How to Get Married in Maryland to Start Your Next Chapter

If you've found yourself asking the question, "How to get married in Maryland," it's likely this state has captured your heart enough to inspire you to start the next chapter of your love story there. "Maryland really just gives you a range of different places and things you can do for weddings, which makes it really nice and has water, which can help facilitate waterfront weddings via the Chesapeake Bay," says Casey Carroll, Maryland wedding planner at Chesapeake Shore Weddings & Events.

To learn more about marriage in Maryland, we tapped Carroll, Taylor Belz, lead planner at Arrow Bella, Briana Dixon, owner and wedding planner at Nouvelle Weddings and Stephanie Piotrowski, owner and lead planner at Wild Love Collective. Read on for our step-by-step guide on how to tie the knot in Maryland.

In this article:

• How to Get a Marriage License in Maryland
• Notable Wedding Locations in Maryland
• How to Plan a Wedding in Maryland Step-by-Step

How to Get a Marriage License in Maryland

The process to acquire a Maryland marriage license is fairly straightforward. One of the most important things to note when it comes to obtaining a marriage license in MD is that you and your partner must do so at the county level and from the county within which you will be getting married. That means that you should have all of your essential wedding information solidified before heading to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office (Montgomery County and Baltimore County).

You should expect to present a valid form of identification, your Social Security number and other personal information, including your birth dates, address or addresses and signatures in addition to the appropriate payment to cover the fee, which can start at $35. Unlike some other states where both parties must be present to apply for a marriage license, only one party must be present to do the same in Maryland.

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It is important to remember that your Maryland wedding license will only be valid for six months. To avoid any issues, you must plan to secure your document in accordance with your predetermined wedding date.

As far as Maryland marriage laws go, minors are not permitted to obtain a marriage license and get married without a court order (if they are 17). Therefore, both parties must be 18 (or older) to do so.

Notable Wedding Locations in Maryland

From big cities to coastal towns, we've rounded up some noteworthy wedding locations and Maryland wedding venues where you can host your wedding and related festivities.

Baltimore

If hosting your wedding in the city where the hit movie Hairspray is set, consider Baltimore. In addition to its lively atmosphere, many couples tie the knot in Baltimore for its industrial and chic aesthetic. Some local Baltimore wedding venues include The Grand Baltimore, The Mt. Washington Tavern and The Center Club. As far as other vendors in Baltimore go, Belz and Piotrowski recommend Gatherings by Woodbury Kitchen and Baltimore Sound Entertainment.

Annapolis

Exchanging vows in the capital of Maryland is favored by many couples, and for good reason. "Annapolis is super cute, quaint and located right on the Chesapeake Bay," Carroll explains. "If you have any guests traveling from out of state, it provides people with an opportunity to explore a new place." Graduate Annapolis is a popular wedding venue in the city that provides an upscale celebration space for couples.

Saint Michaels

Carroll notes that Saint Michaels is a popular Maryland destination for tying the knot because of its nearness to the Chesapeake Bay. Depending on the venue selected, you may be able to exchange vows on the water (or pretty close to it). This town also houses some historic buildings and shops which any visiting guests can explore at their leisure. "Saint Michaels has many outdoor/waterfront venues where guests can stay for the weekend," Dixon adds.

Frederick

At just about a 20-minute drive from Washington, DC, many couples choose to exchange vows in this city for its proximity to the rich history and culture of the nation's capital with a smaller price tag. Some vendors to consider in Frederick include Ceresville Mansion and Visitation Hotel.

How to Plan a Wedding in Maryland Step-by-Step

Once you've decided whether you want one of Maryland's big cities or waterview towns to set the scene for your wedding day, you have laid the foundation for planning a wedding. However, there's still a lot more to be done, so we've compiled the steps to get married in Maryland to help you through some of the most important parts of your wedding planning process.

1. Set Your Budget

Setting a budget is the first step to executing the most successful Maryland wedding possible. To properly allocate the most accurate dollar amounts next to each component of your budget (some of which may include venue, attire, florals, catering and entertainment), we recommend looking at The Knot Budget Advisor. When you sign up for our free wedding budgeting platform, you'll be able to see how much real couples pay for various wedding elements and services in different areas. From there, you can work with your wedding planner to develop a plan of action and budget framework that best suits your needs and overall wedding vision.

2. Make a Note of the Weather

As is often the case in other states, especially those in the Mid-Atlantic region, the weather can be quite fickle. Maryland also experiences the four seasons and rain that can be capricious. "A tent is always a necessity if your venue does not have a rain plan as rain is very temperamental during the fall and spring season," Belz explains. That said, Carroll adds that the wedding season in Maryland is between April and October. It is important to note that you can expect the temperature to fall around 58–77°F during those months. Even with the generally comfortable temperatures during that time, Carroll emphasizes the importance of having a plan B.

3. Choose a Venue

One (if not the most important) step to getting married in Maryland is choosing and securing a venue. Although word-of-mouth recommendations can be helpful, researching venues yourself can provide you with direct insights needed to make your decision. The Knot Vendor Marketplace is an informational tool to search for venues in cities throughout the entire state of Maryland. Whether you're looking for an indoor venue, an outdoor venue or a hybrid venue, you can find options on the platform. "There are a variety of venues from barns in the countryside, to the beach on the coast, to industrial city scapes and everything in between," Piotrowski adds.

4. Leverage the State's Scenery

The Chesapeake Bay is what attracts many couples to exchange vows in Maryland. When looking for venues, especially those near the bay, you'll want to pay special attention to ways you can leverage the space to optimize your views, whether that be with floor-to-ceiling windows or keeping your celebration outside. As a result of the state's beautiful scenery, Carroll notes that many couples opt to have outdoor tented weddings during which both the ceremony and reception take place outside to provide guests with beautiful views.

5. Consider Transportation

If you decide on a wedding venue in one of the state's larger cities, it is recommended to have some sort of transportation arranged and available for your guests. "One should plan to use a wedding transportation service since the majority of venues located in the cities don't have their own parking lots," Belz explains. Fortunately, Maryland is home to many limousine and other local wedding transportation companies, including American Limousines, which Piotrowski recommends. If you want your guests to have more privacy when traveling, renting cars can be another viable option, especially if you plan on hosting your wedding in a more rural area, Piotrowski notes.

6. Add Vendors

As far as hiring local vendors for your wedding, use The Knot Vendor Marketplace. What makes Maryland vendors different from other states is that many vendors in the state center their services around the fact that the bay is a highlight for many couples. Some local vendors Piotrowski recommends include Copper Kitchen and Something Vintage Rentals. One of the great things about hiring local vendors is that you can use them to help you successfully execute your festivities while supporting the local economy. To select which vendors will work best for your specific wedding vision, reading reviews and filtering by budget is key—luckily, that can all be done on The Knot Vendor Marketplace with a few quick clicks of the filter buttons.