Photography by Jacqueline and Jay Malonson

If you’re planning a wedding, Southern Maryland doesn’t lack for beautiful ceremony and reception locations. Besides churches, there are indoor and outdoor venues to suit all tastes. Below is a list of some of the most popular and unique places to get married in the area. These sites are perfect for many other types of events, too. Please know that this list is not all-inclusive – these are the venues we found in our research; our apologies if we missed your site.

Story by Michelle Brosco Christian and Photography by Jacqueline and Jay Malonson

There’s no doubt an outdoor wedding on the banks of one of Southern Maryland’s many rivers or the Chesapeake Bay makes for a beautiful event.  Outdoor weddings take a little extra planning but can be incredible. There is nothing more magical than walking down the aisle with Mother Nature. 

Story by Caroline Miller King and Photography by Jacqueline and Jay Malonson

Planning a wedding is a big job, with hundreds of decisions to make. We’ve tried to take some of the stress out of these exciting times by gathering expert advice from industry professionals across Southern Maryland.

Southern Maryland-This is Living magazine is all about the good people, places and businesses of Southern Maryland.  We are committed to spreading the word about the great quality of life available in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties.

Story by Judy Colbert and Photography by August Selckmann

If you are looking for a unique place to spend your next vacation or weekend getaway, then check out the great selection of local bed and breakfasts.  You won’t find the standard cookie cutter rooms found in most hotels, and you will be treated to a very personalized stay. Fortunately, independently owned and operated bed and breakfast establishments and their kin (farm and breakfasts, bed and fix-your-own breakfasts, cottages) shine like lighthouse beacons in the night, providing individual décor and down-home hospitality. Most of the places were built long enough ago that they don’t have to try to create a link to local history and industry. Yet most are totally modern and allow you to connect to the electronic world, or not, as you wish.

Story by Debra Zimmerman Murphey and Photography by August Selckmann

Americans love sports, adrenaline and outdoor activities – especially newfound interests that test and prime human physiology and anatomy, while also calming the mind. For many Marylanders, Stand Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, is surfacing as one of those.

Story by Jacqueline Zilliox and Photography by Robert Tinari

Ponds in a garden create tranquility and beauty. The downside is that water is a breeding ground for bugs – they lay eggs and create more bugs. So what would take that fear out of having a water feature in your own garden?

Simple:  Just add fish.

Story by Caroline Miller King and Photography by August Selckmann

What better time for a review of Southern Maryland’s barbecue joints than the summer? These spots offer simple, satisfying fare that’s perfect for enjoying at the picnic table – whether at the restaurant itself or a family gathering some place else. Almost all of the places listed below cater, so consider them before your next event.

Story by George Newman and Photography by Ed Mann

Famously, dogs are humans’ best friends. But when your buddy attacks the living room furniture, strews the kitchen trash and shreds your slippers, the quality of friendship suffers serious strain. Worse, your attempts to change behavior seem to fall on deaf canine ears. That’s when it’s time for professional intervention – past time, in fact, according to Southern Maryland dog trainers.