I'm a couple months late on this but since everybody's doing it...
Venue: Liriodendron Mansion
The venue is way more gorgeous in person than on their website and their prices are reasonable for the area. Their contract is pretty specific with various things like candles not being permitted. There were a couple venue related issues, but we were kept up to speed on them. Half of the wisteria arbor collapsed in the snowstorms, and we received a call to let us know they were rebuilding the arbor and it would be done before the spring weddings, but part of the porch wouldn't be so shaded. The rehearsal before us cracked one of the front door windows, and they tried to get it replaced but couldn't. I think the doors were kept open the day of the wedding and the screen doors were kept closed when the doors were closed before the ceremony, so that it wasn't as noticeable.
The one thing that did really bother us was that we wanted the gallery upstairs to be open and had been told that we could request half plexiglass doors if we wanted it to be open, and there was no time stipulation in the contract about that. I emailed about a couple things the week before the wedding, that being one of them to request the doors. They were closed the day of the wedding. DH asked the venue rep during the cocktail hour if they could please be opened, and she said no because there was not someone there to watch the exhibits (she was in the office near the exhibit rooms the entire time). Overall, we were pleased with the venue and it was a great location, but I do wish our guests had been able to look at the artwork. It was one of the things we loved most about the venue.
Catering: Dean and Brown Catering
When we were deciding whether to go with Liriodendron or Fiore Winery, they were definitely the most reasonably priced caterers we found in the area and on Liriodendron's approved list. Terry is great, and pretty much ran things the day of the wedding. We wanted a cocktail reception that was the equivalent of the meal, and they helped us create a great menu. Things like linens, china and glassware were included in the price per person and there were no hidden fees for things like cake cutting or corkage. We were able to bring in alcohol which saved a ton, and they were willing to have the bartenders make all of the drinks on our cocktail list - which had 10-15 things beyond the basics. They also did a great job with setup, including chilling the white wines for the tables before setting them up. Terry made sure we had food and drinks during cocktail hour and drinks brought to us right after we were introduced, including locating a specific bottle of wine that DH wanted for his wine at the toast when we had 20 different wines set out on the tables. The food was amazing and so were the service and execution.
Photographer: Stephanie Miller Photography
Stephanie is absolutely wonderful. She's really sweet, and she was the only very reasonably priced photographer whose photos impressed both DH and myself (DH was the one who was harder to please). Our e-pics turned out wonderfully, and all 3 of us were climbing around the outcroppings of the King and Queen Seat at Rocks State Park for them. Our wedding pictures were also great, and even though we didn't see each other before the wedding, we were finished with post-ceremony pictures in time to hang out at the cocktail hour a bit and grab a moment alone upstairs. She handled an overbearing parent well, pulling me away to a different location for pictures when said parent started organizing everyone for various photos during the couple photos and trying to introduce me to various family members while we were busy with photos. She also did well with a 2 year old who was very interested in the camera after she showed him a picture of himself on her screen. I still need to get the coffee table album made, but her album samples are worth ordering one versus DIYing it to me.
DJ: DJ-MD
We wanted an inexpensive DJ, so we got one. He did a very good job the day of the wedding, but was difficult to get a hold of prior to the wedding. Overall, it was worth hiring him over DIYing the music but probably not the same level of service of some of the more expensive DJs in the area. Considering the cost and that being a wedding DJ is probably not his primary job, I was happy with him.
Flowers: Flowers by Laney, Shrewsbury, PA
It's one of the only florists in my area and my family knows the owners, so we decided to support the business of someone we know. Our consultation wasn't with the owner since she was on vacation at the time, but the prices were reasonable. We just had bridal, MOH and BM bouquets done. They weren't quite what I'd asked for - I asked for smaller bouquets since we are all on the smaller side, and see inspiration pics versus actual pics in my bio - but were still lovely. I probably should have tried to meet with the owner or have left my inspiration pictures with them. We did attempt to get the lilies to open and weren't able to do so, but I think that might just be a lily related issue.
Cake: Family friend, PA - PM for info
I wasn't the type to think about weddings much before I got engaged, but I did know who I wanted to make our cake and for it to be her basketweave. She makes wedding cakes out of her home and the eggs are farm fresh from her chickens. My sister would bring home awesome cookies from her house at Christmas time when her kids would have cookie baking/decorating parties from the doughs she pre-mixed for them, and she did an anniversary cake for my parents that I didn't get to try because I was studying abroad at the time. She also does fondant and other decorations/fillings, but we went with basic buttercream frosting and chocolate/vanilla cake and fillings, and it was delicious. It's heavier cake, and the buttercream is delicious. I was sad when we ran out of leftovers.
Dress: David's Bridal, York, PA
My consultant had known DH for ages and I know her as well, but she's really sweet and listened to all of my input. Unlike AA, she didn't try to toss tons of poofy veils and accessories on me that woudln't be my style and only suggested really nice accents/veils. I was really happy with my dress, and it felt a lot nicer than some of the ones I tried on at AA. She also helped me out in trying to figure out solutions during a bustle crisis a few days before the wedding
Alterations: PA seamstress, PM for info
We used a local seamstress who works out of her home. I do not recommend her, but won't post details here since I've never seen her name on the Baltimore board.