There are some venues you walk into and immediately start thinking about all the possibilities. Solara Ridge is one of those places. We had the opportunity to design and plan a styled shoot followed by an intimate dinner at this luxury Virginia wedding venue, hosted by Emily and James Hancock as they celebrated 10 years in the wedding industry. It was such a meaningful way to gather a small group of vendor friends and create something beautiful together.

From the setting to the design to the overall experience, this night was one of those reminders of why I love what I do!

Why Solara Ridge Stands Out as a Luxury Virginia Wedding Venue

Set on 59 acres of farmland and nursery grounds in Goode, Virginia, Solara Ridge blends natural beauty with modern design in a way that feels elevated but still grounded in its surroundings.

You have panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain views, paired with a sleek industrial glass house that gives you a completely different kind of Virginia wedding aesthetic.

It’s not your typical winery or barn venue, which is exactly what makes it stand out.

And from a planning perspective, there are a few things that make this luxury Virginia wedding venue especially appealing:

Tables, chairs, and bars are included (which makes a huge difference for both budget and logistics)

Full-day access from 9AM–10PM (which is honestly a dream for more extensive setups)

A layout that allows for a natural flow between indoor and outdoor spaces

It’s one of those venues that gives you the beauty of the landscape, but still feels like a blank canvas inside.

One of my favorite features of Solara Ridge is how versatile the spaces are.

The stone patio just outside the glass house is such a natural ceremony location. It overlooks the mountains and doesn’t need much to feel special as the view really does the work for you.

Inside, the glass house offers a completely customizable reception space. For our event, we leaned into that flexibility and created distinct areas within the space using hand-painted canvases suspended from the rafters.

These canvases are actually magnetic, and we used a series of six to separate cocktail hour from the dinner space. It added dimension, color, and a really unique design element without overwhelming the room.

This space is a designer’s dream — it’s a blank canvas you can truly make your own!

For this event, I really wanted to do something that felt fun and unexpected.

We brought in a lot of color and layered textures to create a space that felt warm, inviting, and a little different from what you typically see in this area.

Because the venue itself is more neutral and architectural, it allowed the design to really stand out without competing with the space.

An Intimate Dinner to Celebrate 10 Years

After the styled shoot showcasing this gorgeous luxury Virginia wedding venue, we transitioned into a small, intimate dinner to celebrate Emily and James.

This part of the evening felt especially meaningful. It’s rare that I get to actually sit down and enjoy a full meal at an event (let alone at a table I designed!) so being able to slow down, connect with other creatives, and take it all in was such a highlight for me.

The dinner itself was a beautifully executed three-course experience, and it really reinforced how impactful a more intimate guest count can be.

What to Know About Solara Ridge As Your Luxury Virginia Wedding Venue

From a guest experience standpoint, Solara Ridge is very straightforward.

There’s ample gravel parking on-site, and while there isn’t transportation provided, it’s easy to coordinate shuttles or allow guests to drive in.

For lodging, there’s an on-site house that can sleep up to 10 guests, and additional accommodations can be found in nearby Lynchburg, which is about 25–30 minutes away.

It’s private, spacious, and feels tucked away while still being accessible.

What I love most about Solara Ridge is that it offers something different.

There aren’t many luxury Virginia wedding venue options in this area that combine this level of design flexibility with the natural beauty of the mountains.

It’s ideal for couples who want a modern, elevated aesthetic, love the idea of a fully customizable space, and still want those classic Virginia views

It allows you to create something that feels completely your own, without needing to fight against the venue’s style.

This night was such a special one. Not just because of the design or the venue, but because of the people it brought together.

Emily and James created something incredibly thoughtful, and I’m so grateful they trusted me to help bring it to life.

If you’re currently searching for a luxury Virginia wedding venue and want something that feels both elevated and flexible, Solara Ridge is absolutely worth considering.

And if you’re looking for someone to help you take a space like this and turn it into something truly intentional and personal — I’d love to be part of that process!

VENDORS
Host: @thehancocks.co & @oliverandco.va.
Design & Planning: @allthedaintydetails.
Florist & Custom Draping: @gossamerfloraldesign.
Venue: @solararidge.
Photo: @oliverandco.va.
Video: @wandering_echoes.
Catering: @3112catering & @yourdessertbarva.
Bartending: @onenightpour.
Linens: @bbjlatavola.
Rentals: @festivepartyrentals.
Signage: @luxelines_.
Hair & Makeup: @locksandlashesva.
Music: @rspentertainment_va.
Stationary: @designsbyallisonrene.
Model Couples: @jatum2025 & @taylord_interiors21.
Custom Candle Favors: @speakeasybyeloise.