Complete Wedding Guide
Getting Married in Delaware: Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about marriage licenses, requirements, costs, and planning your wedding in Delaware. Delaware may be the second-smallest state, but it packs a punch with beach resorts in Rehoboth, du Pont family estates in Wilmington, and tax-free shopping for wedding supplies.
Delaware is one of the most marriage-license-friendly states in the US, drawing couples from neighboring Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland who want a simpler process. The Brandywine Valley, anchored by the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, offers grand estate settings with Gilded Age architecture at competitive rates. Delaware's 24-hour waiting period is short, but it is worth scheduling your license appointment for the day before your ceremony to be safe.
Delaware Marriage License Requirements
Delaware raised the minimum marriage age to 18 with no exceptions, making it one of the strictest states on age requirements. The 24-hour waiting period can be waived by a judge.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Delaware?
Ordained or authorized ministers, rabbis, priests, and clergy. Judges and justices of the peace. Mayors of any city or town in Delaware can also officiate.
Wedding Costs in Delaware
Average Wedding Cost
$31,000
This includes venue, catering, photography, attire, and other typical wedding expenses in Delaware.
Average Guest Count
135
The typical Delaware wedding hosts 135 guests. Plan your seating, catering, and photo sharing accordingly.
Best Seasons
Spring, Summer, Fall
The most popular seasons to get married in Delaware. Book venues early during peak season.
Coastal Wedding Tips for Delaware
Secure your beach or waterfront permit early
Many coastal and beach ceremony sites in Delaware require permits from the county parks department, the National Park Service, or the state coastal commission. Permit availability is limited and often opens months in advance. Apply as soon as your date is confirmed.
Always plan a weather backup
Coastal weather in Delaware can shift quickly. Even if the forecast looks clear, have an indoor or tented backup venue confirmed before you send invitations. Many beachfront venues include a backup space in the contract.
Time the tide and the sun
For a beach ceremony, check both the tide table and the sunset time for your specific date. A low tide gives you more sand space, and a ceremony that ends 30 to 45 minutes before sunset positions you perfectly for golden-hour portraits with your photographer.
Protect your guests from wind and glare
Coastal ceremonies in Delaware frequently deal with ocean wind that disrupts officiant scripts and guests' comfort. Provide printed ceremony programs so guests can follow along, and orient seating so the sun is behind the couple rather than in guests' eyes.
Popular Wedding Regions in Delaware
Wilmington & Brandywine Valley
Historic du Pont estates, botanical gardens, and elegant ballrooms in the cultural heart of Delaware.
Delaware Beaches
Rehoboth, Dewey, and Bethany Beach offer laid-back coastal venues with boardwalk charm.
Dover & Central
The capital area features farmland venues, historic sites, and budget-friendly options.
Top Wedding Venues in Delaware
How to Get Married in Delaware: Step by Step
Apply for Your Marriage License
Visit the Clerk of the Peace in Delaware with your partner. Bring valid photo ID (driver's license or passport), proof of age, and the license fee of $75. Both partners must appear in person.
Wait 24 hours
After receiving your license, you must wait 24 hours before the ceremony. Your license is valid for 30 days after issuance, so plan your ceremony date within that window.
Choose Your Officiant
In Delaware, your wedding can be officiated by ordained or authorized ministers, rabbis, priests, and clergy. Make sure your officiant is properly authorized before the ceremony.
Hold Your Ceremony
Have your ceremony at your chosen Delaware venue. Delaware does not require witnesses, though many couples still choose to have them.
File Your Marriage Certificate
After the ceremony, your officiant will sign the marriage license and return it to the Clerk of the Peace. Once filed, you will receive your official marriage certificate. This is your legal proof of marriage.
Delaware Wedding Planning Tips
Delaware has no sales tax, which can save couples hundreds on decor and supplies
The Brandywine Valley venues share the border with Pennsylvania's Chester County for even more options
Beach town venues fill up fast for summer weekends so book early for June through August
Planning your Delaware wedding? Collect every guest photo.
