We're trying to plan a rehearsal dinner for 40-50 people.

Does anyone have any ideas? We%26#39;re thinking maybe downtown.....but since we%26#39;re out of the area we don%26#39;t know which places might have private dining rooms that could host that many. We also thought maybe a bed and breakfast that could have it catered. any ideas out there?

We're trying to plan a rehearsal dinner for 40-50 people.

A fantastic setting is West Manor in Forest. It has a ballroom just like the Crystal Ballroom at the Homestead.

In town you could look at the grand historic Federal Crest Bed and Breakfast.

You might also look at the newly created Craddock Terry Hotel right by the river.

Ivy Creek Farm B%26amp;B has a beautiful setting but I understand they%26#39;re not allowed to have large groups. Don%26#39;t know if they do small groups.

Further into Forest is the Inn at Trivium.

I went to an event a while ago at a place that offers one of the top views around....Blue Ridge Mts. and sunset. Colonial Hills Golf Course Club House. But you need to have someone check on their facilities and see if they can do what you want. It%26#39;s a fantastic view for those into views and nature.

We're trying to plan a rehearsal dinner for 40-50 people.

I should say, this will be in the winter.............and a lot of people will be driving rented vehicles from out of state. So I hate to get into a snake dance of vehicles getting lost!

I%26#39;ve been looking at Craddock Terry but they don%26#39;t have a menu online and they%26#39;re so new, it%26#39;s scary.........wonder how the food really is? What is main street eatery like? bull branch? Am I wrong to assume Meriweather%26#39;s is kind of like a chain restaurant (it is in a mall?)

Your idea of West Manor is great - I will pursue talking to them. Another B and B in Lynchburg has catering from outside, so that%26#39;s not as fun.........

If it were only in our hometown we have many friends in the restaurant business and it would be so easy.....................

Yes, there are restrictions on catering. One needs a commercial kitchen to cater themselves...totally commercial and very expensive and unnecessary for the b%26amp;bs in Lynchburg that are only allowed to have a CUP for 5 guestrooms. They must have an upgraded kitchen, several sinks, hot dishwasher, etc. but not quite as massive as the commercial places. I should say they still need all the permits...business license, occupancy permit, surprise visits from the state health inspector at least once a year, as well as the annual surprise and sometimes incognito visits by AAA inspectors, Mobil inspectors, professional inn group inspectors, the fire dept to inspect extinquishers, hey, even a boiler inspector one place we know. [I know, you%26#39;re saying, ';Ah, the romance of running a b%26amp;b:)]

Anyhow, the places mentioned aren%26#39;t hard to find. Trivium is in the area of West Manor.

Meriwether%26#39;s is definitely not a chain. It is a very popular restaurant and has been for some time. I didn%26#39;t mention it although I actually thought a while about it....but it doesn%26#39;t have an actual private room. It is very open with halls and lovely grand columns sort of defining space, but not many walls. There is a long section down one side where no one would pass through your party on their way elsewhere....but when we were there we could hear the thumps from the kitchen along that wall. But there are certainly lots of groups that get several tables or a long table in a section of one of the rooms and have a terrific time. Meriwethers is in what has long been one of the most expensive areas in Lynchburg in an upscale shopping center. Yes, for some reason some of the best restaurants in Lynchburg have been located in shopping centers, even before the big box stores and their buddies like Ruby Tuesday%26#39;s, Olive Garden, et al.

Winter in Lynchburg. I wonder if you%26#39;re going to say Feb. That is Lynchburg%26#39;s worst month weatherwise if there is bad weather. But not every Feb. has bad weather. Lynchburg%26#39;s bad weather form of precipitation is actually ice more than snow. The hills (it%26#39;s nicknamed Hill City) and some of the brick and Belgian block historic streets get very slick. And, again, some winters are on the warmer side.

I know the Ripleys at Federal Crest B%26amp;B offer a wedding package...at least they used to. They offer rooms, beautiful ones with fireplaces in some, and some form of rehearsal, photos and wedding and reception for a set fee. They rent only all their guest rooms with the wedding function so that there are no guests staying overnight that are unrelated to your wedding, which makes it more comfortable for everyone. They have caterers that are familiar with their facility so that all flows well. You just choose with the caterer what you%26#39;d like to eat.

