Kortney and Turner’s Birkby House wedding was a joyful blend of heartfelt tradition and deep love. Set against a fall backdrop where vibrant red leaves echoed their rich burgundy and soft pink palette, the day included a meaningful tea ceremony honoring their heritage and a change into vibrant red attire symbolizing luck and prosperity. Every part of the celebration felt intentional, from the beautiful seasonal setting to the traditions that brought their families together.
As a Virginia wedding photographer, Birkby House is one of my favorite Northern Virginia wedding venues because it offers such a beautiful mix of classic Leesburg charm and spaces that feel fresh and filled with light. Located in the heart of downtown Leesburg, the property includes the original Birkby House, landscaped gardens, a carriage house, and a stunning glass conservatory that serves as the centerpiece for many celebrations. Built in 1770, the property has plenty of character, while the conservatory gives couples a bright, modern-feeling space for an elegant wedding.
Getting Ready at Birkby House
One of the things I love about a Birkby House wedding is that so much of the wedding day can happen in one place. The property includes a spacious bridal suite and two getting-ready rooms, allowing couples to settle in without having to travel between multiple locations before the ceremony.
The house itself also gives us beautiful opportunities for photographs throughout the morning. French windows and doors, original fixtures, fireplaces, and the rooms throughout the property provide a more intimate backdrop for getting-ready photographs and portraits before the celebration moves outdoors or into the conservatory.
Birkby House Wedding Portraits
Birkby House is a particularly fun venue to work at because there are so many different settings within a relatively compact property. The house, gardens, courtyard, gazebo, and conservatory each offer something different, which means we can create a gallery with plenty of variety without spending your wedding day driving from one portrait location to another.
The gardens are especially beautiful in the fall, when the surrounding foliage adds color and texture to the photographs. I also love taking photos in the conservatory. Its floor-to-ceiling windows, French doors, skylight, hardwood floors, and chandeliers bring in beautiful natural light while giving the photographs a more editorial feel.
And, because Birkby House sits right in downtown Leesburg, couples can also incorporate the surrounding streets into their portraits if the timeline allows. Stepping just beyond the property can add another layer of variety while still keeping everything close to the venue.
Why I Love Birkby House Weddings
What I love most about Birkby House is how much variety it offers without ever feeling overwhelming. You can begin the morning in the Main House, take portraits throughout the gardens and around the property, exchange vows in the outdoor ceremony area, enjoy cocktail hour on the lawn, and then celebrate beneath the chandeliers and natural light of the Conservatory — all without leaving the venue.
Kortney and Turner’s wedding was such a beautiful example of what makes Birkby House special. The fall colors, romantic burgundy and pink palette, meaningful tea ceremony, and traditional red attire all came together in a celebration that felt deeply connected to their families and heritage. The setting gave them a beautiful backdrop, but it was the people, traditions, and moments throughout the day that made the photographs truly meaningful.
A Wedding Weekend in Leesburg
Another advantage of a Birkby House wedding is its location in downtown Leesburg. Guests can stay close to the venue and easily explore the restaurants, shops, bars, and other attractions throughout the historic downtown area. Birkby House notes that there are seven hotels within two miles of the venue, along with additional nearby Airbnb options.
That makes it easy to turn the wedding into more of a weekend experience, especially for couples with family and friends traveling in from out of town. And when the reception ends, guests don’t have to go far to continue the celebration at one of Leesburg’s restaurants or bars.
Birkby House Wedding Ceremonies
For Kortney and Turner’s Birkby House wedding, the ceremony took place in the venue’s outdoor ceremony space along the driveway, surrounded by the gardens and colorful fall foliage. The setting was especially beautiful with the burgundy and soft pink palette they carried throughout the day, with the vibrant red leaves adding another layer of color to the photographs.
The outdoor ceremony area is one of the most popular ceremony settings at Birkby House, offering couples an open-air setting surrounded by the greenery and gardens of the property. And because the ceremony takes place right on the venue grounds, there is no need to add another location to the wedding-day timeline.
For couples planning a fall Birkby House wedding, the surrounding foliage can be especially beautiful in photographs. Kortney and Turner’s ceremony was a perfect example, with the changing leaves creating a natural backdrop that complemented the design of their day beautifully.
Cocktail Hour at Birkby House
After the ceremony, guests moved onto the lawn for cocktail hour while the Conservatory was prepared for the reception. The lawn gives guests a chance to enjoy the gardens and grounds while still remaining close to the main event space, and it also creates a natural transition between the ceremony and reception.
For couples who want their wedding day to move seamlessly between indoor and outdoor spaces, this setup works particularly well. Guests can enjoy cocktails and conversation outside while the reception space is being finalized, while the couple has time for additional portraits throughout the property.
