| |

Castle Hill Cider | Charlottesville VA Wedding Venue Review

ByJo Mahaney
Landscape of the white barn at Castle Hill Cider wedding venue in Charlottesville Virginia

Castle Hill Cider is the perfect Charlottesville area wedding venue for large parties if you love a classic look and want both indoor and outdoor ceremony options. Located in Keswick, Virginia, Castle Hill Cider boasts breath-taking views of the Virginia countryside in all four seasons, but I’m partial to the spring and fall colors! Their expansive property offers gorgeous natural landscapes, 600 acres of apple orchard, and an adorable pond if waterside portraits appeal to you. With five different event spaces to choose from, you can design whatever style event you imagine in this versatile, accommodating space. As a wedding photographer, I visit a lot of Virginia wedding venues and love to compile reviews and overviews to help you plan your perfect wedding day with all the expert advice. Here’s everything you need to know to get started planning your wedding at Castle Hill Cider.

Couple shares kiss after first look on their wedding day at Castle Hill Cider, with a pop of fall color and Virginia countryside landscapes in the background

Highlights: Castle Hill Cider Wedding Information

  • Capacity: 250 to 350 guests
  • Rental Cost: starts at $15,500
  • Ceremony: indoor or outdoor
  • Rain Plan: yes
  • Bridal suite/wedding party suite: included
  • Location: 15 miles from Charlottesville, VA
  • Castle Hill Cider wedding FAQs

Castle Hill Cider Capacity and Layout 

The main event space at Castle Hill Cider can host up to 350 guests; however, the base rental fee is calculated for 250 guests, including the necessary tables and chairs. The barn includes a dance floor and full stage, allowing for a live entertainment option. Most couples choose to have their ceremony outdoors, either in the tree grove, the front lawn, or the terrace, and then utilize the main barn for their reception activities. You can also utilize the front lawn for a tented event. Any combination of these spaces can be used to host a large ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception with seamless flow for your guests and no need to have your decorators flip the space. 

Rain plan

In the case of rain, Castle Hill Cider has a loft area in the upper level of the barn, framed with tall arched windows. This space can hold your ceremony and keep your guests dry, or you can choose to use the main barn or a tented space as a rain plan. 

Getting ready space

Castle Hill Cider does offer an on-site wedding party suite as well as a second area for the other partner and their wedding party. If you have a large wedding party, you may want to consider one partner getting ready on-site and the other using a nearby hotel or Airbnb. The secondary space does get cramped after about 7-8 people. For the average wedding party, both partners can get ready on site comfortably. 

Aesthetic

While classified as a barn, Castle Hill Cider has a classic look. The all white exterior and rolling landscapes make for a gorgeous, clean backdrop for your wedding day, regardless of your preference for color scheme and aesthetics. The barn interior has rich wood beams and a black and white dance floor, both well-lit from the huge tinted glass walls, allowing natural light for the early portion of your reception. Many couples choose to use the wood beams for draping fabric and hanging florals, making event design options here endless. The reception space offers plenty of room for seating, dancing, a stage for a live band, and even a lounge area to the side for statement signage or custom entertainment for guests. 

Rolling views from the terrace view overlooking the pond at Castle Hill Cider

Castle Hill Cider Wedding Cost

The rental fee for Castle Hill Cider wedding venue begins at $15,500 for weddings with less than 250 guests. This includes use of any of the event spaces on the property, 20 round tables and 200 chairs. For additional fees, you can increase the capacity of your event to 350 guests and rent the necessary tables, chairs, linens, etc. 

There are lots of factors that contribute to the overall wedding cost at Castle Hill Cider, including personal preference on event design, rentals, meal selection, and the vendor talent you choose to hire. People host events of all scales here, ranging from modest cost to luxury. Total wedding costs vary greatly, from an estimated $50,000 to over $200,000. I recommend you discuss the full vision for your wedding and budget constraints with a wedding planner to see if Castle Hill Cider is the right space for your event and budget.

Disclaimer: these cost estimates are derived from what information is currently publicly available (October 2023), and are only estimates. Please reach out to verify cost, availability, and package details. 

Wedding Photography at Castle Hill Cider

There’s no shortage of gorgeous, photogenic locations for your wedding portraits on the Castle Hill Cider property. They get beautiful sunsets that peak through the tree-lined drive and white picket fence, flooding the main lawn with golden light. We’ll have access to the shaded tree grove, the classic front lawn, stone terrace, tree-line drive, apple groves, or can take a walk along the pond below the back terrace. Should it rain, we can use the covered front porch, huge windows in the loft area, or perhaps the cover of some large trees if you’re up for a little walk! Plus, the venue will allow you to schedule engagement portraits on the property. My wedding photography packages for Castle Hill Cider weddings begin at $4,900 for 2024 and 2025 couples. Inquire for detailed pricing and availability. 

