Spotlight on Sites

By Katrina Wilson | Sponsored by Fairfax County Park Authority You always dreamed of a storybook wedding, and now you stand in front of guests inside Laurel Hill Golf Club’s banquet room with your dream décor. You look forward to your photo session with the venue’s golf course as the backdrop to your day. The club is 9,400 square feet and their banquet room can hold 150 people. The event director has worked to help you reach your dream wedding day. Marisa Devin, event director at the club, said that the venue has scenic qualities and an awesome food and beverage manager. Scenic Qualities “Another unique thing is the different overlooks we have. There’s countless spots around the golf course to capture one-of-a-kind photos with gorgeous scenery all around,” Marisa said. The chic venue is surrounded by an alluring landscaped …

Sponsored by Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast Inn | By Katrina Wilson Middleburg’s Briar Patch Bed & Breakfast Inn has a peacock on site that they met in the fall, and he has maintained a colorful presence at the business. The establishment is known for hosting weddings, parties and retreats. It is a pet friendly bed and breakfast, but the Briar Patch family were shocked when a peacock showed up in the fall of 2022. He was eating the cat food for the outdoor cat! Ellen Goldberg, owner of the establishment, said they named the peacock Pete. “Years ago, our two daughters had parakeets – Pete and Polly,” she said. “I loved the alliteration with the P’s and gave the peacock the name Pete.” She said Pete the Peacock has favorite hangout spots on the roof of the main house …

Gordon Springs is a beautiful venue which opened up a year ago. It is a gorgeous rustic wedding venue that provides accommodations for weekends and specializes in weddings and other special events. Stephanie, the Director of Special Events, brings 20+ years of wedding experience to this luxury venue. Gordon Springs is a 30-acre estate which is surrounded by preserved farmland, historic structures, stone walls, gorgeous pond, rolling hills, mountain view. Gordon Springs is having an open house on Sunday, April 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The venue is located at 14276 Gordon Inn Lane, Hillsboro, Virginia 20132.

  By Katrina Wilson Sponsored by Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast Inn Briar Patch Bed & Breakfast Inn may be known as a place for weddings – and now they’re offering weekend cooking classes for three weekends this winter and spring. Anyone looking for a weekend getaway in Middleburg might enjoy one of these fun cooking class weekends. The bed and breakfast will host cooking class weekends for guests who need a break. Chef and cookbook author Chef Matt Finarelli will host the cooking sessions. Guests will learn how to develop gourmet four-course meals, which will be served with local wines. The cooking class weekends are once a month from January to March. The two-night stay includes wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres with a local wine expert on Friday night. The cooking class is a demonstration on Saturday night and …

Provided by Briar Patch B&B Inn Come to Briar Patch and meet the new addition — Pete the Peacock! The peacock just showed up at Briar Patch one day a few weeks ago and he has made himself at home, eating the outdoor cat’s food and enjoying the inn’s guests. He likes to perch on the roof of the main house, even though the staff left the barn door open for him because of the cold weather. Come to Briar Patch to see Pete and enjoy the special happenings described below. Jan. 27-29, 2023 — There are still a few places remaining for the Cooking Class Weekend with Chef Matt Finarelli and 50 West Vineyards described here for the Journey to Morocco themed menu. You can make a reservation at 703-327-5911 or email info@BriarPatchBandB.com. Feb. 3-5, 2023 — Briar Patch …

Provided by Briar Patch Inn Anyone can use a break from the “new abnormal.” To do that, you need a getaway that is quiet, safe, private, and relaxing. To be happy, we can all use an opportunity to relax and recharge. It is hard to get away with all of your competing priorities, which is why a gift (to yourself or a family member or friend) of a getaway to Briar Patch Bed & Breakfast Inn is a perfect way to say “Happy Holidays!” Gift certificates from Briar Patch Bed & Breakfast Inn are treated as cash, can be purchased in any dollar amount, never expire, AND you get a 25% bonus on your purchase! They can be used for a future stay in a room or any of Briar Patch’s packages. Cooking Class Weekends Learn something new during your …

