Meetings Events Guide€¦ · “We offer fun, easy, stress-free beach wedding packages,” he...

A supplement to

March 2012

Weddings

MeetingsEvents Guide

&

March 20122 MEETINGS & EVENTS GUIDE Weddings

Contents�

THE DAILY RECORD STAFFSuzanne E. Fischer-Huettner

Publisher

Tom LinthicumExecutive Editor, Vice President

Maria KellyComptroller

Tracy BumbaAudience Development Director

Tara E. BuckSpecial Publications Editor

Wayne CountrymanAssistant Editor

Danny JacobsWeb Editor

Jon ShamWeb Reporter

Dave KuhnWeb Content Producer

Keith MinneyInside Sales Supervisor

Jennifer ParkGraphic Designer

Maximilian FranzSenior Photographer

410-669-6582www.davidkeltz.com

DAVID KELTZ AS

POE

A unique, warm

& affordable atmosphere

for any special occasion

Casey Community Center

To order additional copies of this publication, please contact Tracy Bumba at 443-524-8120 or [email protected].

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5 7

9

The Daily Record 3MEETINGS & EVENTS GUIDE Weddings

More and more couples forgoing the chapel

BY KAREN NITKIN

Special to The Daily Record

hen Jennifer and

Scott Davison

planned their wed-

ding, they knew it

would be in downtown Balti-

more, close to family members,

but they decided against the

obvious choices of hotel,

restaurant or ballroom. Instead, their Sept. 5, 2010, wedding

was held at the National Aquarium inBaltimore.

A tent in front of the aquarium wasset up with folding chairs for 220 guests,plus a chuppah under which the brideand groom exchanged vows. After theceremony, guests moved into the aquar-ium for cocktails alongside the enor-mous tanks filled with gliding stingrays.Dinner and dancing, with a band, weredownstairs in the cafe.

“We still have people coming up tous and telling us it was the best cocktailreception they’ve been to,” said JenniferDavison, now 30. “The views were justgorgeous.”

Brides and grooms (and maybesoon, same-gender couples) through-out the region have many choiceswhen it comes to special weddingvenues, including vineyards, man-

sions, museums and even the beach inOcean City.

‘I can’t figure this out.’“I’m going to tell you what’s really

hot right now, and I can’t figure this out,but barns,” said Linnyette Richardson-Hall, owner and creative director ofPremiere Event Management, a 20-year-old wedding planning and event man-agement company based in Baltimore.“The whole rustic-vintage thing is reallypopular.”

Richardson-Hall said she’s workedwith couples who wanted to get marriedin the middle of a field, and others whoopted for a small wedding at a quaintbed-and-breakfast, with maybe 20 or soguests. Vineyards, including BoordyVineyard in Hydes, also are popular.

“A lot of brides and grooms are look-ing for places that are unique but thatalso speak to who they are as a couple,”she said.

One draw is that weddings in un-usual spots can be less expensive. SeanRox of Rox Weddings & Events, anOcean City wedding provider since2006, said packages for beach wed-dings, including photographers, discjockeys, a minister and ceremony coor-dination, start at $2,400. Another attrac-tion is that many couples wantweddings that are unusual, fun, and saysomething about their interests and per-sonalities.

Rox Weddings works with local ho-tels, setting up on the beach in front ofwhere the guests are staying, Rox said.“We offer fun, easy, stress-free beachwedding packages,” he said. “We set upthe music, set up everything. I’m theminister. We provide the photography,the videography.”

Because of beach rules, the weddings

It appears anythinggoes when choosing avenue for the big day

Sean Rox of Rox Weddings & Events plans destination weddings for couples in Ocean City,Md. ‘We set up the music, set up everything. I’m the minister. We provide the photography,the videography,’ Rox says.

COURTESY SEAN ROX WEDDINGS & EVENTS

Jennifer and Scott Davison chose to have their Sept. 5, 2010, wedding at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. A tent was set up outdoors with folding chairs for 220 guests, plus a chuppah.After the ceremony, guests moved into the aquarium for cocktails alongside the enormous tanks filled with gliding stingrays. Dinner and dancing took place downstairs in the cafe.

