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Weddings
From 2 to 250 guests
Ceremony/Reception
Outdoor/Indoor
Get Ready Rooms

Why couples loved this venue

  • Quality catering
  • Guests comfort
  • Amenities
Kelly
A McMahon
Sylvia
Caroline
Sarah

Recommended by 94% of couples

About this venue

The Clifton is Charlottesville’s premier boutique hotel, restaurant and wedding venue. We offer luxury amenities and exceptional service on 100 acres of pristine Virginia countryside.

The Clifton Colonial Revival Manor House, built in the late eighteenth century, at the behest of Thomas Mann Randolph and his wife, Martha Jefferson Randolph, Thomas Jefferson's daughter. In the second half of the nineteenth century, the estate officially received the name, "Clifton", by the Wyatt family. The Clifton was painstakingly renovated in the late twentieth century to become an indelible treasure in Charlottesville, Virginia, including the transformation of historic dependencies on the estate: the Livery Stables, Carriage House, Garden Cottages, and The Collina farmhouse into additional guest accommodations. With historic charm, breathtaking views and modern, yet elegant sophistication, The Clifton has become one of the most iconic wedding venues in Virginia.

Enjoy the offerings of our Executive Chef’s seasonal menus, featuring the bounty of our own organic garden. To accompany your meal, the Wine Cellar is stocked with Virginia’s most celebrated wines along with an extensive selection of global vintages. Our professionally trained staff will provide anticipatory service from your guests check in to check out.


EVENT CAPACITY

  • The Manor House - Accommodating up to 100 guests seated on the Terrace and 60 guests seated on The Veranda
  • The Court Tent - Accommodating up to 250 guests seated
  • For Ceremonies - The Front Lawn with seating up to 200, The Croquet Lawn with seating up to 100
  • Rain Plan - Veranda or Tented Terrace (Tent rentals may be arranged for Front Lawn or Croquet Lawn) Just beyond the pergola of our tranquil and relaxing infinity pool at The Clifton is our 60’x100’ Sailcloth Court Tent. Nestled in a beautifully forested area of our rural and sprawling 100-acre property, the Court Tent is the premier outdoor wedding venue offering ample space for dinners of 250 or cocktail receptions of 300, with greater capacity available via additional tenting options.


ACCOMMODATIONS

Our options include the Manor House with seven rooms and suites; the Carriage House with three rooms – including a two-story bridal suite; the Cottage with two rooms; and the Livery Stables with three suites.

While each room is unique in its design and architecture, what they share are lush, rich interiors and an elegant combination of repurposed antiques, modern furniture, and sophisticated artwork. All are outfitted with fine linens, Malin & Goetz bath products, and modern amenities. Select accommodations have fireplaces, private patios, claw-foot soaking tubs or rainfall showers by Waterworks.

Features

Small team (2-10 members)

Experience

  • 227 years in business

  • We speak English

Links

Visit website

Weddings at this venue

Diana & Alejandro's wedding
Diana & Alejandro
78 photos
Sarah Trussel & Lance Trussel's wedding
Sarah Trussel & Lance Trussel
74 photos
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FAQ

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$15,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$15,000

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$15,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$15,000

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Chairs
China
Clean Up
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Parking
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Cake Cutting
Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$65

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Open Bar

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

2

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

5

Describe your venue:

Garden
Historic Building
Hotel
Restaurant

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Accommodations
Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Get Ready Rooms
Liability Insurance
Pet Friendly
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Family Style
Hors d'oeuvres
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Chairs
Tables
Tents
Tent Accessories

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

April
May
June
September
October
November

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
July
August
December

Still have questions?

Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!

Wedding couple

Reviews of Clifton Inn LLC

Weddingwire
4.7/5 34 reviews
Google
4.4/5 288 reviews
J
Jessica Sent on 10/14/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Fabulous service, expertise, and location

The Clifton is the perfect location for a wedding. With a plethora of gorgeous ceremony options and a timeless white tent, you can host an event of any style or size. The staff is incredible both in the planning and carrying out of events. We were so thankful to have Nick and Luda's expert advice and guidance throughout the wedding.
Kelly
Kelly Sent on 11/05/2022
5 out of 5 rating

A Dream Come True

Finding the right wedding venue is a really tough decision. But the moment I stepped foot at The Clifton, I knew it was the one. The property is absolutely stunning - they have rooms your guests can stay in on your wedding weekend, making getting ready and hanging out so much fun. The staff goes ABOVE AND BEYOND to make you feel at home. Phyllis and Barbara are so responsive, easy/fun to work with and just unbelievable people. After months and months of planning, when we showed up it was completely stress free. The service the Clifton staff provides is unparalleled. From the signature cocktails, to the plated dinner service and bartending - it was a dream come true. Every single guest could not believe their eyes when they stepped foot on the property. We had our ceremony on the front lawn, cocktail hour on the croquet lawn and back patio and our reception in the tent. Everything was 10/10. I can't wait to come back and spend a night at The Clifton to celebrate our anniversary already!
A McMahon
Amy Sent on 10/19/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Hidden gem.

