Our Wedding Blog

Keswick 10/23/16 Keswick 10/23/16

Happy-ly ever After | Callie & Nathan

When Nathan and Callie came to visit Keswick Vineyards for the first time there was nothing but pure joy sweeping across their faces. They had big beaming smiles and hearts in their eyes all through their initial tour. It became apparent, very quickly, that they were walking the grounds of their dream wedding venue.

Callie and Nathan’s happiness was contagious. In fact, little did we know, the groom’s nickname was actually Happy! After finding that out it just all made sense and on Sunday, October 23rd Callie and Happy were married.

Their wedding gave off an upscale and elegant vibe all the while being relaxed and cozy. The bridesmaids dresses were in a beautiful rich shade of red which really popped with the greenery around the vineyard. When you go with the color red for a dress you’re making a statement. The girls did just that as they walked down the ceremony aisle. They were the perfect “opening act” for beautiful Callie as she made her debut down (what very well could have been) her red carpet! Happy’s face when she hit the top of the aisle was precious. It’s sure to be a moment the two of them will cherish for the rest of their lives.

After a sentimental and wonderful ceremony, guests headed to cocktail hour while the couple snuck away for photos. Surrounding our big oak tree were cozy pockets of lounge furniture for guests to enjoy as they sipped their wine and cocktails and grabbed bites to eat from Goodrich Gourmet. Having lounge furniture during cocktail hour and reception is a great way to create more comfortable chatting environments for guests. They feel as if they’re right at home and are really able to relax. Having incredible 360 views is just an added bonus!

Mingling and chatting are naturally a part of every wedding. Families and friends come from all corners of the world in order to celebrate the love. It’s always great to reconnect with people in your lives…but talking can only get you so far. Eventually, you’re going to have to let loose and hit the dance floor! The “Love Train” is what brought this group together! They had a massive conga line going which was definitely one of the highlights of the evening!

To our forever smiling and full of life newlyweds, we wish you nothing but a very Happy-ly….ever after

Wedding Planner, Real Southern Accents. Caterer, Goodrich Gourmet Catering. Photography, Mike Topham Photography. Florist, Floral Images. DJ, Andy Wilfong. Desserts, Albemarle Baking Company. Hair & Makeup, Transformations Artistry. Lighting, Skyline Tent Company. Officiant, John Jacobs. Rentals, Real Southern Accents and Classic Party Rentals.

Keswick 10/22/16 Keswick 10/22/16

The Perfect Pick | Emily & Bryan

'Tis the season for all things festively fall! Emily and Bryan were married on Saturday, October 22nd on a perfect fall day. Fall in Virginia is such a classically beautiful time of year. The air gets to be comfortably colder, the leaves begin to change colors, and weddings for us continue to be well underway!

Emily and Bryan were the perfect pick for one another. They’ve been together for over seven years and we loved celebrating their love and enjoyed how they highlighted fall in their décor. Pumpkins became a theme here, the perfect pick for their October wedding!

Welcoming guests as they arrived at Keswick Vineyards, the couple had hand-painted white pumpkins to dress up their guestbook and gift table. More were placed in other focal areas of their cocktail hour and reception as well so that guests could continue to relish in the great fall feelings. Mini pumpkins garnished the beautiful cheese display by Roadside Chive Catering and towards the end of the night guests picked up their spiced popcorn favors in the gazebo and were “thanked” via pumpkins!

Their 4:30 PM ceremony allowed for them plenty of time to enjoy a wonderful night full of dinner and dancing. This was a big dancing crowd. One of the first comments I remember this couple making is “we’re going to need a bigger dance floor”. So what did they do? Expanded it! The made our ample dance floor even bigger so that they all had plenty of room to shake their tail feathers. After dinner, the dance floor was full all night with the help of DJ Greg Tutwiler and guests worked up an appetite. Time for dessert.

Like every good wedding should, they wanted to make sure their guests had their choice of treats! Cupcakes and cookies surrounded their wedding cake and were beautifully displayed. They had cupcakes flavored in everything from apple pie to Reese’s. The options were endless! Guests hit the dessert bar and some even headed straight back to the dance floor….cupcakes in hand.

Congratulations to Emily and Bryan. We hope you all continue to enjoy the sweet life!

Day of Coordinator, Ashley Kovach. Caterer, Roadside Chive Catering. Rentals, Beggars Banquet Rentals & Real Southern Accents. Photography, Once Like a Spark. Videographer, Delta Studio Productions. Musician, Virginia Schweninger. DJ, Greg Tutwiler. Desserts, Passionflower Cakes. Florist, Petal Flower Company. Hair and Makeup, Three Bowls of Color. Officiant, JT. Lighting, Skyline Tent Company.