RUSSELL COSNER FOR FREED PHOTOGRAPHY INC.

W

See unusual page 4

can’t be held between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,which is when the beach is the mostcrowded and hot anyway, Rox said.

“Sunrise and sunset are the twomost popular times,” he said. “The sun-rise is absolutely majestic.”

Weddings are held every month butDecember and January, and discountsare offered for midweek ceremonies, hesaid.

Making it workRichardson-Hall cautioned that un-

usual venues have their own challenges.Elderly guests teetering on high heelsmight not appreciate walking through amuddy field or a stretch of sand to getto a wedding ceremony, she said.

“If you want to get married on top ofa mountain, I’m fine with that,” she said.“But let’s look at the legwork.”

When couples come to her with out-of-the-ordinary wedding ideas, she oftenruns through some of the logistics withthem, and asks them “what it is they re-ally want.”

Often, the bride and groom simplywant their wedding to feel personal, be-lieving it represents who they are as acouple.

Her advice: “Find the place thatspeaks to who you are. If you’re not abungee-jumper, don’t do that just be-cause you saw it on television.”

Richardson-Hall tells of one weddingshe particularly liked, which took placeon Halloween night at a Veterans of For-eign Wars hall near Glen Burnie.

“I wasn’t impressed with the hall, butI liked the field,” she said. “Because itwas Halloween, they wanted people tocome dressed in costume.”

The bride dressed as Beauty and thegroom went as The Beast, and they heldthe wedding ceremony in the field, justas the sun was setting.

“The grass in the field was prettyhigh, and there was something aboutthem coming through the field that was

awesome, it was almost like somethingout of a fairy tale,” she said.

Other popular venues include theWalters Art Museum, the Baltimore Mu-seum of Art and the Reginald F. LewisMuseum of Maryland African AmericanHistory & Culture. Museums typicallyrequire additional insurance and secu-rity, and call for creativity with the ta-bles, which may be placed around theexhibit halls.

“It can work, but people have to berealistic,” she said.

A win-win?Venues such as the aquarium, which

saw a drop in corporate event bookingswith the economic downturn, have

started to market their spaces specifi-cally for weddings.

“We are actively seeking weddings be-cause of the economy,” said Paula Katz,director of tourism and events sales atthe National Aquarium, which now holdsbetween 25 and 50 weddings a year.

Some couples choose the aquariumbecause it has special meaning to them,she said. “We have people who had theirfirst date here, we have people whowere proposed to here.”

The space is large enough that cou-ples can personalize their ceremoniesand reception, tying the knot in front ofthe dolphin exhibit, for example.

“We have people who customize andget married in front of different ex-

hibits. We’re non-traditional and I thinka lot of our brides are untraditional.”

“They actually have their system downpat,” said Davison, who noted that foodwas provided by Classic Catering, andfewer decorations were necessary be-cause there was no need to detract fromtanks and displays filled with marine life.

Davison shared that her own wed-ding, held on a Sunday evening in themiddle of Labor Day weekend, was farfrom private.

“We got married outside, which waslovely, but it was a nice day and a lot ofpeople were around,” she said.

Still, she has no regrets about gettingmarried at the aquarium: “It was some-thing different.”

Unusual >> For the big day, find the place that speaks to who you truly areContinued from 3


Because of beach rules, Ocean City weddings can’t be held between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., which is when the beach is the most crowded anyway. Sunrise and sunset are the two most populartimes. Rox Weddings & Events coordinates weddings there every month but December and January, and discounts are offered for midweek ceremonies.

COURTESY SEAN ROX WEDDINGS & EVENTS

Jennifer and Scott Davison exchanged vows Sept. 5, 2010, under a chuppah outside of the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

RUSSELL COSNER FOR FREED PHOTOGRAPHY INC.


