As a Maryland wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing countless love stories across our beautiful state, so I wanted to chat about the best forest wedding venues in Maryland. In fact, Maryland is home to some truly stunning woodland venues that give couples an intimate, nature-immersed backdrop for one of the most important days of their lives.
So whether you envision a ceremony beneath a canopy of towering trees or a reception glowing with string lights in a sunlit clearing, Maryland’s forest venues deliver that perfect blend of rustic charm and natural beauty. In this post, I’ll walk you through some of the best forest wedding venues our state has to offer. Additionally, if you’re still exploring your options, be sure to check out my roundup of the Top Wedding Venues in Maryland.
Woodend Mansion and Sanctuary
If I could plan my wedding again, this location would be my top choice. Next to DC, Jenny and Paulina found Woodend Sanctuary and Mansion in Chevy Chase by chance. It was the first venue they visited, and they immediately fell in love with it. You can check out their amazing wedding and see how magical it was during the month of October. Fall is definitely THE month to book one of the best forest wedding venues in Maryland. This couple decided on this venue because they could plan an outdoor ceremony and an indoor reception at the same location.
If you are interested in knowing more about this venue, read my guide: Woodend Sanctuary Wedding Venue: Photographers’ Tips and Advice
Address: 8940 Jones Mill Rd in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Fill out this form to connect with their team.
Liriodendron Mansion
The Liriodendron Mansion sits on breathtaking grounds filled with lush gardens and mature trees, making it a naturally beautiful setting for outdoor ceremonies. This is one of the top forest wedding venues in Maryland. To see just how stunning this venue can be, take a look at Kathryn and Matthew’s wedding. On that particular day, rain fell from morning to night, so we spent most of the celebration indoors. However, that experience truly showcased one of this venue’s greatest strengths, the mansion captivates just as much from the inside as it does from the outside. In other words, no matter what the weather brings, Liriodendron delivers a gorgeous backdrop for your wedding day.
To get in touch, visit them at 502 W Gordon Street in Bel Air, Maryland, call (410) 879-4424, or send an email to info@liriodendron.com.
Blue Moon Rising at Deep Creek Lake
If your dream wedding involves an entire weekend surrounded by your favorite people in the heart of a pine forest, then Blue Moon Rising at Deep Creek Lake is the one. Located in McHenry, Maryland, this rustic and romantic setting is perfect for couples wanting a smaller, intimate ceremony with natural touches, hosting up to 100 guests.
What sets Blue Moon Rising apart from traditional venues is the full weekend experience it offers. Your ceremony takes place in the “Universal Evergreen Chapel of Earth,” an outdoor seating area in the center of a towering pine forest, while the reception carries on with no time limits or last call; it’s your private paradise. In addition, the venue includes 14 eco-friendly tiny cabins available for guests, built through sustainable techniques with as little impact on the natural landscape as possible. Check out Janelle and Daniel’s wedding during the fall; the colors of the foliage blew my mind. They had fun with the location and did a camp-themed wedding.
To start planning, visit their website at bluemoonrising.org.
Springfield Manor Winery, Distillery & Brewery
For couples who want mountain scenery paired with wine, spirits, and rustic elegance, Springfield Manor in Thurmont is a dream come true. Built in 1774, this historic manor sits on 130 acres, conveniently located along Route 15 against the Catoctin Mountain backdrop. In short, few venues in Maryland can match this combination of history, natural beauty, and celebration-ready amenities.
Specifically, the venue offers a gracious ballroom and a romantically elegant barn, together seating up to 300 guests, complete with large dance floors, head tables, and bars. Acres of mature trees grace the property. Couples can wander the lavender fields, explore the mountain trails, and enjoy stargazing by the romantic fire pit. The working winery, distillery, and brewery on site also adds a one-of-a-kind festive touch to any wedding weekend.
Find them at 11836 Auburn Road in Thurmont, Maryland. You can reach them by phone at (301) 271-0099 or by email at Brian@SpringfieldManor.com.
Historic Oakland
Tucked away in a wooded setting yet conveniently located in Columbia, Historic Oakland is a hidden gem that blends history with natural charm. Built in 1811, the graceful mansion is secluded in a beautiful, wooded setting while remaining in the heart of Columbia, just off major highways. Therefore, it offers that rare combination of natural serenity and easy accessibility for guests.
In addition to its stunning wooded surroundings, the mansion provides a variety of beautiful event spaces. The main attraction is the Ballroom, with its glittering chandeliers and glass doors that open onto an attached veranda. A beautiful, secluded garden adjacent to the manor’s east side accommodates up to 80 guests for ceremonies under a magnificent Magnolia tree. Couples have the freedom to choose any caterer, band, or decorator they wish, a flexibility that many venues simply don’t offer. Historic Oakland
Find them at 5430 Vantage Point Road in Columbia, Maryland, or call (410) 730-4801 for more information.
