Even though autumn’s conditions (minus the fall foliage) are comparable to our other transition season, spring, it is our most popular time of year for weddings and tourism. This is excellent for your guests as the autumn colors provide a beautiful backdrop for them to explore the area. It may also mean wedding vendors or lodging options are more limited, as they can book up very quickly.
At the Indigo House, temperatures start to cool down in September and stay comfortable through October’s leaf changing. Because hurricane season runs through the end of November, it’s possible to get a rare storm, cold snap, or a few days of unpredictable weather as you enjoy the last of the fall foliage.
An All-Inclusive Wedding with Just the Right Vibes in September
Abigail and Caleb’s super happy and “can’t have too much color” wedding was our first inclusive wedding here at the Indigo House. The day was made even more special with their pup, Presley, as the flower girl.
With a ceremony in the meadow overlooking the mountains and the last of summer’s wildflowers surrounding everyone, there was love, laughter, and a set of “I Dos!”. During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed batch-style cocktails (made by the couple) and a self-serve beer and wine bar. Dinner included a multi-course family-style meal and gluten-free cupcakes. Then, of course, there was lots of dancing!
Vendor Team:
- Day of Coordination: A&J Event Planning and Coordination
- Venue: The Indigo House
- Officiant: Bride’s Grandfather
- DJ: First Dance Productions
- Catering: Redbud Catering
- Dessert: Uncommon Cakes
- Photography: Jessie Walker Photo
- Tablescapes: Posey Picnics
- Rentals: Aztec Rentals, MS Events
- Hair & Makeup: Lenear Beauty Bridal
- Florals: A&J Event Planning and Coordination
A Beautiful Brunch Micro Wedding in September
When I asked this couple what they were most excited about for their wedding weekend, it was a quick response, “Brunch!”
Surrounded by their beloved friends and family (and delicious brunch food), Maura and Colton celebrated their commitment. They were attracted to the Indigo for our low-key vibes, lodging, and total control to make the event what they wanted. Their guests loved staying at the house, even saying the property made their day perfect.
Vendor Team:
- Wedding Planner: Abaigeal & Co. Events
- Catering: Harvest Table
- Photographer: Kaitlyn Larsen
- Florals: Spring Creek Blooms
- Cocktails: Mobile GO Bar
- Rentals: CVR
10/10 I would absolutely recommend… It was one of the best days of my life, and a large part of that magic was due to the estate. Our accommodations were absolutely splendid; the rooms were comfortable and incredibly well-kept. The owners were amazing, very kind, and truly helpful. The Indigo House had a large part in making our day perfect.
A Front Yard Soiree in September
Working with Makayla and Ben was such a sweet reminder of how joyful weddings are. Yes, of course, there were moments of stress while planning — I remember Makayla sharing frustration when vendors asked her lots of questions and her response was “I don’t know. I’ve never planned a wedding before!” — but there were also lots of joyful moments, like a first look in the wildflower field, getting ready with their dogs, and dancing into the evening surrounded by loved ones (and delicious ice cream). Besides getting married, they were most excited to have their best friends stay at the Indigo with them the night before their wedding.
Vendor Team:
- Catering: Chick-fil-A, Sweet Tooth Ice Cream
- Wedding Planner: Marta Valle
- Photographer: Abigail Dakota
- Flowers: Spring Creek Blooms
- Rentals: Aztec Rentals
Ben and I, our pups, family, and friends had the dreamiest wedding weekend at the Indigo House. We wish the weekend never had to end; it was so relaxing and beautiful. We’ll be back for years to come!
A Reception Under the Rainbow in September
Getting married during hurricane season offers a special kind of unpredictability. Friday was perfect weather for their rehearsal and rehearsal dinner but things turned dicey on Saturday night, right in the middle of the reception. Thankfully, this couple (with the assistance of their planner and a few iterations of floor plans and timelines) handled all the twists and turns with flexibility and ease.
Despite all of this, the bride said, “It was the most magical weekend. The Indigo House is amazing… The house and the scenery are absolutely gorgeous and it provides an incredible space to host all of your favorite people!”