Ask the experts: Top spots for the big dayBY GINA GALLUCCI-WHITE


ith settings like

the Chesapeake

Bay, many histori-

cal museums and

award-winning, upscale ho-

tels, Maryland boasts many

great sites in which to swap

vows.

“You have everything you coulddream of here,” said Julie Brown-Ed-wards, marketing director of Party-space Baltimore, a website designed tohelp couples with their wedding needs,including a calendar with site availabil-ity for local venues. Many factors go into picking a

venue, and the process can be daunting.Sites can have everything at their facil-ity, including chairs, linens, a catererand a florist, while others will just beempty, awaiting a transformation prettymuch from scratch. “Making a list of what you don’t

want makes you figure out what youwant,” Brown-Edwards said.

She offered several tips to considerwhen choosing a location: First, cou-ples should try to tour venues on daysthey already are set up for events. If thatis not an option, ask to see photographsfrom previous events. Before signingany contract, couples should know ex-actly what is included. Are chairs, tablesand linens included in the facilityrental? Is the price quoted today goingto be what is charged in a year and ahalf? What is the cancellation policy?“Expect good, clean communica-

tion. There should be no surprises,”Brown-Edwards said. “Anything dis-cussed should be outlined in a docu-ment.”Looking for an open date on a Satur-

day in May or October can get tricky.Those are the most popular months inwhich to get married, and spots are

booked about 16 months in advance. “There is a lot to be said for getting

married on a Friday or Sunday to get abetter deal,” she said. The last twoweeks in December and the remainingwinter months are the slowest time ofyear for wedding venues, Brown-Ed-wards said. The number of guests who will at-

tend plays a key role in what venue is fi-nally selected. There is limitedavailability at certain venues for partieswith 150 or more guests, she said. Outdoor settings can be a beautiful

backdrop for nuptials, but couplesshould be prepared if rain, snow orfierce wind try to dampen the day.“Anything that has risk, you should

have a backup plan you are 100 percentcomfortable with,” Brown-Edwardssaid.

The Daily Record asks regional tastemakers to name their favorite wedding venues

Baltimore

W

Central Maryland

ThorpeWood

Baltimore Museum of IndustryFILE PHOTO

�When first speaking with brides-to-be in central Maryland, The Organized

Bride owner Tara Franklin asks several questions before discussing which ven-ues would be the best suited for them. “They need to know what they want,”she said. “How do they envision their day?”Franklin’s top picks:• Ceresville Mansion8529 Liberty Road, Frederick301-694-5111; www.ceresville.comThe mansion, nestled beside the Monocacy River, dates back to 1888. With

high-quality service and a grand ballroom that seats up to 200 guests, everyonewill feel as though they are attending a royal wedding, Franklin said.• Stone Manor Country Club5820 Carroll Boyer Road, Middletown301-371-0099; www.stonemanorcountryclub.comWith its own vineyard on more than 110 acres, the facility offers a country

setting just minutes from Frederick. The grounds of the 18th-century manoroffer multiple photo opportunities, including at a pond and a gazebo. • ThorpeWood12805-A Mink Farm Road, Thurmont301-271-2823; www.thorpewood.comA rustic yet elegant venue that nature lovers would adore is in the Catoctin

Mountains. • The Antrim 184430 Trevanion Road, Taneytown410-756-6812; www.antrim1844.comThe Antrim provides the feel of a destination wedding without having to

leave the area. A cozy bed-and-breakfast is part of this restored 1844 mansion,which features several settings in which to get married, including a rose gardenor beside a running stream outside. • Strong Mansion7901 Comus Road, Dickerson301-869-7846; www.sugarloafmd.com/strong_mansion.htmlAside from its gorgeous mountain setting, the facility allows couples to use

their own caterer, which can provide significant savings.

