The 7 best wedding venues in Norfolk, ranked and compared

American Rover Sailing Cruises is a three-masted topsail schooner based at Norfolk's Waterside Marina, in service since 1986 and modeled on 19th-century cargo schooners. The ship cruises the Elizabeth River and Hampton Roads Harbor for sailing wedding ceremonies and receptions April-November, with views of the Norfolk and Portsmouth skylines under its distinctive red tanbark sails. Maximum capacity is 120 guests for receptions and 100 for weddings. Private charter rates start at $1,000/hour daytime and scale up to $2,000/hour for summer Friday/Saturday evenings, with a two-hour minimum and a $250 Wedding Service Fee covering a 20-minute rehearsal, an event coordinator and early boarding for the bride. Catering is provided through Groovin' Gourmets (formerly Gourmet Gang / Taste Catering); full and top-shelf bar packages, DJ, guitarist and karaoke are available; outside bar service is not allowed. Couples must arrange officiant, cake, photographer and decorations independently.

The Historic Martin Mansion is a 1909 Georgian Revival brick mansion in Norfolk's prestigious Historic Hague District in Ghent, home to the Woman's Club of Norfolk since 1925 and a block from the Elizabeth River and Chrysler Museum. The venue hosts weddings, receptions, elopements, rehearsal dinners and corporate events for up to 100 seated dinner guests or 125 for cocktail-style receptions. Interiors feature a winding wooden staircase, ornate chandeliers, sconce lighting, intricate molding, period furniture and stained glass, plus a wraparound porch and manicured gardens. Hourly rentals start at $195 with full-day rates from $2,295 and wedding packages around $3,800-$3,995; all rentals include tables and mahogany Chiavari chairs and a reserved parking permit. The venue is closed for events in August.

The Neon House is a 12,000+ sq ft two-story event venue at 813/819 Granby Street in Norfolk's NEON Arts District, owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Chef John Patrick and Marcy Telfer of Chef by Design Catering. The venue blends historic industrial-chic appeal with modern design and offers multiple spaces, The Studio (modern industrial warehouse with brick walls, exposed beams and an 18' tall glass garage door), The Gallery (floor-to-ceiling brick walls with century-old columns and natural light), The Suite (bright bridal/get-ready loft with private bathroom and kitchen, complimentary fruit/cheese platter and mimosas) and The Loft (luxury lounge for groomsmen, cocktail hour or small meetings). Rental includes 200 Oakwood Crossback chairs with cushions and an assortment of 60" round, 48" round and 8' banquet tables. Couples must use Chef by Design Catering for all food/beverage (specialty cakes excepted); BYOB allowed for private events with VA ABC banquet license. Valet service is required for 100+ guests. The venue is wheelchair accessible and has on-site coordinators (Heather, Mandi, Marcy).

Norfolk Waterside Marriott is a 24story downtown hotel wedding venue overlooking the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia. Recently renovated, it offers elegant ballrooms and a rooftop terrace for ceremonies and receptions, plus onsite accommodations for guests. Fullservice catering, bar, and event planning services make it a convenient onestop location for weddings of various sizes. Its central Waterside District location provides easy access to local parks and entertainment for wedding weekend activities.

The Chrysler Museum of Art is a renowned encyclopedic art museum in Norfolk, Virginia, with a broad collection of ancient to contemporary art including glass and sculpture, that doubles as a spectacular wedding and event venue. Couples can host ceremonies and receptions in Huber Court, the Renaissance-inspired magnificent atrium (capacity 220 seated), with an adjoining gallery or Museum garden for cocktail hour and outside ceremonies. Other rentable spaces include the George M. and Linda H. Kaufman Theater (375), the Perry Glass Studio (400 cocktail-style with optional live glass demonstrations), and Zinnia and Mary's Garden cafe/loggia (50 seated / 75 cocktail). Huber Court rentals include tables, Chiavari-style chairs, china, flatware, up to two dressing rooms, all museum staff, Enthusiast membership, a complimentary two-hour bridal/engagement portrait session and complimentary parking; catering is exclusively through Taste Catering & Events and couples must hire a licensed professional event coordinator for at least month-of coordination.

The Hermitage Museum & Gardens is an early 20th-century Arts-and-Crafts-style mansion museum on the banks of the Lafayette River in Norfolk, Virginia, with 12 acres of gardens designed by founder Florence Sloane and an art collection spanning over 5,000 years. The estate hosts outdoor-only weddings, elopements, vow renewals and corporate events for up to 250 guests across multiple bookable garden spaces: the East Garden circular slate patio at the river edge (up to 250), the Central Lawn (required for 125+ / max 250), the Shoreline slate dance-floor patio (up to 100 tented), the Rose Garden (ceremony only / 30 max), the Millstone Allee, Grotto, Sunken Tennis Court, Millstone Courtyard and Water Tower. Wedding rentals run roughly $1,750-$6,000 seasonally based on day-of-week and guest count, and include access from 5:30-11pm, two changing rooms (with petite wedding suite/butler's pantry 2 hours prior), climate-controlled restrooms, on-site parking for 125 cars, museum admission for guests, one annual household museum membership, a Norfolk Sheriff's Deputy for grounds security, a 1-hour complimentary photo session and 1-hour rehearsal. Ceremony/music must end by 10pm and guests leave by 11pm; ABC license, liability insurance and a preferred-vendor-list event coordinator are required. Caterers, rental companies (Big Top Entertainment, Curated Event Rentals, Waterford Event Rentals) and coordinators must come from the venue's approved list. Elopement rentals are also available Tuesday-Sunday for up to 30 guests.

Norfolk Yacht & Country Club is a private waterfront club on the Lafayette River in Norfolk, Virginia, available as an exclusive all-in-one wedding venue for members and sponsored guests. The Ballroom features floor-to-ceiling windows, a 1,300 sq ft parquet dance floor, terrace access and capacity up to 500 cocktail or 350 seated. Additional spaces include the Elizabeth and James Rooms (up to 250 cocktail combined), the President's Room, the Skipper's Lounge, and 36° North Bar & Grill with the Lafayette Room, all with views of the harbor and Lafayette River. The Club has 3 guest rooms on premise for the bridal party or wedding guests, plus state-of-the-art AV and wireless internet.