Our Wedding Blog

Keswick 8/12/17 Keswick 8/12/17

Love Has No Boundaries | Charmaine & Aly

All you need is love. Charmaine & Aly are definitely an example of that and was much needed on this particular Saturday, August 12th. On a day that started with Charlottesville being on the national news for a white supremacy gathering that turned tragic, it was reassuring to see how diversity can be so beautiful. With Charmaine arriving from China just 5 days before her wedding day, and Aly arriving about 8 days from Dubai for his wedding day, these two were ready to show the world how love is blind and can conquer any boundaries.

Charmaine & Aly began their wedding day like they did on their first date with a pool game. I was told that Charmaine won the last time they had played which was many years ago and Aly always wanted a rematch so today was the day. I won’t say who won but I think another game is in order to break a tie.

With a lot of the guest being from Dubai and Pakistan, the brief rain storm we had was such a treat for them. To them, the rain was like the first snow fall for us. They just don’t get rain in the desert and relished in it. To top it off they were treated to a double rainbow! They definitely hit the pot of gold at Keswick Vineyards!

Charmaine had a beautiful, white lace wedding dress with a veil to cover her face. She was simply beautiful! After some photos, she would change into her “comfy” dress that was adorned with jewels on the front bodice. Even better, it had pockets!!!

Guests enjoyed a delicious 3 course plated dinner prepared by Harvest Moon followed by a 3-tier cake by Passionflower Cakes. It was one of the best cakes I have tasted! Guests enjoyed the rest of the evening dancing the night away and enjoying a little late-night rain, yet not enough to spoil the couple’s sparkler departure.

Thank you to the following vendors for making this international wedding a huge success despite the distractions that were going on in Charlottesville: Keswick Vineyards as their Day of Coordinator, Harvest Moon Catering, Tourterelle Floral, DJ Derek Tobler, Ayesha Photography and Passionflower Cakes

Keswick 8/5/17 Keswick 8/5/17

So Many Great Ideas! | Katie & John

On Saturday, August 5th, Katie and John were married at Keswick Vineyards. For an early August vineyard wedding you couldn’t of asked for a more perfect day with the weather. They really hit the Jack Pot with no humidity and a breeze to top it off.

They chose to be married in front of the fountain at Edgewood Estate. This is a very popular location for ceremonies under 140 in size. With the back drop of the vineyard and the mountain views you can see why this location is so popular. With a barrel with a unity candle in the middle and a couple of floral arrangements on each side, they were all set.

Katie and John had so many cute ideas for their wedding as you can see by my photos. I really like the photo of them with balloons that guests would sign versus the traditional guest book. They also had a bible that guests highlighted their favorite verse and then signed it. I think that makes a great guest book also for those that are religious and know their bible versus. A beautiful memory barrel was also under the reception tent and I just loved the little saying displayed with the photos and angel statue.

Guests enjoyed a family style dinner prepared by Travinia Italian Kitchen. Topping off that dinner was a wedding cake, cupcakes and cannoli’s! No one left unsatisfied that evening.

What better way to end the evening then to have a sparkler send off with one of Albemarle Limousine antique cars to drive you away in.

Thanks to the following vendors for making this dream wedding reality for Katie & John: Wedding Planner, Keswick Vineyards; Caterer, Travinia Italian Kitchen; Desserts by Sweethaus; DJ Andy Wilfong of Party Masters; Musicians Terra Voce; Photographer & Photo Booth, Ward Photography; Videographer, Partytrap Studios; Hair & Make-up by Charlottesville Makeup Artist; Florist, Lacy’s Florist; Skyline Tent Company for tent lighting; Officiant Father Jason Lody; Transportation by Ambassador Limousine (buses) and Albemarle Limousine for vintage get away car.

Keswick 7/22/17 Keswick 7/22/17

Thays and Clinton Get Married! | Thays & Clinton

Congratulations to Thays & Clinton who were married at Keswick Vineyards on Saturday, July 22nd. With most of the guests being from Miami, this wedding definitely had some “heat” to it. Thays looked exceptionally beautiful in her wedding dress. I just love the look she gave her father as they made their way to the alter. When Clinton laid his eyes on her you could see his eyes swell with tears as he was captivated by her beauty at that moment.

Speaking of moments, we all know how cute flower girls can be. I’ve seen those little ones walk on their own, be pulled in a wagon, have their parents carry them or I’ve even seen them run the opposite direction! What made this flower girl different was you had to add about another 90 years to the normal age of a flower girl. Yes, Thay’s 94 year old Grandma was her flower girl and was just thrilled with that role. All the guests were amused as she threw rose petals into the crowd versus onto the aisle.

Cocktails were held under Keswick’s 300+ year old oak tree. I just love the bar that they rented from Paisley & Jade. After a delicious dinner prepared by Goodrich Gourmet Catering, it was time to hit the dance floor. Thay and her father stole the show with their dance. I was told Thays was dancing disco even before she knew how to walk and it showed. The two of them did a father/daughter dance that just had everyone cheering. Definitely one of the best I’ve seen.

Lastly, guests enjoyed desserts with homemade pies, cake and donuts. The donuts were displayed on a pegged door so guests could just pull off the donut of their choice. And for those that wanted a different type of dessert, cigars and brandy were also on hand!

Thanks to the following vendors for doing such an exceptional job: Event Coordinator, Keswick Vineyards; Catering, Goodrich Gourmet Catering; rentals, Paisley & Jade and MS Events; Officiant, Moretta Henderson; Desserts, Sweethaus; DJ, Ty Russel; Harpist, Eve Watters, Photographer, Leah Hewitt Photography; Hair & Make-up, Carolyn Thombs & Malia Rafaie; Florist, Amy Dittmer; Video, Joseph Kim; and tent lighting, Skyline Tent Company.

Keswick 7/14/17 Keswick 7/14/17

Twins, Cupcakes, and a Hot July wedding! | Sarah & Sean

Congratulations to Sarah and Sean who after being together for six years tied the knot at Keswick Vineyards on Friday, July 14, 2017. Being a July wedding in Virginia, it can be hot. I remember when they toured the property pointing out to them a good shady area in front of the fountain that would be greatly appreciated by their guests if they ended up having one of those hot, July days. Well, they did have a beautiful, hot & sunny wedding day and remembered that spot and used it! I was so happy to see that and I’m sure their guests really were the happiest. This was a first for any of our couples to use this location. From the photos, I think you all would agree that it is just as beautiful as any ceremony location at Keswick Vineyards.

Sarah is a twin and had her sister walked her down the aisle. Another first for us at Keswick Vineyards. What a special moment for those two to share.

The evening sunset provided a beautiful backdrop as guest enjoyed a buffet dinner prepared by Blue Ridge Catering. I must say, the grilled chicken with pesto sauce was delicious! And speaking of delicious, those cupcakes from Paris Cake Company. I’m so happy the family let me keep the extras! After dinner and dessert, it was onto the dance floor for guests to dance the night away. Adding to the festivities the couple had glow sticks for their guests to grab and use while dancing and instead of a sparkler departure the couple was showered with bubbles as they drove away to their happily ever after!

Special thanks to the following vendors who make each of our weddings so special: Caterer: Blue Ridge Catering, Dessert: Paris Cake Company, DJ: DJ Ricky of Prime Time Sound, Photographer: Megan Garrison, Officiant: Jay Ford with his wife Denise acting as wedding planner, Hair & Make-up: Judy Hayward of On Location Bridal.