Newlyweds walk hand in hand by he front of Castle Hill Cider's white barn, a wedding venue in Charlottesville Virginia

Reviews: Why people love getting married at Castle Hill Cider

There’s so much to love! Castle Hill is known for being accommodating, both the space itself and the wonderful staff who run it. They’ve earned 4.5-4.8 stars across platforms and have won awards from Wedding Wire and The Knot for their hospitality. Reviews feature testimonials from brides, grooms, parents, and guests. They highlight the venue’s beauty, the staff’s work ethic and attention to detail, their flexibility to shift when weather did not cooperate, and many called it their “dream wedding.” This is a local favorite wedding venue option for sure!

Wedding vendors to make your Castle Hill Cider wedding come to life

Lots of work goes into pulling together a cohesive wedding event! These Charlottesville wedding vendors can help you put together your dream wedding. Cost and availability will vary. Please reach out to vendors directly to confirm current information. 

Charlottesville Wedding Planners

Charlottesville Wedding Florists

Charlottesville Wedding Caterers

Charlottesville Wedding Videographers

Charlottesville Wedding Rentals

Groomsman portraits taken in front of the white barn at Castle Hill Cider Charlottesville wedding venue.

Inquire about your Castle Hill Cider wedding

Ready to learn more about Castle Hill Cider? You can inquire with them directly, or reach out to one of the wedding planners above to learn more about this and other venue options in the Charlottesville area. Happy planning!

