Spotlight on Sites

By Amy Taylor Sponsored by Catoctin Creek Distilling Company The first distillery to open in Loudoun County since prohibition, Catoctin Creek Distilling Company is celebrating their 10-year anniversary in style. They are holding celebrations throughout the entire year and you won’t want to miss them! A Year of Celebration To kick off a year of celebration, they will hold a big anniversary party in March. Join them for an upscale southern-style cocktail party complete with signature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music. Celebrations will continue throughout the year with quarterly distillery dinners, special events and branded glassware. “Throughout the year we will be hosting many different events to celebrate our anniversary, from distillery dinners to interactive cocktail classes. These are great events for engaged couples to experience together and with their friends and family to get a feel for everything …

By Erin Pittman Sponsored by Historic Rosemont Manor There’s a new wedding venue debuting in Northern Virginia in April 2019 — Historic Rosemont Springs. For years, couples have been enjoying the class and elegance of Historic Rosemont Manor, a 200-year-old mansion which faces out over the Shenandoah Valley toward the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rosemont Manor has a rich political history. It served as the home of Harry S. Byrd, Sr., governor of Virginia, and as a civil war battlefield site. Seven U.S. presidents have visited the property, as well as other world-renowned people like Albert Einstein and Charles Lindbergh. Now, there’s another elegant option on the grounds of the manor. Historic Rosemont Springs in Berryville, Virginia is a beautiful new Amish-built post and beam barn, featuring a breathtaking waterfall, garden terrace and large stone fireplace. Bridal parties and guests can …

Majestic architecture, manicured landscaping, sparkling waters and elite service are some of our favorite aspects of a country club wedding. From the traditional bride to the modern bride, or even the rustic bride, these Northern Virginia country club destinations offer breathtaking beauty that will suit any theme. Read on to discover the magic each venue has to offer! Chantilly National Golf Club Northern Virginia brides have a plethora of beautiful wedding locations to choose from, but if you love golf, the Chantilly National Golf and Country Club is a perfect choice. Located in Centreville, it features a gorgeous Ed Ault-designed golf course with a traditional par-72 layout as well as a fun practice facility which includes a chipping green, putting green, bunker area, and even a 275-yard driving range. If golf isn’t your wedding theme or favorite activity, you can …

By Jennifer Lazzo Surrounded by homes and community parks, the Manassas Park Community Center is a welcome and unexpected surprise. This hidden gem boasts a 3,480-square-foot banquet hall with neutral décor – perfect for showcasing any event’s theme. “When people think of a community center, they don’t think of the functionality of what we have,” said Amelia Powell, customer service supervisor for the Center. “We have the large banquet hall and the pre-function area, or cocktail area, which gives flexibility to the event.” The banquet hall can be divided into two smaller spaces, each seating 115; the full hall can seat up to 230 guests. While many clients use the pre-function space to host cocktail hour, some have added tables to the space to accommodate larger events. Redesigned and rebuilt just seven years ago, the Center also has a spacious …

By Jennifer Lazzo Farm Brew Live is the place to go for locally-crafted beer, craft food, and live entertainment. With spaces both big and small – and everything in between – it’s the perfect destination to host a special occasion. The eight-acre campus is the home of the historic Thomasson Barn, built in 1929 on a former dairy farm, as well as new buildings that have been completed in phases. The first phase included 2 Silos Brewery, the Pour House and the Yard. The Living Room at the Pour House, located on the mezzanine level overlooking the 2 Silos tasting room; the brewery’s processing area, when available due to the production schedule; and the VIP area of the Yard, with seating for 50, are smaller spaces perfect for bachelor parties, bridal showers or rehearsal dinners. Next came the Great Hall, …

For couples who want the feel of a picturesque hunt country wedding in a convenient setting with personalized service, Heritage Hunt Golf & Country Club provides the best of both worlds. Located just off I-66 in Gainesville, Heritage Hunt offers two wedding venues on property that was once a horse farm. With indoor and outdoor wedding options, couples can choose based on their style and guest count, said Cary Muirhead, director of sales. The Great Oak Ballroom is located in the 28,000 square-foot Heritage Hunt Clubhouse, which was designed to emulate the grand Colonial-style of a Virginia plantation. The classically appointed space can accommodate up to 330 guests. It features a built-in wood dance floor, a raised stage with lighting and an integrated sound system. The Marsh Mansion offers a more intimate venue, about a mile and half past the …

