The Merrie Mill Collection
Whimsical Enchantment Meets Maximalist Style
Guy and Elizabeth Pelly fell head over heels with Charlottesville’s small city charm and burgeoning farm and winery scene while visiting from the U.K. The trajectory of their lives was forever changed as the couple traded their London digs for a 413-acre historic Virginian estate and Charlottesville wedding venue lovingly dubbed Merrie Mill.
The Pelly’s purchased Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard in 2018, planting and growing seven varieties of grapes on 12 acres that birthed whites, reds and a celebrated rosé. While the rare Manteo soil and nurturing sun did its job on the grapevines, Guy and Elizabeth spent years building out their fabulously unique tasting room.
Notching a name for its welcoming, playful spirit as well as delicious wine, the Tasting Room at Merrie Mill was finished in 2021 and will begin hosting weddings in 2023. The Charlottesville wedding venue stands alone with Alice in Wonderland whimsy and guests are delighted and inspired by the wonderfully weird maximalist style and unexpected artwork.
Elizabeth collaborated closely with Jenn Grandchamp of Kemble Interiors to conceive the high-design space set around two copper bars, a lofted interior, and multiple terraces and lawns overlooking the vineyards. A wedding day reveal all of its own, the room sings with childlike wonder among a floating sea lion (a 100-year-old taxidermy transplant from Amsterdam), a painting of Guy’s great-grandfather above the fireplace commissioned by famous English royalty artist Oswald Birley, Victorian-era pressed seaweed and a cabinet of eclectic curiosities set against tasteful and comfortable furnishings.
Weddings take place on Saturdays, April through November, and couples are invited to enjoy the entire property Friday evening until mid-day Sunday with lodging and/or a bridal suite included in the enchanting two-bedroom Clementine Cottage. Ceremonies of up to 200 guests take place by the grapevines on the front lawn overlooking timeless South West Mountain backdrops. Vows are succeeded by cocktail hour inside the compelling tasting room followed by dinner and dancing in the property’s grand event tent.
Ceremony & Reception Venue
The historic farmhouse at Merrie Mill was built in 1857 along with an array of original, beautiful farm buildings that offer artistic backdrops for gorgeous wedding portraits. The whimsically designed Tasting Room at Merrie Mill opens up to beautiful sprawling lawns and grapevines set against the Southwest Mountains. Say your vows on the historic riding ring lawn and flow into cocktails in the Tasting Room before welcoming guests to the magnificent dinner and dancing tent designed in your personal style.
Photography
Lead your Charlottesville wedding photographer’s lens to rows of countryside vineyard bliss, warm welcoming shots in front of the historic 1857 Merrie Mill Farmhouse and black and white portraits alongside an array of original rustic farm buildings. Share a sip and a twirl inside the eclectic and brilliantly colorful tasting room and enjoy comfortable getting-ready photos in the thoughtfully designed Clementine Cottage bridal suite.
Planning, Coordination & Design
A day-of Merrie Mill wedding coordinator will work closely with your dedicated preferred Charlottesville wedding planner to ensure smooth stress-free flow. Weddings take place on Saturdays, April through November, and couples are invited to access the entire property Friday evening until mid-day Sunday. Invite your planner and vendor team to access the ceremony site and dinner and dancing tent during the three days leading up to your wedding day.
Florals & Decor
Novela customized wedding collections refine the local list to find your perfect Charlottesville wedding floral design partner. Bring in your top floral artists based on budget and flower preferences and customize the open-air ceremony space and tented reception layout to your style, color palette and theme. Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard will work with floral design experts to tailor a complete wedding day décor experience.
Catering & Bar Services
Host your welcome reception and post-ceremony cocktail hour in the Tasting Room at Merrie Mill for connection and celebration among fanciful interiors, eclectic décor and cabinets of curiosities. The two-floor Tasting Room features two copper bars in a lofted interior, a mezzanine perfect for toasts, multiple outdoor terraces — both covered and not — and beautiful manicured lawns overlooking the vineyards and mountains. After cocktails, guests walk up a short distance to eat, drink and dance the night away in the grand 200-person Merrie Mill event tent. Your preferred catering team enjoys exclusive access to an onsite catering tent.
Tableware, Linens & Rentals
Couples are encouraged to personalize the Merrie Mill grand tent reception space, treating it as a blank canvas to design with florals, décor and lighting while showcasing the engaging tasting room space in all its ready-to-entertain glory. Play on the Charlottesville wedding venue’s unique, design-driven vibe. Set up vintage lounge areas on the lush lawn and stunning terraces to maximize vineyard vantage points and sunset mountain views and be sure to give guests plenty of time to revel in the imaginative tasting room.
