If the motto “Virginia is for Lovers,” isn’t enough to persuade you into having your destination wedding here, then the rich history and picturesque scenery — from mountains to beaches — will. Of course there are the major metropolises, such as Richmond and nearby Washington D.C., but it’s the sleepy towns set on gorgeous lakes or off I-81 that really leave warmth in the hearts of those who visit.
Wedding Requirements Virginia is about as cut and dry as you can get. With no waiting period after the license is issued, the only potential speed bump is that the ceremony must take place within sixty days of the license being issued. For more info, go to virginia.gov.
What to Do
Hot Springs You don’t need to travel to Bath, England, to reap the health benefits of natural hot springs. The Warm Valley Springs of Virginia were first discovered by American Indians and since have become a major attraction. There are three major hot springs in the Allegheny Mountains: Warm Springs, Hot Springs and Healing Springs. Make plans to visit the circa-1766 Homestead Spa in Hot Springs where you can soak in the 104-degree clear mineral waters. Just five miles from Homestead are The Jefferson Pools, the oldest spa structure in the state; founding father Thomas Jefferson once soaked in the Gentlemen’s Pool House in 1818.
Culinary Scene Located 65 miles west of Washington D.C., The Inn at Little Washington is one of the most sought-after reservations in the country (not to mention one of the most stunning venues for an intimate wedding), due in no small part to its acclaimed dining room. But the rest of the state has notable culinary delights as well, including oysters in Chinoteague Island on the eastern shore, a burgeoning slow food movement in Richmond and famous Virginia ham, perfected in eponymous Smithfield. Want to cook like a pro? Enlist in Lansdowne Resort’s Food & Wine camp, pop by culinary workshop weekends at Shenandoah National Park, or learn to make the perfect biscuits, breads, and cakes at Wade’s Mill a 1750s-era working gristmill in the Shenandoah Valley town of Raphine. Another plus: Virginia’s wine region, which offers acclaimed vintages and a stellar array of picturesque settings whether you’re looking for a day of tastings or a destination-wedding locale.
Norfolk This cozy and quaint shore town gets overshadowed by the popular Outer Banks of North Carolina, to the south. But with its great dining, shopping and seaside setting, that shouldn’t remain the case. Norfolk’s true attraction, though, is its waterfront. Tugboats, sailboats, and cruise ships dot the city’s harbor, which is also home to Town Point Park, a recently refurbished green space where you’ll find summer festivals, fountains, walkways, and tributes to the city’s 300 year-old naval history. The city has four beaches overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, or for some Atlantic action, head to Virginia Beach, just 15 miles away.
Off the Beaten Path
Blue Ridge Parkway Music lovers will want to try The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. A driving route through the Appalachian Mountains from the Blue Ridge to the Coalfields region, the trail connects major heritage music venues in the region such as the Blue Ridge Music Center, Birthplace of Country Music Alliance, and the Carter Family Fold. Plan your visit (or nuptials) around annual festivals or just catch weekly concerts, and informal jam sessions.
