June Weddings Are Here!

What a great way to start of the month of June for weddings.  Rachel and Kevin were our first wedding for the month of June.  The day was just beautiful with the bright sun and a light breeze.  Originally Rachel and Kevin had planned to get married in September of 2012 but changed their date for military reason to June 1st.  June proved to be the perfect choice for them.  When Kevin was in the military it allowed the two of them to travel the world together.  I love how they incorporated their traveling into a wedding theme.  Guest got luggage tags to tell them what table they were seated at.  Each table, versus having a number, had a photo of Rachel and Kevin at different countries they had visited including the distance that location is from Charlottesville.  Rachel and Kevin will continue their travels with a honeymoon to Bora Bora and Tahiti!  Thanks to the following vendors for providing a memorable wedding to Rachel, Kevin and their guests:  Caterer The Event Company with Crystal helping as the event planner, DJ Willie who is a friend of the family, Photographer Julie Napear, Verde Natural Florist, Pastry Chef Maliha Creations, Musicians Clarissa Hull, Officiant Reverand J. Adam Sowder, Hair & Make-up by Allison Harper & Company, Photo booth by Smith Landing, Virginia Sports Car, Rentals by Festive Fare and Skyline Tent Company.

Congratulations Julie & Tim!

Congratulations to Julie and Tim who closed out our month of May Charlottesville weddings at Keswick Vineyards.  Happy to report that we made it through the entire month of May with no rain issues!  Even the 17 year cycle of cicadas didn't seem to bother anyone.  I love how this bride made not only her own bouquet, but all her bridesmaids bouquets from old family brooches.  This is the second bride this year that has done that and it looks great!  I will warn others, they are heavy!  Definitely gives your arms a good work out.  It was such a pleasure to get to know Julie and Tim and their families.  Especially enjoyed the opportunity to work with some new vendors.  Special thanks to the following vendors for being such a delight to work with:  20 South Catering, DJ Dennis Payne of Playback, Michael & Corina Photography, Event Planner Becca Beasley of Becca Bee Events, Officiant Gay Lee Einstein, Musician Billy Caldwell, Hair & Make-up by Jeanne Cusick, Flowers by Floral Images Design Studio, Favorite Cakes, Skyline Tent Company, MS Rentals and Albemarle Transportation for buses.  Click here to view more photos from Michael & Corina Photography.  Click here to see their blog on Project Wedding.

The "WOW" Factor

Katie & Derek were married at Keswick Vineyards on Sunday, May 26.  I must say, Katie's dress had the "WOW" factor.  I have never seen a wedding dress, or any dress for that matter, where you could snap off the bottom part to have a totally different looking dress!  How cool is that????  As a wedding dress, the bottom ruffled out to form a mermaid type of bottom (not sure if that is the correct way to describe it but that is what my children call it).  Once the wedding reception started, Katie unsnapped that part and now she had a partying dress to dance the night away in.  Derek and the guys also looked handsome in their dark suits.  Hats off to Katie's Mom, who is an interior decorator, for having such an eye in decorating to create such a beautiful wedding.  I really like the gates she rented for the outdoor ceremony entrance.  She included hanging some flowers and a moss basket to put the programs in.  Finishing touch was adding a wine barrel.  Thanks to the following vendors for doing an exceptional job:  Catering by Barbecue Exchange, DJ Derek Tobler, musicians Carter/Jang, Officiant Claire Goodman, Photographer Elizabeth Larson, Florist Verde Naturals, Cake by Paradox Pastry, A Goff Limousine for buses and MS Events for rentals.  Click here to view Photographer Elizabeth Larson's blog with photos.

Delicious!!!