�Blake Goldsmith of Extraordinary Events in Baltimore suggests couples hire

a wedding planner to help them organize their big day and find the perfectvenue to reflect their tastes and create a memorable experience. Goldsmith’s top city picks:• Cylburn Arboretum4915 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore410-396-0180; www.cylburnassociation.org/Couples will find Old World elegance inside the city park, which features a

Victorian mansion surrounded by native and rare trees and wildflowers. • Inn at The Colannade Baltimore, A Doubletree Hotel4 W. University Parkway, Baltimore410-235-5400Located across from Johns Hopkins University, the hotel has excellent valet

parking and a very accommodating general manager, Goldsmith said. • Baltimore Country Club4712 Club Road, Baltimore410-889-4400; www.bcc1898.comThis inspiring setting boasts high ceilings and is large enough to accommo-

date a big guest list. • Baltimore Museum of Industry1415 Key Highway, Baltimore410-727-4808; www.thebmi.orgThe venue offers an excellent view of the Inner Harbor, eclectic art as back-

drop, and free, on-site parking.• USS Constellation, Inner Harbor, Baltimore410-539-1797, ext. 432; www.historicships.org/private_parties.htmlWith one of the best views of sunset in the area, the vessel offers a unique

on-the-water experience for couples and their guests. Couples may also havetheir choice of caterers.


Western Maryland

Annapolis

Eastern Shore

Washington County Museum of Fine Arts

Historic London Town and Gardens

Kirkland Manor

�A venue will take up the largest amount of your wedding budget, said Jodi

Columbo of Beyond Ordinary LLC Hagerstown. Couples should not waste timevisiting venues that are out of their price range or do not fit their style.Her top picks:• Cortland Mansion19411 Cortland Drive, Hagerstown301-766-0303; www.cortlandmansion.comWith a modern yet homey feel, the site offers ceremonies on its patio with a

large reception hall inside.• The Clarion Hotel and Hager Hall Conference Center901 Dual Highway, Hagerstown301-733-5100; www.clarionhagerstown.comWith several areas available for weddings, including a grand ballroom that

seats 600, the site also has lodging accommodations so guests can stay on-siteafter the reception.• Washington County Museum of Fine Arts100 W. Antietam St., Hagerstown301-739-5727; www.wcmfa.orgLocated inside a city park, the museum has a renovated glass atrium that is

a fabulous spot for ceremonies.• Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort16701 Lakeview Road Northeast, Flintstone 301-784-8500; www.rockygapresort.comA hidden gem tucked away off I-68, the lodge is nestled beside a large lake

and picturesque mountains.

�Know for certain the number of guests you plan on having before looking for

a venue, said Raquel Shutt, owner of Wedding Savvy Inc. in Annapolis. • The Westin Annapolis100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis410-972-4300; www.westinannapolis.comLocated in a quiet part of downtown, the hotel is a great value considering

the excellent quality of service and food, Shutt said.• Annapolis Yacht Club2 Compromise St., Annapolis410-263-9279; www.annapolisyc.comCouples will be well taken care of from start to finish at this site, which fea-

tures arrivals and departures by boat, Shutt said.• Historic London Town and Gardens839 Londontown Road, Edgewater410-222-1919, ext. 203; www.historiclondontown.comThis venue, which overlooks the South River, offers a lovely experience for

guests while allowing couples to create whatever experience they want.• The Officers’ and Faculty Club at the U.S. Naval Academy2 Truxtun Road, Annapolis410-293-2897; www.usna.edu/NAFPRODV/OClubWhile available only to current or retired military, the venue offers unparal-

leled food and service, Shutt said. The venue is within walking distance of thereception hall and offers a unique experience for guests.• The Bistro South River3451 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater410-798-5865; www.bistrosr.comThis gorgeous, quiet location has undergone renovations and an expansion

in the past several years, Shutt said.

