Northern Virginia or Northern Maryland Wedding Ideas

[MJMouse]

Hey all --

My fiance and I are starting to think about what kind of wedding we want... I would be happy with immediate family and a nice dinner, but he wants the big wedding. We're working out a compromise (probably a cocktail reception)... but we need to find a location.

My family is in Northern Maryland. His family in Northern Virginia. We live in Northern Virginia. So we have a lot of options of where to hold the ceremony and reception. The only stipulation is a hotel nearby for "out-of-towners."

I'd love to find a location where we can hold both ceremony and reception. We're looking at late fall or early spring... so an outdoor ceremony is probably out.

My practical side can't see going into debt or dipping into the emergency fund for what amounts to one day, so we're trying to keep costs down.


Anyone have any ideas for good locations? I'm also looking for ideas besides cocktail reception.

Thanks!
MJ

 

[Breezy_Carol]

What do you consider northern Maryland? I live in Cecil County. Have you considered a Saturday or Sunday morning wedding with a brunch reception. I think that can cost a lot less.

 

[Wishing on a star]

About how many people?

I attended a wedding reception/celebration at an historic bed and breakfast in Maryland. I am wracking my brain trying to remember the name, and I don't seem to find it searching online.

I think it is outside of Chestertown ?????

Anyhow, it is an historic inn. The original structure dates back to the time of the Revolutionary War.

It is actually almost on the bay, and overlooks the water.

We had a very very nice catered rehearsal dinner there.

Maybe something like this would work?

 

[MJMouse]

What do you consider northern Maryland? I live in Cecil County. Have you considered a Saturday or Sunday morning wedding with a brunch reception. I think that can cost a lot less.

Good question! I actually own a house up in Rising Sun, but I'm thinking more Carroll or Baltimore County... maybe Frederick, Harford, or Howard depending on the place. My family lives up on the Pennsylvania border in eastern Carroll.

About how many people?

I attended a wedding reception/celebration at an historic bed and breakfast in Maryland. I am wracking my brain trying to remember the name, and I don't seem to find it searching online.

I think it is outside of Chestertown ?????

Anyhow, it is an historic inn. The original structure dates back to the time of the Revolutionary War.

It is actually almost on the bay, and overlooks the water.

We had a very very nice catered rehearsal dinner there.

Maybe something like this would work?

I'd love to find a b&b or old mansion.

We're still negotiating the "number." It's either going to be about 40 or 125... because of the size of my extended family there is no in between for us.

 

[NC Belle]

The Cloisters in Lutherville, MD is lovely for a wedding reception. One of my Brother-in-laws/Sister-in-law had a lovely evening wedding reception there about 11 years ago. The castle has been seen in various television shows.

http://www.cloisterscastle.com/index.cfm

 

[nless_dream]

have you looked into WaterFord? Theres one in Springfield and Fair Oaks. I know they also provide catering. My gf went to a wedding reception there.

 

[MJMouse]

Thanks everyone! I knew my DIS friends would have ideas... keep them coming!!

Our biggest issue is a location for the ceremony if we chose to hold the wedding in VA (which I think is where we're leaning right now). His family is Catholic. I'm not... so his church is out. I haven't been attending a church in Virginia (really should find one... but at this point it would feel like I was lookng just to find a place to hold a wedding and that's not the right reason!!). Additionally, my cousin is a minister and I'd really like her to do the ceremony, so we have an officiant. However most churches require that you use their clergyman.

The Cloisters in Lutherville, MD is lovely for a wedding reception. One of my Brother-in-laws/Sister-in-law had a lovely evening wedding reception there about 11 years ago. The castle has been seen in various television shows.

http://www.cloisterscastle.com/index.cfm

Wow! It's beautiful and I completely forgot it was there. Thanks for the idea!

have you looked into WaterFord? Theres one in Springfield and Fair Oaks. I know they also provide catering. My gf went to a wedding reception there.

I looked into the WaterFord at Springfield or an event at work and it looks like a great place. It's on our list of potential places... I love that there are hotels right around that area and that it's easily accessible from the major routes in the area. I just wish the surroundings were prettier. I think my fiance's Brother and Sister-in-law used the one at Fair Oaks... sounds like I need to ask to see pictures!

Thanks again!

 

[minniebeth]

Would be right up your alley...Woodlawn Plantation right there by you in Northern Virginia!

 

[taterules]

You can rent Wakefield Chapel from Fairfax County, Virginia for the wedding. It's a beautiful old chapel that's no longer used for services. If you also rent one of the county's other properties for the reception, you get a discount.

 

[valree]

What about the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria? My sister got married there in 2004, and it was a great venue!

 

[MJMouse]

Would be right up your alley...Woodlawn Plantation right there by you in Northern Virginia!

Beautiful! I will have to call and ask what size groups they can accomodate.

You can rent Wakefield Chapel from Fairfax County, Virginia for the wedding. It's a beautiful old chapel that's no longer used for services. If you also rent one of the county's other properties for the reception, you get a discount.

Thanks! I didn't know these kind of chapels existed! You've opened a whole new possibility. Depending on the size of the group this one may be a bit small. Does anyone know of others?

What about the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria? My sister got married there in 2004, and it was a great venue!

That's a good idea... but what about parking?? I lived in Old Town for a while and we actually had our first date there... and walked down by the river and Torpedo Factory. It would be good for many reasons!

