Finding the perfect Baltimore wedding venue can be a very time consuming and exhaustive process. With so many options for ceremonies and receptions, a bride and groom may begin to feel overwhelmed. You can get married on a golf course, where you say your vows on the putting green and have an elegant reception in a country club. A water front wedding gives couples the option of saying I do at sunset while the waves lap against the shore. A traditional bride might want a more intimate ceremony inside a beautiful chapel. A garden wedding provides lush trees and flowers giving a charming setting that doesn’t need a lot of work. Backyard weddings offer a blank canvas, perfect for artistic brides to create the wedding of their dreams. These are just some of the many different types of venues available to couples.  When beginning the search for the perfect romantic spot to tie the knot there are a few things to keep in mind to help narrow down the many choices.

Decide on the style and theme of your wedding

You want to pick a venue that will display the type of style and or theme you want for your wedding. If you are wanting a tropical or beach ambiance, picking a venue with water will complete your tropical theme. A classic winter wedding could be done in a resort up in the mountains surrounded by bare tree branches, snowflakes and crystal accents. If a religious wedding is what you want, a church is a great setting to portray that style. Wooden pews and gorgeous stained glass windows complete the traditional chapel look.

Geographic location

 If you have your heart set on a destination wedding, picking the country or city will help narrow down the choices. You already know the style of your wedding, now select a place that will help show that style. If you know you want to get married in the city or town that you live in picking a venue might be easier since you are already familiar with the area. Selecting places that will show off your already chosen style will make the decision that much easier.

Look at Your Guest List

 You also want to consider how many people you are expecting at your wedding. If you know your guest list is going to be quite large, you will need a venue that will support that many people. There is no point in looking at a venue that will not hold as many guests as you want. If you are having a smaller wedding you won’t need as much space, so looking at smaller venues will be helpful in narrowing down the options.

Budget

 When looking at Baltimore wedding venues, the final thing to think about is budget. Couples should talk about how much they want to spend on the location. The amount of money you want to spend on your wedding will determine where you will be getting married. Brides that are working within a smaller budget might love the idea of a backyard wedding where a lot of the details can be “Do It Yourself.” Brides with a larger budget might enjoy an extravagant wedding at a country club or resort. Regardless of how much or how little you want to spend there is a wide range of wedding sites that can fit any budget.

As you begin your search for the perfect Baltimore wedding venue, remember that this is meant to be a special time for the bride and groom. Knowing what you want will make the quest for the perfect spot even more enjoyable.  Congratulations on your engagement and best of luck to you.

Baltimore brides, as we enter the month of September, let’s take a look at how you can plan a fall wedding to fit the season and your style for your special day. By combining classic traditions with modern variations, you’ll find the wedding planning tips you need to create an original autumn atmosphere.

Embrace modern decor with vibrant colors and bold floral arrangements.

#1 Color Scheme: When Moss Isn’t Your Thing

Gather inspiration from this fall’s natural tones. Embrace amber, deep saffron, brick red, mocha, topaz, and moss green. If you’d like to branch beyond traditional palettes, incorporate a rich, vibrant tone for your accent color. Think plum, blush, slate gray, lavender, cream, navy, and fuchsia.

#2 Marrying Outdoors: Managing Falling Leaves in Autumn

Just because you’re hosting a fall wedding doesn’t mean you must marry indoors. While an indoor reception can create an intimate, warm environment, also consider an outdoor ceremony if weather permits. Speak to the venue’s coordinator about outdoor options, indoor back-up plans, and set-up for each situation. Remember to schedule someone to rake any leaves from the ceremony area on the wedding day to make room for chairs, an arch, and an easily accessible aisle.

#3 Floral Décor: More than the Usual Themes

Be inspired by seasonal décor for your wedding theme. While you may like to incorporate pumpkins and cornucopias, also feel free to take some liberties for floral décor. Consider tall arrangements with Manzanita branches near the buffet and cake tables. For reception table centerpieces, add short vases with wide bases, filled with colorful fresh flowers, a dash of hypericum berries, and full leaves for greenery. For a breathtaking bridal bouquet, add your favorite bloom to any combination of these autumn blossoms: rose, sunflower, orchid, dahlia, spider mum, or gerbera daisy.

Show traditional style with your floral arrangements, centerpieces, and natural colors.

#4 Reception Meal: Scrumptious Soup and Spice Cake

In autumn’s chilly weather, feel free to match your meal to the season. Exchange a cool, crisp salad for a warm red soup. Serve harvest vegetables, like carrots and onions. Present your meats in a similar fashion. Steaks may include rich, brown sauces, and chicken (or even a festive Cornish game hen) may involve succulent spices. Of course, don’t forget a rich cake and autumnal cocktails to complete the meal.

#5 Book Early: Thinking Beyond 11/11/11

Since the autumn months include many holidays (like Labor Day, Halloween, Veteran’s Day, and Thanksgiving), be prepared to book early. You may be competing for venue space with not only fellow weddings, but also corporations wishing to celebrate the spirit of the season. Also, with a date booked far in advance, you’ll give your guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements despite the busy months.

If you like the fall season, then celebrate your marriage in autumn. Just as the earth is experiencing a change of season, so are you and your groom as you both take the plunge into this next phase of your lives. Embrace it together! Surrounded by the beauty of nature and the admiration of your guests, you’ll soon enjoy a special day unlike any other for your autumn Baltimore wedding!

Written by Allyson Siwajian © 2011

Photographs by Allyson Siwajian © 2011  (Featured floral arrangements by Enchanted Florist and Suncoast.)

Imagine it, Baltimore bride! Soon you’ll be standing side-by-side with your groom before your officiant, your families, and all your wedding guests. Whether you’re at the altar, beside a ceremony arch, or under the arbors, you’ll say the words, “I do,” and you’ll be joined in marriage with the man you’ve waited for so long. You’ll take his hand in yours, and gently you’ll slip the ring on his finger to symbolize your love from that moment unto eternity.

Brides, in anticipation of that moment, you’ll first need to choose wedding rings that represent your relationship. To begin this process, let’s focus on what you and your groom will need to know before you visit a jeweler. Also, we’ll explain part of the process so you’ll know what to expect, what to look for, and how to know you’ve found the right wedding rings to display your love for a lifetime.

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