Their entry hall is large with grand rooms off on either side and an interesting center hall massive stairs that go up to a landing bigger than our rooms today. Then two sets of stairs continue up to the second floor. On that landing they have a beautiful tree about 18%26#39; high to the ceiling. The dining room is large with beamed ceiling and sort of a Tudory look...to me at least.

There is another b%26amp;b diagonally across the street from them that might be able to offer additional rooms so several people could be together.

THere are lots of weddings at the b%26amp;bs in Lynchburg and they all get outside caterers. It%26#39;s very common there...even caterers at the grand homes of the parents or parents%26#39; friends who offer their space. Catering is a big thing. Wedding events there, if done in the typical style, go for at least four days. Men%26#39;s activities and bridesmaids%26#39; activities before; parties at a home; the wedding and then the brunch the last day.

West Manor and Trivium are pretty much wedding driven. West Manor even has a little historic house especially for the bridesmaids where they have easy access to the beauty salon there and the hairdresser who comes in the day of. West Manor takes care of the food, furnishings, all of it. The Lesters seem to be meticulous planners.

You might look at Acorn...Acorn Hill Lodge I think it%26#39;s called. It%26#39;s a spa as well as offering rooms. I know people who work there but I%26#39;ve never been there but it sounds nice. It looks very nice from the outside.

You might also explore Neighbor%26#39;s Place at the edge of Lynchburg near Forest. It is one of the most popular newer restaurants in Lynchburg...but has definitely proven itself. They have one area on the left as you walk in that is separate from the rest of the restaurant for parties. I%26#39;ve been to a few holiday parties there and I believe they even have a door to totally close it off.

Wow, you%26#39;ve been really helpful. Thanks so much. The wedding is the end of January, so we are anticipating there might be ';weather'; but of course, hope not.

I%26#39;ll call venues today - of course with it being January a big part of the beauty of these inns (lawns and views and flowers) won%26#39;t be seen as it will be dark when we arrive and leave (hence the snakedance comment). Hadn%26#39;t considered the Forest area, but see that is really quite close. A good idea to book all the rooms of the inn and just stay there.......

I%26#39;ve got work to do - will be back with more questions and A BIG THANK YOU!!

One can also stay at West Manor as well as have your rehearsal dinner there. I think the same is true for Trivium but not sure. It would be handy but then if you%26#39;re stayiing out a bit you%26#39;d have to do the reverse and run a caravan back into town if the ceremony and reception are already planned there.

Let me know what you discovered while making your calls so we%26#39;ll all know for future reference. I have lots of friends traveling to the greater Central Va area and more info is always helpful.

Gosh Explorer3 has pretty much said it all, but I%26#39;ll add my 2 cents just in case...

I would steer clear of anything downtown for the main reason of parking unless you want to try something like the Holiday Inn Express which has their own parking garage. Parking for 40 to 50 people could be an absolute nightmare. It%26#39;s been many years since I have been to a party at any of the B %26amp; B, but I can say that places like Bull Branch %26amp; Main Street Eatery would also be a nightmare for parking and both would be too small for your group.

My brother %26amp; sister-in-law were married a little over a year ago and they had their rehearsal dinner at Charley%26#39;s (www.charleyslynchburg.com). Our wedding party was maybe half your size so we had plenty of space so you might want to double check with them about 40 to 50 people. Then they had their wedding at the West Manor. They were going to have an outdoor wedding but the weather was not cooperative so we had the wedding and reception inside. I can speak from experience that they are very professional and accommodating. We had the Babcock House (www.babcockhouse.com) cater the event, and the food was wonderful. Let me also pass along a wonderful cake preparer in the area: www.coffeycakes.com. Believe me you wouldn%26#39;t be disappointed with their cakes!!

