CREATIVE DINING OPTIONS

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Whether you are getting married for the first time or you have a little past experience, planning a wedding is a whirlwind of seeking out just the right place, the right way and the right everything to begin your new life together.
The dress...
the ceremony...
the reception...
the rehearsal dinner???

Yes, your wedding rehearsal dinner is a very special time—a mini wedding reception that offers you the opportunity to gather together with family and close friends before this commotion of the actual wedding reception. Often, those invited to the rehearsal dinner are limited to members of the bride and groom’s immediate families, along with those participating in the wedding ceremony. It is a time to say thanks, to share thoughts and to devote your attention to those who are closest to you. The location for your rehearsal dinner, then, should echo that level of intimacy.

When selecting the perfect spot for your rehearsal dinner, it is important to consider location, atmosphere and experience, and whether they will combine to make the occasion truly special.

Is the location of the restaurant or facility appealing to those who will be attending? Is the atmosphere private—conducive to intimacy and romance? Does the facility have the experience to provide you with full service and lavish attention so you can truly relax and enjoy your guests?

Once you have chosen the location, consider adding elements that will make your rehearsal dinner unique. Thank you gifts to the members of your wedding party are customarily placed on the tables, as are personal decorations or keepsakes that complement the wedding’s theme. Some couples choose to pay tribute to their families on the big screen by showing slide shows or Power Point presentations of childhood photographs, while others choose to show videos or home movies of their parents’ weddings. The idea is to keep your evening personal—and personalized. Locations that specialize in rehearsal dinners will be glad to help you incorporate special touches to make your evening one-of-a-kind.

Your rehearsal dinner is as much a part of your wedding festivities as your reception. Wherever you hold it, be sure to cherish this personal time with family and friends before your wedding—there are exceptional moments to be shared...and memories to be made.

Café Zeus

Café Zeus provides a contemporary atmosphere with a Neo Mediterranean menu. A large dining room is connected to the bar and window lit front room by a beautiful courtyard. They accommodate private affairs for up to 200 people and have the largest private courtyard in Rehoboth Beach. A varied menu and fabulous continental food with flair by award winning chefs; served in a divine atmosphere make Café Zeus, which also houses the Argus Lounge, a unique and exciting choice to host your rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions. Off-premise catering also provided. 302-226-0400.

Castle in the Sand Hotel

Offering an incredible oceanfront location on 37th Street in Ocean City for the island wedding of your dreams. Catering to small to mid-size weddings. Let our professional wedding consultant work with you to plan the perfect wedding on the beach and reception in our tropical outside restaurant or cozy banquet rooms. Call 1-800-552-7263 and visit our website www.castleinthesand.com. From rooms to roses, we’ll take care of it all!

Coconut Malorie

The perfect place for the perfect day. Start out your new life together with our newly renovated reception room. Our facility is perfect for your wedding reception, rehearsal dinner and bridal luncheon. We offer the areas most affordable wedding receptions. Make your wedding dreams come true at the Coconut Malorie Resort located on 59th St. Bayside in Ocean City, Maryland. 1-800-767-6060 www.coconutmalorie.com

Harrison Group Properties

Harrison’s Harbor Watch is renowned for its elegant and scenic wedding receptions. Its glass-walled private room, on the second floor of the restaurant, overlooks the ocean, the bay and Assateague Island. It gives a realistic illusion of being on a cruise ship. Many a bride and groom have had their wedding in Ocean City, but only Harrison’s Harbor Watch has been featured on The Learning Channel’s “A Wedding Story.” With seafood fresh from the docks to your table, the cuisine can become simple Eastern Shore fare or the chef can prepare eclectic specialties that will boggle your imagination with tempting delights. The Harbor Watch can accommodate up to 300 people.

Harrison Group Properties

If your wedding fantasy includes a lavish reception hall in an Oceanfront Resort, the Ballroom at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront is the perfect choice. Imagine exchanging vows by the splendor of the sea, followed by cocktails by our tropical pool and gardens. Then, as the sun begins to set, you’ll ascend to our ballroom for an elegant dinner reception. Your wedding cake can also be designed by our renowned pastry chef. The Holiday Inn Oceanfront Ballroom can accommodate up to 350 people.

If it is the small, intimate, gathering style of wedding reception that has you intrigued, our Sterling Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar is the place where memories are made in Ocean City. With seating for up to 70 guests, you will enjoy your own private dining room with elevated seating for the guest of honor. With elegant, yet comfortable, dinners with up to five delectable courses, Reflections Restaurant can make even the most discerning wedding dreams come true. For a sales kit or a personal meeting with the catering manager, Heidi O’Donnell, call 410-723-1463 to make an appointment. Check out their web site at www.ocmdhotels.com.

