Always Have a Backup Plan
If you are thinking of having an outdoor wedding, you better always have a solid backup plan for the “what ifs”. Know one had ever thought that on Saturday, September 23, 2023, that anyone having a wedding that day in the Charlottesville area would have to deal with Hurricane Ophelia. Not only does a hurricane bring rain, but also constant winds and wind gusts so you better be ready.
Thankfully, for Georgi and Evan, they chose to have their wedding at Keswick Vineyards. Regardless of what Mother Nature throws at us, we are prepared for it. Our tent has permanent anchors that go down about 5’, tent sides to block any rain or wind, drainage around our tent to keep the inside completely dry, artificial turf to remain dry, generators if needed to keep the party going, umbrellas and the most dedicated staff and vendors to make sure your dream wedding happens no matter what!
When couples tour here, we always tell them about our rain plan and how we prefer it over renting another tent. Not only does this save you money, but when we have everything in our main tent to keep everyone comfortable and happy and the brightness of our Aurora tent on a cloudy day versus a vinyl tent, it really is a no brainer to do it. Just look and see what you think.
We basically set up the tent how it should look for the reception yet push the tables to the outer perimeter to make an open space to set up the ceremony. When the ceremony is over, guests head to the other side of the tent to the bar while we quickly take those ceremony chairs and place around the tables on the other side to open up the ceremony side of the tent for us to move those tables that were on the perimeter, back to their correct position. We then add the remaining chairs and boom, we’re done!
For cocktail hour, it is under our main tent, and we use the dance floor as the location for any stationery food and high-top tables. We can easily have this ready to go even before the ceremony starts so as soon as the ceremony is over, guests can start enjoying some appetizers and drinks. Once cocktail hour is over, we remove any tables from the dance floor, and we are ready to start the reception just as always planned!
Fortunately, with a hurricane, you get bands of bad weather. So, when the opportunity for no rain happened, we quickly take pictures outside. Look how happy our couple is!
So, although Georgi and Evan didn’t get to have their outside ceremony, they still were able to get married under a beautiful tent protected from Mother Nature.
Thank you for all their vendors who went up and beyond the norm to make sure Georgi, Evan and all their guests had an exceptional and memorable time:
Wedding Planner Keswick Vineyards
Caterer Harvest Moon
DJ Dwight Ellis
The Tuckers Photography
Silverstreak Media as Videographer
Cakes by Rachel
Hedges Fine Blooms
Officiant Gay Einstein
Musician Melodious Strings
C’ville Photobooth
Albemarle Limousine for Transportation
MS Events for Rentals
Hair & Makeup off-site at Moxie’s Salon
