Our Wedding Blog

Keswick 11/10/18 Keswick 11/10/18

Jess & DJ’s Wedding Day | Jess & DJ

On Saturday, November 10th, Jess and DJ were married at Keswick Vineyards on a brisk, fall day. With the foliage colors still beaming on the mountain side, it was a must to hold their ceremony in our “fall” location which gives guests the optimal view of the Estate, fountain, vineyard and mountains. Even though the day was a little chillier then it should have been for this time of year, the sun beaming through the trees provided just enough warmth to make their ceremony picture perfect.

Since this is Keswick Vineyards 8th year doing weddings and have done over 350 weddings, it is hard for us to see something new. So, when we saw what Jess & DJ were doing for their guest book, we definitely had to share. Versus the traditional guest book, Jess & DJ had a wood blank puzzle made. Each guest would sign a puzzle piece eventually signing each piece to create a forever heirloom of their special day.

Congratulations, Jess and DJ! We hope that you enjoyed your “mini-moon” and we hope that your lives are as perfect as your wedding was!

Thank you to the following vendors for all of their hard work:

Event Planner: Karissa Coffey, Caterer: Harvest Moon, Officiants: Doug White Sr. and Dave Norris, Desserts: Passionflower Cakes, DJ: Dennis Payne, Photographer: Mike Topham, Hair and Makeup Artist: Lou Stevens, Florist: Willow Branch Flowers, Transportation: James River and A & A Limo, Rentals: Harvest Moon, Lighting: Skyline Tent Company.

Keswick 10/27/18 Keswick 10/27/18

Pure Perfection | Arlene & Matt

Arlene and Matt’s fall wedding at Keswick Vineyards on October 27th was nothing more than perfection! To ensure a perfect wedding day, Arlene and Matt started with the Southern tradition of burying a bottle of bourbon. Southern tradition has it that if you bury a bottle of bourbon, upside down, exactly one month before your wedding day, it will ward off any bad weather. Arlene & Matt took that Southern tradition one step further and had their bottle engraved for an everlasting keepsake of their special day.

To continue with their perfection, Arlene & Matt intertwined many personal touches you could see displayed as you went from one area to another. Starting in the carport, the couple had a wine barrel front and centered for guests to deposit their cards. Next to that barrel, guests were instructed to leave personal wedding messages on Jenga blocks that the couple will always be able to reflect back upon.

As guests approach the ceremony, they immediately were captivated by the beautifully decorated wood pergola that was made by Matt’s brother. Not only did his brother make this pergola, but he also made the cocktail bar and wood cupcake towers. It was also their families that provided the floral decorations, the delicious desserts they brought from Maryland, plus the unique display for guest seating. On an easel was an old window that they inserted in each pane the table assignment for guests to browse during cocktail hour. Such a beautiful look that doesn’t break the bank to do.

And finally, when it came to satisfy their guests, they perfected that too by providing a delicious buffet dinner to feast upon. Besides enjoying award winning wine that evening, guests kept the dance floor overflowing all night long while celebrating the union of Arlene & Matt. Congratulations to you both and thank you to the following vendors for making their wedding pure perfection!

Wedding Planner: Colleen Davis, Officiant: Pastor Sarah Evancho, Caterer: Southern Inn, Desserts: Desserts by Jordan, DJ: Greg Tutwiler, Photographer: Erin Kling, Videographer: DeVries Productions, Hair and Makeup: Moxie, Florist: Scarborough Farm, Transportation: Easy Riders Bus Company, Lighting: Skyline Tent Company.

Keswick 9/29/18 Keswick 9/29/18

Meant to Be! | Jasmine & Justin

Jasmine and Justin were one of our couples that knew right away that Keswick Vineyards was the venue for them as soon as they got engaged. Keswick Vineyards was their dream wedding venue, so they were determined to do whatever they could to have their wedding here. They drove all the way from Virginia Beach after a long day of work, and, once seeing Keswick Vineyards, they decided to book on the spot. After this moment, we couldn’t wait to see what other surprises Jasmine and Justin had in store for us!

In the wedding industry, you see so many new ideas and traditions that you’ve never even seen or heard of before. From the burying of the bourbon (which Jasmine and Justin did to stray away rain), to the blending of the sand—you really see everything! The most meaningful and touching ideas that we see incorporated in weddings, though, are ones that have been passed down for generations. Jasmine and Justin’s wedding on September 29, 2018 was one where we adored all the traditions and rituals, particularly during the ceremony.

A fun idea that we’ve seen at previous weddings is the “blending of the wine” during the ceremony. With getting married at a vineyard, couples have to incorporate some part of the “vineyard” feel to their wedding! Jasmine and Justin used our award-winning wine—one red and one white— and poured each of their glasses into one singular glass of wine, creating a “blush” color that they both drank out of. The blending of the wine demonstrated their lives and their families that were now “one,” opposed to being two separate entities.

A new tradition that we saw for Jasmine and Justin’s wedding was the “jumping of the broom.” The “jumping of the broom” is an African-American heritage, which symbolizes the joining of two families, as well as, respect for those that came before them and “paved the way” for future couples getting married. During the tradition, Jasmine’s mother, Theresa, swept circles around the couple and then placed the broom directly in front of them. After Jasmine and Justin were pronounced husband and wife, everyone chanted “one, two three,” and they jumped over the broom. We thought that it was such a fun tradition that was so meaningful to the couple and was also a fun experience for everyone to watch. As Jasmine and Justin walked down the aisle, everyone threw lavender for the joyous celebration!

The remainder of the evening was spent with guests mingling in Jasmine and Justin’s Parisian-themed reception. Guests were able to watch Alee paint the reception, and enjoy macaroons and delicious French food, provided by L’etoile (“the star” in French). Guests were also able to view Jasmine and Justin’s engagement photos that were taken at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, where Jasmine wore her Louboutin’s (honestly, how French can you get?!). We loved the feel of a romantic evening in Paris that guests were able to enjoy. The entire evening was “tres magnifique!”

Felicitations, Jasmine and Justin! We hope that you enjoyed every part of your “dream wedding” at Keswick Vineyards!

Thank you to the following vendors for all of their hard work:

Event Planner: Keswick Vineyards, Caterer: L’etoile, Photographer: Sarah Goodwin, DJ: Craig Mangrum, Officiant: Julie Trump, Desserts: Hummingbird Macaroons, Musicians: Meladicious String Quartet, Hair and Makeup: Brittney Brown and Bella Donna, Florist: Designs by TAB, Rentals: MS Events, Lighting: Skyline Tent Company, Painter: Art by Alee.