Let’s get ready to plan a Charlottesville, Virginia wedding AKA the most beautiful wine country wedding in VA! Visit Charlottesville refers to the area as the birthplace of American wine. How many vineyards are in Charlottes, VA? According to Visit Charlottesville there are 40 wineries along the Monticello Wine Trail! Pop that champagne, let’s get into how to plan your Charlottesville winery wedding.
How to Get There
While you can book a direct flight into Charlottesville, it may be more cost effective to fly into Richmond and rent a car. Unlike celebrating a Virginia Beach wedding weekend where you can walk (or bike!) nearly everywhere, in Charlottesville you’ll need a bigger set of wheels.
Documents Needed for a Charlottesville Winery Wedding
Unsurprisingly, you must obtain a marriage license before the ceremony can be performed in Charlottesville. SURPRISINGLY, you can have the sheriff marry you. Have we said how much we love small town charm??
Pick up a marriage license no more than 60 days out from your wedding ceremony. You and your plus one FOR LIFE will need to both be present when submitting the application. Bring an active government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or DMV issued ID card) and $30 fee by cash or check/money made payable to the City of Charlottesville Circuit Court. It’s as straightforward as we have seen it. Don’t believe everything you read online? You can check out the government details here.
Ceremony Locations
There are so many great venues for a winery wedding. We captured a Williamsburg Winery Wedding which was basically on the James River. It was a beautifully romantic rainy day, a ceremony lit by chandeliers and candles, and an evening of dancing complete with a private last dance amongst the wine barrels. That experience really got us hooked on the beauty of a winery wedding.
Pippin Hill Farm – Boutique Vineyard
15 miles south of Charlottesville is Pippin Hill Farm. This boutique vineyard, winery, and events venue is located in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With a focus on award-winning estate wines, locally focused cuisine, unique experiences, Pippin Hill providers custom-designed weddings. It blends rustic charm with modern elegance.
Aside from the beauty of a venue, we know our couples care about having AMAZING food! Pippin Hill’s garden-to-table cuisine celebrates Charlottesville’s renowned local food movement. This includes partnerships with regional producers and artisans. Yes, please.
You can get married outside on The Main Lawn or Vineyard Lawn. Add a beautiful floral arch from Olivera Floral Design to really emphasize the space! Olivera specializes in custom wedding floral design that is unique, personal, and perfectly curated to celebrate your big day. They geek out over quirky color combinations, fun textures, and the thrill of seeing your event come together after months of planning.
After you exchange your vows, there are several space options for dinner and reception at Pippin Hills.
The Granary: The two story barn-inspired aesthetic space is thoroughly modernized. Which is perfect for dinner and dancing! Hope you’ve been practicing your “Austin” line dancing. The space accommodates up to 200 guests.
The Veranda: The classic stone Veranda feels like Tuscany in Virginia! Great for a post ceremony cocktail hour. Design your signature cocktail and enjoy the mood with candlelit lanterns and bistro lightning.
The Reserve Room: Great for more intimate gatherings, this room opens to a beautiful stone terrace. The space fits up to 70 guests.
The Tasting Room: This space is available throughout the evening for your family and friends to relax indoors and mingle. The large bar is crafted from a 400-year old Cypress tree.
We also REALLY love that you can stay on site! Crossroads Inn is just steps away from Pippin Hill. It was constructed by Thomas Jefferson’s nephew and has served no other purpose, in its over 200 years, than as a stop for travelers. It’s on the National Historic Register and has witnessed historic events with Presidential visits including Thomas Jefferson, Martin Van Buren, Teddy Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Forgo the Ubers and have a wedding after party!
Eastwood Farm and Winery – Family Owned
12 miles south of Charlottesville is Eastwood Farm and Winery. We love that this winery is family-owned and operated. As you become your own family on your wedding day, it feels like a good omen.
Their winery stretches up into the mountains and is complete with orchards, meadows, forests, and a badass overlook point. With a myriad of outdoor spaces to choose from, couples have freedom to design their event, their way.
There are three main event spaces for this Charlottesville Winery Wedding
The Mountaintop: This is the largest space, situated high above the Tasting Room and Terraces. It is accessible by car and shuttle bus. Let me tell you, shuttle buses make for some of the most FUN wedding party photos! It is a breathtaking spot for a ceremony with mountain views in the distance. It can accommodate 200 people seated for a ceremony or standing for an outdoor cocktail reception.
If you choose another ceremony spot, you can still consider The Mountaintop for a first look moment or portraits!
The Terraces: This option is down the mountain and includes two open lawns. Each covers over 30,000 square feet and is framed by views of their orchard and the Blue Ridge mountains. A 100′ sailcloth tent with string lights and flooring accommodates up to 200 people seated and is the perfect spot for dinner and dancing. Adirondack chairs can be arranged on the lower terrace, making this a great place for a beautiful cocktail hour, where your guests can mingle while enjoying lawn games (!!!) and the sunset.
The Orchard: This is perfect for a more intimate ceremony. Also, you’ll find apple and pear trees and wandering butterflies. Enjoy a micro ceremony, a first look moment, or a photoshoot of the wedding party.
