Our Wedding Blog

Keswick 4/9/22 Keswick 4/9/22

Wedding, Take Two!

2020 and 2021 were very challenging years if you were trying to get married and have a large event. Some states were totally shutting down events, some were limiting how many people could gather, social distancing, masks, travel restrictions, quarantine time, etc. So, for Ashley & Ian, they chose to do a small Vegas wedding in May 2021 and to then have their traditional, original planned wedding on April 9, 2022.

I thought it was cute how they incorporated into this wedding day their Vegas wedding. Each groomsmen wore a playing card lapel pin. A special table was on display in the gazebo that had one of the most amazing groom cakes I have ever seen along with framed “Vegas” wedding photos. I love the little extra details that they put on their frames to give them that Vegas gambling feel to them. Also, on this table, were lots of cigars to be enjoyed later in the evening.

I think the favorite part for this wedding was the character artist. Boy did he stay busy the entire night! My staff couldn’t resist and had to get a quick drawing too! What a fun thing to offer during your reception.

Another favorite, especially on those colder months, is Carpe Donuts. The smell of those donuts frying and hot coffee percolating, yummy!!!!

Special shout out to all the vendors that made Ashely & Ian’s second wedding just as memorable as their first:
Wedding Planning by Keswick Vineyards
Catering provided by L’Etoile
Prime Time DJ Frank Smith
Photographer Kelli Durham
Touterelle Florals
Rentals by MS Events & Paisley & Jade
Carpe Donuts
All About Faces character artist
Hair & Makeup by Alisa Joy
Central VA Wine Tours & Transportation.

Keswick 4/8/22 Keswick 4/8/22

Let our 2022 wedding season begin!!!!

I always wonder who is more nervous for our first wedding of the season; our bride or me? We both are making sure that we haven’t forgotten any detail and that everything looks perfect. Keswick Vineyards had a lot of winter projects going on, so I was thrilled that we were able to have everything just perfect for our opening day for Tyler & Tyler’s wedding on Friday, April 8th.

Tyler and Tyler had several “first” for us which is hard to do when we have hosted more than 500 weddings! To begin with, they chose a new ceremony location. One of the unique features of Keswick Vineyards is the multitude of locations you can have your ceremony at. From up close to the vineyard to mountain views, Estate back drop or our iconic water fountain. For Tyler and Tyler, they chose what I call our “Michigan” tree because being from Michigan, I can see how this tree makes the mitten shape of that state. Can you see it in my photo? I can.

Another first was a form of entertainment provided towards the end of the night. The entire wedding party played a very competitive game of musical chairs. Yes, musical chairs like we all know it. It was hilarious to watch them battle it out. The guests definitely enjoyed watching it.

And finally, another first was their unique way guests could leave wedding wishes for the couple. They had an old rotary dial phone that you would pick up and dial “0” and you would then be connected to a voice recording telling you to leave a message. I thought it was great because that is the same style of phone I had when growing up. I wonder if all the younger guests knew how to use it????:)

Topping off Tyler & Tyler’s wedding for me had to be their live painter. She is an incredible painter. I was so taken by the reaction guests would have as they came over to see the progress she would continual make on the painting. For some, it brought tears to their eyes as you can see in the photo.

So, as you can see, our first wedding for our 2022 wedding season couldn’t have gone any better. All those nerves shared by Tyler and me were for nothing because this day was what dreams are made of to last a lifetime. None of this would be possible without the care of the following vendors: Wedding Planner Kendall Nibbs of Mahogany Hill Weddings, Exchange Events Catering, DJ Dwight Ellis, Photographer Casey Ripp, Videographer Kirsten Beatley Films, Florist Kyra with Pappy June’s Bouquets, Officiant Brad Russel, Hair & Make-up by Jahara Beauty, Albemarle Limousine for transportation, Rentals provided by MS Events and Live Painter Libby Rule Art.

Congratulations Tyler & Tyler!

Keswick 11/17/19 Keswick 11/17/19

The Sweetest Farewell to 2019 | Jessica & Mark

When guests caught wind that Mark and Jessica’s wedding on November 17th, 2019 was the last of our 2019 wedding season, I kept hearing the phrase “ending with a bang!”. That could not have described their wedding more accurately! Every single face in the crowd at their late fall/early winter wedding was elated with joy as the two of them stated their vows and tied the knot.

It was a very sweet, vineyard-side ceremony with what must be one of our sweetest brides of 2019. Jessica and I communicated constantly preparing for her wedding. Having found out first hand how much time and energy goes into preparing for and planning your own wedding, I always make sure I am available for our brides (and grooms!), if for nothing else than to reassure them that yes, we have your Sparkling Viognier reserved for your wedding 😊.

