Frequently Asked Questions

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Additional info: belmontmanormd@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-0200

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What type of events can Belmont accommodate? 

Belmont is available to rent for private events such as weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, family reunions, company picnics, photo sessions, and more. Meeting and Retreat rentals are available on select weekdays. 

 

What is the current pricing for wedding and outdoor rentals at Belmont Manor during peak season (April-October)?

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Wedding rental dates, Includes, Price (subject to change)

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• Friday or Sunday

• 8 hours of exclusive use of event tent, manor house, and grounds

• $7,000

 

• Saturday

• 8 hours of exclusive use of event tent, manor house, and grounds

• $7,500

 

• Additional Hours 

• Add up to five additional hours

• $600 per hour

 

• Security Deposit (refundable) 

• Required 

• $750

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What is your outdoor wedding & event rental season? 

The rental season for outdoor events is mid-April through October. 

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Is Belmont Manor a full-service venue? 

Belmont Manor is not a full-service venue. Belmont Manor provides the location, and the renter contracts each service separately (caterer, event planner, florist, decorator, entertainer).

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How many hours can I rent for an event? 

Rental hours are permitted between the hours of 11 a.m.  and 12 a.m. (midnight). The minimum number of hours for an event reservation is eight (8); the maximum is 13. 

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The Permit Holder selects the contract start time. The contract cannot start before 11 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

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Extra hours may be purchased when contracted or no later than three months before the event date. 

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The contracted start and end time must include time for setup and breakdown. This includes necessary time for, but not limited to:

• Caterers

• DJ/Band/Entertainers

• Decorators

• On-site photography/videography

• Florist delivery & setup

• Extra furniture delivery, setup and pickup 

• Additional vendors 

• Preparations for the wedding party (if dressing on-site) 

 

What is the standard event timeline?

Eight-Hour Model

2 Hours:  Vendor Set-up/Wedding party preparations

1 Hour:     Ceremony/Photography

1 Hour:     Cocktail Hour

3 Hours:  Reception (All guests must depart one hour before contracted end time)

1 Hour:     Vendors/Day of Coordinator/Wedding Party Clean up and Depart

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* No one is permitted on the premises before the contracted starting hour. All attendees, vendors, vehicles, and wedding party must leave the property at the end hour. No exceptions.

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How much does it cost to add extra time to my event rental? 

After the standard eight-hour rental, the fee per each additional hour is $600. No more than five (5) additional hours can be purchased for a maximum of 13 hours per event. 

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Can I come in before my rental start time to decorate?                           

No. If more time is needed to decorate, additional hours must be purchased.

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What is included in the rental? 

Wedding rentals are granted exclusive use of the Manor House, gardens, and grounds. Only one event is scheduled for the contracted time. Property Amenities include:

 

Manor and Grounds

• Exclusive use of the first floor of the manor (accommodates 125 persons), two dressing suites on the second floor, and billiard room on lower level.

• Free WI-FI available in the Manor. 

• Three formal garden options for your ceremony (Aqua Garden and Magnolia Grove)

• Lighted ADA brick pathway that extends from the tent to the parking areas.

• Free parking in one of two grass areas. 

• Restroom trailer with ADA accessible stalls.

• Cabana restrooms beyond Aqua Garden.

• Catering prep tent.

 

Reception Tent

Our white peaked 60" x 100" reception tent and features:​

• Brick patio under event tent

• Optional cathedral window sides

• White fabric liner

• 16 gold chandeliers

• Perimeter lighting

• 12 Perimeter fans

• Electrical bollards

• 18' x 24' dance floor, which cannot be removed, replaced, painted, or wrapped

• 250 person maximum capacity

Note: The tent is not climate controlled (see HVAC section of rules and regulations).

 

Tables and Chairs

• (10) 5 ft. round tables (seat 6-8 people, indoor use only)

• (30) 6 ft. round tables (seats 10-12 people, tent use only)

• (6) 6 ft. x 3 ft. rectangular tables (seats 6-8 people)

• (8) 8 ft. x 3 ft. rectangular tables (seats 8-10 people, tent use only)

• (10) 2 ft. Cocktail Tables (adjustable height)

• (2) 3 ft. Round Tables (adjustable height)

• (4) Sections of Serpentine Tables (tent use only)

• (2) 5 ft. Half-moon Tables (tent and indoor use only)

• (10) 6 ft. Conference/Training Tables (indoor use only)

• 300 aluminum gold Chivari chairs with ivory chair pads (tent and indoor use only)

• 300 white resin ceremony chairs (outdoor use only)

 

*Belmont Manor does not provide table linens; permit holders are responsible for securing linens via their vendors. 

 

Warming Kitchen

• Commercial refrigerator & freezer

• Warming/convection ovens

• Prep tables

• 400 lb. capacity ice machine (use as backup since it’s not guaranteed to be filled to capacity, especially for Saturday/Sunday events)

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Do you have any requirements of caterer’s when they come to Belmont? 

