Every bride imagines her wedding to be her very own enchanting fantasy, but few get to say “I do” in a real-life fairy-tale realm! You can be one of them when you book Vaughan House, located in Forest, Virginia. We interviewed owner, Megan Vaughan, to learn more about her family’s unique, whimsical grounds perfect for an intimate micro wedding. The dreamy Cottage, Greenhouse, and Enchantry eagerly await their new princess. Keep reading to learn the heartfelt story behind the venue, and find out about the beautiful butterfly releases.
How did Vaughan House come to be?
Though Vaughan House is now a place to celebrate joy, that joy would not exist without heartbreak. After suffering a miscarriage, Megan found solace in nurturing plants. Each one, carefully and lovingly selected, at times with the help of her son, Max, became a part of a collection. Then, it hit her: “I want to build a greenhouse.” She and her husband, Mitch, immediately got to work and didn’t stop until it was finished—each aspect designed and built solely by the couple. “I've touched every single leaf and petal of every single plant and flower that calls it home,” Megan stated. And out of the darkness, emerged a brand new flower in their family garden of three—their daughter, Marigold. “We found out we were pregnant the day it was completed.” This blessing of hope and new life after loss and sorrow makes Vaughan House a magical place for new beginnings.
Flash forward a few years, and the COVID pandemic hits. “We were a full-time international photographer and videographer wedding team, and all of our couples lost their venues.” Feeling awful for all of the soon-to-be-newlyweds, Megan and Mitch thought, “We have a backyard greenhouse, and we think it's really pretty,” so why not make it a venue? Thanks to the Vaughans, many couples were still able to get married that year with a lower guest count. Not all heroes wear capes—some wear gardening gloves!
What makes your venue stand out?
Since its inception, Vaughan House has expanded its options. “We offer multiple one-of-a-kind structures, and I know there's nothing else like them anywhere else.” Along with the exotic Greenhouse, couples can choose between the cozy Cottage or the whimsical Enchantry to tie the knot. They can even pick different locations for different parts of the wedding. Brides who inquire about Vaughan House and go on to research other venues always seem to find their way back. “They say they can’t find anything else like it!” Megan exclaimed.
What is your favorite location at your venue?
Every inch of Megan’s venue offers something unique and transcendent, yet each space seamlessly complements the other. “It’s incredible how the cottage and greenhouse feel like two completely different worlds in photos,” Megan shared. While she admits that the greenhouse will “always be number one,” as it was the first the family built and holds a special place in her heart, the homey feel of the cottage and mysticism of the Enchantry ensure every wedding feels equally unforgettable.
However, the venue’s distinct fairy-tale ambiance wasn’t always intentional. “I was handling a bunch of different things for this one bride, and she called me her fairy godmother, and it just clicked. I was like, ‘I’m going to go full force into that,’” Megan recalled. From that moment on, the Vaughans leaned into the fairy-tale paradise. The result? A space straight out of a storybook where nature and romance intertwine!
What is your favorite wedding you’ve hosted?
“We could never pick a favorite wedding. Each one is so unique to that couple. There are aspects of each that we love!” Rest assured that when you choose Vaughan House, your wedding will be treated like it's the only one they’ve ever hosted.
How about your most memorable weddings?
Megan has hosted every type of wedding under the sun, from minimalist elegance to bold and unconventional styles. “We’ve done all-white decor weddings to full-blown gothic, all-black affairs. Naturally, we attract brides drawn to the darker, whimsical side—fairy tales, candlelight, bistro lighting.” However, colors and pastels are more than welcome too, with Megan providing the most beautiful wildflowers. The versatility of the space allows couples to live out scenes from their favorite movies, often blending themes like "Disney meets Lord of the Rings," Megan noted.
The venue is already so breathtaking the way it is that couples can often forgo expensive decorations. “It’s a blank space, but not really. It’s already beautiful the way it is,” Megan remarked. Even so, seeing the way a couple’s vision adds to the environment and becomes their own is always a joy. A recent Hobbit-themed wedding was a perfect example. “It was so cute,” she said. “Every single guest flew in from Hawaii!” When a couple leaves Hawaii to tie the knot in Virginia, you know you have an extraordinary place! So, take the trip because as Bilbo Baggins says, "The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.”
Goth Wedding
The Hobbit Wedding
How do you work with brides to personalize their experience?
“We really want our couples to feel like their weddings are not cookie-cutter because they’re not,” Megan explained. An integral part of this customization comes from the venue’s in-house florist, who balances sourcing flowers locally with importing out-of-season blooms to fulfill specific requests. Even fairy godmothers need a little guidance, so creating a Pinterest Board with all your floral and aesthetic wishes is always helpful! “If my girl wants purple foxes, I'm going to go and get purple foxes for her!” Megan asserted. Invest in one of their decor or styling packages, and have Megan lift her magic wand so you don’t have to lift a finger!
