A casual yet breathtaking setting in the Valley.
A working guest ranch and event venue owned and operated by the McConnell family for almost 40 years. We sit on over 250 beautiful acres nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the George Washington National Forest, with a half-mile frontage on the Shenandoah River. We also have over 20 bedrooms on-site able to accommodate around 50 overnight guests, making RBR the perfect setting for engagement parties, wedding ceremonies, and receptions - no one has to leave the party!
On the ranch guests can enjoy fishing, birding, and walking trails, as well as lawn games and our indoor game room. Trail rides along our piece of the Shenandoah's South Fork are available to guests and the general public, and can accommodate any riding ability. We're just a short drive from the town of Luray, its famous Caverns, and many activities for all ages.
Woman-owned Business
+40 years in business
Speaks English
5 team members
Pricing details
Couples usually spend $12,000
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Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
On-Site Accommodations
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 150
Settings
Barn
Farm & Ranch
Mountain
Trees
Venue Service Offerings
Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding Packages
Rentals & Equipment
Service Staff
Transportation
Shuttle Service
Any questions?
Availability
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.07 reviews
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Caitlin S
5.0
6/30/2024
We chose to get married at River's Bend Ranch this June, and we could not be happier with the whole experience. The venue is exactly what we were looking for with it's beautiful natural setting and rustic feel. We held the ceremony outside with the Shenandoah Mountains as the backdrop. The reception was in the Pavilion, which also looks out on an amazing view of the mountains. They pretty much had all of the basics we needed: the arch, chairs, and reception tables, and the Pavilion is already nicley lit. They were very easy to communicate with about all the details leading up to our wedding, and were accomodating for our unique vision. We mostly coordinated with Caroline, and she always extremely kind and helpful. One of the main reasons we chose this venue is that they also have several buildings with lodging on the ranch. We were able to have our close friends and family stay on site, and have our rehearsal dinner there, so that we could spend more quality time with them all. All of our friends who stayed at the ranch have told us they had a great time, and some of them even took advantage of the trail rides that River's Bend Ranch leads! If you are looking for a mostly DIY venue in Virginia with a country vibe and beautiful scenery, I would highly recommend River's Bend Ranch!
Leanne D
5.0
10/11/2023
I had my wedding at River's Bend Ranch last month and am still getting compliments from guests about how magical the venue was! We rented out all of the accommodations in addition to the reception space, so we were able to have our wedding party, families and a few close friends stay on site. It was so much fun having everyone there to be a part of the whole weekend from check in on Friday to check out on Sunday. My aunt and cousin even led a wedding morning yoga class overlooking the mountains! Caroline was so helpful and everyone was flexible and worked with us to make sure everything was perfect for our big day (well... really it was our big weekend, because why stop at just one day!?)
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Daniela A
5.0
10/05/2022
When we first got engaged, we had a very specific vision for what we wanted our wedding to be and represent. We wanted a place in beautiful nature where all of our closest friends and family could stay together to celebrate a full wedding weekend. River's Bend Ranch made our wedding weekend even more perfect than we could have imagined. Not only is the farm gorgeous with it's longhorn cows ambling through the morning mist, the setting sun behind the Blue Ridge Mountains, the pastures where horses graze, and the vaulted venue with large wooden barn doors, but also the staff are unbelievably helpful and kind. Caroline made sure that each of the houses where the guests were staying had farm fresh eggs collected that morning, among countless other services to make our wedding perfect. The site of our ceremony under an arbor full of flowers was unforgettable. The cocktail hours between the venue and largest guest house, where lights had been strung and where the bonfire bellowed was magical. Dinner in the venue was elegant and the floor was great for cutting a rug! If you are looking for a wholesome, whimsical, mountain wedding with loved ones, this is the perfect place for you. We had countless guests rave to us about how perfect the venue was and asking how we found such a place/how a place like this could exist. This place is truly unique and magical. We know this after completing an exhaustive search - there is no other place like this.
Audrey W
5.0
1/30/2022
We had River's Bend Ranch for our destination wedding weekend as the ceremony and reception venue. They were such an amazing vendor to work with! We had stopped by several times to look at the venue, sometimes unannounced, and they were so accommodating to let us wander around the space. They went above and beyond throughout the whole process. Everyone was so helpful and made our day perfect! We highly recommend River's Bend Ranch for a wonderful, rustic style wedding. The scenery was beautiful, and all the accommodations were excellent. They provided wood for the fire pits, lit the heaters, had plenty of skewers for s'mores. They also let us use some of the decorations that were left by other couples, which really came in handy. I can't recommend them highly enough!
Lily J
5.0
7/10/2018
I cannot recommend this venue highly enough! Our guests raved about the beautiful surroundings and comfortable accommodations. We had the venue for the whole weekend, which was so convenient, and we did everything on site. The price is extremely reasonable and can be lowered even more by having the guests who stay on the property pay for their rooms. Everything was so easy- check in, parking, set up, etc. They let you choose all of your own vendors and give you a list of recommendations, which was great. We could also bring in our own alcohol, saving us a ton of money. Our guests enjoyed the local area- Luray Caverns, hiking, wineries, etc. You can even ride horses on site!
If you are looking for an all-weekend, beautiful, affordable outdoor venue, this is the place for you!!
Randi Shea M
5.0
9/24/2017
River's Bend Ranch was the venue I used for the most important and love -filled weekend of my life. I just had my wedding at this venue this past weekend and had to write out my thoughts and emotions while they were still fresh on my mind. First off, the views. This place is beyond gorgeous and holds the perfect backdrop for a photo from every angle. Every single photo taken this weekend was beautiful and I am so glad I will have this venue memorialized forever.
Second, the staff. Caroline and Dallas were my wedding venue heroes. They answered every call, email, and ridiculous request I sent them the day of and was always willing to go above and beyond to help me out with every detail. They took care of all the reservations and always kept me updated. They were beyond accommodating, sweet, and professional.
Third, the venue itself. If you have a big and tight knit family as I had, this venue is perfect. All of our close family got to stay with us for our wedding weekend in the adorable cabins on the ranch. Everything was clean, put together and made our destination wedding possible. The venue also supplied us with all the chairs, tables and linens needed, along with a beautiful wooden arch for the ceremony. The Bunk House lawn was the perfect area for our ceremony and tented reception.
I cannot say enough great things about this venue. If you are looking to nestle your wedding within the Blue Ridge Mountains, River's Bend Ranch is the place to go. This venue made my photos and my weekend beautiful and unforgettable. Thank you River's Bend Ranch for all of your help and beautiful venue.
Britany F
5.0
9/24/2012
The place is absolutely gorgeous! The scenery is out of this world! Beautiful horses roam the area which makes the photographs incredible! The staff is super friendly and help with anything you need!
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