About Virginia Beach
The coastal community of Virginia Beach is a thriving seaside resort town sitting at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Once home to the Native American tribes of the powerful Powhatan Federation, the site is also just a stone’s throw from Cape Henry, where European colonists made their first landing.
The city, with a population of just under 500,000, is home to nearly 250 square miles of waterways with its famous three-miles long boardwalk stretching along the oceanfront. The white sand beaches are a perfect destination for swimming and other watersports, while the sheltered bay area offers great fishing and trail-hiking opportunities. The area is also proud of its military heritage, with Naval Station Norfolk situated just west along the bay. After a long day of play, Virginia Beach’s dining scene has something for everyone, from the city’s signature Lynnhaven River oysters to trendy bars dotting the boardwalk.
With Virginia Beach’s rich history, finding an elegant colonial-period building for your bridal shower venue is easy – the city has many to choose from, including stately homes, historic churches and more. Virginia Beach also has a number of waterfront restaurants offering al fresco dining, setting the perfect mood for a sunny afternoon bridal shower or a hip nighttime affair. Should you decide to host your bridal shower at one of the city’s many public beaches or green spaces, you’ll have no trouble finding professional caterers, bakers and rental companies to help you make the space your own.
Bridal Shower Options in Virginia Beach
Selecting the perfect bridal shower venue in Virginia Beach is as easy as deciding whether you want to celebrate indoors or outdoors. If your chosen venue doesn’t include furniture rental, food and beverages or other needed items, there are several vendors available to provide everything you might need.
- Party Rentals
Turn any beach, waterfront park or outdoor space into the perfect party spot – just add tables, chairs and decorations for a beautiful bridal shower locale. You’ll find several service providers available to set up tents, tables and chairs, as well as provide linens, tableware and even power generators for sound and lighting systems if necessary. If your bridal shower includes fun and games, you can find those as well, including photo booths, inflatables, lawn games and more.
- Catering
Virginia Beach is known for its fresh seafood and signature Lynnhaven River oysters, but you can find delicious food to suit every taste from the city’s restaurants and catering services. Whether serving up barbecue on the beach or gourmet plated dishes, local catering services can provide a wide array of cuisines, and most can accommodate special dietary needs or preferences including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian.
- Bakeries
Whether your bridal shower is a grand affair for 100 or an intimate gathering of family and close friends, a gorgeous cake is always an Instagram-worthy centerpiece. Local Virginia Beach bakeries excel at producing custom-designed cakes in a variety of flavors, as well as cupcakes, French and Italian pastries, cookies and pies. There is also a bakery that provides an entirely vegan menu with many gluten-free treats.
Bridal Shower Companies in Virginia Beach
Selecting your Virginia Beach bridal shower venue is just the beginning step to planning your special event. Professional party planners can help you have a stress-free bridal shower experience, taking care of all the logistics and small details so you can enjoy time with family and friends.
- Premier Events
Owners Lionel and Patty Teed have been creating beautiful events with a personal touch for more than 30 years and offer a stress-free event management experience for you and your guests. The firm not only offers full-service planning of weddings, bridal showers and parties but also special themes such as casino nights for an interesting spin. Premier Events also offers rentals such as tables, chairs, decorative props and large furniture such as arbors and tents, and can provide decorative services including fabric draping and floral design.
- Antonia Christianson Events
With more than two decades of experience in wedding and event planning, Antonia Christianson and her team of talented designers excels at creating social events that are personalized, unique and wow-worthy, no matter the occasion. ACE offers full-service planning for any event, from venue and color scheme selection to the smallest details. You can leave everything in your planner’s capable hands or be an active part of the process – whatever makes you most comfortable.
- The Happy Hour Hostess
HHH founder and principal designer Carrie Lauck established the planning and design firm with the goal of maximizing the guest experience, no matter what kind of event you’re hosting. Lauck and her team offer full-service event planning and management, including venue selection, vendor coordination, guest management, décor and graphic design, setup and tear-down and more. Rather than offering pre-set packages, you’ll be able to customize an event plan to meet your specific needs.
Pros and Cons of Bridal Showers in Virginia Beach
Before you select your bridal shower venue in Virginia Beach, there are some advantages and disadvantages you’ll want to consider based on your event plans.
Advantages
- Sandy beaches
Whether you like the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk and the main beach or want something a bit more secluded, you’ll find the perfect sun spot in Virginia Beach.
- Outdoor activities
If you’re looking for activities that don’t involve sand or seawater, you can find plenty at the city’s 300 public parks, lakes and trails.
- Rich in history and culturally diverse
Many of the neighborhoods and commercial districts are home to historic sites and buildings, and the nearby military bases ensure a healthy amount of ethnic and cultural diversity.
Disadvantages
- Air traffic noise
With the largest naval air station in the world just a few miles away, Virginia Beach experiences a lot of jet noise that may disturb outdoor events.
- Unpredictable weather
Although the climate in Virginia Beach is generally mild, the area can be significantly impacted by hurricanes, tropical storms and even severe thunderstorms.
- Hampton Roads Tunnel Bridge
Virginia Beach is connected to the rest of the Hampton Roads region via the longest tunnel in the country. If traffic is backed up, you may be spending up to several hours in the tunnel.
Famous Locations in Virginia Beach
- First Landing State Park
Although much of the Virginia Beach area is steeped in history, perhaps the most historical point lies in the northeastern corner of town at First Landing State Park. Jutting out at a point between Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, the park commemorates the location where English colonists first set foot on the continent in 1607. The park has more than 20 miles of trails through wetlands and marshes and also features a sandy stretch of beach on Chesapeake Bay. The park has many amenities, including tent and motorized camping sites, cabins, yurts, electric hookups and a boat ramp.
- The Boardwalk
Stretching for three miles along the city’s oceanfront, the Boardwalk is the heart of activity and entertainment in Virginia Beach. Dotted with hotels, eateries and boutique shops, the boardwalk also features four stages for live music during the warmer months and the Instagram-famous King Neptune statue. You’ll also find other attractions located along the boardwalk itself including a beachfront playground, the Atlantic Wildfowl and Surf & Rescue Museums and a fishing pier. The boardwalk itself, along with many attractions and restaurants, is open year-round.
- Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center offers an entertaining look at coastal habitats from around the globe. The Center is home to thousands of animals from more than 300 unique species, including crowd favorites such as a variety of sharks, harbor seals and sea turtles, as well as critically endangered species like the komodo dragon. The Center also provides a number of educational programs and demonstrations.