�

2 the 9s Events owner Elizabeth Bainbridge, who is from the Eastern Shore,said she advises couples to seek out venues with existing inventory such as ta-bles or chairs included in the rental. “This will help cut their equipment rental cost and setup a bit,” she said. Bainbridge’s favorite venues:• Kirkland Manor300 N. Talbot St., St. Michaels410-745-5255; www.tidewaterwedding.comOverlooking the Miles River, the Kirkland Manor is the epitome of an Eastern

Shore special event venue, Bainbridge said. Whether your celebration is on thesweeping lawn or inside, your wedding party and you arrive via boat at the newlyrenovated boathouse; accommodates up to 400 guests.• The Tidewater Inn101 E. Dover St., Easton410-822-1300; www.tidewaterinn.comThis destination seamlessly threads together modern style with historic

charm. With 98 guest rooms, all if not a majority of the couple’s guests can stayin the same hotel.• The Inn at Perry Cabin308 Watkins Lane, St. Michaels410-745-2200; www.perrycabin.comA picturesque and unique location featuring award-winning cuisine, a full-

service spa, and panoramic views of the water just a short distance from St.Michaels.• The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum213 N. Talbot St., St. Michaels410-745-2916; www.cbmm.orgThe location is stunning and has the quintessential Eastern Shore view, Bain-

bridge said.• Bartlett Pear Inn28 S. Harrison St., Easton410-770-3300; www.bartlettpearinn.comA quaint, yet stylish bed-and-breakfast — the perfect spot for an intimate

wedding of up to 50 people, Bainbridge said. The food is created with fresh andlocal ingredients and unique touches. The service is impeccable — friendly yetefficient, but not rushed.

Washington County Museum of Fine Arts

Historic London Town and Gardens

Kirkland Manor


There’s more thanjust cutting the cakeBY NANCY LUSE


bride and groom stand-ing with their backs to achurch altar and smilingfor the camera will be apart of a photo album “aslong as there are moth-

ers,” said Brian Ray, but he and otherprofessional photographers also seeroom for them to run in ocean waves orromp through a playground — scenar-ios that show who they are as a couple.

Ray, owner of Brian Ray Studios inAnnapolis, said he always shoots wed-dings in a photojournalistic style, tellinga story of the day with his pictures.

“They expect that you’re going to bevery creative,” he said.

Kelly Hahn Johnson, owner of KellyHahn Photography in Sharpsburg, isalso all about the story. A former news-paper shooter, she has been photo-graphing weddings for 20 years. Just asshe went into journalism “to tell peo-ple’s stories and make a difference,telling the story of a wedding is equallyimportant.”

Johnson said that years ago, stan-dard photos were much more posed.

“It was a stop-look-and-smile-while-you’re-cutting-the-cake kind of situa-tion,” she said.

Today, she describes herself as“being a fly on the wall,” where she maybe getting a shot of a father and daugh-ter having a special moment before hewalks her down the aisle, or Grandmaout shaking a leg on the dance floor.

That is not to say there are no posedmoments. Johnson said she likes totake the couple and set up dramaticshots: for example, when one couplewas married at a hotel in the Inner Har-bor, she directed them outside for ashoot on the waterfront before the re-ception wound down: Baltimore’s sky-line created a more dramatic andexciting photo.

Ray recalled staging a photo of abride coming down a sliding board.“These are more playful shots, he said.

Catron Turner, who with husbandJermaine owns and operates JPix Wed-dings in Fort Washington, said anothernew twist in the industry “is makingphotos look old. It gives a soft, romanticquality to them.”

Also, rather than glossy prints, theyproduce textured photos that also addto a romantic look.

Turner said newer cameras andtechnology allow her to shoot video inaddition to stills, and “we can captureall the special, emotional moments” as

A good photographer is probably the most important wedding expense

A

COURTESY BRIAN RAY STUDIOS

COURTESY BRIAN RAY STUDIOS See photography 8


Have realistic expectations.Your wedding is not a photo shoot. Photo shoots are photographic

events that take weeks of careful planning to execute beautiful photogra-phy. Your wedding is a celebration of your union to someone else. Whendocumenting your wedding via photography, have realistic expectationsabout your photos.

Do your homework.You do get what you pay for, which is why it is critical to hire a professional

so that difficult situations (lighting, angles, etc.) can be handled to their max-imum potential.

