Richmond, Virginia offers an almost mind-boggling selection of wedding ceremony and wedding reception venues! Whether you want your ceremony and reception held in the same place or not, whether you’re on a shoe-string budget or plan to spend a small fortune, you’re certain to find a venue in Richmond that meets your needs, fits your budget and adds to the joyous memories of your wedding day.
The website eventective.com lists 378 venues in a fifteen-mile radius of Richmond from which to choose. All are not suitable for a wedding and/or reception, but the website offers an eclectic mix of options from which to choose. One would think that many choices would make the decision of where to hold your wedding and reception very easy-not so!
Once the husband- and wife-to-be have determined the size of the wedding and wedding party, e.g., how many guests will be invited, how many attendants will there be and should we have flower girls and/or ring bearers? Will the wedding be more traditional, or will you want a unique, personalized ceremony and celebration? The wedding plans begin to take shape.
Additional questions the couple needs to ask include, “Do we want a sit-down formal dinner or go more casual and offer heavy hors d’oeuvres?” Will alcoholic beverages be served or not? What is your total budget and how much of the wedding budget will be spent on the reception? When will the wedding take place-what time of day, what time of year? Will it be held in a church or outdoors? Once all these questions have been answered the couple can begin to determine the best wedding locations in Richmond.
Begin your list with the most important criteria first. That list will vary from couple to couple, so your list won’t be the same as another couple’s. Some of the logical criteria for everyone to use include geographic location, and setting – outdoor venues would not be practical during cold weather or in sweltering Richmond summer heat. Many facilities offer tents and other coverings in case of rain and to protect guests from the hot sun for the ceremony, reception or both. Some even offer a contingency or back-up plan in case of inclement weather.
Other criteria to include would be whether or not you want a church wedding or a ceremony held on the water? What about in a garden setting or a luxurious ballroom locale, or even overlooking a golf course? Richmond offers so many options that you will certainly find an ideal setting from among the massive list of wedding locations available.
One more step before selecting a venue: determine how many guests you will have, including immediate family and their spouses, and children if you decide to have a child-friendly reception. Then make a list of the friends you want to invite and their spouses, along with their children if applicable. Then select the day of the week and time of day. Of course, the more flexibility you have on the date and time, the more options will be available for you.
The next step is to decide the theme you want for the wedding. The decision about wedding venues in Richmond also depends on your budget. How much cash to you have available to pay for the wedding, the reception, the dress, the tux and the honeymoon? Several web sites are available to help you get a general idea of how to break down your budget, once a total dollar amount is determined (e.g., what percentage is generally spent on the dress, what percentage for the reception, etc.) One of the best all-purpose wedding planning sites is theknot.com. They not only offer a sample wedding budgeter, and a personalized web site for the wedding couple, they also provide other helpful resources for the couple and their friends.
Once all these lists have been compiled and a budget is in place, you will be better able to narrow down your list of possible wedding venues. Available wedding venues in Richmond include everything from outdoor parks, hotels, conference and convention centers, mansions and museums and so much more.
Virginia Crossings Resort in Glen Allen, about 12 miles from downtown Richmond provides elegant banquet rooms and gardens accommodate up to 400 guests for your celebration. Both indoor and outdoor locations create picture-perfect backgrounds for your wedding photographs. Virginia Crossings offers entire packages from which the bride and groom can select from a small intimate dinner for the a few guests, a sit-down dinner for a large crowd, buffet or just about any other arrangements you care to make. The setting is beautiful, the options are varied, and it is very easy to spend over $10,000.
In the same price range, the Willow Oaks Country Club offers another option for a wedding and/or wedding reception in the Richmond area. They are conveniently located about 5 miles south of downtown Richmond. Willow Oaks offers complete wedding ceremony and reception services and many amenities.
Maymont offers an array of options for wedding ceremonies and receptions as well. Both indoor and outdoor settings are available and whether you choose to say your vows in the breathtaking Italian Garden or hold your reception in the Garden Hall, or both, Maymont costs range from approximately $1,000 for the ceremony only to about $4,000 for ceremony and reception. They also provide an extensive list of preferred vendors who are familiar with the guidelines of the Park and can coordinate every detail from ordering the cake, arranging decorations and clean up for a worry-free wedding day
For a truly “Richmond” experience, Linden Row Inn in downtown Richmond is the only antebellum hotel in Richmond. From the secluded courtyard with a fountain which seats up to 120 people (in season) to the Mary Winfield Scott Parlor, suitable for more intimate setting, Linden Row offers a unique and romantic venue for a wedding and wedding reception. Linden Row offers 70 guest room and seven parlor suites, all of which open to a winding garden courtyard. If you desire to capture the romance of Richmond in its hey-day, with a European style and that famous Richmond hospitality, Linden Row is the perfect setting for your wedding and reception. Other options are also available at Linden Row, and you would be wise to look into their Romance in Historic Richmond one-night room packages for the bride and groom after the ceremony which include complimentary breakfast and champagne.
The Jefferson Hotel, located in downtown Richmond and dating back to 1895 has long been recognized as one of the grandest Richmond Hotels. The Jefferson has been designated a national historic landmark and a charter member of Historic Hotels of America and has been completely renovated to enhance the original beauty and distinct architecture.
The Jefferson offers ballrooms which can accommodate up to 400 guests for a seated dinner, the LeMaire restaurant, a five diamond restaurant for rehearsal dinners, bridal luncheons or wedding brunches, and other available options make a stunning setting with the look and feel of the Old South. White glove butler service, individually tailored menus, and many other amenities make the Jefferson an excellent choice for your wedding and reception. As do many other venues, they offer professional wedding consultants and, complimentary accommodations for the bride and groom on their wedding night. Understated elegance sums up the experience when you hold your wedding and reception at The Jefferson.
For those with a more constrained budget, or merely desiring simplicity and a casual ceremony and wedding reception, consider contacting the Carillon in Byrd Park. The cost per day for a Wedding Reception is $1,250 and for an additional $250 per four hours, the grounds and steps are available with an interior rental. Hickory Hill Community Center is another option available for a more casual, less costly venue for a wedding reception. Surrounding counties of Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield also offer numerous facilities at their public parks, recreation centers and community buildings. For information on these facilities, visit the website for each county, or call the main number and ask for contact information.
Finally, many churches have halls and reception areas available for reception on-site for those who choose a religious service in a church. A directory of area churches can be found in the area phone book and on the internet. Be sure to speak with the clergy person and the church administrator about expectations, guidelines and restrictions when you make inquiries about having your ceremony in a church. Denominations and even churches within denominations vary on their rules and restrictions. The advantage, though of holding the reception at the church, is that guests (and bride and groom) don’t have to travel to the reception site after the wedding ceremony. The cost of using on-site church facilities is generally negligible, and often free. Be sure to check availability of both clergy and space as far in advance as possible.
The most important thing to remember is that this is your day and you want to remember it as one of the happiest in your life. Ask for what you want, and decide which requests are non-negotiable. Be as flexible as possible, and trust the judgment and advice of the professionals. They do this all the time!
And you thought saying “I Do” was the easy part of your future life together!
