If you want a celebration that focuses on family, meaningful conversation, and a strong sense of community, an intimate wedding could be the perfect setting. These small wedding venues in Maryland are especially lovely for couples who want the relaxed pace of the Chesapeake Bay just a short distance from Washington DC. Whether you want waterfront views or a countryside escape, you can find the ideal venues for your intimate celebration here.

Antrim 1844

Taneytown, MD

Set on a 24-acre storied estate, Antrim 1844 feels like stepping into another era. Built in 1844 and thoughtfully restored, this venue is renowned for its cuisine, upscale accommodations, and refined atmosphere. The formal English Tea Rose Gardens feature over 80 rose varieties and a bronze fountain at the center, creating a picturesque ceremony setting. Afterward, I love the idea of a cocktail hour inside the mansion’s drawing room, where 14-foot ceilings, ornate crown molding, marble mantels, and historic artwork set the scene.  Receptions can continue in the glass-enclosed pavilion, allowing the evening to feel connected to the grounds just beyond.

Features of Antrim 1844

• Accommodates up to 250 guests
• Formal English gardens
• High ceilings
• Indoor and outdoor space
• On-site accommodations
• In-house catering service
• Much of the estate is not wheelchair accessible with the exception of 3 ADA-compliant rooms and the Smokehouse Restaurant

Woodend Sanctuary

Chevy Chase, MD

For couples who are drawn to nature and want a purpose-driven celebration, Woodend Sanctuary offers 40 acres of meadows, forests, and native gardens just outside DC. As the headquarters of Nature Forward, a nonprofit founded in 1897 to promote nature conservation, hosting your wedding here directly supports environmental education and advocacy. Ceremonies can be held in the Grove beneath towering trees or on the South Lawn with the Georgian Revival mansion as your backdrop. Designed by John Russel Pop, the architect of the Jefferson Memorial, the home’s symmetry and proportions photograph beautifully. Cocktail hour on the lawn or portico allows guests to mingle in the fresh air before moving indoors for the reception. 

Features of the Woodend Sanctuary

• Accommodates up to 120 people
• 40 acres of meadows, forest, and gardens
• Georgian-revivial architectural style
• Indoor and outdoor space
• Accessible parking is available, and the first floor of the mansion is wheelchair accessible

Strathmore Mansion

North Bethesda, MD

Built in 1899 and set on a hill surrounded by centuries-old trees, Strathmore Mansion offers an intimate yet stately setting with exclusive use of the historic home and its grounds. The marble entryway, oak finishes, and brass fixtures create a warm, classic interior that feels elegant and welcoming. Ceremonies on the front lawn are especially picturesque, followed by a cocktail hour on the portico as the sun begins to set. Guests can then transition inside, where the mansion’s historic rooms provide a richly textured backdrop for dinner and dancing.

Features of the Strathmore Mansion

• Accommodates up to 100 guests
• Mansion setting
• Set on a hill
• Indoor and outdoor space
• Wheelchair accessible

The Liriodendron Mansion

Bel Air, MD

This mansion carries a quiet grandeur that feels deeply rooted in Maryland’s historic character. Built in 1898 and named after the American tulip tree, the Liriodendron Mansion was originally the home of Dr. Howard A. Kelly, a founding physician of the Johns Hopkins Medical School and Hospital. The Georgian Revival mansion is framed by a stucco facade and arches of twisting ivy that immediately set a romantic tone. I especially love the front lawn for ceremonies, where the historic architecture creates a stately yet welcoming backdrop. From there, guests can transition to the ivy-clad terrace for cocktail hour before moving inside for an intimate reception in the chandelier-lit dining room.

Features of the Liriodendron Mansion

• Accommodates up to 120 guests
• Dedicated dressing suites
• List of approved caterers
• Indoor and outdoor spaces
• Within Heavenly Waters Park
• Ivy-covered terrace for cocktail hour or reception 

Historic London Town & Gardens

Edgewater, MD

For a serene waterfront setting steeped in history, Historic London Town & Gardens spans 23 acres along the South River and dates back to 1683. The grounds feel like a peaceful escape from the modern world, with lush gardens blooming year-round and sweeping views of the water. Ceremony options include the ornamental gardens, a lawn overlooking the river, or the waterfront pavilion. The William Brown House, built in the 1760s, serves as a beautifully preserved focal point for a national historic landmark. With expansive lawns for a cocktail hour and even the possibilities of arriving or departing by boat from the pier, the experience feels both romantic and memorable.

Features of the Historic London Town & Gardens

• Accommodates up to 200 guests
• Waterfront 
• Dedicated dressing suites
• Indoor and outdoor ceremony options

Belvedere & Co Events

Baltimore, MD 

Once known as the “Crown Jewel of Baltimore,” this 1903 landmark began as a grand hotel for society’s most notable guests. Today, it’s been thoughtfully restored into an opulent full-service venue. With eight distinct spaces available for ceremonies and receptions, couples can design a celebration that is layered, seamless, and entirely their own. For intimate celebrations, you’ll love the John Eager Howard Ballroom. The hand-painted mural, jewel-toned silk drapery, original stone fireplace, and glittering chandeliers create a setting that feels equal parts regal and romantic. 

Features of the Belvedere & Co Events

• Accommodates up to 290 guests
• Indoor ceremony and reception spaces 
• Historic ballroom setting
• Event coordinator included
• In-house catering
• Metropolitan location

Ready for an intimate affair at one of these small wedding venues in Maryland?

These venues offer a space for a celebration that is grounded in connection, history, and natural beauty. As a Maryland wedding photographer, I love documenting the quiet, meaningful moments that unfold in these intimate settings.

If one of these venues feels like the right fit, get in touch. I’d be honored to help you envision and document your celebration.