Your rehearsal dinner or welcome party is the kick-off to your big weekend! It makes for a very special memory for you and your closest friends and family, so doing some research into where you want it to take place is 100% worth it!

Today we’re going to discuss some of the top places in Northern Virginia that’ll make for a night to remember. 

Decide what you want: 

You might be asking yourself, what’s the difference between a rehearsal dinner and a welcome party? The big difference would be that all of your guests are invited to a welcome party whereas only your family and members of the wedding party may be invited to a rehearsal dinner. This means that for a rehearsal dinner, you typically don’t need as large of a space, but for a welcome party, you will need enough space for potentially all of your guests to be comfortable.

We’ll take a deeper look into the options you have if you choose to host your events in Northern Virginia.

Catoctin Creek | Purcellville, VA:

If you’re looking for somewhere classy yet fun, Catoctin Creek is located in Purcellville, Virginia.  Catoctin was founded in 2009 and was the first legal distillery in Loudoun County. Found in the heart of Loudoun Valley, Catoctin produces Virginia’s best award-winning whiskey. They serve high-quality foods and spirits all sourced locally. Hosted inside a beautiful brick 1920s building, this will be an event to remember! 

Tuscarora Mill: 

With lots to offer and a modern historic vibe, Tuscarora Mil,l also known as “Tuskies,” can be found in the historic downtown area of Leesburg Virginia. Tuscarora Mill has a total of 4 rooms available for your unique and private event. The smallest of the 4 rooms would be the Log Cabin, this room can accommodate up to 30 guests. It includes a bar, fireplace, and a covered outdoor side porch. The second room would be the Wine Cellar. This room can accommodate up to 50 guests with a built-in bar. Next, we have The Garden Room, which can accommodate up to 60 guests. The Garden Room is fun and bright and can be used Monday-Thursday. The biggest space at Tuscarora would be the sister venue Birkby House. Birkby House can accommodate up to 200 people which will work better for a larger welcome party. 

Creeks Edge Winery:

With Creeks Edge you can customize your event to your desired needs, allowing a unique welcome party experience. Creeks Edge Winery has a beautiful pavilion that is great for welcome parties! The pavilion can host groups of up to 200 and has a raised stage area that can be used for bands or other forms of entertainment. Located in Historic Taylorstown, it sits right alongside the Catoctin Creek in Northern Virginia’s Loudoun County. The large property and open style of the pavilion allow guests to enjoy views of the vineyard and sweeping lawn that leads to the creek. 

Lost Barrel Brewing:

This spacious, beautiful, and upscale property in Middleburg, VA is available for events of up to 300 people which would be perfect for your larger welcome party. Lost Barrel offers off-menu catering for your parties and has full site rentals available Monday-Friday.  With world-class equipment and fresh ingredients, they ensure top-quality food and beverages that pair perfectly together to create a once-in-a-lifetime wedding party experience. 

The Black Sheep: 

If whiskey, wine, and noshery are your vibe, then The Black Sheep is the perfect place for you! The two-story historic dairy barn has exposed-beam vaulted ceilings and is housed within the Thomasson Barn that was built in 1929. The rustic industrial venue features a dedicated arts and entertainment space as well as private dining rooms in the lower-level barrel-aging quarters. Catering is also available for private events! 

Old Bust Head Brewing Company: 

The Old Bust Head Brewing Company can be a great spot in Warrenton, VA for either a rehearsal dinner or a welcome party with two rooms! The Barrel Room is a large private event room that can host up to 150 guests. A few options are available within the Barrel Room. Large seated which can host 108 guests, Medium seated which can host 63 guests, Milling mix which can host 150 guests, and the A La Carte which can host up to 150 guests. It has its own private bar and lots of options for customization. The second is called The Party Room and can accommodate a smaller group of up to 30 people with a “milling mix” option that can accommodate up to 50. No matter your party size Old Bust Head Brewing Company can fulfill your party needs!

Dolce Vita Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar

Looking for good food and wine? In the heart of Fairfax you can experience a truly traditional Italian food experience. Dolce Vita Italian Kitchen and Bar has private dining experts who are more than happy to create a custom experience for you and your guests’ needs. They offer two event spaces to accommodate your rehearsal dinner. One option is the Wine Bar which can host 30-60 guests, this space creates a modern Italian atmosphere with great authentic food. The Cantina can host a party of up to 30, in this room you’re taken to a Tuscan wine cellar that gives ample room to have a beautifully plated meal and enjoy time with your guest. With these two options, you can create a truly unique experience. 

Pinstripes

For a more upbeat fun twist to a not-so-traditional welcome party or rehearsal dinner, check out Pinstripes. Overlooking the Georgetown Canal This elegant and spacious venue can host groups from 20-900. At this venue, you can enjoy their made-from-scratch Italian-American cuisine, a Sunday brunch, happy hour, or some late-night bowling with food and bocce. Yes, you heard right, this space can give you any type of vibe from a nice sit-down meal to a relaxed sophisticated fun bowling environment. This gives you the most fun welcome party or rehearsal dinner that your guest could imagine!