Once you have your marriage license sorted, make sure every guest can share their photos and videos. With Pix Wedding, guests scan a QR code and instantly upload to your shared album. No app downloads. No hassle.
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Explore Delaware Wedding Venues
Browse our guide to the best wedding venues across Delaware.
Wedding Photo Sharing in Delaware
Learn how to collect every guest photo at your Delaware wedding.
What Makes Getting Married in Delaware Unique
Delaware is small but punches above its size on wedding venue prestige thanks to the Brandywine Valley du Pont family legacy. Hotel du Pont in downtown Wilmington, Winterthur, Longwood Gardens just over the Pennsylvania border, and Nemours Mansion deliver Gilded Age architecture and formal gardens at competitive prices. Coastal Delaware around Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach offers boardwalk and oceanfront ceremony options without the Jersey Shore traffic. Delaware's combination of a 24 hour waiting period, $50 license fee, and no residency requirement makes it a popular legal choice for couples in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. The state is also one of the most LGBTQ-inclusive in the country with a long marriage equality history.
Signature Delaware Wedding Angles
Delaware Wedding Season: What Locals Know
Delaware's wedding peak runs from late April through October, with May and September the dominant Saturdays. Coastal venues add a strong June through August window. Brandywine Valley properties book most heavily for early May tulip bloom and mid-October foliage. Winter weddings are concentrated at Hotel du Pont and a handful of hotel ballrooms.
Delaware-Specific Wedding Questions
What is the Delaware marriage license waiting period?
Delaware has a 24 hour waiting period after the license is issued. The $50 license is valid for 30 days, no residency or blood test is required, and the process is handled at the Clerk of the Peace office. Couples applying Monday can marry Tuesday, which is one of the shorter usable waits on the East Coast.
Why is Hotel du Pont such a Delaware wedding institution?
Hotel du Pont in Wilmington has been the de facto premier Delaware wedding venue since the 1910s. The Gold Ballroom's gilded plaster ceiling, the du Pont family architectural pedigree, and a service culture trained over decades have built a reputation that draws East Coast couples from New York to DC. Saturday peak season dates book 18 to 24 months in advance.
Can a Pennsylvania or Maryland couple legally marry in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware has no residency requirement, no waiting beyond the 24 hour gap after license issuance, and the license is recognized in every state. Many couples from Philadelphia and Baltimore choose Delaware specifically for the simplicity, the affordable license fee, and the Brandywine Valley aesthetic. Bring valid ID and any divorce decree if applicable.
Popular Wedding Searches in Delaware
Wedding Guides for Other States
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Marriage laws and requirements can change. Always verify current requirements with your local Clerk of the Peace in Delaware before making plans. Last reviewed: 2026.
Delaware Marriage & Wedding FAQ
Everything you need to know about our free tools and how they help your wedding day.
A marriage license in Delaware costs $75. You can apply at the Clerk of the Peace. No residency requirement, so out-of-state couples can apply as well.
Delaware has a 24 hours waiting period after the marriage license is issued before the ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 30 days after issuance.
Ordained or authorized ministers, rabbis, priests, and clergy. Judges and justices of the peace. Mayors of any city or town in Delaware can also officiate.
The minimum age to marry without parental consent in Delaware is 18. Delaware does not allow minors to marry.
The most popular wedding seasons in Delaware are Spring and Summer and Fall. During these windows, top venues in regions like Wilmington & Brandywine Valley and Delaware Beaches book out months in advance. Summer weddings offer long daylight hours but can bring heat, so make sure your venue has adequate shade or climate control.
The average wedding in Delaware costs $31,000 with an average guest count of 135. Spring and Summer and Fall are the most popular seasons for weddings in Delaware. Popular wedding regions include Wilmington & Brandywine Valley, Delaware Beaches, Dover & Central.
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