The Clifton is the BEST place to stay in central Virginia (and a secret hidden wedding venue that, mark my words, will blow up in the next few years). We held our wedding here early October 2022 and were absolutely blown away by not just the scenic views and excellent renovation work, but the incredible hospitality and attention to detail shown by the staff. We trusted the Clifton with hosting our entire family and many friends, most of which were traveling great distances, and every single guest raved about their stay.

The restaurant is a true gastronomic feat with very locally sourced food prepared artfully - our uncle and aunt also work in the industry and we could not pull them away from the kitchen staff, they were so impressed.

Phyllis and Barbara were exceptional and helped us think through our entire weekend and anticipated our every need. They were also incredibly kind to our (many) four-legged friends that joined us for the weekend’s festivities, and I’m happy to report the dogs had just as great of a time as the humans.

We also managed to have the least stressful wedding day imaginable… wholeheartedly thanks to Phyllis and Barbara.

We were impressed every minute of our stay and we can’t wait to come back. Thank you to the entire Clifton staff for all that you do!!
H
Hope Sent on 09/03/2022
5 out of 5 rating

A lovely event venue

I hosted a brunch for my bridal party here the day before my wedding. The rear sun porch was the perfect private dining space for our group. The team at Clifton went out of their way to make us feel welcome, and the food they served was amazing. An excellent choice for private dining or a small event!
Sylvia
Sylvia Sent on 09/03/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful venue inside and out

My daughter’s wedding was a great success at Clifton Inn. The property is the perfect mix of luxury, comfort, convenience, and services. From arrival to departure our wedding party and guests were impressed with all Clifton offers. We opted for the exclusivity package giving us the entire property to ourselves for the day of till late the next morning.
The staff was very accommodating especially Barbara Shifflett and Phyllis Case. Our wedding party and family enjoyed the pool and grounds to socialize in a casual manner through the weekend. We made use of the secret garden for first look photos, front lawn for the ceremony, croquette lawn for cocktail hour, and court tent for reception. We extended the celebration with an after party in the Manor House terrace. So many places to spread out as the day progressed and the big event approached. Very satisfied with food and beverage choices from breakfast fare to reception menu and late night snacks! Accommodations are comfortable and each one with a unique decor. No cookie cutter rooms here. Perfect for relaxing and pre wedding preparations.
This is a magical place for a wedding. So much in one place makes wedding planning and execution a breeze. Bravo Clifton Inn and the entire staff.
Caroline
Caroline Sent on 07/12/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect Charlottesville Venue

With so many amazing options in the Charlottesville area, I really think the Clifton was the best of the best. The Clifton had everything we wanted in a venue. We were initially drawn to the Clifton due to its sheer beauty and secluded location. We loved having our friends and family stay on site to really have a full wedding weekend. I loved the idea of a hotel wedding for that reason but did not want a typical hotel ballroom or venue, so the size and the beauty of the Clifton was absolutely perfect. The exclusivity was a huge positive since there was no one else on the property before and during the wedding which was very important to us. The onsite catering was another huge plus, and we had the hardest time deciding what food we wanted because everything we tried was truly amazing. We had our ceremony on the beautiful front lawn and our reception in the court tent. The tent was so easy to customize and was so much more than a typical tent reception.

We had so many people coming up to us all day complementing everything about the venue and there was nothing we would have changed. The staff was incredibly friendly and responsive to everything we needed and made the entire weekend so much less stressful. We are so excited to be able to go back and celebrate anniversaries by going back and staying at the Clifton!
Sarah
Sarah Sent on 12/14/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Dream wedding weekend

We held our wedding weekend at The Clifton Inn in Charlottesville, VA Nov. 6-8, 2020 and we couldn't be more pleased with our entire experience! Phyllis (Events Manager) and the entire team at The Clifton were wonderful to work with and went above and beyond for us throughout the entire planning process. When we first called The Clifton about our wedding, Phyllis was warm and extremely transparent about what the hotel could offer and what they couldn't along with an extremely straightforward pricing structure for the exclusive buyout weekend we had in mind -- after more than a dozen prospective venue calls you realize just how rare this is when you call a hotel about a wedding! She worked closely with our equally outstanding wedding planner, Kennon Ibbeken, to ensure the hotel team and our vendors were all on the same page for the logistics. As with all weddings, we ran into hiccups here and there, and Phyllis/The Clifton team were flexible in helping us come up with solutions that met our needs. Additionally, the Chef and catering team delivered a wedding reception meal that was every bit as delicious and beautifully presented as the 5-star tasting. The premises are picturesque and every guest will feel like their particular accommodations are both comfortable and unique. Over the course of planning our wedding (which we did in just 11 weeks!) we felt that every member of their team -- Phyllis, Ann, Liz, Jesse, Emily, Luda, Casey, and many more! -- were personally invested in us having a memorable, beautiful, COVID-19 safe, and relaxing experience. They certainly delivered!
R
Rachel Sent on 09/18/2020
5 out of 5 rating

