If you’re having a wedding in Charlottesville, you already know all of the wonderful things about the area—the wineries and restaurants, the music venues, the art galleries. But you should assume your guests—many of them from out of town—don’t have a clue what the town has to offer. Consider this an official guide to helping your guests feel right at home. (Feel free to stick it in your welcome basket!)
Friday
If your guests arrive this afternoon for the rehearsal dinner, direct them to…
- The Downtown Mall, where they can visit Ting Pavilion for Fridays After Five.
- Peruse a few of the city’s best bookstores (Daedalus Bookshop, for its labyrinthine selection, or New Dominion, Virginia’s oldest independent bookseller).
- A quick drink (social lubricant for all that inevitable small talk!) at Tilman’s or Zocalo.
- An after-dinner nightcap at local favorite C&O, or Miller’s—if that’s your end-of-night vibe.
Saturday
Likely this is the day of the wedding. Instruct your guests to…
- Visit IX Art Park farmers’ market, where they can snack on a pastry from Baker No Bakery while deciding where to go for breakfast.
- Get breakfast. Recommended: Belle for breakfast sammies, Farm Bell Kitchen for banana beignets, or Oakhurst Inn for smoked chicken hash.
- Try a winery, brewery, or distillery. We couldn’t possibly recommend just one—pick whatever suits your mood (urban? Mountain views? Dave Matthews’ seal of approval?).
Nap, then suit up!
Sunday
Your visitors will need a come-down after all the fun they had last night. Try…
- Grabbing a quick Bodo’s breakfast.
- Taking in an exhibit at one of Charlottesville’s many galleries: McGuffey Art Center, The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia, Les Yeux du Monde… Pick your pleasure.
- Picking a lunch spot on UVA’s historic Corner (The Virginian is a classic choice) before…
- Buying a bottle of wine at Market Street Wine—owner Erin Scala will recommend the perfect souvenir to stash in your checked luggage until the return home.
