-painted macrons. The design showed our initials interlocking, as if the letters were always one—a sweet and meaningful detail for us.”

Though the day was infused with love and memorable moments, one in particular stands out for the couple. “We did our first dance before guests arrived at the reception area,” they reveal. “We had a private moment to see the reception space for the first time and be with one another before the festivities continued. Liz and I shared our dance and took in the joy and love of being a newly married couple in a moment that was just ours. It was incredibly romantic and special to us both.”