Weddings
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Petersburg National Battlefield has inspiring natural settings and historic backdrops frequently used for weddings. The National Park Service aims to accommodate private events in a manner that corresponds with the mission to, "...conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner…as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”
A permit is required for all weddings. The Business Management Office is here to help ensure your event runs smoothly and without interference to the use and experience of the park by the general public, park operations and resource protection. The National Park Service maintains strict conditions for private events. Please read the park regulations and permit conditions for weddings and determine if they correspond with your event plans. There is an administrative cost and, in some cases, management costs for National Park Service staff to oversee events. To schedule your event or to request a Special Park Use permit application, call the Permits Coordinator at (804) 732-3571, Ext. 111.
Park Regulations and Conditions for Weddings
Access for other park visitors must not be impeded. The Special Use Permit is authorization for your private event to take place on parklands and does not grant exclusive use of an area. The area identified in the permit will remain open to the public during the event. It is recommended that you schedule your event early or late in the day if you wish to increase the privacy of your event. Wedding ceremony locations must be held at the site specified on the map at the bottom of this page.
- No building interiors within the park are available for weddings and/or receptions. Permits will be issued only for outdoor events.
- Wedding party size (including support personnel) is limited to 40 persons.
- Available parking is limited and is not guaranteed. Carpooling or van shuttles are recommended. This will help ensure your guests arrive on schedule and at the correct location.
- A maximum of 2 hours may be scheduled. Please plan accordingly. This shall include set-up and breakdown time. No set-up will be allowed prior to the start time on your permit.
- Special Use Permits may be denied during periods of heavy use (e.g. – 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc).
- Decorations and equipment must be discussed prior to issuance of your permit. The use of special equipment, such as arches, chairs, or other decorations require park administrative review and are not allowed in certain areas. Please discuss your decoration plans with the Permits Coordinator.
- Special conveyances, including, but not limited to, horse drawn carriages, electric carts and hot air balloons are prohibited.
- In respect of other park visitors, amplified music is prohibited. Acoustic music will be considered. Exceptions can be made for portable tape decks or CD players if discussed in advance with the Business Management Office. Standing speakers, disk jockeys, public address systems or any other type of amplified device are prohibited.
- To protect parklands and wildlife, the releasing of balloons, doves or butterflies and the dropping of rice, birdseed, flower petals or other natural or artificial material is not allowed. Birdseed and flower petals provide an unnatural food source for park wildlife and may introduce exotic plant species. Because of the proximity to the James and Appomattox Rivers, balloons are prohibited since they can be harmful to marine life. Releasing doves or butterflies is prohibited.
- Fires, candles, tiki torches and all other forms of open flame are prohibited.
- Affixing directional signage to existing buildings, property, signs, poles, or plants is not allowed. Please respect the uncluttered views of the park. Any posted signs will be removed immediately by park personnel.
- Alcohol is prohibited in all park areas.
- Food services, including receptions, are not permitted upon park property.
- All trash associated with your private event must be bagged and removed from the Park. Please make certain that someone removes trash and decorations after your event, or you will be billed for staff overtime required to clean the area.
- Grounds maintenance and mowing of this park area is performed on a predetermined schedule and will not be completed specifically for your event.
