A few weekends ago, I had the pleasure of touring all of the Smithfield Wedding Venues and Vendors! Downtown Smithfield and the town of Isle of Wight is a charming and country chic, yet modern and classy for all of your wedding needs. Here is a full break down of all the venues and vendors I toured to help you tie the knot in Smithfield!
Our first stop was The Main Event by Emily! Her company has a little bit of everything — wedding planning/coordination, florals, dresses, event designing, a full shop of party favors/gifts, and so much more! With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Emily’s true passion still lies in wedding florals and making your event unique, memorable, and stress-free! What’s so breathtaking about her event design is it’s so unique to each client — you’ll see boho, vintage, classic, themed, romantic, and more! Being both a florist and a designer allows the full look of the event to complement one another seamlessly. I was lucky enough to witness her magic come to life from start to finish! Overall, The Main Event by Emily team is so hard working and dedicated to creating a wedding day that reflects the unique personalities of their client!
QDADDY'S PITMASTER BARBECUE:
Next, we stopped at one of my favorite spots in town … Qdaddys! QDaddy’s is a family-owned second generation pitmaster bbq joint with the BEST chicken tenders in town! Little did I know, they also are heavily involved in the catering world of weddings! Little did I know, they also are heavily involved in the catering world of weddings! They offer a variety of menu options such as BBQ, chicken, delicious southern sides, and more! What I loved most is their menu is totally customizable, so the client can craft exactly what they want. They also offer a selection of catering packages such as buffet- style or box style, and can provide staffing/equipment rentals if needed! QDaddy’s prides itself in using fresh, locally sourced products and prioritizing customer service to ensure your event is a huge success! Their reputation in the area speaks for itself. Aside from their catering, this is a hotspot my family eats at very often! You can submit a request on their website HERE!
THE MANOR AT WINDSOR CASTLE PARK:
Our first venue of the day was The Manor at Windsor Castle Park! I’ve visited the park so many times throughout my time in Smithfield to take photos and walk my dog, but had no idea all of this existed on the flip side of Windsor castle! The Manor at Windsor Castle is a historic event venue on the 200+ acreage of land mainly used for weddings but can also accommodate corporate events, and other special occasions! It’s a restored 19th-century plantation home that is super vintage yet very elegant in its design. There are several indoor and outdoor event spaces: the ballroom, covered patio, the lawn, and the gazebo that overlooks Cypress Creek! The Manor can accommodate up to 200 guests, and provides access to tables, chairs, and linens making your special day as stress free as possible. They also just finished renovating some of the interior and it’s GORGEOUS. The Manor Windsor Castle Park is such a beautiful natural setting with a touch of the past! Visit their website to learn more about their beautiful Manor!
THE SMITHFIELD CENTER:
Right down the road, is The Smithfield Center — a multi-purpose event venue that’s available for weddings, corporate events, concerts, and other special occasions! The main space is a 8,000 square foot ballroom that can accommodate up to 350 guests for an event! The venue also features several smaller meeting rooms that are suitable for business meetings and conferences. My favorite part of The Smithfield Center was the waterfront location! It’s a beautiful scenic view of the Pagan river that is so dreamy for your wedding ceremony! In addition to its event spaces, the Smithfield Center also home to the Smithfield Little Theatre, a community theatre group that produces several shows each year. The venue also hosts a variety of community events throughout the year, including festivals, art shows, and concerts. There is more information on all their movable furniture, capacity, and more HERE!
Next, we popped in to see The Main Gourmet — a cute and quant shop inside The Hamtown Mercantile. I was able to meet the owner and she is such a gem. She offers a variety of gourmet food items such as artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, specialty crackers, chocolates, and more. The Main Gourmet is in a true “Food Lover’s” Marketplace, right in the heart of Historic downtown Smithfield — you can’t get better than that! They carry a variety of specialty items (especially in the sweets room which y’all know is my FAVORITE) such as chocolate truffles and fudge, a full array of Jelly Belly candies, and novelty candy for the kiddos. In addition to this, The Main Gourmet also carries items like meats and cheese, chutney, mustard, pickled vegetables, artisan crackers, as well as flavored oil and vinegar, a full array of high-quality spices, bar service items, pasta, and many other treasures for foodies! Something special that The Main Gourmet can create is a range of gift baskets for various occasions such as weddings, corporate events, and other special occasions. Reach out to the owner through the Hamtown Mercantile or at shop@themaingourmet.com if you’d like to have baskets curated for your upcoming event! I was able to dive into the “Virginia” style basket and aside from the gorgeous presentation, I also was able to see and learn about all the local gourmet food items inside. I love how these baskets support local businesses and add a special touch to say thank you to out of town guests, family members, your bridal party, etc. at your wedding. The Main Gourmet is a staple for its high-quality products and has earned a stellar reputation for its selection of artisanal cheeses and other gourmet food items. You best believe I will be swinging by to craft my next charcuterie board — if you know me, you know cheese is my love language lol.
