March is the big month for me and my fiancee! We've looked at a few lists in magazines and online, but haven't found a reception site we like yet. We will get married in a church in Towson and would like somewhere in the area (with 25 minute drive) for approximately 150 seated guests. Since it will be March, we'd like something that is indoors and doesn't split the guests in to several small rooms. We anticipate a buffet style meal and would like to find somewhere a bit snazzier than just a basement hall or cinderblock firestation hall that costs between $800 to $2000. We want to spend less than a total of $9,000 total for the reception site and food and to have beer/wine available. A classy hall would be OK. We looked at the 1840s Ballroom , Goucher College, UMBC and the AVAM but they were not available or were too expensive with the parking and required vendors lists.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Does anybody have any have recent experience at the Cylburn Arboreteum, the Manor at Gundpowder Falls, VFW Post 9083 in Parkville?
Re: Reception Site for 150 seated guests in March 2011
You bring your own caterer at Manor at Gunpowder Falls. It's basically a big room, part of which is the school's cafeteria, with damask wallpaper and round tables and there's a wooden balcony spanning the length of the room.
If you end up with a venue that lets you bring your own caterer, Dean & Brown is generally reasonably priced and they're great.
Planning/Married Biology
Also check out Swan Harbor Farm in Havre de Grace. It's right on the water, and so pretty. In March, you'd probably have to do the reception indoors in the antique farmhouse, but my parents have been to weddings there and they said it was really pretty. Capacity in the main room of the farmhouse is 125, but they can accommodate 70 extra people spread throughout other rooms (by the time your RSVPs come in, you might be able to fit everyone in the main room). Their site fee is a little over what you listed as your budget, but they might be flexible for an off-season wedding- it never hurts to ask!!! I know Dean and Brown do a lot of events there... a former knottie had her wedding at SHF and she used Dean and Brown for catering, and provided her own alcohol.
Planning/Married Biology
they have their own caterers. they dont have a website (strange). i got all the info emailed to me. I would be glad to send it to you or you can contact them 410-882-3257