How The Inn at Little Washington Photos Capture Weddings Year-Round

couple holds hands walking through courtyard to take The Inn at Little Washington photos

While I like to think that the perfect wedding venue will always reveal itself naturally, I’m happy to point you in the right direction! I love sharing my insights after having captured several weddings at this Virginia wedding venue. Use these The Inn at Little Washington photos and tips to determine if it’s the right fit for you!

couple kissing in front of white flowers

Get Ready for Green in The Inn at Little Washington Photos

It may feel like a no-brainer, but a wedding plan should always begin with you. Knowing the foundation of what you two want as a couple allows you to add whatever else you wish to include. The point is that you make the day your own and so much of that falls back on your wedding venue selection.

couple pose with wedding florals in the open green field

couple pose with the open green field and mountains in the background

In the hills of Shenandoah Valley, Virginia nestled against the Blue Ridge Mountains sits The Inn at Little Washington. Known famously for the dining experience offered by world-renowned chef, Patrick O’Connell, the restaurant actually started small, opening in 1978 within a garage.

The Inn at Little Washington photos of the wedding cake

The food is amazing, but as your photographer, I’m more excited about the gardens, green fields, and blooming flowers found everywhere. Photographing venues like this one provides endless opportunities throughout the full wedding day photography timeline. Couples can be captured in gorgeous shots across the property in these The Inn at Little Washington photos.

couple walking holding hands in the open green field

The Inn at Little Washington photos of the couple toasting with champagne

couple laughing during intimate wedding ceremony

What To Expect When Getting Married at The Inn

More than a restaurant or simply a place to stay in Shenandoah Valley, The Inn is an all-inclusive wedding venue. From catering, to the wedding cake, day-of-coordinator, and lodging, this garden-enclosed historic home has everything needed for your day.

Having been a Michelin-starred restaurant since 2019, needless to say, the food here is amazing! It’s also a spot that flows smoothly between all of your wedding events including getting ready, first looks, sunset photos and a reception dinner.

The Inn at Little Washington photos of the couple cutting the cake

The Inn at Little Washington photos of the couple performing aunity ceremony

The Inn at Little Washington photos of the couple kissing after cutting cake and toast

While photography is not permitted in The Inn’s primary building, the 3,600-square-foot Claiborne House or The Colonial Ballroom are generally used for wedding receptions. Both of these sites overlook either herb gardens or the Blue Ridge foothills from their verandas.

The Inn at Little Washington photos as the couple embrace while they dance during reception

The Inn at Little Washington photos of the groom and groomsmen lifting bride into the air while sitting on a chair

The Inn at Little Washington photos of the couple posing in the courtyard

The destination is perfect for intimate weddings and elopements with The Garden of Scents being a must-visit! It’s a bit tucked away but that makes for beautifully secluded The Inn at Little Washington photos in the flowers. Placed in the beauty of Shenandoah, these spots are a perfect getaway from the city.

The Inn at Little Washington photos of the couple laughing during intimate wedding ceremony

Two Couples, Two Different Sets of The Inn at Little Washington Photos

couple kiss and laugh surrounded by flowers

couple smile at each other while posing in front of brick steps

Ironically, these weddings captured in early fall and spring both ended up being rainy and overcast days! The couples were fortunately drawn to my organic, less-posed photos that one couple described as “moodier and not so white-washed like other often-seen material.”

The Inn at Little Washington photos of the couple walking and holding hands under arbor

couple pose with wedding florals in open field

RACHEL & WILL

couple walking holding hands after ceremony

Having met four years prior on a coffee date in Washington, DC, Rachel and Will immediately connected over having grown up in the same area of Pennsylvania. Throughout the relationship, they have enjoyed traveling, exploring the great outdoors, finding good food or coffee, and spending time with family. Both approached the relationship very intentionally and brought all of that to the table on their wedding day.

couple kiss in the courtyard with hedges

couple's first look in the courtyard with hedges

Most important to these two was being able to be in the moment on their day. As they put it, “We are also foodies and being able to have excellent food was a top priority. The Inn just feels like a special place where we can celebrate for years to come.”

The Inn at Little Washington photos of the couple dancing together at the reception

Rachel and Will held a simple event with 20 guests at this rainy spring micro wedding. The couple shared their focus as “having a relaxed day of spending time together, a meaningful ceremony, and then a special dinner.”

The Inn at Little Washington photos of the couple and family sitting at the table during the reception

They utilized the wide open Field of Dreams for the ceremony behind the Main Inn, also exploring the gardens for their wedding portraits. Wanting a timeless look to capture their day, they also opted for the addition of wedding film photography to their package.

The Inn at Little Washington photos of the couple reading vows in front of brick steps

The couple described how they loved the way I “capture moments and bring them to life to tell a story. Photography is very important to both of us. We will have these memories for years to come and we would love for our wedding photographs to be able to capture those special moments.”

The Inn at Little Washington photos of the couple dancing at the reception

ERIN & JT

couple walking holding hands along path of greenery

These two wanted to plan an elopement for just the two of them. They love traveling together and experiencing new places that are off the beaten path. Erin and JT grew their relationship during weekend trips to cities all over the U.S.

couple walking together in the open field

couple walking along path surrounded by flowers and greenery

couple sitting on bench in the Garden of Scents

couple kiss and laugh together surrounded by flowers

For their rainy elopement set in early fall, they wanted to get married in an elegant, yet easy way that still tied into their shared interests. Their joint desire was to be out in nature without a hike on the wedding day.

couple laughing together during ceremony

couple laughing together under arbor at the inn

The Inn offered a perfect solution in the Carter House Garden Suite that includes a private courtyard. The ceremony also took place there with the wedding cake and champagne delivered directly to the room. The couple celebrated after the ceremony by cutting the cake with a champagne toast followed by a room service dinner.