Non-stop dancing for this wedding!

Jennifer and Dan had one fun Charlottesville vineyard wedding on Saturday, April 26th, at Keswick Vineyards.  I've never seen such a fun, dancing group of guest as I have from this wedding.  With Jennifer's family being from the Dominion Republic, guests danced the night away to Spanish music and brought that rhythm with them.  The energy coming from that dance floor was amazing!  I don't think I ever saw Jennifer not dancing.  Did I mention how beautiful Jennifer looked?  Breathtaking is all I can say.  There was a moment when she was coming down the stairs heading out to the ceremony when the sunlight hit her just right to create one of those moments.  Wish I would of gotten that one with my camera.  Southern Inn Catering did a great job creating food stations for the reception.  I love how they used shadow boxes to display the desserts for the evening.  Jennifer's sister Newsy did an amazing job acting as her wedding coordinator.  Newsy's daughter was one of the flower girls who wore the cutest dress.  What a great job she did!  Special thanks to all the Charlottesville wedding vendors for making this wedding an unforgettable night:  Southern Inn Catering, DJ Ran Henry with Blue Mountain Weddings, Photographer April Bennett & Aaron, Videographer Ian Atkins, Flowers by Whimsical Floral Design, Cake by Paradox Pastry, Photo Booth of Charlottesville, Officiant Brian Purcell, UTS Charters for buses, Hair & Make-up by Moxie Lounge and Skyline Tent Company.  Click here for a sneak peak at some photos by April Bennett.  Click here to view video by Ian Atkins.  Click here to see this wedding featured on Borrowed & Blue.

Mary Beth & Sameer's Double Ceremony

I just love it when couples with two different ethnic backgrounds get married at Keswick Vineyards.  It is such an experience to see wedding ceremonies of another culture.  For Mary Beth & Sameer, it was a combination of American and Indian traditions.  The day started with the Hindu ceremony.  MS Events did a beautiful job building a staged wrapped with fabric and garland with flowers by Verde Natural Florals.  Mary Beth and Sameer looked beautiful in their traditional Indian attire.  I find this ceremony so fascinating to watch with all the symbolism they use through out the ceremony.  It starts with a cloth separating the couple from seeing one another.  Once they have seen each other Sameer applies a red powder to Mary Beth's parting hair as a symbol of her married status.  Sameer then adorns her with a sacred black beaded necklace symbolizing his love for her.  A fire is then lit with prayers being offered.  They then walk around the fire 4 times to symbolize the four goals of human existence.  Towards the end, they both step on a stone and offer a prayer for their mutual love to be firm and steadfast like a stone.  Finally, they take seven steps together which represents the Hindu belief that they will remain lifelong friends.  Isn't that a beautiful ceremony???  After that ceremony, guests enjoyed some refreshments prepared by Harvest Moon Catering while the wedding party did a quick change for the American ceremony. Pastor Brian Purcell lead the American ceremony.  I love how Mary Beth & Sameer wrote love letters to each other that were placed in a box, along with a bottle of Keswick Vineyards wine, that is locked until their 1st anniversary.  Those letters will always remind them of the reasons why they love one another so much and why they chose to get married.  After that ceremony guests enjoyed a few more refreshments while pictures were taken.  I just love Photographer William Walker.  He really gets into his work.  He needed to show Mary Beth & Sameer a look he wanted for a photo so he quickly grabbed his wife who is also his second shooter, Jessica, to give a quick demo (see my photo below).  So glad I was able to capture that fun moment. Dinner was then served buffet style by Harvest Moon Catering.  Guests were then treated by one of those spectacular Virginia sunsets that are just amazing to witness.  How special was that?????  Once under the Sperry tent for the evening, DJ TD Layman kept the dance floor packed while guests danced the night away.  Mary Beth & Sameer's entire day was flawless under the direction of Barbara Lundgren and her Barb Wired team.

 None of this would be possible without the teamwork of the following vendors:  Harvest Moon Catering, Barb Wired Event Planning, DJ TD Layman of Sound Enforcement, Photographer William Walker and his wife Jessica, Verde Natural Florals, Favorite Cakes, MS Events, Pastor Brian Purcell, Hair & Make-up Artist Marci Corle with A More Beautiful You and UTS Buses.

