First things first. Decide on a reception site for your wedding.

I began by searching for reception locations.  I have never been one of those women/girls that has every detail of her wedding planned out by the time I was 10.  I never really thought I would get married.  So my search began online.  I knew I didn't want to go too far out of town and I knew my budget.  After my research, I made some decisions as to what I wanted.  I decided I wanted a garden wedding.  I identified 4 potential locations:

• Brookside Gardens in Silver Spring, Maryland
• Linganore Winecellars in Mount Airy, Maryland 
• Shade Trees and Evergreens in Frederick, Maryland
• Ceresville Mansion in Frederick, Maryland 

I was able to eliminate different locations based on their specific rules and my specific requirements.  The Brookside Gardens location did not allow red wine nor alcohol.  My fiance quickly nixed that location.  I eliminated Linganore Winecellar simply because it didn't have the garden that I was looking for.  Shade Trees and Evergreens was stunning.  It had a beautiful garden and lake.  I loved this location.  I visited the Ceresville Mansion  the same day as the Shade Trees and Evergreens location.  I was torn.  The Ceresville Mansion had a beautiful ballroom and gardens and a pond.  The shade trees and evergreens location had a beautiful antique greenhouse which served as the reception site.  They built a small building where the bride can get ready.  I eventually decided on the Ceresville Mansion because it had everything I wanted.  The Ceresville Mansion had the garden, but they had the indoor ballroom just in case of rain.  In retrospect I feel I made the correct decision.  The staff at the Ceresville Mansion were awesome.  These people know what they are doing.  My wedding was spectacular because of their guidance and help.