• Belmont Manor is not a full-service venue.

• Permit holder is required to select one-full service (licensed) caterer.

• If not using a pre-approved caterer, it must be approved by Belmont via a Catering application & packet, a copy of catering license and specific insurance certificate. It is the responsibility of the Permit Holder to ensure the Caterer is familiar with the site and rules and regulations before the event. 

• Food trucks are allowed outside the garden gate (no generators permitted) as SECONDARY food vendors, with permission from the caterer.

    

Requirements of the Caterer

• Must employ their own staff and may not contract servers, bartenders, etc. A minimum of 10 catering staff are needed, plus one event manager.

• Must provide proof of required insurance and licensing.

• All food and alcohol must be served by one full-service licensed caterer, no exceptions.

• No self-serve alcohol.

• Family-catered events are not permitted.

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Do you have a preferred caterers list for Belmont? 

Yes! A list of pre-approved day of coordinators and licensed and insured full-service caterers can be provided upon request. Please note the list is not an endorsement or referral.

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What happens if it rains during my outdoor event? 

Belmont Manor is an outdoor venue. All permit holders must decide on a rain plan with their caterer and Day of Coordinator prior to their event and communicate the plan to Belmont staff and all vendors. Rain plan decision must be called two (2) hours prior to scheduled event/ceremony. The Day of Coordinator works in tandem with the caterer regarding execution (timing, chairs, setup, etc).

Wedding Rain Plan Options

• Ceremony in tent.

• Cocktail hour in Manor or tent (depending on guest count).

• Reception in tent

• If there is an imminent severe weather warning (tornado, severe thunderstorm, continuous lightning), Belmont staff will work with vendors to evacuate all guests into the Manor until the threat has passed for at least 15 minutes.  

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Is Event Insurance Required?

Yes. Belmont Manor will provide the renter with information on the "tenant user liability insurance program" through GatherGaurd. The average cost is around $200 to purchase but is subject to individual event details and guest count.

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Does Belmont offer planning services?

Belmont Manor is not a full-service venue and does not offer planning services. The permit holder is required to have a Day of Coordinator. They are the liaison between the permit holder, vendors and Belmont’s staff.

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Can I visit before I book events? 

Belmont Manor and Historic Park is only open for private events and offers rental tours and other event-related site visits during regular business hours. For availability, or to book an appointment, please email belmontmanormd@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-0200. ​

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Is there a fee for photographers who want to have a photo shoot on the grounds? 

Yes. To request a photo shoot application, please email belmontmanormd@howardcountymd.gov  

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Is the event I am attending inside? 

• No, as Belmont is considered an outdoor venue.  There is a moderate amount of walking required on both grass & hard surfaces in a total of four-acres of gated property.

• Ceremonies & cocktail hour are held outdoors in one of three gardens.

• The reception is held in a tent. The tent is not climate controlled.

• Please dress accordingly. In the event of rain, the cocktail hour may be moved inside the Manor if the guest count is 125 or less. 

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What happens if it rains during the event? 

• ·Ceremony in tent.

• ·Cocktail hour in manor or tent.

• ·Reception in tent.

• ·If there is an imminent severe weather warning (tornado, severe thunderstorm, continuous lightning), Belmont staff will work with vendors to evacuate all guests into the manor until the threat has passed for at least 15 minutes.  

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Where do guests park?

Belmont Manor provides free on-site parking for all rentals. Guests may park in the two designated grass lots. Overnight parking is prohibited at Belmont Manor.

Carpooling, use of car services (Uber, Lyft), and shuttles are encouraged. ​The permit holder is responsible for any shuttle services for guests. All shuttles must be approved by Belmont and cannot exceed 48 passengers due to entry road limitations. 

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Is Belmont Manor open to the public?

No. Outside of scheduled rentals and special events, Belmont Manor and Historic Park is not open to the public. Rental tours and other event-related site visits are offered on select days and times and require an appointment. Look for special event listings in the Howard County Recreation & Parks seasonal activity guides & on the Howard County Recreation and Parks Website.

 

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Business Rentals, Retreats, Other Events FAQs

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What is the current pricing for business rentals, retreats, and indoor event rentals (non-wedding events)?

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• Monday-Thursday, 8am-5pm (April-October) 

• Seasonal tent & grounds for up to 250 guests: $600 per hr.

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• Monday-Thursday, after 5pm (April-October)

• Seasonal tent & grounds for up to 250 guests, 4 hr. minimum: $4,000

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• Monday-Thursday, 8am-5pm (November-March) 

• Indoor & grounds for up to 100 guests, 3 hr. minimum: $150 per hr.

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• Friday-Sunday (November-March) 

• Indoor & grounds for up to 100 guests, 3 hr. minimum: $600 per hr.

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