Strong Mansion at Sugarloaf Mountain
Nestled on the wooded slopes of Sugarloaf Mountain, Strong Mansion in Dickerson is one of Maryland’s most beloved and scenic wedding venues. Located 15 minutes from historic Frederick, and one hour from both Baltimore and Washington DC, the property encompasses 3,000 acres of private land open for public enjoyment. As a result, couples and their guests get a true sense of seclusion without sacrificing convenience.
The grounds offer something for every style of couple. There are three ceremony sites, formal gardens, and a tented patio that can accommodate up to 175 guests. Additionally, the mansion itself features a spacious ballroom, seven bedrooms, and a bridal suite for getting-ready photos. Note that the wedding season runs from April through November.
To schedule a tour, call 301-869-7846. The mansion is located at 7901 Comus Road in Dickerson, Maryland.
Rockwood Manor
Montgomery Parks operates Rockwood Manor, a historic venue that beautifully combines formal gardens with lush forested areas. Together, these elements create a naturally charming setting that feels both elegant and intimate. In particular, the Manor shines as a wedding destination for smaller celebrations, comfortably accommodating around 80 guests or fewer.
In addition to its stunning outdoor spaces, the venue offers over 4,000 square feet of large rooms spread across two levels, both of which lead out to a patio and tented area. As a result, couples enjoy a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces throughout their celebration.
To get in touch, visit them at 11001 Macarthur Blvd in Potomac, Maryland, call (301) 563-7510, or send an email to info@rockwood-manor.com.
Wisp Resort
Whether you dream of a winter wonderland celebration or a summertime wedding with sweeping panoramic views, Wisp Resort at Deep Creek Lake stands out as one of Maryland’s most versatile mountain venues. In the mountains of western Maryland, this four-season resort offers breathtaking vistas of both the surrounding mountains and Deep Creek Lake, making it a stunning backdrop.
What truly sets Wisp apart is the variety of ceremony and reception options it provides. Couples can choose from multiple outdoor ceremony sites, including a mountaintop setting and a scenic whitewater pavilion, as well as the elegant indoor McHenry Lodge with its soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling slope views. In other words, whether you envision an intimate outdoor exchange of vows or a grand indoor celebration, Wisp Resort delivers on all fronts.
To learn more or start planning, find them at 296 Marsh Hill Road in McHenry, Maryland, call 800-462-9477, or reach out by email at info@wispresort.com.
Camp Puh’tok
For couples who want more than just a single wedding day, Camp Puh’tok in Monkton delivers an entire woodland wedding weekend unlike anything else in Maryland. Situated in the scenic village of Monkton in Northern Baltimore County, just 20 minutes from Baltimore and an hour from Washington DC, Camp Puh’tok sits on 67 wooded acres bordering Gunpowder Falls State Park. In other words, it feels completely removed from the outside world while remaining surprisingly accessible.
What makes this venue – one of the best forest wedding venues in Maryland – truly special is the weekend-long experience it provides. Couples can exchange vows in a magical outdoor ceremony set among the pines, or say “I do” in a romantic indoor ceremony held in the beautiful Hacienda or rustic Thunderbird Lodge, both of which feature large windows and covered porches that bring the beauty of the outdoors inside. There is on-site lodging for 180+ guests in climate-controlled lodges and cabins, plus full access to a pool, challenge courses, and a bonfire pit.
To learn more or book a tour, email info@camppuhtok.com.
Liberty Mountain Resort
Nestled in Carroll Valley, Pennsylvania – technically just across the Maryland border – Liberty Mountain Resort offers a breathtaking mountain setting that feels worlds away from everyday life. It’s surprisingly accessible, sitting only about 1.5 to 2 hours from Washington DC and just 40 minutes from Frederick, Maryland. In other words, couples get that coveted destination-wedding feel without the long drive.
What truly sets this resort apart is the variety it offers. Specifically, couples can choose from three indoor reception venues and three outdoor ceremony sites, each with its own distinct character. The Highland Lodge exudes casual elegance with its vaulted wood-beamed ceiling and sweeping bird’s-eye views of the golf course. Meanwhile, the Boulder Ridge Lodge delivers a more intimate, private experience, accessed by a tree-lined drive and featuring stunning post-and-beam construction and a grand stone fireplace. Whether you envision an elegant reception for up to 250 guests or a more intimate mountain celebration, Liberty Mountain has a space to match your vision.
The resort’s experienced wedding staff handles every detail, so couples can focus fully on enjoying their special day. To start planning, visit them at 78 Country Club Trail in Fairfield, Pennsylvania.
