Sunflowers On Sunny Slope Farm

Imagine a place where the golden hues of sunflowers stretch as far as the eye can see, their vibrant faces turning toward the warmth of the sun. At Sunny Slope Farm, this vision comes to life, offering not just a view, but an experience that celebrates both nature and love. Located just a stone’s throw away from Harrisonburg, VA, this sunflower farm is more than just a picturesque backdrop—it’s a place where dreams are woven into reality.

As you step onto the grounds of Sunny Slope Farm, the first thing that captures your attention is the breathtaking sunflower field. It’s a sea of gold that sways gently in the breeze, inviting you to wander and explore. Each sunflower seems to have its own personality, collectively forming a tapestry of joy and warmth. This enchanting field isn’t just a sight to behold—it’s a setting that tells a story of growth, resilience, and beauty, making it the perfect venue for your special day.

Sunflower Sundays are each Sunday in August from 3 PM to 8 PM.

This year we’re excited to host our inaugural sunflower festival on those Sundays and hope to make it an annual tradition. It’s a free, community-oriented event where you pick your own sunflowers and are invited to bring your own food, beverages, chairs, tents—whatever you need to make yourself comfortable as you enjoy the farm.

For engaged couples seeking a unique and intimate wedding venue, Sunny Slope Farm offers an unparalleled setting. Picture exchanging vows under a canopy of sunflowers, with the rolling hills of Virginia as your witness. The farm’s natural beauty provides a stunning backdrop for both your ceremony and reception, allowing you to customize your special day to reflect your love story. Whether you envision a rustic, country-style celebration or a more elegant affair, the possibilities are as endless as the fields themselves.

At Sunny Slope Farm, the focus is on creating unforgettable experiences. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel the warmth and hospitality that sets this venue apart. Our team is dedicated to helping you bring your vision to life, ensuring that every detail aligns with your dreams so that your wedding day will be nothing short of magical.

Sunny Slope Farm is more than just a sunflower field; it’s a destination where nature’s beauty and human connection intertwine. Whether you’re picking blooms on a Sunday in August or exchanging vows among the stalks, this remarkable venue promises an experience you’ll cherish forever. If you’re searching for the ideal wedding venue near Harrisonburg, VA, look no further than Sunny Slope Farm—a place where sunflowers bloom and love flourishes.

Sunflowers are a symbol of joy, beauty, and long-lasting love, making them a perfect addition to your special day. In this guide, we’ll explore how to incorporate these vibrant blooms into your Virginia wedding, ensuring a celebration as bright and cheerful as sunflowers themselves.
A vibrant sunflower field in Virginia under a clear sky. 35mm stock photo

Why Choose Sunflowers for Your Wedding?

Sunflowers, with their bold and bright appearance, represent adoration, loyalty, and strength. These attributes make them a meaningful choice for weddings, embodying the love and commitment shared between partners.

Moreover, sunflowers are often associated with the sun due to their vibrant yellow petals and unique ability to track the sun’s movement across the sky. This heliotropism is symbolic of a partner’s affinity and devotion. Choosing sunflowers can evoke feelings of joy and hope, setting a tone for a journey filled with love and light. Unlike more traditional blooms, these flowers stand tall and strong, adding a striking visual presence to your celebration.

Finding Local Sunflowers in Virginia

Virginia offers a bounty of local sunflower farms and florists eager to bring your vision to life. Discover how sourcing sunflowers nearby not only supports the local economy but ensures fresh and vibrant blooms straight from the fields to your ceremony.

The sunflower fields at On Sunny Slope Farm are a fantastic option for couples looking to incorporate local blooms. Here, you and your guests can revel in the beauty of these iconic flowers while enjoying unique experiences, like the ‘you pick’ option that allows you to select your sunflowers directly from the field. This not only ensures the freshness of each blossom but also adds a personal touch to your decorations and bridal arrangements. These stunning fields can be the perfect backdrop for your ceremony, offering breathtaking scenery that captures the essence of Virginia’s natural charm.

Incorporating Sunflowers into Your Wedding Décor

From bouquets and boutonnieres to centerpieces and ceremony arches, sunflowers can be used in a variety of ways to enhance your wedding décor. Their versatility allows them to pair beautifully with other flowers and elements, suiting any wedding style.

