Featured photo by Bekah Leanne Photography (@bekahleannephoto on Instagram)
A web exclusive Q&A with new Sorella Farms Events owner Michelle Smith about the fateful journey that led to her owning her dream wedding venue
Michelle Smith’s journey from an intern at the famous Kleinfeld Bridal shop in New York City to the new owner of Evington-based wedding venue Sorella Farms (@sorellafarms on Instagram) is inspiring, but the inspiration from our conversation with Smith doesn’t end there! In addition to sharing a bit of her story, she also talked about Sorella Farms’ history, how the venue has evolved over time, and her plans for its future.
As you read about Smith’s dream of owning a wedding venue and how it came true, you may decide that Sorella Farms is your dream venue for your upcoming wedding!
Michelle, I understand that you recently became the owner of Sorella Farms. Congratulations! Please tell us how and when that development came about.
Yes, that’s correct—I officially became the owner of Sorella Farms in January 2026. My husband, Jonathan, our one-year-old son Paxton, and I moved from New York to Virginia to pursue my dream of owning a wedding venue. Interestingly, the opportunity came about through my cousin, who happened to know the previous owner through his work. One day he overheard him mention that he was ready to retire. The timing aligned perfectly for our family, and it truly felt like fate that the opportunity came our way at just the right moment.
Please tell us more about your background in terms of your involvement and interest in the wedding industry and/or event planning industry.
I’ve been working in the wedding industry for about 12 years. My journey began while I was finishing my degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where I interned at Kleinfeld Bridal. That experience sparked my love for the wedding industry.
After graduating, I worked for a full-service catering company where I was involved in selling, designing, planning, and executing weddings. I spent six years there before moving on to Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa, where I served as a Sales Manager selling and planning luxury weddings.
Each of these roles gave me a behind-the-scenes understanding of the wedding industry—from logistics and planning to client experience—and ultimately prepared me to take the leap into owning my own venue. It’s amazing to look back and realize how each step led me to this dream.
Could you please share some details about Sorella Farms’ history? When and by whom was it established? When did it first become a wedding venue?
Sorella Farms was established in 2014 by three generations of sisters who were involved in the business. The name “Sorella” actually means “sisters” in Italian, which reflects its family roots.
The property spans about 75 acres and includes several historic elements, including original outbuildings, an 1827 farmhouse, and a stunning Amish-built barn from the 1800s that was originally constructed in Ohio. The barn was carefully deconstructed and brought to Virginia to become the centerpiece of the venue. From the beginning, Sorella Farms was designed to celebrate both family and history, and that tradition continues today.
How has the venue evolved over time, and what changes are you planning for the venue as its new owner?
Over the years, Sorella Farms has continued to grow and evolve while welcoming more couples to celebrate their love stories here. Updates have included improvements to the grounds, additional lighting throughout the property, and the addition of a beautiful woodland ceremony site that has become very popular.
As the new owner, my goal is to honor the legacy of Sorella Farms while continuing to enhance the experience for couples. I want to preserve the authentic charm of the barn while adding thoughtful upgrades such as new tables, chairs, bar setups, and curated design elements that enhance the venue’s natural beauty.
What sets Sorella Farms apart from other wedding venues?
What truly sets Sorella Farms apart is the history and authenticity of the property. The venue features original outbuildings, the historic 1827 farmhouse, and a one-of-a-kind Amish-built barn that showcases the craftsmanship of traditional barns from another era. While many barn venues today are newly constructed and beautiful, they often don’t have the same historic soul. At Sorella Farms, we’ve preserved the authentic charm of the property while thoughtfully enhancing the space with design elements that elevate the experience for couples and their guests.
Could you please share details about the different wedding packages that Sorella Farms offers?
Sorella Farms offers a venue-only package that provides couples with exclusive access to the property and many of the essentials needed for their wedding day. The package includes use of the grounds, an in-house wedding planner, ceremony and reception chairs, cocktail tables, dining tables, a golf cart shuttle, and access to four different ceremony location options across the property.
Couples also have access to our beautiful getting-ready spaces located in the 1827 farmhouse for their bridal parties.
In your opinion, what are the top three things about a wedding at Sorella Farms?
First, the setting offers beautiful countryside views while still being conveniently located near nearby hotels and accommodations for guests. Couples get the feeling of being in the country without being too far from town.
Second, the venue offers multiple ceremony locations that appeal to different styles and visions. Couples can choose to get married in the woods, on the hill with mountain views, or behind the farmhouse with a charming picket fence and pond fountain backdrop.
Third, we offer many rental items that couples can incorporate into their wedding day, including arbors, plates, silverware, glassware, and centerpiece options. This makes planning easier because couples don’t need to source as many items from outside vendors if they don’t want to.
What else would you like for people to know about weddings at Sorella Farms?
Sorella Farms will always remain a family-run business, and that personal connection is something that’s very important to us. During weddings you’ll often see me onsite working with couples and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
My husband Jonathan is usually helping with parking and assisting with setup and breakdown throughout the day, and my father Ron even helps drive the bridal party on the golf cart.
Weddings are deeply personal celebrations, and our goal is to create an experience where every couple feels supported and can truly enjoy their day exactly as they’ve always imagined it.
Where would you like to see Sorella Farms in the next 5–10 years?
In the coming years, I would love to expand the experience by offering overnight accommodations on the property. My vision is for the 1827 farmhouse to eventually be available for couples and their families to stay in during their wedding weekend. The home itself is incredibly special, with original logs still visible in the historic portion of the house.
I would also love to add a few small cabins near the farmhouse to host additional guests. My hope is that couples will eventually be able to enjoy an entire wedding weekend experience at Sorella Farms, celebrating with their loved ones in one beautiful place.
What is the most rewarding thing about being the owner of Sorella Farms?
The most rewarding part of being the owner is the connection I get to build with the couples. It’s incredibly meaningful to play even a small role in one of the most important days of their lives.
Weddings mark the beginning of a new chapter and a lifelong commitment between two people. Being able to witness those moments and help create an environment where couples can celebrate their love is truly why I love this industry.