A Winning Bid on a Dream

At the time of their engagement, they dreamed of building a home for their own wedding, but with limited time, it wasn’t possible. Even after their wedding later that year, the idea stuck with them — creating a beautiful space where others could gather and celebrate life’s special moments that would last for generations.

Over the years, that vision continued to grow as they explored different ideas and locations.

Then they found a 52-acre property in Dinwiddie County that seemed to offer everything they had imagined. The property featured a charming historic farmhouse, fields, barns and silos — but it would take considerable vision to transform it into the destination the Christophers envisioned.

The couple placed a bid in an online auction for the property and made one final push as the clock ticked down.

“We definitely went over our budget a little bit,”

Paige recalled with a laugh. “But it was worth it.”

Their winning bid marked the beginning of what would become White Oak Manor, one of Southside Virginia’s premier wedding venues.

Today, the property features a beautifully restored historic home, a handcrafted white barn, an intimate chapel with custom stained-glass windows and a picturesque gazebo ceremony site overlooking a peaceful pond.

Building the Vision

When the Christophers acquired the Dinwiddie property, much of the land was hidden beneath years of overgrowth. The pond that now provides a stunning backdrop for outdoor ceremonies was barely visible, and the property needed extensive work before it could become the venue they envisioned.

Over the next year and a half, Alex and Paige poured countless hours into transforming the property.

As a general contractor and home builder, Alex brought years of construction experience to the project while continuing to operate his own business, A.M. Christopher Homes. Paige worked alongside him during evenings and weekends, helping with everything from painting and design to operating equipment and tackling the many unexpected challenges that come with restoring the property.

“I learned how to drive all kinds of equipment,”

Paige said. “We pulled some really long days.”

Their determination and hands-on approach allowed the couple to bring their vision to life while preserving the character and history of the original property.

The historic farmhouse was renovated to include an elegant bridal suite while retaining original features. The signature white reception barn, repurposed and bespoke new construction from the ground up.

“Anything I would’ve wanted for my own wedding, we tried to create here,”

she said.

One of the property’s most distinctive features came about unexpectedly. What began as a simple shelter near the outdoor ceremony site evolved into a full chapel, complete with handcrafted stained-glass windows created by a North Carolina artisan.

“We wanted every couple to feel like they were getting married somewhere magical,”

Paige said.

A Banking Partner for a Growing Business

Transforming a 52-acre property into a fully operational wedding venue required not only hard work and creativity but also a banking partner who understood the Christophers’ vision.

After purchasing the property, Alex and Paige worked with Chris Everett, vice president at The Bank of Southside Virginia, to secure financing that helped fund renovations to the historic home. The loan gave them the flexibility to use their personal finances on the construction of the other buildings and landscaping the property.

“Chris was amazing throughout the whole process,”

Paige said. “We couldn’t have gotten started so quickly without his help.”

The couple came to BSV with a clear vision, along with the resources to make that a reality.

“We love working with local residents to invest in future opportunities that benefit our entire community — that’s at the heart of everything we’ve done for generations,”

Everett said. “We were honored that the Christophers trusted us to partner step-by-step with them to create this amazing new business.”

The relationship between BSV and the Christophers extends beyond White Oak Manor. Alex also banks with BSV for his construction business, continuing the family’s longstanding relationship with the bank as their businesses have grown.

A Family Business Built for the Future

When Oak Manor hosted its first wedding in October 2023 and has since grown into a sought-after wedding destination, welcoming couples from across Virginia and beyond. Today, the venue has a growing team, including a full-time administrator and dedicated wedding coordinators.

With every event, however, the Christophers refined their systems and elevated the experience.

Paige and Alex remain deeply involved in every aspect of the business. They’re also raising their two young children on the property, where they plan to build their family’s forever home.

“This was never just a business,”

Paige said. “It’s our family’s legacy.”