The Pavilion at Blackwater Junction (sometimes known as PBWJ for short) is a relatively new wedding venue that is located near Smith Mountain Lake Virginia and it nestled along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Today on the blog, we’re going to explore this wedding venue, give you the pros, cons and benefits about the venue and talk a little more in detail about having your wedding there too.

A Little Venue History

This wedding venue was originally built on the family farm a few years ago for the owners daughters to have her own wedding there and the owners, the Seneff’s, being in the construction business, felt it would benefit them by investing in the family's property by building a venue rather than paying to host it elsewhere.

The Pavilion name comes from it being located just off of the Black Water arm of Smith Mountain Lake.

Being placed in the rolling hills of Franklin County, it only seemed fit to have the pavilion represent the rustic natural beauty of the woods surrounding it. One of the great things about the venue is that much of the décor on the property, such as old doors, sinks, tables and stone were used from the property direct, making it truly local to the community.

This building was a family project that joined us all together, working day in and out, side by side, we all got the job done. Every aspect of this pavilion has a little story that comes filled with memories. 

The Venue Amenities

While there’s a lot of history to the venue, the venue itself is new in a since. While the red roofed barn is opened on two sides, there is a centered fireplace with a large HDTV overhanging it large restrooms for all the guests with copper sinks and custom vanities, a kitchen prep area along with a patio filled with led lights for night dancing and of course a ceremony view with Smith Mountain itself.

There is a small bridal suite with air conditioning, couches, a restroom and changing area along with a side for doing hair, makeup and the like too.

Behind the bridal suite you’ll wind a wildflower garden that many times has butterflies floating through the breeze, sometimes landing on couples and making their way into some of the images, like the one below that Carole took.

On the other side of the venue, you’ll find a couple of ponds and a small “hut” where the men can get ready over at their sister company, the Blackwater Junction Wake Park.

Groomsmen tend to like this area because it’s off the beaten path and many can relax in the building with the A/C or they sit on the porch under the umbrella and just sock everything in.

What We Love About the Venue

Enough simply can’t be said about Melba, the co-owner of the venue. She’s one of the hardest working women we know in the wedding industry and she truly cares about her couples.

That being said, she will go out of her way to help with just about anything you need, including using their nearby home on Smith Mountain Lake to take pictures, like you see in the video above.

Beyond that, the venue is a great country rustic style platform with enough room for roughly 150-185 guests, there is a great kitchen prep area along with a backside to the venue where vendors can park too.

Just outside the building there is a covered area for your adult beverage stations or just beverages if you choose and everything outside the venue building, the dance floor and ceremony aisle is stamped concrete.

Pros:

• We love the views of the rolling hills and mountains

• We love that there are horses adjoining the property

• Lots of space for photos, video clips and people to spend time with each other

• Has that old farm vibe but with modern amenities

Cons:

• The venue is a bit of a drive from Roanoke

• We wish there was dedicated parking for vendors, like photographers, videographers and officiants

• There could be more bathroom facilities

• Hotels nearby are 15 minutes away

Popular Vendors at the Venue

Other popular vendors to check out include the Kupkakery Bakery in Rocky Mount, Southern Smoke BBQ also in Rocky Mount and Center Stage Catering.

Desiree Smith owns and operates one of the regions most popular wedding cake and wedding cupcake shops in Rocky Mount and she does a lot of work at the venue since it’s nearby.

Hunter runs Southern Smoke BBQ and if you’re looking for something elevated, yet affordable, this is the company you want to hire to cater your meal.

If you want a more elevated meal beyond BBQ and meats, try my friend John Schoop, him and his wife Karen run Center Stage Catering and they too do a lot of work at the pavilion.

All three vendors operate about 15-20 minutes from the venue in Rocky Mount, the closed town.

Venue Information

Address: 356 Bethel Ln, Union Hall, VA 24176

Phone: (540) 420-5625

Price Range: $4,500-$5,000