As for other restaurants in the area that have private rooms and/or can hold private parties you have Neighbors Place (www.theneighborsplace.com but double check capacity limits as well as parking arrangements), Monte Carlos (Italian restaurant -sorry no website- and not really my suggestion even though they have a private room that can seat up to 100), Grace Restaurant (www.savorgrace.com - have not eaten there but have heard wonderful things), and Springhouse Restaurant %26amp; Reception Hall (no website and it%26#39;s about 15 minutes outside of Lynchburg on Route 460). Places like Meriwether’s %26amp; Isabella%26#39;s are wonderful restaurants, but not in my opinion somewhere you could have a wedding rehearsal dinner.

Hope this has helped with a few more options if you are interested. Hope you have a nice time when you visit this area!

First, I should say...if you are the couple marrying....Congratulations!

Or maybe you%26#39;ve been given the frustrating job of planning the dinner. We%26#39;ll help all we can.

Yes, Cheshrliz is right...Charley%26#39;s is nice. I forgot about that place. We have actually had lots of family and church and organization meals there. Can%26#39;t believe I forgot about it. Haven%26#39;t been there in a while I guess. And, Team, since you%26#39;re not into chains this place is not to be confused with chains like O%26#39;Charley%26#39;s. When it was first opened in the 70s it was part of a chain named for a Pittsburgh Pirate baseball player but it%26#39;s been an independent restaurant owned and run hands-on by local Lynchburgers - MJ and Rob Pearson, a youngish couple - since the ...mid 90s I think.

Charley%26#39;s is in a good location at an exit off the Lynchburg Expressway. They can do a variety of catering options. They can do individual orders...although that%26#39;s not so great for a large crowd....takes too long to read the menu and get all the orders. They can offer, say, three options...meat, fish, chicken....and the guest chooses, letting you know in advance in the interest of speeding things up.

They have a nice large contemporary room off the side surrounded in windows. The room is open along most of one wall to the rest of the restaurant but no one goes that way unless they%26#39;re seated in that room so it would be your room as long as you can fill it and I think 50 would be a good number.

About the Federal Crest b%26amp;b downtown. The b%26amp;bs are required to make arrangements for parking in order to get a permit to have functions at their b%26amp;b...and they do have to get a permit or be shut down for events. Since b%26amp;bs are in residential neighborhoods, they need to maintain a general sense of residential-type order. They have to have valets or someone to direct people to where to park. b%26amp;bs also have a max occupancy for their events also stated on their permit. I%26#39;m not positive but I think Federal Crest%26#39;s max is 90. They have onsite and nearby parking areas.

Thanks for jarring my memory, Chesrliz. I also forgot about Grace Restaurant. I%26#39;ve been there only in the evenings. The first time I wasn%26#39;t thrilled. They were still doing dinners then. Our table knew it was pricey but we were excited about this new restaurant in a great historic setting. There was even an old slave%26#39;s quarters on the property, something that is not often preserved. Since we always went at night we didn%26#39;t actually see the gardens clearly. We could smell boxwood. Anyway, a few at our table were a bit disappointed in the food, in the unmatched silver thinking at least each place setting matching would be better and in the uncertain service. But we realized they were new and the wait staff new as well. Our waitress didn%26#39;t have any idea how the restaurant got its name nor about the history of the place, something that fascinates southerners.

Last time we were there was last Christmas season for a holiday party. They are now doing only events. The food was very nice. The event required buffet style so we enjoyed bowls of intriquing gourmet items done by the Cordon Bleu, Paris trained and acclaimed chef. The house dates from the 1700s. There were charming little fireplaces, wonderful old floorboards. Nice attentive staff. What we weren%26#39;t crazy about was that it was very cold in some of the rooms in December....perhaps poor sealing in the old house that hopefully has been remedied over time. Also, it seemed like there was a price tag on so many of the items. While we realized they were selling lovely antiques there was something unsettling about that.

Now...the historic Hotel Roanoke would do well, wouldn%26#39;t it Cheshrliz? Except that%26#39;s another city.

Team, what have you discovered in your research?

You certainly know me well Explorer!! Guess it%26#39;s all the forums where I have suggested the Hotel Roanoke! It%26#39;s no surprise that is one of my favorite places, but like she said it%26#39;s not in Lynchburg (actually about an hour west).

