Virginia is for lovers and Northern Virginia wedding venues make the perfect locations to tie the knot. The Northern Virginia area is the perfect blend of luxury combined with all the charm of the Virginia wine country. The area has no shortage of wedding venues and it’s a Virginia film photographer and hybrid photographer’s dream.

I’ll start with one of my favorite places to photograph, not only because of how gorgeous it is but also because of its diversity of settings all in one general area. Great Marsh Estate weddings are nothing less than perfection. The 121 acre estate is host to multiple gorgeous settings for your day. From the moment you arrive along the beautiful tree-lined driveway, you’ll see why everyone is talking about Great Marsh Estate. The renowned Georgian Mansion, with restored period features is steeped in heritage and charm. The Stable is the reception hall located in the restored historic barn at Great Marsh. The entire estate is located close to the town of Warrenton, Virginia and is only an hour drive to Washington, DC.

Another favorite of mine is Morais Vineyards. It has a stunning array of settings all in one compact area, making it easy to get an enormous amount of variety in your wedding day photos without having to travel from one location to another. From the incredible bridal suite to the Portuguese facade, it’s never short of enchanting settings. And the ballroom is big enough to fit everyone you can think of!

“Morais Vineyards & Winery is an elegant wedding venue located just outside of Washington, D.C. This romantic vineyard venue features a variety of indoor and outdoor wedding locations that will have your guests swooning. The large ballroom is the perfect place for grandiose wedding day celebrations, while the impressive courtyards and terraces make the perfect setting for an unforgettable cocktail hour. This elegant venue features a variety of breathtaking balconies perfect for wedding day photos.” – from the Morais Vienyards website

Shadow Creek Weddings and Events is another incredible Northern Virginia wedding venue. It goes without saying that it has one of the largest indoor spaces around. And its setting is ideal as well. Right outside of Washington D.C. in Loudoun County, Shadow Creek is a perfect blend of luxury and countryside romance. It’s a perfect example of what a Leesburg wedding venue should be.

From the Shadow Creek website…”Shadow Creek was specifically built for couples looking for a wedding venue that perfectly blends rusticity with elegance. Although Shadow Creek was built to replicate an equestrian barn on the outside, the inside is whimsical, romantic and chic. Hardwood floors, stunning chandeliers, twinkle lights, a French country inspired bridal suite, a manly grooms lounge, and outdoor lawn games are just some of the things that make Shadow Creek so unique!”

The Woodlawn and Pope Leighey House is another iconic Northern Virginia wedding venue. All the history lovers will fall in love with the charm of this Washington home. And nestled on the same plot of land as Woodlawn is the relocated Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, the Pope Leighey House.

The Woodlawn property is a luxury wedding venue for the history buff and the elegant bride. It’s rolling grounds feature a fountain garden, a Federal/Georgian mansion, a brick & oyster-lined event tent area with permanent flooring, and uniquely historic landscape as well as access to the Pope-Leighey House.

Imagine your wedding day filled with all the historic charm of Virginia along with the enchantment of Europe. From the Spanish Steps to the Butterfly Garden to the Formal Gardens and the boxwood labyrinth, Airlie has it all! Airlie is a Northern Virginia wedding venue with multiple locations to make you swoon.

From the Airlie website…”Just 50 miles outside D.C., Airlie transports you to a world filled with rich history, heartwarming Virginian hospitality and an unspoiled countryside setting spread out across 300 highly photographable acres in quaint Fauquier County. So it’s no wonder the Washingtonian declared Airlie ‘The Most Romantic Ceremony Site We Have Ever Seen.'”

Salamander Resort and Spa is another stunning Northern Virginia wedding venue with all the amenities you could ask for and then some. And it’s lush greens in the summer just can’t be beat.

