Bridal News

If you are thinking about a close to home wedding weekend, you might want to get in the car and take a quick drive down I-95 this Sunday, Aug. 22nd, and tour the Inn at The Olde Silk Mill inFredericksburg. This charming bed & breakfast, with 27 guest rooms and suites filled with beautiful antiques, is hosting a Bridal Open House from 2pm to 5pmand will feature some of Fredericksburg’s fine wedding professionals.

The Inn at the Olde Silk Mill is located at 1707 Princess Anne Street. This silk mill behind the property was built in the 1800s and the B&B is actually a former motor lodge built in the 1930s. Back in the day, before the interstate highway system, Route 1 was the way to go down the East Coast and the motor lodge was one of the largest guest accommodations on the highway. The property offers a lovely room for smaller weddings, accommodating 50 guests, and for larger events there is plenty of space to tent.

To learn more about the open house, call 540.371.5666 and visit www.innattheoldesilkmill.com.

I always enjoy dropping by the Middleburg Community Center, located in the heart of the village at 300 West Washington Street, and visiting with Director JoAnne Cole.

Established in 1949, this charming community center features the Grand Ballroom - with a stage - that can accommodate 150 guests, a flagstone garden terrace that works well for wedding ceremonies and the Terrace Room which can hold up to 50 for a rehearsal dinner. There’s also a herb garden that’s perfect for wedding photos.

As a rental site, Middleburg Community Center allows the use of licensed and insured caterers. The center can provide you with 60″ round tables (which can seat up to 10 guests), rectangular tables for your buffet and folding chairs. The spacious ballroom works for a variety of seating arrangements and the stage is a great place for your entertainment or even head table.

Office hours are 9am to 4pm. To check on pricing and availability, and to schedule a tour of the center, contact Joanne at 540.687.6373.

Who doesn’t love historic when it comes to weddings! If you haven’t been to an event at Rockledge Mansion in Occoquan recently, you owe it to youself to check out this lovely property. There’s a beautiful ballroom with lots of natural light, “parlor” rooms that encourage mixing and mingling for cocktail-style receptions, and outdoor ceremony space.

Gloria Rouse, owner of Georgetown Caterers, handles the event bookings at Rockledge and has the following dates available in 2010: June 12 & 19; August 28; September 4 & 11; October 9 & 16. Book one of these great Saturday dates by May 15 and receive half off your room rental when you mention Brides & Weddings. To tour Rockledge, call 703.866.1353.

Cindie