Vendor Team:
- Wedding Planner: Caitlin Giovannini, With Joy Events
- Photographer: Kylie Renae
- Catering: Redbud Catering
- Hair and Make Up: Posh Bride
- Officiant: Kathleen Ayers
- DJ: Abe One DJs
- Florals: DIY by a family friend from Trader Joe’s
- Cake: Whole Foods
- Rentals: MS Events, CVR
We will never forget what a special weekend we had at the Indigo House and we will definitely be back for anniversary trips with our pup!
Rainy Day Plan
Timeline
11:00 am Florals arrive
12:00 pm Hair and Make Up begins
2:30 pm Catering arrives
3:00 pm Photography begins (scenic shots around venue, getting ready images)
3:45 pm First Look, couple’s portraits
4:00 pm DJ arrives
4:10 Family Photos
4:30 pm Officiant arrives
5:00 pm Ceremony
5:30 pm Cocktail Hour (moved inside during storm)
6:45 pm Welcome Toast
6:50 pm Dinner begins (delayed, but held outside after the storm passed)
7:13 pm Sunset
7:30 pm Toasts and dancing
7:50 pm Quiet Cake Cutting
9:00 pm Photographer leaves
9:30 pm DJ leaves, catering packs up
10:00 pm Late-night snacks
Ceremony Layout
Reception Layout
A Couple Who Never Wanted to Plan a Wedding Finally Did in October
When Julie and Raleigh first visited the Indigo, I asked them how wedding planning was going. With hesitation and darting eyes, they looked at me and responded, “It’s not. We’ve been NOT planning the wedding for years now.” But something about the Indigo drew them in and inspired their perfect backyard wedding, an experience that pleased even their most skeptical guests.
From the bride, “I honestly can’t think of much I would do differently. It worked super well to have the house the night before the wedding for a welcome dinner. I’m glad we decided to have it there instead of going to a nearby brewery. It was a chance for our closest family/friends to see the beautiful house on the inside and just relax by the fire outside. We got Paulie’s Pig Out and it was delicious! On the day of, it worked perfectly to have the girls get ready upstairs. Then, for our first look, Raleigh came upstairs and we were able to have a private moment while everyone else was downstairs… The covered porch worked great as an area to dance with the DJ set up. We ended up coming through the door to the covered porch for our announcement as a married couple, and did our first dance in the gravel area while everyone else was seated at their respective dinner seat. It was an excellent weekend!”
Vendor Team:
- Wedding planner: Abaigeal & Co. Events
- Photographer: Jordan Baker
- Rentals: CVR, MS Events
- Florals: DIY buckets from Spring Creek Blooms
- Food: Slice Versa
- DJ: Steve Gregory
- Officiant: Sacred Ground
An Intimate Evening of Pure Romance in mid-October
Imagine you, your newly official spouse, your adorable dog (in this case, Cosmo) and 20 of your favorite people surrounded by candlelight and amazing food. That’s the vision Rachel and Eric had for their romantic backyard wedding.
The weekend kicked off with a homemade dinner and welcome party on Friday night. On Saturday, they exchanged private vows and a first look in the woods, then said “I Do” publicly in the meadow. After dinner and a cake cutting, they danced under the stars. On Sunday, they planned a morning of hiking and an afternoon of brewery tours to keep the celebration going! It was a weekend to remember, even for Cosmo, who used the bride’s dress as a snuggly blanket all weekend long.
Vendor Team:
- Day of Coordination: The Evergreen Collective
- Venue: The Indigo House
- Catering: Two Fire Table
- Dessert: The Bake Shop
- Photography: The Lehman Collective
- Videography: Fernweh Film Co.
- Rentals: Central Virginia
Rental, MS Events - Florals: Horse & Hen
- Bartending: Tabby’s Bartending
Additional Details
Property Layout
A Fairytale Micro Wedding in October
Melissa and Sam first discovered the Indigo House while staying overnight as guests! They loved the tranquility of the property and started to imagine a whimsical, woodsy wedding. Their vision delivered as they hosted ~35 of their closest people for a romantic micro wedding in October. Besides beautiful decor, jaw-dropping florals, a knot-tying ceremony, and good vibes, guests were happy with two signature cocktails: a Blood Orange Moonshine Mule and a Blackberry Whisky Sour. They also served a local favorite, Lovingston wine.
Their unplugged ceremony transitioned into a fun dance party in the gravel courtyard with glowsticks. Their pup, River, was a part of every step, even earning her own official seat!
