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The Hunt Country Offers Many Options For Wedding Receptionsby KRISTEN ARMSTRONG, Staff Writer |
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| Don't know where to have your
wedding and reception? You don't have to look far, since there are many
wonderful venues to choose from in the Middleburg area. Whether your dream reception is a hunt breakfast or a tented affair, there's a place for you to celebrate in style. The Ashby Inn: Although indoor wedding receptions are an option at the Ashby Inn, couples flock to this venue because of its scenic views of the Blue Ridge foothills. “We have a covered terrace and a gorgeous lawn,” said Ashby Inn wedding coordinator, Theresa Houston. “People are clamoring to be outside here. Another highlight at the inn is the food. The bride and groom can customize the menu just how they want, and Chef Brian Pellatt will work his magic on their special day. The Ashby Inn can host parties from an intimate group of 30 people to a more boisterous 200. The Ashby Inn is located at 692 Federal St. in Paris. For more information, call (540) 592-3900 or (866) 336-0099. Oatlands Plantation: If an outdoor evening wedding and reception sounds like pure romance, then Oatlands Plantation is the place to go. Held any day of the week between 5:30 and 10:30 p.m. from April to October, Oatlands' four-acred terraced English garden and historic mansion offer a beautiful backdrop for an unforgettable wedding. With gardeners who update the garden with every season, the flowers and trees are truly special at Oatlands. “The gardens really stand out and separate us,” Oatlands' event coordinator, Katherine Farley said. “When the peonies bloom in May, people just fall over themselves!” Wedding services are held in the lower terrace, cocktail receptions on the upper terrace and banquets and dancing in a white tent in front of the mansion. Oatlands can accommodate up to 300 people, but also has charming locations on the grounds for smaller weddings. Oatlands Plantation is located at 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane in Leesburg. For more information, call (703) 777-3174. Buchanan Hall: Relish your wedding at Buchanan Hall. With only one event booked per weekend, couples have much more time to make everything just right compared to other locations with more rigid schedules. And the sky's the limit when it comes to the styles of weddings Buchanan Hall hosts. “It has a neutral elegance about it,” said Meralyn Autry, manager of the hall. “We've had everything from a hunt breakfast to people dressed in cowboy gear.” Average guest count at the hall is between 100 and 150 people, and all are invited to mill around the venue's gardens with cocktails in hand and admire the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. Buchanan Hall is located in Upperville. For more information, call (540) 592-3455. Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast: Whether you plan a quiet and intimate wedding, or one with guests galore, Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast can help make your weekend memorable. Located on 47 acres of hunt country land, Briar Patch offers a number of different wedding packages which range from all-weekend overnight stays to a Sunday special. Mountain views and an outdoor pool are just a couple of the special touches this venue has to offer. Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast is located at 23130 Briar Patch Lane in Middleburg. For more information call (703) 327-5911 or (866) 327-5911. 1763 Inn: Located in the village of Upperville, the 1763 Inn provides a lovely hunt-country setting, complete with log cabins and nearby horseback riding for couples who want a wedding to remember. “People like the atmosphere here,” said 1763 Inn's owner, Uta Kirchner. “They like the quaintness of it.” From rehearsals to full weddings to receptions, from low-key to sumptuous and fancy, the inn tailors the event to fit the bride and groom's needs. Many weddings at the inn take place outdoors in a tent that stays up for the wedding season (April through September or October), and in an enclosed pavilion, which seats up to 100 people. For wedding parties that want to stay the night, 1763 Inn has 18 rooms with period furnishings, fireplaces and Jacuzzis in most rooms. The 1763 Inn is located at 10087 John S. Mosby Highway in Upperville. For more information, call (540) 592-3848. |
 Guests enjoy a wedding reception at Buchanan Hall. Couples can rent the entire hall, with access to the gardens for cockatials and a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. |