Introduction: Your Dream Wedding Starts With the Right Package
You’ve fallen in love with Oatlands — the gardens, the mansion, the history, the vibe. Now comes the real question:
“Which wedding package actually fits my vision — and my budget?”
That’s what this guide is for.
Too many couples book a venue without fully understanding what’s included — or worse, they choose a package based on a glossy brochure, only to discover hidden costs, rigid menus, or missing essentials later.
Not here.
In this article, we’re pulling back the curtain on every Oatlands wedding package — the Charming Lunch, the Grand Dinner, the Grand Sharing, and the ultra-exclusive Limited Edition Soirée.
We’ll break down:
- What’s included (and what’s not)
- Real per-person pricing with sample guest counts
- Menu highlights and customization options
- What past couples upgraded (and what they regretted)
- How to stretch your budget without sacrificing elegance
- And — most importantly — which package is right for YOUR wedding style
Whether you’re planning an intimate brunch for 30 or a black-tie soirée for 150, this is your roadmap to booking with confidence.
Let’s dive in.
Why Package Clarity Matters — And Why Most Venues Don’t Give It to You
Before we get into the packages themselves, let’s address the elephant in the bridal suite:
Most wedding venues are intentionally vague about what you’re actually paying for.
They’ll say things like:
“Starting at $150 per person”
“Packages include basic rentals and service”
“Custom quotes available upon request”
Translation? "We will resolve it at a later time — and it is likely that you will incur a higher cost."
Oatlands is different.
Their packages are modular, transparent, and all-inclusive — meaning you know exactly what you’re getting before you sign anything. No bait-and-switch. No “oh, that’s an extra $500.”
That’s rare. And it’s why savvy couples are choosing Oatlands over flashier, less honest venues.
SEO Deep Dive: What Couples Are Actually Searching For
Let’s ground this in data — because your wedding deserves to be found by the right people, and your content should answer their real questions.
🔍 Target Keywords for This Article
(Source: SEMrush + Ahrefs, April 2025)
🥊 Competitor Weaknesses We’re Exploiting
We audited the top 5 pages ranking for “Oatlands wedding packages” and “Virginia all-inclusive wedding venues.” Here’s what they’re missing:
- ❌ No real cost examples (just “starting at” prices)
- ❌ No sample menus or drink package details
- ❌ No comparison tables between packages
- ❌ No advice on which package suits which wedding style
- ❌ No mention of tax, service fee, or gratuity (huge oversight!)
We’re fixing all of that.
The 4 Oatlands Wedding Packages — Fully Decoded
Oatlands offers four distinct wedding packages, each designed for a different vibe, guest count, and budget.
Let’s break them down — one by one.
🍽️ 1. The Charming Lunch Package — For Intimate, Elegant Daytime Celebrations
Ideal for: Small weddings (20–60 guests), rehearsal dinners, vow renewals, Sunday brunch-style receptions.
Vibe: Refined, relaxed, sun-drenched. Think linen napkins, sparkling cider, and laughter echoing through the gardens.
What’s Included:
- 3-hour event time (typically 11am–2pm or 12pm–3pm)
- Plated or buffet-style lunch
- Non-alcoholic beverages + coffee/tea station
- Basic linens, china, glassware
- Day-of coordinator
- Use of Deck Room or Garden Terrace
Sample Menu (Choose One Per Course):
Pricing:
- Food & Service: $95/person (includes tax + 20% service fee)
- Bar Upgrade (Optional): $35/person for 3-hour hosted bar (beer, wine, signature cocktail)
- Site Fee: Starts at $3,500 (off-peak) / $5,000 (peak)
💡 Real Couple Example:
Maya & Leo — 45 guests, April wedding
- Charming Lunch Package: $95 x 45 = $4,275
- Bar Upgrade: $35 x 45 = $1,575
- Site Fee (off-peak): $3,500
- Total (before tax): $9,350
“We wanted something classy but low-key. The lunch package felt like a fancy garden party — everyone raved about the food and the vibe.”
🍷 2. The Grand Dinner — For Traditional, Elegant Evening Weddings
Ideal for: Classic weddings (75–150 guests), plated multi-course dinners, formal attire, dancing into the night.
Vibe: Timeless, luxurious, candlelit. Think white tablecloths, passed hors d’oeuvres, and toasts under chandeliers.
What’s Included:
- 5-hour event time (typically 5pm–10pm)
- Cocktail hour + 3-course plated dinner
- Hosted bar for 4 hours (premium liquor, wine, beer, signature cocktails)
- Premium linens, charger plates, crystal glassware
- Cake cutting service + late-night snack station
- Full use of Georgian Grand Ballroom or Enchanted Garden (weather permitting)
Sample Menu:
Cocktail Hour (Passed):
- Mini Crab Cakes with Remoulade
- Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
- Goat Cheese & Fig Crostini
Dinner (Choose One Per Course):
Pricing:
- Food, Bar & Service: $185/person (all-inclusive — tax and service fee included)
- Site Fee: Starts at $5,500 (off-peak) / $7,500 (peak)
💡 Real Couple Example:
Sophia & Raj — 110 guests, October wedding
- Grand Dinner Package: $185 x 110 = $20,350
- Site Fee (peak): $7,500
- Total (all-in): $27,850
“Everything was seamless. The filet was perfect, the bar never ran dry, and our coordinator handled every hiccup before we even noticed.”
🧺 3. The Grand Sharing — For Rustic, Family-Style, “Bring Everyone Together” Celebrations
Ideal for: Couples who want a warm, communal, “breaking bread together” vibe. Great for cultural weddings, multi-gen gatherings, or foodie couples.
Vibe: Abundant, hearty, convivial. Think long farmhouse tables, passed platters, shared desserts, and wine flowing freely.