More Photos by Photography by Jo at Castle Hill Cider Wedding Venue

  • Experience the scenic view of a rural landscape at Castle Hill Cider, with a charming red barn, lush green fields, vibrant autumn trees, and rolling hills. The perfect backdrop for a picturesque wedding or peaceful escape along the gravel path.
  • The wooden dining area at Castle Hill Cider is elegantly set for a wedding, featuring round tables draped in white cloths with blue napkins, sparkling glassware, and floral centerpieces. Overhead, string lights add a magical touch to the celebration.
  • Three musicians playing string instruments are seated under a large umbrella on a grassy field, providing enchanting melodies perfect for a Castle Hill Cider wedding.
  • A couple stands outdoors on the lush grass of Castle Hill Cider, facing each other. The woman wears a white dress, and the man is in a black suit. Trees and a cloudy sky create an enchanting backdrop for this Castle Hill Cider wedding moment.
  • A small round table adorned with a blue tablecloth and a flower centerpiece stands gracefully on the grassy field of Castle Hill Cider, with a pond and vibrant autumn trees painting an enchanting backdrop.
  • Nestled under a canopy of autumn leaves, the entrance to the Castle Hill Cider tasting room welcomes guests with a charming sign above the door. Lush white and red potted flowers adorn the steps, setting a picturesque scene perfect for any wedding at Castle Hill Cider.
  • Bride and groom in formal attire stand on grass, gazing at each other, in front of a white barn-style building at Castle Hill Cider. Bride holds a bouquet of red and white flowers.
  • An enchanting outdoor event setup at Castle Hill Cider features cocktail tables draped in blue cloths and black chairs elegantly arranged on a grassy area. Trees and a rustic fence frame the background under a cloudy sky, setting a romantic scene reminiscent of an unforgettable cider wedding.
  • A child in a white dress with a navy sash and floral headband stands on the grass at Castle Hill Cider, holding an adult’s hand. Three adults in navy dresses hold flower bouquets, capturing the enchanting atmosphere of a Castle Hill Cider wedding.
  • Elegant table setting with white plates, blue napkins, and glassware on a white tablecloth. Centerpieces of candles and greenery grace the table, capturing the romantic ambiance of a Castle Hill Cider wedding.
  • Man in a dark suit with a bow tie stands in front of a wooden wall at Castle Hill Cider, smiling with one hand in his pocket.
  • A floral centerpiece with red, pink, and white roses sits elegantly in a glass vase on the table at Castle Hill Cider. The delicate greenery complements the arrangement, while a small candle adds a touch of warmth to this charming wedding setting.
  • A charming wooden floral arch adorned with red and pink blossoms stands under a tree, surrounded by fallen leaves on grass. This picturesque scene, reminiscent of a Castle Hill Cider wedding, is complete with a white fence elegantly framing the backdrop.
  • A wooden barrel adorned with pink and white flowers and lush green leaves graces the grassy venue, perfectly capturing the enchanting essence of a Castle Hill Cider wedding. Wooden chairs and towering trees complete the picturesque setting in the background.
  • A bride in a white dress taps the shoulder of a groom in a black suit at their Castle Hill Cider wedding. They stand outdoors on a grassy field, with vibrant trees and rolling hills enhancing the enchanting scene.
  • A charming white barn with black accents stands amidst vibrant green grass and a gravel path, perfect for a Castle Hill Cider wedding. A tree with orange leaves graces the left, while shrubs dot the foreground under a cloudy sky.
  • A couple in wedding attire strolls hand in hand across a green lawn at Castle Hill Cider, surrounded by trees with autumn foliage under an overcast sky.
  • An enchanting outdoor wedding ceremony unfolds beneath large trees, with wooden chairs arranged in rows. Floral decorations and barrels accent the grassy aisle at Castle Hill Cider, set against a serene backdrop of a white fence.
  • A wooden wedding arbor adorned with red and pink flowers graces a grassy area under a sprawling tree. The scene, perfect for a Castle Hill Cider wedding, also features a white fence in the background, adding to the rustic charm.
  • Three musicians play string instruments under a large umbrella on a grassy field at Castle Hill Cider. Trees with autumn leaves provide a picturesque backdrop, perfect for a wedding ceremony.
  • A wooden barrel adorned with a lush bouquet of pink and white flowers and greenery is set outdoors next to rows of wooden chairs on a grassy area, perfect for a Castle Hill Cider wedding. Trees and a white fence complete the charming backdrop.
  • A decorated event hall reminiscent of a Castle Hill Cider wedding, with round tables set for dining. Blue napkins, glasses, and candles adorn the tables while string lights hang above, creating a warm ambiance. Brown wooden chairs surround each table.
  • A small round table with a blue tablecloth and a flower arrangement is set on a grassy area at Castle Hill Cider, with trees in autumn colors and a serene pond in the background, perfect for an intimate wedding setting.
  • A red barn at Castle Hill Cider nestles among trees with autumn foliage, surrounded by rolling hills. A gravel path and white fences line the foreground, under overcast skies, creating a picturesque setting perfect for a Castle Hill Cider wedding.
  • The entrance to the Castle Hill Cider tasting room features a charming porch with steps and potted red and white flowers. Autumn leaves are partially visible on the left, offering a picturesque setting perfect for any Castle Hill Cider wedding.
  • At a Castle Hill Cider wedding, a man in a dark suit and bow tie, wearing glasses, stands by a wooden wall with hands in pockets, smiling slightly.
  • A bride and groom stand on a grassy field at Castle Hill Cider; the bride in a white dress tenderly touches the groom's shoulder from behind. In the scenic background, hills and autumn trees create a romantic setting for their dream wedding.
  • A white barn with black trim is surrounded by lush green grass and trees at Castle Hill Cider. An orange-leaved tree graces the left, all under a cloudy sky, setting the perfect scene for a picturesque wedding.
  • A young girl in a white dress with a navy sash and floral headband stands on the lush grass of Castle Hill Cider, holding hands with an adult. The adult and others, dressed in dark blue dresses, carry bouquets, capturing the enchantment of a Castle Hill Cider wedding.
  • Elegant table setting with a white tablecloth, blue napkins, clear glassware, and silverware. The centerpiece includes candles, greenery, and white roses—perfect for a Castle Hill Cider wedding ambiance.
  • Nestled in a lush grassy area, this outdoor venue boasts tables adorned with blue tablecloths, framed by sparse trees and a charming white fence. A few guests gather near the bar setup in the background, capturing the enchanting ambiance of a Castle Hill Cider wedding.
  • A bride and groom stand together on the lush grass at Castle Hill Cider, near a white building with a rustic exterior. The groom holds a bouquet of white and red flowers, perfectly complementing the enchanting wedding setting.
  • A floral arrangement featuring pink, white, and dark red roses, complemented by lush greenery in a glass vase, graces the table at a Castle Hill Cider wedding. Nearby, a lit candle in a textured holder casts a gentle glow over the enchanting setting.
  • A couple in wedding attire strolls through a grassy field at Castle Hill Cider, with the bride holding a bouquet. Autumn trees and a rustic fence provide a picturesque backdrop, perfect for their magical Castle Hill Cider wedding.
  • A bride and groom stand facing each other on a green lawn at Castle Hill Cider. The groom is in a black suit, and the bride wears a white dress. Trees and hills are in the background under an overcast sky, creating a perfect setting for their Castle Hill Cider wedding.
  • A couple in formal attire embraces on a grassy field at the picturesque Castle Hill Cider. The woman wears a white gown, and the man is dapper in a black suit with a bow tie. The backdrop features trees and a cloudy sky, perfect for their wedding day.
  • Two people in formal wear walk on a grassy field, with autumn trees and a hill in the background.
  • Groomsman portraits taken in front of the white barn at Castle Hill Cider Charlottesville wedding venue.
  • Newlyweds walk hand in hand by he front of Castle Hill Cider's white barn, a wedding venue in Charlottesville Virginia
  • Couple shares kiss after first look on their wedding day at Castle Hill Cider, with a pop of fall color and Virginia countryside landscapes in the background
  • A man in a tuxedo stands elegantly on a green lawn, framed by a white building and vibrant autumn trees, captured beautifully by a Charlottesville wedding photographer.
  • Rolling views from the terrace view overlooking the pond at Castle Hill Cider
  • castle-hill-cider-wedding-portraits-129-1024x683-1

Similar Posts