derryanddonnan

My husband is in a wedding this weekend in Annapolis (we live in Baltimore - 45 minute drive from our house). The ceremony is at 10AM and the reception is not until 4PM. (for those of you scratching your heads, believe me we've been doing the same thing, but I digress). My question here to you all is, what do we do in the meantime during the day - do hotels typically give day rates so we can have a place to crash at least for a couple of hours to change, shower, etc? He can't walk around Annapolis in a tux all day. Help!

travelgirl_67

Depending on occupancy, many hotels do offer day rates (usually 1/2 the nightly rate...sometimes a little higher). If there's a Navy game this weekend, you may not be able to get a day rate...but it's worth a try.

highflyer

In the same situation we paid $25 to use the 'spa' facilities where we were provided with towels. We had a quick dip in the pool,showered, changed and then hung out at the hotel lounge for a couple of hours. There's always the hotel bar/ restaurant or whatever... take a book!

derryanddonnan

That's a good call about the Navy game. Thankfully there's no game this weekend. I called the Marriott Waterfront who said we would need to try calling on Sat AM to see if they could offer us a day rate, depending on their occupancy.

aileen679

Check with the local YMCA. They will probably have the facilities and for a suitable "donation" be willing to allow the use of them. A large one would most likely have a pool and a place to just sit around and rest.

Anonymous

Why not just rent the room for the night of the reception? Then you can party without worrying about driving home, and you can leave your stuff in the room during the reception rather than having to pack it all up, schlep it out to the car, and check out when you're heading out to the reception. IMHO, unless it's a real budget-buster, it would be a good investment.

I've seen these AM-wedding, nighttime receiption arrangements before. Sometimes it's because that's when the desired venues were available, but other times the bride and groom are just doing it for their own convenience; plenty of time to have photos taken, etc. I've even heard of plans for a romantic, private brunch for the newlyweds so they can treasure the moment all by themselves. While their guests wander around Annapolis in their tuxes, or look for alternatives.

GoTravel

What usually happens with these is everyone gets together and goes out for a bite to eat or beer between the wedding and reception.

He will not be done with the wedding with photos and everything until close to noon. I would bet everyone will get together for lunch. By the time that is over, almost time for reception.

buttercup

The Catholic church does not normally allow weddings after about 2:00 pm on Saturdays, causing many of these split wedding/receptions. Agree with GoTravel, if your husband is in the wedding, you won't have a ton of time to kill. Everyone there will be in the same boat and will probably do something together.

GoTravel

buttercup, I'm not the OP but I agree with your post.

Anonymous

The reason most Catholic churches don't allow mid-afternoon or later weddings is that they have an afternoon Mass at 4 PM or so, and want to make sure that there's no rush or conflict with wedding's setup, reception line if held at the church, or taking down the pew decorations etc.

derryanddonnan

We've got brunch reservations after the ceremony (they've said it will be a quick one, not a full Mass). And I'm liking all of your suggestions, possibly the Marriott's workout/spa area can accommodate our needs, or if they do have a reasonable day rate available, that could work. We have a new puppy at home so staying overnite at a hotel isn't feasible right now. Need to get home Sat nite.

Thanks much for your feedback!

FainaAgain

Can't you do even better - find a hotel that rents by an hour?