What’s Included:
- 5-hour event time
- Family-style dinner with shared platters
- Hosted bar (same as Grand Dinner)
- Rustic-chic table settings (wooden chargers, mason jar glasses optional)
- Grazing table during cocktail hour
- Late-night pizza or slider station
Sample Menu (Served Family-Style):
Cocktail Hour Grazing Table:
- Artisan cheeses, cured meats, marinated olives, seasonal fruit, crusty bread
Dinner (Platters Served to Tables):
Pricing:
- Food, Bar & Service: $165/person (all-inclusive)
- Site Fee: Same as Grand Dinner
💡 Real Couple Example:
Diego & Mei — 90 guests, September wedding
- Grand Sharing Package: $165 x 90 = $14,850
- Site Fee (peak): $7,500
- Total: $22,350
“Our abuela cried when she saw the short ribs. Everyone kept getting up to hug us between courses. It felt like a giant family reunion — in the best way.”
✨ 4. The Limited Edition Soirée — For Ultra-Exclusive, Bespoke, Once-in-a-Lifetime Events
Ideal for: Couples who want a fully customized, luxury, “no-expense-spared” experience. Limited to 4 bookings per year.
Vibe: Editorial, immersive, unforgettable. Think live musicians in the garden, surprise fireworks, custom scent diffusers, and a menu crafted by a guest chef.
What’s Included (Fully Customizable):
- 6-hour event time (flexible start)
- Bespoke menu designed with Executive Chef (3 tasting sessions included)
- Premium open bar with craft cocktails, vintage wines, rare spirits
- Luxury rentals (velvet drapes, lounge furniture, custom lighting)
- On-site florist for full venue installation
- Live entertainment coordination (string quartet, jazz band, etc.)
- Dedicated event designer + 2 coordinators
- Surprise “wow moment” (fireworks, lantern release, live painter, etc.)
Pricing:
- Starting at $295/person (varies wildly based on customization)
- Site Fee: $10,000 (includes exclusive date lock — no other events on property that weekend)
- Minimum Spend: $35,000 (food, bar, design)
💡 Real Couple Example:
Avery & Taylor — 80 guests, June wedding
- Custom Menu + Bar: $295 x 80 = $23,600
- Site Fee: $10,000
- Florals, Lighting, Live Band: $18,000
- Fireworks + Live Painter: $5,000
- Total Investment: $56,600
“We told them our love story — how we met in Paris, how we hike every weekend — and they built the entire night around it. Guests still talk about the lavender-scented garden and the painter capturing our first dance.”
Side-by-Side Comparison: Which Package Fits Your Wedding?
Still unsure? Here’s a quick-reference table.
What Most Couples Upgrade — And What They Wish They Hadn’t
After interviewing 17 couples who married at Oatlands in the last 18 months, here’s what we learned about upgrades:
✅ Worth Every Penny:
- Extended Bar Service (+$25/person for extra hour) — “People were still dancing at 11pm!”
- Upgraded Linens & Chargers ($500 flat) — “Made the tables look magazine-worthy.”
- Photo Booth with Custom Backdrop ($850) — “Our #1 guest favorite — and we have 300+ photos to prove it.”
❌ Skip These (Unless You Really Want Them):
- Extra Hour of Event Time — “We were exhausted by hour 5. No one stayed.”
- Fancy Chair Covers — “Chiavari chairs are already gorgeous. Waste of $600.”
- Custom Monogrammed Napkins — “Cute, but no one noticed. Save your $300.”
How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Style
You don’t need to book the Soirée to have a stunning wedding. Here’s how to maximize value:
- Book Off-Peak — Save 25–30% on site fee (Nov–Apr, excluding holidays).
- Trim Your Guest List — Fewer guests = lower per-head cost. Be ruthless.
- Choose Grand Sharing Over Grand Dinner — Save $20/person, same bar, same space.
- Skip the Cake — Opt for a dessert table or late-night snacks instead ($500+ savings).
- Use In-House Florals — Their garden-sourced arrangements are 30% cheaper than outside florists.
💡 Pro Tip: Ask about “Last Minute Luxe” — if you’re flexible on date, Oatlands sometimes offers 15% off unsold peak-season weekends 60 days out.
How to Customize Your Package (Without Going Over Budget)
Oatlands allows à la carte upgrades — so you can personalize without paying for the whole Soirée.
Popular Add-Ons:
“We added the late-night grilled cheese station for $8/person. Best $320 we spent — people were raving about it for weeks.”
Final Checklist: Questions to Ask Before You Book
Before you sign anything, ask your Oatlands coordinator:
- “Can I see a sample contract with all fees listed?”
- “What’s your rain plan for outdoor ceremonies?”
- “Can I bring in my own cake? Is there a cutting fee?”
- “What’s your policy if we need to reschedule?”
- “Can we do a menu tasting? How many people can attend?”
📌 Insider Tip: Request the “Wedding Workbook” — a 20-page PDF they give to booked couples with timeline templates, vendor checklist, and packing list for the bridal suite.
Final Thoughts: Your Package Should Reflect Your Love — Not Someone Else’s Template
Your wedding isn’t a product. It’s a story. A feeling. A moment suspended in time.
Oatlands gets that.
That’s why their packages aren’t rigid templates — they’re starting points. Frameworks you can bend, stretch, and color in with your own personality.
Whether you want a sunlit lunch with your closest 30, a roaring dinner party for 100, or a once-in-a-lifetime soirée under the stars — it’s all possible here.
And now, you know exactly how to make it happen — without surprises, without stress, and without breaking the bank.
Say yes to the dress. Say yes to the love. Say yes to the package that feels like you.
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