Both are beautiful locations, but I say go with the first. The cons of going with #2 are a lot more serious. I wouldn't worry about the dance floor thing at all TBH. It sounds like if everything goes perfect, you'd prefer #1 anyway. Good luck!
@Lyndzo: The biggest con with the first is if it rains, the entire draw of the first place will be completely ruined (except the date). The inside isn't nearly as nice, as far as we can tell =\
@yanamari: Is there any way to get on a waiting list to get the date you want at #2? I worry that if you get the later date it will be cold and look like a fall wedding.
I picked too mainly because I think going with venue one is rolling the dice, and I also heard of people who got burn when they had one budget then they raise the prices after the reno so look at your contract closely if you go with them to make sure you can lock in the prices quoted
It sounds to me like there are more pros with the second venue and if it has a good plan for bad weather it will be ok if the weather is colder than you would like!
If these are your only two options, then without a doubt #2. I do think you should keep looking so you could get the date you want, though.
No Bay Bridge, better reception venue, and better pricing (all inclusive is huge! This area is so expensive for rentals!) are all huge factors. Don't worry about the photos- good photographers can make a parking lot look glamourous. Parking in a gravel lot is also no big deal at all- honestly, can you remember the parking lot at any wedding you've ever been to? If you really wanted beach photos, you could also take bridal portraits on the beach or rent a minibus for your bridal party and get some photos during cocktail hour.
I voted two, we looked at a venue while it was still under construction and half of the things they told us never came to fruition (including a really cool pergola on the rooftop) so I'm suspicious about renovations.
I voted 2. While 1 could be fantastic, it’s a big gamble. All the things you love about 1 could be done away with by the renovations. If you did chose 1, I would make sure your contract outlines no price increases and that you have a really good grasp of everything the renovations will do. Finally, the dance floor would throw me: there isn’t a good way around that formatting.
2, while it has its fair share of cons, it’s all thing that you can work around and live with. You can change the setting of the pictures if you want sunset, although I think just having the lighting and the colors in the sky will be enough. No one will mind the parking lot either. Plus, their willingness to work with you and be flexible is BIG. I obviously don’t know much about fall by you, but here (CT), leaves don’t REALLY start changing until mid-October. A little color can be a pretty without being "fall-like."
Well if it is only between these 2 options I say go with #2, celebrations. I think the ballroom there is beautiful. But from a fellow Marylander, have you looked into other venues? There are so many waterfront venues here, if that is what you are going for. You might be able to get all the things on your wishlist.
@Jshedrick84: we looked everywhere! Waterfront is what we want. We really wanted ocean, but no luck. Harrington on the Bay was awesome, except the service seemed to suck, they seemed to lack a coordinator, and there's basically nowhere for the girls and I to change. I live an hour away. But we loved the tropical feel.
We didn't see anywhere else that seemed that nice that would have a nice waterfront view ceremony location. I saw one or two places... like a marina, which we didn't want, and then a few places where it's just grass and water. But then we'd pay even more because it'd be a la carte. Any suggestions? =/
@Lyndzo: oh I never thought of a waiting list... thank you! Yeah the fall look is definitely a big concern =/
I think i prefer venue 2!
murphys law is is you choose no.1 then youll get stuck with the less attractive inside due to rain.
Also all inclusive is a big factor. I think once you start adding up extra linen costs and lighting venue 1 will get more expensive
You could always have a photoshoot by the beach after? like a trash the dress without trashing the dress
Based on photos alone, I think Venue 2 is way more gorgeous.
But if it were me, I'd just want the ocean view, and I don't care as much if I get a beach or not. It's still gorgeous over the water. As a guest I would PREFER the deck on venue 2, and I think the inside space is GORGEOUS!
I don't know your budget, but did you look into Chesapeake bay beach club, Harbourtowne, or Historic Londontowne? There's also The Oaks, but I think that's a little more expensive.
Anyway, good luck with your search. If you do pick venue 2, (celebrations) and get married in September, I don't think you will have to worry too much about it looking like fall- that doesn't usually happen until at least october.
Based on the photos #2!! Then reading what you said about no rain back up for #1 I definitely say #2!
I think you should go with #2. I'm more worried about the renovations with #1 than the weather. Renos have a tendencey to last longer than expected and not go as planned. So you might end up with something awesome or you might end up with caution tape and orange cones everywhere. Also, #2 seems to have a better coordinator. This is HUGE. You want someone who is going to work with you and help you. You don't want someone who is going to nickle and dime you for everything and you don't want it to be like pulling teeth.
Something else to consider: which do you think your guests will like better?
@Lyndzo: What date are you looking at getting married? Perhaps check weather history and weigh up your options.
PICK THE ONE WITH THE RAIN BACKUP!
