Author: Mark

Elope with your best friend in Charles City County.

Let your imagination be your guide when choosing the best spot for your private ceremony. Consider scenic spots with picturesque backdrops — places such as Upper Shirley Vineyards, Berkeley Plantation or Historic Westover.

• If wine is part of your story, Upper Shirley Vineyards perched above one of the most beautiful bends in the James River is the perfect romantic getaway.
• Berkley Plantation’s lush gardens, riverfront views and historic architecture make this a spectacular venue for your intimate ceremony.
• Historic Westover, located along the banks of the James River, is breathtaking, its majestic oak trees and manor house ideal for a secluded elopement ceremony.

Or select a private spot at Chickahominy Riverfront Park or among the 24 acres of Lawrence Lewis Jr. Park, both wonderfully serene and attention grabbers sure to draw attention on your Instagram feed. The peaceful countryside of the Virginia Capital Trail winds through Charles City County. Let the trail be your guide in choosing a spot special to you and your soon-to-be spouse.

Be truly old fashioned and elope in front of the Charles City County Historic Courthouse at Courthouse/Watermelon Fields roads. The current Charles City courthouse does not perform weddings, but bring an officiant and a small wedding party to the old courthouse that dates back to the 1730s. Marry in front of the second oldest courthouse in the Commonwealth or find a special spot among the quaint grounds.

If the two of you are historical buffs, look for a place near one of Charles City County’s many historical markers.

Peace Hill Farm is a hidden gem. This is a B&B with lovely ponds and private nooks full of character. Stay overnight in the Henhouse, a suite or king bedroom. Plan to stay for afternoon tea with homemade ham biscuits and traditional finger sandwiches part of your experience.

Don’t forget to obtain your marriage license. Both parties need to appear in person and provide identification at the Clerk of the Court in Charles City County.

Before finalizing your elopement location, be sure to check with the venue regarding any permits, restrictions or guidelines for holding ceremonies on their premises.

Happy Elopement!

You’re ready to pop the question and there’s no better place than Charles City County.

A place full of delightful surprises is ideal for such a momentous occasion!

Complement the ring with fresh seasonal flowers. Talk with the owner at Sparrowhurst Flower Farm about personalizing an engagement bouquet.

If you’re thinking about posing the question outdoors, Charles City County is full of romantic spots that include storied historical plantations, tranquil riverfront settings and lovely woods. Get down on one knee while strolling through Upper Shirley Vineyards and celebrate the answer in the tasting room over a bottle of local Virginia wine. Why not propose during a ride in a horse-drawn carriage?

Treat your partner to a romantic dinner at one of the county’s cozy restaurants. Cul’s Courthouse Grille is an offbeat spot to celebrate your engagement. Cul’s is known for its delicious southern cuisine, including Ms. Viv’s homemade desserts. Or dock and dine by the river at The Blue Heron whose full bar offers 10 draft beers on tap, a delicious cocktail menu, and an elegant selection of wine.

Take a leisurely stroll hand in hand along the James River at sunset. Hike or bike the Virginia Capital Trail and pick out a spot along the way. The stunning views and peaceful atmosphere provide an ideal setting for a heartfelt proposal. Or find a quiet spot in Lawrence Lewis, Jr. Park or along the pier that will make you feel as if you’re floating on the James River.

Any of the stately plantations and lush grounds that distinguish Charles County can be the stunning backdrop to your proposal or engagement celebration.

Charles City County is also full of historical markers. When you get engaged in this historical region, you’re adding a marker unique to your story.

Pop the question and then explore wedding venues in Charles City County. Whether you envision an elegant plantation wedding or a rustic barn celebration, there are plenty of options to suit your style.

You’re getting married in Charles City. Why wait until the summer? A winter wedding isn’t just magical. It’s practical. During the colder months prices and competition for venues are lower, and fewer cars on the road whether you’re coming south from Richmond or north from Hampton Roads makes for ease of travel.

Whatever venue you select, winter is charming in wooded Charles City County. Historic estates, such as Shirley Plantation and Berkeley Plantation, offer elegant indoor spaces to host your wedding. For more intimate gatherings, Berkeley Plantation’s Great Room can accommodate a guest list of 50. At Shirley Plantation, the event spaces include the banquet room, tasting room, riverfront ceremony lawn, stone patios, covered porches and vineyards, a lovely backdrop during the winter months. Cary Hill 1741, a colonial manor house with elegant period antiques and an elegant ballroom and parlor, is another possibility to explore.

Charles City County is also home to several churches to host your wedding, including Westover Episcopal Church, which seats up to 150 guests.

Fall in love with what rustic Peace Hill Farm has to offer, including a Great Barn for your reception.

Or consider a ceremony at one of Charles City’s historic spots followed by a casual reception at the Social Center’s Grand Banquet Room, which seats up to 300. Because temperature varies, it’s a good idea to have extra blankets or shawls on hand for the ceremony.

Winter weddings offer the opportunity to incorporate unique décor elements, such as twinkling lights, evergreen branches and seasonal flowers, including poinsettias or holly. If you love the reds and greens of the holidays, picture those colors at Burlington Wedding & Events, an indoor wedding space in the Stables, which features exposed wooded beams and elegant chandeliers.

Make sure the menu reflects your winter theme. Think hearty soups, rooted vegetables inherent to this part of Virginia along with roasted meats and decadent desserts, such as spiced cakes or toasty apple pie. Add a sprinkle of fun with a make-your-own hot chocolate bar or warm cider.

Charles City County is full of wooded landscapes that provide stunning backdrops for your wedding photos.

If you’re considering saying “I do” during the colder months, embrace the season in Charles City County and all the unique possibilities it offers for your special day.