“A Love Story With a Twist : Historic Airlie in Warrenton Leaves Fans Teary-Eyed on ‘Baylen Out Loud’”
Warrenton’s historic Airlie received some national attention when the storied hotel and grounds were featured in a recent episode of TLC’s “Baylen Out Loud.”
The show follows young influencer Baylen Dupree and her family and friends as she navigates life with Tourette’s Syndrome. A producer from the show reached out to Airlie earlier this year while scouting wedding venues across the Northern Virginia region. Airlie was selected, and an episode was filmed on the grounds as Dupree and her fiancé, Colin Dooley, explored wedding venues. The couple got engaged earlier this year.
“I was more nervous seeing it afterwards than while they were here,” Erica Williams, Airlie’s event sales manager who guided the couple through their tour, told FauquierNow. “Having all the cameras everywhere, that was definitely something that I’m not used to, but I felt pretty comfortable, so I think it was definitely a fun experience.”
Despite some direction from the TLC crew, Airlie staff said the tour felt natural and comfortable, and they praised the young couple for their warmth.
“They were so nice,” said Rose Henderson, Airlie’s director of sales and marketing, “We didn’t know what to expect either … I hadn’t watched the show before — but they were just the sweetest couple, genuinely kind and appreciative.”
Henderson recalled one touching moment she wishes made it into the final cut of the episode.
“At the end of the tour, Baylen … she felt just so comfortable with Erica and she loved Airlie so much that she was like, ’Can I give you a hug?’”
Airlie’s property hosts a variety of different locations for photoshoots, events and weddings.
“There’s just so many different things. You really could stay here the whole weekend and not have to leave,” said Henderson.
Airlie was originally built as a farm in 1899, and much of the original structures are preserved in today’s property, including the main house and carriage house. Airlie is no stranger to high-profile guests, including presidents and politicians. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Airlie in the 1960s to plan civil rights events, including the 1963 March on Washington.
The team hopes being featured on the TV show will bring more attention to Airlie and help shed light on this hidden gem in Northern Virginia.
“We hope it brings a lot of business to us,” Henderson said. “You know, being in Warrenton and being an independent property, we’re not really known by a lot of people. However, it’s just such a unique and beautiful place. So we’d love for many more people to be able to come and experience it for themselves.”
The team said that the show did a great job of depicting Airlie and its unique charm.
“It was an experience that I’m glad I got to have,” said Williams.
The team also hopes the episode will encourage new visitors to explore the property through its many community events, from holiday breakfasts with Santa to its annual February Wine Fest.
For a place that has hosted presidents, activists and now reality TV stars, Airlie’s latest appearance on screen reflects the same values that have defined it for more than a century — a commitment to welcoming everyone and making them feel at home.
