By Helena Tavares Kennedy
Located in Hume, Virginia, in western Fauquier County, the Marriott Ranch offers brides and grooms a unique wedding site with three different event venues available on their 4,200-acre working cattle ranch. With 25 full-time employees and a pool of seasonal workers, the Marriott Ranch averages about 24 weddings each year as well as scores of other events like company picnics, executive retreats and other social events.
Kelley Moss, Marriott Ranch’s Director of Sales and Marketing, said that many brides often request an outdoor ceremony site, which they can easily accommodate. “Our 4,200 acre setting, the Marriott Brand, and loyal hardworking staff willing to go the extra mile all help to create a positive guest experience. Brides choose our location as a destination wedding and generally make it an entire weekend celebration spent with family and friends.”
The Pavilion area, one of the three venues at Marriott Ranch, is an enclosed building with an outdoor ceremony area that is great for large weddings. But it can also be transformed for smaller weddings as a dining area or a candlelit reception area. Brides and grooms can enjoy the massive stone fireplace and exposed wood beams inside as well as the scenic hills outside.
The James Marshall Manor House is a stately, historic and cozy 12-room bed and breakfast that is included in the ranch wedding package. Brides and grooms and their families and friends can stay on site for the wedding and also enjoy the fireplaces and beautiful open staircase for some memorable photographs.
For a truly picturesque site for your rehearsal dinner, visit their Marriott Forks Western Town, a replica of an old west small town main street. Take fun photos by their hitching posts (since you are getting hitched, it’s a great photo opportunity), or by the camp fire pit. You can host your informal gathering here for a great western-themed event complete with barbeque, trail rides and other activities.
While they offer a variety of wedding packages, you can also work with one of their wedding planners to ensure your menu is exactly how you want it or to accommodate special dietary requests. Chef Chaz Greene said, “My favorite ranch menu item is our Parmesan Pine Nut Encrusted Chicken, but the most requested by brides for their wedding day is the Cedar Planked Salmon.”
Brides give high marks to their experiences at the Marriott Ranch, with one bride, Julie Boyer, commenting, “Marriott Ranch is one of the best-kept secrets in Virginia! Brides should look no further, this is the place to have your 'best day ever!' Marriott provides a wedding planner to help make your day amazing.”
Another bride, Stacy, said: “The food was over-the-top good–more than I expected it to be. They helped with linens and plates and glasses, the whole nine yards. The staff at the Ranch...were always friendly and happy to lend a hand to make our weekend magical. The venue is gorgeous. The old trees and southern porch on the Manor House are a great background.”
Learn more about the Marriott Ranch at marriottranch.com.
Helena Tavares Kennedy (hkennedy@princewilliamliving.com), a longtime Prince William County resident, is a freelance writer and communications consultant at htkmarketingservices.com and livinggreendaybyday.com.