Example: Belle Grove Plantation
Example: Belle Grove Plantation
The oldest of the 13 original colonies, Virginia is a state rich with American history and culture. With everything from sandy beaches and charming small towns to beautiful mountains and award-winning wineries, Virginia allows couples the ability to tailor their wedding day to their wishes.
Popular trends in the state include lavish outdoor country venues, mountain venues, and rustic themed weddings, among other trends. Cities most adept to cater to your wedding include Richmond, Arlington, Charlottesville, Virginia Beach and Blue Ridge.
Richmond, one of America’s oldest cities, is the capitol of Virginia and has a wealth of history from its Civil War days. The five most up-and-coming neighborhoods in the city include The Fan, Woodland Heights, Oregon Hill, Bellevue, and Westham. Adding a twist to typical wedding trends, Richmond weddings are hopping on the casual trend of craft beer tastings at the reception and utilizing food trucks to save on costs and to offer guests a wider variety of options.
Arlington shares its grounds with Washington D.C. due to its close proximity to the district. This portion of Northern Virginia is best known for its hometown feel, expansive list of leisure activities and sites to visit, and boasts several neighborhoods that stand out including Arlington Ridge, Aurora Highlands, Broadmont, Country Club Hills, to name a few.
Charlottesville is the home of two presidents—Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. As a result, you can imagine the rich history embedded in the streets of this city and the small town charm that will accompany your wedding.
Virginia Beach is a vacation-ready town and welcomes many tourists throughout the year. Its most popular wedding season is spring, a time when flowers are in full bloom and temperatures are between 45 to 70 degrees. Because this is peak wedding season, venues and hotels book up quick and prices skyrocket. As rain showers are also most frequent during this time, photographers may suggest incorporating an umbrella in wedding photo shoots if need be! With temperatures high and humidity following suit, summer is the least popular season to get hitched in Virginia Beach.
Blue Ridge, Virginia is home to Blue Ridge Parkway, the nation’s most visited unit as part of the national parks system. With stunning views and colorful backdrops, couples migrate to this part of Virginia to capture the beauty of their big day.
Off-season wedding months are typically November through March. The most popular months to wed in Virginia are May and October. The average wedding in Virginia runs about $28,542, just $1000 less than the national average.
In most parts of Virginia, the sales tax is 5.3%, the exceptions being Northern Virginia and Hamptons Road where the sales tax is 6%.
To obtain a marriage license in Virginia, you’ll need:
1) A fee of $30
2) Certified copies of your birth certificate if you are 18
3) Valid identification
A marriage license is valid for a period of 60 days and can be used anywhere in the state regardless of where it was obtained.