Our Wedding Blog

Keswick 5/26/19 Keswick 5/26/19

Stranger than Fiction | Ana & Henry

We got a call a week before Ana & Henry’s wedding that was to take place on Saturday, May 26th, to let us know that Ana had broken her leg and they weren’t sure if she would be able to walk down the aisle. “No problem”, we said, we could take her in our golf cart down the aisle if necessary. To our relief, Ana got clearance from her doctor that she could put some weight on her leg and would be able to walk down the aisle! Instead of this princess wearing a glass slipper, she got to wear a lovely boot☺

So, having a bride break her leg just before getting married is strange enough, right? Well, not for this couple. I sure did see some strange things that lead to such laughable moments that none of us will forget. To begin with, there is Eugene. I first met Eugene when I walked in on the groom dressing Eugene. I must have had this puzzled look on my face when they explained to me who Eugene was. Eugene is a doll that mysteriously showed up one day in Henry’s dorm room and they have been inseparable since then. I just love how Henry made sure Eugene was dressed to the nine in his white tuxedo and glittery gold top hat. I should of know after meeting Eugene that this wedding might be a little different than others and I was right.

I’m sure most of you reading this blog are aware of a couple doing a first look, right? For those who don’t, it is when the couples see each other for the first time before the ceremony to allow them to get some photos out of the way before the ceremony. Well, Henry was not a real fan of a first look, but Ana and the rest of the wedding party had “pressured” him into going along with it. The day was getting away from them and guests were already showing up when Ana still insisted, they do their first look. So, Henry took his position and nervously waited for that moment when he would turn around and see his beautiful bride. All the groomsmen were watching through the windows and could see Henry was starting to tear up just thinking about this moment. Finally, that moment came, and Henry got the tap on his shoulder to turn around to see his soon to be beautiful wife. Well, to Henry’s surprise, instead of seeing Ana in her wedding dress, one of his male friends was standing there dressed in a wedding dress and veil! Everyone busted out laughing and it was just what Henry needed to take those wedding jitters away. He couldn’t believe Ana and everyone else managed to keep that a secret from him. Way to go Ana! Pretty much anything else happening that night would not surprise me. This has to be one of our most fun weddings.

As you can see by these photos, this group was in for a good time! I just love how the wedding party posed in front of our fountain like the sitcom “Friends”. So cute! The food was delicious! This is the first time I have seen shish kebabs served at a wedding and everyone gobbled them up! Look at that cake and dessert table!!! And the music, well it kept everyone on the dance floor all night long!

Thanks to all the vendors who helped make this wedding so much fun!
Catering by Pumpernickel Pickle
Desserts by Chandler’s Bakery
Entertainment by DJ Kurt from Astro DJ
and Photobooth from Astro DJ
Photography by Dmitry Gotkis (please note the photographs in this blog were taken by owner of Keswick Vineyards, Cindy Schornberg)
Wedding Planning by Rachel Schools
Officiant Gage Volbert
Musicians Chestnut Oak String Quartet
Hair & Make-up by Studio FBJ
Transportation provided by Blue Ridge Tours
Rentals by MS Events
Tent Lighting by Skyline Tent Company.

Keswick 5/25/19 Keswick 5/25/19

The Power of Bourbon! | Alyssa & David

Congratulations to Alyssa & David who were married at Keswick Vineyards on Saturday, May 25th!

Alyssa & David owe a big Thank You to Alyssa’s mom, Joyce. She came a month before their wedding date to do the Southern tradition of burying a bottle of bourbon to ward off any rain and boy did we test that tradition! Storms came within 1 ½ miles but between the magic of our mountains and that Southern tradition, not a drop of rain dared to fall. So yes, I’m still a big believer in burying a bottle of bourbon.

Another thing I am a big believer in is hiring an experienced wedding planner. I can’t think of a more experienced wedding planner than Barbara Lundgren, the owner of Barb Wired. She is known to be the Fairy Godmother to her couples, and it shows. She is always there to make sure every detail is done to perfection. She also provides that steady, calmness that so many families need on their wedding day.

This wedding had lots of prettiness with their burgundy accent color scheme, using a window pane to display table assignments, to having a guitarist play for both the ceremony and cocktail hour. At night, Keswick Vineyards beauty still continues to impress guests with the fountain lit up, the estate highlighted with up lighting and the glow of the tent. No matter what time it is, Keswick Vineyards continues to awe guests. And if the prettiness of their wedding day wasn’t enough, the delicious family-style dinner definitely satisfied everyone’s tummies!

Special thanks to the following vendors for providing the magic to make Alyssa & David’s dream wedding come true:
Event Planner: Barb Wired
Caterer: Roadside Chive
DJ: Primetime Sound
Musician: Stan Hamrick
Photographer: Klaire Dixius (please note, the photos in this blog were taken by Owner of Keswick Vineyards, Cindy Schornberg)
Videographer: Carly Rae Film
Hair & Make-up: Brideface RVA
Officiant: Christy Foldenauer
Florist: Barnswallow Bloom
Transportation: A&A Limousine
Rentals: MS Events
and Skyline Tent Company

Keswick 5/11/19 Keswick 5/11/19

It Takes A Village | Armin & Eric

We all know the saying that it takes a village to raise a child, right? Well, I would have to say it takes a village to pull off a dream wedding. Thankfully, when Armin & Eric got married at Keswick Vineyards on Saturday, May 11th, their village really came through for them!

