Wedding & Events Venue
John McBride
OWNER
AWARD WINNER (1X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Located in Moseley, VA, Amber Grove is a wedding venue situated on 15 acres of rolling farmland. Rustic and charming yet decidedly elegant, this setting ensures that each wedding is sure to be an event that guests will never forget.
A visit to Amber Grove will transport you back in time. This historic estate has a rich and celebrated history as a family-run dairy farm, dating back to the mid-19th century. In 1884 Ambrose Goode and his wife built the current house in a stunning colonial style, complete with white pillars and a sprawling front porch. Current owner John McBride bought the estate in 1997 and turned it into the incredible event venue it is today. The team at Amber Grove has worked hard to preserve the vintage charm of the property while still updating it with all the modern amenities needed to pull off a great wedding.
Owner John McBride helps coordinate all aspects of event planning with couples, including professional menu design. While Amber Grove does not permit outside catering, their preferred caterers are exceptionally talented and can cook dishes to suit most tastes. John can also provide a list of trusted vendors in the area and help make arrangements if you so desire. On the day of the event, the wedding party gets complete and exclusive access to the estate, and there are private rooms on site for getting ready. The estate includes multiple ceremony sites, depending on your personal preference and time of year. In the warmer months, you can exchange vows in the backyard gazebo, while if the weather is colder, the rustic heated barn is a cozy, intimate space for ceremonies. Receptions occur in the climate-controlled 40’ x 80’- tent attached to the original house by a covered walkway. The tent is the perfect place to celebrate with loved ones, featuring a dance floor, a DJ stage, a bar, and plenty of seating to accommodate anywhere from 150 to 220 guests. Additionally, acrylic tableware, barware, tables, chairs are available for use, and the team will take care of setup and breakdown.
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Pricing details
Starting prices
Reception
$3,000
Reception
$3,000
Ceremony
$300
Bar services
$20 per person
Catering
Contact for price
- Couples usually spend $11,100
- Starting prices don't include service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees.
- Guest count and seasonality may also affect prices. Peak season for this venue is Apr-Jun and Sept-Nov.
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Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Guest Capacity
Up to 200
Settings
Backyard
Barn
Garden
Historic Venue
Tented
Trees
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Food & Catering
Planning
Rentals & Equipment
Service Staff
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Meet the team
John McBride
Owner
I have been owner of Amber Grove for 22 years. In that time, I have hosted nearly 800 weddings. I also serve as wedding coordinator including day of service. I am the main point of contact but I have a highly capable staff that loves this place as much as I do. Amber Grove is much more than a business to me- it is a way of life and source of so much personal joy. I am doing what I was born to do.
Availability
Reviews
4.9
out of 5.033 reviews
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Amber Grove is highly recommended as a wedding venue, with John and Kristina receiving praise for their exceptional service and attention to detail. The venue is described as stunning, clean, and well-maintained, with beautiful grounds that offer picturesque settings for ceremonies. Guests complimented the delicious food options provided, along with the convenience of inclusive packages that simplify wedding planning. Reviewers highlight the ease of communication with the staff, the seamless execution of events, and the helpfulness of the venue in making the day special and stress-free.Review photos
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Charlotte W
5.0
4/15/2025
Amber Grove is an incredible wedding venue that is staffed with incredible people! John and Kristina were wonderful in making sure every aspect of our wedding from the first venue tour to the last minute of our reception went smoothly. We did not have to worry about a single thing and any questions we had they always had a response. They clearly care so much about the couples they have at their venue- down to providing us a gift at the end of the wedding along with leftovers for the next day! We had so many compliments from people about the venue and how they wish they had heard of Amber Grove for their wedding. On top of everything that John and Kristina did for us, the chef was just as amazing. He spent time talking to friends and family at the rehearsal dinner, provided coffee to us the morning of the wedding, and delivered incredible plate after incredible plate. We would recommend this wedding venue to everyone.
Shannon G
5.0
4/02/2025
I loved our time at Amber Grove. John and Kristina were a dream to work with- both were so kind and flexible. During my wedding we had a medical emergency and they were so willing to help us last minute change things around so I could still be part of everything safely and comfortably.
The venue is beautiful, an absolute stunner. We loved being under the mulberry tree for our vows, and everything was just so clean and well maintained and pretty.
The food was a major hit- not one complaint was heard. In fact, I would call it rave reviews! They bring the food to the couple so you don’t have to fight the line to get food AND say hi to every distant relative you’ve got.
