Unique Venues

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 …