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The Best Fantasy Wedding Venues in Virginia & North Carolina
If you’ve recently fallen down the ACOTAR/Fourth Wing rabbit hole, rediscovered your love of romantasy, and are now dreaming of a wedding that feels like stepping into your favorite book—this post is for you.
Fantasy and fairytale weddings are having a major resurgence. Whether you want to feel like a Disney princess, a warrior queen, or an elven goddess, you deserve a venue that transports you into another world. From castle-like estates to enchanted forests, these Virginia and North Carolina wedding venues bring the magic to life.
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Why Choose a Fantasy Wedding?
Whether you’re envisioning an elegant, royal ball or a moody, medieval gathering, a fantasy-inspired wedding lets you fully embrace what makes you, you. Maybe you want:
- A Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or Dungeons & Dragons-inspired wedding
- A soft, ethereal cottagecore or forest fairy aesthetic
- A dramatic, gothic-inspired vampire wedding (hello, dark romance vibes)
- An enchanted elopement in the woods straight out of a fairytale
- Or maybe you just want to feel like you have stepped into the pages of Bridgerton
Whatever your vision, your venue is key to setting the tone.
Fairytale and Fantasy Wedding Venues in Virginia
Here are eight wedding venues in Virginia that give estate, manor, castle or just general fantasy vibes.
🏰 Dover Hall (Manakin-Sabot, VA) – A Grand English-Style Estate
If you dream of a royal, Bridgerton-worthy wedding, Dover Hall is the venue. This 500-acre English Tudor estate features stone archways, grand fireplaces, chandeliers, and a sweeping ballroom that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a regal, high-fantasy novel.
🌿 The Mill at Fine Creek (Powhatan, VA) – A Secret Garden Hideaway
If a moss-covered stone ruin in the forest is more your speed, The Mill at Fine Creek is absolutely magical. This venue feels like a hidden elven village, with stone pathways, waterfalls, and ivy-covered ruins that set the stage for a romantic, nature-inspired wedding.
🏰 Virginia House (Richmond, VA) – A European Castle Vibe
A literal English manor, Virginia House was shipped from England and rebuilt in Richmond. The stone facade, ivy-covered towers, and lush gardens create a storybook setting for a wedding straight out of a medieval romance novel.
🏰 Swannanoa Palace (Afton, VA) – An Abandoned Castle on a Mountain
This hauntingly beautiful Italian Renaissance estate sits at the top of a mountain, giving it an old-world, magical feel. Whether you’re inspired by gothic fantasy or want a venue that feels like it’s straight out of an epic fantasy novel, this place is it.
🌲 Vaughan House (Forest, VA) – A Cozy, Woodsy Cottagecore Dream
If your idea of fantasy is more cottagecore and fairytale forest than grand castle, Vaughan House offers a romantic woodland setting with dreamy tree-lined paths and rustic charm. Perfect for an intimate, enchanted wedding.
🏰 Fenton Inn (Roseland, VA) – A Bavarian Fantasy Village
If you want a venue that looks like it was plucked from a medieval storybook, Fenton Inn is it. This tiny Bavarian-style village in the Blue Ridge Mountains features fairytale cottages, cobblestone streets, and whimsical details that make it perfect for a storybook wedding.
🏰 Castlebrook (Aroda, VA) – A Tuscan Estate near Charlottesville
If you dream of getting married at a villa in Italy, but need to stay on the east coast of the United States instead, then you definitely should check out Castlebrook. A newer venue with beautiful grounds, epic landscaping and a castle feel.
Fairytale and Fantasy Wedding Venues in North Carolina
If you are looking for something in North Carolina instead, check out these five castle and estate wedding venues for your fantasy-inspired celebration.
🏰 Castle Ladyhawke (Tuckasegee, NC) – A True Mountain Castle
A Scottish-inspired castle tucked into the North Carolina mountains, Castle Ladyhawke is perfect for couples who want an epic, medieval wedding. With stone turrets, mountain views, and a grand hall, this venue feels straight out of Game of Thrones.
🏰 Château des Fleures (Rougemont, NC) – A French Fairytale Estate
If your fantasy wedding is more Beauty and the Beast than Lord of the Rings, this stunning French château is perfect. The grand halls, spiral staircases, and manicured gardens make for a luxurious, European-inspired celebration.
🏰 Biltmore Estate (Asheville, NC) – A Real-Life Fairytale Castle
The largest private home in the U.S., Biltmore Estate looks like it was pulled straight from a high-fantasy novel. With lush gardens, grand ballrooms, and an air of aristocratic elegance, this is the ultimate venue for a regal fairytale wedding.
🏰 Homewood (Asheville, NC) – Historic Manor Home with Castle Vibes
Located less than a mile from downtown Asheville, this beautiful stone manor has multiple ceremony sites and sprawling grounds that make you feel like you are in your own epic love story.
🏰 Villa Mirabella (Fayetteville, NC) – A European-Style Estate
A brand new European-style estate with expansive grounds, beautiful fairytale-like buildings and luxury feel.
Fantasy Wedding Ideas to Bring the Magic to Life
Choosing the perfect venue is just the beginning! Here are some ways to bring your fantasy wedding to life:
1. Themed Attire & Decor
- Embroidered elven-style wedding dresses
- Velvet cloaks or capelets for a medieval look
- Wax-sealed invitations with calligraphy
- Candle-lit tablescapes and goblets for drinks
2. Twinkle Lights, Chandeliers & Firelight
Lighting is everything when it comes to creating an enchanted atmosphere. Consider:
✨ Bistro lights draped in trees for a forest wedding
✨ Chandeliers in a grand hall for an elegant ball vibe
✨ Candlelight and lanterns for a moody, gothic feel
3. Lean Into the Fantasy Vibes
Whether you’re obsessed with Tolkien, obsessed with dragons, or just want a touch of whimsy, embrace it! A fantasy wedding should be about celebrating what makes you unique.
Let’s Make Your Fantasy Wedding a Reality
Whether you want a moody, medieval castle wedding or a soft, ethereal woodland elopement, I’d love to capture your magical day. As a photographer who loves storytelling, dramatic lighting, and cinematic moments, I’ll make sure your wedding photos look like they belong in a fantasy novel.
