Unique Venues

You’re Invited: Sweeney Barn’s Summer 2025 Open House Sunday, August 17, 2025 | 1 – 4 PM 9310 Discovery Blvd., Manassas, VA 20109 Calling all engaged couples, event planners, and wedding pros! Sweeney Barn is throwing open its doors for an unforgettable Summer Open House on Sunday, August 17, 2025, from 1 to 4 PM, and Brides & Weddings is excited to help spread the word. This is your chance to tour one of Northern Virginia’s most charming and unique wedding venues—a beautifully restored 1939 dairy barn that blends rustic elegance with modern amenities. Whether you’re newly engaged or still exploring your options, you’ll get exclusive access to the space, vendor introductions, and expert advice to help bring your vision to life. Venue tours will be given on the hour for prospective couples, making it easy to imagine your own …

By Katherine Gotthardt | Sponsored by The Yellow Barn at Shenandoah Caverns Whether you’re a couple planning your big day or a wedding and event planner looking for the perfect venue, The Yellow Barn at Shenandoah Caverns is ready to cater to your every need. Brides & Weddings spoke with Ashley Proctor, Director of Events & Marketing, who answered some common questions about this wedding and events venue: Q: What makes The Yellow Barn a standout venue for weddings and events?  A: Located just off I-81 at 470 Caverns Road in Quicksburg, Virginia, The Yellow Barn at Shenandoah Caverns offers one of the largest event spaces in the Shenandoah Valley, perfect for wedding ceremonies and receptions, corporate events, banquets, and private parties. With 5,000 square feet of open space and seating for up to 350 guests, it’s an ideal choice …

By Katherine Gotthardt | Sponsored by The Yellow Barn Rustic, romantic, convenient and…right by stunning caverns? That’s what The Yellow Barn offers engaged couples, wedding parties and event planners. Located just off I-81 at 470 Caverns Road in Quicksburg, Virginia, The Yellow Barn brings brides, grooms and groups a range of services tailored for weddings and events, making it a sought-after venue in the DMV area. “It truly is the perfect place for a destination wedding or event where people want to get away,” said Ashley Proctor, Director of Events & Marketing for Shenandoah Caverns, which owns The Yellow Barn. “I got married there myself, so I know how spectacular a wedding or special event can be at The Yellow Barn.” Proctor’s journey from a tour guide at the caverns to managing the events makes her perfectly positioned to help create …

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 …

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 Rebecca Barnes, Publisher of Brides & Weddings Signup for Bridal Buzz newsletter  Weddings are one of the most important and memorable events in a couple’s life. It’s a day when they promise to love and cherish each other forever, surrounded by their loved ones. But with so many weddings happening every year, it’s important to make yours stand out. Here are some trendy wedding ideas to make your special day unforgettable. Non-traditional venues  Couples are now opting for non-traditional wedding venues, such as libraries, museums, and art galleries. These unique spaces provide a one-of-a-kind backdrop for your wedding and can save you money on decorations. Interactive food stations  Interactive food stations are a fun and unique way to serve food at your wedding. For example, consider having a make-your-own taco bar, a sushi rolling station, or a dessert station …

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 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 …

By Charlotte Flynn The Osprey’s at Belmont Bay hosted a wedding show on Sunday, March 6. This unique and classic waterfront venue held their first wedding show of the year, inviting a number of vendors and guests to explore their options for their future ceremonies. Vendors included A Taste of Elegance, DC Bridal Hair and Makeup, Crystal Dream Entertainment, Girl Meets Cake, SVC Films, and Nichole Haun Photography, showing guests endless options for food, photos, entertainment, and flowers. The venue was packed, with lines of guests waiting outside with more roaming freely throughout the area, the rooms filled with lively music, excited chatter, tasty samples, and photo opportunities. Osprey employees worked tirelessly to assist and answer questions, hosting their vendors with grace and welcoming their guests with ease. “We wanted to have an opportunity to invite clients and people looking …

