Five Virginia Wedding Venues For Every Personality - What's Yours?
One of the first things you’ll do after getting engaged is choose a venue. Here in Virginia, we are incredibly fortunate to have so many fantastic venues to choose from, but too many options can be overwhelming. ARJ has partnered with the following venues and can attest to the excellence of each. Whether it’s rustic, glamorous, historic or unique you’re looking for, we can help you select the one that suits your personality perfectly.
For the Unfussy: THE BARN WEDDING
The Middleburg Barn at Fox Chase Farms/Middleburg, VA/Kelly Loss Photography
According to a recent Knot survey, barn weddings have increased in popularity over the past few years with no sign of slowing down. Barns are a great choice if you want a more relaxed, down home feel in a rural setting. Unlike decorated hotel ballrooms or country clubs, barns offer an open canvas and an opportunity to display your style and creativity with tables, chairs, lighting, florals and linens. But not all barn venues are created equally when it comes to the comfort of you and your guests. You’ll want everyone to be able to park easily and enter without traipsing through mud in nice shoes! Other factors to consider are proper wiring and plumbing for your vendors, adequate heat/AC, comfortable restrooms, and a private space for you and your bridesmaids to freshen up. Two of our favorite barns that have all these things covered are new-to-the-scene Sweeney Barn in Manassas and The Middleburg Barn at Fox Chase Farms. Sweeney Barn is two stories of gorgeous interior and has one of the sweetest bridal dressing rooms around. We love Middleburg Barn’s 40 foot ceilings with Swarovski crystal chandeliers and large windows that let in natural light. If rustic glam is your thing, then you are a barn wedding gal!
2. For the Sophisticate: THE WINERY WEDDING
Cana Vinyards/Middleburg, VA/Maddie Williams Photography
Watch your back California! The DC area has some gorgeous vineyards right here in our own backyard. If you like the idea of stunning sunset photos among rolling hills of grapevine, you’ll love Leesburg’s Stone Tower Winery, Middleburg’s Cana Vinyards and Purcellville’s Breax Vinyards. All in Loudon County and offering views of the Blue Ridge as well as award winning wines. As with a barn setting, you’ll want to choose a winery that is equipped to handle a wedding. These three exceed expectation. A show-stopper ballroom for receptions with amazing views is amazing alone, but Stone Tower also offers multiple spaces to host a ceremony - from outdoors by its serene pond to indoors in it’s stone cellar among the heavenly-smelling oak barrels. We also love the excellent Breaux Vinyard for it’s beautiful outdoor terraces and gorgeous indoor ballroom with hardwood floors, fireplace and massive windows. Cheers to you if this is your kind of setting!
3. For the Romantic: THE MANOR HOUSE WEDDING
Carlyle House/Alexandria, VA/Birds Of A Feather Photography
If you grew up reading Jane Austen or ever watched Downton Abbey and felt “to the manor born” you are in luck here in Virginia. Thanks to meticulous caretakers and devoted historians, we have access to some of our country’s most beautiful and historic homes for your wedding. For an old town setting, we love Alexandria’s Carlyle House, built in 1751, with its iconic blue door and walled-in sculpted gardens. If views of the Potomac River and acres of gardens and lawn are more to your liking, we suggest the charming River Farm Mansion, also in Alexandria but further from the city. Fairfax’s greek revival Blenheim House, built in 1859, is full of Civil War history and perfect for a smaller, more intimate wedding in a rural setting. Whatever your choice, you and your guests will feel “at home” among all the history and culture these venues have to offer.
4. For the Traditionalist: THE RESORT/CLUB WEDDING
Westfields Resort/Chantilly, VA/Love Life Images
If you think resorts and clubs are stuffy, we are here to change your mind! Virginia is home to many delightful full service venues suited for the bride who is short on time and big on style. Offering full in-house service and overnight accommodations for your guests, a resort is the way to go if you just don’t want to sweat the small stuff. The wooded and stately Westfields in Chantilly can accommodate up to 500 guests for those planning a large elegant wedding and is a quick drive from Dulles Airport. The stunning Salamander Resort and Spa in Middleburg offers sophistication, attention to detail and charming and cozy (real fireplaces!) guest rooms with truly the most amazing bedding we’ve ever slept in. The gorgeous Lansdowne Resort and Spa in Leesburg has several breathtaking areas to choose from no matter the size of your guest list, from two ballrooms with gigantic windows letting in natural light to an outdoor terrace and expansive lawns. Nestled in acres of green hills and manicured golf links, we love International Country Club for it’s newly renovated modern ballroom, impeccable service, top-notch cuisine and convenient Fairfax location.
5. For the Individualist: THE UNCOMMON WEDDING
The Clarendon Ballroom/Clarendon, VA
You know who you are. You don’t mind standing out from the crowd. You appreciate a little quirkiness and have a knack for finding the unusual and making others wish they had done the same. Sure Virginia has a reputation for being a bit conservative, but we’ve got our creative side too, right? If you dig an art-deco vibe, consider the Clarendon Ballroom with it’s super fun rooftop bar perfect for a cocktail reception and it’s expansive retro dance floor. If you’re an art appreciator, the Northern Virginia’s Fine Arts Association’s beautiful Atheneum in Alexandria is a smart choice. Your photographer will love the Atheneum’s classical Greek revival architecture and massive doric columns as a backdrop for portraits. If you’re a nature lover with an eye for something different, Vienna’s Meadowlark Gardens will charm you and your guests with its spacious glass-walled atrium, Korean bell garden and tranquil lilac pavilion. We love an outlier, so you be you and trust us to help bring your vision to life!
So whatever your personality and whatever setting appeals to you most, we’d be delighted to help you choose the perfect Virginia location for your wedding. After all, Virginia truly is for lovers - of all kinds!