Best Wedding Venue in Virginia 2023
For the 3rd year in a row, Silver Hearth Lodge has been voted one of the top wedding venues in Virginia for 2023 from Virginia Living Magazine.
So what makes Silver Hearth Lodge such a unique wedding venue?
Well, allow me to give you 5 reasons why couples choose their wedding day on top of Bent Mountain!
It’s the Amazing Mountain Views
One thing that couples often talk about is having great views of the wedding ceremony and their wedding guests. Couples all across the United States flock to our popular wedding venue because it’s the only private mountaintop wedding venue in the Southeastern part of the USA.
Nestled on top of Bent Mountain in Roanoke County, Virginia, we offer some great views of the Roanoke Valley and of course the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Sunsets are by far the best on our wedding campus and couples love being up at the top of the mountain, but don’t take my word for it, here are a few real-world brides and their testimonials.
“There is no where more beautiful in Virginia for a rustic, nature filled, scenic mountain top wedding! ”
“What do I like about SHL? EVERYTHING!! From the incomparable mountaintop view to the impeccable attention to detail, it is all over-the-top amazing.”
“Wow, what an amazing venue! Silver Hearth has breathtaking views and has a lot to offer for guests. We saved so much money on decorations, flowers, and amusement because Silver Hearth is naturally decorated and provides a huge fireplace for s’mores, horse shoes, corn hole, rocking chairs, playground and dog kennel ! (And so much more) . Bob was very easy and pleasant to work with, and his wife, Ashley, was extremely helpful.”
With the mountain views also comes all the nature too. From bunnies and squirrels to deer often seen along the property, brides love that the 40-acre wedding campus is filled with rich wildlife, flowers, and decor.
It’s a True Bargain Compared to Others
While SHL is not the cheapest wedding venue in Roanoke, it’s a true bargain with the number of amenities that you get when compared to wedding venues around the region or even Northern Virginia.
According to Value Penguin, couples tend to spend anywhere from $12,000 to $14,000 on a wedding venue on average, the same dataset according to theKnot.com was $10,700.
Even regions such as Raleigh are more expensive to get married, averaging $7,500.
Specifically Designed for Weddings
SHL is specifically designed to be a wedding venue, unlike most others, let me explain for a moment.
Many places are wrapped up in doing other things 1st, then doing weddings as a second source of income.
Hotels, restaurants, and wineries make up the vast majority of places to get married and other venues are multi-purpose, hosting birthdays, gatherings, and other non-wedding events.
They do other things to add to their income, but Silver Hearth is one of the very few that is wedding-driven. The old saying it true, do something and do it well, that’s this venue.
Now there isn’t anything wrong with having weddings at these other places, but I want you to realize something, if you do, there may be people there that are not your guests.
You Can Customize, Well Everything
And because the property focuses on just venues, you can have your wedding where you want and how you want.
With other places, there are limitations on where to have the ceremony, for example, 1-2 locations tops.
Silver Hearth Lodge offers multiple spaces to have the ceremony and reception and you’re not tied down by the venue telling you what to do.
I remember Bob’s wedding just a couple of years ago, he’s the owner of the property. He wanted to make a statement coming into the ceremony site and nothing makes a statement like riding in on the bucket of a tractor!
Brides have come in by horse, carriage, and even helicopter for their entrance.
You dream it here and you CAN do it here.
It’s the Little Details
Finally, what makes this property truly unique is the details when you walk around the property.
Crystal chandeliers, flaming pianos, dance lights on the dance floor, and special places for your wedding cake are a few of the never-ending list of items you can find on the property.
Everything has been carefully thought of here, even a cell phone charging station should you forget your charger.
Here is a partial list of things you can find on the property.
Overlook Pavilion
swingsets overlooking the mountains
swingset looking over the venue
lights in the trees at night
VistaView Hall
tissue boxes at most of the major corners of VistaView Hall
A hair salon station in the bridal suite bathroom
A hidden door for the bride to see the reception hall
Ralph Lauren leather couches
Ample outlets for haircare and cell phone usage in the bridal suite
A Cantina Bar
Horizon’s Cafe features Starbucks coffee, teas, and much more
Multiple restrooms onsite guests
Room for more than 300+ guests including parking, tables, chairs, and linens
A laundry room
A playground for children
A dog kennel for two dogs if needed
A skeet shoot range
A Native American Fire Circle
Firepit with 25ft fire flames
Smores bar
BBQ grill
Virginia’s Smallest Chapel, Sacred Heart Chapel
Sistine chapel recreation of Michelangelo’s painting
Sacred Heart Chapel lawn shaped like a heart
Two claw tubs for ice and drinks
Televisions to watch sports, news or SHL weddings
Dedicated silver hearth in the buffet line
Private grooms suite
A TreeTops Terrece with seating to overlook the Blue Ridge Mountains
A Club Lounge
Cake Cutting and Desert Area
A Dedicated DJ Station
LoveWorks Lounge
Umbrella Stations
Sippin’ Porch
Mistletoe Archway
Large Reception Hall
Sky Shelter - Ralph Lauren-inspired “glamping” cabin
Stone firepits
Lawn Games court with fun lawn games for you and your guests
Domed wrought iron wedding gazebo w/ mason jar chandelier
Needless to say, there is more, MUCH more. Part of what has made this property so exclusive over the years is that the owners, Bob & Ashley listen to their clients, if there is a need, it’s put in by the next wedding to eliminate that issue.
I remember years ago a bride had thought it would be nice if there were tissue boxes throughout the venue because she was very emotional.
The following Monday, the staff was installing them at various places on the property.
Its little things that make all the difference and seeing is truly believing, that’s why I always tell people to watch the online tour and reach out to see the venue in person.
Silver Hearth Lodge is truly the ‘Disneyland’ of wedding venues, in all my 25 years of covering weddings as a photographer/videographer (now retired), SHL is THE property to book!
