Robbie Hickman Photography
By Marissa McCormick Jordan
In the rolling hills just west of Short Pump, peace and quiet replace hustle and bustle as you venture down US-250, a route that leads you to historic Goochland county. Then, there’s a collection of unsuspecting barns and houses, that from the outside looks like another property, but in reality, holds so much more.
South View Farm, located less than 30 minutes from downtown Richmond and 45 minutes from Charlottesville, is home to Virginia Barn Wedding, The Manor House, and most importantly, Adams International School. On a rainy day, and only days before school started, the Richmond Weddings™ team sat down with Tamra Adams, School Director, and the one who, understandably, makes all the wheels turn.
Robbie Hickman Photography
Pulling onto the property it’s hard to miss Virginia Barn Wedding, as it’s a giant red barn standing stark against its lush green surroundings. Although the outside looks like a classic barn, the inside was gutted and renovated, with the purpose of hosting celebrations. The pictures speak for themselves when it comes to the venue, and with 131 acres (on that side of the road, there’s another 125 on the other side) there is no maximum guest count. Additional buildings adjacent to the barn allow ample room for the couples and the wedding party to get ready. A charming and modern cottage is also available to rent for the newlywed’s first night as a married couple.
Just walking distance from the barn is The Manor House. And like everything else on the property, there’s a story behind the house. Tamra explains, “The house was my children’s childhood home.” With 12 kids of her own, the Adams family needed the 11,000 square foot space. She continues, “But after they grew up, we didn’t need that much space and decided to downsize. Instead of having strangers live on our property, we thought it would be the perfect spot to dedicate to weddings and events.” The three-story building was completely renovated after they moved out and was designed with events in mind. It can sleep 10-20 guests and has a variety of amenities including a furnished patio that overlooks a pond, a giant kitchen, and even a movie theater and game room! Imagine your close family and wedding party staying under ONE roof! Turn your wedding into a weekend getaway and have your rehearsal dinner on the bottom level, or rent it out for an anniversary party later down the road.
Being only 12 minutes west of Short Pump, it’s perfectly situated with easy access to I-64. Tamra and the rest of her team understand the guidelines and struggles of planning a wedding amidst COVID-19 restrictions. Tamra says, “We have plenty of room to social distance.”
When couples are looking to book any of the properties, Tamra wants one thing to be completely clear. “Every decision that we make is with what is in the best interest of the child.” 100% of the profit from weddings is donated to the school. You see, attending Adams International School is different than a traditional route. Being a Montessori program, a child’s education is based on timeless core values, and instead of grade-chasing and hours of homework, they create an active community that encourages students to discover while learning. Their website elaborates, “We seek to plant the seeds of lifelong education. The soil is tilled, prepared, and cultivated, respectfully and individually.” With a commitment to host no more than 40 students, the gorgeous Virginia backdrop is the ideal place for education. Why not learn about biology from the goats and chickens on the property behind the school?
Each venue has customizable, buildable packages to create the wedding of your dreams. Virginia Barn Wedding and The Manor House at South View Farm are hidden gems and have a story and family history to match. You and your sweetheart can find comfort in knowing your celebration will fund learning in an exceptional educational environment that celebrates individual gifts and needs. Tamra jokes, “You can get married here then once you have kids you can bring them back for school!”
Adams International School | Virginia Barn Wedding | The Manor House | South View Farm
Tamra Adams 804-784-0141 southviewfarmva.com
All photos courtesy https://www.robbiehickman.com/
