Our Wedding Blog

Keswick 7/3/16 Keswick 7/3/16

Anchors Away! | Berkley & Peter

It was no surprise when Berkley and Peter walked through our doors that Keswick Vineyards was the perfect place for their vineyard wedding. It was also no surprise that there was one key detail that would tie this wedding (and in turn this couple) together. What is that? The Navy.

Lieutenant Peter Maki married the love of his life Berkley here at Keswick Vineyards on July 3rd. They were our second couple to get married over the 4th of July holiday weekend. The timing of their vineyard wedding couldn’t have been better, with them naturally loving everything surrounding the good US of A and everything that fit within red, white, and blue realm. The military presence was very apparent in many aspects of their wedding, from their guests high ranks in multiple divisions of our armed services, to patriotic corn hole boards, a service dog, and the traditional sword arch initiation of the newly wedded Mr. and Mrs.

In honor of the Navy, white were a must for Peter. He proudly wore his whites as he stood at the fountain waiting to finally make Berkley a Maki. They sealed an engraved box containing three different Keswick Vineyards wines, all of which are meant to age perfectly (just like their love) throughout the years. For their 1st, 5th, and 10th anniversary they’ll open the box and read their vows in remembrance of the day they said “I do”.

When it came time to the reception, that’s when the fun started! We knew the military would know how to party, but we underestimated their moves on the dance floor! T.D. Layman kept them on the dance floor all night and everyone had an awesome time. When couples would break away from the dance floor they had a bourbon and cigar bar to enjoy in the gazebo…the perfect late night treat. Speaking of treats, what’s a Navy wedding without the infamous sword cake cutting?! For anyone else who witnessed this event, we all know to leave the sword play to Peter.

Huge thanks to the following vendors for making their Charlottesville wedding so wonderful! Day of coordinator, Keswick Vineyards. Catering, Exchange Events. Photography, April Bennett Photography. Florist, Ginger & Blooms. Hair & Makeup, The Spot Beauty Shop. Desserts, Sweethaus. Rentals, MS Events. DJ, T.D. Layman with Sound Enforcement DJ Service. Transportation, Albemarle Limousine and Blue Ridge Tours. Lighting, Skyline Tent Company and The AV Company. Officiant, Matt Goodrich.

Keswick 7/2/16 Keswick 7/2/16

Mark and Brittany's Food Truck Wedding! | Brittany & Mark

Brittany and Mark started off our 4th of July weekend with their wedding on Saturday, July 2nd. With it being 4th of July weekend, they wanted to make sure their guests had as most fun as humanly possible. So, what did they do? They threw a “backyard bash”!

It’s typical to celebrate Independence Day weekend every year with friends, family, and loved ones relaxing, grilling out, laughing, and (of course) watching the fireworks. Brittany and Mark cleverly brought all of those aspects into their wedding day here at Keswick Vineyards. For fun guests played corn hole, ping pong, and jumbo jenga (one of my new favorite trends!) For food, they brought in food trucks! Who doesn’t love a good food truck? They had three that night, all contributing different flavors for their friends and family. Everything from pizza to bourbon glazed donuts could be ordered by guests. Whatever their hearts desired, they were able to walk up, order, and enjoy!

But what’s food without wine? Better yet…what’s food without Keswick Vineyards wine?! Needless to say, they had awesome assortment of Keswick Vineyards wines to go with their spread. Not a drop of deliciousness was wasted!

Thank you to the following vendors for a great event! Food, Blue Ridge Pizza, Spiked Food Truck, and Carpe Donut. Event Design & Planning, Valley and Salt. Day of coordination, Kaitlyn Hoy with KEH Designs and Amanda Troutman. Rentals, Paisley & Jade and Festive Fare. Photographer, Aster and Olive Photography. Hair and Makeup, Avenue 42. Florist, The Proper Petal. Officiant, Melody Porter. DJ, Greg Tutwiler with National DJ Connection. Desserts, Sweethaus. Lighting, Skyline Tent Company and The AV Company.

