Baltimore is the perfect space to plan your wedding if you have a love for historic estates. As one of the earliest cities in America, this area is brimming with significant spaces ready to make your wedding positively legendary. Now, it’s just a matter of which spot you’re going to choose for your ceremony! As a Baltimore wedding photographer, I get the chance to work with local couples and get a firsthand look at all the best venues around this city, and I’m here to tell you about all my favorites! If you are searching for the ideal historical spot for your celebration, I would love to tell you all about why a Belmont Manor wedding might be perfect for you.
6555 Belmont Woods Road, Elkridge, Maryland 21075
The Belmont Manor wedding venue was originally constructed in 1738 as a private home for Caleb and Priscilla Dorsey. The house has a long and complex history, serving as a plantation until the Civil War. Following this era, it began to draw some of the most well-loved people in society as a gathering space for lawyers who built their homes on the nearby “Lawyers’ Hill.” In 1926, the estate was home to Howard Bruce and his thoroughbred horse, Billy Barton, winner of the first Maryland Hunt Cup. Billy was buried on the property in full tack, and a statue of the horse was built at the entrance of Laurel Park Track.
When Howard Bruce died, the house was passed onto the Smithsonian, where it was converted into a conference center that has hosted some of the most significant people in modern history. Today, it remains a tranquil space that will help you have the celebration you’ve always wanted.
Belmont Manor offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for your wedding. The interior wedding space is located on the first floor of the manor. This area gives you an open space with tall ceilings, khaki and white walls, crown molding, crystal chandeliers, and a fireplace. This is the perfect option for an intimate ceremony. The exterior features several spaces you can use for your wedding. The lawns are meticulously landscaped with low shrubs separating the different tracts of land. There are flowers thoughtfully planted throughout the area, and a black iron fence encloses the entire area.
For an indoor reception, you can use the first floor of the manor for an intimate dinner with your closest friends and family. There is a kitchen within this space that you can use for your caterers. The exterior tends to be the preferred space for receptions. The venue offers a large 60 x 100 tent with a brick tent pad and cathedral window sides. The tent is crafted from an elegant white fabric, and gold chandeliers brighten up the space at all hours of the evening. The tent has fans, an eclectic bollard, and an 18×24 dance floor.
The manor has three gardens, and you will be able to choose one for your cocktail hour. Your guests will have a picturesque space to mingle and sip cocktails between your ceremony and your reception. The venue can move your cocktail hour into the manor if it rains.
Belmont Manor provides you with comfortable bridal suites you can use before your wedding. These suites will give you a fitting space to put on the finishing touches as you relax with your party prior to the ceremony.
As your guests first enter the manor, they will drive through a tree-lined road before coming upon a gorgeous home amongst the lush gardens. The exterior of the house remains original to the 18th century. The house is painted a delicate shade of light yellow with deep teal shutters and stairs leading up to the front door. The back of the house has stairs that lead to a brick walkway extending throughout the property. There are meditation ponds near a grotto that match the house. Many couples use this as the space to exchange vows. Your guests will get to stroll around the grounds and see all the breathtaking plants.
The Belmont Manor property provides you with plenty of stunning space for your wedding portraits. The home has several outbuildings that will serve as the perfect backdrop for group portraits. The gardens have secluded spaces where you can take individual portraits prior to the ceremony and couple portraits following. The brick stairs leading to the back of the house also serve as the ideal spot for couple portraits. The rooms throughout the house can similarly serve this portion of your day.
Belmont will work with you to ensure you have everything you need for your dream wedding. They have a list of recommended caterers that you can use to create the best menu for your unique event. All vendors will need to become approved by the manor. The venue can provide you with gold chiavari chairs, white resin chairs, and an assortment of tables for your wedding. The manor will provide you with a warming kitchen as well as a caterer’s tent. The brick walkways feature lighting so your guests can easily navigate them at all hours. The venue is pet-friendly. Your guests will have a designated parking space close to the manor.
The Belmont Manor wedding venue offers a stunning space for your historic Baltimore wedding. Take a look today to decide if this is the right venue for your celebration.
If you’re looking for the perfect person to help you capture all these details, you’ve come to the right place! I am a Baltimore wedding photographer, and I adore working with couples so they can remember every second of their day. I’m here to make sure your wedding is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible! I would love to sit down with you and have a conversation so you can decide whether my style matches yours. Contact me today to find out more!