For your wedding venue, how about one of the most famous libraries in the world?

Baltimore’s George Peabody Library is a one-of-a-kind, you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it space that has been dazzling visitors for nearly 150 years. 

The library was a gift to the city from financier and philanthropist George Peabody, who moved to Baltimore in 1816 and wanted to give something back. This wasn’t Peabody’s only generous gift — he also established the Peabody Trust, which is still providing housing and community programs in London. He founded museums, schools, and funds for the poor. 

Photo by Dani Leigh Photography

In fact, Peabody’s generosity resulted in the honorific, the “father of modern philanthropy.” He influenced rich industrialists like Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and Bill Gates to follow in his footsteps when it came to the disposal of their own fortunes. 

Designed by architect Edmund G. Lind, the library opened in 1878, and it’s been a jewel in the fabric of Baltimore ever since. 

A George Peabody Library wedding takes place in the famous Reading Room, lined by 300,000 volumes of books. Intricate wrought-iron railings sparkle with gold leaf as they stretch between six stories of cast-iron columns. A skylight spans the width of the atrium, flooding the room with light during the day. 

Photo by Dani Leigh Photography

The open space can be draped with string lights for weddings, giving the room a romantic glow. After the ceremony, you and your guests can adjourn to the adjoining Exhibit Gallery for cocktail hour while the Reading Room is turned over for the reception. The Exhibit Gallery features rotating collections throughout the year, and it can be set up with cocktail tables for easy snacking on appetizers. 

The Exhibit Gallery stays open throughout the evening, so guests can sneak away for a quiet moment. But no red wine allowed in here! Guests will just have to switch to champagne when they move to the Exhibit Gallery. This is also a great place to tuck the cake table or the guest book to keep it out of the way. 

Photo by Dani Leigh Photography

Back in the Reading Room for the reception, there’s space to seat 200 guests with no dance floor, or 170 with a dance floor. As the sun creeps away from the massive skylight, the string lights and wall sconces will catch the gold leaf in the railings, making the entire room glow. 

A George Peabody Library wedding rental includes tables and chairs, a venue manager, and a security guard to protect this historic venue! 

The library has a limited list of exclusive caterers to choose from: Charles Levine Caterers, The Classic Catering People, and Occasions Caterers. These are three of the top-rated caterers in Baltimore, so you can trust that they’ll all serve your guests well.

And if you’re planning a Peabody Library wedding, or if you’re getting married at any of our other favorite Baltimore wedding venues, we’d love to chat. We’re booking micro weddings, minimonies, and full-sized weddings for the upcoming season.

Header photo by Dani Leigh Photography