Glen Ellen Farms a Picturesque Year-Round Outdoor Maryland Wedding Venue

Couple exits wedding ceremony at Glen Ellen Farms

It doesn’t matter when you are planning your wedding–you can have it here! I love bragging about the wedding venues that can work for you at any time of year. Glen Ellen Farms is one of those locations! This historic, rustic wedding venue offers an outdoor garden vibe including green farmland and year-round flowers. Located just one hour outside of Washington, DC, it’s a Frederick County staple for Maryland garden wedding venues. Get away from the city while staying in the DC Metro Area at the Glen Ellen Farms outdoor wedding venue!

Couple exchanges vows during Maryland garden wedding ceremony

Wildflowers growing on Maryland farm wedding venue

Couple walks through flower field at Glen Ellen Farms wedding

Couple walks through sunset field at Glen Ellen Farms wedding

Glen Ellen Farms: Every Spot Serves a Purpose

Couple walks kisses in wildflower field at Glen Ellen Farms wedding

Not an inch of land on this farm from the rolling hills to the year-round blooms is wasted for your wedding day. For example, the farm includes a meadow of wildflowers, a pond with a stone patio, and stone-walled barn ruins. See how Amanda and Kyle utilized all of these spaces for their Glen Ellen Farms wedding!

Couple embraces in wildflower garden at Glen Ellen Farms wedding

Couple exchanges vows at Glen Ellen Farms wedding ceremony

Getting Ready

Bride laughs with bridesmaids in silk robes standing on porch

bride stands arm in arm with bridesmaids in silk robes

The ladies enjoyed getting ready at the Manor House which is the iconic farm house on the property. The wide white porch is perfect for photos with the bridesmaids and it’s also where the bride had a first look with her dad.

farm house at Glen Ellen farms Maryland wedding

bride has first look with dad on farmhouse porch

A very special guest of the groomsmen’s getting-ready time was the couple’s very friendly chocolate lab named Murphy. He joined the groom’s photos and watched the entire ceremony from the front row seated beside the mother of the groom! He was a part of their fall engagement session too!

groomsmen walks pet dog down wedding aisle

groom holds dog in grassy yard at wedding

dog sits wearing a bow during wedding ceremony

First Look & Sunset

couple holds hands in front of stone barn ruins

We did the couple’s first look in a flower garden and returned to the same spot for sunset photos. The wildflowers were so beautiful and I really enjoyed taking the majority of their photos at sunset. There was a big change in the lighting so we saw a lot of variety in the colors! The flower garden then leads into an open field where we could easily walk to the pond or barn ruins for more shots.

Couple walks through sunset field at Glen Ellen Farm wedding

Couple embraces in wildflower garden at Glen Ellen Farm wedding

Ceremony & Cocktail Hour

Couple stands with family by pond at farm wedding

Mother of the bride holds pet leash at wedding

Couple looks back at dog during wedding ceremony

Their ceremony was held at the stone patio by the pond shaded by the surrounding trees. There’s also white sand along the pond that’s great for overhead shots (if you’re doing wedding videography as well) or going barefoot!

The historic Barn Ruin has a terrace perfect for cocktail hour with green vines covering the stone-walled ruins. It’s surrounded of course by more greenery and wildflowers!

cocktail hour greenery at stone barn ruins

couple kisses in front of stone barn ruins

cocktail hour tables set up beside ivy-covered barn ruins

Reception

couple has first dance under wedding reception tent

Amanda and Kyle hoped for a wedding day that was joyful, warm, inviting, relaxed, and sunny! For a couple that loves hiking, exploring new places, and being out on the water, this was the perfect fit.

The Reception Tent provided an outdoor wedding space that included AC units to help balance the very hot August day (we made sure we had plenty of water breaks). This space also doubles as the rain plan location if it ends up being a stormy day.

Their photography coverage ended with a wedding party sparkler arch during blue hour. This followed after their really awesome dance party where Murphy returned to visit at the end! I always recommend hiring a service to care for your pup so they can be included in your wedding day.

couple greets pet dog at wedding reception

The Pros & Con (just one!) of Glen Ellen Farms

floral table settings at tented wedding reception

I consider Glen Ellen Farms to be one of the best wedding venues in Maryland because it offers a year-round outdoor wedding experience that doesn’t have to be in a barn. I love all the natural spaces that are each so different whether it’s the pond, flower garden or open field. The fact that they are all in one centralized location also allows us to save time by not having to walk far for different spots across the property.

The only downside to this ease is you must make sure the reception space is roped off so that I can still capture all the pretty reception decor details before the reception begins. I find that guests will wander into the reception space early and start setting down their personal items before it’s time to transition. You just need to make sure that this area remains off-limits until the designated time.

floral decor at tented wedding reception

couple cheers standing outside of wedding reception tent

How Glen Ellen Farms Told Their Wedding Story

wedding details and accessories flat lay

For Amanda and Kyle, storytelling was an important element that originally drew them to my wedding photography. With that in mind, and the many spaces available to us, we were able to include a wide spectrum of colors and light in the photos that told their wedding story. The green hills and wildflowers are beautiful even in the harsh afternoon light and create such romantic tones at sunset!

bride approaches groom during first look in wildflower garden

Besides enjoying their venue and celebrating with family and friends, these two wanted to remember the details of their day. I couldn’t get enough of their gorgeous details from the bride’s diamond-studded flower earrings to family mementos that included both a white handkerchief and blue gemstone ring belonging to her grandmother. Every item had a personal touch including their use of vinyl records of both their own and their parents’ first dance songs for guests to sign as a guest book.

couple's photos and vinyl records on display

Every portion of their wedding design highlighted the touches of nature and elegance that encompassed this outdoor Glen Ellen Farms wedding.

Quick Facts About Glen Ellen Farm

Wedding packages range from $5500–$9000. All packages include 8 hours of rental (2 hours Manor House, 5 hour event time, 1 hour breakdown).
Tables/Chairs (up to 180 guests before additional charges), Tenting, Lighting, and Restroom trailer included in the rental fee.
Tent (40’ x 80’) can accommodate 250 guests or up to 300 after renting an additional tent.
Linens and all other decorations (candles, china, glassware, silverware, etc) will come from the caterer or rental company.
Day-of staff provided to set up the floor plan, welcome guests, direct parking, and assist during cocktail hour. The venue does not provide a coordinator but the Facilities Manager is on site the entire day if any issues arise.