All in all, there was nothing about our time with AG that we would change. Every detail handled by them was perfect and lovely. We enjoyed every second to the best of our ability. If I could do it over again, we would still 10000% pick the same venue and work with these same amazing people.
Any questions?
Rosemary M
5.0
1/19/2025
John was an amazing host, and the charm of Amber Grove cannot be understated. We had the best weather day (though at the end of March) and the beautiful grounds really shined through. Thank you!
Erin Y
5.0
1/05/2025
Amber Grove was better than I could have even imagined. Not only is the venue absolutely beautiful, but what really sold us was how easy they made the day for us. With the packages they offer, you don’t have to worry about any of the small details like linens, plates, silverware etc or the big details like finding a caterer! all of the food options they had to offer sounded amazing which it made it so hard to pick our menu, but it was perfect. The recommended vendors list is how I found our photographer and DJ, both of which were amazing, and it was really nice to know that they had both done events there before so they knew John and the whole setup. Highly recommend this amazing venue, and make sure you say hi to Klaus, he is a sweet baby angel!!
Julie F
5.0
8/30/2024
When starting to plan my daughter’s wedding, choosing Amber Grove was the first decision we made. It also ended up being the BEST decision we made! Kristina did an amazing job helping us plan the day and was totally on top of everything the day of. I made a mistake in the seating for the reception and realized just as the ceremony was about to begin. I let Kristina know and she stepped up and took care of it so I could go on and enjoy the day. I got so many compliments from both guests and vendors about what an amazing venue it is. For me, it had the added benefit of being close to our home. It made everything a lot easier (having experience hosting a wedding about 90 minutes away from home several years earlier). Our day could not have been more beautiful and perfect!
Rachel N
5.0
5/25/2024
Every single aspect of this venue was amazing. It was great to have only one person to need to communicate with. John has been doing this for a long time and it’s clear with his knowledge and how he has everything already thought of for you! He makes it so easy and takes a lot of stress off. Everything was beautiful and more than I could’ve even imagined. There were also so many compliments about the food. I highly recommend this venue!
Beth C
5.0
11/11/2023
BOOK YOUR WEDDING HERE!!! John was amazing throughout the entire planning process and wedding weekend. The food was also amazing. Great service and a beautiful venue!!!!
Jessica A
5.0
6/06/2023
We had both our rehearsal dinner and our wedding here, and we couldn’t have picked a more perfect place. John was awesome and so was his staff. The food was amazing, and we just had the best time at Amber Grove!! 100% would recommend this venue.
Loren M
5.0
8/04/2022
Amber Grove was the perfect place to have our wedding! The whole place is so beautiful and having our photos, ceremony, and reception all in different areas of the same location made things so easy for us and straightforward for our guests. John, the owner, is very kind and really seemed to care about us and wanted us to have a great day. He worked with us based on our various needs (food restrictions, time for photos, early arrival times, etc…) so that we had what we needed. Speaking of food, it was EXCELLENT. We had been worried since we didn’t have a chance to taste anything ourselves before the wedding but we had no reason to be nervous. Everything was a huge hit. I heard from a colleague that my boss spent several minutes on a Monday morning call just talking about how delicious the food was! And everyone had a different favorite dish (which tells me that all the dishes were pretty great). I don’t think you can go wrong here so if you’re considering Amber Grove, my advice to you (and other couples we’ve spoken to) is to just do it. You won’t be disappointed.
Lynne E
5.0
12/02/2021
We could not have picked a better venue for our wedding. The ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception were all in one place making it very convenient for our guests. The grounds were beautiful and there were so many different picturesque locations. The owner (John) was super responsive, friendly, helpful, and kind throughout the entire time letting us come by whenever leading up to the wedding and volunteering to help coordinate or step back as needed. We had so many compliments from guests regarding the food, scenery, and overall venue. We wish we could do it all over again!!
Megan A
5.0
11/07/2021
Amber grove is perfect. Our wedding day was perfect. The scenery is perfect. The food was amazing. The entire day was just a dream. John and his team have this wedding thing down to a tee. Nothing was looked over. John McBride was so friendly, professional, caring, and calm (which is so needed on your big day). I couldn't have picked a better venue. I highly highly recommend this venue for your wedding day. Everything was perfect!!!
Rachel S
5.0
9/17/2021
Amber Grove was the first and last wedding venue we toured. After seeing the beautiful grounds and speaking with John, we knew we were in good hands and couldn't be happier with our decision. John's expertise made the whole planning process as easy as possible, and our wedding day went perfectly thanks to his coordination. We got too many compliments to count on the beautiful scenery, incredible food, and the kind and professional staff. Can't recommend Amber Grove enough!
