CHESTER, Va. — More and more Virginia couples are choosing farm settings to tie the knot, and a growing number of farming families are seizing the opportunity to turn their land into wedding destinations.
At Ashton Creek Vineyard, the Thibault family had a clear goal from the start: share the stunning scenery of their winemaking operation with guests looking to celebrate life’s biggest moments. Since 2006, they’ve built a space where visitors can relax and mark milestones while enjoying Virginia wines.
“Vineyards and wineries take so long to mature and build recognition, and we knew having weddings and events could speed up that process,” said Alan Thibault, who runs the vineyard alongside his wife, Maria.
The couple divides responsibilities — Maria works with couples, event planners and caterers, while Alan focuses on maintaining the vines and crafting 15 different wines. Most of the agricultural work takes place during the week, leaving weekends open for events and celebrations.
Beyond their Chester location, the family also operates a sister property called Riverside Vines in Dinwiddie County, where couples can exchange vows with sweeping views of Lake Chesdin.
In Nelson County, Dickie Bros. Orchard offers a completely different but equally breathtaking setting. Couples marry on a hilltop overlooking fruit trees, open pastureland and the DuPriest and Little DuPriest mountains — a landscape that has been farmed since 1752.
John and Shelby Bruguiere represent the ninth generation of their family to own and work the 500-acre property. The farm produces pears, plums, nectarines, peaches and apples across 40 orchard acres. In 2024, the couple opened Castle Hall Weddings at the orchard to help manage the financial pressures that come with running a farm.
“Castle Hall was the name of the original home here at the orchard,” John explained. “With this diversification, we could reduce some of the higher costs and keep the land, keep it in land use, and keep it as an option for the next generation.”
They built a barn venue capable of hosting up to 150 guests. While the facility may not rival high-end wedding venues, John says the scenery speaks for itself.
“We may not have the amenities that some of the high-end wineries and venues do, but we have a view unlike any other,” he said. “And that’s what we’re selling — the view!”
Over in Lunenburg County, Parrish View Farms has been in the Parrish family since 1950. What began as a dairy operation has grown into a row crop farm and a popular destination for agritourism, special events and weddings. Four generations of the family now work the land together.
Liz Parrish is among those helping run the property, which has been creatively reimagined to welcome wedding guests. The family constructed an elegant barn for receptions, transformed a tobacco barn into a cozy lounge complete with a signature LOVE sign, and converted 1970s-era grain bins into a bridal suite, a small theater and a fully functioning bar.
The ceremony area is surrounded by seasonal flowers and crops, giving guests an immersive experience in the farm’s natural beauty.
“The beauty that we have all around us every season is a big draw for folks,” Cary said. “Especially in the fall, when everything looks best.”
The full story is available in Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s summer Cultivate magazine at issuu.com/virginiafarmbureau. The Parrish family was also featured in the August 1, 2024, episode of Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program.
