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Weddings

About

James Monroe's Highland is a wedding venue located in Charlottesville, Virginia that services couples throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. The onsite team has been part of the wedding industry for over 25 years, and offers their picturesque, rural setting for soon-to-be-weds. With its flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, breathtaking views, and rustic aesthetic, couples are welcome to transform these grounds into their nuptial dream.

Facilities and Capacity

James Monroe's Highland features seven different event spaces to host celebrations of various sizes, from romantic elopements to receptions with up to 200 guests. You will have access to the extensive manicured grounds to host your special day, with the lush forestry and rolling hills as your natural backdrop. Flourishing gardens are present throughout the grounds, along with a mature white oak and grove of deciduous trees that make for romantic photo sessions. Receptions can take place under the large wooden pavilion, with exposed ceiling beams that can be easily decorated with bistro lights or elegant drapery. A climate-controlled, indoor event room is also present on the grounds, to host celebrations during any season. Large windows surround the space to bring in plenty of natural light, along with large ceiling lights to add a bright, welcoming aesthetic. Guests are free to step outside on the large porch and patio, and enjoy a relaxing cocktail hour under the sun. Ample parking is also available onsite, with wheelchair accessibility to ensure that everyone makes it to your celebration safely.

Services Offered

Couples are free to use any vendors they prefer, from caterers to florists, that will help them achieve their dream theme. Tables and chairs will be provided and can be arranged into any formation you prefer. From your rehearsal dinner to the last dance at your reception, the onsite team will work to ensure that you have an evening to remember.

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Frequently asked questions

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

No

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

No

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
Parking
Tables

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

7

Describe your venue:

Farm/Ranch
Historic Building
Museum

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Outside Vendors

What catering services do you offer?

Outside Cake

What bar services do you provide?

Outside Alcohol

What event items are available?

Chairs
Tables

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

April
May
June
July
August
September
October

Reviews of James Monroe's Highland

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
4.8 out of 5 rating
4.8 out of 5 rating
42 reviews
96% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    4.7 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.8 out of 5 rating
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

Powered by AI

James Monroe's Highland is a highly recommended wedding venue with beautiful scenery, historic grounds, and multiple ceremony and reception options. Reviewers praise the helpful and professional staff, particularly mentioning Jason as a favorite. The venue offers breathtaking backdrops for photos and has seamless event execution. The affordable prices and the opportunity to contribute to the preservation of Highland's education and preservation projects through a tax-deductible donation are also appreciated. Overall, reviewers highly recommend James Monroe's Highland as a magical and special wedding venue.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

James Monroe's Highland is a highly recommended wedding venue with beautiful scenery, historic grounds, and multiple ceremony and reception options. Reviewers praise the helpful and professional staff, particularly mentioning Jason as a favorite. The venue offers breathtaking backdrops for photos and has seamless event execution. The affordable prices and the opportunity to contribute to the preservation of Highland's education and preservation projects through a tax-deductible donation are also appreciated. Overall, reviewers highly recommend James Monroe's Highland as a magical and special wedding venue.

Steven
Steven Sent on 06/03/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Grounds are breathtaking!

We cannot speak highly enough about this venue and the people you work with. My wife and I had were considering this without either of us having been there since our early teen years, which can be nerve wracking! The people in charge of events, Jason and Rachel, took that in stride and offered a video tour that really helped settle us and see what it could be.
The grounds are beautiful, with backdrops of the mountains in so many directions, and each section is wonderfully partitioned with box hedges. When you book, you get the entire space, which includes 2 potential outdoor ceremony sites, the garden right off of the house, access to the house for tours if you wish it, covered pavilion, and a barn that can function as another ceremony site/rain option. We had so many comments from guests about how stunning it all was!
Leading up to our wedding day, there was a potential for rain. Naturally, we both began worrying and reaching out to the venue, as well as panic buying umbrellas. Jason and Rachel were fantastic, reassuring us that they would help however possible, but also that they didn’t think the rain would hit until later in the night. Sure enough, we were lucky and the storm didn’t roll in until around 8, at which point most of our guests decided to dance in the rain and make the most of it! This venue truly is special, and we are beyond grateful that we found it.
Mattie
Mattie Sent on 10/12/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Outstanding and beautiful!

It was the PERFECT fall wedding venue. The site is absolutely gorgeous and historic with multiple ceremony and reception options, and Jason was fantastic to work with. He was accommodating, so friendly, communicative and made the process smooth. I will absolutely continue to recommend this venue to anyone I know getting married or hosting an event!
Ahmad
Ahmad Sent on 06/21/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Outdoor weddings are palatable again!

My wife and I flew in from Houston, TX to venue-shop in person. While this may speaks to the level of privilege we must have had, bear in mind that this was 60 days before our slated wedding date and we were scrambling. It was surprisingly difficult to secure a stable venue that fit our needs. For the uninitiated, the Muslim wedding we had planned was small and simple - 50 people, a 20 minute ceremony, and a dinner. No alcohol. No music. No dancing. That being said, the mountainous summer hills of central Virginia did not seem willing to accommodate us.

Until we met Jason at James Monroe's Highland. As a fellow UVA-grad, he understood the appeal of an outdoor wedding near the old stomping grounds. Monticello was simply too busy for us, but Jason was wide open! We booked not 1, but 2 outdoor spaces for our separate ceremony and dinner events. The Blue Ridge Terrace was picturesque, with a backdrop of sprawling mountains over a mottled wheat field. The hedged-in space felt cozy and secluded, with towering trees providing ample shade. We were blessed with an overcast day much to the delight of our photographer, who needed no arch to frame us beautifully against the white fence at the edge of the arena. I could go on about the Narnia-like walk from the car to each venue, spiraling through a well-signed labyrinth of flora and fauna, or the vast, sheltered Pavilion upon which we dined, but I think you get the idea.

The point is that Jason was welcoming, accommodating. He understood our circumstance and helped in the ways that he could. He connected us with key vendors, measured spaces at our behest, and trusted us to care for his beloved property the day and night of our event. I could not ask for a better groundskeeper and host. We plan to renew our vows here in the not-too-distant future!

The cost was inconsequential and the value of the experience invaluable. I am glad that they ask for a donation; I feel like I am contributing both to the next happy couple's wedding and to the preservation of central Virginia heritage. We saw some seriously gorgeous venues in the area, but we could not imagine getting married anywhere besides James Monroe's Highland.

Professional Network & Endorsements

7 Endorsements
Wedding Preacher for Hire Wedding Preacher for Hire Wedding Officiants

Love this venue. One of the great things about it is that, at least at the weddings I have officiated at there, the guest house--from the James Monroe era, is open to guests. What a great thing! Guests can learn about James Monroe, as they also connect with wedding guests. The staff is friendly and at the ready to take care of your every need. Can't wait for my next wedding there!

Amanda C. Blake Photography Amanda C. Blake Photography Wedding Photographers

Highland is truly a beautiful place. There's so many gorgeous locations for photographs - I am always finding a new spot every time I photograph a wedding there! I cannot wait to work there again.

Eve Watters Eve Watters Wedding Musicians

Beautiful setting, well-equipped with attentive service- and you can be part of history!

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