Best Places to Elope in Maryland: A Memorable Alternative to a Courthouse Wedding.
- Debbie Donohue
- 19 hours ago
- 10 min read
Congratulations! We are so excited to learn that you are engaged and looking to make it official. Now comes the question of how to make it official and where.
Prosperity Mansion and Farm is a wedding venue in Frederick County, Maryland near downtown Frederick and bordering Carroll County. We officiate weddings for couples throughout the state of Maryland and neighboring Pennsylvania and Virginia on a regular basis. For some of you, this may have been a quick last minute decision, while others may have had this on the back burner for quite some time. But now you have opened the door and we are here motioning for you to come on in, you are welcome here. So whether you are super close and from Frederick, Thurmont, Taneytown or Westminster we are just a car ride away from anywhere in Maryland and worth the drive!
At Prosperity Mansion and Farm, we offer three pricing levels so couples can choose the celebration that fits their vision and budget:
Elopements, Courthouse weddings and Intimate weddings — A simple, meaningful ceremony for just the two of you or up to 30 guests, lasting 1 to 3 hours.
Micro weddings and Small weddings — A relaxed, intimate event for up to 50 guests, with 5 to 6 hours on the property.
Full‑day DREAM weddings — A complete wedding experience for 20 to 200 guests, with 8 to 12 hours to enjoy every moment.
Why do Some Couples Choose to Elope?
The reasons can be as many as the leaves on the trees at our countryside wedding venue. Each couple has an idea of what will be best for them and we are here to help bring that to fruition. Some of the most common reasons why couples choose to elope are:
Avoiding the stress of a large wedding
The desire for a more intimate ceremony
Focus on the commitment and not the event
Money
Time
No or less drama
Family issues
Legal issues
The couple simply doesn't know or want many people - True Story
What are Some of the Excuses for NOT Getting Married?
We have been waiting for the right time- Translation: We’ve been together for 10 years but who’s counting.
We simply do not have the money- Often said by people who just bought a $1,200 iPhone and a purebred doodle.
We are saving for our first house - Yes, but it is a good idea to be married when you are applying a large loan or making a huge purchase.
We cannot agree on all the details- Our motto for an Elopement or Courthouse style wedding is "Marry now and party later". Go ahead and marry now, then sort out the little details when you get around to it.
We are overwhelmed- We understand, and that is exactually why we opened our wedding venue to Elopements and Courthouse weddings. This is the answer you have been looking for.
We are having a backyard wedding- A noble dream until you realize the actual cost, overwhelming work and need for - tents • generators • lighting • bathrooms • parking • permits • a rain plan • and a therapist
Details and scheduling- We can't seem to get everyone on the same page and then we get so frustrated that we shut down. Remember that this is YOUR day. They need to support what is BEST for YOU. You can party later with those that are not available to come on your wedding day. Remember this is YOUR day not theirs. Ten people will have ten issues and only yours count.
We already FEEL like we are married- What a couple or one half of the couple typically means is that a commitment already exists emotionally, so if it aint broke don't fix it. To become legally married is about honoring that commitment and protecting it legally. It isn't just a piece of paper its a testament of your love and honoring that in a way that respects your partner.
Do any of these sound familiar ?
Marriage is a way of saying:
I choose you — not just emotionally, but officially and publicly.💍
I want our commitment protected, recognized, and respected.
I want to safeguard the life we’ve built together.
Many of us personally know of a couple and sometimes we have BEEN that couple, where one of the two says things like "a piece of paper will never make me love you more". A piece of paper will never change how committed I am to you.
Then, later, if the relationship ended, they found someone and were married within a few months!
When we hear those words "only a piece of paper" it can make us feel petty. So now we have the old "it’s just a piece of paper" argument that can make you feel like it IS unimportant.
OK, Game on- lets call their bluff. Calling their bluff is the perfect way to turn that logic back on them. Here are some humorous ways to move forward:
"You’re so right. It’s basically just a receipt for our relationship. And since I always keep my receipts in case of a return, let’s go get the license on Wednesday".
If it’s truly that insignificant, you shouldn’t mind getting the license on your way to get the oil change.
Heck, you don't even need to be there. I will go and get the marriage license and you never even need to get up off the couch.
Legal Marriage is a clear sign to your partner that you are fully committed.
It’s a way of protecting yourself and your partner, your future, and the promises you’ve already been living out. At Prosperity Mansion and Farm, we see couples all the time who “already feel married.” What they discover is that making it legal doesn’t change the relationship, it honors it.
In Gone With the Wind, Scarlet's famous line is " I will think about it tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day". This is how many couples think about Elopements and Courthouse weddings. Its easy to push it into a corner and then, maybe years later it comes up again.
Another famous quote- Benjamin Franklin-
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Procrastinating in general is never a good thing. In this case it can lead to:
Unnecessary stress for your partner
Anxiety over why your partner cannot commit
Availability at a venue
Costs go up with everything each year, wedding related things too
Licensing rules can change
Now you are excited and have momentum
Life circumstances can change, health, jobs, important people that may no longer be here etc.
What ever the reason......go for it!!!! And go for it in a way that will make the right kind of memories.
You are all familiar with Nike. In 1988 Nike spent $35 million dollars creating a marketing campaign for tennis shoes. They worked with the best agencies in the world. In the end, they came up with three little words that have become one of the most enduring slogans in advertising history, "Just Do It"!
The idea behind the slogan is to stop thinking about it and take action. Nike didn't want to just advertise shoes they wanted to encourage action, courage and simply moving forward. The message that Nike wanted to convey was that everybody has the ability to achieve more then they think they can, they just need to act now "Just Do It"!