The Staff Were Amazing and Helpful Venue Space BEAUTIFUL

I cannot rave enough about how amazing the staff at The Clifton Inn were for my entire wedding process. My newly husband and I planned for a wedding in Paris, France for over a year and half and cancelled due to COVID. We first stayed at The Clifton for what would have been our wedding weekend in May 2020 and fell in love with the beautiful venue, delicious food and wonderful staff. The staff members knew we had to cancel our wedding and they surprised us with a bottle of champagne in our rooms with a note written in french. We decided to book this venue with for our September 12th wedding date and worked very closely with Phyllis who went above and beyond in helping us make our wedding day special and easy. Phyllis was very attentive to all our questions and needs, assisted in all the setup of the venue and worked very closely with us during our rehearsal for the big day! Also a huge shoutout to Stephanie, Maggie and Liz who also went above and beyond with accommodating our guests to their needs, always being cheerful and accommodating as well as providing everyone a great experience for not only our wedding but our weekend getaway there. The view of the Blue ridge mountains were spectacular to have as a backdrop for our ceremony, the infinity pool with the cabanas was a great place to relax and looked beautiful for where our cocktail hour was located. All the rooms were unique and upgraded. I cant wait to go back soon!
Anika
Anika Sent on 03/21/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Highly, highly recommend.

We were originally supposed to get married at the Clifton on 5/23/20. And then ... COVID-19 happened. The health of our guests, even two months from now, seemed too at-risk to proceed as planned. The Clifton could not have been more gracious, flexible, and understanding. They allowed us to move our date with no penalty. We'll be forever grateful to them for their team's support and generosity and CANNOT wait to celebrate - safely - on this gorgeous property.
Melanie
Melanie Sent on 11/02/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely Stunning

We had the absolutely most magical wedding weekend at The Clifton! Brianna, Maggie, and all of the staff were so accommodating and truly tailored our weekend to our needs. They eased the planning process and made a lot of magic happen! Brianna was so sweet to work with and I felt like she listened to our vision. She was present the weekend of and she ensured everything was in working order. When we ordered a box of sparklers that showed up empty the day before the wedding, she personally pulled strings to find sparklers for our exit! This meant so much as those last minute details can make or break a bride! We are so grateful to have had such a beautiful venue and professional team. Our guests loved the accommodations and thought everything was more than perfect. We cannot wait to return for anniversaries and special events!
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

34
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Team

Nick Koulianos
Nick Koulianos
Director of Sales

Professional Network & Endorsements

Lieb Photographic LLC Lieb Photographic LLC Wedding Photographers

Oh my goodness! The Clifton Inn is simply gorgeous...breathtaking! For the joyful, romantic, classic bride, Clifton Inn has everything you could want, all with gorgeous views!

Virginia Schweninger, Harpist Virginia Schweninger, Harpist Wedding Musicians

When I play my harp for events at the Clifton Inn, I'm always impressed with their seamless coordination of every tiny detail while family and guests themselves from beginning to end!

Wedding Preacher for Hire Wedding Preacher for Hire Wedding Officiants

I am a wedding officiant and I officiate at over 50 weddings a season. Clifton Inn stands out of all the many venues I frequent. The staff is on task. Clifton has it's own wedding coordinator, too, which means a lot. There is one person who knows the venue inside and out, and can act as interface between the couple getting married, the guests, the wedding party, and the establishment. The grounds of course, are beautiful to behold, and well maintained. I have not eaten a meal there, but the hors d'oeuvres are fabulous--as is the wine. I

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Clifton Inn LLC frequently asked questions

Clifton Inn LLC includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
Clifton Inn LLC includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at Clifton Inn LLC includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • House Beer
  • House Liquor
  • House Wine
  • Open Bar
The space offered by Clifton Inn LLC for wedding events is known for:
  • Garden
  • Historic Building
  • Hotel
  • Restaurant
Clifton Inn LLC offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Clifton Inn LLC offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Clifton Inn LLC offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Accommodations
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Liability Insurance
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wifi
Clifton Inn LLC offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Chairs
  • Tables
  • Tents
  • Tent Accessories
Clifton Inn LLC is recommended by 94% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.7 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.8 in quality of service, 4.7 in average response time, 4.7 in flexibility, 4.7 in professionalism and 4.7 in value.
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