The Clifton Wedding, Charlottesville, VA

(Click on the picture to read more) Annie & Garrett had a unique summer wedding at The Clifton on June 11, 2022. The Clifton is a historic 1799 classic colonial-style home built for Thomas Jefferson’s daughter and husband, Martha and Thomas Mann Randolph. Thomas Jefferson is a very prominent figure to the locals in Charlottesville because Jefferson’s home, Monticello is housed here as well as the University of Virginia, founded by Jefferson in 1819. The Clifton is now a contemporary, boutique hotel with a classic country estate look. It is a dramatic, yet romantic destination for family vacations, group getaways, romantic retreats, weddings and meetings surrounded in the beauty of Charlottesville.

We love working at The Clifton because not only is it in our hometown, we get to work with great vendors. This wedding had a great team, consisting of wedding planner Adam Donovan-Groves with Donovan-Groves Events, Jimmy Gideon with Gideon Photography, all the way from Utah, Shaking Hands Production, Nature Composed providing great florals, and Cakes by Rachel with delicious cake.

Annie did a fun twist on her bridesmaids’ dresses, which were all in floral themed and went perfect for a summer wedding. Everyone was smiling and having fun, which made for a great crowd to play with.

We had reception in the Court tent, an elegant and stylish sailcloth tent and with the decor and florals, it did not feel like you were in a tent. Annie & Garrett had their first dance as husband and wife to “I’m with You” by Vance Joy. Another fun personal take on the wedding was the Father-Daughter dance. The dance was to the song “Sugar Pie,” but her father used to call her Annie Pie, so we sang “Annie Pie.” What a party, there was not a single person in their seat and we saw nothing but happy faces. We played until about 10 PM, but that was not the end of the party! Annie & Garrett held an after party that went until 2 AM with DJ Derek Tobler. Annie even changed her dress.

Big Ray and the Kool Kats is forever grateful to have been part of Annie & Garrett’s special day!

If you liked this, check out other weddings we performed for, The Willard InterContinental Wedding and Wedding at Farmington Country Club.

If you want to learn more about planning a great wedding with Big Ray and the Kool Kats, call Big Ray at 434-960-4595 or email bigrayandthekoolkats@gmail.com.

Planner| Donovan-Groves Events

Venue & Catering| The Clifton

Photography| Gideon Photography

Videography| Shaking Hands Production

Hair & Makeup| Flawless on Site, Dhalia Edwards Makeup

Florals| Nature Composed

Cake| Cakes by Rachel

Music| Big Ray and the Kool Kats, DJ Derek Tobler

Transportation| Crozet Trolley

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