Where to Get Married in Virginia
If you’re planning a wedding in Virginia, let’s pop the champagne! I’m thrilled to call this state my home base for the time being, and throughout my time here I’ve had such an amazing time photographing weddings and elopements. For the couples who are figuring out where to get married in Virginia, this blog is for you! From my personal experience, these are all the best venues, national parks, and state parks you can choose from.
The Inn at Vint Hill
The Inn at Vint Hill is by far one of my favorite places to get married in Virginia. This venue is a historical, 1860s style manor that’s perfect for both intimate and larger weddings! Molly and Zack had their big day here at The Inn at Vint Hill, and it ended up being so beautiful. The antique white walls, hardwood floors, and lush outdoor lawn provides the perfect setting for anyone getting married in VA. You’ll be nestled in the town of Warrenton, and there are actually quite a few mountain summits and peaks nearby. You’ll have stunning views, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a day trip to Shenandoah National Park the day after your wedding that’s only 35 miles away!
Private Airbnb
If you’re having an intimate wedding, hosting it at a private Airbnb could be a fantastic option. For both you and your guests, the ease and convenience of having everything in one place will take so much stress off your plate. Cheyenne and Nicholas had such a beautiful, intimate, winter wedding at an Airbnb in Richmond, and let me tell you it was everything they could have hoped for and more. They had a blast with their closest friends and family, no one was overly stressed or anxious, and I even had an amazing time hanging out with them! We took lots of romantic photos around the property, and you can see for yourself how cute they turned out. Don’t hesitate to hop on the Airbnb website and check out the options!
Sky Meadows State Park
Coincidentally enough, our next location is where Cheyenne and Nicholas had their engagement session! I love suggesting state parks for intimate weddings and elopements because of all the breathtaking ones we have around. Sky Meadows State Park is definitely high on that list for so many reasons. If you’re looking for an open, expansive place to get married in Virginia, this spot is for you. This 1800 acre park is filled with woodlands, rolling pastures, and of course the most scenic views you could dream of.
Shenandoah National Park
Following the theme of outdoor locations, this one I’ve been so excited to chat about! I’ve photographed both engagements sessions and elopements here, and it truly never ceases to disappoint me. Shenandoah is one of Virginia’s 22 national parks, but I have to say, I think it’s my all-time favorite! This park has just about everything you could think of - from cascading waterfalls to beautiful vistas to fields of wildflowers.
There are lots of hiking opportunities for couples who want to plan an adventurous outdoor elopement as well! Ingrid and Bejan planned the most intentional elopement with just the two of them here at Shenandoah, and my breath was taken away. If you want to elope somewhere scenic but are worried about your guests, you can hold a private ceremony outdoors and then celebrate with your family at a venue afterwards. That’s exactly what Ingrid and Bejan did, and they achieved the best of both worlds! If you’re interested in eloping at Shenandoah National Park, I have an entire guide with tips and tricks (and locations!) curated just for you.
Bluebird Manor
Did someone say timeless, classic barn wedding? Bluebird Manor is such a solid venue choice for couples who want lots of outdoor space and a dedicated indoor facility. There are 180 acres of lush, grassy fields at your fingertips for the entire day, which means plenty of space to roam around to take photos! You’re also supporting a local, family-owned business when booking this venue. A husband, wife, and daughter trio have worked hard to create this beautiful experience for couples getting married. It was completely renovated in 2018 and remains one of my go-to venue recommendations!
Glasgow Farm
Can you believe that this gorgeous venue is only 5 minutes away from my house? This historic wedding venue was established in 1870 and remains one of the most sophisticated estates around. One of my favorite things about Glasgow Farm is that although it’s secluded, it’s still near the major cities and highways for convenience! The farm itself sits on an entire 10 acres of land, so you know you’ll have plenty of space and privacy to enjoy your big day.
Washington D.C.
I love a good intimate wedding or elopement in the heart of the city! If you’re planning a more modern-style wedding, Washington D.C. could be the perfect place to have it. David and Tiasha had both their intimate wedding and engagement session here, and the location was perfect for them! Let me tell you, sunrise near the Capitol Building is a setting like no other. The warm, morning light creates the most dramatic and romantic atmosphere that you could ever imagine. Plus, there are so many things to do and see after your elopement if you want a day full of activities! If you’re having guests, there are also countless nearby venues that would be perfectly suited for you and your guests.
Wineries
If you’re looking for a more unique venue option, consider having a winery wedding in Virginia! I’m a huge fan of winery weddings, so here are my top 3 recommendations:
Stone Tower Winery
Stone Tower Winery offers a variety of different settings for your big day. Whether you want a pond, hillside, ballroom, or tank room ceremony, they’ve got it all! Creating the perfect balance between rustic charm and sophisticated elegance, the ambiance of this winery is beyond romantic. They even have special offers for intimate weddings, microweddings, and elopements to ensure you’re getting the best experience possible. And why not stay the night at their onsite cottage and have a farmhouse brunch as newlyweds the next day?
12 Ridges Vineyard
If you’re familiar with Blue Ridge Parkway, this winery venue will definitely intrigue you. 12 Ridges is located on Mile 25 of this infamous Virginia gem, making their high-altitude wine a unique feature that you won’t experience in many other places! They currently don’t allow large weddings, but welcome small and intimate elopements with open arms. And if you’re planning a surprise proposal like Mike and Andrea, this wouldn’t be too bad a view to have!
Bluemont Vineyard
Sunkissed mountains, vast orchards, and panoramic views? Sign me up! Bluemont Vineyard is nestled on the first ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just about 950 feet above sea level. The panoramic views it offers are of the beautiful Loudoun Valley in Northern Virginia. This winery is also a bit different from the previous ones, as it’s actually a farm winery! They have a rustic barn venue right on the property, giving you a little more flexibility in terms of guest count for your big day. Even if you’re eloping with just you and your partner, you can have a delicious little picnic in the vineyards to celebrate afterwards!
Woodend Sanctuary Manor
Next up on the list of places to get married in Virginia, we have Woodend Sanctuary Manor. Don’t even get me started on Arielle and Adam’s wedding day here - I could go on forever about it!! They had the most stunning outdoor ceremony surrounded by tall trees, lush greenery, and of course their closest friends and family. If you get married here, you truly don’t have to do much decor-wise because of all the natural beauty it has to offer. A & A chose to have a very simple ceremony, but simple did not equate to plain-looking! Afterwards, they took the party to the mansion located within this 40-acre private sanctuary. Their day had such a perfect flow to it, with the flexibility of having an indoor/outdoor venue for them and their guests to explore. I’m telling you, this is one of my favorite venues around!
Clyde’s at Willow Creek Farm
Whether you’re having a small, intimate wedding or a larger celebration, Clyde’s at Willow Creek Farm has plenty of classy spaces to choose from. This is technically a private dining space with absolutely delicious food, so with that you can’t go wrong! Clyde’s has a rich history dating back to the 1980s and to this day still has antique pieces decorating the entire space. Taking pride in their farm-to-table values, they believe in creating a unique and friendly atmosphere for their guests that they treat like family. Kim & Ken had the best time hosting their wedding here, and I know you will too!
Ready to book your Virginia wedding or elopement photographer?
Now that you know all the best places to get married in Virginia, it’s time to really start planning! If you’re in need of a wedding photographer who knows her stuff (and who can also help you decide where to get married based on this list), I might know the perfect one. To get in touch with me about documenting your big day, you can fill out my contact form and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. In the meantime, we can connect on Instagram or you can visit my Pinterest profile for more Virginia wedding & elopement inspiration!