Story By Eli Wohlenhaus & Caroline Shively Sucher
Photography By River Lane Photography & JennQuinn Creative
At the Liriodendron, brides who kiss their grooms under a gilded chandelier or dance the night away on the historic grounds could be walking straight out of a photo from 1898.
The Georgian Revival style mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is as beautiful as its namesake. Liriodendron (pronounced leer-ee-o-dendron) is the botanical name for the tulip poplar, the magnificent trees found throughout the 100-acre property in Bel Air, Maryland.
Fittingly for a wedding venue, the house was constructed by a man to please his wife. Dr. Howard Kelly, one of the founders of Johns Hopkins Medical College, had it built as a summer home for his beloved, reminiscent of her childhood spent in European villas. That effort to please remains the motto of the property 125 years later.
“The Liriodendron will help you create a celebration that is perfectly, uniquely
yours. Our elegant setting and attentive staff will make sure your special day is everything you imagined,” according to the property’s website, https://liriodendron.com.
Bridal parties have full use of the mansion and grounds on their big day. Before the ceremony, brides can prepare in a three-room suite while the men can lounge in the spacious Grooms Room. The venue hosts weddings for up to 120 people followed by an intimate buffet or a formal sit-down dinner.
They can choose from an indoor ceremony with the bride making her entrance down a formal staircase or use one of several outdoor spaces including a wisteria-covered terrace.
For wedding parties considering the Liriodendron, open house hours are held most Wednesday afternoons, and on the Second Sunday of each month.