Fall Winery Micro Wedding in Northern Virginia

Micro Weddings

If you’re dreaming of an intimate wedding day that blends stunning scenery, great wine, and a cozy celebration with your favorite people, a winery micro wedding might be exactly what you need! Michelle and Darin’s fall micro wedding at The Winery at Bull Run in Northern Virginia was the perfect example of just how fun and personal a day like this can be.

From getting ready in a charming inn to stealing quiet moments among the vines, their day was filled with intentional touches, sweet moments, and so much joy.

bride and groom walking in the vineyards during their winery micro wedding in northern virginia

Getting Ready at The Inn at Evergreen

Michelle and Darin started their day just down the road at The Inn at Evergreen, a beautiful historic inn nestled in the Virginia countryside. Getting ready in a quiet, cozy space like this was such a peaceful way to ease into the day with their loved ones. The inn’s grounds are perfect for portraits or even a first look, with tons of natural light, elegant rooms, and space to relax before the rest of the celebration begins.

When I arrived, I got to work photographing all of their meaningful little details. And let me tell you, this couple had some amazing personal touches! I captured their beautiful rings, custom coasters, tarot card wedding favors, and even custom napkins featuring their cat, Casper (who couldn’t be there in person). These little touches are such a fun way to infuse your personalities into your micro wedding and make your guests feel extra special, too.

Darin got dressed in the light-filled suite with his mom’s help, while his son hung out and got ready too. Before heading to the winery, they shared a glass of bourbon (and apple juice for the kiddo) to toast the day.

Meanwhile, Michelle looked like an absolute vision in her gown by the window, with her mom helping her place her veil before it was time to see her soon-to-be husband.

custom elopement detail flatlay of invite suite, cuff links and other details

toast with the guys ahead of the big day

stunning bride in her lace gown posing by a window

First Look & Portraits at the Winery at Bull Run

Once everyone was ready, we headed to the Winery at Bull Run, which is a truly gorgeous setting for a winery micro wedding in Northern Virginia. The rustic charm, rolling vineyards, and historic backdrop made it such a romantic location for their day.

Michelle and Darin chose to do a first look in the yard before their ceremony, and it was the sweetest thing. You could feel the nerves melt away the moment they saw each other. We spent a few minutes doing portraits in the vineyard with soft autumn light filtering through the vines.

Truthfully, first looks aren’t just for the photos. They give you a few extra minutes to breathe, connect, and soak in the excitement together. And at a winery venue like this, you’re spoiled with gorgeous backdrops at every turn while you do so.

bride and groom first look during their winery micro wedding at the winery at bull run

bride and groom at the winery at bull run

Their Symbolic Wedding Ceremony at the Winery

Fun fact: Michelle and Darin were already legally married! So this ceremony was symbolic and a chance to gather their closest people and celebrate their marriage together. This also meant they could have a close friend officiate, even though Virginia has stricter laws around who can legally marry you.

Their ceremony included heartfelt vows, stories about how they met, and lots of laughter and happy tears. You could feel the love radiating from their guests.

Pro Tip: If you want a friend or family member to officiate your ceremony in Virginia, you can always do the legal paperwork beforehand and keep the actual wedding day focused on all the other things that matter to you!

micro wedding ceremony at the winery at bull run

violinist playing for the micro wedding ceremony

bride walking down the aisle with her parents

candid guest capture during micro wedding ceremony

excited bride and groom exit from their wedding ceremony

Their Golden Hour Portraits & Winery Micro Wedding Reception

After the ceremony, guests made their way to the Barrel Room for cocktail hour while we stayed outside for a few family photos and golden hour newlywed portraits. The light was absolutely dreamy and soft glowing over the vines. Having that private time together right after the ceremony is one of my favorite ways for couples to pause and savor everything.

Instead of a traditional sit-down dinner, Michelle and Darin opted for a relaxed cocktail-style wedding reception with plenty of food, drinks, and space for mingling.

The couple shared a first dance, heard a few heartfelt toasts, and played a few rounds of the shoe game. And as a special treat, they brought in a live watercolor artist to paint portraits of their guests, which was so cool!

Once the music turned up, Michelle and Darin hit the dance floor and had the most fun with their guests and, of course, each other.

golden hour portraits in the vineyard during the winery micro wedding

wedding favors of custom coasters and tarot cards

exciting micro wedding reception at the winery at bull run

Why I Love Winery Micro Weddings

One of the reasons I’m so in love with winery micro weddings is that they truly give you the best of both worlds. You can have the intimacy and intentionality of a smaller guest list while still sharing your day with the people who matter most. This way, you’re not sacrificing connection or meaning, and you still have the space to slow down, be present, and create a day that feels like you.

While Michelle & Darin’s micro wedding at The Winery at Bull Run was absolutely gorgeous, Northern Virginia is full of other stunning winery venues to explore. From something with sweeping mountain landscapes to hidden countryside gems, you have so many options to find the spot that matches what you’ve envisioned for your day!

bride and groom toasting champagne in the barrel room at the winery at bull run

Planning Your Own Winery Micro Wedding in Northern Virginia?

If you are looking for a Northern Virginia micro wedding photographer, I’m here for the couples who crave personal connection, intentional experiences, and finding adventure wherever they can. Whether you want to get married at a cozy winery, celebrate at a rooftop restaurant or head into the mountains, I’ll be there to support you and cheer you on! You can fill out my inquiry form here.

See more from Michelle and Darin’s winery micro wedding and save your favorites to Pinterest as you plan your big day!