Hope we%26#39;ve given you some ideas to run with!

I%26#39;m so glad I asked here - here%26#39;s what I found out so far. Federal Crest turned me down flat, saying they couldn%26#39;t do a seated dinner for 40-50 and when I said maybe we could do a buffet, they still said ';no';.

I%26#39;ve called Craddock Terry twice and no one has been able to talk to me either time.

I called both Trivium and West Manor and got the nicest, most organized people to help me. Both are sending me proposals. I%26#39;m quite impressed by their organization and the prices are fine- worried that we%26#39;ll drown in their ballrooms.

Charley%26#39;s seems a bit casual - after all, a lot of people are flying in from all over the continent and I would like to give them a little something more ';jeffersonian'; in style. What I%26#39;d really like to do is have them inside the inn - not a banquet room - with fireplaces going.

I just looked up the Grace website and am duly impressed. I will contact them and also, will ask about the heat, as no one wants to be cold and that%26#39;s always a concern with historic properties.

Menus have been ';anything I want';. Is there a regional specialty? As a former culinary instructor, I always want the best of the area - not what I want but what the chef wants. What%26#39;s done best in Lynchburg?

At West Manor tell them you want to enter through the inn and enjoy the fireplace. (I wonder if some of your guests will stay overnight...you might say you want the main house itself.)

The ballroom for receptions and the smaller room that is still a small lovely ballroom to me and where they usually do breakfast are built onto the back of the house. So if you enter through the main house front door - going up the hsitoric front steps and passing the columned veranda - you can pass through rooms with fireplaces and continue to the back where there is an area with banister overlooking the grand ballroom. If I remember correctly, they have bride and groom walk down those stairs usually. So it%26#39;s a beautiful approach to a beautiful room. You walk downstairs just a few steps. That setup is also like the Crystal Ballroom at The Homestead, if you%26#39;ve seen it.

You can choose chairs even....nice white ones or gold ones...again if I remember correctly. The gold are nice for nighttime but are higher in price. The white are beautiful too and not at all cheap or used looking.

Even the bathrooms are beautifully tiled and designed by the Lesters. West Manor used to be part of a dairy farm and now offers a bucolic setting with views of the Blue Ridge Mts. in a very upscale inn.

Yes, at a time like this and in a situation with you so far away, one does appreciate at good compulsive. The Lesters are pleasantly so.

I have to say I%26#39;m surprised about Federal Crest. Hmmmm. I know even their large dining room wouldn%26#39;t handle so many but I thought they might extend into the room beside it or even make a couple of settings incorporating nearby rooms. I know they%26#39;ve had large parties as I mentioned and recently...so perhaps they have made a change in what they offer now.

Another alternative might be the historic Boonesboro Country Club. Although you do need to know a member to get in since it%26#39;s private. I know of people who are not members but who have friends who are and they have receptions there. I don%26#39;t know if that would be too complicated for you to arrange with any local people you might know and might be more than you want to hassle with.

Food.

Cheshrliz or anyone, any ideas?

Virginia is famous for ham and peanuts. Central Va., which is where Lynchburg is, is full of grand old mansions and former plantations; dairy farms, cattle farms, horse farms; quaint small towns, small cities (which Lynchburg is); lots of historic colleges and universties. So people of all economic levels, all levels of experience and education have lived in Central Va. for a long long time. And for some time Central Va. has been a popular spot for people to retire, for ';equity refugees'; and ';metro refugees'; coming from mega cities with enormous equity gains in hand to enjoy the slower pace while still not being in the hinterlands, the more steady appreciation that makes things so much more affordable, enjoying the views and sometimes embracing the dream of owning a mansion and/or land.

Lynchburg, during the 1800s, was the second wealthiest city in the country, the first being New Bedford, Ma. So were are lots of mansions built and many remaining. And some of the great wealth did trickle down to subsequent generations.

All this to say, it seems there are as many little gatherings in

Central Va. with the mainstay ham biscuits as there are with gourmet fare...and a mix of both styles.

The chefs at West Manor and Grace are excellent so ask their ideas of at least some local touches that would be exciting to a national audience.