 

[PaddingtonBear]

I attended a lovely wedding in Old Town Alexandria at a mansion. I think it was here http://www.leefendallhouse.org/ The wedding was in the garden and the reception was indoors, it was a Sunday morning brunch reception. It was lovely and we had a good time. As a guest travelling in from out of town, parking was not an issue, since our hotel ran a shuttle to Old Town. Street parking wasn't too hard to find on a Sun morning, though.

 

[NCRedding]

This might be further away than you are looking, but Winchester Virginia has a beautiful old hotel downtown that has been restored..several ballrooms, a nice bar area. etc. It is a Wyndham hotel: the George Washington Inn.

 

[rwdavis2]

We had our reception at Martin's West just outside the Baltimore Beltway near I-70. It's very large facility that can handle several large events at the same time. Our reception went off without a hitch. They have several other facilities in the DC metro area too.
BD

 

[MJMouse]

I attended a lovely wedding in Old Town Alexandria at a mansion. I think it was here http://www.leefendallhouse.org/ The wedding was in the garden and the reception was indoors, it was a Sunday morning brunch reception. It was lovely and we had a good time. As a guest travelling in from out of town, parking was not an issue, since our hotel ran a shuttle to Old Town. Street parking wasn't too hard to find on a Sun morning, though.

If I manage to keep the guest list small this would be perfect. Thanks for the idea!

This might be further away than you are looking, but Winchester Virginia has a beautiful old hotel downtown that has been restored..several ballrooms, a nice bar area. etc. It is a Wyndham hotel: the George Washington Inn.

Unfortunately I think Winchester is probably a bit too far. But I love the looks of this place.

We had our reception at Martin's West just outside the Baltimore Beltway near I-70. It's very large facility that can handle several large events at the same time. Our reception went off without a hitch. They have several other facilities in the DC metro area too.
BD

Thanks! Off to research.


I appreciate all the suggestions and welcome more!

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I know of both places because I grew up in Frederick, MD, but have been residing in Alexandria, VA for 10 years now...

If you give me an idea of your budget, I can suggest things, but without knowing a budget, its really hard to know. Some people are suggesting lovely venues, but a lot of them would probably cost a lot...

I had my reception at the Ceresville Mansion in Frederick and its GORGEOUS there.
http://www.ceresville.com/

 

[valree]

That's a good idea... but what about parking?? I lived in Old Town for a while and we actually had our first date there... and walked down by the river and Torpedo Factory. It would be good for many reasons!

My sister got vouchers for everyone to park in the parking garage that's on the other side of the street from the Torpedo Factory. I think it's less than a block away. The rental rates don't seem like they've gone up much at all.

http://www.torpedofactory.org/rent/current%20rates%201%201%2009.pdf

 

[4Seasons]

That's a good idea... but what about parking?? I lived in Old Town for a while and we actually had our first date there... and walked down by the river and Torpedo Factory. It would be good for many reasons!

Actually there are 2 pay lots that we've used within walking distance to the Torpedo Factory. One is on N. Lee Street and the other is on the corner of N. Lee and Queen St. (that's the one we usually use). It's $5/day to park there and a 2 block walk to the Torpedo Factory.
We go to Old Town Alexandria every couple months and have dinner at The Warehouse Bar & Grill on King Street so we know the area pretty well.

You could call the Alexandria Visitors Center for more ideas 703-838-5005 or www.visitalexandriava.com

 

[Wishing on a star]

If you are looking at these beautiful venues for your reception, and you have an officiant... Why not have the ceremony at the same location as the reception!

(The only kicker would be if you have the larger number of guests, and many venues might not be able to accomodate this. At least, not indoors.)

 

[MJMouse]

I know of both places because I grew up in Frederick, MD, but have been residing in Alexandria, VA for 10 years now...

If you give me an idea of your budget, I can suggest things, but without knowing a budget, its really hard to know. Some people are suggesting lovely venues, but a lot of them would probably cost a lot...

I had my reception at the Ceresville Mansion in Frederick and its GORGEOUS there.
http://www.ceresville.com/

I went to college in Frederick and love Ceresville. Thanks for the reminder.

Our budget is still a bit up in the air. We in the VERY early stages of planning and are trying to take stock of what is available at different price points. However, if I had my way we'd do this for <$3K. More realistically we're probably looking at $10K for the whole thing (excluding rings).

My sister got vouchers for everyone to park in the parking garage that's on the other side of the street from the Torpedo Factory. I think it's less than a block away. The rental rates don't seem like they've gone up much at all.

http://www.torpedofactory.org/rent/current%20rates%201%201%2009.pdf

Actually there are 2 pay lots that we've used within walking distance to the Torpedo Factory. One is on N. Lee Street and the other is on the corner of N. Lee and Queen St. (that's the one we usually use). It's $5/day to park there and a 2 block walk to the Torpedo Factory.
We go to Old Town Alexandria every couple months and have dinner at The Warehouse Bar & Grill on King Street so we know the area pretty well.

You could call the Alexandria Visitors Center for more ideas 703-838-5005 or www.visitalexandriava.com

Thanks! I've used the municipal garage in Old Town, but couldn't see guests teetering up and down the hill on King Street.

If you are looking at these beautiful venues for your reception, and you have an officiant... Why not have the ceremony at the same location as the reception!

(The only kicker would be if you have the larger number of guests, and many venues might not be able to accomodate this. At least, not indoors.)

I'm a bit of a traditionalist on somethings and would like to have a church wedding. However, we've pretty much decided that it will have to be a reception/ceremony combo.

Thanks for all the ideas... keep them coming!