Spirit of Philadelphia // Adventure Aquarium

Laurent314 · January 2010

Hi Girls --

I was wondering if anyone has had their wedding at, or have been to a wedding at Adventure Aquarium or on the Spirit of Philadelphia. Adventure Aquarium is my top pick, but i have a HUGE family, so price is hurting me -- there packages are either 140pp or 165 pp =( Im going to the aquarium next week to meet with someone to see if we can tour and see about price.

I was wondering your thoughts and if you have any pictures that would be great!

Thank you!

Ms.BriarRose · January 2010

Your best bet is to repost this on the Philly and South Jersey boards, as those girls are going to know more about venues in Philly and Jersey. I can't think of any girls on here who even looked at those venues; it's just too far from DE. Good Luck!

rainsfallsoftly · January 2010

We had our prom at the aquarium, but never been to a wedding there.

Santorini2011 · January 2010

I was going to check out Spirit in a few weeks. Moshulu looks good too.

SuzyQ79 · January 2010

I haven't posted on this board yet but thought I would add since I have recently been to a wedding at the Adventure Aquarium and an event on the Spirit of Philadelphia. The wedding I went to at AA was last June and I have to say the photo opportunities are incredible. Between the sunseting with the philly skyline in the background and the pictures of the couple standing in the wrap around shark tank it is a toss up as to which one is better. Another really cool thing was the floor to ceiling fish tanks in currents ballroom. This couple had the curtain down on the tank when the guests came into the ballroom and as their first dance started the curtains came up on the tank. In addition I was impressed by the food and the wait staff in general. It is an awesome venue in my opipion and if it wasn't for the fact we had friends who got married there I would have considered it even given the distance. As for the Spirit of Philadelphia it is a neat idea in theory but the boat is in need of a major overhaul. It is tired and over used and the food was not good at all in my opipion. Hope this helps and good luck in finding a venue.

Laurent314 · January 2010

thanks Suzy!!! I cannot wait to see the aquarium next week. I am just disappointed that I will probably not be able to have the wedding there since i have a large must have wedding and the price is hefty. But I guess it wont hurt to check it out. I wont know unless I go right?

Spirit of philadelphia.... i was afraid of that. I figured it was probably dated. =(

I just am not a Church/Country Club type of girl, i want something fun and different and it doesnt seem like Delaware has that here. I emailed the Delaware of Contempary Arts last week, but havent heard anything from them.

Any Ideas, on a cool spot?

Ms.BriarRose · January 2010

There are a couple of places that might fit your needs

We will help you however we can! I apologize for it being long! If anything, please read the last note at the very bottom about cost.

Let's see, have you thought about Wintethur or Gibraltar? Both have GORGEOUS gardens, and great picture opps. I believe Gibraltar doesn't have a "space" but they allow tents, if you are okay with that. Think the Secret Garden...

How about the Wilmington Horticulture Society? I have heard that they have a little bit of a different space.

There's also the Delaware Museum of Art, and the Delaware Museum of Natural History- both do events, and if you are willing to work on the timing, can get a smashing space. I have heard that the Natural History Museum recently did a total renovation, and that it is absolutely gorgeous in there. The plus about both is you don't really have to decorate; you already have the decorations there!

How many people do you have? I know you said you have a huge family, but how many is huge? I just went to a wedding at The Farmhouse, and it was so charming and different- it's an old converted farmhouse, and has such an awesome country inspired charm to it. It's not overpriced either, and the food is fabulous!

If you want to do a little more of your own touch, try checking out some of the Delaware State Parks and the venues they have. Here is the website: http://www.destateparks.com/events/. I have also listed some ideas for each park. These are venues where you have to bring in your own supplies (tables, china, etc), but there are companies who do all that in one swoop, and the caterers should be able to help you with all that (somee catering companies do it as well::
*Bellevue is right off of 95, so it's easy for guests to get to. Since the house (an old DuPont Mansion) is situated far back, you feel as if you are hidden from view. They also have an old Quaker Meeting House on grounds (Mount Pleasant Meeting House), which is gorgeous inside and lends itself to any religion. They also have the Figure 8 barn, if you want something totally out there; it was the duPont's horse barn, and is basically a barn with a huge space inside of it.
*The Blue Ball Barn is one that really doesn't require much decorating, and holds up to 260 guests. It's actually a pretty neat design of incorporating an old dairy barn into the 21st century.

If you are willing to go a half hour into PA, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND The Stone Barn in Kennett. It's an old rustic converted barn, and it's GORGEOUS inside; something totally different than I have ever seen. FI and I said that if we hadn't booked already, we would have highly considered it. It's got this HUGE stone fireplace which you can be married in front of, or they have several outdoor spots that are breathtaking. And the food was fabulous!!! They do a Sunday Brunch if you want to check it out, and they also have a website.

The Delaware Historical Society also runs several places that can host weddings. The Read House in Old New Castle has the gardens right on property for the ceremony, and they are world reknowned. They also run the Delaware History Museum, which is an old Woolworth's store converted to a museum. The website for these two is http://www.hsd.org/rental.htm.

The Chesapeake Inn and Marina is right on the Chesapeake Bay, right over the line in Northeast, MD. It provides some spectacular views at night, overlooking the water and boats.

Some may suggest the University and Whist Club in Wilmington, but I have heard nothing but very, very bad things about them, and thier horrible service. While it's an interesting and different venue, it's too much of a risk, IMO.

I hope that I have supplied you with some choices. I will warn you, though- with "unique" venues, you often either pay an arm and a leg (as you have noticed with the AA), or you get a blank canvas and have to supply everything. If you have a smaller wedding, and want to save on costs, that might not be a bad thing. If, though, you have a much larger wedding, you can actually end of spending more in the end by going this route. I urge you to look into some other places, like Clayton Hall at UD, Hockessin Fire Hall (Gorgeous inside!) and Executive Banquet Center- they are very nice halls, and they include everything (centerpieces, cake, linens, etc). If you are set on going the unique route, good luck to you! Just remember to keep tabs on your expenses the entire time.