 

2014 Wedding Season Begins!!!

Saturday, April 5th, started Keswick Vineyards 2014 Charlottesville wedding season with the marriage of Brooke & Matt.  It was hard to believe that just a week earlier we were still getting snow!  Thankfully, Mother Nature welcomed this wedding day with a beautiful Virginia Spring day.  Brooke and her family made sure the day was filled with plenty of personal DIY details that were just perfect for a winery wedding. Everyone loved Brooke's centerpieces; she glued together 3 wine bottles, wrapped some ribbons around them and put a card holder down the center to hold the table numbers.  Verde Natural Florals added a few flowers into each wine bottle and that was it.  She set them on top of a piece of wood just to add a little something extra to the look.  Brooke & Matt also made a cork board to display the names for the seating at each table.  Her father made several wood signs to put through out the property including one that showed how many different locations people traveled from to attend this wedding and how far away each one was.  The wedding party looked so sharp with the bridesmaids being in a light pink color and the groomsmen in a charcoal grey suit.  Guests enjoyed cocktail hour while listening to musician Peter Richardson play his guitar.  Afterwards guests were seated under the Sperry tent to enjoy a buffet dinner prepared by Southern Inn Catering.  Thanks to the following Charlottesville wedding vendors for doing such a great "opening day" wedding:  Caterer Southern Inn Catering, DJ Mark Allen, Photographer Jamie Kay, Florist Verde Natural Florals, Pastry Chef Albemarle Baking Company, Officiant Ryan Thompson, Hair by Kimberly and Musician Peter Richardson.  Click here to see photos by Charlottesville wedding photographer, Jamie Kay.

Laura & Christian's Fall Wedding

Laura & Christian were married on Saturday, November 2nd, and had the fortune of the peak of fall colors for their wedding day.  Photographer Elizabeth Larson and myself just couldn't get enough of this couple with the beautiful colors and lighting Mother Nature was giving us.  Please excuse the excessive photos I'm including but sometimes you just can't help yourself and this was one of those times.  Laura & Christian incorporated into their ceremony the sealing of a wine box with love letters in it with a special bottle of wine.  I love when couples do this.  Another cute detail to their wedding was stacking dolls on tables to represent Christian's Russian inheritance.  This couple was just full of fun and silliness which definitely came through on some of the photos with their wedding party.  Instead of the traditional wedding cake, Laura & Christian opted for a dessert table with tasty pastries and Carpe Donut truck for dessert.  What a wonderful wedding these two had.  Thanks to the following vendors for doing such a fantastic job:  20 South Catering, Barb Wired Event Planner, Photographer Elizabeth Larson, DJ Rick Haggard, Hair & Make-up by Faces by Joy, Florist Lacy's of Orange, Carpe Donut Truck, Officiant Lisa Rogers, rentals by Festive Fare and Camryn Limousine.  Click here to read Elizabeth Larson's blog.

Congratulations Stephanie & Geoff!

Stephanie & Geoff were married at Keswick Vineyards on Saturday, November 9th.  The sun was out on this beautiful, crisp Virginia fall day.  Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner prepared by Harvest Moon and danced the night away under the heated Sperry tent.  Thank you to the following vendors:  Caterer Harvest Moon, DJ Mark Allen, Musicians Madison Trio, Photographer Sarah Goodwin, Colonial Florist, transportation by Wahooptie, Officiant Rev. Don Bryant, Pastry Chef Rita Shippee (family friend) and Event Planner Jessica Carroll.

Lee & Frank Close Out Our 2013 Wedding Season

On Sunday, November 10th, Lee & Frank concluded the Keswick Vineyards 2013 wedding season with their marriage.  Another beautiful, fall day in Charlottesville with the sun shining was given to them.  Lee is from Hawaii and incorporated some of those traditions into her wedding.  Frank wore a traditional Hawaiian Lei that Lee's Mother brought with her from Hawaii.  Lee and the bridesmaids wore Hawaiian flowers in their hair.  Later in the evening Lee took center stage and performed a beautiful hula dance for Frank.  Once again, I must thank all the vendors that do such a superb job here including:  Caterer Hotcakes, Event Planner Barb Wired, DJ Andy Wilfong, Photographer Aaron Watson, Videographer Ian's Creations, Florist Blue Ridge Floral Design, Officiant Bhavani Metro, Camryn Limousine, Rentals by MS Events, Hair & Make-up by Virginia Glenn at Bella's Boutique.  Click here to read Photographer Aaron Watson's blog or click here to see some of his photos.

