Allison & Nick, December 2011
Classic setting. Stunning aesthetics. Fireplaces. Cozy winter wedding. Every bite of the rehearsal dinner and reception reflective of a Relaix & Chateau establishment. The food was extraordinary.
Barbara (Mother of the Bride), June 2011
Everyone was so gracious and helpful, the house and gardens couldn’t have been more beautiful, the food was excellent, and the little touches, such as the list of each guest’s room number in all the rooms, were much appreciated. It was such a fabulous experience, we are going to recommend that everyone we know have their wedding atClifton!
Robyn & Matt, April 2011
Clifton Inn was the most perfect location for our wedding…The flowers were all in bloom and gorgeous! The staff was amazing and every detail was taken care of. Their service was top notch. We can’t wait to go back every year we can to celebrate our anniversary!
Michelle & Michael, September 2010
You made our daughter’s dream wedding come true! From the moment we arrived, all our planning combined with your expertise, went into action as if a magic wand was waved. We didn’t have to think about anything! Your gracious attention to all our guests, wedding party, and detail in general, was outstanding.
Jennifer & Taylor, May 2010
The wedding looked and felt exactly like we wanted it to, our guests had a fabulous time and we have memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you for making our vision come together in such a fabulous way.
Tessie & Matt, February 2008
We knew our wedding would be beautiful, but the Clifton Inn surpassed all of our expectations. Family and friends were pampered by the expertly-trained staff, and our taste buds still recall the salty-sweet crunch of the wedding cake. Our wedding was truly magical, and we cannot wait to celebrate our anniversary at The Clifton Inn for years to come.
SUSANNE & BEAR, March 2011
Dear Clifton,
Photo by Eric Kelly
We can’t begin to fully express our gratitude and joy for what a magical weekend you all gave us at Clifton. From the first time we arrived there last summer to visit and tour, to our relaxing tasting visit in January and then to our wedding three weeks ago: Every moment was so lovely. your staff was always warm and welcoming, making us feel right at home and relaxed! On every occasion the food was beyond delicious and the atmosphere was so happy. Our guests keep raving about the wedding – The gorgeous setting, the effortless feeling of the afternoon and evening, the beautiful house, and the incredible food and cake… But they also keep remarking on how much they enjoyed you all! It’s so clear that you love and take pride in Clifton and we feel so lucky to have been able to have our wedding at such a special place with such a special group of people. We can only imagine how interesting it must be to watch people be married, get engaged and celebrate occasions every weekend at Clifton, and that you must receive these notes all the time! We jope you know how special a place Clifton has become for us and for my family – We hope we can come every March to celebrate our anniversary and remember our magixcal weekend with you all. Many, many thanks and happy spring!
Fondly, Susanne & Bear
MICHELLE & MICHAEL, September 2010
To the entire Staff at The Clifton,
You made our daughter’s dream wedding come true! From the moment we arrived, all our planning combined with your expertise, went into action as if a magic wand was waved. We didn’t have to think about anything! Your gracious attention to all our guests, wedding party, and detail in general, was outstanding. Our families and close friends were immensely pleased with their accommodations and just being in such a lovely environment. From hors d’oeuvres to the wedding cake, the food was “fine dining” at its best. Our appreciation to all who made Michelle and Michael’s wedding exceptional!
Suzanne & Skip K.
JENNIFER & TAYLOR, May 2010
Photo by: Sam Dean
To all the fabulous people at Clifton,
We can’t even begin to put into words how fabulous our wedding weekend was. You guys surpassed all of our expectations. The wedding looked and felt exactly like we wanted it to, our guests had a fabulous time (in case you didn’t notice), and we have memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you for making our vision come together in such a fabulous way. We can’t say enough about the food, the service, and the incredible hospitality. Thank you!
Jennifer & Taylor
TESSIE & MATT, February 2008
Photo by: Holland Photo Arts
My name is Tessie Doty Wallace and my husband, Matt, and I got married at the Clifton Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia, on February 2, 2008.
We knew what we wanted – a small, intimate wedding at a charming locale, easily reached from our hometown of Charleston, West Virginia. But would we find it? We began to search online for a nearby destination that offered a romantic setting, gracious service, and cozy rooms that you can slip into like your favorite pajamas.
Most importantly, we wanted to offer our guests something more than the standard “forgettable” wedding food. Instead of mini quiches and pasta bars, there would be innovative morsels made from local ingredients. No carving stations or teenaged servers passing stuffed mushrooms, but instead, trained professionals delivering gorgeous food plated by the chef himself.
Finally, we found The Clifton Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia on the Conde Naste website, and it appeared to fit our wedding visions to a tee. Matt and I drove to the inn one weekend soon after, and fell in love immediately – first with the rustic-chic décor, and then, with the amazing food that we were served throughout our stay. In fact, the food was so perfect that we held the rehearsal dinner and the bridesmaid luncheon there as well!
