Opinions needed please, went to look at the Aquarium in Baltimore about the wedding

pope1982 · 03-09-2008, 05:14 PM

Let me start out by saying both options I was shown are absolutely stunning and provide their own charms and a completely different experiences.

Option 1:
The dolphin viewing room. It is almost a sunken, underground room. Very intimate, romantic lighting and a large luminous blue dolphin tank. The lady said she wouldn't want to put us in front of the dolphins so we wouldn't have to "compete", I told her I loved the idea of getting married in front of them. It would only add to the beauty!
Reception area directly off, very nice. Cafeteria like area, tall and spacious. Sky lights and a staircase in the center with shops surrounding. She said the shops would be closed up and drawn in. Tables pushed together and draped with table cloths. Floor is sturdy, good for dancing.

Runs about $3,000. to rent these two adjoining areas for 4 hours, after 7pm (these hours are the same for each option).

Option 2:
Think up. The only way I can think to describe this area, is an outdoor cathedral feel. We would be in the center, surrounded by windows with views of the harbor at night. We would have to rent the chairs for this area...
The reception is a great idea. The guests are invited to walk the exhibits to the 4th floor where is is a long rectangular room surrounded by glass on three sides. Grey upholstered chairs would be put in here and round tables. The ceiling is lined with little round bulbs.

Runs around $3,200. to rent this option.

Catering, would have to be provided by them. At around $30 something dollars a head. Bar, an additional $20 something dollars (for wine and beer, never mind the hard stuff) would have to tip them, and pay state tax as well. But not to the facility itself, just the caterers.

Am I crazy, or do these prices sound reasonable? I was told that my sisters fiance's cousin recently paid $5,000. on hall rental alone!

The groom to be was unable to be there, so it was me and my mother in law to be. Our priest met me there, and I absolutely love him! He was so helpful and full of great ideas. Just as great in person as through emails... The Aquarium lady wanted a bunch of his cards since he was actually willing to marry us on sight.
I told her she better not dare to recommend him for March the first, 2009! I need to give this man his deposit to reserve the date on his calendar

The best part of all, the fiance' did not have heart failure when I quoted prices to him. Maybe he really did mean "whatever you want, as long as it makes you happy."!

03-09-2008, 05:32 PM

It's more than reasonable Becky! As soon as you say wedding everything cost more! I think the dolphin room sounds so unique!

03-09-2008, 05:37 PM

wow those prices seem great! especially compared to the prices i am seeing my friend pay. that's a super hard choice though to choose between the 2 rooms. i love dolphins and think it would be neat to watch them in the background but at the same time the other area sounds really nice. is there a website for the aquarium? share please

sounds like it is going to be a fun and beautiful wedding!

pope1982 · 03-09-2008, 06:02 PM

http://www.aqua.org/dining.html

This is the best I could come up with

I had my camera with me for a reason! It was just too hectic...

Pier 3 pavilion level 1, is where the wedding would take place in option 2. Although it didn't seem very much like an eating area to me

Pier 4 pavilion level 1 is the reception area of option one, right off the wedding area with the dolphins.

and Pier 3 pavilion level 4, is where the reception would be held in option 2, taking the scenic route through the exhibits on the way up. I did see a small food area in here, tucked in a corner.

I am leaning towards the first option so far... it is such a hard decision!

03-09-2008, 06:11 PM

it does sound hard, it is hard without good pics but the dolphins really sound special. good luck with whatever you decide.

03-09-2008, 06:14 PM

whatever you choose I am sure it is going to be beautiful! Where did you get the idea for the zoo? Thats a new one to me!

03-09-2008, 07:36 PM

I really like the dolphin idea because I've never heard of that before

Chandra Amaya · 03-10-2008, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwen

I really like the dolphin idea because I've never heard of that before

I agree and my oldest daughter now wants to come to your wedding. she has a dolphin room. You could even add a "beach like" theme to the reception and have maybe small tiki torches or something on each table or a small dophlin candle holder.

pope1982 · 03-10-2008, 08:46 AM

Kim, she didn't have a menu for 2009, she was going to let us look at sample menus. But like I said, far too hectic!