Vendor Team:
- Day of Coordination: Champagne Wishes
- Venue: The Indigo House
- Officiant: Family friend
- DJ: Signature DJs Brandon Frazier
- Catering and Bartending: Early Katering
- Dessert: Cakesbyrachel
- Photography: Victoria Neill
- Rentals: Central Virginia Rental
- Hair & Makeup: Lilly Styles
- Florals: Horse and Hen
A Sunset Adventure Elopement at Raven's Roost in October
From the moment Becky and Sean came trundling into the Indigo with suitcases bigger than themselves (“We leave straight for our honeymoon in Ireland!”), to the last round of goodbyes, their joy was contagious. They kicked their adventure elopement in the Blue Ridge Mountains off at the courthouse first. After an afternoon getting ready, they piled into the car with loved ones and headed to Raven’s Roost to exchange vows (and brave the cold). From sparkling cider to Polaroid snaps of candid moments, their celebration was full of sweetness and love and their favorite people.
Vendor Team:
- Photographer: Matt Schmachtenberg
- Florals: Horse and Hen
- Cake: Cake Bloom
- Lodging: The Indigo House
A Sunday Celebration in October
As a busy nurse, The Indigo House ticked off all the boxes for Taylor: dog-friendly, affordable, customizable, low-key, and convenient. This mattered even more as life for the couple got busy and they recruited family members to help bring the vision to life.
Their wedding weekend kicked off with a rehearsal luncheon at Blue Mountain Brewery on Saturday with the ceremony and reception — which hosted about 35 people — on Sunday afternoon. During cocktail hour, held on the side lawn, the bride and groom took photos in the woods. After the blessing, everyone enjoyed toasts and a family-style dinner. The event wrapped up around 7 pm, with those staying at the Indigo enjoying the rest of the night by the fire pit.
Vendor Team:
- Wedding Planner: A&J Event Planning and Coordination
- Catering: Two Fire Table
- Bartender: Mix and Mingle
- Photographer: Photographed by @bessieblackphoto for @photography_byjo team
- Florals: Horse and Hen
- Hair: Ave 42
- Cake: Bride’s sister, Melissa
- Rentals: CVR
- Officiant: Ann Carter
An Autumn Elopement and Family Celebration in October
Sometimes, the perk of going small is that you can also go big. That’s exactly what this couple had in mind. More specifically, Ella planned on “Keeping it small with high-quality details.” And let me tell you, the vision delivered.
Ella and Daniel love being outside, camping, and exploring new places — incorporating nature into their wedding was important. They also wanted an environment where all their friends felt safe and welcome — buying out the property and hand-selecting their vendor team ensured a loving and supportive atmosphere.
To get around the inconvenience of hiring an officiant, Ella and Daniel married at a courthouse prior to their Indigo ceremony. The wedding weekend kicked off on Friday night at Three Notch’d (the couple rented a cabana). On the morning of their ceremony, Daniel joined some friends for a hike and Ella went to the salon to get her hair and makeup done.
Guests were welcomed with apple cider donuts. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed mocktails, appetizers, and lawn games while the couple snuck away to Raven’s Roost for portraits and private vow readings. A family-style dinner, cake, and s’mores sweetened the gathering even more.
Our favorite detail is Ella’s custom dress (and we have to give an extra shout-out to the family friend who grew pumpkins for the couple’s decorations).
Vendor Team:
- Wedding Planner: A&J Event Planning and Coordination
- Catering: Two Fire Table
- Photographer: Rivkah Financer, Rivkah Fine Art
- Florals: DIY
- Hair and Makeup: Moxie Hair Lounge
- Cake: Uncommon Cakes
- Rentals: CVR
A DIY-ers Masterpiece in November
Sometimes, it’s about you and sometimes… It’s about the dogs. I love how this couple planned such a fun celebration with their dogs by their sides every step of the way. Ashley, a crafter and DIY-er, made so many of the little touches and details that decorated their big day. With a ceremony in the meadow and an evening of pizza, s’mores, cake, and apple cider doughnuts, guests were able to kick back and relax while celebrating in style. Our favorite part, dog-centric details like cups with the tagline “Drinks on us”!