By Amy Falkofske Sponsored by Monroe Bay Winery Monroe Bay Winery is a newer wedding venue located in Colonial Beach, Virginia. With its convenient location and Caribbean vibes, it’s a hidden gem that you may not have heard about yet. “Colonial Beach is a really unique place to have a wedding,” said Kiki Apple, owner of Monroe Bay Winery. “You can have the beach and the water, but it’s still only an hour from DC. Our venue in particular is also located on the water with about 10 acres. We hope that will be a draw for people.” Destination Weddings at Colonial Beach According to Kiki, Colonial Beach is a “cute, quaint, Mayberry” type of town and a golf cart community. It’s the second longest beach in Virginia after Virginia Beach. It sits on the Potomac River and is seven …

By Lisa Beth Miller Sponsored by Hylton Performing Arts Center Looking for the perfect venue to host your upcoming wedding or event? Look no further than the fabulous Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Virginia. We chatted with Susan Landess, the Sales & Community Relations Manager at Hylton, about this incredible venue and its many possibilities. “The Hylton Performing Arts Center is a stunning, architecturally designed building containing multiple venues for events and performances.  Event spaces include everything from the Didlake Grand Foyer, our main lobby with two story window wall and art gallery on the second floor, to the intimate Lovey Hammell Lounge with private service kitchen and restroom. In between, we have a variety of different styled and sized spaces.  In the new Education and Rehearsal Wing that just opened before COVID, we have two more stunning spaces – …

By Amy Falkofske Sponsored by Monroe Bay Winery Monroe Bay Winery is hosting the very first bridal show to take place in Colonial Beach, a favorite spot for destination weddings. The Colonial Beach Bridal Show at Monroe Bay Winery will take place on Sunday, Nov. 7 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. “We’re excited to showcase Colonial Beach as both a destination spot and an opportunity to showcase some of the vendors in the area, and our swap sale will allow past weddings to resell items they no longer need like dresses, signs and centerpieces,” said Kiki Apple, Owner of Monroe Bay Winery. An Impressive List of Vendors Monroe Bay is still adding to its list of vendors, but it has an impressive lineup already. Riverview Inn, a Colonial Beach hotel with 1950s flair, will be in attendance. If you’re looking …

By Ashley Simpson Sponsored by Hylton Performing Arts Center Many would say that you’re the star of your own show on your wedding day. And, the Hylton Performing Arts Center – an opera house and theater venue in Manassas – gives this idea a whole new meaning for local brides. The Hylton Center opened in 2010, and the first wedding took place the very next year. “We’ve been doing weddings almost since the beginning,” said Susan Landess, Sales and Community Relations Manager of the Hylton Performing Arts Center. “The Hylton Center began reaching out to the wedding market as a way to enhance our community outreach when not being used for performances.” Hylton Center performers include the Northern Virginia Ballet, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band, the Manassas Ballet Theater, the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, and even the National Symphony …

By Dominique McIndoe Sponsored by Piedmont Club Setting the Scene Romantic French doors, wrought iron chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows, a spiraling indoor staircase, a beautiful ballroom, expansive patio space, a natural wood bridge and views of green hills, fairways, and the Bull Run Mountains hunt country. What could be a better backdrop to exchange vows and begin the beautiful, lifelong journey that is marriage? Individually-Crafted Weddings As the recipient of the WeddingWire’s Couples Choice Award for seven years in a row (2010-2016), it’s no wonder that Piedmont Club is such a favorite wedding venue in Haymarket and all of Northern Virginia. For over 20 years, Piedmont Club has prided itself in being a sophisticated, stylish and charming choice for brides- and grooms-to-be; their lavish space has been home to many wedding showers, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, wedding ceremonies and receptions. Piedmont …

Sponsored by Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast Inn Located in Middleburg, Virginia, Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast Inn has two “newer” sites on the 47 acres of land that allow brides and their families to experience the historic charm of the area. The Main House, Cottage, Chicken Coop and Fox Den are the different buildings at Briar Patch. The Main House and Cottage were mentioned in a previous article. This article focuses on the Chicken Coop, the Fox Den, and the grounds. Chicken Coop Built a few years ago, the Chicken Coop is the “newest” construction on site. It may seem obvious — this was perhaps a chicken coop but not usable for accommodations for people. The owner, Ellen Goldberg, rebuilt the building, salvaged the wood and used it to decorate some of the three bedrooms and a kitchen. If …