“Salamander Resort & Spa is an elegant and historic wedding venue located just south of Leesburg in Middleburg, Virginia. Nestled on 340 acres of picturesque grounds, this stunning venue redefines the sophisticated country lifestyle. Salamander Resort & Spa features over 20,000 square feet of breathtaking ballrooms, while the outdoor atmosphere is surrounded by lush vineyards and sweeping lawns.” – Salamander Resort and Spa

Another newer location for a Northern Virginia wedding is Fleetwood FarmWinery. This beautiful venue has the most lovely indoor reception space (with a second, larger one under construction) and boasts a stunning outdoor area for your ceremony.

From the Fleetwood Farm Winery website: “Fleetwood Farm Winery is a sophisticated new wedding venue located in Leesburg, Virginia. The property features a historic manor house, tasting room, grand terrace, and several options for a beautiful ceremony. Come experience the comfort and sophistication of Fleetwood.”

Another new favorite of mine is The Barn at Willowbrook. This is a gorgeous white barn venue with some incredible spaces to prepare for your wedding day as well. The Barn is no rustic, barn-to-wedding conversion piece. It’s a Northern Virginia wedding venue built with the couple in mind. It’s design keeps the focus on the wedding day while allowing guests to enjoy the beauty of the Northern Virginia countryside.

The inside of the barn is nothing short of stunning as well. This is truly one of the most up and coming venues in the region!

The Riverview is another newer venue nestled in the small boutique town of Occoquan in Northern Virginia. The Riverview at Occoquan is operated by the NOVA parks (who also have some pretty amazing catering options!).

The center boasts a large wedding and events area that can accommodate approximately 400 seated guests, the 1608 Room, two adjacent outdoor spaces and a private Hospitality Suite and historic cottage to prepare for their special day. There is also an historic kiln on the property and gorgeous river views! The inside of the building is nothing less than spectacular as well. It’s truly a gem of a Northern Virginia wedding venue.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is another lovely Northern Virginia wedding venue. It’s one of my favorite garden wedding locations because not only are the grounds full and lush and ripe with photo opportunities, but the indoor Atrium is a stunning indoor reception location. It mimics the rest of the atmosphere at Meadowlark with a bubbling brook running throughout, an indoor botanical covering and glass walls to view the ceremony space just outside.

The Atrium at Meadowlark offers a unique venue for those who seek a garden oasis. The reception atrium has three glass walls, a cathedral ceiling complete with a huge skylight, Ficus trees strewn with twinkling lights and flourishing flower beds and tropical plants throughout the building. There is even a small stream that runs throughout leading to a majestic fountain. The venue even overlooks panoramic views of the lush gardens beyond, complete with outdoor terrace and fountain. 

Another venue with so many options is Historic Rosemont Manor and Barn. From the Rosemont website: “The Historic Rosemont Manor is a bed and breakfast wedding venue featuring an elegantly rustic mansion, a Carriage House and the beautiful barn. Rosemont has a wonderful wedding coordinator on site and is approximately 70 minutes from downtown Washington, D.C.”

You can even tie the knot in front of this waterfall! And the grounds are so very lovely too. It’s one of my favorite Loudoun County wedding venues.

Oatlands Historic House and Gardens is another Northern Virginia favorite. It’s gardens are extensive and the grounds seem to never end. The house is also a favorite of history buffs!

From their website: “Nestled in picturesque Loudoun County, Virginia, Oatlands Historic House & Garden boasts over 200 years of history, and 30 years as a wedding venue. The historic mansion and beautifully terraced formal gardens offer the perfect venue for your wedding. Fall in love with a lush garden ceremony, and after exchanging your vows, enjoy cocktails in the gardens, and explore the Greek Revival mansion.”

Morven Park is another incredible place with history, charm and manicured gardens. You can’t go wrong with the architecture and the gardens filled with magnolia, holly, and boxwood. “Expansive lawns open up to views of a forested ridgeline, horse pastures, and 100-year-old brick walls punctuated by wrought-iron gates.”- Morven Park website

Morven Park boasts a stunning mansion as well and several options for your wedding day rental.

Blue Valley Vineyard is another gorgeous Northern Virginia winery wedding location. From the website: “Located in Delaplane, Virginia on the original John Marshall Estate, Blue Valley Vineyard & Winery offers a luxury vineyard wedding experience. Featuring both indoor and outdoor spaces overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, our winery offers a breathtaking backdrop and party space to host your special day.”