Ask for references.Always ask to look through several entire wedding shoots at a similar or

the same venue when interviewing a photographer. Ask for email references,and actually get responses. Any photographer can show a handful of reallygood shots out of a thousand taken during a wedding. A client should see con-sistent high quality on nearly every image.

Get to know your photographer.Meet your photographer(s) beforehand. Grab a beer, do an engagement

shoot, or whatever so that you get to know each other. They are the only ven-dor with you from the beginning to the end.

Advice from Brian Ray of Brian Ray Studios

Brides: Remember these photo tips

COURTESY BRIAN RAY STUDIOSCOURTESY BRIAN RAY STUDIOS

opposed to a video that just runs onand on. Video snippets usually are in-terspersed with a slide show of stillphotos, all tied together with back-ground music that is meaningful to thecouple.

Turner, who has been in the weddingbusiness for seven years, said the oldwives’ tale of bad luck if the bride andgroom see each other before the cere-mony is being ignored, with some cou-ples doing what she calls “the firstmeet.”

Johnson said she also uses that tech-nique, referring to it as “the reveal.” Ba-sically, photos of the wedding party aretaken ahead of the “I-dos” so that not alot of time is taken up with photos be-

tween the ceremony and reception.“All photographers probably prefer

it,” Turner said. But more than that,“Couples want to get to their party.”

Engagement sessions also are a pop-ular feature today and the photogra-phers said it’s a good way to get to knowthe couple better before the big day.

“You can see what’s their best side,the way they smile and how they inter-act as a couple,” Turner said.

Johnson believes it’s a good time tobring out what’s important or unique tothe couple. For instance, some of theengagement pictures she shot in a citypark included the couple dressed inhospital scrubs because both are in themedical profession. Ray said he hasshot engagement photos at meaningful

places such as where the couple hadtheir first date.

Wedding venues vary from tradi-tional houses of worship to hotel ball-rooms, the beach or a terrace. Althoughshe is willing to shoot anywhere,Turner said her least favorite places aredim social halls or places that are cater-ing to multiple ceremonies so thateverything is rushed. Sometimes ven-ues change at the last minute, so shemust always be prepared for that. Sherecalled an outdoor wedding thatquickly was brought inside when a hur-ricane swept through.

“That’s when you really need to getcreative,” Turner said. “How do you usethat four feet of space, that hallway?Can you get a nice shot with that silvery

wallpaper behind them? You have to seewhat normal people don’t always see.”

At the risk of self-promotion, allthree photographers stressed the impor-tance of hiring a professional.

“I’m not saying ‘Hire me,’” Turnersaid, “but don’t ask your uncle to do it.If you can have one less rose [and hirea professional], it’s worth it.”

Johnson said of course, as “with any-thing you have a budget,” but she tellsher clients that there are few tangibleitems after a wedding that are moremeaningful than a collection of photo-graphs.

She always views her role as a “hugeresponsibility. This day will not comeagain and you have to capture it so thatthey will have all those memories.”

Photography >> Couples and their photographers getting more creativeContinued from page 7

�


Couples can avoid big debt with these tips

BY NANCY LUSE


ust like many businesses,the world of weddings hasalso felt the effects of adown economy — “2010was horrible,” said Char-lene Libertini, owner ofYour Day, Your Way con-

sultants in Baltimore, but she and oth-ers are starting to see things improve.

Still, couples are searching for ways tostart their new life together without hav-ing bills trailing after them like cans andshoes tied to the back bumper of their caras they head for their honeymoon.

According to national industry ex-pert Shane McMurray of “The WeddingReport,” the average spent on weddingsin 2011 was $25,631, an amount peoplewould want to spend wisely.

At the risk of tooting their own horns,consultants agree that hiring someone tooversee the planning is a smart firstmove. Not only do consultants have theexperience of knowing which cornerscan be cut without cheapening the event,but they offer other advantages.

Carolyn Carr, owner of Black Tie &Diamond Affair in Frederick, said “If theplanner is a member of a professionalorganization, some vendors offer dis-counts to the clients of those planners.”Planners also are in a position to nego-tiate with vendors.

