Weddings and Virginia State Parks

A Natural Connection

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 below for specific parks' wedding information.

Chippokes Plantation

757-294-3625
Surry, Va.
Chippokes@dcr.virginia.gov

Chippokes Plantation State Park is a historic plantation with formal gardens, making it ideal for outdoor weddings. It's perfect for historically themed and traditional weddings, receptions and rehearsal dinners. Chippokes rents tents, tables and chairs, and outside vendors, such as caterers, are permitted so long as they have necessary insurance and permits. Although parking fees apply, they can be prepaid for paid through invoice. A special-use permit and a $10 application fee are required. Alcohol may be served in some areas with a Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Board banquet license permit. Specific dates can be guaranteed only after the application is approved by the park and a deposit is paid.

The antebellum Chippokes Jones-Stewart Mansion is perfect for small weddings and serves as a beautiful backdrop for wedding photos. The board room has a small kitchen for caterers, a dining table that seats 15, two changing rooms and a restroom. Many wedding parties rent this area as a quiet place to calm pre-ceremony jitters, make final adjustments to wedding attire or hold a small pre-ceremony breakfast. The room can be rented separately; it accommodates up to 20 people. Alcohol is allowed here only with appropriate permits and personnel.

The park also has conference shelter, which is on the historic grounds across from the mansion. The shelter is a good place for large receptions and rehearsal dinners. Perfect for spring and fall weddings, the shelter is completely screened in and equipped with a full kitchen. It has no heating or air conditioning. Alcohol is allowed with appropriate permits and personnel but may be served and consumed only in the shelter or with the “backyard” area. The shelter can accommodate up to 100 people.

Ideal for outdoor wedding ceremonies, the park's formal gardens or mansion lawn area are perfect settings and add visual ambience to outdoor ceremonies and wedding photos. In season, crepe myrtle and azaleas compliment the verdant landscape of trees and shrubs. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in these areas.

While all facilities, tents, tables and chairs can be reserved a la carte, all-inclusive wedding packages are available, too. Download this wedding brochure for details on prices and packages.

Please click here for the park's location.

Wedding information

• Wedding brochure
• Special-use permit application

Claytor Lake State Park

Call 800-933-7275
Dublin, Va.

The Water’s Edge Meeting Facility at Claytor Lake State Park offers a beautiful setting for weddings, reunions, meetings and other special events. The meeting room overlooks the lake and has a scenic view from the water’s edge. It can accommodate up to 125 people. There is a warming kitchen equipped with a refrigerator, freezer, warmer and microwave-convection oven. Audiovisual equipment can be rented. Claytor Lake is about two miles from Interstate 81 and offers fishing, swimming, hiking and camping for a memorable outdoor experience. Claytor Lake also has 110 campsites, 3 lodges, 13 cabins and 110 campsites that can be rented.

Wedding information

• Wedding booklet
• Prices
• Caterers, suppliers
• Floor plan
• Special-use permit application
• Terms of rental agreement

Douthat State Park

540-862-8100
Millboro, Va.

Minutes from Clifton Forge and Interstate 64, historic Douthat State Park has everything you'd expect in the Allegheny Mountains. Mountain hiking trails, stunning views, swimming, fishing and more are just a short walk away. Two meeting rooms, one seating 50 people and the other 15, can be used for retreats and lectures. The Alleghany Room, which is above the park's beach house store, is ideal for weddings and receptions in the fall, winter or spring. Beard's Mountain Lodge accommodates up to 16, Creasey Lodge accommodates up to 18 and Douthat Lodge accommodates up to 15. The park also has 32 cabins.

Wedding information

• Wedding booklet
• Prices
• Caterering
• Service providers
• Occupancy limits
• Special-use permit application
• Terms of rental agreement

First Landing State Park

Call 757-412-2320
Virginia Beach, Va.
firstlanding@dcr.virginia.gov

First Landing State Park is a natural oasis in the midst of urban development. It is the perfect setting for a beach or maritime forest wedding, reception and rehearsal dinner. First Landing State Park rents tents, tables, chairs, audiovisual equipment and catering house wares for events. Parking is limited during peak seasons so a shuttle bus or carpools are recommended for large parties. Per car parking fees apply, but the fees can be prepaid or paid through invoice. A special-use permit application and $10 application fee are required. Specific dates cannot be guaranteed until the application is approved by park management and a deposit is paid.

Chesapeake Bay Center and Beach - With 1.5 miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline, it is the perfect setting for a sunset beach wedding. The center is a few yards from the bay and accommodates up to 40 people. The center's large, open-air courtyard has a gazebo and an amphitheater with a maximum capacity of 300. The gazebo, which accommodates up to 40 people, can be rented separately. Alcohol is allowed with the appropriate permits and personnel.

