10 Reasons to Get Married in and Around Richmond, VA

Virginia truly is for lovers. Here's why:

1. Rustic Chic
If you're a fan of rustic chic, the style that has been running rampant on the blogosphere, like so many of us are, then Virginia might just be the perfect place for you! From quaint venues like Chiles Peach Orchard to Amber Grove Inn, where you can have your ceremony in a turn-of-the-century diary barn, chic rustic locations are plentiful in our state.

2. Go Back in Time
One of the reasons so many people are attracted to Virginia is the historical nature of many of our state's wedding venues. From the Edgar Allan Poe Museum to the Jamestown Church on historic Jamestown Island to a classic Italianate mansion, like the Bolling Haxall House, the venues in Virginia ooze historical charm.

3. Southern Charm
But if Southern charm is what you're seeking, the plantations along the Jamestown River should satisfy your sweet-tea tooth. Imagine wining and dining your guests in the boyhood home of Thomas Jefferson at Tuckahoe Plantation or along the banks of the Rappahannock River at Blandfield Plantation, where ladies might fan away the warm summer winds while drinking a mint julep.

4. Southern Comfort
You can enjoy local favorites like Virginia ham (and the requisite ham biscuit), Southern comfort foods like collard greens and peanut soup, regional delights like crab cakes or go "green" and enjoy foods from the dozens of local organic farms and farmer's markets. Dessert possibilities are endless with fresh fruit straight from local producers almost year-round. Apples, peaches and practically every kind of berry can be used in your pastries or even to adorn your cake! In the same weekend, you can hold your rehearsal dinner in a historic tavern, treat your guests to a contemporary feast in the ballroom of a world-class hotel and end with handmade pastries and a made-to-order brunch at an award-winning B&B like the Inn at Warner Hall in Gloucester.

5. Strategically Located
For many couples, the greatest thing about a Virginia wedding is the ease of travel. Since we're centrally located along the eastern seaboard, Virginia couldn't be better for a destination wedding, easily accessible to guests traveling from New York, Pennsylvania and North and South Carolina. If you're considering a destination weekend, you may consider a venue that provides lodging for your guests like Blandfield Plantation (Essex County), The Hope and Glory Inn (Irvington) or Barboursville Vineyards (Charlottesville). Or you might take advantage of a block of rooms at a quintessential Virginia hotel, such as The Jefferson, in Richmond.

6. Affinity
Alumni of some of the country's best colleges flock back to their college towns to host their reunion-style weddings. The 300-year-old Wren Chapel at the College of William and Mary is available to those with campus affiliations, especially those couples who first kissed on the legendary Crim Dell Bridge, as are the chapels at the University of Richmond and the University of Virginia.

7. Vineyards
With more than 100 vineyards in the Old Dominion, no matter where you are in the state, you're more than likely within driving distance of a winery. Each has its own feel, from the historically charming Barboursville Vineyards to the striking and sophisticated ballroom of Veritas Vineyard & Winery. Both are just outside Charlottesville.

8. Mountain Air
If the outdoors is your scene, consider it done. We have some of the most breathtaking outdoor venues, from manicured botanical gardens like Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden to rustic and wild settings like Montfair Resort Farm outside Charlottesville.

9. Four Seasons
Unlike our northern counterparts who experience a longer winter and our western sisters who have lovely weather all year long (we're looking at you, California), we here in Virginia get to experience both the blessings and the tragedies of all four seasons, which is good for all y'all. Why? The shoulder seasons here in Virginia (winter and the hot, hot summer) are less popular, which means major savings. And although it may still be snowing in northern states during April, we tend to see the beginnings of spring. Consider a destination wedding that month, maybe at one of our lovely vineyards or plantations.

10. Fall Foliage!
Virginia is hands-down the perfect location for lovers of autumn. The changing leaves are inspiration that can be incorporated throughout your wedding design, and the harvest season can even be a major feature in your menu.


Learn more about the scenic areas of Virginia in the fall!


Courtney Spencer is the owner of wedding planning company, Merriment Events, and the author of the wedding blog, Little White Book. Shayna Walker is the owner of Williamsburg Wedding Design and the blog, Weddlady.