13 of the best unique and intimate wedding venues in baltimore

Having an intimate wedding celebration is the perfect way to celebrate what makes your relationship memorable, unique and fun… there are so many benefits to having a smaller celebration (but that’s a topic for an entirely separate blog post)!

Micro weddings with an intimate group of loved ones have become increasingly popular — in this blog post I’m highlighting some of my favorite Baltimore venues for a tiny wedding ceremony and reception celebration. There are so many places in Charm City to bring family and friends together that speak to your values, personalities and relationship.

Enjoy these 13 unique and beautifully intimate and photogenic (both inside and out!) wedding venues in Baltimore!

1. The Ivy Hotel; luxe 19th century restored mansion in historic Mt. Vernon
   
   The sunken, private courtyard is my favorite place for an intimate wedding ceremony within The Ivy Hotel. It is lush, serene, meticulously designed and allows you to feel like you’re in an exquisite urban oasis.
   
   Planning a first look? The conservatory is a gorgeous backdrop for this special moment with a modern black and white aesthetic softened by all the greenery and old-world furnishings.

2. Sagamore Pendry; sophisticated, lush and stylish former pier building at the center of historic Fells Point

This venue earns all the heart eyes if you ask me — there are so many photogenic spots!! The hardest part is narrowing down where to take your portraits. The modern glass facade along Thames St. in the heart of Fells Point showcases the historic Main Street buildings across the street while the iconic red carpeted staircase feels chic, timeless and grand.

The courtyard is an incredibly lush and contemporary garden space that is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before and looks beautiful no matter the season.

3. Rye Street Tavern; refined, modern distillery on the waterfront in South Baltimore

It’s probably no secret that well-designed spaces catch my eye (thanks to my degree and previous career in architecture and design!); both the Sagamore Spirit Distillery and Rye Street Tavern are as crisp and contemporary as they come. With interiors designed by Patrick Sutton, this venue offers a warm, relaxed and polished vibe with unobstructed views of the industrial waterfront.

4. Mt. Washington Mill Dye House; industrial textile mill with historic character and modern design in Northern Baltimore

Full of rustic stone and brick, the courtyard space at the Dye House is perfect for intimate outdoor ceremonies; the large tree centrally located at one end adds a splash of green and softens the feel of the patio. The back patio is a fabulous place to have dinner under the stars with 30 people… adding bistro lights takes it to another level!

5. Gunther & Co; urban chic with a 16’ high living plant wall in Brewer’s Hill

This former brewery turned New American restaurant is full of modern design and brick + bluestone outdoor spaces that are stunning for photos; in the warmer months, the hanging greenery frames a beautiful place for cozy and fun moments together.

6. Artifact Coffee; historic mill building with cozy coffeehouse vibes near Clipper Mill and Woodberry

Full of charm, character and a cozy, romantic atmosphere, Artifact Coffee not only makes delicious coffee, but makes you look good inside or outside of its walls. The patio area surrounded by rustic, stone walls is simply perfect for small outdoor ceremonies.

Bonus that Clipper Mill is just a short walk away for some epic shots full of all the industrial vibes and textured backdrops you can imagine!

7. Rawlings Conservatory; botanical gardens + glass conservatory in Druid Hill Park

The architecture and design of this glass conservatory is an incredible backdrop on its own, yet the gardens flanking the front and side of the exquisitely planted grounds and the incredible variety of rooms and spaces inside, will leave you with endless choices for backdrops… it’s truly a garden lover’s dream come true, right in Baltimore city!

Established in 1888, the greenhouses are organized by climate and include a Mediterranean greenhouse, a tropical forest greenhouse, a desert greenhouse, an orchid room and the Palm House.

8. Woodberry Kitchen; rustic industrial within Clipper Mill

The string lights and vaulted ceiling with full-length windows let in as much natural light as possible and worn wood floorboards underfoot, add a romantic feel as your guests mingle...

The firepit patio area is surrounded by a facade of beautiful arches to form a backdrop to your portraits. If we have time to explore the rest of the Clipper Mill area, there are so many brick, wood and iron textured patterns to take advantage of!

No matter the season, Woodberry Kitchen’s vibe is always cozy, warm, comfortable and full of incredible food and aromas.

9. Heron Room; charming, natural, industrial vibes at Mill No. 1 on the Jones Falls

This restored mill complex is one of my favorites in Baltimore for many reasons; the views from the bridge above the Jones Falls are like nothing else in Baltimore and the texture of the brick and oversized rusted shutters just give it so much charm.

The cobblestone courtyard allows your ceremony to feel like you’re in a European piazza! Guests can enjoy cocktail hour outside on the overlook facing the Falls and you can have your first look and portraits in a number of places. It’s also dog-friendly!

10. Cielo Verde; a Latin-Mediteranean garden restaurant (operated by the Alma Cocina Latina team)

If you love food that is unique, full of flavor and an art form in and of itself, Cielo Verde will check all of your boxes! Located at the top of the AVAM with sweeping views of Federal Hill and the Inner Harbor, this restaurant has a beautiful private terrace and is filled with bright light and lush greenery throughout.

11. Mt. Washington Tavern; modern bistro with a Chesapeake Bay equestrian theme

With a modern aesthetic full of natural light, Mt. Washington Tavern has a variety of spaces to celebrate and a fun classic tavern feel both upstairs and downstairs.

The Pimlico and Chesapeake Rooms are bright and spacious, while the Sky Bar’s open-air seating area overlooks the heart of Mt. Washington.

12. Blue Pit BBQ; woman-owned, dog-friendly bbq + whiskey bar in Woodberry

This hidden gem in the Woodberry neighborhood has the best BBQ in Baltimore; their upstairs room and back patio make intimate wedding celebrations easy, laidback and fun so you can enjoy the day with your favorite people and know the food/drink and atmosphere are more than taken care of.

Everything at Blue Pit BBQ is made from scratch: meats are smoked slow and low, sides are carefully crafted and cocktails use fresh squeezed juices and homemade syrups. Blue Pit BBQ is named for pit bbq and their beloved blue pit bull… I love their dog-friendly patio that always welcomes well-behaved pups!

13. your rooftop deck and favorite spots in Charm City… (I’m 100% SERIOUS!)

Some of my favorite couples chose to elope at the Baltimore City or Towson courthouse and then go on a tour stopping at the places that are most meaningful to them… nothing is off limits!

• Want to flower a bench on a street close to your rowhome? DO IT!

• Have a rooftop deck with killer views of Federal Hill, Patterson Park or Canton? LET’S GO.

• Want to sit in Patterson Park and enjoy the greenery with a relaxing picnic or charcuterie board? WHY NOT!

I hope this list is a helpful starting point for the intimate wedding you may be planning in Baltimore… there are so many incredibly unique and creative venues and locations to get married in throughout Charm City!

Please reach out if you have specific questions about any of them or others you’re considering, I love learning about new venues and using my architecture and design background to be a helpful resource…

xo,
Naomi