ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 21, 1996 TAG: 9601230024
SECTION: YOUR WEDDING PAGE: YW-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH COX
Not every bride grew up at Tara, but that shouldn't stop you from sweeping down a magnificent staircase, exchanging vows under willows or pulling up in a carriage if that's what you want.
Someday soon, you and your prince can do any of these things - and do them close to home.
The Three Hills Inn in Bath County is a restored 1917 manor house with adjacent cottages in a beautiful garden setting that looks out over Three Hills Gap and the George Washington National Forest. The sun sinks behind this vista, while in the back you will find a maze of boxwood gardens, a gazebo, and in the spring, dogwoods in bloom. Virginia novelist Mary Johnston built this home from the proceeds of "To Have and To Hold," and opened it as an inn along with her two sisters.
Today, Charlene and Doug Fike are the owners. They purchased the inn two years ago and are currently renovating the cottages - the manor house is completely restored.
Charlene Fike said she arranges entire weddings and receptions on the grounds, from the accommodations to the food, flowers, and even the chairs. It is not unusual for an entire family to take over a cottage. Sometimes, the bridal couple will get married in one of Bath County's historic churches and return to the inn for the reception.
Both the cottages and the manor house are available for groups - and Fike said if someone takes over the whole inn, they are offered a group discount.
Last year, Fike arranged a 200-person outdoor wedding. She catered the entire event in the style of a high tea, with scones, clotted cream, finger sandwiches and appropriate decorations. Fike also has arranged a 25-person indoor New Year's Eve wedding in a 1920s flapper's theme. This past October, a 75-person wedding took place in the gazebo.
At the inn, the manor house has rooms, junior suites and master suites. In addition, two out of the four cottages are currently available. Fike said she hopes to open a restaurant in February. There currently is a meeting facility with seating for 200 just outside the inn. For more information, call (540) 839-5381.
The Three Hills Inn is just the beginning of innovative, fun places to get married or hold receptions. Closer to Roanoke, Smith Mountain Lake has several facilities, some private and some open to the public.
According to Jeanine Michealsen, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce Partnership, "probably the best area is golf courses' banquet rooms.'' These include Chestnut Creek golf course, (721-4215); the Waterfront golf course, (721-2397), which is private, but available for outside functions; Water's Edge Country Club, (576-1556), which is also private, but also takes in outside functions; The Landing Restaurant, (721-3028), which Michealsen said is right on the water, on Bernard's Landing Point; and for a most unusual setting, try the Virginia Dare/Paddle Wheel, (297-7100).
On the other side of the Valley, Mountain Lake, 17 miles west of Blacksburg off U.S. Route 460, is also known for its accommodations.
According to Buzz Scanland, general manager, probably the most picturesque wedding site is the gazebo overlooking Mountain Lake, which will seat about 50 people.
"What makes this so great is our horse-drawn carriage, which picks up the bride and her father to take them down to the gazebo,'' said Scanland. He said they have had weddings as large as 250 people.
"We've had all kinds of services here - Miss West Virginia got married here and sang at her own wedding,''' he said. After the wedding, the bride and bridegroom get back in carriage and return to the hotel for pictures.
Scanland said the facilities are conducive to both indoor and outdoor events, with a ballroom - and its portable dance floor - as well as a verandah for summertime events. Options range from simple hors d'oevres to sit-down meals and buffets.
"I feel we can take care of anything the bride will need. Our chef will smoke a whole salmon, and we've had strawberry tables with various dips,'' said Scanland. He is already receiving calls about weddings for 1997. For more information, call (800) 346-3334 or 951-1819.
Another picturesque site, this time right in Roanoke, is the historic house, La Maison. It's a 1923 Georgian mansion surrounded by mature trees, with the remnants of an old English garden and boxwoods, described owner Rance Marianetti.
"With the large size of our house and its grounds, we are more flexible than a hotel ballroom,'' he said. The spiral staircase, chandeliers, and variety of rooms, many with fireplaces, are conducive to various-sized weddings. Marianetti said there is one room in particular, the nursery, with just one table in it, that has witnessed many engagements. La Maison's terrace, which can have the addition of tents, portable bars and a band, makes a nice dancing and seating area for an outdoor affair. Marianetti said he, too, has received advance booking for weddings and receptions. For more information, call 366-2444 and ask for the sales director.
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: TIM TREVILIAN. A variety of rooms of different sizesby CNBmakes La Maison in Roanoke
an ideal place for a wedding and/or reception.