January 06, 1991|By DONNA PEREMES
OREGON RIDGE LODGE, 13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, 887-1818. Contact: Sandy Trimble. Reserve a year in advance. No bookings for July or August. Accommodates 256 seated, 450 standing. Cost: $600 for four hours Fridays to Sundays; $400 Mondays to Thursdays. Must bring in a licensed Baltimore County caterer. With 80 percent of the park's 1,000-plus acres wooded, the lodge is a perfect choice for lovers of the outdoors. Features include a rustic room with large windows, a fireplace, a stage area for a band or disc jockey, and a spacious kitchen.
OVERHILL'S MANSION, 916 S. Rolling Road, Catonsville, 744-0040. Contact: Nancy White. Accommodates 200 seated. Available every day. Cost for hall Fridays and Sundays $600, Saturdays $700, with catering extra. Catering by White House caterers only. No smoking allowed. This Victorian mansion, nestled on 30 acres of land dotted with maples, oaks, dogwoods, and a Japanese maple in front, was built in 1897 and renovated in 1989. The main ballroom offers hardwood floors, fireplaces (non-working), cream-colored walls, chandeliers and brass accents. A covered porch and veranda complete the scene.
OVERLEA, 6809 Belair Road, 668-6060. Reserve as early as possible. The Crystal Room accommodates 300 seated, the Coach Room, 200 seated. In-house catering only. Package plans or custom menus available. Cost varies. The Crystal Room features contemporary decor with modern lighting, mirrored walls and a tile dance floor. Couples planning a small wedding might opt for the more intimate Coach Room, which features a mirrored ceiling and wooden floor. Both rooms are decorated in tones of burgundy and antique rose. Chesley Place, formerly the Overlea North and located at 6908 Belair Road, is an option for those looking for an even smaller, more intimate atmosphere, with seated accommodations stopping at 160. It is decorated in a formal, Victorian style, in shades of mauve and gray. Other features include a tile dance floor and private parking.
PEABODY COURT, 612 Cathedral St., 727-7101. Contact: Janet Brewer, catering sales coordinator. Reserve as early as possible. Accommodates 150 seated, 250 standing. Available daily. In-house catering only. Cost: $25 to $100 per person. This hotel boasts nine banquet rooms, which may be joined or separated as necessary. Highlights include period furniture, antiques, marble floors, hand-loomed carpets and original art, as well as a Steinway piano, moire curtains and European damask linens. The Conservatory, a restaurant on the roof of the hotel, and Peabody's bistro on the first floor, are also available for receptions.
PENNSYLVANIA STATION, 1501 N. Charles St., (202) 906-2157. Contact: JoAnne Oakes. Reserve as far in advance as possible. Accommodates 200 seated, 400 standing. Available Saturdays only from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Cost from $1,500, with an increase planned shortly in the future at press time. Rental requires a $2 million liability insurance policy, which may be attached as a rider to an existing policy. The train station, opened in 1911 and renovated in 1983, was designed in the beaux-arts classical style. Three leaded, stained-glass domes distinguish the main hall, and Doric fluted columns and solid oak benches adorn the room.
RADISSON PLAZA LORD BALTIMORE, 20 W. Baltimore St., 539-8400. Reserve nine months to a year in advance. The Calvert Ballroom accommodates 450 seated, and 1,200 standing; the Versailles Ballroom holds 150, with dancing, 110. In-house catering only. No charge for room rentals with catering. The palatial Versailles Room features gilted carved borders, a 23-foot ceiling, Lalique and Waterford chandeliers, beveled mirrors and arched windows. Occupying the second floor is the renovated and restored Calvert Ballroom. The balconies on three sides of the room are ideal for bouquet-throwing or for a string quartet to entertain guests. The Calvert Ballroom features murals of Baltimore from the 1850s, a balcony, 24-foot ceilings and arched windows.
THE RECTORY, 24. W. Saratoga St., 685-2886. Contact: Whitney Forsyth. Reserve up to a year in advance. Accommodates 55 seated, up to 100 buffet. With courtyard in nice weather, or with a tent, accommodates 80 for a seated affair, 150 for a buffet reception. Cost: Monday through Thursday, for seven hours, $500; Friday, Saturday and Sunday $700 for seven hours. Security deposit of $100. Available seven days a week.
The Rectory is a restored late Federal brick house with authentic 1820s interior. The first floor's library, central hall, dining room and parlor are available for receptions, with a bride's room on the second floor. A large maple tree graces the brick courtyard outside.
THE RICHLIN BALLROOM, 1700 Van Vibber Road, Edgewood(301) 679-1000. Reserve as early as possible. Accommodates up to 420 seated, 750 standing. Available daily. Catering by Richlin Food Corp. only. Cost: from $25.50 per person.