Seeba & Kris were married at Keswick Vineyards on Saturday, May 25th.  Seeba looked beautiful in her champagne colored lace wedding gown.  I really liked the accent flower that she had on the side of her dress.  She matched her maid-of-honor dress to that color and it looked stunning!  Other bridesmaids wore the same dress just in a different color.  Kris's Mother made the wedding cake along with some cupcakes.  She managed to drive them safely here from South Carolina.  No kidding, they were the best cupcakes I have ever had!  They were beautiful but so moist and full of flavor.  I wish she lived closer so I could enjoy more of them.  Simply, DELICIOUS!!!!!  Thanks again to the following vendors for doing such a wonderful job:  Catering by BBQ Exchange, Event Planner Barb Wired, DJ Jay Iseli, Photographer Jason Ward of Ward Photography, flowers by Colonial, Chandlers Bakery for grooms cake, Officiant Lisa Rogers, Hair & Make-up by Bristles, Skyline Tent Company and MS Events for rentals.  Click here to see more photos from Ward Photography.

Anne Curtis & Brian say "I DO!!!"

Saturday's weather was not looking that great for an outdoor wedding.  Families and friends arrived early to hang out and enjoy some time together before the ceremony.  Anne Curtis & Brian moved to San Francisco 6 months ago so I thought it was perfect when the weather cleared of rain but left us with that foggy, San Francisco cooler weather.  Brian's parents were from Arizona so this moisture in the air was a welcome change for them.  The lighting was perfect now for all those outdoor photos that were about to take place.  To view some of the professional photos taken by Meredith Sledge, click here. Once again, everything was perfect to go ahead with an outdoor ceremony!  We all kept thinking it would start raining again later in the evening but that never happened and everyone was able to enjoy the beautiful Virginia outdoors.  Thanks to all of the following vendors for doing such a wonderful job in making this wedding so special:  Caterer BBQ Exchange, DJ Andy Wilfong, Cake by Bakers Kitchen, Officiant Peter Ebrly, Photographer Meredith Sledge and Skyline Tent Company.  Click here to see this wedding featured on Borrowed & Blue.  Click here to see this wedding featured on One To Wed.  Click here to see this wedding featured on The Fete Blog.

"A Dream Come True!"

On Saturday, April 27th, Katie & Patrick tied the knot at Keswick Vineyards.  For Katie's father, this was a dream come true.  His only daughter was getting married and he couldn't have been happier for her and the life she was starting with Patrick.  Right away I could see the special relationship Katie shared with her parents, especially her father.  I'm sure most of you reading this are aware of "the first look" that a lot of couples choose to do now a days.  Well, Katie decided not only did she want to do a first look with Patrick, but also with her father.  For all of us lucky enough to watch; there wasn't a dry eye out there.  Katie's father was beaming with joy at how beautiful his little girl looked.  I've never had anyone do a father/daughter first look  but I sure do recommend it.  What a touching moment that I will never forget. Now, about the wedding.  Details, details and more details!  I was amazed at all the work that Katie and Patrick had done for their wedding.  Guests definitely knew how much Katie & Patrick appreciated each one of them being there to celebrate with them by the personal note each one of them received as they got their seating cards. They also made it a point to celebrate other attendees that had birthdays that day like her Grandfather who was turning 90 years old.  They even had a birthday cake with candles and had everyone sing happy birthday to him and her bridesmaid that also had a birthday that day.  You will see with some of my photo's the little details that made this wedding so personal and special.  I really like how during the ceremony they had their maid of honor and best man tie their hands together with a ribbon to signify "tying the knot".  I could go on and on about so many special moments I got to witness with this wedding but I will stop for now.  Please enjoy some of my photos below.  Special thanks to the following vendors who did an outstanding job:  20 South Catering, DJ Mark Allen, Photographer Tom Daly, Blue Ridge Floral Designs, Chandler's Bakery, Pastor Steve Benedict, Quick's Bus Company, MS Events, musicians Karl Shouler & Alan Monroe and Event Planner (and friend), Cate Liverman of Amore Events.

