Wedding Blog
… is pretty much how our venue search went. You see, that other post - those were only the places I physically went to see. Here are the other places we considered getting married at:
I love the Baltimore Zoo, but the mansion doesn’t have A/C and there’s no telling what August weather will be like. With several elderly guests invited, it just didn’t seem like a great idea. After seeing this Flickr stream, I almost wish I had considered it further.
The Liriodendron is located in Bel Air and has a gorgeous portico and draping wisteria on the porch. It was in our budget, but it could be difficult for people to get to at 6:30pm on a Friday.
There were many more Baltimore options I considered before giving up. These included: the National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, Maryland Art Space, Port Discovery, The Evergreen House, and every museum, community space, and public historic home I could think of.
I then expanded the search and headed to the country to ponder Thorpewood, Boordy Vineyard, Linganore Vineyard and Ladew Gardens.
Next I set my sights towards the eastern shore: Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa, Herrington on the Bay, River Plantation, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. These were all out of our budget and would force the wedding to occur on a Saturday or Sunday, which we were trying to avoid.
I considered similar venues to Oakland Manor, Gramercy Mansion, Overhills Mansion, and Ceresville Mansion.
They were either out of our budget or just didn’t attract us any more or less than Oakland did. Columbia is smack in the middle of Baltimore and DC, and it’s just off the main highway, so the location is easy for people coming from both cities to get to.
I headed south to DC and researched the 2941 restaurant, Human Rights Campaign Equality Center, the Audubon sanctuary, Brookside Gardens, and the Halcyon House (one of the UnBride’s venues).
Thanks for joining me on this tiny journey through MD/DC (and one VA) venues. This list is by no means comprehensive, as I tried to scale it down so it wouldn’t be too overwhelming or too huge for a single post.
How many venues did you consider before deciding? Did you research just a few, or countless options?
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Share this post: Over the Hill and Through the Woods
Wow! I thought I considered a ton of places, but your search was way more comprehensive!
i only went to a couple and now severely regret my decision to keep my search limited.
Oh, well. We’ll make do with less than perfect, but still within our budget!
you went to/researched SO many places!
Can I also recommend my reception venue, the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center in downtown Frederick? It’s not an outdoor venue, but it’s fantastic! It’s an old warehouse that has been turned into an art gallery, and can hold up to 150 people (although it’s probably best for 100-120). The rentals coordinator, Marilyn, has been great to work with so far. Guests can wander through the two smaller galleries during cocktail hour, and we’ll use the largest one for dinner and dancing.
My fiancee and I originally only looked at 3 locations before making our decision! Then a few weeks ago we found out our venue was closing! 
Heartbreaking I tell ya’! After finding out this news I probably called and looked into 100 different locations.
We’ve finally decided to pick our favorite spot and get married on a Sunday since our original date was already taken.
Woooo for ThorpeWood. I’ve wondered if there is anyone else on WeddingBee getting married there! 
All the places you checked out are BEAUTIFUL! (especially ThorpeWood, but I’m biased! LOL) I would never have thought to check the Aquarium!
I looked at photographers’ websites for the most scenic location. I figured that a venue which looked great on all the photog’s sites must be awesome. That’s how I fell in love with Garden of the Gods Club!
I did tons of internet research, but we had our heart set on one place. We visited the week after he proposed and signed the contract and that was it.
Its possible that I went to see 10 sites. Its also possible that I was a bit obsessed (after our first “perfect” venue fell through).
Your search sounds a lot like our’s. FH and I drove (and surfed) all over for options… in one day we visited 6 venues, it was nuts!
I looked at pretty much every major hotel and reception hall in Boston in one day! I’ve never been to Boston beforehand and I was def exhausted but it was a must and now I love my venue
Ooooh, I love the bubble-cylinders at the Aquarium. And can you imagine having photos taken in front of the waterfall in the Australia exhibit? *drools* Our venue search went pretty quickly… Once my FBIL’s wedding ruled out the Garret Jacobs Mansion in Baltimore, we decided to get out of B-more and Columbia (where we live) and do our wedding in western Maryland, where my FI went to prep school.