Vendor Team:
- Wedding Planner: Kara Forden
- Catering: Crustworthy Pizza Truck
- Photographer: Unknown
- Rentals: CVR
First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt THANK YOU. Everything was incredible and surpassed our wildest dreams. The house was absolutely perfect, and everyone adored it. There were so many compliments on its design and the property. [Our dogs] Goose and Bo loved the walking trail. Your kindness and support throughout the entire process made this a wonderful experience for us!
Additional Details
Property Layout
A Long Wedding Weekend in Mid-November
We love how couples design weddings to accommodate their friends and family, but when they plan the day around their dog, it gives us a little extra joy. That’s exactly what we designed the space for! The dog-friendly property and beautiful mountain and wooded views first attracted Chris and Cristine to the Indigo, but we were so glad that the last of the fall colors hung onto the trees for them. It was a beautiful payoff for this mid-November wedding!
This couple, along with their pup Cora, loves being outside and trying new breweries, wineries, and foods. Their top priority was designing a wedding weekend that balanced a local destination with amazing food and beverages, which they accomplished perfectly, thanks to their vision and team of experts.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. Here’s Cristine’s point of view:
“The Indigo House was the perfect venue for our micro-wedding! It offered a relaxed, intimate setting. We opted for the property buyout from Friday to Monday, which was one of our best decisions. It allowed us to spend extra time with our guests before the big day. The property was beautiful, clean, and comfortable, with four spacious bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom. It was also very dog-friendly, with amenities like dog bowls, towels, a doggie first aid kit, and multiple dog beds. The Indigo House created the perfect atmosphere for our celebration, and we all had a blast.”
Vendor Team:
- Wedding Planner: Erin Kinsey at Rockfish Valley Events by Design
- Catering: Two Fire Table
- Photographer: Liz Hunt Photography
- Florals: Horse and Hen
- Cake: Cakes by Rachel
- Rentals: CVR, MS Events
- Live Music: Sam Hill Entertainment
- Hair and Make Up: Cville Makeup Artists
- Officiant: Kayla Allen
Our friends even expressed that they’d wished they’d had a wedding like ours! We are so grateful for the memories, and can’t recommend this venue enough
A Board Game and T Shirt Toss in November
Jessica and Quentin radiate joy within minutes of meeting them. Planning their wedding was smooth and fun. To keep things personal, they skipped formalities and embraced a playful, casual vibe, with Rudy (their dog) by their side. They planned activities that felt “very us” like games, custom cocktails, crystals hung on the arbor, and a t-shirt toss in lieu of a bouquet toss.
Our preferred vendor list made it easy for them to select with confidence, especially since they planned everything as non-locals. This event proves you can strike a balance of fun, affordability, and personal touches without being too overwhelmed while planning a wedding!
Vendor Team:
- Day of Coordination: A&J Event Planning and Coordination
- Venue: The Indigo House
- Officiant: Father of the Groom
- Catering: Crustworthy Pizza
- Dessert: Uncommon Cakes
- Photography: Viviana Santini Photography
- Rentals: Central Virginia Rental
- Hair & Makeup: Elena the Salon
- Florals: A&J Florals
- Bartending: Bottoms Up Bartending
A Mini Wedding with Brewery Reception in November
When we met this couple, they wanted a fast and easy wedding. They weren’t interested in calling a lot of vendors, getting a bunch of quotes, or spending lots of hours planning. That’s exactly why we brought in a dream team to execute their wedding. They booked and hosted it in less than two months!
To keep things easy, Val & Eric got married at the courthouse before their wedding at the Indigo House. Val’s brother led the ceremony, which included a beautiful tree-planting ritual. They had 10 guests join them for dinner (tapas and a tiramisu cake), a champagne toast, and family pictures. After, they went to a brewery for an after-party! Our favorite details included pictures of their cats as well as their baby books. Guests loved looking at them while the couple took pictures around the property.
Vendor Team:
- Tablescapes and Rentals: Posey Picnics
- Catering: Basic Necessities
- Photographer: Nichole Dawson
- Florals: Horse and Hen
- Hair and Makeup: Elena the Salon
- Cake: Cakes by Rachel
Stephanie and Kyle exceeded our expectations at the Indigo House! The wedding was perfect for us and was stress-free thanks to their help. We would highly recommend the Indigo House to anyone looking for a smaller, personalized venue for their wedding.