Complete Wedding Guide
How to Get Married in Maryland (2026)
Everything you need to know about marriage licenses, requirements, costs, and planning your wedding in Maryland. Maryland offers incredible variety from the Chesapeake Bay waterfront and Baltimore's Inner Harbor to the rolling hills of horse country and historic Annapolis with its colonial charm.
Maryland is one of the Mid-Atlantic's most underrated wedding destinations: Chesapeake Bay waterfront venues from Annapolis to the Eastern Shore offer maritime scenery without Virginia's Blue Ridge competition for weekend dates. Historic inns like the Inn at Perry Cabin and Wye River Conference Centers combine tidewater charm with full event production capacity. Maryland's 48-hour waiting period is notable because it means couples applying on Thursday can legally marry on Saturday, but Friday ceremonies require a Thursday morning appointment.
Maryland Marriage License Requirements
Maryland has a 48-hour waiting period, but it can be waived in certain circumstances. The license is valid for 6 months, giving couples generous time to plan. Both applicants must apply together.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Maryland?
Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and authorized clergy. Judges of any court, clerk of the circuit court, or deputy clerk designated by the court. Certain civil celebrants may also qualify.
Wedding Costs in Maryland
Average Wedding Cost
$35,000
This includes venue, catering, photography, attire, and other typical wedding expenses in Maryland.
Average Guest Count
140
The typical Maryland wedding hosts 140 guests. Plan your seating, catering, and photo sharing accordingly.
Best Seasons
Spring, Summer, Fall
The most popular seasons to get married in Maryland. Book venues early during peak season.
Coastal Wedding Tips for Maryland
Secure your beach or waterfront permit early
Many coastal and beach ceremony sites in Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland
Chesapeake Bay & Eastern Shore
Waterfront venues, crab feasts, and laid-back coastal charm on Maryland's iconic bay.
Baltimore
The Inner Harbor, Fells Point, and Mt. Vernon offer industrial-chic, waterfront, and historic venues.
Annapolis
The state capital brings colonial architecture, Naval Academy grounds, and charming harbor views.
Top Wedding Venues in Maryland
How to Get Married in Maryland: Step by Step
Apply for Your Marriage License
Visit the Circuit Court Clerk in Maryland with your partner. Bring valid photo ID (driver's license or passport), proof of age, and the license fee of $55. Both partners must appear in person.
Wait 48 hours
After receiving your license, you must wait 48 hours before the ceremony. Your license is valid for 6 months after issuance, so plan your ceremony date within that window.
Choose Your Officiant
In Maryland, your wedding can be officiated by ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and authorized clergy. Make sure your officiant is properly authorized before the ceremony.
Hold Your Ceremony
Have your ceremony at your chosen Maryland venue. Maryland 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 Circuit Court Clerk. Once filed, you will receive your official marriage certificate. This is your legal proof of marriage.
Maryland Wedding Planning Tips
A crab feast rehearsal dinner is a quintessential Maryland wedding tradition
The Eastern Shore is more affordable than the DC-adjacent western suburbs
Annapolis is beautiful but parking can be challenging so consider shuttle service for guests
Planning your Maryland wedding? Collect every guest photo.
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Explore Maryland Wedding Venues
Browse our guide to the best wedding venues across Maryland.
Wedding Photo Sharing in Maryland
Learn how to collect every guest photo at your Maryland wedding.
What Makes Getting Married in Maryland Unique
Maryland is one of the East Coast's most underrated wedding destinations thanks to Chesapeake Bay waterfront venues from Annapolis through the Eastern Shore. The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, the Tidewater Inn in Easton, and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum anchor the coastal market with maritime aesthetics that are distinct from anywhere else on the East Coast. Western Maryland's Catoctin Mountains and the C&O Canal corridor offer a second, inland aesthetic. The Baltimore Inner Harbor and Harbor East districts add an urban wedding scene. Maryland's 48 hour waiting period is short enough that Thursday applications support Saturday weddings. License fees vary by county from $35 to $85.
Signature Maryland Wedding Angles
Maryland Wedding Season: What Locals Know
Maryland weddings peak in late April through early June and again from mid-September through October. Eastern Shore venues benefit from the longest outdoor season because the Bay moderates temperatures. Summer humidity in the Baltimore corridor is real from late June through August. Late October Saturdays on the Eastern Shore for crab-season aesthetic book 14 to 18 months in advance.
Maryland-Specific Wedding Questions
How does the Maryland marriage license 48 hour waiting period work?
Maryland requires a 48 hour waiting period after license issuance. The fee runs $35 to $85 by county, the license is valid for 6 months and only valid in the county of issuance. Couples must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. Thursday morning applications support a Saturday ceremony, which is the standard planning approach for destination weddings.
What is the Chesapeake Bay Eastern Shore wedding experience like?
Eastern Shore weddings center on small towns like St. Michaels, Easton, and Oxford with deepwater access, working watermen culture, and Maryland blue crab feasts as a frequent reception element. Most premium venues sit on the water with sunset ceremonies oriented over the Bay. The ferry crossing and bridge access make travel logistics worth confirming with guests several weeks in advance.
When is Maryland blue crab season for wedding receptions?
Maryland blue crab season runs roughly April through December with peak meat quality from July through October. Late August through October is the most reliable window for a steamed blue crab reception or hot crab dip station. Eastern Shore caterers source from local watermen and offer crab-feast pricing that drops meaningfully outside peak. The smell, mallets, and brown-paper-covered tables are part of the experience.
Popular Wedding Searches in Maryland
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 Circuit Court Clerk in Maryland before making plans. Last reviewed: 2026.
Maryland Marriage & Wedding FAQ
Everything you need to know about our free tools and how they help your wedding day.
A marriage license in Maryland costs $55. You can apply at the Circuit Court Clerk. No residency requirement, so out-of-state couples can apply as well.
Maryland has a 48 hours waiting period after the marriage license is issued before the ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 6 months after issuance.
Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and authorized clergy. Judges of any court, clerk of the circuit court, or deputy clerk designated by the court. Certain civil celebrants may also qualify.
The minimum age to marry without parental consent in Maryland is 18. With parental consent, individuals as young as 17 may marry.
The most popular wedding seasons in Maryland are Spring and Summer and Fall. During these windows, top venues in regions like Chesapeake Bay & Eastern Shore and Baltimore 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 Maryland costs $35,000 with an average guest count of 140. Spring and Summer and Fall are the most popular seasons for weddings in Maryland. Popular wedding regions include Chesapeake Bay & Eastern Shore, Baltimore, Annapolis.
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