Lewes’ Lighthouse

No matter what you’re celebrating, let Lewes’ Lighthouse celebrate with you. From simple and fun BBQ’s and Crab Feasts to lavish sit-downs and table side service, we’ll help make it amazing, beautiful and memorable, just like you’ve always imagined. On or off-premise, let Lewes’ Lighthouse host the event of your dreams. For info call 302-645-6271 or visit www.lighthouselewes.com

Lighthouse Sound

Lighthouse Sound’s beautiful setting overlooking the Assawoman Bay and Ocean City’s skyline is perfect for engagement parties, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, receptions, weddings or after wedding brunch. Choose the elegant dining rooms or plan an outdoor event with a backdrop of manicured greens and fairways along a glistening bay. Expect impeccable service and exceptional cuisine at Lighthouse Sound. Call 410-352-5767, 888-554-4557, or visit the website at www.lighthousesound.com ¥ Off Rt. 90, One mile West of Ocean City. Open Year Round.

Occasionally Yours

Start your new life together and cherish those memorable moments at Occasionally Yours Banquet Hall, located just minutes from Ocean City, Maryland. Simply elegant and yet affordable, Occasionally Yours offers ceremonies right on site with our beautiful outside garden gazebo or indoor arbor. Continue your special day with your reception in our lovely banquet hall. Choose your caterer or ours, additional services available, warm, friendly service ¥ Rt. 589 Berlin MD 410-208-1900

Phillips By the Sea

As part of the famous family of seafood restaurants, Phillips By the Sea Restaurant and Beach Plaza Hotel is the essence of elegance. With a Victorian atmosphere and a Boardwalk location, it’s the perfect spot for a wonderful wedding reception. An award-winning menu, amazing service and an oceanfront view ... what more could you want? Just ask for Michael Root, Event Specialist. He’s more than willing to go the extra mile to help with the coordination of everything from the cake, the entertainment and menu or even finding someone to conduct the ceremony on the beach. Call him today to reserve your wedding date or visit their website at www.phillipsseafood.com for more information. Trust your special day to the tradition of Phillips By the Sea. 13th Street & the Boardwalk, Ocean City, MD ¥ 410-289-9121.

Ruddertown

Congratulations on your wedding. Have you always dreamed of a romantic beach wedding? A champagne toast at sunset? A picture perfect setting overlooking the water? Well, you’ve found it . . .Our professionals are here to assist you in planning the wedding of your dreams. We have five locations; The Baycenter, Crabbers Cove, northbeach, Venus on the Half Shell and Sunnyside Room all overlooking the beautiful Rehoboth Bay and each is uniquely designed to accommodated events from 50 to 400 guests. Whether you choose a formal affair, an authentic beach-style party, a quaint private gathering or a catered event at the destination of your choice we can make it happen! Put your dreams into action, Call Juli Mills, Wedding Coordinator ¥ 302-227-3888.

The Den at Bear Trap Dunes

The Den at Bear Trap Dunes is the Quiet Resort’s premier banquet facility. The Den at Bear Trap Dunes is a full service bar and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. We specialize in catering events both small and large, and offer the area’s most picturesque setting for wedding receptions. You must experience firsthand our breathtaking golf course views from our magnificent Dunes Room banquet facility. 302-537-5600

The Heritage Inn and Golf Club

The ballroom at The Heritage Inn offers everything you could need for your wedding day or special event. Gazebo, waterfall and connecting patio area, surround sound system, LCD projector with 141” drop down screen, capacity for 170. Catering on site. Three diamond hotel with bridal suite available. Rt. 1 & Postal Lane, Rehoboth Beach, DE ¥ 800-669-9399 ¥ www.rehobothheritage.com

The Shark Restaurant

Opening Spring 2006 - Tropical Rooftop Deck. This bayfront treasure boasts a dazzling menu with a breathtaking view. A variety of options are available for private party planning. Consider this restaurant for weddings, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers or groomsmen activities. The Shark is proud to complement its highly recommended menu with a spectacular wine and champagne selection. A unique dining experience—guaranteed every visit. Off season dates are preferred for weddings and private functions, but all dates are considered. 46th St., Bayside ¥ 410-723-1221, www.ocshark.com Open Year Round