Fall Engagement Inspiration
Here in the DMV, Fall is an especially beautiful time of year to get engaged. The cooling temperatures, gorgeous foliage, and access to beautiful, private hikes mean that you can achieve a truly memorable engagement without requiring a complicated travel itinerary. Of course, the very first step of planning your fall engagement will be to schedule your Design Appointment with us so that we can get the ball rolling on your engagement ring (do that now!) Once you have that step taken care of, plan the rest of your trip. If you’re considering a fall engagement this year (or simply looking to mentally escape the summer heat), here are some suggestions on how to make the most of your unique weekend away from the city:
Where to go
Fortunately for us city folk, getting out to fresher air and tree-lined mountain ranges is quite easy in the DMV area. If you haven’t explored outside of the beltway, you’ll be happy to know that there are incredible bed & breakfasts, restaurants, and glorious hikes within a two-hour drive of Washington, DC. Sperryville, Virginia is located just 1.5 hours outside of Alexandria and this tiny hamlet features multiple sophisticated options right next to Shenandoah National Park. With a wide breadth of offerings, you’ll have plenty to select from to make your weekend perfectly tailored to your own tastes, but we’ve put together two vetted itineraries that can serve as inspiration for your fall-weekend proposal getaway:
For the hiker who appreciates a cozy bed at the end of the day:
Stay at The Hopkins Ordinary for a classic bed & breakfast experience that somehow perfectly merges its low-key, hiker-friendly vibe with an elevated aesthetic. This historic Sperryville landmark has been fully renovated with a sophisticated, classic palate featuring well-maintained antique furniture, modern bathrooms, and breezy rooms that are each uniquely appointed. From welcoming touches such as freshly-baked cookies at check-in and a locally-sourced breakfast to greet you in the morning, this lovely stay will provide the perfect low-key base for your weekend in the country.
Suggested Itinerary:
Arrive Friday evening after work; enjoy a casual dinner nearby at The Black Twig (walkable)
Saturday, wake up and head downstairs to start your day with a homemade breakfast featuring locally-sourced ingredients, juice, and coffee. Ask the owners for hike recommendations or strike out on your own - we love The Devil’s Staircase, personally. Pop by the grocery across the street to stock up on picnic goods if you didn’t bring your own, and spend the day exploring the trails. Maybe this is where you propose??
After a day enjoying the natural splendor, head back to The Hopkins Ordinary around 4pm to enjoy their sweet Biergarten and locally-brewed beers which change seasonally (but are all spectacular). Feel free to head straight to the Biergarten after your hike - this is a casual, hiker-friendly environment where you can sit back and rest after a long excursion in the woods. Once you’re rested, head back to your room to shower for dinner.
If you were lucky enough to snag a coveted reservation at The Three Blacksmiths, go forth and enjoy and please don’t brag about it. Otherwise, we highly recommend walking across the street from The Hopkins Ordinary to RPK/Frances for creative cocktails and incredible brick-oven pizza, homemade pastas, and lovely salads. RPK is the food side where you’ll find a casual, easy vibe and Francis is where you’ll find chic cocktails in a cozy setting (you can order food from RPK at Francis). The menu is inventive, seasonal, and always tasty.
Sunday, sleep in a bit before heading down for breakfast. Once you’re full, check out and consider a shorter hike today so that you can reserve some time afterwards to stop by Penn Druid Brewery before heading back to the city. Penn Druid brews its own selection of naturally fermented, very tasty beers that are always interesting to try. A sort-of-secret perk at Penn Druid is experiencing the daily offerings of Sumac, an outdoor kitchen which has posted up at Penn Druid. Serving some astonishingly sophisticated dishes that are all locally-sourced and sometimes wildly inspired, you’ll be blown away by the talent coming out of this modest-looking kitchen. Take in the gorgeous views at Penn Druid and hit the road when dusk sets in.
Still shopping for an engagement ring? May we suggest these in-stock options…
For the wine-lover who appreciates natural beauty, but prefers to stay out of the woods:
Stay at Blue Rock Vineyard for a chic, elevated aesthetic that still feels a world away from the city. Blue Rock opened last year to plenty of excitement and it hasn’t disappointed. The renovated inn features beautiful grounds including views of its vineyard and a peaceful pond and the rooms are appointed with a deftly trendy touch that feels modern without feeling overdone.
Suggested Itinerary:
Arrive Friday evening and keep things easy by enjoying dinner at Blue Rock’s acclaimed restaurant. You can check in, settle into your rooms, change if needed, and simply walk downstairs for a beautiful evening in their appointed restaurant overlooking the vineyard views. Stay late and wander upstairs when you’re ready to turn in.
Saturday, wake up and enjoy breakfast in bed courtesy of Blue Rock. This is a time to take it easy, so read a book or go downstairs and enjoy a late morning sipping something lovely on the terrace. When you’re feeling up to it, hop in your car and take a quick drive over to Washington, Virginia (home of the famous Inn at Little Washington, of course). If dinner at The Inn isn’t in your cards, you can still experience the acclaimed hospitality offered by chef Patrick O’Connell by having lunch at his newly-opened Patty O’s restaurant, located just up the street from The Inn. Afterwards, stop by his little French-inspired cafe located behind the restaurant and pick up a few pastries for a light afternoon picnic on the grounds of The Inn. You can wander the area, take in the sweet farm animals, and explore The Inn’s amazing garden where they grow the produce they use at the restaurant. Maybe this is where you propose?!
Once you have had your fill of Washington, drive back to The Blue Rock and get changed for dinner. Enjoy a sunset glass of wine on the terrace, then pop over to The Blue Door, located in Huntly, Virginia. The Blue Door is also a splendid inn, but you’ll be there to enjoy their acclaimed restaurant which features a chef-driven menu that changes all the time. We recommend whatever pasta dish they are serving as we have yet to be disappointed by that experience.
Sunday, sleep in a bit and savor your last breakfast-in-bed of the trip. Then, pack up and drive to Early Mountain Vineyards to enjoy a lovely afternoon taking in the Virginia vineyard scenery. Enjoy lunch at the vineyard and take home a few selections of from this well-regarded winery favorite. You’ll be glad for the souvenirs!
Still shopping for an engagement ring? May we suggest these in-stock options…
