Apr 4

Historic Rosemont Manor

April 4th, 2012 - By Comments Off

Historic Rosemont Manor

Historic Rosemont Manor, built in 1811, was once the home of former Virginia Governor and US Senator, Harry F. Byrd, Sr.   During the Byrd Family’s tenure at Rosemont, the manor became a place of respite for many dignitaries and celebrities, as well as five US Presidents.  After thirteen years of painstaking restoration, Historic Rosemont Manor opened its doors September 2010 to the general public for the first time in over 200 years.  Now beautifully restored, Rosemont is now Northern Virginia’s premier Bed & Breakfast and Wedding/Special Events venue.    Rosemont, winner of WeddingWire’s 2012 Bride’s Choice Award, offers multiple indoor and outdoor ceremony sites for every type of event from grand wedding galas to simple, intimate elopements.   The main manor and the other impeccably maintained buildings on the property are also perfectly suited for all types of corporate meetings and retreats.  Our elegant guestrooms, suites, and cottages also allow you to stay at Rosemont overnight for the perfect “getaway”.   Come make Rosemont a part of your history today.

 

Accommodations

Names of the US presidents and other historical figures who visited the Byrd’s during their dominance in US politics — Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Churchill, Lindbergh, Einstein — adorn the various guestrooms and suites. All twelve rooms are individually decorated using luxurious fabrics, rich colors and period furnishings and have private bathrooms (with either original claw foot bathtubs, soaking tubs, or showers), queen beds, in-room telephone systems, ihome ipod stations and wireless internet access. The cottages on the property are also impeccably decorated with both modern conveniences and historic charm.

Overnight guests start the morning with a lovely Virginia-style breakfast. Corporate and family group functions can range from large receptions with passed hors d’oeuvres and open bar to intimate wine dinners. From wedding rehearsal dinners on the grand portico to bridal luncheons in the carriage house–the options and themes are virtually limitless. The stellar reputation of Rosemont’s cuisine and professional staff will provide you with a quality event in an elegant setting. Please contact us to plan your culinary event.

Mar 16

Ash Lawn Highland

March 16th, 2012 - By Comments Off

Virginia Estate Wedding Venues

Ash Lawn Highland is an important historic site in Charlottesville, Virginia.  It finds its way onto many  tourists’ itineraries because it has a museum that is dedicated to James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States.  Monroe actually lived at Ash Lawn for nearly 30 years before his time in the White House.

 

Though it features onsite exhibit halls and occasional visits from living history actors, Ash Lawn is certainly not the typical stuffy, dated museum.  The well-preserved centuries-old buildings, 55 acres of farmland, well manicured lawns, and pristine gardens give the property a romantic feel and a classic atmosphere that is seldom found in more-modern estates.

 

Because of these qualities, the estate is a perfect place to host a wedding.  Ash Lawn has been hosting ceremonies and receptions for the past twenty five years.  The estate is ideal for people who want to either enjoy a spread-out wedding reception that takes full advantage of the spacious property or who want a smaller reception that takes place in the perfect setting.

 

Like most early politicians, Monroe was a wealthy man, and his estate is anything but small and cramped.  It features multiple lawns and gardens, each with a very distinct flavor.   Yards and gardens are covered with colorful flowers, impeccably groomed hedges, and towering trees.  Roses, a welcome decoration at any wedding, abound in a green-space known as John’s Garden.  This spot is a favorite for many brides and grooms because of its attractive flora and because it is located near the outdoor event facilities that many couples choose as the main venue for their wedding ceremony and celebration.

 

The Hilltop Pavilion, built next to the garden mentioned above, overlooks the rolling terrain that characterizes the property.  The Pavilion is a permanent structure that is perfect for seating during a ceremony or as a covered reception area.  It can hold up to 400 people and is a welcome change from the standard temporary tents that many outdoor weddings have to rely on.  A large barn site is also an option for people who want an indoor/outdoor party and are looking for a slightly more casual ambiance.

 

Ash Lawn Highland works with local caterers and suppliers to provide hassle-free food service and bar service to wedding parties.  Ash Lawn’s event coordinators are especially adept at bringing alive Monroe’s era by providing period food, tours of the estates grounds and buildings, and even classical music performances.  It is even possible to add even more historic flavor to a wedding at the estate.  A troupe of living history actors, dressed in period costumes, are available to perform at receptions.  Ash Lawn’s carriage rides, an option for all wedding celebrations, are a nice touch not only for people who want to maintain a classic ambiance but anyone who has the desire to increase the level of romance for all the guests who attend the wedding.

 

The estate can also accommodate other events such as family reunions, meetings, or luncheons.  These parties can take place in one of the outdoor or open air settings mentioned above or in a smaller indoor conference center located on the premises.  The center can hold up to sixty guests and features a separate kitchen and fireplace.  This is the best option for hosting celebrations or meetings during the cooler months of the year.  Despite its label, the “conference center” is located in one of the original buildings and carries the same historic feel as the other areas of the estate.

 

James Monroe’s Ash Lawn Highland estate is a great venue for an East Coast wedding or for a destination wedding for a bride and groom who want the historic ambiance and timeless class of this estate to be the backdrop for their most special day.