At Amber Grove, all activities are coordinated by John McBride. He provides professional assistance in menu design, event planning and execution. He also functions as an accessible resource for information and questions. On event days, John and the Amber Grove staff ensure that you will not have to worry about anything except what you came here to celebrate.
Catering is provided by Incredible Edibles and served by the Amber Grove staff. Incredible Edibles offers a full range of culinary options which can suit any taste. Standard dinner and heavy hors d'oeuvres menus range in price from $26-$32 per guest plus 20% gratuity and 5% tax. Outside catering is allowed with payment of a kitchen/setup fee.
If alcohol is desired, clients have to purchase a one-day banquet license from the Virginia ABC board which Amber Grove needs in its possession on the day of the event. After that, Amber Grove can set up an open bar based upon adult
guest count or allow clients to bring in their own in return for payment of a per guest beverage fee. Total bar time is limited to four hours except by prior arrangement.
For weddings, space charges range from $1000 to $2000 depending on day of week and time of year. Brides are granted full and exclusive use of Amber Grove on the day of the wedding. Amber Grove believes that a girl's wedding day should be hers and hers alone. Actual event time is limited to five hours. If desired, additional time can be negotiated.
For other events, space charges run from $100 -$1000 depending on their nature and size. Time allowed is 2-4 hours.
Booking an event requires a non-refundable deposit representing 1/3 of the estimated total. Your final payment will be due on the day of the event and will based upon your final guest count due 10 days prior.
Rental, setup, breakdown and cleanup are handled by Amber Grove.
Vendor services such as photography, music, wedding cakes and floral are generally client responsibilities. Amber Grove will provide you with a list of trusted vendors and assist you in coordinating their activities. Decoration beyond what is already provided is also client responsibility but John and the Amber Grove staff will be happy to generate ideas for you and help with setup.
Spacious changing areas are provided for both bridal and grooms parties.
Amber Grove can also be used as a backdrop for wedding portrait photography. This service is offered free of charge for any client.
When one arrives at Amber Grove, the white, columned manor house rises in the distance secluded by ancient trees. The 1920s era dairy barn is to the left and rolling, unspoiled acres to the right. The modern world is nearby, but one feels like it is far away.
The front porch is welcoming with its white rockers and greenery. Open space framed by the big sky is all round. The gracious front entrance opens into the front foyer where a bridal gift is set up. A coat room is to the left.
The spacious front parlor opens to the right. It is tastefully appointed in dark red and cream. This dramatic space is where wedding cakes, bridal portraits and certain food presentations are displayed. It is connected with the muted richness of the living room where fruit and cheese crudites are offered. Together, these two rooms provide a comfortably elegant space for indoor dining, parties and wedding receptions.
The two room suite opens off the living room and serves as a bridal changing area as well as an indoor seating area. It is available for overnight stays.
The dining room opens to the left and is filled with period antiques. It is where the main buffet part of the food service is presented. This room flows into the kitchen where a large island serves as the carving station area. All indoor areas are designed for easy traffic flow and guest convenience.
From the front parlor, guests pass through glass doors to a large deck. For wedding receptions or any other large outdoor gathering, this space is the primary beverage area with a bar set up on one side and a hot beverage bistro on the other.
The deck opens onto a 30' x 30' brick patio which is used for guest seating, dining and dancing. This area is covered by a tent whose size is dependent on group size and event requirements. Tent seated guest capacities range from 80 to 200+.
The gazebo is the focal point of the picturesque back grounds. It is an elegant structure always framed in a riot of seasonal colors. It is an idyllic setting for an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Indoor ceremonies can be held in the top of the barn, a unique, rustic space for any sort of social gathering. It is an ideal venue for live music. Smaller ceremonies can be held in the front parlor.
The gardens of Amber Grove are alive with dazzling arrays flowers attended by flocks of butterflies and hummingbirds. Wide vistas of stately trees and open fields are all around you. It is the way things used to be- only better.
As clients and their guests drive away from Amber Grove, many will wish they could have stayed longer. If history is any guide, many more will feel the same way.
