Average wedding cost in Maryland
Updated Oct 16, 2026
A wedding in Maryland costs about $29,700 to $44,500 (Zola Wedding Cost Index, March 2026). Nationally, couples spent $34,000 on average (The Knot 2026).
$320 a guest
- Venue and rentals$8,512
- Catering and drinks$6,900
- Music and entertainment$2,432
- Flowers and decor$2,432
- Photography$1,824
- Everything else$9,900
Merriwell estimate for Maryland
| Guests | Estimate | Range |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $24,300 | $19,500 to $29,200 |
| 100 | $32,000 | $25,600 to $38,300 |
| 150 | $39,600 | $31,700 to $47,500 |
The sum: $16,450 plus $150 a guest, times 101.6%, Maryland's price level for services against the US average (US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024). 20% either side for the range.
A typical split
| Venue and rentals | 28% | $8,960 |
| Catering and drinks | 23% | $7,360 |
| Cake and desserts | 1% | $320 |
| Photography | 6% | $1,920 |
| Videography | 4% | $1,280 |
| Music and entertainment | 8% | $2,560 |
| Flowers and decor | 8% | $2,560 |
| Dress, tux or suit | 4% | $1,280 |
| Hair and makeup | 1% | $320 |
| Wedding rings | 5% | $1,600 |
| Invitations and paper | 1% | $320 |
| Officiant and marriage license | 1% | $320 |
| Transportation | 2% | $640 |
| Wedding planner | 4% | $1,280 |
| Favors and gifts | 1% | $320 |
| Tips | 3% | $960 |
Merriwell's starting split (a blend of The Knot's 2026 figures), applied to our 100-guest estimate.
Marriage license in Maryland
- Waiting period
- The license takes effect at 6 a.m. on the second day after it is issued (a judge can shorten this)
Check with your county clerk: fees and rules change, and many are set by each county. We checked Maryland Family Law, section 2-405 on Oct 16, 2026.
The busiest and the cheapest times
Saturday evenings cost the most. A winter weekend or a weekday can save 20-30% on most vendor costs (Zola, March 2026). Ask your venue for its off-peak prices.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a wedding cost in Maryland?
- Zola's Wedding Cost Index puts a Maryland wedding at $29,700 to $44,500 (Zola, March 2026). The Merriwell estimate for 100 guests in Maryland is about $32,000.
- How much does a wedding for 100 guests cost in Maryland?
- About $32,000 by the Merriwell estimate ($25,600 to $38,300): a fixed part plus $150 a guest, times Maryland's price level for services, 101.6% of the US average (US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024).
- How much is a marriage license in Maryland?
- Fees are set locally, so ask your county clerk (or town clerk) for the current fee and what to bring.
- Is there a waiting period to get married in Maryland?
- The license takes effect at 6 a.m. on the second day after it is issued (a judge can shorten this). Check with your county clerk before you plan around it.
- How can we spend less on a wedding in Maryland?
- Fewer guests makes the biggest difference. Zola says a winter weekend or a weekday can save 20-30% on most vendor costs, and that Saturday evenings cost the most (March 2026).
Average wedding cost in every state
Sources
- Zola Wedding Cost Index, Zola, Mar 6, 2026. Zola's own planning data and a survey of 720 couples. Checked Oct 16, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities by State, 2024 (Services: other): Maryland (FRED series MDRPPSERVEOTH), US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Feb 19, 2026. Prices in each state against the US average (100), 2024. Checked Oct 16, 2026.
- The Knot 2026 Real Weddings Study, The Knot Worldwide, Feb 18, 2026. More than 10,000 US couples married in 2025. Checked Oct 16, 2026.