Eve F
5.0
5/04/2021
You will hear "where did you find this place?!" from guest, photographer, officiant, everyone! The venue is stunning no matter the year, you don't have to worry so much about decorating because everywhere you turn is naturally gorgeous. John and Mr. Klaus are so loving and welcoming, you will forget all your worries. Bridal suite, Groom's suite, a room for guest to get ready, barn for in case it rain, whatever you are looking for Amber Grove has you covered. The staff was amazing, everyone was so sweet, they all seem to love what they do. John helped make sure it was perfect and will take care of you every step of the way. I couldn't give the venue or those that work here enough praise.
response 05/04/2021
Thank you for your kind words. It was a gorgeous day and a wonderful wedding. You two and ...
your guests were a pleasure to serve. You are welcome back anytime.
Laura B
5.0
12/04/2020
Amber Grove is a beautiful Wedding venue! The home & grounds are lovely & John McBride & staff are top notch, professional, accommodating, & provide excellent service! Our son was married at Amber Grove in November & everything was perfect! I also worked with John in planning the Rehearsal Dinner. It was so nice taking the short walk from the barn to the main home for dinner. The evening was perfect, relaxing & the food was delicious! Many thanks to John & team for providing a top shelf event!
response 12/04/2020
Laura was the perfect client. She knew what she wanted and the Amber Grove staff responded...
with one of the best dinners we have ever had here. I am so very proud of the service they provide week in and week out. I appreciate your kind words.
Donna H
5.0
11/18/2020
Amber Grove is a beautiful venue. My daughter had her wedding there last week. John McBride, the owner and his staff are very professional and provided stellar service. The main house is large and beautiful and John Is happy to share the history of the old dairy farm. The barn is amazing; it resembles a mini Chapel. The accommodations for the bride and groom made them feel special. My daughter and her bridesmaids had a room to have their make up and hair done and then an adjoining living room where they could sit and have champagne and snacks and relax. Upstairs, the groom and groomsmen had their own room equipped with a big screen TV and refrigerator. The tent and bar are beautiful, the grounds well maintained and there is even a fire pit where the kids could toast s’mores. It’s really nice to have the entire venue for your event. I highly recommend Amber Grove! You won’t be sorry.
Kate J
5.0
11/29/2019
Amber Grove has everything you need to make your dream wedding come true! We chose to have our ceremony under the large tree but had comfort knowing the beautiful barn was available if it rained on our day. The inside of the house provided a perfect intimate setting for cocktail hour and guests were free to roam about the beautiful, well-manicured grounds outside the house as well. The tent was the ultimate reception location offering flexibility depending on the time of year (heat, AC, roll up sides). There was ample space inside the tent to set up the reception however we wanted. A large dance floor provided space for our guests to dance and celebrate throughout the night. Amber Grove requires the use of their food which, as we heard from countless guests through the night, was the best wedding food they’ve ever had. Everything we ate was fantastic and we’ve enjoyed eating leftovers for days after the event.
The best thing about Amber Grove, however, is the owner John McBride. John has a passion for what he does and it shows every time you talk to him. He has 20+ years of experience hosting weddings under his belt and his constant improvements to Amber Grove prove that he truly cares about every bride (and groom!) that walk through the front door. Amber Grove was the first venue we toured and none of the others we found came close to Amber Grove’s value. Take a tour and see for yourself!
Courtney B
5.0
9/29/2019
John and the whole Amber Grove team do not disappoint. I chose Amber Grove as my venue because I wanted a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony, with a good backup plan for if it decided to rain. Plus, the convenience of being able to have the ceremony and reception all at the same venue made everything easier and more fun. John is a gem and really knows how to eliminate a lot of the stress by being his calm, cool, and good humored self. I was panicking a bit because I saw that the sky was looking cloudier and cloudier the closer we got to the ceremony, and John being positive and reassuring helped me focus on the important things. It did rain on my big day, but fortunately the uniquely romantic barn at Amber Grove was ready to go and took no time to decorate. Everyone told me afterward how beautiful the wedding was and how much they enjoyed the barn. The only hiccup which was not John’s fault was that the bridesmaids did not know that the groomsmen were already in the barn so there was some confusion about the wedding party procession for a moment due to the rain changing plans up at the last minute. Everything else went off without a hitch! The large reception tent with the chandeliers, delicate ceiling drapery, and the fun black and white dance floor made a great space for our reception. The food was good, the bar and wait staff were fast and professional, and everyone absolutely loved the lush green scenery.