How do the natural surroundings add to the experience?
You also don’t have to worry about finding the best photo ops because, as a former wedding photographer of 14 years, Megan ensured that any corner you turn is a sight to see. “Having been in the background of hundreds of weddings, I designed it [the Cottage] from a photographer's standpoint. I said that every single place you look in this cottage will be a photographer's dream to shoot in. Every textural element, stone, and color came from me,” Megan told us. Literally, not a single stone was left unturned.
That goes for the rest of the Vaughan Realm as well. “We designed it around the light before we even started the build.” She painstakingly observed the light in the yard and how it interacted with the trees, refusing to cut them down. “The whole point is to be surrounded by trees. There's always this really pretty dappled light,“ Megan explained. “I wanted to make sure everything was positioned perfectly.” Some advice from Megan: Morning light at the Cottage, evening light in the Greenhouse. You can thank her later!
Are there any hidden gems on your grounds?
The Cottage is not your average lodging facility—it has the power to invoke your childlike wonder and playfulness. For those seeking a wholesome and fun bachelorette or honeymoon activity, look no further. “I wouldn’t call it a scavenger hunt because that sounds lame,” Megan laughed, “but we have a write-up that points out some of the secrets concealed inside and around the cottage.” We’ll call it a treasure hunt instead! From fairy doors and tiny dragons to glow-in-the-dark fairy feet scattered outdoors, the space is brimming with enchanting details if you’re adventurous enough to search for them. “The point is to slow down, pay attention, and let the Cottage reveal its secrets to you. It’s an experience, not just a structure you walk into—it’s meant to transport you somewhere else entirely.” Sign us up!
Adding to the venue’s charm are Megan’s “chicky babies,” a beloved flock of chickens that can double as wedding guests upon request! “Sometimes, the couple will ask to hold a chicken for pictures, or they’ll request to let them out during the reception,” Megan said. The chickens are quiet, friendly, and very proud of their contributions! One bride, a lover of colorful Easter eggs, featured clusters of them on their reception tables. “I saved up our chickens' eggs for two months,” Megan recalled, “and we gave guests cartons so they could take some home.” We love how Megan goes above and beyond to make her clients’ wishes come to fruition, like the true fairy godmother she is!
Do you host winter weddings?
If you're thinking Vaughan House isn't the place for winter weddings, think again! It may not be as flower-centric this time of year, but for brides who want a Christmas or Snow Queen ambiance, Megan is ready to accommodate. “The Enchantry, which was built to be our rain plan, very quickly turned into Plan A. Everybody just wants to be under there!” Megan shared. This winter will be the first since its formation, so the Vaughans are excited to see what vibes it will bring. Home to a wood-burning fireplace, we can only imagine how inviting and cozy it’ll be. “Just picture it: the fire crackling, guests sipping hot cider or coffee, snuggled in blankets, with soft music playing.” The perfect winter wonderland oasis!
Can you please tell us about your monarchs?
If you love butterflies and are planning a wedding between June and October, you’re in luck! Amongst its other feats, Vaughan House added a monarch waystation to its repertoire. A monarch waystation is a habitat for the butterflies to survive and reproduce. It was a logical (and exciting) next step, considering “We already had everything they [the monarchs] needed! If we have butterflies ready to be released, we ask the couple if they’d like to do it.” We're sure that would make for gorgeous pictures.
Any edible products in the garden?
Each member of the Vaughan family contributes to the wedding experience in their own special way. Megan enjoys spending her free time in the garden, teaching her kids how to care for it and plant produce that can find its way into cocktail menus. “We have a bartender service that we work with quite a bit. They like to decorate their drinks with marigolds or nasturtium and put our mint in their drinks. It's really sweet to see their drinks garnished with what my kids grew.” You can’t beat homegrown herbs!
What sustainability efforts do you implement?
Wedding waste is a serious problem, but Megan takes great care in combating the issue. “We live next door to the local fire chief, so we work with him to donate leftover food and flowers!” What a wonderful way to help eliminate the hunger crisis that we hope can inspire others to do the same. The flowers they don’t donate get a special job: “Throughout the year, we line the turret steps of the cottage with dried florals from all the weddings that year.” A museum of weddings past! Vaughan House also employs other local small businesses to help with things like landscaping, which reduces their carbon footprint and promotes circularity. If sustainable practices are non-negotiable for you, Vaughan House is the perfect venue!
What is one piece of advice you have for brides interested in your facility?
“Email me! Your fairy godmother will take care of you!” And this one won’t leave you in rags at midnight!
Want to get married at Vaughan House? Save these photos to your Pinterest Board!
All photos are courtesy of the Vaughans.
