Mary Bell Photography
Blackwall Barn & Lodge
Oftentimes, the decision of where to host a rehearsal dinner hinges on facts and figures: the size of the space, the number of guests, the ceremony location. While these details are important, they’re not the only starting point for planning your night-before affair. Our preferred approach is experience-driven; start with the vibe and settle the logistics later. For this guide, we rounded up five of our favorite Anne Arundel venues and categorized them according to personality style, to ensure you throw a rehearsal dinner that feels less like a requirement and more like the highly-anticipated event of the year.
For the Foodies
Mary Bell Photography
Blackwall Barn & Lodge
Let’s admit the obvious: a lot of people complain about food at weddings. And who can blame them when the standard is lukewarm chicken in a mystery sauce or uninspired salmon alongside blue (as in the emotion) vegetables? Fortunately, the Blackwall Barn & Lodge, the shiny new restaurant and event space from restaurateur James King, is serving up seasonal, farm-to-table fare we really want to eat. With vaulted, chandelier-studded ceilings, private cabanas, and exposed wood accents that would satisfy the ubiquitous Joanna Gaines, the Blackwall setting is just as desirable as the cuisine.
Caterer: Main & Market
Crab chimichangas, strawberry crostini, chicken salad pate a choux… We haven’t even made it past Main & Market’s hors d’oeuvre menu and we’re already drooling. Dinner is a grand dilemma: Do you pick apple-and-sage stuffed pork loin or filet mignon with a tarragon béarnaise sauce? Six pages of delectable options is gluttony, but we’re not really complaining. Bring on the whoopie pies and the donut muffins! Main & Market caters for many locations, including Federal House’s Annapolitan Room, which seats 50 guests.
For the Creatives
Annie Velenovsky Photography
Prism
DIY-ers, lend an ear: Prism is your blank canvas. With its white walls, fun murals and ample natural light, this downtown Annapolis venue is styled shoot mecca. Photogs love it for its versatility, artists love it for its rotating gallery, and we love it for its atmosphere of chill. Prime example: Prism allows potlucks! Rentals include seating and tables for 50, although you are welcome to provide your own.
For the Party People
Hamilton Photography
Pusser’s Caribbean Grille / Annapolis Waterfront Hotel
When a restaurant is named after a brand of rum, you know it’s going to be a good time. The Pusser’s Painkillers are flowing, the waterfront is bouncing, and your guests are congregating around the street taco station. Who knew you could be the “hostess with the mostest” and the blushing bride? The Harbor View Room fits up to 70 and features a fireplace, bar, and built-in bookshelves, perfect for displaying all those embarrassing photos of your beau that your in-laws have been collecting for ages.
For the History Lovers
Ogle Hall
If grandfather clocks and Persian rugs make you giddy, this Georgian-style mansion is your celebratory spot. Built in 1739 for a prominent surgeon, Ogle Hall has since been home to three governors. Legend has it that George Washington dined here in 1773 and Lafayette was so taken with its ballroom that he declared it the most beautiful in America. Although the property is now owned by the Naval Academy Alumni Association, anyone is able to rent Ogle Hall for a private event. Besides the ballroom, which seats 40, there are two smaller rooms which can be set with bars or tables for 30, and a private courtyard that accommodates 140.
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Wendy Hickok Photography
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