Lydia & Tyler say "I DO"

Congratulations to Lydia & Tyler who were married at Keswick Vineyards in Charlottesville, VA this past Saturday.  Mother Nature did her job by giving them a beautiful Spring day for their outdoor wedding ceremony.  I really loved the colors chosen for this wedding.  The bridesmaids dresses were this beautiful teal color that just popped next to the khaki color suits the guys wore.  You also would find splashes of lime green in details like napkin colors and the brides father's tie.  Special thanks to the following vendors for doing a spectacular job:  Barb Wired Event Planner,  Catering by Glorious Foods, Ward Photography, hair & make-up by A More Beautiful You, A New Leaf Florist, cake by Albemarle Baking Company, Officiant Roger Collier, DJ Jason Wells, buses by Camryn Limousine and rentals by MS Events.  Click here to view some of the professional photos by Ward Photography.

Anna and Patrick's Romantic Vineyard Wedding

A breezy beautiful August day brought the union of Anna and Patrick to Keswick Vineyards. The soft shades of pink and flowing gowns mixed with bouquets of creamy hydrangeas and roses made for a perfect summer winery theme after their ceremony at the UVA Chapel. Signature cocktails were served in adorable mason jars, as the guests arrived at the Estate Home fountain entrance. As the guests entered the beautiful Sperry Tent from Skyline, they were served some Keswick’s best wines, the Viognier and Touriga. Catering was by Glorious Foods – and it was! The traditional wedding cake was displayed on a wine barrel in the gazebo adjacent to the tent and even the table numbers were made with wine corks. Of course dancing was in order with Sound Enforcement’s T.D. Layman as DJ who got them in “limbo” before the night was through. Congratulations to Patrick and Anna and we look forward to your first anniversary with us at Keswick Vineyards!

Aaron & Allison's UVA Chapel and Keswick Vineyards Wedding

Allison has a smile that lights up a room and Aaron brings that smile on every minute they are together. We became best friends as we shared a year and a half of not only wedding planning, but this happy couple also bought a house and Aaron was taking the bar exam. Even with all of that busyness, he was a great planner and supported Allison every step of the way. The ceremony took place on a sunny August morning at the gorgeous University of Virginia Chapel, where Aaron was attending law school. Allison wore a beautiful satin gown as her Dad escorted her down the aisle to Aaron, the long awaiting groom. Friends and family celebrated with cocktails, dinner and dancing at Keswick Vineyards later that afternoon and into the evening. The Sperry Tent looked more special than ever with décor by Skyline Tent and Floral Images. 20 South and Cakes Unlimited kept the crowd happy with a beautiful display of stations for dinner and traditional wedding cake. The guests loved watching a video of photos of Allison and Aaron as they grew up with their families and friends and then fell in love. They all danced and had a great time to the tunes of DJ Derek Tobler before ending the night with a sparkler get-away. Aaron passed the bar – yay! We will see where their next adventures take them, but no matter what, they are always smiling. Enjoy these gorgeous pictures from JMK Photos- they're sure to make you smile!

Erin and Andrew's July Wedding

Okay, so it was a little warm this July day, but we all made the best of what was a wonderful new marriage and celebration of family and friends. Erin and Andrew melted for each other anyway! Derek Tobler carried the music for the entire day with first the processional of the groom Andrew escorting his Mother Chris, then Kevin, the bride’s brother escorting mother Bonnie to the ceremony location nestled against the vineyard with the blue ridge mountains in the background. Andrew’s Father Skip honored them as the officiant of marriage – how special is that? As Erin’s Father Brian took her gently and lovingly down the aisle, there was not a dry eye. Short and sweet in the heat and on to cocktails while the bride and groom took their golf cart “Limo” ride to the Keswick pond for some cool breeze photos by Jamie of JMK Photos. 20 South Catering had cold beverages for the guests as they enjoyed misting fans on the lawn during lawn games. Dinner was family style and so very beautiful and comfy under Skyline’s Sperry Tent. When everyone was ready to dance, we had a blast with icy washcloths tossed to the dance floor. Sparklers at the end of the night was the best send-off ever as Erin and Andrew rode away in the Albemarle Antique Limousine. Many happy years together Andrew and Erin!!!!