Budget Bride Needs Venue

gingerkids22

Hello everyone!  I am recently engaged and on a budget.  I would like to, no love to have my wedding downtown since that is where my fiance and I have spent a lot of time together but I am in need of some help finding a great venue with harbor views for a great price, any ideas?  Thanks!

SweetCFly

Welcome!  There are lots of places on the harbor, but ultimately the number of guests you're looking to have and your actual budget are big factors in determining viable space options. 

The Baltimore Museum of Industry, Pier 5 Hotel, Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Muesum and Park, Rusty Scupper, top of the World Trade Center, and the Aquarium all have great views and are fairly decent in price (given that they are right on the water). 

Pisces at the Hyatt, the HarborCourt Intercontinental, and Waterfront Marriott also have waterfront views but are a little pricier.  

I know there are more I'm forgetting...

We're having our RD at the Rusty Scupper, and I'd be happy to share any information you need to know  

ktanney4

Outdoor or Indoor?  I am having my wedding ceremony at TidePoint waterfront Park (contact R&R Events for space rental) and reception at the 1840s ballroom.

TidePoint is a beautiful view of the harbor.  I believe one bride is having her ceremony and reception there (renting tent).  I believe they only book 2 social events per year.  I looked at SO MANY venues in Baltimore and found that the best rental rates were at 1840s Ballroom.  We are renting 2nd Floor (City Lites room).  The venue comes with tables and chairs:)  Balt. Museum of Industry seemed like a good value as well...comes with tables and chairs.  
Hope this helps!

Vanvisa

A note on the Aquarium - it does have amazing views, but it can get really pricey because the rental fees don't include anything, so you have to rent *everything.* They also only use one caterer and they're a bit expensive.

The American Visionary Art museum kind of has a view of the harbor, but the rental fee is a bit expensive.

I didn't look into it, but the Belvedere is a little off the harbor, so maybe it's a little cheaper. I heard they have rooms with city views.

Camden Yards was actually the venue that I thought was the most reasonably priced. It's a little further from the harbor, but you get a nice view of the city on one side of the room and an incredible view of the ballpark on the other side. You really need to visit the room though to see if it works for you.

Unfortunately, downtown and harbor views don't usually equal budget-friendly, but it all depends on what your definition of that is. And like SweetCFly mentioned, your guestlist is also a really big factor. When you get above 150-200, your options start getting more limited.

arbolita

Honestly, you'll find that the closer you get to the city, the more expensive everything is going to cost, because it is such a prime location.  Do you know around what size your guest list will be?  You could also try to do a wedding during the off-season of July/August/January/February/March, or on a Sunday or Friday evening to decrease costs.

MrsRegis2B

Don't forget to check with restaurants downtown that have private space for a reception. My fiance and I are having our reception at McCormick and Schmick's in September. We love the restaurant, and since it has a beautiful view of the harbor and ample parking (we're paying for the guest parking -- only downside to having an event downtown), its within walking distance of Harbor East, the Aquarium, shopping, etc etc, its the ideal location for us. The Rusty Scupper, to me, is the only other restaurant on the harbor who has a better view, but we've had a better experience (food-wise) at McCormick.

Restaurants aren't "wedding factories" like the BMI or the 1840s Ballroom. They tend to be on the more expensive side because of the rental fee for the venue, the caterer costs, the cake, the linen/silverware/flatware rentals, etc etc. Most restaurants don't charge you a rental fee and they provide all your linens, etc. We just had to meet a food/beverage minimum, which is pretty low for a lunch reception (1:30-5:30pm). Plus, you're saving alot of money by having the reception in a restaurant, so the pricing of food is the same as if you were to dine there on a normal day. We are saving alot of money by picking a restaurant for the reception.

Good Luck!!

ajerome21

I am getting married at Pier 5.  Our reception is in their Harbor Club room which has windows that wrap around the room and has one of the best views of the harbor.  Like most places, Friday weddings are less expensive there.

www.harbormagic.com

hljanes

A note about Camden Yards - though this is based on M&T, I assume applies to Camden Yards also because it's the same company, Aramark.   They have a 20% service charge but it says specifically that that charge is not a gratuity and no amount of it goes to the employees.

M&T also charges fees for rental of tables, etc.  There's even some kind of fee for outlets, which I have yet to figure out.  Again, this is based on literature I got from M&T, but I assume it's also applicable to Camden Yards.  Could be wrong.

The other problem with Camden Yards is that they don't book in baseball season until they know the schedule, so if you're looking for 2011, they won't be able to tell you until October.

Heather

weezie825

Venues with Harbor views are usually the most expensive in the city.  That's not to mean you can't do it on a budget, it is just harder.  Like PP said, you may need to consider a Friday or a Sunday wedding.

Also, have you considered doing the wedding on a boat?  I bellieve that the Spirit of Baltimore and the Black Eyes Susan (an oldtime paddle boat) both will do weddings.  I looked into it and both seemed to be pretty reasonable in price considering you actually get a harbor cruise.  The only problem is, if any of your  guests arrive late, they may miss the boat! 

gingerkids22

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and help... I have a lot of time so I will make sure to get my information straight.  THANKS!!!!!