Birkby House Wedding Receptions
The Conservatory is the heart of the Birkby House wedding experience. With three sides of floor-to-ceiling windows, 20-foot French doors, a large skylight, hardwood floors, a fireplace, and two chandeliers, the space feels bright and elegant while still allowing the surrounding gardens to remain part of the experience. The venue currently lists the Conservatory for seated celebrations of up to 180 guests.
For Kortney and Turner, the Conservatory provided a beautiful setting for their burgundy and soft pink reception design. The warm fall colors outside complemented the romantic palette inside, creating a cohesive feeling as guests moved from the outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour into the evening celebration.
Birkby House also partners exclusively with Tuscarora Mill for catering. The venue highlights its award-winning catering and service as an important part of the guest experience, which is another reason Birkby works so well for couples who want the wedding to feel elevated from start to finish.
Birkby House Wedding FAQ
Where is Birkby House located?
Birkby House is located at 109 Loudoun Street SW in downtown Leesburg, Virginia. Its central location puts couples and their guests within walking distance of restaurants, shops, bars, and other downtown Leesburg attractions.
How many guests can you have at a Birkby House wedding?
The Conservatory currently accommodates up to 180 guests for a seated wedding celebration. The exact capacity can vary depending on the event layout and configuration.
Can you get ready at Birkby House?
Yes. Birkby House offers a spacious bridal suite as well as separate getting-ready rooms for the wedding party. Having these spaces on-site makes it easy to document the beginning of the wedding day without adding another location to the timeline.
Can you have an outdoor wedding at Birkby House?
Yes. Couples can hold ceremonies outdoors on the property, including around the courtyard and gazebo. The Conservatory can also serve as a beautiful indoor ceremony option if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
What are the best places to take wedding photos at Birkby House?
The gardens, courtyard, gazebo, Main House, and Conservatory all offer different backdrops for wedding portraits. The Conservatory is especially beautiful for photographs because of its abundant natural light, floor-to-ceiling windows, French doors, and skylight. Downtown Leesburg can also be incorporated into portraits when the timeline allows.
Does Birkby House have an indoor rain plan?
Yes. If rain affects an outdoor ceremony, Birkby House can transform the Conservatory into the ceremony space and then transition it into the reception area afterward.
Does Birkby House provide catering?
Yes. Birkby House has an exclusive catering partnership with Tuscarora Mill, which provides the venue’s catering and service.
Is Birkby House a good venue for a wedding weekend?
Yes. Its location in downtown Leesburg makes it particularly convenient for couples with out-of-town guests. There are multiple hotels nearby, along with restaurants, shops, bars, and other things for guests to enjoy throughout the weekend.
Birkby House at a Glance
Planning a Birkby House wedding? Here are a few helpful details about this Leesburg, Virginia wedding venue:
- Address: 109 Loudoun Street SW, Leesburg, VA 20175
- Phone: 703-777-2700
- Website: Birkby House
- Location: Downtown Leesburg, Virginia
- Property: Main House, Carriage House, gardens, courtyard, gazebo, and Conservatory
- Conservatory: Three sides of floor-to-ceiling windows, 20-foot French doors, skylight, fireplace, hardwood floors, and two chandeliers
- Reception Capacity: Up to 180 guests for a seated celebration in the Conservatory
- Getting Ready: Spacious bridal suite and separate getting-ready rooms
- Ceremony Options: Outdoor ceremony locations and indoor ceremonies in the Conservatory
- Catering: Exclusive in-house catering partnership with Tuscarora Mill
- Accommodations: Multiple hotels and short-term rental options within walking distance or a short drive
- Parking: Free parking is available directly behind the venue
- Best For: Couples looking for a classic Leesburg wedding venue with beautiful gardens, a light-filled reception space, and the convenience of a downtown location
- Wedding Experience: One wedding per day with on-site venue support and coordination
Vendor Credits:
Photography: Molly Lichten Photography
Planning & Floral Design: Shining Time Wedding
Venue: Birkby House
Beauty: Skincere Studio
Cake: Sweets by Caroline
Catering: Tuscarora Mill (Tuskie’s)
DJ: DJ Phlipz
Gown: Maggie Sottero Brooke’s Bridal & Ball
Bridesmaids Dresses: Birdy Grey
Groom’s Tux: Alton Lane
Rings: Brilliant Earth
To see Kortney and Turner’s Morven Park engagement session, click here!
Your Birkby House Wedding Photographer
As a Northern Virginia wedding photographer, I love photographing weddings at Birkby House because the property offers such a wonderful variety of settings while keeping the day feeling intimate and connected. The gardens, light-filled Conservatory, charming Main House, and surrounding streets of Leesburg give us plenty of opportunities for beautiful portraits, while the close-knit layout allows me to stay present for all of the genuine moments happening throughout the celebration.
If you’re planning a Birkby House wedding and looking for a Leesburg wedding photographer to capture your celebration, I’d love to hear more about your plans!