Keswick 10/21/16 Keswick 10/21/16

It Was Right From the Start! | Jennifer and Brian

It all started with a great couple. The great couple had a keen eye for architect with the bride being an Interior Designer and were swept away with Keswick Vineyard’s impressively designed aesthetics. From there, they hired a great wedding planner and entrusted their faith in both their beloved venue and their seasoned wedding planner. With that combination, they were off to a great start!

Jennifer and Brian set their date for Friday, October 21st. They traveled all the way from Boston to celebrate with their friends and family and upon first setting foot on the grounds everyone mutually agreed that the trip was well worth it. As if the scenery wasn’t already enough, Jennifer and Brian decided to add to the naturally beautiful surroundings with their florals and décor.

Their ceremony chairs were dressed with glass jars filled with Dusty Miller and succulents, their cake was topped with pale pink roses, and clusters of lush greenery were suspended over the dance floor. It was all picture perfect!

During cocktail hour they had a special treat. UVA’s own Virginia Gentlemen (a well-known a cappella group) performed a series of songs for guests. Personally being an incredibly huge fan of all things musicals and a cappella this was an absolute joy to watch! It was apparent that the guests felt the same. They circled around them all while they were singing and were in awe of their voices and how unique it was to have them perform at the wedding.

Once the Virginia Gentlemen finished their last song it was time to head to reception. The layout of the tent was one thing we really enjoyed and hope to see more of. Traditionally, head tables are in the center of the room at the top of the dance floor. With the help of their wedding planner, Adam, Jennifer and Brian decided to mix things up a bit and add a new twist. The couple sat front and center at their own sweetheart table while the head table was seated at a long stretch of farm tables down the center of the tent. How clever! It was great to have them as more of a central focus without hiding the bride and groom in the mix.

A big congratulations to our newlyweds who are by now well off and enjoying their honeymoon!

Wedding Planner, Donovan-Groves Events. Catering, Harvest Moon Catering. Photographer, Aaron Watson Photography. Rentals, MS Events. Florist, Southern Blooms. Hair & Makeup, Carolyn Thombs Makeup Artistry & Consulting. Desserts, Cakes by Rachel. Officiant, Claire Frances. DJ, JG Entertainment. Musicians, The Virginia Gentlemen. Transportation, Quick’s and Camryn Limousine. Lighting, Skyline Tent Company.

Keswick 10/16/16 Keswick 10/16/16

Roses are Red | Andra & Colt

It’s a well-known notion that most little girls grow up fantasizing about their wedding day. During the fantasizing there are several questions that run through their minds---what dress will I wear? What castle will I get married at? What prince charming will I marry?

Our bride, Andra, didn’t have any of those thoughts running through her head. She never was the type to day dream about her wedding day, but rather she spent her time riding horses on a farm. Though for as little day dreaming she did as a child she knew for certain one thing would 100% be a part of her wedding. Roses!

Red roses were her one non-negotiable when it came to Andra and Colt’s wedding on Sunday, October 16th. They wanted them everywhere. Throughout the planning process it became very apparent that having them at their ceremony was one of the single most important details of their wedding. The bride wanted a rose petal aisle…and boy did she get one!

They chose to get married underneath of Keswick Vineyard’s beautifully aged Oak tree. This ceremony location is perfect for intimate groups and brings a very garden like feel to any wedding. The setting of the tree was perfect for Andra and Colt and helped to beautifully showcase their rose petal aisle.

Along with horses, animals in general are a huge part of the couple’s life. They have a few horses and a lot of dogs (five to be specific). Originally, the plan was to have all five dogs walk down the aisle with each of her bridesmaids. After a little thought they decided that just one was enough, and Andra walked down the aisle with both her father and her boxer, Duke!

To capture these moments we had photographer Rob Garland on site. To set the tone of the night we had his brother, John Garland DJ’ing the party! We loved having the Garland brothers working together at Keswick Vineyards. It turns out the two have been family friends of Andra’s while growing up so it was only natural to have them be a part of her wedding day. It was made even more of a family affair by having the Garland’s parents also in attendance that day.

But what’s a party without great food? HotCakes outdid themselves with one of their signature fall treats. Their mini pumpkin muffin ham biscuits were a huge crowd pleaser during cocktail hour and made guests anxious and eager to hit the buffet line later. The night continued on and towards the end, seasonal pies were served with hot coffee and the newlyweds and their guests left happy and well fed!

Congratulations to Andra and Colt!

Day of Coordinator, Keswick Vineyards. Photography, Rob Garland Photography. Catering & Desserts, HotCakes. Rentals, MS Events. DJ, John Garland. Hair & Makeup, Sona Med Spa. Florist, Foxtail Cottage Floral. Lighting, Skyline Tent Company. Officiant, Peter Silberblatt.