Keswick 6/25/16 Keswick 6/25/16

When Life gives you a Lemon…Marry Him! | Brittney & Lance

Brittney and Lance (now Mr. and Mrs. Lemon) have a long history and many, many years of memories together. They’ve known one another almost all of their lives, starting back to when they first met in elementary school. Throughout the years, Brittney always had Lance’s back. They were best friends who fell in love. Life brought them together when they were kids, pulled them apart some of their adult lives, but then threw them a bone (or maybe a lemon?) and brought them back together in New York!

Love proves to continually stand throughout the test of time. We see it in the movies often, and while getting to know Brittney and Lance we witnessed it through their story. Admittedly it took their families a bit to jump on the Brittney and Lance train, but once they saw their consistent commitment, constant love, and how they always (no matter what) looked out for one another, it was easy for them to fall in love with them together as well.

To symbolize their two families joining together a couple of traditions took place, the first starting at their ceremony. They blended sand together into a heart shaped contained as an act of “his and hers” coming together. Later on in the evening, a special tribute was made specifically for Brittney. Lance and his Fraternity brothers sat her comfortably in a chair on the center of the dance floor and the men surrounded her, all the while holding hands. They sang to her in hymn. It was such a beautiful moment, and (to me) it was the perfect way for his fraternity to metaphorically say “you’re officially a Lemon”.

Brittney knew all along. So did Lance. Lance’s father in his speech said something along the lines of “You’re now a Lemon and what you make of it is up to you. You can use it to drink tequila or make lemonade, but the choice is yours.” What did Brittney do…..? She married it!

Many thanks to the following vendors! Catering, Mama J’s Kitchen. Event Planner, Kim Lynch. Photography, Shot with A Bow Photography. Florist, Hedge Fine Blooms. Rentals, MS Events. Desserts, Pearl’s Bake Shoppe. DJ, DJ Rayvon. Hair, Megan Lewis. Lighting, Skyline Tent Company. Transportation, Easy Riders Bus Company. Officiant, Vernon Gordon.

Keswick 6/18/16 Keswick 6/18/16

Meet the Carlisle's | Carrie & Robert

Congratulations to Carrie and Robert who got hitched here on Saturday, June 18th! They've always held a special place in my heart since the moment I first met them. Carrie may not know this, but I call her "my Carrie". She was one of the first brides for me when I came to Keswick Vineyards and for that, as well as many other reasons, she made a huge impression!

Carrie and Robert were very laid back, down to Earth, fun loving, and fancy people. Quite the combination right? Their wedding was a direct reflection of that! They treated their guests to a laid back, fun, and fancy party!

During their ceremony in front of the fountain music was played by The Classical Hillbillies. To introcue the bride down the aisle she had her parade of flower girls and ring bearers in tow. Seriously, how cute were they? They continued during cocktail hour while guests made their way to a plantation style bar setup underneath of our big oak tree for Keswick Vineyards wine and other refreshments. The white bar in front of our big tree really made a statement. I'll be sure to recommend this setup to our future couples! The couple combined their escort seating cards and their favors into one...coke bottles! They had "old school" glass coke bottles with name tags tied at the top which indicated which table guests were at. Also tied around the bottle neck were mini Virginia branded bottle openers. Clever! (And smart...how else were guests going to open them to enjoy?!)

Underneath of the Sperry tent bistro lights glittered the ceiling and a long stretch of a King's table was beautifully dressed in the center right at the head of the dance floor. Magnolia leaves and other floral were a simple and stunning touch. Just the right amount of decor without taking away from the beauty Keswick Vineyards already has to offer!

While a freshly prepared meal was being cooked up right behind the main tent by Exchange Events & Catering, Robert Radifera snuck the couple out for photos deep within the vineyard where the tall grass grows. Cindy caught the perfect action shot of Robert doing his thing!

When they got back to the tent, dinner was served! They dined, they danced, and then they Carpe Donut'd!

Thank you to our vendor friends! Wedding Planner, Meghan Streit with Shindig Weddings. Catering, Exchange Events. Photography, Robert Radifera Photography. Desserts, Carpe Donuts. Rentals, MS Events, Festive Fare, and Stonegate Event Rentals. Hair and Makeup, Melissa Schwartz Jones. Florist, Southern Blooms. DJ, Derek Tobler. Musician, Classical Hillbillies. Photo Booth, Swell Booth. Transportation, Camryn Limousine. Lighting, Skyline Tent Company. Officiant, Travis Boone.