This October, I had the pleasure of being among the very first visitors to tour one of the region’s newest wedding and multi-purpose event venues in Northern Virginia– the Sweeney Barn in Manassas, VA.  Mindful of the property’s rich history, which dates back to 1939, the Sweeney family managed to preserve the timeless beauty of the barn while making tasteful renovations to the structure, combining modern and vintage elements.  Even though their doors will officially open in January of 2019, Sweeney Barn is already booking solid for weddings, quinceañeras, and corporate events. Ready to know why you should consider Sweeney Barn to host your next event?  Keep reading!

Beautiful Grounds

From the moment I stepped out of my car, the silo and the barn stood out in a very majestic way!  I could already see my photographer friends having a field day choosing from an abundance of outdoor spots to create romantic wedding portraits for our couples.  Sweeney Barn’s setting for wedding ceremonies is thoughtfully situated on the West side of the grounds so couples get those amazing sunset pictures.  How smart is that?

Ample Parking

Not only can the parking lot accommodate up to 120 vehicles, but as someone who loves to wear high heels, I appreciate the fact that the lot is completely paved and close to the barn.  So rest assured that you can walk to the venue knowing that you won’t ruin your wedding-day heels – or twist an ankle! After all, a rustic venue doesn’t have to mean sacrificing some creature comforts 🙂 Another advantage – and probably a far more important one than being able to don a pair of high heels – is that the use of buses for your guests is perfectly okay.  While some venues limit the size of a shuttle bus due to their narrow roads or gate dimensions, you won’t have this problem at Sweeney Barn!

Rustic and elegant feel

The first floor of Sweeney Barn is adorned with elegant chandeliers and has been designed to host cocktail hours and/or an indoor wedding ceremony!  Featuring beautifully white-washed wood throughout the entire space, the vibe is rustic yet chic. In terms of wedding-design and color palette options, the stylish space will perfectly complement both neutral and vivid colors.  The possibilities at Sweeney Barn are endless! In fact, I can’t wait to assist couples in bringing their design ideas to life in this uniquely beautiful venue 🙂

The second floor of the barn, where the main ballroom is located, can host up to 220 people.  Here your guests can enjoy the richness of this unique property – cathedral ceilings, ornate crystal chandeliers, and elegant chocolate wood from top to bottom.  And I love that there’s an outdoor porch that extends beyond the banquet hall for guests to enjoy some fresh air!

Preferred vendor list

​Have I told you yet that Andrea Van Wambeke, the venue coordinator at Sweeney Barn, is attentive, responsive, and flexible?  Having someone like this is so critically important when planning a wedding because not all couple’s needs are the same and Andrea understands that.  In addition to great staff and to their willingness to make your wedding day incredible, Sweeney Barn offers you a great list of preferred vendors (which I am so proud to be part of!).  It’s just so nice for couples to not have to stress about this. The list is a wonderful starting point for putting your dream wedding team together!

Location, location, location

As I mentioned, Sweeney Barn is conveniently located in Manassas, VA. The venue is close to several lodging options for your out-of-town guests (all in a seven-mile radius).  It’s just 23 miles to Dulles airport and 35 miles from Washington, D.C.  If you’re having a Catholic wedding ceremony at All Saints Catholic Church, you’re only three miles away 🙂  I love rustic venues, but I appreciate the fact that Sweeney Barn is not in a remote location that feels so far away from civilization.

I highly recommend that you plan a visit to Sweeney Barn to check out this new and beautiful gem of a wedding venue in Northern Virginia!  I’m confident you’ll want to contact Andrea (Andrea@sweeneybarn.com) to set up your own personal tour!