Sylvanside Farm was started in 1774 and has aged magnificently, retaining its old-country charm. The Quaker Manor House, Stone Barn and post-and-beam Poplar barn are set among Williamsburg-like gardens. The on-site ponds, green pastures, and cottages provide an unparalleled ambiance for families to gather and celebrate big moments. Our family is committed to protecting and celebrating the heritage of the pastoral property by sharing it with your family – our goal is to make stepping on the Sylvanside grounds feel like coming home for a celebration.
What kind of farm are you?
Sylvanside farm is a 25-acre working farm with heritage breed animals, including two Clydesdales and two Milking Devon cows. The farm has many acres of fields, a small spring, and a beautiful pond as well as two barns (one stone, one huge post and beam). During events, our animals are kept in the far fields unless requested by the guests for photo opportunities. We are located in Northern Virginia, in the township of Purcellville, VA.
Many of the historic farms in our region have a disturbing history of slavery. At Sylvanside, we’ve engaged in deep research into the history behind our Colonial-era buildings. Based on our detailed studies, we believe that no labor of enslaved people was used to build the structures on our property, nor to maintain the land. We are happy to provide additional information on this history to any interested guests.
What facilities do you offer at your venue?
We offer our clients several package options including exclusive use of the grounds for wedding ceremonies and cocktail hours with several choices of location for each part of the event, including: the Stone barn, the Poplar barn, the Williamsburg garden, the intimate orchard and the rear lawn with the pond as a back drop. The covered stone front porch is the perfect place for a small or short cocktail reception. The use of the main house, including the formal living room, dining room/alcove, large kitchen, and deck are also included. The newly renovated Salon is the ideal place for hair and makeup, or a quiet moment before heading down the aisle.
Where are you located?
19606 Telegraph Springs Road, Purcellville, VA 20132
What is your maximum capacity?
We can accommodate up to 250 guests on the property. This number also allows for a dance floor and a seated reception based on using a combination of rectangular and round tables. We do allow tents on the property, but the maximum capacity is still 250.
Do you have several locations for pictures?
Yes! Couples are welcome to take pictures at numerous locations around Sylvanside Farm, including: miles of fences, fields and woods, stone barn, stone walls, next to our pond and on the dock, and our historic mill or restored 1700’s log cabin smoke house. Interior pictures are also available in our traditionally decorated 17th-century farm house. We can also arrange for photo opportunities with our animals upon request. Much of the reason that we were drawn to offer Sylvanside as a wedding venue is to share the joy and history of the property with others.
Do you ‘hold’ dates for events?
We have found the fairest way to guarantee dates for couples is on a first-come, first-served basis. Your date with Sylvanside will be considered officially reserved when both parties have signed the contract and the deposit has been received.
Are your buildings handicap accessible?
Our barns and buildings are not ADA certified but are accessibility-friendly and can easily and comfortably accommodate folks with mobility challenges. The main house and upscale, on-location bathrooms are easily accessible, as are the front porch receptions and ceremony locations. Most of our land is generally flat or gently-sloping, making walking around the beautiful grounds and gardens comfortable for all.
Do you have a designated area for an inside ceremony in case of bad weather?
Yes! If you choose an outdoor ceremony, you have the choice of moving your ceremony into one of our two restored barns in the event of bad weather. Our Stone Barn will seat 200 for an indoor ceremony, and our Poplar Barn will seat up to 250. Of course, these buildings can also be utilized as reception and/or dinner areas. Each barn provides views of woods, pastures and our horses in the paddock.
Can I bring in my own alcohol?
Yes, however, our alcohol policy aligns with your caterer’s policy. Some catering companies allow you to supply your own alcohol, while others provide it. You are permitted to bring alcohol on the property, but you must obtain an ABC license and the alcohol must be served to your guests by your catering company.
Can we have kegs?
No, the use of Kegs and all self-serve alcohol are prohibited. Individual “shots” of alcohol are also prohibited.
Can I have real candles?
Due to fire and safety concerns, we can only allow real candles floating in water inside any of our buildings, but many couples choose LED versions. Real flames can be used outside in fire pits or other appropriately-contained areas with approval.
Can I have a sparkler exit?
We do allow sparklers on the property for the exit of the bride and groom The exit must plan to be away from the barns and other structures and follow fairly strict pre-approved guidelines.
Do you give a discount to members of the military or any other discount?
Yes, we support members of the military and first responders by offering a discount to our brides and grooms in these occupational services.
Is your venue air conditioned and heated?
We are a traditional farm setting from the 1700’s, not a newly constructed barn, so air-conditioning and heating can be accommodated by outside vendors that specialize in climate control. We are happy to recommend vendors that can assist you with this if needed. What that said, our Stone Barn and main house are built of foot-thick stone and brick and are generally quite temperate. In addition, our Poplar Barn hosts four large ceiling fans tucked into each cupola to circulate air and limit heat. Our mature trees and gardens offer quite a lot of shade and we also enjoy a gentle breeze from the mountains, which is typically 10 degrees or so cooler than the city in the summer months.
Do you only have one event per weekend? Will there be any other people at the venue during my wedding?
Though we do have two barns for your use, we only accommodate one event at a time and are closed for tours during booked event times, ensuring privacy for our couples.
Do I need to hire a wedding coordinator?
Yes! At Sylvanside Farm, we require that a wedding planner/coordinator be contracted for your event. We provide a preferred list of coordinators who have been trained on Sylvanside Farm policies and are very familiar with the land. A member of our team will be present the day of your event to ensure the facility is in perfect working order, but our team does not coordinate the wedding, manage vendors, or install any decorative items.
Are there guest accommodations available nearby?
Yes! In addition to the accommodations offered on Sylvanside Farm property, there are many options for guest accommodations. Leesburg provides several hotels including Homewood Suites and Comfort Suites. There are several resorts available in the Leesburg and Middleburg areas as well, including, Lansdowne Resort and Salamander Resort. For those looking for a weekend rental or a beautiful location for a wedding party to stay we can recommend several local B&B’s upon request.
Our guest cottages can be viewed on Airbnb using these links:
Sylvanside Cottage
The Hunt Box
What days and times do you offer for weddings?
Weddings and events are offered seasonally March through November on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Our cottages are available for rent year-round. We host only one wedding per day and our wedding clients receive personalized attention prior to their event as they prepare, decorate, photograph, rehearse, deliver and pick up. Very small weddings or elopements can be any day of the week. The time for the formal event is limited to 6 hours starting at the announced ceremony time, including the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. The preparation and cleanup time are not counted in the 6 hours. To comply with Loudoun county noise ordinances, all events must be completed by 11 pm.
Can we bring our dog?
If your dog is well-behaved, gets along well with other animals and has no history of harming humans, we can accommodate up to 2 dogs in the fenced guest cottage, depending on the package that you choose. Owners must present up-to-date veterinary records, accept all liability for any damages, pick up after pets, and be willing to certify in writing that the dog is not a known danger.
Can we bring our horses?
Yes, with an overnight package, we can accommodate horse guests in our paddocks and 23 stalls by special agreement which includes health certifications and certification of safety with other animals and of course, humans.
What do you charge?
Please see our current pricing guidelines and packages