I wanted an outdoor wedding, and did as @FauxBoho: suggested to find a date that had almost zero history of rain. Thank god we had a a rain backup anyways, because it POURED. And not the pretty, umbrella and we'll get through it rain, either - it was cats and dogs, sky opening up type stuff. There would have been no salvaging the day if not for the backup.
The second venue is lovely, and trust me, you need a backup!
Yep, we've checked rain history. It's total hit and miss. September is a rainy month around here -_- of course. haha
I think we'll end up with the second one... I just found out that venue 1's dance floor can be moved anywhere... but I AM still concerned about the rain. I think we might make a second trip there just to check it out again now, because the issue with the dates is such a hassle at this point. Our last options are September 12th and 26th, basically. Blah. Unless we do September 25th, which is okay except it's a Wednesday and I think it'd piss people off =\
@yanamari: in that case you should definitely go with the one with the good rain plan.
Tough choice but I voted for #2. I think you could still have a beautiful wedding there with really nice photos.
I picked #2. You need a good rain back up plan! And #2 is beautiful!
I picked 2 but that is because I am partial to that and that was my second choice for a venue.
I actually looked at both of those venues as well! they are absolutley gorgeous! If you want a sunset wedding and a back up for rain check out Chesapeake Bay beach club. I hope you get the wedding of your dreams=)
For other bees out there looking at Silver Swan Bayside, please be advised that the planned renovation is NOT happening! We were sold on the idea of higher ceilings, better curb appeal, and a lack of (somewhat awkward) columns throughout the dining area. For what it's worth, I was informed that the renovation was delayed for a year (starting in November 2013, which will not help me for my September wedding) by an attachment to a "Season's Greetings" e-mail...
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We have them at the same price, unless I note otherwise.
The pros/cons list is VERY important. AND venue 1 will be renovated, so we don't really know what the inside will be like, plus it'll have an awesome rooftop pavilion that I'm psyched about
Venue one:
Pros:
Gorgeous sunset wedding and photos directly overlooking waterTiny beach for photosBoat marina (on Chesapeake Bay)Rooftop pavilionWe'd have the date we wanted! Free valet parking Rock pier (forget what they're actually called) for photosOverall, better photos (I asked a photographer who's been at both)
Cons:
The dance floor is in a really weird location. It's like around a corner, really out of the way. We're not big dancers, but it seems strange and it'd probably mess up first-dance things.
The inside isn't nearly as nice (where the reception will be) and we'd have to pay more for nice lighting (which is what we want) and maybe a service charge as well
If it rains, the backup plan is meh because the inside is pretty boring. Basically the main allures, sunset photos, rooftop pavillion, outside photos, outside ceremony, would be ruined. However, they're going to renovate. There's no pictures yet, but she said there will be 16ft ceilings... so we don't REALLY know how the inside will look yet... but probably not as nice as the other place.
The service of the coordinator seems not quite as good or as inclusive as the other place... like we're afraid she might charge us for things that we haven't come across yet. She said additional lighting, she might have to bring people in to do it. We're not sure. She's had tons of experience though.
Anything but white linens will cost extra ($20 a table cloth, and like 80 cents a napkin or something), and we want different colors most likely
Rooftop pavillion and renovation pictures aren't available yet
Will have to spend $50 each to do a food tasting (we haven't yet... there's a free open house with appetizers and stuff though that we haven't been to yet)
Location is over the Bay bridge, so you have to spend $4 to get there and traffic will probably suck because it's a weeknight wedding
Silver Swan Bayside, Stevensville MD
Here are some photos:
Venue 2:
Pros:
Rain-backup is very good, because inside has a ginormous window overlooking water, so it's still pretty
We get all the free lighting we want, really. And it'll be at night, so lighting will be important
Interior already comes with great lighting options (rows of white lights across, huge cathedral ceiling, and uplights against the ceiling with our choice of colors)
Everything is very inclusive. Choice of many color linens, plates, sheguarantees all set up ("leave detailed directions with us the night before and we'll take care of it") at no extra charge
Free chocolate covered strawberries for everyone :D
The person I've been working with has been extemely friendly and accomodating, and we were able to attend a free open house where the food was very good
There's a nice pier for pictures, a small gazebo, and white lights in trees
Location is on this side, and about 15 mins from my fiance's house (nobody would have to pay the bridge fee or deal with bridge traffic, and it's close to my fiance, whereas the other is about an hour away from both of us)
Cons:
There's no legit sunset, because it's on this side of the Bay. We'll have the colors of the sunset, but no real sunset shots
We can't get the date we want anymore =( It's difficult and we might get pushed to late September, where we are afraid the trees will be turning and it might be cold, which would be bad (We do NOT want a fall-looking wedding and this is a big concern)
No awesome rooftop pavillion
No beach
Pictures won't be as nice
Parking is a big, average gravel lot
Celebrations at the Bay, Pasadena, MD