Mid-morning on the day before the wedding, bridesmaids and a few female family members eased into the weekend with a low-key but scrumptious brunch at the chef’s table. Over excited chatter, the ladies sipped on a rich tomato bisque and munched on “gourmet” grilled cheese sandwiches – perfect for the chilly February morning. Once the brunch was underway, the pastry chef began a demonstration of one of the trademark Clifton Inn desserts: Sticky Toffee Pudding with Dulce de Leche. The pastry chef patiently answered all of our questions and we all enjoyed the delicious result at the end of the demonstration.
To continue the relaxed tenor of the weekend, the groom’s mother opted for a buffet-style rehearsal dinner for all of the fifty wedding guests. The most raved-about dish was the Horseradish-Crusted Atlantic Salmon which complemented a perfectly-cooked parmesan risotto and pinot noir reduction.
After the candlelit wedding ceremony, guests mingled and sipped wine while the Clifton’s accommodating staff passed seven different hors d’oeuvres. Among the favorites was the Smoked Salmon Rillette with Horseradish Crème Fraiche and Potato Crisp.
For dinner, guests were seated at tables of six on the Clifton’s outside patio, which was tented with a clear covering and decorated with fresh greenery and lanterns. With the starlit sky visible above, we savored the six-course tasting menu that included creations such as Ahi Tuna Involunti with Confit Peppers, Tomatoes with Creamy Lemon-Caper Dressing and Colorado Lamb Chops with Roasted Garlic, Rosemary Polenta and Red Wine Lamb Jus. By far, however, the most memorable offering of the evening was the wedding cake – a dark chocolate cake with layers of white chocolate peanut crunch and dark chocolate mousse, created by the Clifton’s pastry chef.
We knew our wedding would be beautiful, but the Clifton Inn surpassed all of our expectations. Family and friends were pampered by the expertly-trained staff, and our taste buds still recall the salty-sweet crunch of the wedding cake. Our wedding was truly magical, and we cannot wait to celebrate our anniversary at The Clifton Inn for years to come.
Sincerely,
Tessie & Matt
MANA & RICH, May 2007
Photo by Jen Fariello
I am writing to enthusiastically rave to you about the spectacular Clifton Inn, where my husband and I wed on May 12, 2007.
I am an Iranian-born, New Yorker, have lived and been schooled in the Northeast (at Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Law) and now practice securities law in Washington, DC. My husband is a true son of Virginia, born, raised and schooled (at Virginia Military Institute and recently, at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business) in Virginia and is now a consultant with Clear Carbon Consulting in Arlington. Therefore, predictably, we focused our venue search on unique, classic and chic settings where our guests, composed of completely different types of people from various walks of life and in various stages of their lives, would feel special and most at ease. Also, all of my family and friends were traveling from far and wide to attend the wedding and a principal concern was their comfort during the wedding weekend. The Clifton Inn, a Relais & Chateaux member property, promised amazing cuisine and unparalleled service to us and our guests and it delivered the same at every step.
As we drove up to the historic main house, passing through the impeccably manicured grounds (with an infinity pool and tennis court in view), we were taken aback by the serenity and casual elegance which enveloped the place. We immediately thought that this was exactly the feeling that we would want our guests to have – that they were in a special place, but free to be comfortable and relaxed enough to fully celebrate and enjoy themselves. Upon meeting Jessica Sheffield, the Clifton Inn’s then event planner (now with the Event Company in Charlottesville – even though she left the employ of the Clifton Inn prior to our wedding, she committed to help us throughout the process – a truly selfless and invaluable service), we were led through the property and regaled with visions of possibilities, one more charming than the next. After the meeting, Jessica kept in constant touch with us, working with us to stay within budget, sacrificing neither the charm nor elegance of the event. Her answer to every request and every idea was: “We can do that!” She and the Clifton Inn staff truly did not deny us any request and only worked to make our ideas and dreams for the special day and weekend better than we could have imagined.
We decided to have two ceremonies – a civil ceremony on the croquet lawn, a low brick-walled enclosure, surrounded by short trees and peony and iris flower bushes, and a traditional Persian ceremony on the front lawn, directly in front of the beautiful main house, which allowed our guests to stand around us (as is traditional) to watch the ceremony. We worked with the amazing team of Pat and Sherry at Pat’s Floral Designs to make each of the two ceremony sites even lusher. The grounds boast beautiful vegetation and many peony bushes, so we decided to complement our surroundings by using only peonies, hydrangeas and, Virginia’s flower, dogwoods.
Instead of having a tent on the front lawn of the Clifton, we decided to curb our guest list so that we could take advantage of the charming dining rooms inside the main house. The dining rooms are rather unique and lend themselves to intimate gatherings, with a shell encased chandelier, fireplaces and endless windows. We wanted our guests to feel cozy by enjoying dinner in what felt like a very wealthy, but unpretentious, friend’s home, not in some restaurant or, dare I say it, ballroom. The chic dining rooms called for little embellishment, so we placed three cylinders on each rectangular table, each containing one dogwood branch.
Finally, we chose the newly built terrace in the back of the main house as the site of our reception. We envisioned a New England garden party feel, with cocktail tables and some of Clifton Inn’s antique furnishings outside. Of course, the Clifton Inn obliged and delivered a site beyond our expectations.