Rachel F
5.0
12/03/2018
Amber Grove was an absolute dream! the house and grounds are just perfect for any type of wedding. We had an amazingly fun and relaxed time throughout the the planning and on our wedding day! John is absolutely wonderful and was a huge help and relief. His venue works like clockwork and the staff are so genuine and nice! We had an perfect experience and I would not change 1 thing. It was also a big deal for us that most of the details (like catering, tables, linens, etc) are all included so there was no need to track down multiple Vendors.
Kimberly P
5.0
10/20/2018
During our wedding venue search we stumbled upon Amber Grove, a recommendation from a coworker, and fell in love instantly. On our first tour we visualized our wedding day working perfectly under the canopy of trees, vast fields, and beautiful barn back drop. John McBride the owner, and day of coordinator, made sure that our day went smoothly from planning months ahead of time, to day of festivities, all the way until the busses left. As every review that I read about Amber Grove said, the food is absolutely delicious. A month later people in my family are still talking about the macaroni bar and the other menu choices we made. There is no wrong choice on their huge menu! We are very grateful for John, his staff, and his beautiful property!
Adam W
5.0
6/14/2018
In house catering, beautiful ceremony site options, and John the owner is super helpful and kind.
Sheree C
5.0
6/07/2018
I can't say enough great things about Amber Grove and John. I was picturing an outdoor ceremony when we were touring venues, but it was important that the back up rain plan be functional and pretty as well. When we saw the barn at Amber Grove, we both fell in love with it and decided it would be the ceremony site regardless of weather. John was very accommodating and let us do another tour with additional family members before we signed the contract. He was always prompt in responding to my emails. We met a couple of times to go over the menu and details, and he always offered advice when I hadn't decided on something yet. He ran the rehearsal for us on Friday, and our family loved him. For the wedding he was always there when we needed him without hovering around. The food was amazing! John promised we wouldn't leave hungry, and he was right. A waiter brought us some passed appetizers right after the ceremony before we started pictures. For dinner we chose to lead the line through the buffet. We both had plenty to eat and were still so full by dessert that we could barely eat any. Several guests told me it was the best food they had ever had at a wedding. Then we had a bag of boxed food for us to take to the hotel. Neither of us was hungry still, but I was happy to see they had even packed a few of our donuts for us. Everything with Amber Grove ran smoothly throughout the day. The bartenders and staff were great, always friendly and helpful. I definitely recommend this venue!
Holly Q
5.0
5/31/2018
Such a beautiful place... the photos don't even do it justice, you have to see it in person! We got married there in May and it was perfect. Owner, John McBride, and his staff are amazing. He was great with communicating and answering all of our questions. He really knows his stuff! He understands how important it all is to you and makes you feel special. He does everything he can to make sure its exactly what you want. All of our guests kept talking about how delicious the food was and how beautiful the property was. The cost was unbeatable, especially compared to many other venues in the area. Very reasonable and worth every penny, trust me! Choose Amber Grove for your wedding and you wont regret it!
C C
4.0
2/20/2018
The venue itself is absolutely amazing. The food was delicious and everyone had a fabulous time! Was not too happy with the owner who automatically becomes your wedding coordinator. He was not open to my ideas, because he has not done them before. Also, tried to throw away my wedding cake until my mother asked him to box it up! Difficult to work with. The staff began to clean up the bridal sweet before the night was over with all of the brides and bridesmaid personal belongings. I thought this was very unprofessional.
Overall, the venue is spectacular and everything I wanted. Did not care for the owner
response 02/20/2018
Thank you for your feedback. I was not aware of the things you pointed out. Myself and my ...
staff take a great deal of pride in what we do here. I am glad the venue made your day. I am sorry that I did not meet your expectations. it will be up to me never to disappoint another bride. You have my apologies.
Katie G
5.0
11/21/2017
Amber Grove was amazing. John (who serves as the wedding coordinator and venue host) was perfect. He was friendly, easy to work with, and had the best recommendations. All of my wedding guests raved about how beautiful and seamless the ceremony and reception were. As the bride, I couldn't believe how stress-free and perfect my big day was. Also, so much more affordable than other venues in the area! I highly recommend!
Emily L
5.0
10/15/2017
What a hidden gem in Chesterfield! I was in the bridal party this weekend and was so impressed with the venue and support from John. The wedding, location, and food were amazing! I would highly recommend.
