FAQ: “I’m recently engaged and am wondering how to marry in Deep Creek. What recommendations do you have?”

Let’s specifically talk venues, locations…because it all starts with an actual place, right?

Believe it or not, when it comes to the wedding scene here at Deep Creek, there are a lot of options. We may not have a Target, Starbucks, mall or even a lot of residents. But hey, we can put together some pretty darn good weddings!

When thinking of how I can best recommend a Deep Creek wedding venue or location, I immediately think of size. So here’s a list of ideas based on the number of guests you might have at your wedding:

Zero Guests
The two of you, an officiant, and hopefully a photog!

What comes to mind first when you think of a wedding with no guests? Elopement. Here’s a definition:

Elope – to run away secretly in order to get married, especially without parental consent

Whether you’re having a true elopement or not, I think Deep Creek and Garrett County, MD make an incredibly amazing place to make a just-the-two-of-you ceremony happen. Because when you strip away the “ball and chain” of wedding guests (face it, there are limitations when you need to accommodate a group of people), you can have a ceremony almost anywhere!

In a stream, in a forest of ferns, in front of a waterfall. If you #comegetmarriedhere, the two of you can stand in any of these magical, picturesque spaces to say “I do”…

Savage River Lodge – a simply amazing place for just the two of you! Stay in a yurt or cabin, truly unplug while enjoying the quiet forest setting with delicious food and drink from the lodge.

Halian’s Mosser Meadow Greenhouse – call me and I’ll call Charity at Halian for you and we’ll make an afternoon out of it!

The Rock Maze trail in Garrett State Forest

In front of Muddy Creek Falls at Swallow Falls State Park

In front of Tolliver Falls at Swallow Falls State Park

One of my favorite ways for a two-person wedding, or a wedding with a very small amount of guests…in a living room!

And if you’re lucky, there will be a frozen lake out the backdoor that you can use as a really cool photo spot!

I’ve not photographed an elopement at Blue Moon Rising yet, but between the eclectic tiny cabins and tucked-back-in-the-forest feel, I think an overnight + ceremony in the woods would be quite awesome! Here’s a little taste of BMR, but more later in this post…

Under 30 guests
You and your closest family and friends

This is one of the most common kinds of weddings I encounter at Deep Creek. A small affair in an intimate, cozy setting with not a lot of logistics. And maybe one of the best ways to do this? Having the wedding during your week-long summer family vacation or creating an entire weekend getaway around it. Destination Deep Creek helps to make this happen naturally.

The backyard of a lake house, pavilions at our state parks, inns and lodges can all do so well for you and a small group…

The stone pavilion at Swallow Falls State Park. Fun fact: you can rent this pavilion for just $15-$30 per day!

Lake Pointe Inn – reserve the whole place and your guests have somewhere to stay, too! Also, I hear the food is really good! The owners are also pretty great!

Another mention for Savage River Lodge! Awesome for elopements and just-the-two-of-you plans, but also a small guest count…

 

I’ve only participated in a wedding styled shoot/showcase event at the Lodges at Lakeside Village, but the ability to rent all five lakefront cabins + the grass space along the shoreline + the giant dock would absolutely be on the top of my list for hosting a small wedding. 

The inn at Red Barn Inn

Castle at the Lake – Railey Vacations Rental Homes. Railey has multiple rental homes available for weddings, many great for a smaller crowd, but Castle at the Lake can do a larger guest count in the flat backyard space…

Under 75 guests
You and a larger group of your family and friends

A medium-size kind of wedding! You need a little bit more space but don’t have enough people to fill a large event venue…Deep Creek has options for that too! There are locations that have space for both ceremony and reception, can offer a dinner-appropriate atmosphere and still give the picturesque lake + mountains background you’re desiring.

Restaurants, a new pub scene, state parks (making yet another appearance…I’m noticing a theme!), and a recently renovated gathering space all make the list…

Dutch’s at Silver Tree – a lakefront space and some of the best food at the lake!

The new pub space at Red Barn Inn

The Tall Oaks Pavilion + Lake House at New Germany State Park

The Cornucopia Cafe has just recently started hosting private events. I’ve heard of small wedding groups gathering near the fireplace in the restaurant for a ceremony + meal and I’ve heard about others utilizing the riverside outdoor space as well. This is one of my favorite places to eat and drink in Garrett County, MD so my wedding bucket list definitely includes photographing a Cornucopia wedding! 

Brodak’s is another place I’ve not been to for a wedding, but they’ve done a lot of renovations to the interior and created some wedding-friendly outdoor spaces. I’ve also seen wedding pictures from photographer friends that have done work there and I’m intrigued! 

Another mention for Blue Moon Rising because they can host various size weddings in the woodland ceremony + tent space. And with a guest count of 75 or less, everyone would fit within the 14 tiny cabins available for overnight accommodations. 

Over 100 guests
You and ALL your family and friends

Back to it maybe being hard for some to believe there’s a strong wedding scene here at Deep Creek…let me introduce you to the wonderful wedding event venues we’ve got! If you’re going more of “traditional” route for a wedding and have needs for a ceremony, reception, dinner, and lodging, and really just want a location where you don’t need to do as much planning or creating, we’ve got some wedding venues who have certainly helped put Deep Creek weddings on the map…

Chanteclaire Farm – they simply do weddings well. A one-stop-shop kind of option, too – DJ, catering, cake, coordinators all included.

The Venues at Lucas Farm – formerly White Barn at Lucas Farm and Twin Tails Event Farm, now all one venue. I’ve done weddings at the separate venues, but not since they’ve been under one owner. Really beautiful options for large weddings…

Red Barn Inn – one of my favorite venues! The barn always looks stunning, their outdoor space is so photogenic, and the owner + Savage Sisters team is wonderful to work with!

Sang Hill Farms

Blue Moon Rising – again, a great option for weddings of all kinds!

Wisp Resort

Maybe that was more than 21? If you count each unique venue only once, I’m pretty sure it’s 21. 🙂 Either way, there are a lot of different ways to get married here at Deep Creek, and in my opinion, the unique spaces, beautiful nature-filled backdrops and the opportunity to make your wedding about more than just one day CLEARLY sets Deep Creek apart. 

I am more than happy to talk with you on the phone about your Deep Creek wedding possibilities, and hopefully we can chat wedding photography, too. 🙂 Give me a call: 412-582-1282! #comegetmarriedhere