By Dawn Klavon Sweeney Barn is a modern venue in the heart of Manassas, Virginia. Renovated with state-of-the-art amenities, it’s the perfect space for a variety of events, whatever the occasion. With a beautiful outdoor lawn and two levels of indoor space, there are so many possibilities for your ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. Two separate indoor spaces also means that it has a great rain plan in case of inclement weather. Sweeney Barn can accommodate up to 200 guests for a seated reception, or up to 300 for a standing, cocktail-style event. A Wedding In A Barn? Really? Sweeney Barn is different from most rustic venues in that it’s centrally located with guest amenities within easy driving distance. Hotels are within 5-10 minutes of the venue. There are rehearsal dinner locations and late-night bars nearby for an afterparty. Dulles …

By Dawn Klavon Twin Lakes Golf Club, in Clifton, Virginia, is a renowned spot for Northern Virginia weddings. “The most important aspect of our facility is the beautiful views,” said Amanda Mason, event director at Twin Lakes Golf Course. “They make for a wonderful backdrop in photos.” Couples can eagerly plan their Twin Lakes wedding, knowing staff offers flexibility, helpful suggestions and the buildability of the venue. Creative options are available to custom tailor the wedding and reception space. “The room you start with is a blank canvas that can cater to create your perfect day,” Mason said. The pristine location has hosted weddings for couples from numerous cultural and religious backgrounds, providing a delightful venue no matter the requirements. Great care is given to provide excellent service, knowledgeable input and creative touches to make each wedding personal and unique.  …

By Dawn Klavon Laurel Hill Golf Club, in Lorton, Virginia, is a premier destination for weddings in Fairfax County. In addition to spectacular views and vistas at the club, couples can enjoy a variety of unique services and benefits they wouldn’t find elsewhere. “The most important thing couples should know is we are a one stop shop, with everything being provided in-house,” said Marisa Devin, event director for Laurel Hill Golf Club. “When you have your event at Laurel Hill, you get the venue, food and drinks all in the same place instead of having to coordinate with multiple people.” Couples look back on their wedding experience at Laurel Hill fondly, overjoyed with the whole day. Photo opportunities are plentiful, with Laurel Hill’s splendid location and beautiful overlooks onto the golf course. An accommodating, professional staff offer careful attention to …

By Dawn Klavon Want a wedding venue that will surpass your expectations? Then say “I do” to the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks. Centrally located in Fairfax near the Fair Oaks Mall, the Fairfax Marriott venue offers a beautiful, open Garden Atrium and comfortable ballroom that accommodates up to 220 guests. There are many benefits to holding a wedding at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks. In addition to competitively priced wedding packages, couples will have the guidance of their experienced Wedding Specialist to guide them through the process. “With over 14 years of events experience, their Wedding Specialist will help create a timeline, plan the menu, and coordinate vendors for setup, all while making the process as easy as possible,” said Lucy Warner, Director of Catering for the hotel. At the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks, everyone is welcome.  …

By Amy Falksofske Sponsored by Catering by Uptown You’re engaged! Congratulations! You might be overwhelmed with all the planning that lies ahead, but you don’t need to be. Catering By Uptown is here to take care of all the details for you. They have all-inclusive packages that they can tailor to your budget and your desires for your perfect day. Whether you want to get married in Maryland, Virginia or DC, Catering by Uptown has a venue to suit your tastes and budget. All-Inclusive Package Catering By Uptown’s all-inclusive package has everything. They take care of brides and grooms from the beginning of the planning stage until the last guest leaves the reception. Once you book, you get your own wedding planner that will walk you through the steps to plan your wedding. They will also set you up with …

By Rachel Nohe Sponsored by Sweeney Barn In the 1930s, Sweeney Barn was a place for milking cows owned by the Birkett family. However, in 2018, the barn was bought by Noel and Alannah Sweeney and transformed into an event center with rustic elegance.  During the renovation process, it was crucial to the Sweeneys that they utilize as much of the original materials as possible while simultaneously modernizing the architecture.  The barn holds historical importance to the area, so its preservation was as important as bringing in modern touches. Andrea Van Wambeke, General Manager at Sweeney Barn, said, “Renovated in 2018, Sweeney Barn has state-of-the-art amenities that will ensure every guest is comfortable on their wedding day.” Location, Location, Location  One of the benefits of the venue is that while the barn itself is rustic, it is located in the …