Between the peaks and folds of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it feels like time has stood still. These ancient landscapes are blanketed with dense forests and serene lakes — with iconic villas, cabins and rolling vineyards recalling the early settlers of centuries ago. A luxury Virginia mountain wedding combines the region’s stunning nature with its well-preserved culture, ensuring an event brimming with tradition and class.

I’m always so excited to join couples as their Virginia mountain wedding photographer. These sierras are on my doorstep — yet no matter how many times I head into the mountains with my camera, every single visit is unique, depending on the season, the time of day, the weather and the venue! 

I’d be thrilled to help you plan your special day here — so I’m sharing my top tips for planning a luxury Appalachian mountain wedding.

Is A Virginia Mountain Wedding Right For Us?

The mountains may conjure up ideas of wilderness, but while we do have whitewater rapids, intense hiking trails and — yes — bears, the valleys are dotted with some of the coziest venues you can imagine, so you definitely don’t need to be an intrepid explorer to enjoy a Virginia mountain wedding! 

This is a destination that blends landscapes with luxury, where the warm Southern hospitality has never been lost, and your explorations will take you through American culture and history as much as they will into nature.

Best of all, if you want to extend your wedding into a mini break or honeymoon, you can combine a stay at a luxurious villa, cabin or retreat with a guided waterfall hike, wine tasting at a local vineyard, or take a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway – the fall foliage is just incredible.

The Best Season To Get Married In The Virginia Mountains

For me, every season has its magical moments. If you’ve ever dreamed of a fiery-colored fall wedding, the Appalachians deliver — just make sure you book early, as September and October are peak months. 

Spring offers great temperatures and a rainbow of wildflowers, with slightly fewer crowds than fall. During the sub-tropical summer, the higher altitudes offer a retreat from Virginia’s humid heat. It can be rainy, but I always see the positives — stormy scenes can make for stunning photo backdrops! 

Winters are cool and bright, so seek out a luxury mountain venue with a sunroom to make the most of low season with crisp blue skies offering stunning views. You might even be treated to a flutter of snowflakes!

Luxury Mountain Wedding Venues In Virginia

The venue choices are as varied and endless as the mountains themselves, but I have a few favorite settings that offer the best in comfort, hospitality and — of course — photo framing!

Hazy Mountain Vineyards

Just getting here is stunning enough! You wind your way through historic mountainside vineyards with panoramic views across the Blue Ridge Mountains — before the Tuscan-style villa makes its dramatic appearance! 

Hazy Mountain boasts a bright event space for up to 200 guests, a landscaped ceremony courtyard, a cocktail bar, and fully-equipped bridal suites. The solarium means it’s suitable all year round, and while it’s just outside Charlottesville, the peace of the vast vineyard makes it feel a million miles from the city. There’s accommodation, too, if you want to make a weekend of it.

The Seclusion

High up in Shenandoah Valley this Virginia mountains wedding venue really lives up to its name! Lexington. The 72-acre estate is refined and elegant, yet maintains an old-fashioned, rustic vibe. 

Highlights include the vast outdoor seating area, cozy clapboard cottages for out-of-town guests, the amazingly attentive staff, and — of course — the mind-blowing views in every direction.

Pippin Hill Farms & Vineyards

Nestled in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards offers an unparalleled luxury wedding experience that seamlessly blends rustic charm with sophisticated elegance.

Pippin Hill’s event venues are designed to accommodate every aspect of a dream wedding. The Granary, with its high ceilings and sweeping views, offers a spacious yet intimate environment for dining and dancing, while the Veranda and Courtyard are perfect for outdoor celebrations under the stars. The farm-to-table cuisine, crafted from locally sourced ingredients, complements the venue’s award-winning wines, ensuring a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

Attention to detail and a commitment to personalized service make Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards not just a venue, but a destination where unforgettable wedding memories are made.

Virginia Mountain Micro Weddings

If you’re planning a micro wedding or elopement, Virginia’s secluded mountain valleys shelter intimate historic venues ready to welcome the smallest of parties. 

Just outside Charlottesville, Mount Ida Farm and Vineyard offers elopement packages on its 4,000-acre estate with lakeside or mountain views, and accommodation for up to 10 guests, so you can savor your seclusion with your favorite people. 

Hazy Mountain, too, has a villa which is ideal for smaller ceremonies, nestled among the twisted vines.

Where To Stay In The Virginia Mountains

The word “cabin” may not be something you associate with luxury but Virginia’s high-end cabin rentals will make you think again — with some more luxurious than top hotels! Seek out options with private hot tubs, romantic fireplaces, fully kitted-out kitchens, or personal chefs. 

But the real reason these cabins win out over hotels is that you have them to yourselves — perhaps with a private terrace for sunbathing or stargazing, a fire pit for late-night drinks under a blanket, and some of the world’s most amazing views right outside your own front door.

The other thing these mountains excel in is wineries. Plenty of historic vineyards offer 5-star accommodation, with fine dining, spa treatments, and activities from horseback riding to fishing. 

And don’t forget the wine! For ideas, check out Primland Resort or Veritas Vineyard & Winery which offer a range of accommodation styles, activities, and treats.

Getting Around The Virginia Mountains

You might assume that these wild estates in secluded venues are difficult to get to — but I’ll let you in on an Appalachian secret: our hollows, which we call “hollers”! 

These deep mountain valleys may just be a short hop from Charlottesville or Lexington, but once you’re nestled into one, the mountains form a 360-degree backdrop, a sense of luxurious, and exclusive isolation. 

That means that getting around the Virginia mountains might be easier than you’d imagine, with many of the historic venues within easy driving distance of the nearby cities and towns.

How To Plan A Luxury Wedding In The Virginia Mountains

You’ve come to the right place! As a Virginia wedding photographer, I’m thrilled to step in as your planning advisor, personal assistant, local guide — and whatever else you might need leading up to and on your big day!

I want the Virginia mountains to mean as much to you as they do to me — and what better way to do that than by helping you celebrate your wedding here? If you’d like to learn more about planning your Virginia mountain wedding, and how I can guide you along the way, get in touch and we can have a chat.