The town has been BUZZING about the newest wedding venue in Virginia, New Branch Farms! I just had to stop by and see it as I’ve known quite a handful of people who have gotten married here or have a date set in the near future at the venue! New Branch Farms is a modern, industrial farmhouse vibe with all the bells and whistles you could ever imagine. It has 6 large glass panel doors that open up to a view of blue skies and open fields for the perfect countryside backdrop. The venue gives an intimate, clean,
fresh-air feel to your special day with a large wrap-around veranda for guests to gather at cocktail hour, a cozy fire pit with the space for outdoor games, and A DOG PARK!!!! Yes, you heard that right. As a pet owner this was such a comforting and thoughtful addition for them to include. So, you can have your pet be in the wedding if you’d like, but also feel assured that they are safe before and after the ceremony by keeping them entertained in the spacious dog park! There are also water/feeding stations in the dog park, shelter, and additional fun stuff to keep your puppy happy and safe! The Bridal suite has a couch, vanities, full length mirror, mimosa bar, and outdoor seating. For the Grooms room, they have a large screen TV, leather couch, X-Box gaming system, and a mini-fridge — all the things a man could ever need lol! This STUNNING 4,000sf venue accommodates up to 150 guests, is climate controlled, and
offers a variety of locations for the ceremony and/or photos! New Branch Farms is family-owned and operated, and they treat your special day as if it is their own! Also, they are a jack of all trades — Wendy and Sam are also wedding photographers and create backdrops for their clients. Their story is so inspiring and they are beyond excited to see their dream of owning the perfect wedding event venue finally come true. I highly recommend visiting their website to learn more and scheduling a tour to check out the space!
Our next stop is a favorite of mine and only a golf cart ride away from my home, SummerWind Vineyard! It also is family-owned and operated and tucked back on a scenic countryside 60-acre property that includes vineyards, woodlands, and wetlands. They specialize in producing a variety of exclusive wines such as Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and more! SummerWind has hosted a multitude of gorgeous weddings with a stunning backdrop view of the water. The tasting room and outdoor patio transform into a cocktail/reception area that is exclusive and customized to you and your guests to celebrate your special day. They even have a cozy addition on the top level of the tasting room for the Grooms and/or Brides to hang out before the ceremony. The winery also hosts a variety of other events throughout the year such as live music (May 19th is their next live music event with Derrick Moore), food and wine pairings for your event or wedding, bridal/baby showers, and other special events. I highly recommend enjoying a beautiful weekend afternoon with family and friends at SummerWind to get the full experience of their space and menu. You can order inside the tasting room and enjoy it out on the patio, in the sunroom, or the tasting room itself — all areas are open to the public! I always get a customized flight to kick off the day — one of my top favorites is the Pagan, I have about 4 bottles at home) and always end with a few appetizers! They have the BEST pretzel appetizer as well as the charcuterie board and yummy pizzas. They also offer a seasonal drink of some sort as well such as Sangria or Cider. Of course, you can always purchase bottles of your favorite wine to take home and enjoy or bring to your next gathering/holiday get together. Something special about SummerWind Vineyard is they use sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in their winemaking: minimal pesticide use, integration of cover crops to promote soil health, and they use solar power. I have truly fallen in love with the full experience at SummerWind Vineyard and I can’t wait to be sippin’ on their wine again soon!
Y’all already know how much I LOVE Smithfield Station! My family eats at their restaurant all the time, and Drew and I did a mini “staycation” at their gorgeous waterfront hotel last year! What I didn’t know, was the abundance and variety of features for accommodations that they offer, including guest rooms and suites, cottages and villas, and more! Smithfield Station is a hotspot for wedding parties, their families, and guests to stay when spending their special weekend in Smithfield! Almost all of the hotel's rooms and suites offer water views and private balconies or patios. These newly renovated rooms are housed within The Station as well as The Lodge right next door. The cottages and villas down the Boardwalk offer a more secluded option, with features such as full kitchens, fireplaces, and waterfront decks — this is where the bridal party or family of the bride/groom will stay! My favorite part of the lodging options at Smithfield Station, is the elegant and romantic Lighthouse! The Lighthouse suite is the perfect place for the bride and groom to stay after they tie the knot. It was modeled after the Hooper Strait Light in Maryland and is the exact replica of a working Chesapeake Bay Style Lighthouse. It has a panoramic view of the river, nautical indoor dining, a spiral staircase to the scenic overlook, wrap around deck, jacuzzi tub, and more! It is also the only Lighthouse on the East Coast where you can stay overnight. Smithfield Station is truly a one stop shop for a lot of your wedding needs. They offer catering services, lodging, a banquet room and riverfront deck for ceremonies or rehearsal dinners, nearby shops to entertain or surprise guests with a little gift upon arrival, and even “The Pagan Room” wine shop right next door to stock up on supplies for your reception. Smithfield Station is a staple for its immaculate waterfront views, range of accommodations/amenities for guests, and prime location to the historic district of Smithfield!