When my parents and I arrived to the Clifton Inn on the Wednesday before our Saturday nuptials, the staff of the Clifton Inn made us feel as though we were the only people, not on their property, but on earth. They catered to our every whim and made us feel as though we were home. In fact, we were told more than once, “This is your home.” Every room at the Clifton was even outfitted with fresh flowers from its gardens. My family and I stayed at Collina Farm, a free-standing house a one minute drive from the main house, so that we could establish a home base for our family, where we could cook and have some privacy from other guests. The staff made us feel as though we were in the main house. They responded within short minutes to any request and knew each of us by name.
The rehearsal dinner, hosted by my husband’s parents was held poolside. Dean Maupin, Clifton Inn’s genius chef, manned the barbecue for a meal which a friend of mine insists is forever preserved in the memory of her taste buds. Freshly made cornbread, barbecued ribs and chicken, macaroni and cheese and salad, among other cuisine, delighted our guests, while the Clifton’s staff kept every glass full and every guest satisfied. Once the sun went down, the lights in and around the pool created an intimate and graceful atmosphere.
On the morning of our wedding, I, an anxious bride, spent the early hours chatting with my very best friends. The Clifton Inn staff brought us breakfast in bed and catered to my and my friends’ every need. While I was getting ready, my friends, family and I were sated with pastries (courtesy of the Clifton Inn’s amazing pastry chef, Erin Souder) and tea at Collina Farm. Then, 15 minutes before I was to walk down the aisle, the unthinkable happened – RAIN. Jessica Sheffield kept her cool and the Clifton Inn’s staff moved our guests indoors for some impromptu cocktails. Jessica and the staff ensured that I knew that the guests were fine and unbothered by the delay and that we could wait as long as necessary for the rain to pass. Once the rain passed, the staff quickly and efficiently wiped down all the seats on the croquet lawn and replaced all moved items at the various sites and the wedding commenced as if nothing had happened – quite the feat.
After the ceremonies, the staff continued their aw-inspiring service. They passed hors d’oeuvres and special cocktails to our guests. The Clifton Inn also not only allowed, but encouraged, us to bring in Persian sweets and special tea blended by my father, as is traditional in our culture, and offered to serve them to our guests. Photos, which are usually a tedious interlude in the fun and fantasy of weddings, passed merrily as the staff served those waiting for pictures and kept me and my new husband well fed.
At dinner, the staff’s professional and impeccable service continued. I had provided the Clifton Inn with the name of each person at each table with a dietary restriction and, once dinner time came, without a single error, each such person was provided with exactly the food they could consume. My guests were dumbfounded. What’s more, for each table of ten, ten servers appeared and simultaneously served each course so that no one had to wait for anyone else at their table to receive their food. It was a magically coordinated dance that all of our guests noted and admired. Further, it seemed to my husband and me that we had our very own servers all night. Before we could express a wish for a drink or a piece of cake or any other need, it was met. How amazing that they seemed to know what we wanted before we did! Dinner, each course the special creation of Chef Maupin, was delectable and inspired. To this day, our guests praise Chef Maupin’s skill.
At the reception as well, with our parents at ease and each guest perfectly served and enthusiastically received by the Clifton Inn’s staff, my husband and I had no worries. The rain began again shortly before we departed for the night, but that was no concern of ours, as a member of the Clifton Inn’s staff was standing by with a large umbrella even before the first drop hit the ground. So typical!
The day after our wedding, our guests were sent off with a delicious buffet breakfast on the croquet lawn and a doggie bag with Pastry Chef Souder’s ginger snap cookies for the drive home. Spectacular to the end!
I know that this is a rather long letter, but I feel that the meticulous way in which the Clifton Inn’s staff served us and our guests deserves high and detailed praise. Our friends and family were enchanted by the Clifton Inn’s cuisine and atmosphere. The property is a gorgeous throw-back to a more gracious and refined past. It was a remarkable setting in which to celebrate the beginning of our life together. The cuisine was scrumptious, clever and mouth-watering without fail. However, it was truly the people who work at the Clifton Inn that made our weekend so much more special. The Clifton Inn’s staff (which includes not only the waiters and kitchen staff, but also its chef, pastry chef and management) embodied the epitome of southern hospitality. They made every single one of our guests feel at home. My parents were in awe of the treatment they received and the uncompromising quality of each and every service and product of the Clifton Inn. (The staff even sent a hand-written note to my parents thanking them for the pleasure of their acquaintance after the wedding.) The staff inspired in my husband and me a great trust that any unexpected difficulty would be managed in a distinguished and professional manner. This was priceless to us on a weekend in which we wished to only focus on our love and loved ones. I am convinced that the only reason that we had the perfect wedding was not that nothing went wrong, but that any and every contingency was planned for and each incident immediately and delicately handled by the staff. My husband and I are forever grateful to the Clifton Inn for our perfect weekend and precious memories.
We have since returned to stay and dine at the Clifton Inn and plan on doing so at least on each wedding anniversary. It is a special place and we believe that it may be one of the last establishments in which uncompromised quality and service is a priority.
Very truly yours,
Mana
