Best Wedding Venues in Northern Virginia – Fairfax County
Diving into wedding planning is an exciting time. One of the first things on your checklist? Finding that perfect wedding venue. But let’s be real, it’s no walk in the park. This is especially true when you’re searching for wedding venues in Northern Virginia. Trust me, I get it—the options are endless! And if you’re narrowing it down to Fairfax County, Virginia, well, get ready for a whirlwind of choices. But hey, no need to stress! Let my experience as a Northern Virginia wedding photographer help guide your search. Let’s chat about some of the best wedding venues in Fairfax County.
Not sure exactly where you want your venue yet? Check out our blog post about wedding venues in Loudoun County, just next door to Fairfax County!
Wedding Venues in Fairfax County
Fairfax County is a sprawling region of Northern Virginia. With an abundance of country clubs, density of hotels, and variety of historic properties, all hosting weddings, you have quite a list of options even within this small slice of Virginia. These venues aren’t too far from either Dulles International Airport or Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. This means your out-of-town guests won’t need to add a long drive to their travel time! Fairfax County also generally has less traffic than areas closer to Washington, DC. It also tends to have more affordable hotels. Fairfax County is an excellent region to search for wedding venues in Northern Virginia!
Hotel and Country Club Wedding Venues in Fairfax County
Country Club of Fairfax
A Country club wedding tends to have a timeless feel, and the Country Club of Fairfax is no different. The main ballroom has a beautiful neutral palette to fit whatever aesthetic you’d like for your wedding. I especially love the wood floors in the main celebration space! It also includes a beautiful contrasting wood fireplace. It makes for a beautiful backdrop for the sweetheart table. There’s a built-in bar right beside the dance floor, which is both practical and more visually pleasing than a generic temporary bar. It also makes for a beautiful indoor ceremony option.
The room is large and open, but divided by columns making it easier to separate dancing from socializing during the reception. There are also large windows providing a beautiful view of the grounds. And you can go outside on the patio for an even better view! Finally, the grounds have the classic golf course backdrop making for beautiful portraits and outdoor ceremony space.
Westfields Golf Club
Large windows and high ceilings make the ballroom at Westfields Golf Club in Clifton, VA one of the best wedding venues in Northern Virginia. The timeless white facade of the building makes for a great group photo spot. It even has a covered porch which is helpful for rainy wedding days. Besides the front porch, the grounds themselves make for a classic portrait background as well. If you’re looking for a ceremony space, the covered patio is the perfect way to add comfort to the outdoors. Alternatively, use the patio for cocktail hour.
Can’t get enough of the outdoors for your celebration? The ballroom includes access to a large deck overlooking the golf course. It’s great for large family photos or a quieter space for conversation. It also helps that the ballroom’s windows provide a spectacular view of the outdoors as well!
Interested in seeing an example of a wedding at Westfields Golf Club? Check out our blog post on Olivia and Victor’s wedding day here.
Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles
Whether a grand affair or small celebration, the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles has the space to accommodate! This large hotel is one of few venues capable of hosting hundreds of guests (making it a popular option for South Asian weddings). The property features multiple indoor and outdoor options for ceremonies and receptions.
The hotel features a particularly beautiful suite for a bridal party to get ready. And as a hotel, it of course conveniently accommodates the full wedding party and guests. It’s also one of the closest wedding venues in Fairfax County to Washington Dulles International Airport, making it even more convenient for those out-of-town guests.
Rain in the forecast on your big day? The hotel has a beautiful interior with plenty of photo ops. I especially love the large chandelier in the main foyer!
Interested in seeing a real wedding at Westfields Marriott? Check out our blog post on Cindy and Bruce’s wedding here.
Historic Wedding Venues in Fairfax County
Cabell’s Mill
An early 19th century mill was renovated to become the event space Cabell’s Mill. Cabell’s Mill at EC Lawrence Park in Centreville is owned by the Fairfax County Park Authority and available to rent on their website. First, it’s worth noting that the grounds around the mill are beautiful! This is particularly true in the fall, when the large surrounding trees are vibrant in autumnal hues. One option for an outdoor wedding ceremony space is in front of a large tree on the property which makes for a beautiful focal point for the ceremony. The scenery also acts as an excellent backdrop for your portraits.
The mill itself is charming on the outside and a blank slate on the inside. The upper level of the mill can accommodate 80 guests for a seated reception. The lower level opens onto a terrace, perfect for cocktail hour. Looking for a larger celebration? Use the mill for an indoor/outdoor cocktail hour and then rent an event tent for a larger seating and dance floor space. Or plan an al fresco celebration, weather permitting.
Cabell’s Mill is conveniently located near Washington Dulles International Airport as well as dozens of hotels. There is ample parking in the lot across from the property, which is reserved for event use when the mill is rented.
To see an example of a wedding at Cabell’s Mill, check out our blog post on Isabel and Ian’s September wedding here.
Fairfax Old Town Hall
The historic charm of downtown Fairfax makes the Old Town Hall one of the best wedding venues in Fairfax County. The space feels more like an urban wedding venue than many others on this list due to its downtown location. Yet it may feel less overwhelming to access than a venue in a busier city like Washington DC or Alexandria.
