Elegance Elopement Investment Guide

Have Questions? Get Answers.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Q: Can we come take a venue tour? Is a tour mandatory?

A: Tours are available by appointment Tuesday - Sunday on most days that we are not hosting a wedding!  We can take a look around the venue together, you'll be able to check out our portfolio books from past weddings, and we can answer any questions you have!  Just send us an email and let us know the days and times that work best for you, and we'll let you know our next available appointments!  Planning from long distance or short notice and can't make it for a venue tour? No problem!  Many of our elopement couples don't meet us in person until the big day!  A tour is not required to reserve a date.

Q: How many guests do you accommodate?

A: The Elegance elopement is designed for the wedding couple and up to 8 additional guests.  Children age 2 and over are included in your guest count.  Babies under the age of 2 are not counted.  Couples wishing for a larger event should choose our Boutique Wedding, or Mini Winter Wedding package.

Q: can we provide our own alcohol?

A: Yes!  You are welcome to bring beer, wine or your favorite champagne with you to the venue.  An ABC license is not needed unless you are selling the alcohol to your guests (eg: a cash bar).  Your event is considered a private party by invitation only. .  We'll provide the ice and beverage tubs.  Guests can self pour, as our staff does not bar tend for liability reasons.

Q: can we personalize our timeline?

A: Totally! Our wedding planners will help guide you and create a personalized timeline that works best for your wedding day!  We'll take into account the season and the sunset time, and help you pick a ceremony time that ensures the best light for photos and the most fun for you and your guests!  We'll make sure you have time for all the special moments you'd like to include in your big day (first look , first dance, mountain photos etc)  and help you create the perfect plan!

Q: HOw far in advance can i book my date?

A: The Elegance elopement package can be booked up to 12 months in advance of the current month for a Weekday (Tuesday - Friday) date. 
Saturday / Sunday dates can be booked up to 2 months in advance.
There is no minimum requirement for booking a date.  We'll need at least 48 hours to arrange cake and flowers, but can certainly create a beautiful short notice event for you!

Q: can we add a catered meal?

Q: Can we provide our own officiant?

Q: It seems like you include so much...what do we need to bring, buy or hire?

Q: can we bring our dog?

Q: do you welcome LGBTQ couples?

Q: Are we allowed to personalize our elopement?

Q: can our ceremony take place on skyline drive?

Q: can we bring a videographer?

Q: can we choose this package for a vow renewal?

A: Sure thing!  A licensed Virginia wedding officiant is included in your wedding package.  However, if you have someone else in mind to officiate your ceremony that's just fine with us!  A price deduction is not made in the event that you provide your own officiant, but we'll be sure to welcome them and help familiarize them with the ceremony space and details on your big day.

A: You'll want to bring your wedding attire of course!  Your rings.  Your Virginia Wedding License.  And you could honestly leave it at that!  Some couples like to bring special decorations (such as their own cake topper or cake cutting set instead of using ours) and mementos to be photographed (your grandmothers handkerchief, the first love letter you exchanged, the compass you use on your hikes etc!)  Some of our brides arrive with hair and make up already done, others do their own hair and make up in the dressing suite, while others treat themselves and hire a professional hair stylist or makeup artist to meet them at the venue.  We love Andrea's Tie the Knot Updo's for hair, and Alicia Taylor for makeup.  You can find some more favorite stylists on our FAQ page.

A: So the answer is yes...but we don't recommend it! We love pups so much (just ask about my rescue pup Grover!) but those rascals can take the focus off your partner and steal a little of your wedding Zen.  If you absolutely can't get married without your best furry friend - we're ok with that, but we think you'll have the best experience possible if you don't have to worry about walks, and poop scooping and water bowls and barking during the ceremony!  Cats are not allowed (sorry cat lovers - we're allergic!)  You can read my in depth blog post about pets at weddings HERE if you'd like a broader perspective!

A: Heck yes!!!  We know you want your wedding day to reflect your own unique love story and personalities!  There are lots of choices for you to make - we'll offer an array of ceremony scripts that you can customize, you get to choose your cake flavors, and icing pattern for your wedding cake.  You can request specific colors for your wedding flowers, and can provide us with guidance for your sweethearts table (rustic, tea party feel, elegant, etc) and direct us on the linen colors you'd like us to use.  

A: Couples have two options here.  We know the folks at home will be so excited to hear all about your day, see your amazing wedding photos and maybe even want some video.  Couples can choose to add on our Cinematography option ($595) and have a beautiful wedding day highlight film created for them.  Or, if you'd just like the ceremony filmed, you are welcome to bring your own video camera or phone to record your ceremony.  Please note that we don't allow outside videographers.  There is a special synergy needed between a wedding photographer, and videographer, as we both want the same shots!  Our onsite photographer only works with our onsite videographer - so that we can ensure the very best coverage of both photos and video for our couples! 

A: Absolutely!  We've hosted many vow renewals for couples celebrating milestone anniversaries, and also for couples who never had the chance for a special wedding day or photos when they were first married! We love hosting Vow Renewals and treat them exactly the same as we would treat a wedding day.  The only difference is that you won't need to apply for / bring a marriage license with you.  We have some special wedding ceremony scripts especially for couples renewing their vows, which you are welcome to personalize in any way that suits you best! 

A: No.  You've probably seen our incredible mountain wedding photos taken right next door to us in Shenandoah National Park - epic, right?!!!  Lots of our couples choose the mountains for their wedding photos, which we love!  We don't offer to perform ceremonies in the mountains for a few reasons - the weather can be unpredictable, there are no restrooms nearby, and the park is a public place, so other tourists may unknowingly interrupt your ceremony.  We host your wedding ceremony at the Golden Horseshoe Inn (indoor or outdoor locations) and then are happy to head up the mountain for some amazing pictures.  For our couples, this is the absolute best of both worlds.

A: Absolutely!!!  The hearts of our officiant and entire staff are full of love and respect for the LGBT community!

Q: How do I book you for my wedding day?

A: We love that question the most! To book us for your special day, simply call or email to let us know the date you would like to reserve and:
- The full names of both partners
- Email address(es) where we can send a contract and retainer link
- Estimated size of your guest list (this can be a rough estimate!)

Yep, it's that easy!