Rachel & Sean's Wedding Day

Rachel & Sean were married at Keswick Vineyards on Sunday, October 27th on a colorful Charlottesville fall day.  I love how Rachel & Sean chose to have their wedding ceremony in what I call our "fall" location.  It gives you the best of everything for a backdrop.  You have the Estate, the fountain, the vineyard, the mountains and all the fall colors!  Hard to capture it all in a photo since you are basically surrounded with breathtaking views.  Rachel incorporated just enough orange in her color scheme to blend with the natural fall colors.  Her bouquet by Verde Natural Florist was right on and the simplicity of the centerpieces were perfect!  Love the idea of using old shutters to put place cards in for guests to find their table.  Also, love the look of using an old door as a table top above wine barrels to create a sweet table. Thanks to the following vendors that make weddings here so effortless for our couples:  Caterer Barbeque Exchange, DJ Andy Wilfong, Photographer Audra Wrisley, Verde Natural Florist, Officiant Steve Farmer, rentals by MS Events and Musician Peter Markush.

Lindsey & Joshua's Wedding Day

Congratulations to Lindsay & Joshua who were married at Keswick Vineyards in Charlottesville on Saturday, October 26th.  What a gorgeous Virginia fall day!  The fall colors are really starting to show now.  It would of been nice perhaps 10 degrees warmer, or at least get rid of the wind that day, but all in all everything was perfect!  Check out the chuppah from Verde Natural Florist.  Sandy and her husband Peter did an amazing job building and decorating it.  It blended perfectly with the backdrop of the vineyard.  Funniest part of the ceremony was when Joshua tried to break the glass to symbol the conclusion of the ceremony.  That glass just wouldn't break!  He tried, and tried, and tried again.  Finally someone gave him a rock.  Can't wait to see the video of that moment.  Guest then went from the outdoor ceremony to inside the heated Sperry tent for cocktails and reception.  Guest enjoyed a delicious family style dinner prepared by 20 South Catering and then danced the night away.  Thanks to the following vendors for doing a flawless job:  20 South Catering, Event Planner Barb Wired, DJ TD Layman of Sound Enforcement, JMK Photography, Cakes Unlimited, videographer Chris Scott, Albemarle Vintage Limousine for the vintage car and buses, rentals by MS Events, Verde Natural Florist, Musician Evan Mook and Officiant Brian Purcell.  Click here to view photographer Jamie Kay's blog.  Click here to view this wedding featured on Borrowed & Blue.  Click here to watch video by Chris Scott.

Congratulations to Lauren & Jesse!

Well, we witnessed another miracle when it comes to the weather radar for this wedding.  Lauren & Jesse were married Saturday, October 19th at Keswick Vineyards.  As the afternoon wore on, the radar started to pick up a lot of color and I'm not talking fall colors:)  It looked like a giant rain mass was heading right for us at exactly the ceremony time.  As we all waited to see exactly what would happen I think we all knew we were going into a rain plan, but then the craziest thing happened again.  The clouds parted their way and went right around us.  No one could believe it.  There is just something with our location and the mountains that can split a storm coming right at us.  Not only did the storm miss us, but it ended up giving us one of those colorful sunsets.  Truly amazing!  Lauren & Jesse got their dream wedding and more.  Special thanks to the following vendors:  Blue Ridge Catering, DJ TD Layman of Sound Enforcement, Photographer Jamie Kay of JMK Photography, Hair by Jennifer Snoddy of Classy Images, Florist Couture Design, Cake by Teri Edwards of Cakes Unlimited, Officiant Dave Kingrea, and Photo Booth of Charlottesville.  Click here to see some of Jamie Kay's photos.

Amanda & Justin's Wedding Day

What better way to close out a 3 wedding week end at Keswick Vineyards than with the marriage of Amanda & Justin.  Unfortunately, that tropical storm, Karen, was still lingering around to give us another overcast & drizzle day.  The good news again was we were able to get a break in the drizzle to do the ceremony outside!  Amanda & Justin opted to do a first look which really works well in these October wedding days in Virginia since it gets dark outside much earlier and you lose that really good lighting for photos.  The guys were all dressed in black tuxedo's with the bridesmaids in beautiful, wine colored full length gowns.  Guests were able to enjoy a lounge area while taking photo's in the photo booth.  Later in the evening a cupcake truck came to satisfy everyones sweet tooth.  Thanks to the following vendors for doing an incredible job:  Event Planner Barb Wired, 20 South Catering, Officiant Claire Goodman, DJ T.D. Layman of Sound Enforcement, Photographer Marta Locklear, Hair by Jessica Myers, Make-up Artist Judy Hayward, Southern Blooms by Pat's Floral, Pastry Chef Passionflower, Transportation by Camryn Limousine, Cupcake trailer by Sweethaus, MS Events for lounge furniture & photo booth & Festive Fare for rentals.