The Good Sport Bar, The Forum Hotel

Welcome to Charlottesville!

The Lodge at Mount Ida

Wedding Ceremony

Reception, Dinner and Lots of Dancing!

Washington Room, The Forum Hotel

The Morning After - Continental Breakfast

Our Wedding

Sarah and James met at Miller's, a dive bar in Charlottesville, Virginia. James nervously asked if he could buy her a drink with “no strings attached.” They spent the rest of the evening chatting and getting to know one another. It was like they had known each other their whole lives; everything came easy. At the end of the night, they shared their first kiss outside of that bar, and James said, “Actually, there are strings attached.” The rest is history.&nbsp;

Actually, There Are Strings Attached...

Our Story

S & J WEDDING WEEKEND ITINERARY & INFORMATION

We can't wait to celebrate our special day with you! As the big day quickly approaches, we wanted to share the itinerary and a few helpful details to make your time with us smooth, memorable and LOTS of FUN!Sarah &amp; James#foreveranaker WEDDING WEEKEND ITINERARY Friday, May 30th – Welcome to Charlottesville!Join us for light nibbles and drinks as we celebrateSarah &amp; James before they tie the knot!8:00 PM – 10:00 PMThe Good Sport Bar, The Kimpton Forum Hotel540 Massie Road, CharlottesvilleCasual Attire Saturday, May 31st – WEDDING DAY!Ceremony5:30pm sharpThe Lodge at Mount Ida5475 Moonlight DriveScottsville, VAThe ceremony is outsideCocktail Attire Cocktails6:00 PMThe Lodge at Mount IdaDinner, Dancing &amp; Lots of Merriment!7:00 PM – 11:00 PM(DETAILED TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION BELOW PLEASE READ) Sunday, June 1st – The Morning AfterContinental BreakfastWe know you'll need some coffee!Stop by anytime between 10 and noon for a continental breakfast with family and friends!10:00 AM – 12:00 PMWashington Room, The Kimpton Forum Hotel540 Massie Road, Charlottesville, VA, 22903Casual Attire The Lodge at Mount Ida is approximately 25-30 minutes from downtown Charlottesville. We encourage you to use the shuttle service from our host hotels: The Kimpton Forum, The Omni, The Holiday Inn Express, The Country Inn &amp; Suites to/from The Lodge at Mount Ida. The shuttle schedule can be found under the Transportation heading below. You may be able to Uber to The Lodge at Mount Ida, but there is NO UBER SERVICE AVAILABLE from Mount Ida. Free parking is available for those who choose to drive.

Transportation 

Shuttle service to and from Mount Ida will be provided from each of our host hotels. If you are staying at another location, you will need to go to one of the following hotels for shuttle service. Below are the bus schedules and departure times. SHUTTLE 1The Kimpton Forum540 Massie Road, CharlottesvilleBus Arrives at 4:00PM - Departs at 4:10PM* Meet Bus on the Duffy Road side of Hotel Omni Charlottesville212 Ridge McIntire Road, CharlottesvilleBus Arrives at 4:20PM - Departs at 4:35PM* Meet Bus at the Waterside Entrance of the Omni Shuttle 2Country Inn &amp; Suites1600 Emmet Street N, CharlottesvilleBus Arrives at 4:00PM - Departs at 4:10PM*Meet Bus at Hotel Entrance Holiday Inn Express870 Pantops Cor Wy, Charlottesville, VALoad at 4:25PM Depart at 4:40PM*Meet Bus at Hotel Entrance&nbsp;There will be two departure times from The Lodge at Mount Ida back to the designated hotels. The early buses will depart load at 8:50 and depart at 9:00pm. The last buses will depart at 11:00pm

***WEDDING WEEKEND DETAILS***

Upload Your Photos & Videos

We'd love to relive all of the special moments from our wedding weekend through your eyes! Please scan the OR code below to upload your photos and videos to our digital album. We can't wait to see all the LOVE! S &amp; J

"Let's See YOUR Photos!" 