Sunflowers can take center stage or complement subtle accents depending on the theme you envision. For instance, a rustic wedding can benefit from sunflower centerpieces placed in wooden crates or mason jars, infusing a sense of countryside charm. Alternatively, for a more traditional setting, pairing sunflowers with white roses or lilies creates an elegant contrast that highlights their boldness while maintaining sophistication. Additionally, placing sunflowers near me to guide guests to different areas of the venue or using them in your wedding arch can transform any ordinary space into a vibrant, cheerful environment.

Creative Ideas for Using Sunflowers

Consider unique and creative ways to include sunflowers in your wedding, such as floral photo backdrops, sunflower seed favors, or even a sunflower-themed dessert table. These touches will make your wedding day both memorable and visually stunning.

Incorporating sunflowers into less traditional elements can also enliven your wedding. Try a sunflower cake adorned with edible blooms that offers a delightful twist on classic wedding desserts. Alternatively, create a cozy lounge area with sunflower-decorated cushions or throws, enhancing the overall ambiance. Another engaging idea is to create a ‘sunflower wish tree,’ where guests can write messages on sunflower-shaped cards, adding a sentimental touch to your décor. These personal elements ensure your wedding is uniquely yours, filled with playful and imaginative aspects.

Tips for Maintaining the Freshness of Sunflowers

Learn how to keep your sunflowers looking vibrant throughout your wedding day with practical tips on proper care and handling. Ensuring that your blooms remain fresh will add an extra layer of beauty to your celebration.

To extend their freshness, cut the sunflower stems at an angle and place them in water promptly to enhance the uptake of moisture. Adding floral preservatives or a homemade solution of sugar and lemon juice can also prolong their life. For outdoor weddings, consider time-tested strategies like keeping sunflowers in shaded areas or using portable fans to maintain cool, comfortable conditions. Sunflower fields provide a unique opportunity for outdoor weddings, around which you can craft a tailored environment that preserves freshness while ensuring your flowers steal the spotlight throughout the day.

Your Sunflower Wedding Awaits

Incorporating sunflowers into your wedding not only enhances the beauty of your venue but also brings a sense of warmth and happiness that speaks volumes about your love story. With these tips, you can effortlessly integrate these delightful blooms into your wedding day, creating memories as radiant as a field of sunflowers.

A Season of Sunflowers Begins

Spring is on the horizon, and we are gearing up for an exciting sunflower season here at On Sunny Slope Farm! This May, we’ll be planting a stunning mix of 10 sunflower varieties, creating a breathtaking display of colors, textures, and heights. But that’s not all! Beneath these towering beauties, a diverse understory of flax, buckwheat, Phacelia, and safflower will enhance soil health, support pollinators, and add even more charm to our fields.

Join us on this journey as we introduce each sunflower variety that will be blooming this summer!

The 10 Sunflower Varieties in Our 2025 Mix

1. Mammoth Grey Stripe

This iconic sunflower is a true giant, reaching up to 12 feet tall with massive seed heads that produce delicious, edible seeds. These towering beauties provide a feast for birds and create a striking landscape feature.

2. Autumn Beauty


As the name suggests, the Autumn Beauty sunflower boasts a stunning mix of bronze, orange, gold, and deep red hues. Multi-branched and growing 5-7 feet tall, this variety creates a warm, sunset-like glow across the field.

3. Velvet Queen


For those who love deep, dramatic colors, the Velvet Queen is a must-see! Its burgundy-red petals contrast beautifully with the green backdrop of the farm, adding a bold and elegant touch to our sunflower collection.

4. Sunspot


A compact variety that grows just 2-3 feet tall, the Sunspot sunflower packs a punch with its large, bright yellow petals and a dark brown center. Its shorter height makes it accessible for all visitors to admire up close!

5. Lemon Queen


A pollinator favorite, the Lemon Queen sunflower features pale yellow petals and a golden center that attracts bees and butterflies. These blooms grow 5-7 feet tall, adding a soft and sunny glow to the field.

6. Dwarf Teddy Bear


This variety is as charming as its name! Dwarf Teddy Bear sunflowers stay under 3 feet tall and have dense, fluffy golden petals, resembling a soft pom-pom. These sunflowers are perfect for children and make adorable bouquets!

7. Sungold


Similar to the Teddy Bear, the Sungold sunflower grows slightly larger, up to 4 feet tall, and features full, fluffy golden blooms. This variety adds a unique texture to our fields and makes for beautiful cut flowers.

