Insider’s Guide to Smith Mountain Lake Wedding Venues (2025)
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A special event deserves an exceptional location, and Smith Mountain Lake delivers. With its picturesque venues for weddings and receptions, it’s the perfect backdrop for your big day.
In this article, we share expert insights on the area’s top venues—from elegant country clubs and rustic pavilions to picturesque lakeside resorts.
Top Spots to Tie the Knot at SML
Click below to jump to details on each venue.
Bernard’s Landing
Bernard’s Landing has been a popular choice for SML weddings for decades. This 72-acre resort provides stunning venues, on-site accommodations and tons of lake activities for couples and their guests. Options include the Bernard House, an Antebellum-style home with over 5,200 square feet of event space with lake and mountain views, and the Highlands Event Center with its elegant glass atrium and remodeled deck. Additional venues include a charming wedding pergola and the resort’s private beach.
Mariners Landing
Mariners Landing offers a stunning lakeside setting for weddings, combining natural beauty with modern amenities. Located in Huddleston, this venue provides versatile options for ceremonies and receptions, including waterfront spaces and an elegant event center. Guests can enjoy on-site accommodations, multiple dining options and access to resort amenities such as pools, golf and walking trails. With breathtaking water and mountain views, gourmet catering and professional staff, Mariners Landing ensures an unforgettable experience for couples and their guests.
Parkway Marina
Located on a peninsula on the Bedford side of Smith Mountain Lake, Parkway Marina offers a relaxed waterfront setting for weddings. With breathtaking lake and mountain views, lush grounds and versatile event spaces, it’s perfect for both casual and elegant celebrations. Among the marina’s unique features is a charming vintage carousel. Whether planning an intimate gathering or a grand event, Parkway Marina provides a stunning backdrop.
Smith Mountain Manor
Smith Mountain Manor offers an elegant and private setting for weddings, seamlessly blending timeless sophistication with the natural rural beauty of its surroundings. Nestled on a sprawling estate, the manor features lovely views and beautifully manicured grounds. Whether you envision an elegant indoor affair or a charming outdoor celebration, Smith Mountain Manor’s combination of natural beauty and sophisticated design ensures a truly unforgettable experience.
The Stables at The Virginian
The Stables at The Virginian is a rustic yet refined wedding venue, combining natural beauty with timeless charm. Located amidst picturesque countryside, the venue features a beautifully restored barn, open fields and elegant event spaces that are perfect for ceremonies and receptions. With its warm, inviting atmosphere and versatile layout, The Stables accommodates both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations. Whether under the open sky or within the barn’s cozy interior, this venue provides a stunning setting to celebrate your special day.
Milan Manor House
Milan Manor House at Smith Mountain Lake offers a one-of-a-kind venue, combining sophistication, luxury and scenic charm. Nestled on 30 private acres with 650 feet of pristine shoreline, this 6,900-square-foot lakefront retreat features five bedrooms, eight bathrooms and multiple spaces designed for unforgettable events. From a spacious bridal suite to a speakeasy-inspired lounge, every detail has been carefully curated to ensure your wedding celebration is as unique and memorable as your love story.
You may also enjoy: Milan Manor House | Wedding Vendor Showcase
The Water’s Edge Country Club
Located in Penhook, The Water’s Edge provides an elegant setting with breathtaking lake and mountain views. This exclusive venue features a beautifully designed clubhouse with versatile indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as a charming historic chapel on the golf course for intimate ceremonies. With gourmet catering, professional staff and picturesque photo opportunities, The Water’s Edge ensures a seamless and memorable experience for couples and their guests.
Ramulose Ridge Vineyards
Located in Bedford County, Ramulose Ridge Vineyards, offers an enchanting setting for weddings. The winery features a spacious event center perfect for celebrations, along with a picturesque pergola overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition, the pavilion provides a versatile space ideal for ceremonies, live bands and dancing. Surrounded by rolling vineyards and stunning views, the venue combines rustic charm with modern amenities, creating an unforgettable backdrop for your special day.
Skelton 4-H Conference Center
The 4-H Center offers a serene and versatile setting for weddings. Nestled along the shores of Smith Mountain Lake, it offers scenic lake views, expansive grounds and flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, making it an ideal location for both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations. Couples can enjoy the convenience of on-site accommodations, catering options and access to recreational activities. The tranquil beauty of the 4-H Center provides a picturesque backdrop to create memories that will last a lifetime.
The Waterfront Country Club
The Waterfront offers a serene and elegant setting for wedding celebrations within its private country club community. Surrounded by natural beauty, this upscale venue features a 22,000-square-foot clubhouse with full banquet facilities and a bar/lounge overlooking the 18th hole, perfect for cocktail hour. Whether you’re planning an intimate outdoor ceremony or a formal dinner reception, The Waterfront can accommodate your vision with gourmet cuisine and versatile spaces.
Virginia Dare
The Virginia Dare is a unique wedding venue that offers the charm of a vintage paddlewheel boat cruising on the serene waters of Smith Mountain Lake. Perfect for intimate ceremonies and receptions, the boat features indoor spaces and open decks with panoramic views. Couples and their guests can enjoy a memorable experience with customized catering and the natural beauty of the lake as a backdrop. A wedding aboard the Virginia Dare promises a one-of-a-kind celebration on the water.
The Pavilion at Black Water Junction
This picturesque wedding venue is nestled in the rolling hills of Franklin County, near (but not on) Smith Mountain Lake. Built on a family farm, the facility features a red-roofed barn with a central fireplace, a charming patio strung with lights and a ceremony site with a view of Smith Mountain. The property includes ponds, adjoining horse pastures, a bridal suite with a wildflower garden, a relaxed groom’s space and modern facilities, blending country charm with convenience.
The Barn at SML
The Barn at Smith Mountain Lake is a charming post-and-beam venue located on six acres near Westlake Corner. With 2,400 square feet of indoor space, a 1,200-square-foot attached patio and a 10,000-square-foot outdoor assembly area, it offers ample room for weddings and receptions. Amenities include a wine bar, outdoor fire pit and market patio lighting. With full event coordination capabilities, The Barn works with couples to create a wedding that reflects their unique style.
Karoo
Karoo, Smith Mountain Lake’s newest resort, offers a one-of-a-kind setting for weddings with unique outdoor spaces that create a picturesque backdrop for your special day. Guests can enjoy unique African tent accommodations that blend modern comforts with the charm of nature, providing a cozy and distinctive stay. The resort also features spacious gathering areas, on-site facilities and a number of recreational options to enhance your celebration. For an unforgettable experience, inquire about renting the entire facility to make your wedding truly extraordinary.
Belle Garden Estate
About 15 minutes from SML, Belle Garden Estate in Franklin County is a timeless wedding venue brimming with elegance and Southern charm. Nestled among beautifully manicured gardens and scenic landscapes, it offers a stunning backdrop for your big day. The estate features a classic manor house, a romantic outdoor ceremony space, and a spacious reception hall with vintage-inspired details. With its blend of historic charm and modern amenities, Belle Garden Estate provides a magical setting for creating cherished memories, ensuring an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.
SML Wedding Venues Map
Andie Gibson
PUBLISHER
Andie has been covering Smith Mountain Lake since 2000 for a variety of publications, including Smith Mountain Laker Magazine, The Roanoker, SML Visitor and Newcomer Guide, SML HOME Magazine and Life Outside. As a partner in G&C Ventures, LLC, she oversees all content for our suite of websites, including Smith-Mountain-Lake.com and LakeLubbers.com.
