Tag Archives: Receptions

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 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 …

Central Virginia boasts some of the prettiest countryside. The Market at Grelen, a 600 acre tree farm, is ready for wedding season.

The culinary industry is a male-dominated one, with women infrequently in the role of executive chef. So imagine a kitchen where both the head chef and the sous (or second in command) chef are women.