Laurel Hill Golf Club offers couples personalized service in a picturesque setting for their wedding, with the added bonus of an engaging chef who can fulfill their culinary vision. Not far from I-95 in southern Fairfax County, Laurel Hill Golf Club’s 9,400 square foot clubhouse is situated in the gently rolling hills of a beautifully landscaped 18-hole championship golf course. The spacious banquet room and adjoining Tower Room Grill can accommodate up to 150 people comfortably. Guests will be mesmerized by the panoramic views of the golf course, said Matt Loewenstein, events and membership director. “Planning is key to any event, especially a wedding,” he said. “We focus on attention to detail, making sure every aspect of the wedding goes exactly as planned.” The refined and elegant clubhouse offers full in-house catering services, a banquet room and executive dining facilities …

  After the engagement ring is on your finger, the questions looms, “Where should I have my wedding?” Although many options are tempting, from historic homes and favorite restaurants, to exotic locations like mountain tops, many brides must find a balance between budget, planning time and out-of-town guests’ requirements. Hotels offer convenience, value, a wide array of capabilities and experienced staff to make wedding planning and the big day effortless, cost-effective and polished. Convenience Today’s brides are busy with families, careers, studies, travel, hobbies and, of course, a fiance. Some brides are even planning weddings from another town or state. Many of the wedding guests are traveling from a distance to share in the special day. Some will be drinking during the reception. Hotels offer the ability to hold both the reception and guest rooms in one place so that no one will need to drive afterwards. Most hotels offer a complimentary bridal suite with wedding packages and many airport hotels allow …

Provided by Villagio Hospitality Group Northern Virginia’s first destination brewery campus, Farm Brew LIVE, has opened to the public. Located in Manassas, Virginia, Farm Brew LIVE is an eight-acre campus that features craft beer, craft food and live, local music. Included in phase one of opening are 2 Silos Brewing Co. and tasting room, The YARD outdoor live music venue, The Pit BBQ and beer garden and La Gringa Food Truck. Farm Brew LIVE is part of Innovation Park in Prince William County on the site of the historic Thomasson Barn. 2 Silos Brewing Co. is a 30-barrel brew house, capable of producing 15,000-20,000 barrels per year. That equates to 4.5 million pints a year! “We are committed to promoting the craft beer culture by making our 2 Silos Brewing Co. beer selections the finest in Northern Virginia region,” says Head Brewmaster and Co-Founder of 2 Silos Brewing …

By Alyssa Souvignier Brides looking for an affordable venue option for their wedding reception may be interested in Twin Lakes Golf Course. Located at 6201 Union Mill Road in Clifton, Virginia, this newly renovated ballroom seats 175-200 people comfortably for a wedding reception and at a price that may be surprising. The venue, which is located within a picturesque golf course setting, bases pricing on a flat fee of $400 per hour for the first five hours (five-hour minimum required) and just an additional $200 per hour after that. Set-up is included. Additionally, costs are constant regardless of the day of week chosen for the reception. According to Twin Lakes Events Manager Kara Martinez, most venues base pricing on a per person cost and require brides to use a preferred catering vendor. Twin Lakes does not work with preferred vendors …

By Helena Tavares Kennedy Imagine jumping on a plane to venture off on your honeymoon with your new spouse just minutes after your wedding ends! That can be a reality if you host your wedding at the Holiday Inn Dulles located at 45425 Holiday Drive in Sterling, Virginia, and they even have a free shuttle to and from the Washington – Dulles International Airport. With a recent $7 million renovation to the entire hotel including event spaces and guest rooms, there is even more reason than ever to host your wedding at Holiday Inn Dulles. With over 100 full time and 20 part time staff to assist you at the hotel, you will be well served for all your wedding needs, from the actual wedding event itself to hosting family members overnight in the hotel rooms. With an average of …

By Ashley Simpson The Hilton Garden Inn Hotel of Woodbridge opened in April of 2015 and began hosting weddings just last year, at the start of 2016. As the largest venue in Prince William County, it’s no surprise that the hotel’s wedding calendar is filling up quickly for 2017 – and beyond. “The venue itself is 2,500 square feet,” Event Coordinator Evelyn Vargas said. “We had 13 weddings in 2016, so this is a brand new venue. Everything feels so new and is in such pristine shape.” The Hilton Garden Inn Woodbridge, which this year ranked 6th out of 700 of the brand’s hotels nationwide, offers plenty of attractive features for couples planning a wedding in addition to its size and luster. The appeal of a spanking new venue combined with the sheer convenience of the entire process makes the …