What do you need?While wedding planners are avail-

able to start right after the marriage pro-posal is accepted, Erik Lyles, of JustRight Event Planning in Crofton, saidthat if the couple is willing to do all thelegwork in the beginning, a planner canbe hired later to oversee things just onthe wedding day, or through the weekleading up to the ceremony. For thosetaking that route, Lyles recommendedattending the many bridal shows in thearea to see what’s available.

Libertini also is a fan of do-it-your-self: “I call them DIY brides,” she said ofwomen who might create the receptiontable centerpieces or design their own

wedding invitations.Lyles said a couple needs to have a

clear vision of how they want their spe-cial day and to set priorities, startingwith the guest list. “I had a bride with100 people and a budget of $4,500.” Inthis area, he said, that wasn’t going towork, so the client had to make toughdecisions.

There are other issues to ponder, theconsultants said: If having an unforget-table meal is important, spend themoney there and forgo an elaborate icesculpture. If you’re known for tearing upthe dance floor, hire the right band andoffer just beer and wine instead of an

open bar. Is your heart set on a designerwedding gown? Maybe the flowers willneed to be scaled back, but there aremany ways to make that happen.

“I’ll recommend that if they want tosave money on florists to go to a super-market where they do flowers,” Liber-tini said.

Carr suggested, too, that center-pieces be made without flowers, insteadusing candles or lanterns. She alsopointed out that flowers are more ex-pensive around Valentine’s Day, Easterand Mother’s Day, so avoiding thosetimes for the ceremony, as well as stick-

ing with flowers that are in season, cancut the bottom line.

When is the special day?The day of the week chosen for the

wedding also holds savings. “Try to avoid having your wedding

on a Saturday and choose a less popularday,” Carr said. “Check with the venueand they may offer you a great deal ifyou get married on a Sunday or maybeanother day of the week.”

Libertini, too, said she is seeingmore ceremonies held on Thursdaysand Fridays for that reason.

The consultants said their clients are

getting creative with finding great ven-ues with lower prices.

“I’ve had something as unique as anhistoric train station,” Lyles said. Healso said to ask whether the room rentalis included if a venue provides the food.

Carr advised cost-conscious couplesto “consider using parks, historic gar-dens, city halls and the like.”

Her list of ways to save includes ask-ing a dress vendor for a discount on thegown if you also buy the bridesmaiddresses there.

“The same goes for tuxedos. Someshops may offer a rent-five-and-get-one-free type of deal,” Carr said.

The bride also may want to considera dress from a consignment shop, orrenting a gown if she doesn’t have plansto keep and preserve it. Libertini recom-mended floor samples or a dress fromlast season.

“Instead of the normal wedding din-ner or buffet, have a wedding lunch orbrunch,” Carr said. “The menu itemsserved during that time will normally beless expensive.”

“Have your cake play double duty asa favor and a dessert,” she said.

Although Libertini is all about find-ing savings, one area in which she cau-tions against cost-cutting isphotography. “Someone will say theyhave a friend who is doing their pho-tos,” she said, and, unless that person isa professional, she makes her opinionknown. “They want to have good pic-tures of the day — that’s important.”

No matter if the bride is in a $99dress from a discount store, the groom’scousin baked the cake, or the flowerscame from the grocery store, “You canstill have a nice, elegant wedding,” Lib-ertini said. “I like to see all my brideshave a great wedding, whether it’s$5,000 or $60,000.”

Bride and groom cancut costs and still puton a smashing event

PHOTOS.COM

“I like to see all my brides have a great wedding, whether it’s $5,000 or $60,000.

Charlene LibertiniYour Day, Your Way

J


The following enhanced listings are paid advertisements.

�

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Casey Community Center offers a unique, warm and affordable atmospherefor any special occasion. The City of Gaithersburg includes a variety of publicfacilities in which to meet and hold activities as well as conduct the day-to-daybusiness of running the city. Some facilities serve strictly as office and publicmeeting space while others are available for rent for social events, athleticevents, business meetings and conferences.