Speaking of which, guests thoroughly enjoyed a glass of this sparkling treat from Keswick Vineyards with freshly chucked oysters during cocktail hour; one of my favorite additions to any wedding celebration! That is where you will find me for the rest of the evening, thank you.

Their reception had a simple yet elegant feel as white, green and champagne colors worked together to create a timeless feel with pillar candles, wooden table numbers, a cascading floral cake and elegant escort sign. A highlight of the reception for me was a unique twist on what is commonly called the “shoe game”. Instead of asking the couple a series of questions and having them answer “who is the better cook, etc.”, a friend of theirs asked these questions to Mark’s daughter about her dad and her new stepmom! Hilarity ensued as her answer to just about every question was Jessica and when she was asked to name “One good thing about your Dad” her answer was “he married Jessica!”.

A very memorable ending to a fantastic year of celebrating with couples. 2019 will be a year we will never forget, with many brides (and grooms) who will be in our hearts forever!!

Thank you to those vendors who helped us end the season with a bang!

Catering by A Pimento Catering
Event Planning by Marylee Marmer
Entertainment by Richard Greene Entertainment, DJ Mike Beene
Photography by Mike Topham (the photos in this blog were taken by owner of Keswick Vineyards, Cindy Schornberg)
Florals by Marylee Marmer
Ceremony by Rev. Kate Adamson
Hair and Makeup by Charlottesville Makeup Artist, Anne Kibler
Rentals by MS Events
Lighting by Skyline Tent Company

Keswick 11/9/19 Keswick 11/9/19

A Wedding that Warms the Heart | Kate & Don

On a cool, crisp day, Don and Kate said their “I Do’s” to one another at Keswick Vineyards on Saturday, November 9th. The air was a little chillier than normal, but that didn’t damper the warmth and love of this wedding. For their ceremony, they chose one of our popular locations that really shows off the fall colors and landscaping! It is our classic fountain ceremony set up that highlights the symmetry of the fountain and the wedding party, but from an angle that gives guests a wonderful panoramic view of all that the Keswick Vineyards estate grounds has to offer. Accented by some wine barrels with florals and the Blue Ridge Mountains rising behind; it was a STUNNING ceremony.

Immediately after the ceremony guests headed to cocktail hour where they found luxuries furniture set up like you would find in your living room but outside! Guests really got comfortable while they had a drink, something to eat and took in the gorgeous outdoor views that Virginia offers like nowhere else. That view of the vineyard and mountains never gets old! While Don & Kate’s guest enjoyed music being performed by musician Peter Richardson, they, along with their wedding party, took off for some photos. What a beautiful couple these two made and I just love Kate’s bouquet; you can’t go wrong with a classic combination of gray and burgundy. It’s great for the guys too.

The décor of the tent combined a long, rectangular head table for the wedding party while guests were seated at round tables. The head table had dark blue napkins while the guest tables had cream colored napkins. Both had such a rich look with the gold chargers and blue table linens. What a statement for guests to see as they entered the heated Aurora tent draped with bistro lighting. Also, pre-set salads were waiting for guests to immediately enjoy. I love when weddings do this so if there is a delay for any reason with the couple entering the reception (which can happen often, usually because they want more photos!), hungry guests can begin to eat and won’t even realize there is a delay happening! Win-win.

Not only did the table settings stand out, but guests couldn’t help noticing the delicious and tempting dessert table just waiting for them to try. On top of that, with another “living room” set up under the tent, I can’t think of a better way to sit back and enjoy a wedding. Hats off to Don & Kate for making their wedding one that their guest will talk about and remember for years to come.

Special thanks to the following vendors for their professional skills at making this dream wedding a reality:

Wedding Planning by A Southern Soiree
Catering by Goodrich Gourmet
Reception Music by Sound Enforcement, DJ TD Layman
Ceremony and Cocktail Music by Peter Richardson
Photography by Hailey Pierce to see her photos from this wedding, check out her blog here!
(The photos in this blog were taken by owner of Keswick Vineyards, Cindy Schornberg)
Videography by Wrinkled Blanket Media
Cake by Cakes by Rachel
Florals by Olivera Floral Design
Ceremony by Kevin Holland
Hair and Makeup by Charlottesville Makeup Artist, Anne Kibler
Transportation by A&A Limo
Rentals by MS Events and Paisley & Jade
Bistro lighting by Skyline Tent Company