8. Maximilian Sunflower


Unlike the annual sunflowers in our mix, the Maximilian sunflower is a perennial! Growing 4-7 feet tall, this variety produces multiple smaller blooms per stem, offering a long-lasting floral display well beyond summer.

9. Peredovik Sunflower


A high-yield, oilseed-producing sunflower, Peredovik is known for its classic golden petals and dark centers. It’s an essential part of the ecosystem, providing a rich food source for birds and pollinators.

10. MAS 920CP Sunflower


This hybrid variety is known for strong stalks, vibrant golden petals, and high seed production. It stands tall, even in strong winds, making it a reliable and long-lasting feature in our fields.

The Understory: Enhancing the Soil & Supporting Pollinators

To create a sustainable, thriving ecosystem, we’re planting a diverse understory mix alongside our sunflowers. These companion plants will enrich the soil, attract beneficial insects, and prevent erosion:

Flax – Produces delicate blue flowers, improves soil structure, and adds natural pest resistance.
Buckwheat – A fast-growing cover crop that suppresses weeds and provides nectar for bees.
Phacelia – Known for its vibrant purple flowers, this plant is highly attractive to honeybees and butterflies.
Safflower – A drought-resistant crop that supports beneficial insects and adds bold color to the landscape.

By pairing our sunflowers with these companion plants, we’re enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health, and creating a visually stunning, environmentally friendly field.

Get Ready for a Blooming Adventure!

Planting begins in mid May 2025, and by mid-summer, these sunflowers will be in full bloom, transforming On Sunny Slope Farm into a breathtaking sea of gold, red, and orange. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, nature lover, or someone looking for a peaceful escape, this will be an experience you won’t want to miss!

Which sunflower variety are you most excited to see bloom? Let us know in the comments below!

On Sunny Slope Farm | Planting Begins in May | Sunflower Festival 2025 Coming Soon!

#SunflowerSeason #OnSunnySlopeFarm #SunflowersVA #PollinatorParadise #SustainableFarming #FieldOfDreams #SunflowerLove

Planning a wedding can be an exhilarating yet daunting task, particularly when choosing the perfect venue. If you’ve ever dreamed of a rustic, charming backdrop for your big day, a sunflower farm might just be the enchanting setting you’re looking for. In this guide, we’ll explore the key elements to consider when planning a dream wedding on a sunflower farm, ensuring your special day is as radiant as the sunflowers in full bloom.

A woman enjoying the beauty of a sunflower field in summer’s golden glow.

Choosing the Perfect Sunflower Farm

Finding the right sunflower farm is the cornerstone of your wedding planning. Consider factors such as location, accessibility, and the farm’s flowering season to ensure a picture-perfect setting. At On Sunny Slope Farm, the addition of up to 12 acres of breathtaking sunflower fields for July and August weddings creates an extraordinary backdrop. Imagine exchanging vows surrounded by vibrant blooms with their faces turned towards the sun, offering a warm, vibrant glow to your ceremony. Whether you’re captivated by the idea of a ceremony enveloped in natural beauty or the desire for a unique venue, understanding the logistics will help make your dream wedding a reality.

As you narrow down your choices, evaluating the amenities and services offered by each farm is crucial. Does the venue provide additional conveniences like covered areas or accommodations for guests? How about parking arrangements or facilities for vendors? For example, On Sunny Slope Farm ensures guests’ comfort with tent fans, ideal for hotter months. Knowing these details in advance will assist in coordinating various aspects of your event, ensuring everything runs smoothly on your big day.

To truly appreciate the unique offerings of each venue, consider scheduling a visit during the peak flowering season. This will provide an authentic feel of what a wedding day might look like amidst the vibrant landscape. Walking through the sunflower fields, you can begin to visualize the seating arrangements, photo spots, and other special touches that will make your wedding memorable. Most farms, like On Sunny Slope Farm, offer tours for prospective couples, allowing you to discuss customization options and ask any specific questions regarding your vision.

Creating a Rustic Wedding Theme

Sunflower farms lend themselves beautifully to a rustic wedding theme. Incorporate natural elements like wood, burlap, and wildflowers to complement the vibrant yellow hues. The unmistakable rustic charm of a countryside venue enhances the overall atmosphere, creating an inviting, laid-back setting that encourages guests to relax and enjoy the festivities. Embrace this aesthetic by using materials found in nature, such as tree slices for centerpieces, twine-wrapped utensils, and handcrafted signage that guides guests through your transcending love story.