How to Plan an Elopement in Maryland?
Find a location- not all wedding venues host elopements and courthouse style weddings. Of course Maryland Courthouses are an option. However, many couples prefer a venue that is private, personal and scenic for amazing photographs. A wedding venue just like Prosperity Mansion and Farm in Frederick, Maryland!
We are over the moon excited for elopements and courthouse types of weddings. Why you ask? Because it truly breaks our heart to know what you will miss out on by going to the courthouse. According to an AI search in Copilot on March 12, 2026, here is a list of Maryland venues that truly offers elopements and are staffed , not a random park:
Prosperity Mansion and Farm- 1-3 hours, 7 days a week- year round, starting at $300
Rawlings Conservatory- starting at - 1 hour for $415.00
Milton Ridge- $750 — “In and Out” Ceremony (30 minutes)
Gramercy Mansion - 1‑Hour Pricing: Not published.
Ask the potential venues the following questions that may apply to you:
Do you need an officiant- An officiant is included at Prosperity Mansion and Farm or you may bring your own.
Do you need wittiness's? Some counties require that up bring two wittiness's and some do not. Frederick County where Prosperity is located does not require witnesses for weddings.
Guests- how many guests do they allow venue allow? Prosperity Mansion and Farm hosts elopements for just the two of you or up to 30 of your closest friends and family.
Amount of time available for your event- Prosperity offers one to three hours.
Photographer-Some couples choose to hire a photographer and others ask a friend to do the honors. It all depends on your budget
Can you have a cake or anything to celebrate- The courthouse says absolutely no. The wedding venue at Prosperity, allows a cake cutting and or a toast for a nice way to conclude the celebration and for more amazing photo opportunities.
Do they offer a getting ready area / bridal cottage and mancave- Courthouses do not. But Prosperity Mansion and Farm does and they are vintage and lovely.
What is there to do afterwards? Yes that is a great thing to consider. Many couples that elope make a full day of it , a weekend or more. Prosperity Mansion and Farm is located 25 minutes from downtown historic Frederick, Maryland where the main downtown are boosts restaurants, breweries, shop, hotels, and many places to visit and enjoy. The visitors center is a great place to check and see what will be featured on the day of your wedding celebration.
FAQ- Once I have decided on a location and secured my wedding date what do I do next?:
Send out "Save the date" cards or tell who ever you want to attend. Many couples decide it will be just the two of them.
Take off work.
Hire pet sitter or ask if pets are allowed
Get the rings💍
Decide what to do afterwards the ceremony. This may influence which location you select for your elopement ceremony.
Decide on attire
If a cake is allowed - you may want to do a cake cutting for photos a cake🍰
If a campaigned toast is allowed pick up a bottle
Order a bouquet for the bride and maybe a boutonniere for the groom.
Music- does the venue have a speaker or way to play music? If so select what you want to walk down the aisle to and record it on a blue tooth.🎼
Get your marriage license- once you have selected a location go to the courthouse in that county and obtain a marriage license.
Why Prosperity Mansion and Farm is the perfect “no more excuses” venue:
Winner of "Best Places to Elope"🥇
Open 7 days a week year round
Affordable
Come as you are or dress to the hilt and anything in between
1 - 2 or 3 hours of celebration time
Just the two of you or up to 30 of your closest friends and family
Close to downtown Frederick where hotels, restaurants, breweries, shops and fun stuff are available
Memorable, whimsical and unique , just like your day should be
No frill or all frills- Our wedding venue is already staged for amazing photographs but you are welcome to put your own thumb print on the property to create your vision.
Just a car ride away from any corner in Maryland
Safe and secure setting
Anxiety- not here
Pet friendly
No set up needed
Free onsite parking
Four ceremony areas to choose from
Private
Dressing areas available
Is procrastination romantic? Heck no. Are you opposed to Blackmail?
If your partner is the hold up tell them they MUST do one of the following until they have made a commitment:
Give you a foot massage everyday
Take you to dinner at the place of your choice each week until they make up their minds
Walk the dog two times a day, rain or shine
Clean the bathroom
Buy you that pet you've been wanting
Do the dishes
Give you money to go cloths shopping
Add the task that will give you the most joy waiting for your elopement date
FAQ- Are Elopements for Everyone? Answer- Absolutely
A few weeks ago I had a lovely young couple come here for a tour. They fell in love with the wedding venue and wanted to book right away. We sat down and they selected the date and began filling out the contract. We have different options for Elopements and Courthouse weddings all based upon the day of the week, number of guests, amount of hours they want for their wedding celebration and if they would like to rent the bridal cottage and mancave to get ready in before they walk down the aisle.
After the date, I asked how many guests would be attending- they said none, it would just be them and a photographer. I aske dhow many hours would they like for their wedding- they said three! Next I asked if they wanted to rent the bridal cottage and mancave and the bride enthusiastically said absolutely! I started put pit down 1 hour and she immediately interjected and said that she would need at least 2 hours. They explained that they were from California and had no relatives in the country and no real friends on the east coast. But this was a special day and they were going to celebrate to the hilt!
The next week I had another couple that booked 1 total hour, no fills, no bridal cottage but they were as happy as could be. So yes, Elopements and Courthouse weddings ARE for everyone.
Contact Us for a free pricing brochure or to schedule a tour.
Website- www.prosperitymansion.com
Email- prosperity_mansion@yahoo.com
Call to chat- 443-350-8100
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