Virginia boasts numerous wedding venues featuring lush gardens, scenic backdrops, beautiful reception spaces, excellent restaurants, and hotel accommodations. Yet, to me there’s one place that stands out for offering all of these and more.
The Setting
Choosing Airlie Hotel in Warrenton, Virginia, for your wedding means having everything at your fingertips. The name of this 300-acre property comes from the inspiration of a Scottish castle. Though the original Airlie house was lost to a fire, the current two-story manor house, built in 1924, is the centerpiece upon arrival. To the side of the manor is a lush garden with intricate pathways, stone archways, and a serene ambiance perfect for wedding portraits.
The grounds of Airlie are expansive, featuring a large lake, trails, and group-friendly activities. One of its most advantageous features is its hotel accommodations. Given that wedding days pass quickly, the ability to spend additional time with your bridal party, friends, and family at Airlie is invaluable. Notably, Airlie has hosted retreats for groups from NATO, the White House, NASA, and even Martin Luther King Jr.
The Spaces
Every wedding needs a contingency plan for inclement weather, and Airlie excels in this regard with numerous indoor and outdoor ceremony options.
Indoors, options include the manor house, a spacious circular pavilion, and a tented area. Beyond ceremonies, Airlie offers a variety of spaces for dinners, receptions, and meetings. However, the highlight for weddings is undoubtedly the outdoor gardens: “Romantic and natural, wed and celebrate surrounded by lush flowers, delicate herbs, and vibrant seasonal produce in our four-acre organic garden.” As someone who has documented many weddings there, this garden stands out as my favorite feature of Airlie.
Of all the weddings I’ve been part of at Airlie, receptions have typically been held at the expansive pavilion. This impressive 2000-square-foot circular structure features ample interior space for dining and dancing, along with a covered exterior area, perfect for conversations.
The Photos
What I enjoy most about Airlie is the abundance of scenes for portraits. I’ve captured portraits in the gardens, inside the manor house, along the distinctive staircase, atop the hills at sunset, and more. Airlie offers endless opportunities for stunning images, making it an ideal venue even for engagement sessions, where you could spend more time exploring the property.
The Cons
The only con I was able to find for Airlie is that since it is slightly remote it is not Uber friendly. So if you are looking for transportation for your guests you may have to rely on other transportation methods.
The Verdict
The couples I work with most often appreciate the outdoors, whether it’s rock climbing and backpacking or simply enjoying short hikes and walks. They also value spending quality time with loved ones.
Airlie is perfect for couples seeking a wedding that embraces the outdoors while offering the convenience, comfort, and practicality of nearby hotels and restaurants.
Curious what weddings can look like at Airlie? Check out some of my favorite images below!
INTERESTED IN TALKING ABOUT YOUR WEDDING AT Airlie OR ELSEWHERE? Inquire below!