By Air&nbsp;✈️Charlottesville is served by several airports:Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO)&nbsp;–&nbsp;Closest Airport&nbsp;(15 min from downtown)Richmond International Airport (RIC)&nbsp;– (1 hr 15 min drive)Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)&nbsp;– (2 hr drive)Reagan National Airport (DCA)&nbsp;– (2 hr 15 min drive)Accessible via rental car or Amtrak train from Washington, D.C. *** May 31st is also UVA ALUMNI WEEKENDPLEASE BOOK YOUR ROOM RESERVATIONS EARLY ***

Getting to Charlottesville

&nbsp;<a href="https://rebrand.ly/missalkatforum" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Forum Hotel</a> is the central hotel for the Hall-Aker wedding! What sets it apart from other Charlottesville hotels is that it's located&nbsp;on the grounds&nbsp;of The University of Virginia! It's located within North Grounds, directly next-door to UVA's acclaimed Darden Business School. Just steps away from the hotel is a beautiful part of UVA.Cut-off for Hall-Aker Reservations is April 18, 2025.

Kimpton The Forum Hotel

Cut-off for Hall-Aker Wedding Reservations is May 9, 2025.

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson

To book online, click the link below and type the dates of your stay and on the second screen, choose the room type you prefer.&nbsp;Cut-off for Hall-Aker Reservations is April 30, 2025.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Charlottesville

The beautiful Omni Charlottesville Hotel is nestled amidst iconic landmarks and the University of Virginia campus. Just steps away, Charlottesville's historic Downtown Pedestrian Mall awaits, with its inviting mix of shops, dining, and cultural gems like art galleries and museums!Cut-off for Hall-Aker Reservations is May 9, 2025.

Omni Charlottesville Hotel

Travel & Accommodations

Q + A

Katherine Ellis

Hanna Davis

Nina Mellin

Nicola Ferris

Wedding Party

Photos

Charlottesville, VA, is a charming city that perfectly blends history, culture, and natural beauty. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it boasts stunning scenery, a vibrant arts scene, and a rich historical heritage, including Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. The city is home to the University of Virginia, adding a youthful energy and fostering innovation. With its bustling Downtown Mall, award-winning wineries, and endless outdoor recreation opportunities, Charlottesville offers a unique mix of small-town warmth and cosmopolitan flair, making it a truly special place!

Student tour guides provide a glimpse into the rich, complex history of Thomas Jefferson's school during the University Guide Service's <a href="https://www.uvaguides.org/historical-tours/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">free daily historical tours</a>. Each tour is unique, with topics ranging from the architecture of the Lawn to slavery at the university. Prime stops include the stunning Rotunda, designed by Jefferson in homage to the Pantheon, and the Academical Village, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Take a Historical Tour of UVA 

Peruse the <a href="https://uvafralinartmuseum.virginia.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fralin Museum of Art</a> at the University of Virginia to take in its extensive permanent collection or latest exhibitions. (Be sure to chat with one of the student docents for more info.) Also at UVA, the <a href="https://kluge-ruhe.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection</a> is the only museum in the United States completely dedicated to Indigenous Australian art. Admission to both museums is free.

Visit the Art Museums

Wander around Charlottesville's Downtown Mall, a foot-traffic-friendly historic area packed with restaurants, stores, and coffee shops. Browse the old bookstores—<a href="https://ndbookshop.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">New Dominion Bookshop</a>, <a href="https://www.bluewhalebooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blue Whale Books</a>, and the three-story book lover's wonderland, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DaedalusUsedBookshop" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Daedalus Books</a>—and on Saturday mornings during the warm months, swing by the <a href="https://www.charlottesvillecitymarket.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Charlottesville City Market.</a> You won't know what to try first with the wide variety of fresh produce, local cheese, and other food vendors.

Explore the Downtown Mall

Thomas Jefferson's home at <a href="https://www.monticello.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Monticello</a> is only a 15-minute drive away from downtown Charlottesville and the University of Virginia campus. Tailor your visit to your interests with one of several tours of the 19th-century plantation, including an educational tour about enslaved people at Monticello. With a wide variety of trees and flora, the impeccable grounds are a must-see for any garden aficionado.

Sarah & James

Sarah & James

Photos