2020 has been...unexpected. At least that is the adjective that is most non-agressive when I think about what we've endured this year. And when I say "we" I mean all of us...brides, grooms, families, wedding party members, wedding professionals, venue owners (like me) and most of all the people who have had to deal with illness, loss and exhaustion dealing with this pandemic. I, like many people, never imagined something like this would happen. But here we are and we are adjusting, overcoming and learning how to be stronger. In the meantime, plenty of tears, massive amounts of stress and uncertainty and a plethora of cocktails have marked the last seven weeks in my life. So, as we learn about social distancing, flattening the curve and wiping down everything in sight, life goes on with a new normal.  This too shall pass but in the meantime, let's talk about some options if your wedding date has been affected by COVID 19... Number One: Host a micro-wedding, also known as a minimony! I actually love this idea and our venue is the perfect place for a small group (under 50 is the current definition of micro-wedding) can be AWESOME at Oak Hill. So what is a micro-wedding? Brides magazine defined it as "A micro wedding is any ceremony and/or reception with less than 50 total guests. Couples often combine an elopement and a reception to create their micro wedding, but you have the option to do both with a smaller party. Some married couples even choose to do a micro wedding for their anniversary or vow renewal". Oak Hill has unique spaces with a ton of flexibility to personalize your wedding and create an immersive experience for your guests. Need some inspiration? How about a charcuterie board and wine tasting in the Country Store? Perhaps dessert and champagne on the upper deck of the Barn? First dance - in the forest under the canopy of trees. A little fun and games, how about some trivia in the Schoolhouse with love notes on the chalkboard? Feature a signature drink as well! Dinner can be under the lights in the Path of Pines, in the Pavilion or cozy up inside the Barn. Oh, and the best part - we can turn our horse barn into a saloon for some added adventure :)! When planning a micro-wedding, the goal is to make it meaningful and a personal[...]

To me, making a memory has a lot (okay, almost everything) to do with the details. When it comes to weddings, there are so many ways – and most of them are super simple – to make your day stand out. Here are the top five ideas that we love – Your choice of venue speaks the most about who you are as a couple and sets the tone for the party. Whether you are dreaming of a wooded wonderland, a ceremony overlooking the water or a simple white church on a hill, Oak Hill has you covered! If you like twinkle lights, this is your place. The snacks! Who doesn’t love a candy or popcorn buffet (super cute set up in our Country Store)?! Food trucks – yes, please! Coffee and donuts at 10:30pm? SIGN ME UP! There are so many ways to surprise and please your guests (and yourselves!). Provide s’more ingredients at the firepit, incorporate a family cookie recipe into your sweets table or provide candied apples in the schoolhouse. The possibilities are delicious! The drinks! Who doesn’t love an open bar? No one! Many couples who want to limit the alcohol provided choose to serve a few options of mixed drinks along with beer, wine and soft drinks. Other couples choose to provide everything under the sun and that’s fine too! Signature drinks are especially popular and often go with the Oak Hill’s theme of country elegance. We’ve even seen drink signs featuring our donkeys…Earl’s Choice and JoJo’s Choice! Personalizing a program with a timeline of the wedding day and adding a map of our venue goes a long way with guests. When couples are making the most of the various spaces at Oak Hill, it is helpful to include a map that describes what is happening when and where. Guests are much more likely to visit the Country Store, Schoolhouse and Firepit if they know what is featured in each location. Entertainment…even if dancing the night away is your vision, it may not be for every one of your guests. Offering a photobooth (stay tuned for our vintage camper soon to be unveiled!), the firepit, lawn games or even trivia on each table can be great ways to keep your guests engaged for the entire evening. Oh, and cue our miniature donkeys Earl & JoJo to add some special interest to your event! Some additional[...]