Clifton boasts a remarkable historical legacy that begins with a direct link to Thomas Jefferson and includes a connection with one of the most colorful characters of the Civil War.

The original property was part of a 3,000 acre land grant belonging to Peter Jefferson.  Through the Jefferson family, approximately 350 acres of the land was passed on to Thomas Jefferson’s daughter and her then-new husband Thomas Mann Randolph.  It was on the central parcel of this land that Randolph built their home “Edgehill.”

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The stone foundations of the present main house were likely part of a warehouse that Randolph built to service his trading business.  Randolph spent a great amount of time at Clifton while his wife Martha worked as hostess at Monticello.

Randolph’s Jefferson family ties were frayed and in fact broken in 1826 in a dispute over Thomas Jefferson’s will.  When Randolph learned that he had been bypassed as executor of the will by his own son, Thomas Jefferson Randolph, the elder Randolph was furious and humiliated.  So much so, in fact, that in 1826 he renounced his family, leaving Edgehill and moving ½ mile away to what is now Clifton.  It was there that he lived in complete seclusion, spending his days and nights drinking and brooding while his health failed him.  In March of 1828 he moved again, this time to the North Wing at Monticello, where he died alone only a few months later.

Clifton once again had a date with history during the Civil War, when it is said to have been the home of the “Grey Ghost of the Confederacy,” Colonel John Singleton Mosby.  Mosby and his family were driven from their home in Middleburg and apparently sought refuge at Clifton.  As the story goes, the colorful Colonel often sent them food and supplies and was careful to re-route his packages upon reports of Union soldiers in the area.

Following the Civil War, Clifton remained a private residence for more than a century until it was lovingly restored by its current owners into a five-room country inn.  Three historic dependencies on the estate were restored to create nine additional guest accommodations in the original home and its outlying buildings, including the “Honeymoon Cottage” and “Livery Suites.”

I asked Clifton Coordinator some questions about the inn:

How many guests can Clifton accommodate for a wedding?

300 is our maximum.  

What makes Clifton special/different compared to other places? 

Clifton is a unique blend of southern charm & hospitality and luxury accommodations & service all set on a beautiful property which only feels like you are out in the country (since we are so close to Charlottesville). The modern clean lines with the eclectic decorations lends itself to most any wedding decor ensuring that the property becomes your own private estate for the weekend equipped with a full restaurant and staff! Guests are often surprised by how friendly (and international!) our staff is and we pride ourselves in making sure every detail of every event is accounted for. That is one of the reasons we have an event coordinator onsite who is familiar with the event and the property.

 Is there anything else about Clifton that you would like to share? 

I can honestly say that every member of our staff loves being here and doing what they are doing. Behind the scenes we are always working out details on events beyond what most clients would believe even if I told them. Our goal is to have the wedding couple be able to check in that weekend and know that everything will be taken care of from then on.

The Top of the Town is an amazing venue! How did you choose it for your wedding?
We found the venue by accident. Searching online from the venue, we found it listed as one of the top, and when we finally got there, Top of the Town lived up to expectations and more.  Katie was speechless.

Tell us how you chose the decor for Top of the Town.
Our decor was based entirely off of Christmas and the flower girl dress. Our colors were blue and purple with bubbles. Katie wanted twinkle lights everywhere.

Tell us about your dress and other fashion accessories. I loved the “bubble” look!
My dress was by Henry Roth named Zoe and my shoes were custom made cobalt blue Milk & Honey 2″ heels. I wore pearl and crystal earrings, my communion pearl necklace, and a pearl bracelet.

What detail did you like best about your wedding day?
Matt: The fact we got married was a big detail I liked.

Katie: I finally got to wear my dress and that we got married.

Tell us about the food!
The cake was lemon in the first and last tier and the middle tier was amaretto. Matt was sad that he did not get to eat the amaretto . The food was good, a ceasar salad and chicken and steak entree.

What was your favorite moment?
Matt: My best man’s speeches and just being on the balcony afterwards.

Katie: Going around town with the bridesmaids and taking pictures before the wedding and going with Matt to take pictures after the wedding.

And finally, what’s next for you as a couple?
Montauk!

You can view a preview of their fantastically scenic wedding below and click on this link to view the password protected gallery of all their images!

And you ca

Go check them out  for free downloading on my FaceBook Page!

venue: Oak Ridge Estate
caterer: April Farmer
floral: Blue Ridge Floral
DJ: Wendell Witt
band: The Ruckus
cake: Billie’s Cakes

How did you choose your venue?

A woman I work with, Nancy, helps with weddings at Oak Ridge Estates. She suggested I go take a look, and we put the deposit down that day. It was the first place we looked at- it just felt right!

How did the two of you meet?

Alan & I met at a summer camp for at risk youth in Lynchburg. We were both counselors there, but went to separate high schools. We hit it off right away and were high school sweat hearts from then on.

What was your favorite moment during the day?