SuzyQ79 · January 2010

I looked at several (okay a lot of different venues in noth DE).

I didn't really at first want the country club wedding even though that is were we are having our reception due to the value that you get. It came down to the fact that we wanted a band and a certain photographer so it just made sense for us.

Here are some of the venues I visited:
DE Art Museum- It was about $130.00 to 140.00 pp. It is the same caterer that the Chase Center on the River Front uses, Sodexo. If you go to the Chase Center website you can check out all of the different packages which are offered at both locations. The positives were cool location, access during cocktail hour to some of the exhibits, they would also set up a lounge area in between where your dinner and dances areas would be. Package includes linens, cake and basic centerpieces allowance.
Negatives- Have to pay extra to use patio space, for us 3 to 5 piece band max..
Cool venue worth checking out.

Bellevue- They tent the front of the mansion. I have heard good things about the caterer. Mansion inside needs to be cleaned up and painted, has a very musty smell to me.

Rockwood/Carriage house- Beautiful gardens and cool space. I went twice to visit this venue as it was one of our top choices. Rockwood caterer the Greenery packages were piecemeiled so they wanted you to pay for every fork, glass and waiterer. However, once you made sense of the package it was about $ 120 pp. If you split up the spaces having dinner in one and dancing down the hall where they ussually set up the bar this space might work for you depending on how many people you are inviting.

Brantwyn/DuPont Country Club- Have been to a wedding at Brantwyn. Classy neat estate, beautiful outdoor ceremony location, spiral staircase for great pics. Packages at both location starting at 100.00 for certain dates but watch min. revenues although with your numbers you may not have a problem with this. This bride tented the back of this location which was awesome but you can of course have it inside it is just a lot of little rooms so everyone is not eating together. Which may or may not be a big deal to you. DCC- huge space.

Hotel DuPont- Believe me I thought this would be so out of reach that is why I didn't want to look. They were willing to lower min. on certain Sat. really working with the couple. Starting at 110 pp here and big space with all the elegence you would ever want.

I went to a lot of other spaces but to save you from reading a book please let me know if you want additional info and I will send you my email. This process can be frustrating and confusing at times but don't worry you will find a perfect space that fits your needs.

Laurent314 · January 2010

Thanks girls!!! Bellevue hall is another one in the running... i havent checked it out yet, but its not my favorite. the pictures on the website arent really nice, i dont think.

im going to go look at the 2 barns they have though and I am going to look at the Barn that was suggested in Kennette Square.

Im still waiting for my one half of the family to get me alist of people. but so far, but the min probably will be in the 150-175 range if not more. And thats just basically immediate family from all sides =(

Its kinda funny because ive been engaged for 2 years now, in no rush to get married. I thought weddings were silly in the part of spending so much for one day. But after i decided to finally start thinking about a date, i totally changed my mind. i only want a justice of the peace then a party afterward.... but now, my very very deep girlside ( which i didnt think i had...lol) was coming out. and now iwant an actual wedding.

i even picked out a dress i like! and i dont wear dresses for anything! hhaha.

But we will see what happens. i just know that i have to keep the costs down somehow. like $100pp would be idea.

Thank you both for your suggestions!

miguelhilary2010 · January 2010

I visited the AA and it was my favorite venue. FI and mom werent thrilled with Camden because we have a lot of out of town guests who have no clue about this area. The quote I got about 6mos ago was for about $125/pp for a Friday wedding. If you visit them, I recommend meeting with the sales manager from Aramark, rather than the AA wedding people. The rooms are as-is, so they will show/tell you the same stuff BUT if you meet with the Aramark person, they can discuss food options, and work with you on pricing. The cost pp is driven more by the catering than the venue.

Good luck!

PS - I'm getting married at the Mansion in Voorhees NJ ( not much farther than Camden) and am getting a very good all-inclusive rate (food, alcohol, linens, ceremony, cake, valet). There is also a water works place in Philly that looks interestingly modern... not really sure of their contact info.

Santorini2011 · January 2010

That is Turbine Hall and the rate was $5000 room rental only with alot of extras prior to food. Great place if you have the budget. Talk to Waiel. He is a total sweetheart. Forget Gibaltar! Sorry but it is true. Greystone Hall is cool. I went to a wedding at Cont Arts and it was cool but guests were leaving the reception area to walk around and see the art. It kinda upstaged the event. But that might just be my opinion.

If you are not tied to this area, try the beach.

I felt the same as you and could not imagine blowing this insane amount of money. As I dive in, my budget expands...I am looking at about the same number of people and want a cool venue. It is hard to find that in a price range and a place that will hold everyone inside. If you are open to a tent, there are more options.

Laurent314 · January 2010

Thanks girls! for the ideas!

Santorini --- my very first love of a venue was NorthBeach in Dewey. i just thought a wedding in the sand on the bay at sunset would be amazing. but after the girl sent me the pictures and the packages and all.... the place is run down IMO and the price they want is crazy. atleast i think so.

So, i kept going back to the Indian River life saving station. since its a state park and you have to have a tent and the not the actual building itsself, i cannot imagine it would cost that much to have a wedding there. to rent the mansion and gardens at belluvue hall was $3600 rental fee. even if it is that much, i think that is where we will end up.

Has any one ever been to a wedding there?

soontobemrsbest · January 2010

We went to a wedding at AA and it was amazing! The food was great! I have never been on the Spirit, but I heard it was great!

Spirit of Philadelphia // Adventure Aquarium

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