The historic city backdrop is one option for your wedding day portraits. There is also a small garden area just outside the Old Town Hall which also makes for beautiful portraits.
The Old Town Hall features two floors, both with the charming historic style. The upper level is a library of sorts, while the lower level is more neutral. Both feature dark wood accents but have plenty of light from the abundance of windows. Use both floors for your dinner reception, or for smaller weddings use one floor for cocktail hour and the other for dinner.
To see an example of a wedding reception at Fairfax Old Town Hall, check out our blog on Lovancy and Chuckie’s wedding here.
George Mason’s Gunston Hall
Get the charm of a southern estate with a wedding at Gunston Hall in Lorton, Virginia. Begin your day getting dressed with your wedding party on site – there’s room for both the bride and the groom. Hold your ceremony on the long driveway leading to the historic mansion, or under the large oak tree. Enjoy the facade of the mansion for portraits, as well as the newly opened gardens behind the mansion.
Afterwards, host cocktail hour in the gardens or in the visitor center’s courtyard with its beautiful water feature. You could also host an al fresco dinner in the courtyard, or use it for lawn games and socializing later in the evening. Then dance the night away with your full reception either in the gardens or in the Ann Mason Room. This auditorium-type space is perfect for a small to medium celebration, and includes use of a full kitchen for your caterer.
Want to see more photos from a wedding at Gunston Hall? Check out our blog post on Grace and Trae’s wedding here.
Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim
The ample patio space and beautiful historic grounds make Historic Blenheim in Fairfax one of the best wedding venues in Northern Virginia. The property features iconic split rail fences and historic buildings. It’s a fascinating backdrop for a wedding ceremony and for wedding portraits! It also gets perfect golden hour light when the weather cooperates.
There is an event space within the visitor center where you can host a small-to-medium seated dinner or your cocktail hour. If you need more space, Historic Blenheim allows tents on either of two open lawns on the property, so you could enjoy a tented or al fresco reception on the lawn. There is also a beautiful patio on the side of the building, and a wrap-around porch. These are perfect for an outdoor cocktail hour and for socializing during the celebration.
Want to see an example of a wedding at Historic Blenheim? View our blog post on Kayla and Isaac’s wedding here.
Other Beautiful Wedding Venues in Fairfax County
The Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Consider a modern garden wedding at The Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia. This venue uniquely incorporates the beauty of nature with a modern twist. The grounds themselves are of course stunning! For a microwedding at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, choose from a few different spaces within the gardens to hold your ceremony. For a larger celebration, your wedding ceremony can be held on the patio of the Atrium with a view of the gardens and pond in the distance.
In addition to using the gardens with their various gazebos and the pond as a backdrop for your portraits, you can also access the small greenhouse on the property. It’s a unique portrait opportunity that adds a modern flair to an otherwise very timeless backdrop.
A December wedding at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens offers the unique opportunity to do night portraits with the park’s Winter Walk of Lights. Your guests also get the opportunity to enjoy the Christmas light displays during the wedding, making this one of the best winter wedding venues in Northern Virginia!
Once you’re ready to enjoy your reception, your party will move into The Atrium. The Atrium features floor to ceiling windows, a glass ceiling, and abundant plant life growing inside the Atrium itself. The windows provide a beautiful view of the gardens during the day. The patio makes for an excellent space outside the reception for guests to enjoy cocktail hour or enjoy a quiet conversation.
Want to see more photos of a wedding at Meadowlark? Check out our blog post on Christy and Kyle’s wedding here. For a winter wedding at Meadowlark, take a look at our blog post on Lucy and J’s wedding here. Finally, you can also see a microwedding at Meadowlark in our blog post on Evelyn and Alvin’s wedding here.
Harbour View Events
If you’d like a waterfront style wedding venue without traveling out to the Chesapeake Bay or East Coast, Harbour View Events in Woodbridge, Virginia might be your perfect spot! This venue has everything you need for a perfect wedding all in one location, making it one of the best wedding venues in Northern Virginia. Start your day in the bridal suite for the ladies and separate dressing room for the groomsmen. If you plan to have a ceremony on site, the lower level features the perfect space. It has a beautiful view of the marina on the Occoquan River over an open air railing, but is otherwise indoors with total cover to keep everyone comfortable in high heat or rain. If you aren’t using it as a ceremony space, this lower level would make for an excellent cocktail hour!
Outside, enjoy beautiful scenery all around, from the wooded area beside the venue to the aforementioned docks. The front of the venue also makes for an iconic portrait location. This is especially true at night when you can make use of the string lights for a unique bride and groom photo!
When you’re ready for your reception, move upstairs to the large, open hall. It is a completely blank slate so you can decorate however you’d like for your unique wedding day. The room features large windows and outdoor terrace all facing the docks and Occoquan River. The terrace provides the perfect space for your guests to get some fresh air or have a quiet conversation while your party continues inside.
Finally, enjoy a sendoff in style out the front doors of Harbour View. Sparklers are welcome!
For more photos of a wedding at Harbour View Events, take a look at our blog post on Delaney and Christian’s wedding here.
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