To Sip and To Hold
While it might not be a first inclination to host a tea party to commemorate a wedding, the two go hand-in-hand. In fact, teas honoring the bride and bridesmaids have been popular for many years. And there has been a gradual emergence of people opting for intimate afternoon-tea receptions in lieu of grand, boisterous parties. Whether it’s hosting a bridal tea before the nuptials or treating guests to a teatime reception with scones, savories, and sweets (and plenty of tea to drink), here is a roundup of six businesses, restaurants, and tearooms that offer afternoon tea and serve as picturesque wedding venues.
The Golden Horseshoe Inn
9 Golden Horseshoe Road • Stanardsville, Virginia 22973
434-566-2555 • goldenhorseshoeinn.com
Tucked into the mountainous region just south of the Shenandoah National Park, the historic Golden Horseshoe Inn was constructed in 1827 as a stagecoach inn for travelers venturing through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Nearly two centuries later, the brick structure now serves as a place of gathering once more, but this time for celebrations of the unions of couples. When Heather Tusing and her husband first took over the site, they initially pictured running a charming bed-and-breakfast. However, when the inn hosted its first elopement in 2008, Heather—a former voice-over and TV commercial actress—discovered her true passion, “creating beautiful, intimate matrimony experiences, centered around each couple and tailored to their personalities.”
So that brides and grooms don’t have to go through the headache and struggle of devising an over-the-top celebration of their union, Heather has carefully crafted a trio of packages for smaller gatherings with guest counts of eight to 70. The unique Afternoon Tea Weddingoffers an all-inclusive model that transports brides, grooms, and 24 of their closest family and friends to a festive and refined indoor or alfresco tea party. Along with a stunning backdrop for their ceremony and festivities, this offering includes professional photography, socially distanced tables, refreshments, a wedding cake, and flowers.
“Part of our focus is to really simplify the wedding-planning process, narrowing details
