FAQs

Based on our Conditional Use Permit with Powhatan County,  we can host up to 250 guests.

We’ve preselected six oustanding caterers who are dedicated to providing excellent service, quality food, and professionalism to make sure you have the event of your dreams. Our caterers are licensed, insured, inspected by the Health Department. They hold a Health Department Certification, Banquet License, Business License, and Insurance Certificate. 

Yes. To provide your own alcohol at your wedding or special event, you will need to obtain an ABC license from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. All alcohol is required to be served by your licensed and insured caterer or bartender. 

No, Food and beverage is done through your selected caterer. They will handle staffing and service. 

Historic Whitewood provides 250 White Resin Ceremony Chairs, 250 Fruitewood Reception Chairs, 20 5ft Round Tables, 3 8 ft Rectangle Tables, 5 6ft Rectangle Tables, and 1 3 ft Round Sweetheart Table. Our Staff will set up all Historic Whitewood Inventory based on the layouts provided.

Event insurance is required. You are required to obtain event liability insurance naming

Historic Whitewood as additional insured on the policy.We recommend WedSure or Markel as the insurance provider.

Yes, of course! Historic Whitewood  hosts multiple events throughout the week so rehearsals should be scheduled 60 in advance. Rehearsals must be concluded by 6 P.M. unless hosting a rehearsal dinner at Historic Whitewood. 

You and your vendors will have access to

Historic Whitewood at 10am on your wedding day. Earlier access is available in the event we do not have an event the day before at a fee of $250 per hour. 

Venue access is 10am. Your ceremony may begin as early as you'd like. Most of our couples choose to have their ceremony start between 3pm and 5pm. In the event you would like an earlier ceremony, please discuss this with the venue coordinator to ensure everything can be set up by your desired time. 

Yes,we allow up to 2 dogs to be part of your ceremony. After the ceremony you will need to  have a dog handler take the dog back to the bridal house as we do not allow dogs during cocktail hour and during the reception. If the dogs are staying in the bridal house, there is a $250 cleaning fee per dog and the dog will need to be in a crate when left alone in the house. We also offer dog walking/dog sitting services to help take the stress of taking care of your dog while you're getting ready and during the wedding cocktail hour and reception. 

Yes, we have handicap parking close to the ceremony and reception sites. We also provide golf cart rides included for your handicap guests.

There is lodging for up to 18 guests on site. Additionally, there are local many Airbnbs, and hotels located in Short Pump. Our staff will provide a list of local accommadations at time of booking.

Historic Whitewood Planning Services manages our Wedding Coordination and Planning Services at Historic Whitewood. 60 Day Coordination comes included in your venue rental. You may upgrade to Partial Planning and Full Planning depending on your needs. We also work with several other fantastic planners who are on our preferred vendor list that are licensed, insured, and have a proven track record with offering top notch planning packages. Outside planners who have a business license and are insured will be considered, but need to be approved by the venue prior to booking. 

Yes, We provide a minimum of 2 parking attendants who will direct cars to park in our parking field where we can park 250 cars, including handicap parking. 

Yes, buses and shuttles are welcome and encouraged. Cars may be left overnight in the parking area as long as they are picked up by 10am the next day. We  have a dedicated gravel parking area that can  accommodate (2) 55 passenger buses so they are able to make the turning radius needed. James River Transportation, James Limousine Services, Academy Bus Rentals, and Winn Transportation have all approved Historic Whitewood for 2 (charter buses) and are happy to provide you with a quote. 

Uber and Lift service Historic Whitewood, but are not as acccessible at the end of an event. We recommend scheduling a pickup ahead of time to ensure you can get one of these services to pick up due to the volume of guests.  

Historic Whitewood two bathrooms in our bridal house for the bridal party and one bathroom in the Grooms Den for the Groomsmen, and four Bathrooms for The Whitewood Inn guests. We provide 2 ADA portable bathrooms for cocktail hour and the receptiom. Most of our couples will upgrade to a Luxury Bathroom Trailer through the venue.

Yes! Historic Whitewood Staff is happy to schedule any vendor meeting Tuesday-Thursday 9am-5pm. 

Historic Whitewood provides (1) Off Duty Officer for any event over 75 guests. The cost part of your venue rental. 

Outside bakers are welcome! We do require them to follow the same set of vendor guidelines as any vendors that work at Historic Whitewood. Your Wedding Coordinator will need to include the cake drop off time on the final Day of Events Timeline and notate if you will be storing the cake in our commercial refrigerator. 

Historic Whitewood will provide you with the Venue Manager contact information at the 30 Day Final Walk Through. They will coordinate sending you access codes for The Bridal House and Grooms Den the day before your event, coordinate vendor deliveries, and managing the venue from check in to check out. 

There are several bed and breakfasts, AirBnb's, private rentals, and many hotels located conveniently within 5-20  minutes of Historic Whitewood. Our staff is happy to provide a copy of our Local Accommadations list at any time. 

Serendipity Evenets has an extensive decor rental inventory, including easels, table numbers, vases, furniture, and more. 

These pieces are kept both on-site and are available to be pre-reserved for a separate rental fee through that business. The inventory list is included for all Serendipity Events Partial and Full Planning clients. 

Events with a contracted Preferred Planner or Florist may utilize traditional pillar wax candles for decor inside the Historic Whitewood Reception tent as long as the candle and flame are encompassed in a glass chimney or vase. 

We include 3 Commercial Tent  Heaters and 2 patio heaters rentals at no cost. This allows you and your guests to be comfortable year round.

Yes, A preferred planner or florist can install florals or paper lanterns uder the tent with venue approval. Your planner or florist will need to submit a detailed scematic with pictures and set up/breakdown times for the venue staff to approve. We do not allow any family members or guests to do the install.