Where to Buy Wedding Sparklers in Maryland

Maryland is a state with many different facets and a wide variety of different areas. From the large cities such as Baltimore and Annapolis to the rural farming areas throughout the state, Maryland is truly a melting pot of every culture that one could imagine. With such as diverse and large population of people, Maryland is also home to tens of thousands of weddings each year. On top of the cities that lie within Maryland’s borders, it is also the neighbor to another large population center; Washington D.C. This means that people from D.C. also flock to the less-political areas of Maryland to have their wedding which makes it a prime target for destination weddings as well.

Furthermore, since the primary US Naval Academy resides in Maryland, there are thousands of military weddings held their each year. Military personnel make up a huge segment of the economy in Maryland, and they also get married at a much higher rate than regular US citizens. Since sparklers are very patriotic and included in many military weddings, finding out where to buy wedding sparklers in Maryland is a hot-button issue on many couple’s minds. Fortunately, the laws in Maryland are much more accommodating to couples who want to include sparklers in their ceremony than some other states in our union, but there are still things you need to consider. Here is everything that you need to know.

Local Laws

One of the most important things that you need to be aware of before you decide where to buy wedding sparklers in Maryland is that there are actually laws governing what type of sparklers you can use. The Maryland fireworks laws are very clear that only sparklers containing no chlorates or perchlorates are allowed to be used and not all sparklers fit these criteria. Fortunately, there are plenty of online shops that offer sparklers which contain no chlorates or perchlorates so you can legally use them without fear of hurting the environment or receiving a fine at your wedding.

Venue Restrictions

On top of the local laws that restrict the type of sparklers that you’re allowed to use, many wedding venues have their own restrictions. For instance, if you choose an outdoor wedding venue, you likely will be able to use them without any issues. However, if your wedding venue is indoors, you may need to get special permission to use sparklers or they may be prohibited all together. If you’re having your wedding on the military base, you should be able to use sparklers as part of your ceremony; but you’ll definitely need permission from your commanding officer. Just make sure you check with your venue before you run out and buy wedding sparklers to avoid any potential hang-ups.

One of the biggest benefits of having your wedding in Maryland is that the laws allow you to do things that many other states prohibit. With that said, you need to check the local laws and the restrictions at your wedding venue before you seek out where to buy wedding sparklers in Maryland to ensure you have a fun, safe, and lawful wedding day experience.

A Sample Wedding Sermon

With the growing trend of couples asking a friend to be an officiant, the odds are higher than they used to be that you’ll be asked to perform the service for one of your buddies. When that day comes, there are plenty of resources online to help you structure the ceremony, tell you what to do in what order, that sort of thing. But what they can’t tell you is what to say before the ceremony proper begins.

When I was called on to officiate a friend’s wedding, we realized that without some kind of introduction--the secular equivalent of a sermon--the whole ceremony would last less time than it took for the guests to get seated. So I sat down and wrote a message to deliver on the day. If you get tapped to be an officiant, you can use this as inspiration, or a template, or a cautionary tale of what not to do. Just make sure to run whatever you write by the bride and groom before the ceremony, and you’ll be good to go.

A few weeks before the wedding day, I asked the couple what love meant to both of them. Sam said, “She makes me a better person, because I try to be a better person for her.”

Rachael said, “We've helped each other grow and become who we are today, and will continue to grow with each other to become what we will be tomorrow. We have come to unconditional love.”

Sam and Rachael have come to unconditional love. They’ve build a home together with one another.

Next, I asked what marriage meant to them, and they both had the same answer (which is for the best): It’s just a public profession of what already is there. They don’t think it will change anything.

Now, I won't argue whether marriage changes something or what importance to place on it. But for me it was like this:

I've lived in a lot of places since moving out of my parent's house.

I've rented a lot of apartments.

You wake up, you eat, sleep, you have routines in that place.

And it feels like home.

And when you buy a house, it's the same thing, really. You don't anticipate any change. You do the same things you always do.

Then you stand late at night in the living room and you think, "Mine. This is mine."

I submit that marriage is changing your rent into a mortgage. Even if you were in a 50-year-lease before, it's something exciting and new.

When I married my wife, when we left the beach where we got married, I looked at her, and she looked at me, and we both thought, "This is ours."

So maybe your mileage will vary on this. But please, do this: tonight, look into your partner's eyes, and in your mind, say "Mine." And say "Ours."'

And I'm sure you've done that very thing before. You may be doing it now. But I hope you feel even a fraction of that sudden rush we felt.

Welcome home.

7 Great First Dance Songs

Your first kiss as a married couple is definitely the defining moment of the wedding ceremony. But for the reception, the big deal is the first dance with your freshly-minted spouse. If there’s a song that means a lot to the two of you, definitely go with that (unless it’s Nikki Minaj’s “Anaconda.” Don’t want to shock Aunt Gertie). But if you find yourself looking for that perfect first dance song, here are seven to consider:

“If I Ain’t Got You,” Alicia Keys

This song has it all--lovey-dovey lyrics, a bouncy piano line, and some serious soul when the chorus kicks in. It has more of a groove to it than most ballads, so there can be some twirling if you’re into it.

Sample lyric: “Some people want it all, but I don’t want nothing at all / if it ain’t you baby / if I ain’t got you baby.”

“Let’s Stay Together,” Al Green

There’s no denying the knock-down drag-out soul of Rev. Al Green, and the lyrics are a great match for kicking off a marriage. Just be aware that this one might fill up the dance floor; it’s got an undeniable get-up-and-sway beat.

Sample lyric: “Let’s stay together, lovin’ you whether times are good or bad, happy or sad.”

“Forever and Ever, Amen” Randy Travis

Lest you think we’re overly partial to soul ballads, here’s a lovely little two-steppin’ ditty from the peak of 90’s country. It’s a little bit corny, but not overly so, and there’s some genuine emotion in there.

Sample lyric: “They say time takes its toll on a body / makes a young girl’s brown hair turn gray / but I don’t care, I ain’t in love with your hair / if it all fell out, I’d love you anyway.”

“The Luckiest,” Ben Folds

If you want to make sure there’s not a dry eye in the house for your first dance, this quirky piano-driven ballad is definitely a tear-jerker. Nobody does plaintive like Ben Folds, and this one’s a doozy.

Sample lyric: “Where was I before the day I first saw your lovely face / Now I see it every day / And I know that I am the luckiest.”

“You Might Think,” the Cars

If you’d rather hop and bop instead of sway for your first dance, this bubbly 80’s new wave track is a great pick. It’s got sugary-sweet synthesizers, slightly nerdy lyrics, and a cool little breakdown in the middle.

Sample lyrics: “You might think it’s foolish, or maybe it’s untrue / you might think I’m crazy, but all I want is you.”

“Fly Me to the Moon,” Tony Bennett

Most couples who go for a crooner to start the reception go with Frank Sinatra and “The Way You Look Tonight.” But we’ve always been partial to this one--it simply soars, and by the last chorus your guests will be ready to get up and join you.

Lyrics: “Fill my heart with song and let me sing forever more / you are all I long for, all I worship and adore.”

“The Things We Said Today,” the Beatles

This song has a lovely dark, introspective tone. It makes for a nice pause to catch your breath before diving into your crazy reception dance party. And the lyrics couldn’t be more appropriate for a wedding.

“Someday, when we’re dreaming / deep in love, not a lot to say/ then we will remember the things we said today.”

Whether you want your first dance to be a romantic slow dance, sexy slow jam, or party-starting up-tempo number, one of these seven songs is sure to kick off your marriage right.