Delaware packs exceptional wedding venues into its compact size, giving you access to stunning waterfront settings along the Chesapeake Bay, historic mansions with roots in the 18th century and charming rural farm estates featuring centuries-old barns. You'll appreciate Delaware's strategic location that makes it easy for your guests traveling from Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC to attend without you having to pay the premium prices these metropolitan areas command.

Planning a wedding with 150 guests in Delaware? You'll want to budget around $38,281 with venue costs averaging $4,622 which represents about 12% of your total wedding budget.

Here's what you can expect to spend based on guest count:

• 50 guests (small wedding): $17,057
• 100 guests: $27,995
• 150 guests: $38,281
• 200 guests: $47,482
• 250 guests: $56,683
• 300 guests (large wedding): $65,884

You'll discover Delaware's wedding venues clustered in three main regions across the state. In Northern Delaware and the Wilmington Area you can celebrate at Hotel Du Pont with its ornate chandeliers European-inspired architecture and century-old craftsmanship or choose Winterthur Museum & Country Estate featuring 60 acres of breathtaking naturalistic gardens. The Delaware Beaches offer perfect settings for couples dreaming of waterfront celebrations with panoramic bay views and beachfront ceremony spaces. If you head to Southern Delaware you'll find The Farmhouse with its 1800s architecture massive timber beams and multiple outdoor ceremony sites nestled within lush gardens.

You can count on Hilton Wilmington/Christiana for wheelchair accessibility throughout all spaces along with stylish event rooms and customizable packages that fit your vision. The Clubhouse at Baywood gives you wheelchair-accessible pathways connecting all ceremony sites to reception spaces and accommodates up to 250 guests with both indoor and outdoor options so everyone in your party can fully participate in your celebration.

Juniper by Tonic in Wilmington offers you contemporary design with floor-to-ceiling windows creating an ideal backdrop for incorporating interactive live streaming and digital platforms that bring distant loved ones into your celebration. At Hagley Museum you'll enjoy historic charm with lush gardens where virtual attendees can experience 360-degree views of your special day. Winterthur Museum & Country Estate can help you integrate virtual tours of its vast gardens and galleries for remote guests making them feel included in all aspects of your wedding day.

You'll love Juniper by Tonic's famous seafood and steak options served in a chic dining atmosphere that impresses even the most discerning guests. Deerfield Golf Club near White Clay Creek State Park delivers refined catering options and comprehensive culinary experiences that can be tailored to your preferences. Hotel Du Pont provides you with luxurious dining experiences in a prestigious setting where every detail is crafted to enhance your celebration.

You need to book Delaware venues about 16 months (484 days) before your wedding date with October being the most competitive month requiring even earlier planning. If you're eyeing prime Saturday dates in May June September or October you should move quickly as these book first especially at historic properties with limited weekend availability.

Spring weddings let you showcase Delaware's flowering landscapes while fall ceremonies feature dramatic foliage creating vibrant backdrops for your photos. Summer beach weddings give you extended daylight for stunning sunset photography opportunities. Winter celebrations benefit from existing holiday décor at venues like Hotel Du Pont and often come with attractive off-season pricing at waterfront properties that might otherwise be beyond your budget.