Photo Credit: Emily Chastain Photography
DMV Wedding Venues: A Fall Celebration at The Lodge at Little Seneca Creek
When couples reach out searching for the perfect DMV wedding venues, I always smile because I know how many hidden gems we have right here in our area. And few capture that cozy, elegant, and personal feel quite like The Lodge at Little Seneca Creek in Boyds, Maryland. This is where Alice and Sandra celebrated their wedding day, a modern same-sex wedding full of love, laughter, and meaningful family traditions that made it one of my favorite celebrations of the year.
All Photo Credit: Emily Chastain Photography
A Love That Feels Effortless
Alice and Sandra’s relationship is the kind of everyday love that just feels steady and real. They weren’t fazed by the little things (and if you’ve ever planned a wedding, you know there are always little things). They simply rolled with each moment, found joy in the process, and trusted that everything would come together beautifully and it did. Working with them reminded me why I love what I do: to bring calm and clarity to moments that matter most.
They actually found O’Neil Events through WeddingWire, drawn to our reviews and reputation for making the process smooth and stress-free. They booked with us nearly two years before their wedding, and along the way, life brought them an incredible surprise, the arrival of their baby boy. By the time their wedding day came, he had fully stolen everyone’s hearts and added so much sweetness to their celebration.
All Photo Credit: Emily Chastain Photography
A Classic Fall Day at One of My Favorite DMV Wedding Venues
The Lodge at Little Seneca Creek is one of those DMV wedding venues that feels both tucked away and conveniently close. The venue offers a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor spaces, perfect for a classic fall wedding. Its cozy, cabin-like atmosphere with warm wood beams, stone fireplaces, and views of the surrounding forest created the perfect backdrop for Alice and Sandra’s heartfelt celebration.
They chose to hold both their ceremony and reception onsite, which made for an easy, relaxed flow throughout the day. Guests moved from an outdoor ceremony framed by fall foliage to a welcoming indoor reception filled with laughter and candlelight. The couple’s decision to keep everything in one place helped create a stress-free experience—and that’s something I’ll always recommend to my couples when they’re touring venues.
Trusted Vendors
Venue – The Lodge at Little Seneca Creek
Photographer – Emily Chastain Photography
Florist – La Fleur Enchantée, Inc.
All Photo Credit: Emily Chastain Photography
Details that Made It Uniquely Theirs
Every part of this wedding felt intentional. Sandra’s brother officiated the ceremony, blending faith and family with warmth and humor that had everyone smiling. The color palette drew from the rich tones of fall, rust, deep gold, and earthy greens, which looked stunning against the natural wood interior of the lodge.
One of my favorite details was a personal one: the bride knitted her own bridal shrug (and yes, it was absolutely gorgeous). She carried that theme into other details too: hand-knitted candle covers adorned the tables, and even the cake design featured a delicate knit-inspired pattern. It was the perfect blend of cozy and elegant, a reflection of the couple’s creativity and warmth.
All Photo Credit: Emily Chastain Photography
Calm in the Chaos: How We Helped
Every wedding day has its surprises. For Alice and Sandra, there was a small hiccup when we discovered a mix-up with the bar setup, what was supposed to be two bars was just one. But this is exactly where having an experienced wedding planner makes all the difference. Rather than panic, our team quickly adjusted the floor plan and flow to make it work seamlessly. The guests never even knew there had been a hiccup, and the night went off without a hitch.
Moments like that are why I believe so strongly in having a professional by your side, not just for the big plans, but for the quick pivots that keep your day running smoothly.
All Photo Credit: Emily Chastain Photography
Family, Love, and a Whole Lot of Heart
Beyond the décor and logistics, what made this wedding truly memorable was the feeling in the room. It was love in its purest form, steady, joyful, and deeply family-oriented. Watching their little boy toddle around the dance floor while everyone cheered felt like the perfect symbol of what weddings are really about: not just one day, but a lifetime of moments to come.
All Photo Credit: Emily Chastain Photography
But How Did the Couple Feel About Us?
“INCREDIBLE! Colleen was a dream to work with. Starting with our prep phone calls 6 weeks out, Colleen kept everything on track so I could actually enjoy the wedding planning process. She has a vast knowledge of experience, an eye for detail, and is completely unflappable. When my caterer showed up with one bar set up instead of two, she rearranged the layout on the fly to make everything work. She is a calming presence. I would not have been able to be so deeply present and enjoy my wedding so much without her. My wife and I agree this was the best money we spent. Hire her! :)”
Alice
All Photo Credit: Emily Chastain Photography
About O’Neil Events
I’m Colleen O’Neil, owner and lead planner at O’Neil Events, a boutique wedding planning company serving Washington, DC, and New York City. For over 15 years, we’ve specialized in creating elegant, stress-free weddings that reflect each couple’s unique story. Whether you’re planning a modern same-sex celebration, a multicultural wedding, or a classic DC soirée, we’re here to bring calm, clarity, and expertise to your day.
If you’re considering The Lodge at Little Seneca Creek or exploring other DMV wedding venues, I’d love to help you find the perfect fit. Our team handles everything from full-service planning to month-of coordination—so you can focus on what truly matters: celebrating your love.
👉 Ready to start planning? Let’s get some time on the calendar
👉 Looking for inspiration? Check out some of our other recent weddings