Delve into the whimsical charm of sunflowers by incorporating them into your wedding’s floral design. This can range from grand displays to subtle touches, such as adding sunflowers to your bouquet, boutonnieres, and aisle markers. Using sunflowers as a focal point in your decor highlights their visual appeal, creating a cohesive theme that ties every element together. Consider some of the creative sunflower wedding ideas to enhance your theme, such as sunflower-adorned arches or charming sunflower place cards that double as sweet mementos for your guests.

A rustic-themed sunflower wedding allows for personalization at numerous touchpoints throughout the celebration. Invitations adorned with sunflower illustrations or menu cards designed with hand-drawn rustic elements can set the tone before the guests arrive. Small, delightful details like sunflower seed packets tied with twine as favors contribute to the theme while offering a keepsake that invites guests to bring a piece of your special day into their hearts. Explore how to elevate your theme in every element of your wedding, from ceremony to reception, creating an immersive experience that connects you and your guests to the sunflower farm’s natural beauty.

While sunflowers thrive in the summer, it’s important to plan for weather contingencies. Ensure you have a backup plan, like tents or an indoor space, to keep your guests comfortable and your day running smoothly. Renting quality tents for your reception area not only adds an element of preparedness but also brings a sense of intimacy to the celebration. Consider utilizing tent fans, as suggested by On Sunny Slope Farm, to maintain comfort on warmer days, ensuring guests can enjoy the idyllic surroundings without weather concerns.

When selecting your wedding date, take note of the region’s climate patterns and sunflower blooming periods. Selecting a date when sunflowers are at their most magnificent enhances your event’s aesthetics and provides optimal conditions for photography. Familiarizing yourself with local seasonal trends can also influence attire choices, helping you decide if lighter fabrics or layers may be appropriate for your bridal party and guests. By acknowledging these factors early in the planning process, you can ensure your sunflower farm wedding is as seamless and enjoyable as it is picturesque.

Curating a Delightful Menu

Choose a menu that enhances the farm experience. Local and seasonal dishes or a farm-to-table approach can elevate the culinary aspect of your wedding, offering a unique and memorable dining experience. Collaborate with local caterers who can craft a menu featuring fresh ingredients, serving dishes that not only highlight regional flavors but also support local farmers and producers. By doing so, you create a menu that is both sustainable and delicious, leaving your guests with a lasting impression of your thoughtful approach to culinary design.

Incorporating farmhouse flavors into your catering options can be fun and creative. Aim for a blend of traditional and contemporary dishes that cater to an array of palates. Consider offering unique food stations, like a sunflower oil tasting or artisanal honey pairings that pay homage to the sunflower farm’s charm. Thoughtfully selected beverages can also enhance the experience—a choice selection of local wines and craft beers could complement your menu while enhancing the guest experience overall, creating a cohesive theme that resonates deeply with the sunflower farm setting.

Capturing Magical Moments

Sunflower farms provide a stunning backdrop for photographs. Work with a photographer accustomed to outdoor settings to ensure they capture the beauty and romance of your special day. Professional photographers familiar with sunflower fields can use their experience to highlight this vibrant landscape, resulting in stunning images filled with natural warmth and beauty. Consider incorporating creative sunflower photoshoot ideas that utilize the fields, basking in the golden glow as the perfect backdrop for romantic couple portraits and candid shots.

To make the most of these enchanting settings, plan your photo sessions during the ‘golden hour’—that magical time just after sunrise or before sunset—when the sunlight casts a warm, delicate glow over the sunflowers. Not only does this lighting enhance the natural ambiance of your surroundings, but it also adds a dreamy quality to your images. Discuss timing and logistical details with your photographer to ensure seamless transitions between the celebratory events and capturing stunning memories throughout the day.

Crafting Unforgettable Experiences Amidst Sunflower Fields

A wedding on a sunflower farm offers a magical and heartfelt atmosphere that is hard to replicate. By carefully planning each detail, you can create a celebration that is both personal and unforgettable. As you step into the next chapter of your life surrounded by the vibrant beauty of sunflowers, you’ll be creating memories that will warm your hearts for years to come.