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Martin’s Caterers6821 Dogwood RoadBaltimore, MD 21244410-944-9433www.martinscaterers.comcatering2u@martinscaterers.com

• Martin’s Caterers is the largest caterer in Maryland that has been catering eventsfor 48 years.

• Elegant ballrooms at one of our 6 locations, or we can cater to any off-premiselocation of your choice.

• We cater corporate events, luncheons, roasts, cocktail parties, fundraisers to beautiful wedding receptions.

• We offer inside and outdoor settings for ceremonies.• We invite you to experience the Martin’s Manner for your special event. • Magnificent facilities, exquisite food and world class service combine to createan unforgettable experience.

• Our talented chefs and staff will take care of all your needs. Martin’s West – Valley Mansion – Martin’s East – Crosswinds – Camelot – Westminster

Our Guarantee: “Quality and Service you’d expect at a price you wouldn’t.”

Reginald F. Lewis Museum of MarylandAfrican American History & Culture830 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD [email protected] www.AfricanAmericanCulture.org

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum is the ideal venue to host your special events. Fromsmall intimate dinner parties to business meetings to large-scale receptions andweddings, the museum offers a one-of-a-kind space for your gathering and our eventplanning staff is ready to assist with every detail from start to finish. Catering isprovided by the museum’s exclusive catering company, Class Act Catering Inc. byJim Britton. For more information on booking your next event, please contact CoriRamos, Sales & Special Events Manager.

N O M I N A T E O N L I N E www.TheDailyRecord.com

March 29, 2012honors individuals who have made a significant impact in their field and are influential leaders in MarylandWINNERS ANNOUNCED FEBRUARY 10

May 7, 2012honors 100 outstanding women for professionalaccomplishment dedication to community and mentoringNOMINATIONS CLOSE JANUARY 4

June 27, 2012recognizes the best and brightest under 30 who are already contributing to a new energy in Maryland NOMINATIONS CLOSE MARCH 8

August 22, 2012recognizes very important professionals who are 40 years old or younger for their professional accomplishments and community involvementNOMINATIONS CLOSE MAY 25

September 13, 2012honors talented business CEOs and nonprofit ExecutiveDirectors throughout our state who are admired for their leadership and professionalismNOMINATIONS CLOSE JUNE 13

October 24, 2012recognizes individuals and companies that have created aproduct, service or program that has had a positive effect on their business, industry or communityNOMINATIONS CLOSE JULY 19

November 15, 2012honors legal leaders who are making a significant impact on the profession and their community NOMINATIONS CLOSE AUGUST 13

December 6, 2012recognizes leading women 40 years old or younger for their professional accomplishments and commitment toinspiring changeNOMINATIONS CLOSE AUGUST 17

Meetings - Breakout Rooms - Fundraisers - Corporate EventsTrade Shows - Cocktail Parties - Luncheons - BanquetsBull & Oyster Roasts - Crab Feasts - Boxed Lunches

We offer:• Continental Breakfasts• Breaks• Seated and Buffet Breakfasts• Lite Fare Lunches• Seated and Buffet Luncheons• Seated and Buffet Dinners

~ Do you know we cater at your facility as well as one of our 6 locations ~

We invite you to experience the Martin’sManner for your special event. Magnificent

facilities, exquisite food and world classservice combine to create an unforgettable

experience for you and your guests.

~ Offering inside ceremonies at all locations ~We also have outdoor settings for ceremonies and receptions

Our Guarantee:Quality & Service you’d expect

at a price you wouldn’t

We know you’ve heard the name Martins....but have you ever thought of using us?

We make yourDreams come true

�Custom packages to

express your personality�

Your Ballroom couldbe yours for the entire day

410-944-9433

410-686-8500 410-876-1500

301-474-8500

410-666-1234 301-249-0411

*Mention this ad and receive a

15% discount

*Not applicable with otherdiscounts or previously

booked parties

www.martinscaterers.com

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