Next stop, The Smithfield Inn! Truly a local favorite because of its rich history, bed and breakfast style tavern, and location of being right in the heart of Downtown Smithfield off of Main Street. The Inn features a variety of guest rooms and suites for weddings, special events, anniversaries, or even a staycation! These unique lodging accommodations are furnished with antique pieces, historic fireplaces, and more that takes you back in time. There is even a special detached Garden house that is designed for the bridal party to stay and get ready before the big day! I toured through almost all of the rooms inside and each one had it’s own personality and flare! Fun fact: George Washington stayed at The Smithfield Inn - how cool is that! Breakfast is included and offered at the Smithfield Gourmet Bakery. Just order off the menu and enjoy! There is also a full restaurant and bar that offers lunch and dinner featuring a variety of dishes that showcase the region's seafood and southern cuisine. My favorite thing on the menu, is the crab cakes! The outdoor dining area is beautiful and could also be used as a rehearsal dinner/reception space for your wedding. One of the most unique (and insanely fun) events at The Smithfield Inn is their “A Meal to Die for: Murder Mystery nights!” I went to one last year and it was a BLAST. I’m going to their next one on June 16th, get your tickets and join me! The grounds at The Smithfield Inn are truly unmatched with their charming, historic, small-town vibe! If you’re a history guru or love vintage style, I’d highly recommend checking out The Smithfield Inn!
We made our way down to The Smithfield Virginia Winery and WOW was I amazed! Although it was my first time there, I had heard so many positive reviews that I couldn’t wait to get inside. It is also a family-owned winery that specializes in producing sparkling wines. The owner, Natasha, started in the wine business at age 16 when her family was stationed overseas. When they returned to the states, she noticed her mother had a hard time adjusting to the wines. She then committed to developing wines and bubblies that were focused more on standards and perishable products! The venue space at The Smithfield Winery is perfectly picturesque with an ideal and romantic setting for your special day. I loved the classy rustic vibe with the mesmerizing chandeliers, and open yard in the back — very “Instagram” worthy! There are endless possibilities and backdrops to transform this space into a dream come true experience for you and your wedding guests! What I loved most about the wedding experience at Smithfield Winery, is how the owners top priority is the bride and groom. Their team is with you every step of the way to offer guidance, recommendations, vendor preferences, set up locations, and more so everything turns out exactly how you envisioned it. This unique space is also available for private events, bridal/baby showers, and corporate events. The Smithfield Winery is also a tasting room that’s open to the public (by appointment only) where you can sample their wines and purchase bottles to take home. They are also committed to using sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices in their winemaking such as reducing pesticide use and minimizing water consumption. Each of her bottles is handcrafted with a labor of love so you truly get a one on one experience when visiting the Smithfield Winery! I highly recommend visiting the tasting room and learning from all Natasha has to offer. She was so kind-hearted with an inspiring story and a true passion for the industry! Visit their website for more information or to schedule a tour/tasting!
Last stop of the day was Harley's Haven! This barn wedding venue is located right outside of Smithfield (in Windsor) and sits on 55 acres of beautiful, family-owned land! It is the perfect blend of modern and rustic style and also gives that small town/countryside feel. Harley’s Haven has been hosting weddings and other events since 2014 with a variety of indoor and outdoor options for both your ceremony and reception. The Bridal suite and Grooms room are BEAUTIFUL from the photos I saw. There was actually a rehearsal going on while I was there, so unfortunately was not able to see them in person. Harley’s Haven is known for its magical open-air ceremony location beneath the custom-built arbor and the welcoming ambiance of the barn reception. The barn has a gorgeous wooden interior and cozy lighting, with tons of space for up to 200 people. There is also a covered deck area where your guests can sit and
sip on drinks for cocktail hour or during the reception to take a dance break! The Harley’s Haven team treats each client as family and does everything possible to make your special day as smooth and stress-free as possible! Check out their website for more information or to schedule a tour.
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That's a wrap! The hidden treasures nestled in historic Smithfield are the perfect venues/vendors for your happily ever after. Thank you so much for joining on my wedding journey as a bride to be! Till next time...
XOXO,
Amber