Our Wedding Blog

Keswick 9/9/17 Keswick 9/9/17

Hey Mon, Shannon & Jason are Married! | Shannon & Jason

Congratulations to Shannon and Jason who were married at the beautiful Keswick Vineyards located just outside Charlottesville on Saturday, September 9th. With the couple living in New York, planning from a distance was something they had to do. Shannon was very fortunate that her parents lived locally and spent a lot of time helping to ensure that their daughter had her dream wedding.

As Shannon was about to leave her bridal suite to head to the ceremony location I saw her father waiting in the man’s cave. I asked if he had seen his daughter yet? He replied, “no”. Well, I knew this was one of those moments that we just had to take a time out and make it happened. I quickly got Shannon situated so when her father opened the door to see her, he simply couldn’t believe his eyes. His reaction was priceless and I only wished I could have snapped a picture of his reaction. It’s those moments that make doing weddings so special. You can see by my photos just how beautiful Shannon was in her dress. Her bouquet was definitely my favorite feature of this wedding. It was the perfect compliment to her dress.

Shannon’s Mom is Jamaican so it was important to incorporate some of her heritage into the wedding day and what better way to do that then with rum. Family members made Jamaican Black Cake cupcakes and a Rum Cake besides the couple having a traditional wedding cake. Hey Mon, it was delicious!

Guests danced the night away under Asian lanterns hung over the dance floor. And what better way to end the night then with a sparkler departure to their get away car.

Thanks to the following vendors for their exceptional service: Event Planner, Keswick Vineyards; Caterer, Harvest Moon; Cakes by Rachel, DJ John Garland, Photographer, Robert Radifera; Florist, Secret Gardens; Officiant, Rabbi Annie Bornstein; Musician, Eve Watters; Hair & Make-up, Charlottesville Makeup Artist; Transportation, A Goff Limo and Lighting by Skyline Tent Company.

Keswick 9/8/17 Keswick 9/8/17

Laughter is the Secret to Life | Sarah & Michael

Sarah and Michael’s long awaited Virginia wedding took place at Keswick Vineyards on Friday, September 8th in front our iconic fountain. Sarah, Michael and their friends definitely have that type of relationship where they like to rib one another so I knew this wedding could have some surprises in hand. Well, I was right!

At the conclusion of the ceremony a small stool was hidden in the bushes. Just as their Pastor said they could kiss, Michael’s Best Man interrupted that moment and placed that stool down so Michael would be taller for their first kiss. As you can see, the entire wedding party got a good laugh out of that one.

This ribbing humor continued into their wedding reception with their first dance. The groomsmen had dared our couple that if they danced to this certain song (I won’t mention it but lets just say it isn’t one you would normally hear at a wedding let alone for a first dance), they would give them $300.00. Well, they did and they are now $300.00 richer!

So, when it came time for cake cutting I definitely knew some cake smashing was going to happen and it did. Thankfully, these two have that special humor type of relationship that adds that extra spark for this marriage to last forever.

As you can see by the photos, the men really enjoyed the cigars that the couple had for their guests to enjoy. Topping off the evening with a delicious buffet dinner and desserts made by a family member. Oh, did I mention my favorite part of this wedding???? Pockets! The brides dress had pockets! Gotta love that.

Special thanks to the following vendors: Event Planner, Keswick Vineyards; Pastor Mike Gianopulos; Caterer, Harvest Moon; Desserts made by family member, DJ Derek Tobler, Photographer Stephanie Fox, Hair & Make-up by Event Hair by Lauren, Bride did the flowers and decorations, Furniture Rentals by Paisley & Jade and Albemarle Limousine for their get away car.

Keswick 9/3/17 Keswick 9/3/17

Shut Up and Dance with Me! | Amanda & Bryan

On Sunday, September 3, 2017 Amanda & Bryan FINALLY made it official and were married at Keswick Vineyards on a beautiful, late summer afternoon. This wedding was extra special for Keswick Vineyards for Amanda was the dance teacher for their youngest daughter. With Amanda being a dancer herself, we knew we would be in for treat later that evening. But, to our surprise, our treat came with their first dance.

Amanda & Bryan started with the usual slow song for their first dance when all of a sudden, the music changed and they were off to a perfectly choreographed dance (geez, I wonder who could have done that??????). We knew Amanda was a great dancer but who knew Bryan was? He was up there definitely holding his own with Amanda. Just shows you how great of a teacher she is. The crowd were all on their feet witnessing this very special, memorable moment. I’m just upset that I didn’t have my camera with me at that time ☹

Two things that I just LOVED from this wedding besides the couple. First, they placed outdoor bistro lights near the gazebo. This provided a perfectly lit area for the evening for guests to enjoy cocktails and cigars. In this location, everyone would walk past it versus putting it in our usual East lawn cocktail hour location.

The second thing I loved was the late night snack of ice cream sandwiches provided by Wonderment Bakery. Guest had a choice of 3 different types. I, of course, had to sample one since this was a new vendor. DELICIOUS!!! The different flavors of ice cream were in between 2 homemade chocolate chip cookies that were so good! Would definitely recommend this for those hot, summer weddings.

Thanks to the following vendors for making Amanda and Bryan’s long awaited wedding worth it: Keswick Vineyards as Event Planner, Catering by Southern Inn, Desserts provided by Sweethaus and Wonderment Bakery, DJ TD Layman of Sound Enforcement, Officiant Mike Taylor, Videographer Ian’s Creations, Hair & Make-up by Charlottesville Make-up Artistry, Flowers by Harmony Harvest Farm, Photo Booth of Charlottesville, Easy Riders Bus Company for transportation and Skyline Tent Company for the additional bistro lighting.

Keswick 9/2/17 Keswick 9/2/17

In Perfect Harmony | Melanie & Nick

Melanie & Nick’s wedding at Keswick Vineyards on Saturday, September 2, was such an elegant event. It started with a quartet playing music as guests arrived. With Melanie being a professional opera singer, she had one of her opera friends sing during their ceremony. What a treat that was for everyone in attendance. It is amazing the power an opera singer has with their voice. So, not only were guess captivated by the acoustics of all this music, but the classic beauty of a wedding party all dressed in black and white with the lushness of a green vineyard put everyone into sensory overload.

After the ceremony guess enjoyed cocktails under the Sperry tent. Once again, sensory overload by drinking Keswick Vineyards award winning wines and the delicious appetizers prepared by Roadside Chive Catering. Could the night get any better???? Of course, it was just getting started!

With a Greek heritage you knew we would be having some traditional Greek dancing which all guests enjoyed. DJ TD Layman continued to please the crowd by doing the “shoe” game. What is the “shoe” game you ask? Well, the couple is seated on the dance floor with their backs to each other. TD has them hold their shoe and a shoe of their spouse and they hold up the shoe of the person they think answers the question being asked. Such questions may be, “who said I love you first?” or “who has the craziest family?” etc. As you can see by the photo, guests just loved it!

And finally, the night ended with a delicious cake and a sparkler departure to send these two love birds off on their honeymoon.

Special thanks to the following vendors: Event Planner Keswick Vineyards, Caterer Roadside Chive, DJ TD Layman of Sound Enforcement, Photographer Sarah Goodwin, Florist Foxtail Cottage, Officiant Claire Frances, Transportation by Easy Riders Bus Company, Quartet Plum Blossom String Quartet, Nanny Service by Nanny Network and Skyline Tent Company for additional bistro lighting under the tent.