Potter's Craft Cider Wedding in Charlottesville, Virginia

Written By Whitney Rumpca

Planning a Wedding at Potter’s Craft Cider + Vendor Recs

As a wedding photographer who recently had my own wedding at Potter’s Craft Cider, I wanted to share a behind-the-scenes look at what made this venue so special for us—and offer some helpful insight for couples considering it for their big day. From the peaceful setting to the charming chapel to incredible local vendors, we couldn’t be more grateful for how everything came together.

Wedding in stone chapel at Potter's Craft Cider in Charlottesville, Virginia

✨ Are you getting married at Potter’s Craft Cider? I’d love to be your photographer. Click here to inquire about availability and packages.

Why We Loved Potter’s Craft Cider

This was the first and only venue we visited. After coming across Potter’s Craft Cider through another bride, I fell in love with the property and hoped it could one day be my wedding venue. I still can’t believe that my dream came true on August 2, 2024!

Potter’s was my first choice venue for many reasons. Nestled in the heart of Virginia, this venue strikes the perfect balance between elegance and rustic charm. The tall trees, open skies, and timeless stonework created a peaceful, almost reverent atmosphere that made the entire day feel effortless and meaningful.

Our favorite part about Potter’s was the 100-year-old stone chapel. As Christians, the chapel held deep meaning for us! We used it for both our ceremony and reception, and it provided such a sacred, serene space to exchange our vows. My husband and I lived in Lynchburg at the time, so the proximity to the venue was also a huge selling point. With 75 guests on our list, our day at Potter’s felt intimate and full, but the property also offers space to expand your guest list with a tented reception if you want something bigger.

How We Used the Space

We decided to hold both our ceremony and reception inside the chapel. It turned out to be the perfect size for our 80-person guest list, and the lighting indoors was beautiful—ideal for photography and also a huge relief in case of bad weather (which we did have earlier in the day!).

We originally debated using the back lawn for a tented reception, which would have been ideal if we had a bigger budget or guest count. That said, flipping the chapel during cocktail hour worked really well for us. Our decor was simple and intentional, which made the transition quick and smooth. I wouldn’t change a thing about the flow of our day.

During cocktail hour, guests gathered in Nieve Hall and out on the patio once the weather cleared up. It was the perfect spot to mingle while our vendor team transformed the chapel for the reception.


Getting Ready at Perkin’s Hollow Cottage

One of the best decisions we made was booking Perkin’s Hollow Cottage in Faber, Virginia. The cottage was just a short drive from Potter’s, which made logistics easy, and the space itself was full of natural light, cozy, and luxurious. It was a lovely getting-ready space for me and my bridesmaids and also our honeymoon suite for the night. If you’re still searching for a nearby place to get ready with a small bridal party (or for your wedding night stay), I can’t recommend it enough. This place felt like a luxury retreat.

Some of the features I loved:

  • An open-concept layout that made getting ready feel relaxed and inclusive

  • A spacious bathroom and outdoor shower that felt spa-like

  • A screened-in porch that was perfect for morning coffee and quiet devotional time

  • Gorgeous natural light and neutral tones—great for photos

  • The surrounding nature made it feel like a private retreat—ideal for quiet moments before all the excitement began


Pro tip #1: Bring a fan and additional mirrors. Since it’s a smaller space, it got pretty warm in there with bridesmaids and a few family members. While the bathroom was luxurious, instead of mirrors over the sink there’s a window!

Pro tip #2: I had my bridal party do hair and makeup before arriving since there was only one bathroom and limited mirrors.


Ice Cream Sandwiches Instead of Cake

Since we got married in August, we wanted a dessert that felt refreshing and fun. Rookie’s Ice Cream Sandwiches is a local favorite that we thought many of our guests would appreciate.

A lot of our guests traveled from out of town, so it felt extra special to treat them to something local. Plus, neither my husband nor I are big cake fans, so this choice just felt very "us." Guests loved the surprise element, and it made dessert feel much more interactive and fun.

🍦 Dessert: Rookie’s Ice Cream

Final Thoughts

As I reflect on our day, what stands out most isn’t just the beauty of the space or the fun details (though those were wonderful)—it’s the feeling of the day. It was joyful. Sacred. Peaceful. Intentional.

I'm so thankful for the incredible vendor team who helped bring it all together and to Potter’s Craft Cider for being the perfect place to celebrate our covenant of marriage with the people we love most.

Wedding ceremony in stone chapel at Potter's Craft Cider in Charlottesville, Virginia

Are you planning a wedding at Potter’s Craft Cider?
Let’s talk! Inquire here about photography packages.

Vendor Credits

Whitney Rumpca
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