Outdoor Wedding Venues

The Bear Creek Lake picnic shelter by the beach offers a beautiful setting for ceremonies and receptions. It can accommodate up to 40 guests. Guests can also have their ceremony on Bear Creek Lake beach with up to 25 guests; however, staff cannot block off any portion of the beach, and there is no expectation of privacy. 

Location: Cumberland, Virginia

Exchange vows on the Bel Air area's peaceful grounds surrounded by magnificent views of the colonial-style Bel Air House in one direction and the river in another. The grounds can accommodate 250 guests for a ceremony and reception. The Bel Air House and Guest House are for the bridal party's overnight accommodations or close guests only.

Location: Lancaster, Virginia

Chippokes offers outdoor venues for weddings of all sizes, from small elopements to large ceremonies with 200 guests. For ceremonies with 100+ guests, the park's historic area grounds feature the 5-acre Paradise Garden and the beautiful Jones-Stewart Mansion, perfect backdrops for tying the knot.

Location: Surry, Virginia

The gazebo at Claytor Lake offers a beautiful setting overlooking the water for ceremonies with 125 guests. The gazebo can be rented in conjunction with the Water's Edge Meeting Facility, allowing couples to have the best of both worlds: an outdoor ceremony and an indoor reception.

Location: Dublin, Virginia

Fairy Stone offers a range of options for outdoor weddings in a natural, woodsy setting. A beach ceremony can accommodate 100+ guests while the park's picnic shelters can accommodate 45-75 guests, depending on the shelter. The amphitheater, which has a view of the water, can accommodate 80 guests.

Location: Stuart, Virginia

First Landing is a wonderful location for outdoor weddings. For weddings with 200 guests, the park offers the Chesapeake Bay Center and Beach, which features a large, open-air courtyard, gazebo and amphitheater. For couples who prefer to get married on the sand, a beach wedding at First Landing can also accommodate 200 guests.

Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia

Grayson Highlands is perfect for simple outdoor weddings in a natural setting. Couples have said "I do" at many sites throughout the park; however, there are two go-to locations: the Homestead area and Buzzard Rock Overlook. The Homestead area has two historical log cabins that offer focal points for your ceremony and a rustic barn shelter that provides seating for up to 100 reception guests. Buzzard Rock Overlook offers a 180-degree view of the mountain range and is ideal for small, intimate ceremonies. The observation deck itself holds up to eight guests, but seating for as many as 50 guests can be arranged along the walkway.

Location: Mouth of Wilson, Virginia

Hungry Mother has several options for outdoor ceremonies and receptions of all sizes. Whether couples prefer to say "I do" by the water or in the woods, the park offers the Lakeview Gazebo, five shelters and an amphitheater. Ceremonies can also be held along the beach of Hungry Mother Lake.

Location: Marion, Virginia

From April through November Natural Bridge State Park invites you to say "I do" at the iconic Natural Bridge, a 215-foot tall limestone arch that spans 90 feet across Cedar Creek, creating an experience guests will never forget. After you take your vows, you can head over to the Cedar Creek Pavilion for an outdoor reception. Natural Bridge can accommodate 140 guests for outdoor ceremonies and receptions.

Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia

Natural Tunnel offers three locations for outdoor ceremonies of all sizes. Fincastle Fields, which offers breathtaking views of Rye Cove, can accommodate 50 guests. If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind location, you and up to 50 guests can take the chairlift down to the Natural Tunnel Deck for a ceremony at the Tunnel's gorge. For larger ceremonies, the amphitheater, a natural bowl, provides covered seating for 200 guests.

Location: Duffield, Virginia

New River Trail offers eight different outdoor locations for weddings of all sizes. Whether you want to get married at a waterfront gazebo with 50 of your closest friends and family members or say "I do" in front of more than 100 guests at the amphitheater, this park has space for it all.

Location: Max Meadows, Virginia

Occoneechee State Park's outdoor amphitheater overlooks the 48,000-acre Buggs Island Lake and is a wonderful location for outdoor weddings. The amphitheater has a partially covered stage and benches that can accommodate up to 120 guests. Two earthen terraces allow for additional seating. 

Location: Clarksville, Virginia

The park offers woodsy outdoor locations for ceremonies that your guests won't forget. The Beaver Lake Overlook and Swift Creek and CCC fields provide serene backgrounds for ceremonies with 50 to 150 guests.

Location: Chesterfield, Virginia

Smith Mountain Lake State Park's outdoor amphitheater provides a perfect setting for a small outdoor casual wedding. It's located on the water and provides a beautiful lake view. The amphitheater can accommodate up to 55 guests.

Location: Huddleston, Virginia

The gazebo at Twin Lakes is the perfect location for a waterfront ceremony. It offers a gorgeous view of Prince Edward Lake and seating for roughly 100 guests.

Location: Green Bay, Virginia

The open lawn behind the visitor center offers a beautiful location for an outdoor ceremony. You can tie the knot in front of 75 guests high on the park's cliffs. After your ceremony, you can head to Helen and Tayloe Murphy Hall to have your reception in a Civilian Conservation Corps-era building.

Location: Montross, Virginia

Wilderness Road offers two outdoor venues. The amphitheater provides a natural setting for an outdoor ceremony. The structure provides uncovered seating for 90 guests and enough standing room for 60 more guests. For larger weddings, the stunning grounds of the 1870s-era Karlan Mansion can accommodate 100 guests for an outdoor ceremony or reception.

Location: Ewing, Virginia