Emily E
5.0
10/08/2016
This venue was perfect ! What makes this venue incredible is the owner John. He is amazing at his job and made our day very special. The day went off with out a hitch and the service inside of the barn was beautiful. The grounds are well kept and we are still receiving compliments on our wedding. For the price and the wonderful service we received, this venue is a slam dunk.
Kylene C
5.0
6/16/2014
Half the price of anywhere else we looked in Richmond, VA and 100x the quality! John McBride (owner/planner) is WONDERFUL and he truly cares about your special day. He will do everything he can to make it perfect for you! I have zero complaints and could not imagine having a more perfect wedding day! We were lucky enough to have perfect weather, but he luckily has the perfect "back-up plan" if it rains in his barn which is beautiful! Great place for pictures too!
Laura P
5.0
12/03/2013
The amber grove and John Mcbride were awesome! We just had our ceremony and reception there a few weeks ago and it was absolutely amazing! John Mcbride made our wedding day worry free! The only things we had to bring was our decorations and alcohol and he took care of the rest! The staff was professional and friendly! Food was delicious! It was really the best day! Highly recommend!
Brittany M
4.0
8/24/2013
Amber Grove is a wonderful, beautiful place to get married. The natural beauty of this historical, rustic landscape and home will help save you money on flowers and other décor. John focuses on weddings and will make sure that your day runs smoothly. The food is great and the prices are reasonable. It is kind of like a one stop shop where you pay one vendor for multiple things. If you book your wedding here food is covered along with tables, chairs, linens, dining supplies, etc... so it made planning a little easier; we were on the low end of 10,000 and had over 100 guests. You can bring your own alcohol in so that will save money but the bartenders chilled everything and opened things that it was not necessary to open so we could not return the left overs (which is why there are 4 stars instead of 5). Our wedding day was absolutely perfect and I am so happy we chose this as our venue. We also got a ton of compliments about having our wedding there and how the venue is a hidden gem. You feel like you are in the middle of no where yet you are 10 minutes from Brandermill and 15 from Hull Street. Our photos are stunning. You will not regret having your wedding here. Stay on top of things and don't be afraid to ask questions. John, the owner, is very easy to work with. I wish we could go to someone else's wedding here to get the full picture! Make sure you go and see the venue...the pictures on the website do not do it justice though the pictures of the different weddings there on facebook can help you paint a picture of what your wedding there could be like!
Marissa W
5.0
7/02/2013
We had a great experience with Amber Grove. Mr. McBride was so helpful and great to work with. You can tell he really loves what he does and he does an amazing job at it!
Shauna H
5.0
6/09/2013
Not only does Amber Grove have the most beautiful scenery for photos, the service and value is unparalleled to other venues we were going to choose from. John does an amazing job making sure the whole day runs smoothly and does this so well , without interrupting the mood of the evening. Anything we asked for he went above and beyond to fulfill our requests. He truly takes pride in what he does and invests in his venue. Every time we visited, he had made some improvement. The food was amazing and the staff were top notch. You will not be disappointed with the choice of Amber Grove.
SarahMarie O
5.0
12/03/2012
The venue is gorgeous and immaculate. The owner took care of us each step of the way from planning to executing. Our car even broke down after our initial tour with our parents and he let us do the tasting and watch football while we waited for the tow truck! As a hair stylist I meet brides all the time and ALWAYS send them his way. It's been almost two years since we were married and long after the glow of the day wore off I have nothing but positive things to say about the venue and how the business is run. The food was delicious as well. I can't say enough positive things about Amber Grove.
Stacey N
3.0
6/23/2011
This venue is gorgeous. Well maintained grounds, lawn, flowers, etc. However, the owner was friendly and helpful... until the day of the wedding. We had numerous issues where he had promised that he would "run the show." But when it was time to do something (such as the cake cutting, bouquet toss, seating grandmothers, etc. etc.), he was no where to be found. He is the professional and does weddings every weekend and we were the first timers. I was also extremely disappointed to hear from a friend of a family member that was in the wedding party of a wedding the next day that he complained about us. We even donated decorations for people to use the next day, which he specifically asked us to leave hanging. ALSO the food staff helped themselves to our candy buffet without even asking! AND (unlike he promised us) we barely got to eat. My husband and I had to hunt down our meal because nobody seemed to know where it was and when we finally ate it, it was cold... definitely not worth the $30+ it cost for each of us to eat. We were even told not to get a wedding planner because it wasn't necessary and they cause more issues. Overall, great venue but horrible staff. If I did it all again, I'd get a wedding planner to organize the day, because the owner did not as promised beforehand.
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$9,750 starting price
Amber Grove
John McBride
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