When she gets back from out of town and touches base with me, I will ask her to mail that, along with the pictures of the reception area she was going to show us made formal. I have a couple last minute questions I wanted to ask her so I am sure of what I am talking about here before anything is signed over a contract.

Janet, don't worry. I highly doubt there would be a divorce in our future. One of the many reasons why we have waited as long as we have (along with a strong financial foundation to start a family). It is a once in a lifetime experience so I got over the price when I heard it pretty fast...

So far, it looks like everyone is with me on preferring the dolphin room idea. Much easier with the two adjoining rooms and someone else pointed out I wouldn't be depending on what the weather was like outside.

I am still going to look into a few more places, just out of curiosity price wise, but I can't see anything topping those prices including four hours of dolphin entertainment! I wasn't planning on an evening wedding, but the more I think about it, I am getting fond of the idea!

Heather, that was one of my first questions lol (the photographer) first I asked if it would bother the dolphins, then I asked if the glare would be a problem

I believe they have special ways and equipment for shooting in aquariums
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00FocF

lol Chandra! I was the same way as a child

for center piece ideas, I still think I am going to stick with hand making the wide glass bowls, with three white floating candles and glass beads at the bottom.

pope1982 · 03-10-2008, 08:52 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ingcandles.jpg

03-10-2008, 09:49 AM

Ooh! That would be very pretty in the dolphin room!

Ponyup · 03-11-2008, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pope1982

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ingcandles.jpg

That was what I had at my wedding, but I wanted to put a beta in each bowl. But my caterer thought since I was having an outside wedding in august we might have dead beta's by the time the reception started, but since your's is inside it would work for you if you think it's cute.

pope1982 · 03-11-2008, 04:16 PM

Also a good idea pony

03-11-2008, 04:41 PM

wow it really looks like it is going to be beautiful pope! this is so exciting!

if you do the fish idea you can let some people bring them home as pets/gifts if you do any participation type games.

03-09-2008, 05:14 PM	#1
pope1982 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Baltimore Posts: 673	Opinions needed please, went to look at the Aquarium in Baltimore about the wedding Let me start out by saying both options I was shown are absolutely stunning and provide their own charms and a completely different experiences. Option 1: The dolphin viewing room. It is almost a sunken, underground room. Very intimate, romantic lighting and a large luminous blue dolphin tank. The lady said she wouldn't want to put us in front of the dolphins so we wouldn't have to "compete", I told her I loved the idea of getting married in front of them. It would only add to the beauty! Reception area directly off, very nice. Cafeteria like area, tall and spacious. Sky lights and a staircase in the center with shops surrounding. She said the shops would be closed up and drawn in. Tables pushed together and draped with table cloths. Floor is sturdy, good for dancing. Runs about $3,000. to rent these two adjoining areas for 4 hours, after 7pm (these hours are the same for each option). Option 2: Think up. The only way I can think to describe this area, is an outdoor cathedral feel. We would be in the center, surrounded by windows with views of the harbor at night. We would have to rent the chairs for this area... The reception is a great idea. The guests are invited to walk the exhibits to the 4th floor where is is a long rectangular room surrounded by glass on three sides. Grey upholstered chairs would be put in here and round tables. The ceiling is lined with little round bulbs. Runs around $3,200. to rent this option. Catering, would have to be provided by them. At around $30 something dollars a head. Bar, an additional $20 something dollars (for wine and beer, never mind the hard stuff) would have to tip them, and pay state tax as well. But not to the facility itself, just the caterers. Am I crazy, or do these prices sound reasonable? I was told that my sisters fiance's cousin recently paid $5,000. on hall rental alone! The groom to be was unable to be there, so it was me and my mother in law to be. Our priest met me there, and I absolutely love him! He was so helpful and full of great ideas. Just as great in person as through emails... The Aquarium lady wanted a bunch of his cards since he was actually willing to marry us on sight. I told her she better not dare to recommend him for March the first, 2009! I need to give this man his deposit to reserve the date on his calendar The best part of all, the fiance' did not have heart failure when I quoted prices to him. Maybe he really did mean "whatever you want, as long as it makes you happy."!

