Why You Should Definitely be Dreaming of a Dover Hall Wedding
If you’re anything like me when I was newly-engaged, I’ll be willing to bet you already have a long list of wedding venues to tour. But I’ll also be willing to bet Dover Hall isn’t on your list. Well, I’m here to ask you, “Why Not?!” Respectfully, of course!
You might know about this incredible English Tudor inspired house, and you may wonder why I’m suggesting it as a wedding venue. Well, it’s because it’s truly a venue like no other, with its idyllic European charm and expansive estate, it serves as an excellent backdrop for your Virginia wedding.
Table of Contents
Dover Hall Wedding Deep Dive
Nestled in the rolling hills of Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, this absolutely gorgeous 38,000-square-foot Virginia wedding venue sits on a serene 55 private acres. As you arrive at the Tudor style estate, you’re welcomed with an atmosphere of serenity and stillness you would imagine could only be found in the English Cotswolds.
Although its elegance is that of a historic English manor, this estate was actually built in 2000 as a private home before becoming a wedding venue in 2014. The original owners left most of the artwork and furnishings, sourced from various places in Europe, behind to forever be a part of the Dover Hall wedding experience!
Unparalleled Amenities
With a Dover Hall wedding, you’re not just booking a venue; you’re booking a team–and an experience.
A Dover Hall wedding means you have access to the best of the best when it comes to wedding day experience. Not only do you get access to an estate wedding team, but they also provide event staff, a culinary team, and a host of incredible amenities (say, what?!).
You won’t have to worry about sourcing rentals from an outside company (unless you absolutely want to), because Dover Hall includes just about everything you could possibly need. They have luxury linens, variations of china & glassware, tables of all shapes & sizes, as well as a plethora of high-end chairs.
In addition, they offer a luxury level in-house banquet team to serve only the best of the best when it comes to cuisine & beverages.
A Dover Hall wedding will have all the photos.
With a 38,000 square-foot estate like Dover Hall, you can expect that every inch would be as picturesque as possible. From the moment you make your way down the long drive to this incredible venue, you’ll be envisioning the breathtaking portraits you’ll take during your Dover Hall wedding day.
Getting ready is an absolute must when you have a space like the Queen Elizabeth Suite to lounge in. With ample natural light, the Bride (or Groom!) will enjoy the lavish 2,400 square foot space and feel delightfully regal as they adorn wedding day attire.
Its rightfully fitted counterpart, The Billiards Room, would impress any monarch as well. With dark wood furnishings and exotic animals, it’s a perfectly picturesque spot for the gentlemen to lounge before gearing up for the Dover Hall wedding day.
There truly isn’t an angle in the house that wouldn’t make for an incredible photograph, but I am always drawn to the truly iconic light blue room with its cream accents and marble furnishings. Its European charm truly reminds me of something plucked straight out of Chateau Bouffémont in Paris, France!
But, like, let’s talk about cost…
So, I’m definitely not one to talk numbers because I would MUCH rather focus on the fun side of things! #treatyoself But the reality is that the cost of a Dover Hall wedding is something we all want to know about.
Luckily, the Dover Hall wedding experience team has their current pricing guide right on the website for you! Peak season wedding dates in those lush summer months will start at $50k when you factor in both the venue fee and the cuisine & beverage minimum. For off-season months, you’ll be looking at spending somewhere in the $35-40k range!
You’ll also be able to upgrade to the whole weekend experience for your Dover Hall wedding, which includes three days at the venue and accommodations for up to 10 guests! I mean, I could not imagine waking up to a better view than one of the luxurious suites at Dover Hall.
Must-Haves for your Dover Hall Wedding
With such a breathtaking venue for your wedding, you’ll want to make sure you have a few other VIPs involved. First and foremost, you’ll want to scout out a wedding planning team that’s going to bring your vision to life! Your wedding planner will be the one completing your sentences throughout the planning process and finding that person is a crucial part of being able to wholeheartedly enjoy your Dover Hall wedding day!
And, I may be biased, but when you’re dreaming of those dazzling Dover Hall wedding portraits…you’re going to need a talented wedding photographer you can trust to capture them all! Someone who is *basically* an honorary wedding party member who will be celebrating with you every step of the way.
With over ten years of wedding photography experience, I’m definitely down to be your wedding photography Yoda. So, if you’re still looking for the one to document your Dover Hall wedding–get in touch! I’d love to chat more about what you have planned for your big day!
Still looking for more virtual venue tours and wedding photography inspiration? No problem! I’ve got you covered with plenty of posts:
Hi there—
i'm danielle
I'm a Virginia-based wedding & portrait photographer capturing photos that look like actual ART.
If you're hoping for the inside scoop, my newsletter is where it's at.