Armin & Eric’s weather was not what they pictured for their wedding day. For them, Mother Nature decided to rain all day. As everyone prepared themselves for our rain plan, we all still held onto hope that a miracle would happen, and Armin & Eric would be able to have their ceremony outside amongst the vineyard. Everyone knew that was Armin’s dream. As the day progressed, we could see on the radar that there was a window of opportunity that just might happen. It was at that time that Eric’s father told me that when his daughter got married in Tennessee, it was pouring rain for her wedding day also. When he went outside, he clapped his hands and just at the same time the rain stopped for her. So, we figured he had one powerful clap and we would wait until we got closer to the ceremony time before we would put his clap to work for his son in Virginia.

Everything was set for our rain plan under the tent. As you can see by the photos, our rain plan is just as beautiful. Armin and Eric had a beautiful, birch wood arbor adorn with greenery and flowers framing their ceremonial table to incorporate Persian traditions into their ceremony. Musicians were seated and playing as guests arrived. We were about 15 minutes from ceremony time when our miracle happened! Eric’s father did his clap and the rain stopped, and we were a go to quickly do the ceremony outside to fulfill Armin & Eric’s dream!!!

It is no easy task to do this. You have to imagine that all day we have prepared for a beautiful ceremony under the tent and have everything ready to go when, within minutes, we need to go in a totally different direction and assemble the same ceremony look within minutes. I would have to say that 99.9% of venues, event planners and caterers would have said no way, it is too late to change this and we are sticking with the rain plan. It kills me when I hear vendors take that attitude. For me, this is their one and only wedding day and if it means we have to go that extra mile for them to have their dream wedding, well then, that’s what we all do. Thankfully, the caterer, who was also acting as their wedding planner, had that same attitude. So, the village went to work including some of the groomsmen that helped transport that birch wood arbor to the outdoor location.

“It was a crazy 15 minutes, but we did it! At 4:33pm, Armin & Eric’s dream outdoor ceremony began!”

There was so much beauty to this wedding that my photos don’t do it justice. Just look at the beautiful floral arrangement hanging above the head table. And who doesn’t love the look of a long farm table with cross-back chairs for the head table? Did you notice the chandelier over the dance floor? And who couldn’t help but notice the delicious cake! And then, of course, there is Armin and Eric. To see their happiness of being able to have their ceremony outside made all that hard work so worth it.

So, as you can see, it does take a village to pull off a dream wedding. It is for that reason Keswick Vineyards has a list of preferred vendors to make sure we make everyone’s wedding their dream wedding! Special shout out, and I mean a LOUD shout out, to Cristelle from C&O catering for remembering that we work for our couples and it should be our priority to do whatever we can to make their wedding a day their dream wedding day. Thank you Cristelle for going that extra mile along with the Keswick Vineyards team of Brian, Doug, Ryan and myself.

A special thanks to the other vendors too for their exceptional talents:

Catering by: C & O Catering
Event Planning by: Cristelle of C&O Catering
Officiating by: John Gownley
Cake by: Cakes by Rachel
Entertainment by: DJ Derek Tobler
Photography by: Aaron Watson Photography (the photos in this blog were taken by owner of Keswick Vineyards, Cindy Schornberg. )
Videography by: Paul Kwak Films
Hair by: Brianna Adams
Make-up by: Claire Ashley & Rouge 9
Florals by: Southern Blooms
Transportation by: Albemarle Limousine
Lounge Furniture by: Paisley & Jade
and Mouth Wide Open Food Truck for late night snacks.

Keswick 5/4/19 Keswick 5/4/19

And They're Off!!! | Tom & Lauren

Congratulations to Lauren & Tom who were married at Keswick Vineyards on Saturday, May 4th. Not only was this their wedding day but also the day for The Kentucky Derby! And when many of your guests are coming in from Kentucky, well then, it’s only natural to tie into that theme a little.

Lauren & Tom had Kentucky Derby programs on hand so guests could pick their favorite horse and cheer them on while watching the race in the “man’s cave”. To our surprise, a family member of the winning horse was among the guests which made that win even more special!

Lauren & Tom chose to have their ceremony right up close to the vineyard with the mountains as a back drop. Using our pergola, draped with fabric, to dress up their alter a little provided a picture-perfect setting.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the East lawn relishing the food and cocktails provided by Blue Ridge Catering. Also, Billy Caldwell provided some musical entertainment. One of my favorite details from this wedding was their guest book. During cocktail hour guest could take their time and take a polaroid photo of themselves. Then, in a book, were little envelopes to put the photo in. Guest could sign the photo and/or write something in the book. What a wonderful keepsake to have!

The reception tent was adorned with bistro lighting providing the look of being under the stars at night. Keeping decorations to a minimum allowed the natural beauty of Keswick Vineyards to shine through. As you can see, the tent looked amazing and guests fully enjoyed themselves until the last song was played.

A special thank you to the following vendors for making Lauren & Tom’s big day so wonderful:

Catering by Blue Ridge Catering
Photography by Heather Dodge Photography (Please note, the photographs in this blog were taken by Cindy Schornberg of Keswick Vineyards)
Entertainment by Playback DJ (Dennis Payne)
Lighting by Skyline Tent Company
Hair & Make-up by Fielding Biggs at Moxie Hair Lounge
Ceremony & Cocktail Music by Billy Caldwell
and Officiant Virginia Moore, MS Events, and Albemarle Limousine