03-10-2008, 08:46 AM	#9
pope1982 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Baltimore Posts: 673	Kim, she didn't have a menu for 2009, she was going to let us look at sample menus. But like I said, far too hectic! When she gets back from out of town and touches base with me, I will ask her to mail that, along with the pictures of the reception area she was going to show us made formal. I have a couple last minute questions I wanted to ask her so I am sure of what I am talking about here before anything is signed over a contract. Janet, don't worry. I highly doubt there would be a divorce in our future. One of the many reasons why we have waited as long as we have (along with a strong financial foundation to start a family). It is a once in a lifetime experience so I got over the price when I heard it pretty fast... So far, it looks like everyone is with me on preferring the dolphin room idea. Much easier with the two adjoining rooms and someone else pointed out I wouldn't be depending on what the weather was like outside. I am still going to look into a few more places, just out of curiosity price wise, but I can't see anything topping those prices including four hours of dolphin entertainment! I wasn't planning on an evening wedding, but the more I think about it, I am getting fond of the idea! Heather, that was one of my first questions lol (the photographer) first I asked if it would bother the dolphins, then I asked if the glare would be a problem I believe they have special ways and equipment for shooting in aquariums http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00FocF lol Chandra! I was the same way as a child for center piece ideas, I still think I am going to stick with hand making the wide glass bowls, with three white floating candles and glass beads at the bottom. Last edited by pope1982; 03-10-2008 at 08:50 AM.

03-09-2008, 05:32 PM	#2
CoyoteQueen Guest Posts: n/a	It's more than reasonable Becky! As soon as you say wedding everything cost more! I think the dolphin room sounds so unique!

03-09-2008, 05:37 PM	#3
silkypup Guest Posts: n/a	wow those prices seem great! especially compared to the prices i am seeing my friend pay. that's a super hard choice though to choose between the 2 rooms. i love dolphins and think it would be neat to watch them in the background but at the same time the other area sounds really nice. is there a website for the aquarium? share please sounds like it is going to be a fun and beautiful wedding!

03-09-2008, 06:02 PM	#4
pope1982 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Baltimore Posts: 673	http://www.aqua.org/dining.html This is the best I could come up with I had my camera with me for a reason! It was just too hectic... Pier 3 pavilion level 1, is where the wedding would take place in option 2. Although it didn't seem very much like an eating area to me Pier 4 pavilion level 1 is the reception area of option one, right off the wedding area with the dolphins. and Pier 3 pavilion level 4, is where the reception would be held in option 2, taking the scenic route through the exhibits on the way up. I did see a small food area in here, tucked in a corner. I am leaning towards the first option so far... it is such a hard decision!

03-09-2008, 06:11 PM	#5
silkypup Guest Posts: n/a	it does sound hard, it is hard without good pics but the dolphins really sound special. good luck with whatever you decide.

03-09-2008, 06:14 PM	#6
CoyoteQueen Guest Posts: n/a	whatever you choose I am sure it is going to be beautiful! Where did you get the idea for the zoo? Thats a new one to me!

03-09-2008, 07:36 PM	#7
Gwen Guest Posts: n/a	I really like the dolphin idea because I've never heard of that before

03-10-2008, 08:52 AM	#10
pope1982 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Baltimore Posts: 673	http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ingcandles.jpg

03-10-2008, 09:49 AM	#11
HeatherMaran Guest Posts: n/a	Ooh! That would be very pretty in the dolphin room!

03-11-2008, 04:16 PM	#13
pope1982 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Baltimore Posts: 673	Also a good idea pony

03-11-2008, 04:41 PM	#14
silkypup Guest Posts: n/a	wow it really looks like it is going to be beautiful pope! this is so exciting! if you do the fish idea you can let some people bring them home as pets/gifts if you do any participation type games.

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