2015-03-23

Woman Getting Married
Woman Getting Married - Unique ideas for wedding venues, wedding decorations, wedding dresses, and more!

17 E. Mt Vernon Place,

Baltimore, MD 21202

443-840-9585

View their website

Average Base Cost: $33,000

Average base cost for a George Peabody Library wedding is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list for a 5-hour Saturday ceremony and reception using $150/pp for your food/beverage cost. Entertainment, flowers, additional decorations and rentals, DJ, wedding coordinator, and photography are not included. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand. Gratuity and tax is included.

*Prices subject to change

How it breaks down:

Facility Rental Fee:  The George Peabody Library is available for rental after 8 pm Tuesday through Thursday, Fridays after 6 pm, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays anytime. The fee breaks down as follows:

Based on a 4-hour rental

Saturdays $7,500

Sundays $6,000

Fridays $6,000

Fri-Sun, Jan-Feb $5,000

Monday-Thursday $4,000

Extra Hour Fee $1,000

Ceremony Fee $1,000*

*(Only available when booking a reception).

**Johns Hopkins Full Time Employee/Student or Alumni may receive Special Rates on Saturday rentals.



A ceremony setup in the Stack Room. Photo by Sam Hurd Photography

What’s Included: Rental includes one library manager, at least one staff worker and one security guard as well as tables and chairs.

Important Note: Candles and open flame, balloons, birdseed, potted plants, smoking, bubbles, sparklers, beer kegs, drinking of shots are not allowed. Amplified music in the Exhibit Gallery is also prohibited.

Food/Beverage: You can choose from either The Classic Catering People and Chef’s Expressions caterers for all food/beverage. On average you can expect catering costs at this venue to run you between $140 to $180/per person for the menu, full bar, china, glass and silverware, service personnel and linens.

Vendors: All vendors must be approved by the Private Events Office.



Photo by Sarah Murray Photography

More Stats:

Space Type: Inside

Size: The library will accommodate 200 seated guests and 400 standing. With a dance floor, the space will accommodate up to 170 seated.

Bridal Suite: Yes, this room is available for one hour prior to your wedding.

Parking: Valet parking is suggest, however you would have to arrange your own.

How Will Grandma Get There? The George Peabody Library is centrally located in Mount Vernon, which is just to the North of downtown Baltimore. There are several hotels within easy walking distance (or cab) from the venue, including The Wyndham Baltimore and The Biltmore Suites.

Party On! All events must end at or before midnight.



The Exhibition Gallery. Photo by Sachs Photography

The Report:

The George Peabody Library (which is located within the Peabody Institute of Music, and was formerly known as the Library of the Peabody Institute of the City of Baltimore) first opened in 1878. Designed by Baltimore architect Edmund G. Lind, the Peabody Stack Room has five tiers of ornamental cast-iron balconies that go up over 61 feet to a skylight. The non-circulating library (which is part of the Sheridan Libraries Special Collections at Johns Hopkins University) has over 300,000 titles in their collection and is open to the public. In addition to the Peabody Stack Room (where most ceremonies and receptions take place) there is also an Exhibition Gallery featuring pieces from the Johns Hopkins Libraries’ collections that is often used for a cocktail hour.

Woman Getting Married Says:

If you’re a Baltimore bride with a larger budget looking for a classic wedding venue that is sure to “Wow,” this is a definite consideration. While the restrictions listed above can get annoying (as can a bit of a far walk to the restrooms, as brides have reported), those are all worth overlooking once you see how gorgeous the reception space is. One thing I would HIGHLY recommend is taking your wedding photos BEFORE the ceremony, since your caterer will have very little time flipping the Stacks room for the reception if you have your ceremony there. If you love the venue but it’s out of your price range, I would consider having a Friday evening wedding there and also speaking with the approved caterers about your budget and what they might be able to work with. It’s always worth a try!

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The George Peabody Library
Woman Getting Married.

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