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Weddings

About

Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a beach event venue located in Annapolis, Maryland, featuring the Merrill Center. Right on the beach, couples couldn’t have any more of a stunning backdrop for their wedding. Nestled amongst nature and stunning water views, the Merrill Center offers impeccable indoor and outdoor wedding spaces for couples to wed at.


Facilities and Capacity
This lovely venue can accommodate up to 200 guests. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, a cozy tented wooden deck overlooking the water and the beach, couples and guests are sure to have a wonderful time. With elegant and enchanting décor, clients will have the ideal space to customize for their ceremony and reception.

Services Offered
Chesapeake Bay Foundation offers a wedding manager to help assist you with your wedding, from catering to florists to photographers. Our Venue offer the following services:

  • Private Beach
  • Boat Access / Dock
  • Bridal suite
  • Exclusive venue use
  • Tables
  • Permanent Tent with Fans and Lighting
  • Outside vendor
  • Pet friendly
  • Preferred caterers only
illustration popular

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$8,250

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$6,500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

No

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Parking
Tables

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

4

Describe your venue:

Banquet Hall
Beach
Marina
Waterfront

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Pet Friendly
Wifi

What bar services do you provide?

Outside Alcohol

What event items are available?

Decor
Tables
Tents
Tent Accessories

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
December

Reviews of Chesapeake Bay Foundation

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
4.8 out of 5 rating
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2024 Winner
4.8 out of 5 rating
100 reviews
96% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.7 out of 5 rating
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

Powered by AI

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is highly praised by multiple reviewers for its stunning waterfront location, beautiful views, and eco-friendly mission. Shannon, the coordinator, receives glowing reviews for her professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail. Guests appreciate the venue's versatility for different wedding spaces and beautiful photo backdrops. Reviewers also mention the affordability, ease of working with vendors, ample parking, and flexibility in case of inclement weather. Overall, CBF is recommended for couples looking for a beautiful, unique, and meaningful wedding venue supporting a good cause.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is highly praised by multiple reviewers for its stunning waterfront location, beautiful views, and eco-friendly mission. Shannon, the coordinator, receives glowing reviews for her professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail. Guests appreciate the venue's versatility for different wedding spaces and beautiful photo backdrops. Reviewers also mention the affordability, ease of working with vendors, ample parking, and flexibility in case of inclement weather. Overall, CBF is recommended for couples looking for a beautiful, unique, and meaningful wedding venue supporting a good cause.

Brendan McLaughlin
Brendan M. Sent on 09/19/2024
5 out of 5 rating

An absolute treasure on the coast!

We felt so lucky to have our wedding celebration and reception at CBF! working with Shannon was such a breeze -- she's professional, kind, friendly and was very responsive! The venue is absolutely beautiful, has plenty of different spaces to have your ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. They also provided alot of decor items that were in great condition (and def made our lives easier)! I will also say, we looked at pricing for about 10 venues and this was by far the most affordable. We couldn't have asked for a better venue and team to work with. Thank you, CBF!
Geena
Geena Sent on 10/17/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Book Your Wedding at CBF

From start to finish our experience having our wedding at CBF was fantastic! Shannon was extremely helpful, responsive, and knowledgeable about the venue and all of our questions. She also provided a list of preferred vendors which simplified some of our vendor options. The venue itself is so unique and versatile and an added bonus that you're also helping the environment. The beach, grassy areas, and dock provide multiple beautiful photo backdrops and the deck area was great for dancing. Overall, if we could do it all again we would continue to pick CBF and would recommend it to all couples!
S
Sfin Sent on 08/31/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Dream Wedding by the Bay

Our wedding in August at CBF was a dream. The minute we walked onto the property, we knew it was the venue for us. The beach, the trees, the bay, the environmental mission - it's beautiful, spacious, and unique. We were blessed with perfect weather, which was an added bonus! Our guests having been raving about the venue and the experience and we are so grateful to have started our marriage here. Shannon Wright was a fabulous coordinator and made the process so easy. Thank you to Shannon and CBF!

Professional Network & Endorsements

3 Endorsements
The Gateway Florist The Gateway Florist Wedding Florists

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's location is like no other . . . A MUST SEE for your wedding or event.

Main & Market Main & Market Wedding Caterers

Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a beautiful venue to host a wedding!

The Cake Faerie The Cake Faerie Wedding Cakes

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a beautiful location for a wedding with their indoor and outdoor venue. The staff there are wonderful to work with. You are in good hands and will be well taken care of on your wedding day.

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Map

Chesapeake Bay Foundation frequently asked questions

Chesapeake Bay Foundation includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Parking
  • Tables
The space offered by Chesapeake Bay Foundation for wedding events is known for:
  • Banquet Hall
  • Beach
  • Marina
  • Waterfront
Chesapeake Bay Foundation offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Chesapeake Bay Foundation offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Chesapeake Bay Foundation offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wifi
Chesapeake Bay Foundation offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Decor
  • Tables
  • Tents
  • Tent Accessories
Chesapeake Bay Foundation is recommended by 96% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.8 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.9 in quality of service, 4.9 in professionalism, 4.8 in average response time, 4.7 in flexibility and 4.7 in value.

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