Address: 2531 Scottsville Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Keswick Vineyards Weddings – Award Winning Wine
7 miles West from Charlottesville is Keswick Vineyards. This family owned and operated winery was founded in 2000 with their first vintage in 2002 winning the honor of “Best White Wine in America” at the Atlanta International Wine Summit. Since then, the Keswick Vineyards has won two Governor’s Cups as well as numerous Gold, Double Gold and Platinum awards across the country.
There is only one event space but when it’s good, you only need one! Just like your marriage. Your wedding photos will include the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Exchange your vows outside and move under their Aurora tent for the reception. Sweeping peaks and solid wood posts make this light strung tent an elegant and beautiful space for your reception.
It includes tables and chairs, heaters, lights, fans, restrooms, bridal suite, groom’s cave, and tents. The basics are covered and included for an all-outdoor ceremony and reception. Come for the beauty, stay for the world class wines.
King Family Vineyards – Versatile for your Charlottesville Winery Wedding
17 miles east of Charlottesville is King Family Vineyards. We captured Charlottesville Engagement Portraits here and it was GORGEOUS!! Exactly one year from their wedding date we met at King Family Vineyard for their Charlottesville Engagement portraits. Maggie slaying in her plunging dress, and Matt completing her perfectly in a dark button down. They danced, giggled, and walked with swagger in front of the mountains as the sunset. They rocked it at their engagement session and weddings here are just as magical.
We especially love King Family Vineyards for their variety of wedding styles. Come in riding boots or heels, both look at home there! You can have an intimate family wedding. Or, you can invite up to 200 of your closest family and friends for the big day.
Choosing a vineyard wedding is so romantic. At King Family Vineyards, they have the gorgeous views that sweep you away. But you’ll also fall for the warm, bright indoor spaces. Unlike other vineyards, King Family Vineyards host weddings year around. This is attributed to the
Spectacular indoor and outdoor spaces
Carriage House: This warm sophisticated space is limited only by your imagination. Barrel Stave chandeliers, exposed beams, granary oak floors and a large stone fireplace create a true country feel. It can also serve as a location for your ceremony in the event of rain or during colder times of the year. It’s large enough to seat up to 200 guests.
North Gallery: Adjacent to the main room of the Carriage House, the North Gallery is a great space to host cocktail hour and bar service throughout the evening.
Dressing Suite: The spacious, well-lit dressing room provides an intimate location for you and your closest friends and family to get ready for your special day. Pop the cork and break out the matching bride tribe robes!
The Lounge: The cozy Lounge offers a tucked away, private space to suit up and enjoy a pre-ceremony drink, complete with a flat screen television.
Our Lawn: The lawn surrounds the Carriage House and has views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the farm. It can serve as a beautiful backdrop for your ceremony in Spring, Summer, and Autumn.
The Fire Pit: Located just outside of the Carriage House, the brick patio and fire pit is the perfect spot to gather after dinner to enjoy s’mores and conversation! Let’s blend your family over their blended wine concoctions.
The Pavilion: With its rustic charm, the Pavilion is a popular choice for the rehearsal dinner. The exterior brick patio offers a fire pit for all season enjoyment. It can host up to 80 guests..
Address: 6550 Roseland Farm, Crozet, VA 22932
Early Mountain Vineyards – A Glowing Experience
Just under 30 miles north of Charlottesville you’ll find Early Mountain Vineyards. This venue offers beauty, stately modern facilities & luxurious amenities perfect for your Charlottesville winery wedding.
Start off the experience at the Wine Library and Lounge where members of the wedding party prepare for the ceremony. You can also have your rehearsal dinner here!
The panoramic views of the Blue Ridge foothills are a beautiful backdrop as you say your vows. Follow the outdoor ceremony with cocktails on the terrace or in their tasting room!
While your guests are sipping and mingling, you and your partner can sneak out for portraits. Their historic barns and manicured vineyards offer a naturalistic backdrop for first-looks and gorgeous portraits. Enjoy the wedding with an intimate sit-down dinner. You’ll sip on award-winning wines and elegant cuisine in their beautiful event hall.
If you love rustic fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, and flexible inside/outside spaces, this is the venue for you! We are also STOKED on their cozy honeymoon cottage nestled in the vineyards to kick start your marriage!
Maggie & Matt’s Charlottesville Winery Wedding Experience
We had Maggie and Matt’s Early Mountain Vineyards Wedding and it was absolutely glowing! The excitement that buzzed around her little cottage was better than a cup of coffee. All the excitement leading up to Maggie’s girls finally seeing her dress, these girls were giddy waiting to see this dress…let’s be clear all of us were!
What really made this Charlottesville winery wedding venue stand out was their ability to adapt. Matt and Maggie had to make the last-minute decision to move their wedding ceremony inside as it was a breezy 45 degrees. Thankfully, if you’re going to go inside, this is the most gorgeous alternative! What a romantic wedding they got to have, cozy, intimate, and lit by candles. My gosh, you can’t go wrong with a wedding at Early Mountain, it’s all soooo good!
Check out all the Charlottesville Vineyards, Breweries, Cideries & Orchards at Visit Charlottesville! If you’re loving my photography style, let’s take things to the next level! Can’t wait to be there on your most special day!