Really, only 2, kind of like you! I went to look at two places, we decided we would never like one as much as the first, and it was a great price.
I’m home for only one week and am visiting 20 venues? Today, I finished off visiting 5 venues. Still havent found anything I love yet. Is there anything that helped you decide on your venue? like how did you know it was “the place”, how did you know what type of place you want like a mansion, museum, garden, or hotel?
I so wanted to get married at the zoo, science center or aquarium. But I got the hall I wanted that has lots of family history, so I’m happy. I did check out a lot of the same places you did 
I wanted to go with Thorpewood, but the boy vetoed it (I’m definitely the nature/outdoors one of the two of us).
@ Lauren: That’s where we’re having our reception too! I can endorse it and Marilyn just as wholeheartedly and also add that the area just outside the building is gorgeous (revise that: one side is, the other will be if they ever actually finish construction).
Wow - what a great, comprehensive list! I am sure this will be very helpful for many brides
We had a list of about 10 venues that we were considering and then narrowed it down to 3. Those 3 venues we went to visit and met with the onsite cordinator and from there we picked our location.
I had to visit many in a short period of time. Mostly I knew whether I would love or hate it before I even entered!
Can’t wait to see which one you pick!
They all look lovely I, too, can’t wait to see which venue you choose.
All these sites just look gorgeous. I love the 2nd one…
@Julie: how fantastic! Isn’t Marilyn amazing? She’s sewing our table runners for us. And we’re trying to ignore the construction. You can really only see it through the one door. We’re planning to walk over from the church (St. John’s), so most people will approach it from the creek side anyway.
We looked at Ceresville, Mt. Airy Mansion, and the Audubon Society, and went with the Audubon.
You did your research, girl! I think this is a fantastic list and will surely help others in their search. Thanks, Miss D!
From personal experience, I can tell you the Baltimore Zoo is not ideal. I went to a wedding there in Ovtober-very muggy, the floor is also sloped, so you dance on a very un-even floor. Part of the deal with the zoo is, they bring in a penguin. Cute idea, but, the penguin kept chasing guests, nipping at heels and popping by the dessert and gift tables.
Linganore is beautiful and the staff there is amazing. A beautiful drive to the location would not leave your guests disappointed.
Personaly, I am getting married aboard the USS Constellation with the reception at the Hyatt. Perfect blend of outdoors, Baltimore scenery and elegant reception.
Also, the mansions are contactly going through construction, so be careful of that. Eastern Shore tends to be very expensive as it is the “trendy” place to get married.
Hope this helps.
DuchessMinx
these are all SO great- how on earth did you choose?!
Great research for creative and practical ideas in finding a Baltimore destination wedding location. As a wedding photographer it is encouraging to see information that truly is a help to brides. Many thanks for your article.
Curtis
I’m also having a difficult time finding a venue in Baltimore. I’ve looked at over a dozen places including The Belvedere, Tremont, Evergreen house, American Visionary Arts Museum, and several hotels in the Inner Harbor. I had my heart set on the Tremont until we heard from a family friend that the food was “inedible.” Now i’m back to square one with several places i’m iffy about. This process is a lot harder than i anticipated.
That venue after the aquarium is gorgeous! It makes me want to get married in Maryland!
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Mrs. D'orsay, Baltimore/Lancaster UK
Age and Occupation: 24, Stay at home fiance (formerly in nonprofit communications)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Web site developer and designer; co-owner of men's skincare shop
Engagement Date: August 10, 2008
Wedding Date: August, 2009
Venue: Oakland Manor
About Me: I'm a Maryland raised environmental policy wonk/activist/organizer and communications aficionado. In the past year I've lived in Baltimore, MD, Tucson, AZ, Miami, FL and Lancaster, England. In my not so spare time I enjoy planning trips with Mr. D' Orsay, visiting friends and family and crafting like a mo-fo. I also enjoy modern dance classes, rugby and soccer but have been banned by my mother, MOHs, and Mr. D' Orsay from playing till after the wedding. I have an unnatural addiction to cheese and shoes, but love Mr. D' Orsay more than either and can't wait to become Mrs. D' Orsay!
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