Marriott Ranch is another venue with mountain views that can’t be beat. The manor house is the perfect place to get ready for your Big Day and there are several options for the ceremony site. The reception space is also comfortable and open and catering is pretty incredible as well.

“In 1951, the founder of Marriott International, J. Willard Marriott Sr., discovered a beautiful piece of the Blue Ridge foothills that reminded him of his boyhood days on the family farm in Utah. After buying the property, he meticulously began to restore the primary historic buildings, their surrounding grounds and continued to purchase contiguous parcels of land including Fiery Run Ranch, creating the 4200+/- acre Marriott Ranch.” – Marriott Ranch website

Stone Tower Winery is another incredible Northern Virginia winery with views that won’t quit and a facility with all the amenities you could imagine. Stone Tower is huge and you won’t be short of space or great wine!

Goodstone Inn is a stunning Northern Virginia wedding venue in the heart of the small historic town of Middleburg. “A wedding at Goodstone goes well beyond the afternoon dinner; your wedding weekend becomes an exclusive and private bonding experience. Unhurried and intimate, our Virginia destination weddings provide you and your guests the finest of hospitality and service, while celebrating and relaxing in the surroundings of our historic Middleburg estate. From the welcome pool party, to the ceremony and reception, to historic overnight accommodations and a farewell breakfast, all 265 pastoral acres can be yours.” – from the Goodstone Inn website

Tucked inside of Warrenton, Virginia, you’ll find The Black Horse Inn. The Black Horse Inn is the epitome of horse country charm. It has a wonderful indoor reception hall as well on site and the historic inn is the perfect place to get ready for your Big Day.

From the Black Horse Inn website: “Our grand mansion offers one-of-a-kind architecture, interiors, and gardens providing the backdrop for your special day. With an estate wedding, your future together will begin framed by the elegance of the past. Imagine descending a majestic staircase, gown trailing behind as your groom waits in an ornate hall, reciting your vows on a picturesque balcony overlooking a formal garden, or dancing with your guests in an exquisite ballroom.”

Another incredibly lovely Northern Virginia wedding venue is Raspberry Plain Manor. From their website: “Raspberry Plain Manor lends itself to any bridal event whether an intimate rehearsal dinner, a gala reception, a formal dinner, or a festive wedding day brunch…Imagine a traditional manor house that can accommodate all of your guests in one room, and allows you to use any caterer of your choice.  Raspberry Plain Manor will host your guest in both style and elegance to create unforgettable wedding memories.”

Whitehall Estate is another Northern Virginia wedding venue with multiple options. From the beautiful manor house to the spacious converted barn, Whitehall has so many options. “A sense of romance unfolds before you on a property rich in history and scenic beauty. Outdoor ceremonies can be held in front of the gazebo or beneath the mature shade trees. Wild, open pastures become a stunning backdrop for creative photographs. Newlyweds may also wander through the working vineyard for additional photo opportunities. The verandas and garden can transform into a location for fun and games with croquet or bocce ball on the lawn. The interior celebrations held in The Great Hall & Farm Terrace or the Palladian Ballroom offer couples simplicity and elegance. Hand-fabricated wrought iron chandeliers hang from the venue’s coffered ceilings. Whitehall Estate offers beautifully appointed get-ready rooms for final wedding party preparations, and a game room specifically designed to entertain your youngest guests.” – Whitehall Estate

Rust Manor House is another Northern Virginia wedding venue operated by the NOVA parks department. It boasts a gorgeous historic manor house and some lovely views as it is nestled inside of an expansive nature sanctuary. This land itself is owned by the Audubon Naturalist Society. It’s the perfect place for a couple who loves the history and charm of an historic house and the beauty of nature.

I plan on adding more venues over time so stay tuned! In the meantime, feel free to peruse these Northern Virginia wedding venues, the Virginia winery wedding venues and these Leesburg wedding venues. Also check out this page devoted to Great Marsh Estate weddings and this one devoted to Airlie weddings.