After our 18th century inspired elopement, overseen by Thomas Jefferson, we journeyed into Charlottesville for a special wedding night dinner.
How better to celebrate than at the invitation of Thomas Jefferson, himself, in the creativity of the imagination that all 18th century lovers adore. 😉
DISCOVERY
Seeking a lovely dinner while planning our elopement, the only fine dining restaurant open the evening of our special day was 1799, at the Clifton Inn, in Charlottesville.
As I read the history of the location, I thrilled at another Thomas Jefferson connection to our day!
Arriving at 1799, acclaimed restaurant at the Clifton Inn, we enjoyed all the 18th century scenery of the outdoors.
HISTORY
Within view is the mountain upon which Thomas Jefferson built Monticello.
In 1799, Jefferson easily oversaw the building of a colonial home on this land in 1799, which he gifted the home for his daughter, Martha, and her husband, Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr, which apparently burned down the following year.
Originally 100-acres in size, this estate lay near the Rivanna River provided transportion of goods…the apparent main function of this land after the home burned down.
While Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr. managed the estate, he also served as state senator, Congressman, delegate, and then governor of Virginia.
Conveniently, while Jefferson attended to business away from Monticello, Martha and her husband oversaw her childhood home.
Together, Martha and her husband had twelve children, of which only one did not survive to adulthood.
Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr. was born at Tuckahoe Plantation, where his father and Thomas Jefferson grew up together.
Meanwhile, Jefferson’s birthplace of Shadwell, lies nearby.
NEON MID-CENTURY MODERN
Unexpectedly, guests enter the doors to this now boutique hotel that took garish 18th century colors to a whole new level with boldly electric mid-century modern.
While I’m totally French Country, my new husband prefers mid-century modern…so this aspect was for him! 😉
Once upon a time, the Clifton was beautifully styled in Virginia’s serenely traditional Southern tradition.
In 2018, the inn was transformed to mid-century modern with deep electric colors infused with velvet and 1950s space-age lighting.
RESTAURANT
The restaurant within the inn, dubbed 1799, is styled as a library…where a hint of my 1950s Audrey Hepburn-Givenchy styled dress can be seen in the reflection of the mirror, while the lavender of my silk dress subtly blended in with the moody blues and velvets.
When they asked if it was a special day, we exclaimed that we had just gotten married!
After congratulating us, they went about their work, totally efficient and polite. =) (Stay tuned for the big surprise at another restaurant that week! Totally unexpected!)
After a delicious dinner, the bill uniquely arrived in a book…The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans.
After paying the bill, we enjoyed the parlor across the hall to enjoy all the 18th century prints related to Thomas Jefferson.
Thank you, Mr. Jefferson, for the lovely 18th century connections for our special day!
