Page 36 - Garrett County 2021-2022 Visitors Guide

Weddings
Say ‘I Do’
TO GARRETT COUNTY
S imple or sophisticated, casual or formal, Those planning ahead can look forward to the businesses have sprung up, while many existing
indoor or out — it’s hard to think of a taste or style that Garrett County’s scenic beauty and gorgeous venues can’t accommodate.
From state park pavilions to starlit patios, in
a barn or at the great room of an exquisite lake house. In the quiet of a snowy winter, the rustle of an autumn afternoon or the warmth of a summer sunset, weddings in the county’s many natural settings are the stuff of beautiful beginnings and treasured memories.
How hands-on a couple wants to be is up to them. Some venues will handle all the details and lodge guests; others provide the space and welcome couples who want to put together their own event. The area can accommodate different size weddings as well, from an elopement to a 300-plus sit-down reception.
In recent years, barns have been a trending venue choice for couples, and Garrett County has several options to choose from, including The White Barn at Lucas Farm and The Red Barn at Eagles Landing. For the couple seeking a more traditional venue, Brodak’s Banquet Hall offers a beautiful setting on a private pond with both indoor and outdoor spaces. (See the grid of wedding venues on page 35 for more information.)
2022 opening of a new Performing Arts Center that will have rental space and will be able to accommodate up to 400 people.
Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake’s popularity as a wedding destination has
been growing for many years, as the trend of destination weddings has exploded. Most of the wedding parties come from Baltimore, Washington, D.C., northern Virginia and the Pittsburgh area. Proximity to these metropolitan centers, a variety of overnight accommodations and four-season activities all add to Garrett County’s attractiveness. The area also offers entertainment, dining and sightseeing opportunities for guests who come for the weekend or extend their stays beyond the wedding festivities.
Some couples have sentimental ties to the area; others just like the abundance of natural settings they find here — mountain peaks, waterfront views, state parks, tree-lined lanes or cabins in a wooded glen.
Garrett County is also extremely dog friendly, so those who want to include a four-legged friend in their wedding parties can be happily accommodated.
Since the increase in destination weddings, new
ones have added or expanded services that cater to weddings. Some provide free wedding planning services.
The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is a good place for out-of-towners to begin their wedding planning. The Chamber can guide couples through the local market and advise them about area businesses that can meet their needs as well as familiarize them with local marriage license laws. For more information, contact Heritage Area & Groups Director Kim Folk at 301.387.5238 or kim@garrettchamber.com.
Working with local vendors is convenient and often more efficient. They know the area, taking some of the pressure off the couple. Photographers, for instance, know out-of-the- way settings for photos and area transportation services are familiar with the roads and the best vehicles for guests and wedding parties.
Garrett County’s wedding professionals have the expertise and the experience to make wedding days, and weekends, come together beautifully and personally, whether at a luxury resort or a do-it-yourself gathering. Bring the wedding party and your out-of-town guests and Garrett County vendors will do the rest.
34 The Deep Creek Experience
PHOTO BY JESSICA FIKE PHOTOGRAPHY