Our Wedding Blog

Keswick 9/3/23 Keswick 9/3/23

Oozing with Love

I’m not sure that I have seen another couple that got married at Keswick Vineyards that expressed their love for one another more than Jenna & Kale who were married on Sunday, September 3, 2023. The vows they wrote were the best ever! They went on for a while, yet no one wanted them to end. You could have heard a pin drop the entire time. Their touching words were so genuine and personal that no one could say a word and instead had their eyes watering as they witnessed such a love. Seriously, these were some of the most touching things I have heard a couple say to each other, and I’ve heard a lot!

Just look at how these two look at each other. Jenna with her infectious smile to Kale’s charming looks, this couple is so blessed. When I heard of all their travels and adventures together, I couldn’t help but be envious. They really got it right. From their beginnings together they have traveled the world and pushed one another to try new things that only brought out the best in each other. Just look at their seating chart and their table numbers. Each table had a destination they had been to and then on the back side, had a picture of the two of them there. I couldn’t help but to check out each table to see the amazing experiences these two have already had so early in their relationship.

Another thing about this couple that was so obvious is their love for family and friends. I always love the moments just before the bride and her father walk down the aisle. You can just feel the excitement of Jenna and her dad as if they are saying, “Can you believe this is happening?” And then, later in the evening, the two of them shared their dance to the song “Sweet Child of Mine” and really rocked the house! But don’t worry, Kale also captivated their guests when he shared his special dance with his grandmother.

I can’t end this blog without thanking the southern tradition of burying a bottle of bourbon in assuring them such a beautiful day.

Thank you to all the vendors that made this wedding such a joy to host:

Wedding Planner Erin Cleveland

Catering by Harvest Moon

DJ Fit (Nathan May)

Photographer Sam Hurd

Videographer Brian Schornberg

Lacy’s Florist

One Creative Cookie

Officiant Matt Salzberg

Hair & Makeup by Laurel Cain

Transportation by Easy Riders and Rentals by Valley Heirlooms

Keswick 9/2/23 Keswick 9/2/23

A Sign from Above

What a beautiful wedding Mary Kate & Jordan had at Keswick Vineyards on Saturday, September 2nd. The weather was just perfect allowing for daytime warmth of the sun to the subtle evening chill which is just perfect for when everyone is dancing.

When this couple & family toured, an immediate connection started between us. My daughter attended the college their youngest daughter was seriously considering so when they were heading to the college to check it out, they also took the time to see my daughter in her college theater performance. Since then, their daughter decided to attend that college and now both our daughters are in contact with one another and have started that friendship. It is these special connections that make doing weddings and getting to know our families so special. It’s just not a one-day thing for us.

As you can see from the photos that Mary Kate and Jordan were married in front of the gorgeous fountain with the vineyard and mountain as their backdrop. This location also provided some shade for their guests to keep everyone comfortable. A special seat on the aisle of the front row was reserved for Mary Kate’s father. Placed on that seat was a frame with beautiful photos reminding everyone of the love these two shared. Mary Kate made sure that her dads’ seat was diagonal to her at the alter so she could see him.

It is always hard when a bride has a deceased father. We all know that it is our father who should be walking us girls down the aisle. It is a very emotional day when that isn’t possible. Mary Kate instead had her mother by her side making that walk with her just as special.

When it came down for those traditional formal dances, Mary Kate had her brother dance with her in her father’s absence. While the two of them took center stage on the dance floor, me and my staff were standing just outside the tent when the most amazing thing happened. A shooting star that seemed so close with this long sparkling tail went flying right over the tent. At first, I thought it was a firework someone shot off because of how close and large it was. At the same time, we all said, “Wow, did you see that?” We couldn’t believe our eyes. I had to go tell Mary Kate what we saw when she finished her dance and we all agreed that had to be a sign from her father. Such a beautiful moment that I’m so happy to have witnessed.

Special thanks to the following vendors for doing such a wonderful job:

Catering by Pumpernickel Pickle

DJ Fit (Nathan May)

Musicians Ninja Strings

Photographer Taylor Francisco

Videographer Cat McCarthy Creative

Florist Betty Jo

Officiant Craig Simpson

Hair by Briana Chapman

Makeup by Hayley Joan MUA

Transportation by Quick’s Bus

Teresa Olano de Malay as planner

Keswick 8/26/23 Keswick 8/26/23

Saturday Night Fever

Hope & Mitch brought the disco fever to their Saturday, August 25th wedding at Keswick Vineyards. From the moment of their first look, their black and white theme was evident in all their details. Let’s begin with the entire wedding party being in those colors. Such a classic, timeless look to have all the bridesmaids in white and all the groomsmen in black. I knew even before the guest arrived that this was more of a black-tie event.

As guests arrived on this very hot & humid day, they had fun choosing which pair of sunglasses looked best on them. Once chosen, guests enjoyed some cool refreshing drinks and grabbed a parasol to provide some shade during the ceremony. Hope and Mitch chose to get married in the middle of Edgewood Estates private driveway surrounding them with the lush vineyard full of grapes and the Southwest Mountains as a backdrop.

After the ceremony guests headed to the pool area to enjoy a cocktail. I just love the black and white bar that the couple made. Guests enjoyed exploring the pool area and also enjoyed the shade under the large, 300-year-old oak tree. During cocktail hour, guests were able to find their table assignment that was displayed on a large, black and white board.

Now it was time for the reception and guests immediately had to notice the black and white dance floor with disco balls hanging above it. Mitch changed into a white jacket to dazzle the guests with their first dance. This whole moment gave me a flash back to John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever in his white polyester suit. Did I forget to mention that I love disco so I was in my happy place ☺

Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Exchange Events and spent the rest of the night dancing. All that dancing made everyone hungry later in the evening which was a perfect time for a late-night snack from MacDonald’s (their last name!).

Congratulations to Hope & Mitch and thank you to the following vendors:

Catering by Exchange Events

Wedding Planner Eric Kinsey of Rockfish Valley Events

DJ Carter Ward

Photographer The Homebody Folk

Videographer Jacob Rozsahegyi

Florist The Coleman Brothers

Officiant McKinzie Garnett

Hair by Avenue 42

Makeup by Rachel Z Riley Beauty

Transportation by Easy Riders

B&W dance floor & disco balls from Skyline Tent Company

Keswick 8/19/23 Keswick 8/19/23

An Unplugged Wedding

How annoying is it during a wedding to see guests whipping out their phones to take photos during the ceremony? Photographers hate it the most because they are being paid to capture these moments and just when they are about to take that awesome photo, a guest blocks it. Many couple will choose to have their officiant say something before the ceremony starts about not doing that or they will have signs saying this is an unplugged wedding. But guess what? There is always someone that thinks that doesn’t apply to them. So, what are you to do to solve this problem???? I think I finally saw the solution at Emily & Derek’s wedding at Keswick Vineyards on Saturday, August 19th.

Just as the prelude was done and everyone was ready for the ceremony to start, their officiant told everyone to take out their phones to take as many photos as they wanted for the next minute and then they had to put them away for the rest of the ceremony. Brilliant! The guests were so happy to follow his request. They all had their moment to take a photo of the couple which made them extremely happy. He gave them a final warning that 30 seconds were left and then they were told to put their phones away for good. Guess what???? Everyone listened! Even that person that thinks you are not talking to them. ☺ Another wonderful thing that happened with them being allowed to take a photo was that their best man got to snap a selfie of him and the groom!