JAMES CITY COUNTY — Authentic, laid back, and most importantly, unconditional love.
These are the qualities that make up The Maine of Williamsburg, the newest weddings and events venue in the Historic Triangle.
Currently under construction, the venue was moved from dream to concept to reality by Crystal Wilson, a James City County resident who worked in park administration in northern Virginia for over 20 years. She moved to James City County three years ago to be closer to family.
Wanting to do something beneficial for the community with a parcel of land that her family owned, Wilson thought about creating a venue space where people could gather and make memories.
“I did some research, and after doing some benchmarking, I realized this was something we could actually do,” Wilson said.
After noticing a lack of open concept wedding and event venues in Williamsburg, Wilson realized the need in the community for just such a place.
What differentiates The Maine of Williamsburg is its ownership’s dedication to creating a positive space for people of all backgrounds, including fostering a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ couples looking for the perfect wedding venue.
“We’ve done a lot of thinking, and it’s coming from a place of wanting to be authentic,” Wilson said. “Couples should be able to celebrate the most important day of their lives without feeling like they’re being judged. It means so much that they have a place where they can come and get married.”
Wilson has taken this inclusive attitude right down to the design of the venue. For example, instead of having a bride and groom, his and her suites, the venue has gender neutral suites.
Once completed, the venue will have indoor seating for 280 people, with several different facility spaces to accommodate a larger or smaller event, as well as both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Crystal Wilson, CEO of The Maine of Williamsburg, stands next to a rendering of the venue. (Courtesy of The Maine of Williamsburg)The venue also has a lot of personal touches that reflect Wilson’s dedication to her own family. To pay tribute to her parents, the rooms are named after the places in North Carolina where they grew up. The main hall, or Catawba Hall, features two wood-burning fireplaces with river stone sourced directly from the Catawba River, which Wilson drove five times and back to get.
So far, couples are already booking the venue for their big day, with reservations starting as early as November. The Maine of Williamsburg began construction last Fall, and it is scheduled to be completed in October of 2021.
The Maine of Williamsburg has also made it a point to provide an experience as free of stress as possible. Venue rental includes the set up and breakdown of tables and chairs. Seating and dance floor is all included in the rental price. For an additional fee, services such as a shuttle and valet parking are also offered.
To make the venue space beneficial for local businesses, Wilson has been working to bring in more local vendors, suggesting “approved” vendors rather than “preferred.” She said that this allows more vendors to come in and work. It also provides more options for couples when they’re planning their special day while creating more job opportunities for local vendors.
“I’ve had several caterers come see the kitchen so they could give some suggestions on what to include, and they’ve said it’s wonderful,” Wilson said. “We’re really trying to make it as stress free as possible.”
The Maine of Williamsburg is located at 2580 John Tyler Highway. For more information about amenities and pricing, visit their website by clicking here. Couples who book their wedding prior to Oct. 1, 2021 will get a $2,000 discount on their rental.
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