When my husband and I started looking at wedding venues near our hometown of Montross, VA, we had a handful of options.

 

We had a few wineries, an old family farm, and a couple of promising historical homesteads to choose from. But when the time came to make our decision, the choice was obvious. When you’re in the Northern Neck and you want the perfect blend of history, nature and fun, you go to Westmoreland State Park.

 

 

Tayloe Murphy Hall at Westmoreland State Park

 

We took our first tour of the park as a wedding venue the day before Mother’s Day, 2012. We took our moms with us to scope out the location and check out the views. When we got to the visitor’s center, we took one look at those beautiful cliffs and the bright, flowing river and we knew we had found the perfect place. We set the date for a year from that Saturday.

 

A few short weeks later, the planning process started. I did most of the planning myself, which was a lot of fun but very hectic. I was so happy to have the help of all the park rangers and staff. They were very nice and informative and they helped me iron out almost every detail of the big day.

 

When the day came, almost all of our guests stayed at the park in the cabins. It was so nice to have everyone hanging out together and making little “villages” while they got ready for the ceremony. My husband got ready in the cottage at the bottom of the hill and I prepared in the cottage at the top of the hill. We had flowers and green grass everywhere. Our friends came to play the music and my husband surprised me with a song during the ceremony…it was everything I ever dreamed of in a wedding, and in a wedding venue.

 

Our reception was held a few hundred feet away at Tayloe Murphy Hall. Everyone took a short walk and enjoyed a few games of cornhole, croquet and horseshoes. Our musician played all the hits and all our special songs as our guests enjoyed all the best foods of home - ham biscuits, crab cakes, and sweet iced tea.

 

My husband and I grew up together in the Northern Neck. We met when we were six years old and in the first grade. We grew up together, fell in love, and got engaged. When we were ready to marry, we knew we needed a place that encapsulated all our favorite pieces of home. We wanted the sandy shores of the Potomac; the tall oaks and Virginia pines; the green grass and all our family and friends. Westmoreland State Park was that place, a beautiful hideaway in the heart of the Tidewater and the perfect place to turn my childhood sweetheart into my husband and my partner for life.

Thank you Anne for sharing your love story.

 

From our contest entries: "Love is in the Air -- A Contest for February"

 

From a simple outdoor wedding with a handful of people to an elaborate event with all the trimmings, Virginia State Parks offer a variety of wedding venues and services. Click here to see wedding information, and here for meeting facilities at Virginia State Parks!