Trail Center and Maritime Forest - The Trail Center, about two miles from the beach, is near a maritime forest. Surrounded by bald cypress trees, Spanish moss and marsh, the area offers unique spot for outdoor ceremonies. The center has a foyer, large meeting room, large outdoor deck and warming kitchen equipped with a coffee maker, refrigerator, freezer, warmer and microwave-convection oven. There's also a pergola here, the perfect spot for a wedding. Its capacity is 60. Audiovisual equipment can be rented. Alcohol is allowed with the appropriate permits and personnel.

Picnic shelter - The picnic shelter, about a mile from the beach, is in the park’s maritime forest area. The area is perfect for casual outdoor events. There are tables in the shelter, which is under tree canopies draped in Spanish moss. There is also a large open air fire ring. The shelter's capacity is 80. Alcohol is not permitted here.

Accommodations - First Landing State Park is about 10 miles from Interstate 64, exit 282. It's about 6 miles north of the Virginia Beach oceanfront area. The park has 217 campsites and 20 cabins.

Wedding information

• Prices
• Special-use permit application
• Wedding questionnaire
• Trail Center floor plan

Grayson Highlands State Park

276-579-7092
Mouth of Wilson, Va.
graysonhighlands@dcr.virginia.gov

Grayson Highlands State Park is perfect for simple weddings in a natural setting. There are several ceremony options.

The Homestead area offers a large green field that drains to a cool mountain stream. It's surrounded by large tress. The Spencer cabin serves as a pretty backdrop, and a neat barn shelter there is perfect for receptions. The Homestead is the largest wedding option in the park.

An open field known as the Pony Coral offers astounding views of the area. Wedding-goers will feel like they're on the top of the world as the happy couple takes their next step in life.

Buzzard Rock Overlook is ideal for those wanting a small, intimate ceremony, Buzzard Rock Overlook the place. The vista is breathtaking, offering a 180-degree view of the mountain range, Christmas tree farms and the farming town of Rugby.

The park supplies beautiful settings; all other aspects of the wedding are up to the wedding party. A special-use permit is required prior to the wedding. Call park staff to arrange for site visits.

Grayson Highlands State Park is located at 829 Grayson Highland Lane, Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363. Call 276-579-7092 or email graysonhighlands@dcr.virginia.gov for more information.

Hungry Mother State Park

276-781-7425
Marion, Va.

Special weddings require a special place. Hungry Mother State Park can provide that special place to complement your perfect wedding. Imagine your wedding on an island or on the shore of the park's 108-acre lake. Whether you choose the outdoors or indoors, Hungry Mother is the perfect setting.

The park offers full-service catering for weddings, rehearsal dinners and many other functions. Its event planner and executive chef are at your service. The park's priorities are quality and customer service. The rehearsal dinner, reception and other group events are customized to your specifications. You choose the menu, and park staff makes dishes just for you.

Beautiful weddings can be affordable. Hungry Mother provides quality catering at reasonable prices. In fact, you decide on price as you select from a variety of services. Choose from simple buffets to over-the-top hors d’oeuvres or the popular food station displays.

Whether you want a lavish wedding or a simple affair, a personal event planner is on-hand to help. Your selections will delight your guests, exceed their expectations and fit in any budget. An executive chef is also on-hand to offer a wealth of knowledge to create a custom menu unique to your wedding. Flexible catering services are available any style of reception, from buffets to family-style dinners or more traditional served entrees.

Wedding information

• Flier
• Sample menu
• Nearby services

Southwest Virginia Museum

276-523-1322
Big Stone Gap, Va.

Wedding memories are treasures. Create those memories outdoors under an arbor in a flower garden or under a large open tent lined with white lights. The surrounding mountain range and historic three-story mansion make beautiful backdrops. The Southwest Virginia Museum is an unforgettable location and offers wedding packages including space for bridal portraits, rehearsal dinners and receptions. This flier has details and prices.

Wilderness Road State Park

276-445-3065
Ewing, Va.

Marriage is a sacred and binding tradition meant to stand the test of time. Those very attributes make the picturesque Karlan Mansion at Wilderness Road State Park the perfect setting for your wedding. The stately 1878 mansion stands proud as a community icon, near Daniel Boone’s fabled Wilderness Road, with the majestic Cumberland Mountain offering a captivating backdrop. This flier has details and prices.

For more information

A state parks reservations counselor will help with all your reservation needs. Just call 800-933-PARK.