About Baltimore
If you’re getting married in Baltimore, you’re in for a treat. This spectacular city, the largest in Maryland, offers everything you need to plan your perfect day.
It boasts a rich history with museums like the American Visionary Art Museum and a natural beauty along the waterfront promenades. Baltimore has its share of world-class attractions and a truly magnificent food scene, which means the possibilities are endless when working out how you and your partner want to tie the knot.
So before you walk down the aisle, let’s take a closer look at how to plan a Baltimore wedding reception your guests will love.
Wedding Reception Options in Baltimore
You’re no doubt already aware just how much goes into planning a successful wedding reception. From the Baltimore wedding reception venue to the food, the decor, the music, and even the seating arrangements, there’s a whole lot to consider. Happily, Baltimore’s best wedding companies can help.
- Wedding Planners
Wedding planners are experts at anything and everything related to tying the knot. From choosing a reception venue to liaising with vendors and ensuring that everything runs on schedule, an experienced wedding planner is very handy to have on your side.
- Caterers
Are you planning a simple cocktail reception with a few light snacks or a full buffet dinner with all the trimmings? Whatever your taste buds desire, compare Baltimore wedding caterers to find a menu that matches your desires.
- Florists
Flowers are easy to overlook in the planning process but they can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your reception venue. From simple and understated arrangements to bold and bright displays, a quality florist will work with you to get the look just right.
Wedding Reception Companies in Baltimore
Struggling to manage all the stress and finer details of planning a wedding? Expert help is at hand, with myriad Baltimore businesses specializing in the many varied aspects of wedding planning.
- The Forum Caterers
The Forum Caterers has been serving the Baltimore and Washington area for almost 40 years. From intimate receptions to grand celebrations, this licensed and insured caterer can help create the dining experience you’ve been dreaming of.
- Nouvelle Weddings
A luxury wedding planner based in Baltimore as well as Nashville, TN, Nouvelle Weddings offers a personalized approach and only works with a limited number of couples per year. The aim is to create something perfect and unique, and services range from wedding day management to full planning and design.
- Zeffert and Gold Catering and Event Planning
A Baltimore catering company with over 30 years of experience, Zeffert and Gold offers custom wedding catering. With menus for everything from fine dining to family-style dinners, Zeffert and Gold Catering and Event Planning can cater for intimate weddings as well as much larger celebrations.
Pros and Cons of Wedding Receptions in Baltimore
Baltimore is a city with a lot to offer. But like any destination, there are pros and cons to look at.
Advantages
- Wonderful food
Baltimore may be best known for its seafood, but it also boasts a diverse and exciting dining scene. This is great news when planning your wedding reception, as there are plenty of quality caterers to choose from in the area.
- Good climate
Baltimore’s temperate climate means it’s quite a pleasant place to be for much of the year. It also means you don’t have to worry too much about bad weather destroying your wedding plans — at least, nowhere near as much as you would in some other parts of the country.
- Reliable public transport network
Baltimore is well served by its transport network, so consider ease of access to transport when choosing a Baltimore wedding reception venue.
- Lots of venues
Baltimore is a major city, so you’re spoiled for choice when comparing wedding reception venues. From grand halls to cozy and intimate spaces, there’s something to suit every taste.
- Plenty of history
Baltimore is also a city rich in history, so you might like to find a Baltimore wedding reception venue that adds a dash of old-world charm to proceedings.
Disadvantages
- Humidity
While Baltimore’s weather is generally pretty reasonable, summers can be hot and sticky. Keep this in mind if you’re thinking about an outdoor wedding reception.
- Hurricanes
June through November is hurricane season, so keep this in mind when choosing a date for your wedding.
- Traffic
Traffic congestion can be an issue in some areas, so consider this when choosing your Baltimore wedding reception venue. It’s also a good idea to consider start times carefully and whether your guests will need to travel between the ceremony and reception venues.
- Crime
Unfortunately, crime is an issue in some areas of Baltimore, so be sure that you find a venue in a safe neighborhood.
- Buying liquor on Sunday
You can’t buy packaged alcoholic beverages on Sunday in Baltimore. Keep this in mind if you’ll be supplying the drinks for your wedding reception.
Famous Locations in Baltimore
- Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Baltimore’s historic sites don’t come any more significant than Fort McHenry. It’s here that the Battle of Baltimore inspired Francis Scott Key to put pen to paper and write the Star Spangled Banner. And with the fort also playing an important role in other wars over the years, it’s a must-visit for history buffs.
- Inner Harbor
The beautiful Inner Harbor is home to some of modern Baltimore’s best attractions. Not only is it a lovely sight in full sunshine, but it’s also home to great restaurants, shopping, and museums. The city is also famous for its beer, of course, so why not book your wedding reception at a unique brewery and taproom with 16 rotating beers on tap?
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards
The home of Major League Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles, this downtown stadium is truly a sight to behold. Whether you’re a sports fanatic or you just love the atmosphere of a big crowd, check out an Orioles home game for a memorable sporting experience.