I loved getting ready with my bridesmaids, you rarely have moments like that. Also, walking down the aisle and seeing Alan for the first time. He had been guessing what my dress looked like for so long, I was excited for him to see it! Also, Alan delivered flowers upstairs to me that he had bought the morning of with a card explaining how excited he was for the wedding. It was so sweet and thoughtful. Seeing everyone gathered in one place that we all cared about was probably the best part though, that may never happen again!

Tell us about your dress and other accessories!

My dress was gorgeous- hand beaded and couture. When I walked into Becky’s Bridal (Buena Vista) it was standing in the center of the store. It was the first dress I tried on. I tried on one more, a different style, to make sure it was what I wanted. We bought it that day as well. It was quite a princess dress! The shoes were called “poof” shoes, although they were hidden they were one of my favorite parts.

What detail did you like best about your day?

It is so hard to pick one detail. I would say seeing everyone so dressed up, and the bridesmaids with their bouquets. The flower girl and ring bearer were priceless, they could not have been cuter. Also, my dress of course!

Describe your decor and how you chose it!

Our decor was simple- our plan was to keep the wedding classic and elegant. Everything was black & white. The tables had white linens with black bird cage like pieces on them that held candles. All of the flowers were done by Amy Webb out of Afton, VA. The house itself was enough of a decoration, we just added small touches to enhance the look.

Tell us about your food!

Our food was catered by April , we had quite a spread. There was a carving station, fondue fountains (chocolate and cheese), and much more. Our cake was done by Billy’s Cakes in Altavista, VA. It was orange spice and the top was red velvet (we wanted red velvet, but also orange spice to fit the fall atmosphere). The outside was black and white, beautiful!

What’s next on your calender as a couple?

We just bought a house, so we will continue to work on that and make it our own. We plan to have children, but not for a few years!

Enjoy more images on the slideshow

and log into the full gallery at the end of the show or at this link (password required)

coordinator: La Londe Events, what a DIFFERENCE a good planner makes!
ceremony: First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis
venue and catering: Governor Calvert House
florist: Fantastic Flowers
DJ: DJ Chris 410.551.5025
Cake: Shockley’s Sweet Shoppe
hair and make up: Up Dos for I Dos
assistant photographer: Cindy Alderton

How did you meet?

We were both in 3rd Company at the Naval Academy.

What did you like best about your wedding day?

It was exciting to have so many friends and family meet each other as we celebrated.

After speaking with a potential client this week, I thought I would be sure to post this image.  I don’t normally show what I call the standard formal stuff but you should know that I pretty much always capture some version of this image.  I call it the mom shot – the image that moms want for their piano top silver frames and for the newspaper.  In general, we spend about 20-30 minutes on ALL the group images either before or after the ceremony – your choice!  I want you to be able to get to your party without worrying about missing an important family group!  Of course, the formals list is always in your hands – more groups?  Sure!  Fewer?  That’s great too!

I do like to have a wee bit of time to get the romantic stuff.

What was your favorite moment during the day?

Getting heckled during our first dance…

and continuing the party at McGarvey’s in downtown Annapolis!

some of the fun details from the wedding include amazing flowers

and delicious bonbons!

What’s next on your calender as a couple?

We’re looking forward to a honeymoon in Italy!

click on the FACEplace collage below to see full size!

and enjoy the slideshow with even more images.  Link to the full gallery can be found here (password required).

rehearsal dinner: Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens (blog post coming later this week!)

coordinator: McBride Events, Jennifer and her staff rocked!
ceremony: Beth Ahabah
venue: Commonwealth Club
florist: White House Flowers
ceremony music: Molly Sharp
reception band: No Soul
cake: Kalico Kitchen
hair and make up: Mango

How did you meet?

We met through a mutual friend who went from kindergarten – 12th grade with Christie and then went to medical school at Vanderbilt with Evan.  We were friends for years first – but once we saw the light, we knew we’d found “IT.”

I will be posting Christie’s bridal session at a later date but here’s a little preview

She got ready at her parent’s home…

The groom finished up his preparations at the home as well!

What was your favorite moment during the day?

We were filled with joy all day long!  We loved our first moment together – and we could barely take the smiles off our faces for a second after that. From a beautiful, joy-filled ceremony to a fun reception, filled with our family and friends and lots of dancing!

and thank you to Christie’s sister, Elizabeth – I photographed her wedding back in 2003!

then

Elizabeth and Ryan (with their daughter) now

Ketubah signing

The stunning ballroom at the Commonwealth Club with florals by Tracy White of White House Flowers

the horah!

What nest for you as a couple?

Evan is taking Christie on a surprise “mini-moon” the weekend after the wedding.  We leave today and I still don’t know where we’re heading – he’s packing for me.  All I know is I can take our sweet puppy, Nash!!! 

View lots more on the slideshow

and see the entire gallery at this link. (password required)

and just for Alan