Is an officiant included?

Many packages include an officiant—confirm on booking and note that officiant gratuity is not included.

How many guests can I bring?

Maximum capacity is 13 passengers total, including couple, officiant, and any vendors.

What is the meeting point?

Check-in is at Harbour Inn, 101 N. Harbor Rd, St. Michaels, MD 21663; arrive 15 minutes before departure.

What happens in bad weather?

For light rain umbrellas can be used; if conditions are unsafe, the operator can discuss rescheduling options.

Are gratuities and taxes included in the listed price?

Amusement tax and crew gratuity are added to quoted rates; officiant gratuity is separate.

Can we bring a photographer or musician?

Yes, but confirm them during booking and keep the total under the 13-person limit.

Sail Elopements Aboard the Lady Patty: Intimate Chesapeake Bay Weddings | Sailing | Events

On the rolling water of Chesapeake Bay, Nautical Weddings & Elopements on Lady Patty offers a simple, elegant way to marry amid open sky and maritime memory. Departing from the small waterfront of St. Michaels, Maryland, this private ceremony experience runs from the Harbour Inn, 101 N. Harbor Rd, St. Michaels, MD 21663 aboard the Lady Patty, a 1935 ketch preserved by St. Michaels Sailing Charters. The service is built for intimacy: weekday packages start at $1445 and the boat fits a total of 13 people, making it ideal for elopements, small weddings, and quiet vow renewals. The scene is unmistakably Chesapeake — low, marsh-carved shorelines, the Miles River’s tidal flats, and long reaches of bay water that shift from pewter to silver with the wind. Key features are the Lady Patty itself (classic wooden spars and a working rig), the harbor and marina at St. Michaels, and the sweeping views across the Miles River. Sail past oyster bars and bands of salt marsh where clapper rails and egrets frequent shallow channels, and you’ll feel the region’s maritime ecology and history in every swell. What makes this offering stand out is the combination of a living-historic vessel and a ceremony crafted to minimize stress. St. Michaels Sailing Charters provides an officiant as part of many packages and helps tailor vows so couples can choose a traditional or alternative format. There’s no need for a big reception; the boat, the harbor, and a close group are the whole event. Weather plans are practical: umbrellas work for light rain and rescheduling is possible if conditions demand it. The trip moves at a relaxed, visitor-friendly pace—arrive fifteen minutes before departure, and allow two hours for the full experience. The Lady Patty’s wooden decks and period lines create cinematic photo opportunities without elaborate staging, while the natural backdrop changes by the minute as tides and light shift. Practical notes: the vessel’s size limits guests to 13, gratuity and amusement tax are added to quoted rates, and officiant gratuity is handled separately. The experience is accessible to most adults and children under traditional age limits apply; for special mobility needs contact the operator directly. For couples who prefer meaningful simplicity, this is a wedding that trades convention for clarity: a handcrafted ceremony under sail, set against Chesapeake Bay’s living shoreline and the lighthouse-soft town of St. Michaels. Ceremony timeline is flexible within the two-hour booking window: couples often use the first half for vows and the second for portraits and a quiet sail. Vendors such as a photographer or small musician are welcome within the 13-person limit—confirm any added vendors during booking. Save travel time by staying in St. Michaels and walking to the dock.

Difficulty

easy.

Duration

2 hours.

Fitness level

Minimal physical fitness required; ability to board a small sailboat and stand on deck for short periods is helpful.

Wildlife

Great blue heron
Oyster-eating gulls and egrets

History

St. Michaels has a long maritime tradition; the Lady Patty is a historic 1935 ketch maintained by St. Michaels Sailing Charters, linking ceremonies to the town’s seafaring past.

Conservation

Respect the bay’s tidal habitats by minimizing single-use plastics, avoiding stepping on marsh grasses, and using local vendors who follow low-impact boating practices.

St. Michaels Sailing Charters operates private catamaran charters from Saint Michaels, Maryland, offering on-water experiences aboard Epiphany, a Leopard 44 catamaran. The company provides private Sailing Catamaran Charters for groups up to 13 people, departing from St. Michaels harbor. Trips focus on relaxed sailing, scenic views of the harbor and tributaries, and private dining or social time on deck. St. Michaels Sailing Charters presents a single primary offering described as the "Private Sailing Catamaran Charter - Up to 13 People." This trip features an open forward cockpit and covered deck spaces on Epiphany, allowing guests to enjoy fresh air and unobstructed views while remaining sheltered if needed. The charters are staged from Saint Michaels, Maryland, a harbor town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore known for maritime activity and waterfront attractions. The operation emphasizes private bookings aboard a defined vessel and accommodates groups up to the listed capacity. Information presented focuses on the vessel type, passenger capacity, departure location, and the experiential highlights of sailing and dining on the water. Third-party references or booking platforms may provide schedules, rates, and availability for the Private Sailing Catamaran Charter offered in Saint Michaels, Maryland.

Base locationSaint Michaels, Maryland

Tours offered1+

Specialtyboat-charters

StewardshipLeave No Trace