In search of the perfect wedding venue..Need help! (Richmond: weddings, garden)

[Riley09swb]

Originally Posted by choff5

That's exactly what I was thinking. Beautiful, popular, but may already be booked for next spring.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest as well. My mom was married there in one of the gazebos and it was really pretty. I am actually going to be attending a wedding there in September as well.

[marie5v]

Well, there was one place in Old Town with a beautiful garden - Carlyle House - I seriously considered it but it was expensive and you have to rent the mansion separately if you want to use it as a rain backup. It's rented out by nova parks and rec, same as Meadowlark.

[Carlingtonian]

I have some suggestions, but I'm keeping them to myself until the OP comes back and says thank you to those who have replied already. I'm done helping people who don't have basic courtesy--e.g., Desperately Seeking Belvoir Apartment. (To be fair, maybe the OP here hasn't been back online since his/her initial post, due to wedding-related stuff.)

[czamos]

Thanks for the input everybody. I get what some of you are saying about trying to fit a venue to a theme. I understand maybe the venue I imagine may not exist, and I will be ok switching to something else if need be and making it work. I like the ideas of meadowlark and the national arboretum, I will look into those further.

I made a mistake and said 2013, but I meant 2014. Probably April/May, though we are working on nailing down a more exact date.

I don't have a preference on type of flowers that would be in bloom, just something colorful.

I love the idea of having just a green garden and adding little colorful touches, especially with hanging things from overhead. But if I did that, I would prefer more of an enclosed type garden, maybe with stone walls, tall hedges, some sort of arch/gate/opening to enter. Haven't found one of those either.

Maybe I should just give up and fly to England. They have great gardens..

[Riley09swb]

Originally Posted by czamos

Thanks for the input everybody. I get what some of you are saying about trying to fit a venue to a theme. I understand maybe the venue I imagine may not exist, and I will be ok switching to something else if need be and making it work. I like the ideas of meadowlark and the national arboretum, I will look into those further.

I made a mistake and said 2013, but I meant 2014. Probably April/May, though we are working on nailing down a more exact date.

I don't have a preference on type of flowers that would be in bloom, just something colorful.

I love the idea of having just a green garden and adding little colorful touches, especially with hanging things from overhead. But if I did that, I would prefer more of an enclosed type garden, maybe with stone walls, tall hedges, some sort of arch/gate/opening to enter. Haven't found one of those either.

Maybe I should just give up and fly to England. They have great gardens..

There's a place in FL that looks like that. My SIL was married there and it was beautiful. I think it was near Orlando (as they lived in Oviedo).

[Carlingtonian]

OK! Here are my suggestions:

Meridian International Center in DC has a garden of linden trees you can rent out. (I think they charge an arm and a leg, however.)

In Arlington, the Bon-Air Memorial Rose Garden I don't think allows actual weddings, but it's a great spot for wedding photos.

In Maryland, there's Brookside Garden--well worth a visit for anyone. Again, not sure if they allow weddings, but it's worth asking.

Finally, I believe Great Falls Park does allow them--great backdrop of rushing water, symbolizing the turbulence of marriage. (Haha.)

The National Arboretum may end up being your best option; it's beautiful, easy to get to (at least on a weekend), with ample parking and tons of space. And it looks like half a day will run you $1500--which actually is pretty reasonable. Plus it goes to a good institution that benefits the public.

Congrats and good luck!

[PolandSprings]

Rose Hill Manor in Leesburg

[themommy]

Some other ideas:

The Thomas Birkby House, Leesburg, Virginia

The Goodstone Inn, Middleburg, Virginia

Gramercy Mansion, Baltimore, Maryland

The Lloyd House, Alexandria, Virginia

River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia

Oatlands Plantation, Leesburg, Virginia

Airlie Center, Warrenton, Virginia

Brookside Gardens and Meadowlark are also beautiful choices.

None of them are exactly what I think you're looking for (I'm a Secret Garden fan too, and I think I can see what you're seeing for your wedding), but they do evoke that feel. The Goodstone Inn does have this amazing ivy-covered wall, though, that you'd probably love. There are excellent pics of it here. That's not my blog, BTW.

I've actually worked with the Birkby House and the Lloyd House (I'm a wedding designer/wedding coordinator -- mods, please feel free to strike that if disclosing it somehow violates the TOS), and I'd recommend either of them without reservation.

[LynchburgLover]

I know you said 50 miles and this is a bit further but I'll toss it out because it is beautiful. Glen Burnie, an historic house and gardens, in Winchester.

Museum of the Shenandoah Valley: Your Occasions/Rentals

Good luck!

[GCPA]

Strong Mansion at Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland.

But don't go hiking at Sugarloaf.....it was like walking in a gravel pit for 2 1/2 hours.