Provided by Sonesta Sonesta ES Suites Fairfax, Fair Lakes is proud to join the the Sonesta International Hotels Corporation U.S. portfolio, becoming one of the first-ever Sonesta Select properties in the country and one of the first in Virginia.  Sonesta Select is an upscale, focused-service brand centered on delivering the authentic hospitality Sonesta is known for, while helping guests make meaningful connections in each of our hotels and their local communities. Sonesta is excited to begin to welcome guests so they can see first-hand how the spirit and warmth of our team members shine through day in and day out. The launch of the Sonesta Select helps to expand Sonesta’s footprint in key markets, growing their U.S. presence to to five brands in total and over 200 hotels. From airports to office parks, suburban neighborhoods to busy downtowns, Sonesta Select …

By Erin Pittman Sponsored by Town of Occoquan Every couple looks for that perfect venue for their ceremony and reception — one that provides beautiful backdrops and memorable photos. And nowadays, many couples are searching for beauty paired with fresh air and enough room for safe social distancing. River Mill Park in Occoquan fits all of those criteria. Rent River Mill Park   River Mill Park in Occoquan is a gorgeous 1.1-acre riverfront park on the west end of Occoquan. Reservations include reserved access to the LOVEwork sign and landscaped terrace, event pavilion, private event signage and crowd-containment stanchions. Couples will also have access to a stunning river view, power hookup for portable Wi-Fi and sound systems, the historic footbridge and waterwall, hand-cut stone walls, brick pathways and restrooms. Seat up to 100 guests, comfortably and safely outdoors. Exchange vows …

By Erin Pittman Sponsored by Sweeney Barn When most people picture a barn, they don’t imagine gorgeous interiors, climate control, an elevator and the perfect place for elegant weddings and receptions. But at Sweeney Barn, that’s exactly what guests find. The History Sweeney Barn was built in 1939 as a dairy barn. The life of a farmer was rough, eventually leaving the barn abandoned and Prince William County took over ownership. “The county was trying to find someone to renovate the barn, but keep the unique architecture, and turn it into something that would bring economic development to Prince William,” said Andrea Van Wambeke, general manager of Sweeney Barn. In came owners Noel and Alannah Sweeney, an Irish couple with a love for bringing new life to historic buildings. The couple kept the true flavor of the barn, minus the …

Sponsored by The Osprey’s at Belmont Bay By Marianne Weaver The staff at The Osprey’s at Belmont Bay take each wedding personally. Not only do they prepare for the actual day of the wedding, but they’ve added some new options that let the couple incorporate a bit of their wedding day into their everyday married lives. Day Of Event The indoor venue can accommodate 146 guests for a seated dinner with a dance floor. Weather permitting, ceremonies are held outside. The wedding party follows a flagstone aisle to a pergola framed by an unobstructed waterfront view of Belmont Bay and the Occoquan River. While guests are making their way to the ceremony space, both the bride and groom and their parties are relaxing and getting ready in their own spacious—and separate–suites. Their dedicated event director is out and about making …

Photos by Monica Linda Photography

Sponsored by Catering by Uptown By Katrina Wilson Overlook the Bay Catering by Uptown is more than a catering service. They have a choice of venues for couples to choose from. One of their Maryland venues, The Bayfront Club, is their newest option for those looking for a waterfront wedding experience. Instead of traveling out of the country for a wedding by the water, this venue allows couples to stay in the DMV area.  Located near Baltimore, this location is adorned with a green lawn, plush shrubbery and trees that are like the frame to the quintessential day. The venue’s brick road leads the bride to the long dock that extends the couple into the breathtaking aura of the bay. The inside of The Bayfront Club is a ballroom that holds up to 300 guests for a seated dinner. The …