Our Wedding Blog

Keswick 9/30/17 Keswick 9/30/17

Traditions... and Then Some! | Katie & Ben

One of my favorite things about hosting weddings at Keswick Vineyards is being able to witness different cultures and their wedding traditions. On Saturday, September 30th, Katie and Ben were married surrounded by their family and friends.

The day started out with the Chinese tradition of a tea ceremony. The events that led up to the tea ceremony were so much fun for everyone to watch. It started with the groom and his groomsmen skipping their way to the pool gate. On the other side were the bridesmaids. Ben had to convince them that he was worthy of Katie’s hand in marriage. So, the bridesmaids had several games he had to pass in order for them to grant him access to her.

For the first game the groomsmen strapped an empty Kleenex box around their waste. Inside the box was jingle bells. They had to shake their boxes so the bells would come out for the groom to catch in his box. The amount of bells caught would represent how much he wanted to marry Katie. He passed that test!

For the second game the bridesmaids figured out a way that Benjamin would never forget how to spell Katie’s name. Each groomsmen had to put on a diaper. With a sharpie in their mouth, they had to each write a letter on the back side of a diaper to spell out her name. He also passed this test!

Finally, Ben had to practice on his groomsmen how to make Katie’s toes curl. The bridesmaids would direct different locations for Ben to lick whip cream off of each groomsmen. Ben and his groomsmen were all very good sports and he passed this test also which proved he was cleared to marry Katie.

From that point, the formal tea ceremony started. Each set of parents were presented with some tea from the couple as they kneeled and received blessings from their parents. Now, a quick bit to eat and it was time to get ready for the Western American ceremony.

Katie & Benjamin chose to be married closest to the vineyard with the mountains in the back ground. The weather was just picture perfect. As they exited the ceremony guests blew bubbles to join in the celebration. While the couple went to take some more photos, guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers.

Once under the tent, dinner and dancing was on the schedule to last the rest of the evening. If you will notice, they decided to change the color of our up lighting in the tent to purple. To finish off the evening, Katie and Benjamin enjoyed taking some funny photos in the photo booth.

Thanks to the following vendors for making this cultural wedding day one to remember by all who attended: Catering by C&O, Wedding Planner Anh Dang, Chandler’s Bakery, DJ Dennis Payne, Videographer Emotion Pictures, Photographer Kelly of Kay Pea Photography, Hair & Make-up by Transformations Artistry, Flowers by Willow Branch, Photo Booth of Charlottesville, Rentals by MS Events and Transportation by Richmond Limousine.

Keswick 9/29/17 Keswick 9/29/17

The "Best Day" | Amanda & Evan

The marriage of Amanda & Evan on Friday, September 29, 2017 started our 3 wedding weekend at Keswick Vineyards and what a beautiful day it was! Amanda and her bridesmaids spent the afternoon in our bridal suite getting their hair done while enjoying some wine. The guys all relaxed in our “man’s cave” while watching football, playing pool and of course, enjoying some refreshments. What a great way to have everyone in one space to begin the celebration.

For their ceremony, Amanda and Evan did the sand tradition. With that, they each have a bottle with a different color of sand in it. One at a time they pour a little of their sand into a container. Each color of sand represents their two separate lives. Then, once they both have done that, they both pour at the same time their bottles of sand into the container to represent that the two of them are forever blended together and cannot be separate any more. They will then keep that glass container on display in their home to always remind them that they are inseparable.

Some of their décor I really loved. First, the making of a bar using 2 wine barrels and a wood table top. They added an extra feature of hanging a frame from the center of it to give it that little personal touch. Next, their table numbers which they made. Using wine bottles, they put number stickers on the wine bottles, spray painted them, then removed the number stickers and put some lights inside the bottle that were attached to a cork with an on/off switch. LOVED them! And finally, the 3 picture frames used to mark their 1 st day, the yes day, and the best day. How cute is that?

Thanks to the following vendors for doing such a fantastic job: Karissa Coffey as their Wedding Planner, Catering by Goodrich Gourmet, Officiant Rev. Ed Martin, Desserts by Natalie Mongold, DJ Andy Wilfong of Party Masters, Videographer Christy Stevens, Hair by Lauren Perkins, Flowers by Zoie, Transportation by Camryn Limousine and tent lighting by Skyline Tent Company.

Keswick 9/24/17 Keswick 9/24/17

Kim and Mike's Intimate Wedding | Kim & Mike

What a wonderful way to wrap up a triple wedding week end with Kim & Mike’s wedding on Sunday, September 24, 2017. Kim’s day was off to a great start when her BFF Bridal Crew arrived at the bridal suite at Keswick Vineyards with robes, balloons, food & drinks for everyone! I’m so happy that I was in the room when they arrived to capture that special moment. You could see the total delight on Kim’s face. I knew her wedding day was off to a great start!

While all the bridesmaids enjoyed the treats brought by the BFF Bridal Crew, Make-up/hair artist Jeanne Cusick began to work her magic making each girl a princess. I just love a table full of make-up!

Outside Barb Wired, the event planner for this Virginia vineyard wedding, was busy tending to the details. I just loved how they made a personal wine label for their table numbers. I’ve never seen a wine bottle used exactly this way before and I thought it was a perfect fit for a vineyard wedding. I also liked how they used Keswick Vineyards corks to hold each escort card. On one side the names were hand written while on the flip side was the table number. Again, just a little winery detail to tie the wedding decorations with the venue

I often get asked what a wedding looks like that is smaller in size at Keswick Vineyards. Well, you can see for yourself. Kim & Mike had 60 people attending their wedding which made it very intimate for all. They decided to divide the Sperry tent to allow one side for dining and the other as a lounge for later in the evening. The bar and rented lounge furniture from MS Events was just the perfect touch for the other side of the tent. Guests were able to hang out in a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying some award-winning wines and music.

Special thanks to the following vendors for making sure every detail was just perfect for this wedding: Event Planner – Barb Wired, Caterer – Harvest Moon, Desserts – Passionflower, DJ – Derek Tobler, Photographer – Rachel Haggerdy, Florist – Secret Garden, Rentals – MS Events, Tent Lighting – Skyline Tent Company, Hair & Make-up – Jeanne Cusick

Keswick 9/23/17 Keswick 9/23/17

Lauren and Spencer's Wedding Day | Lauren & Spencer

Lauren & Spencer’s wedding day was finally here! On Saturday, September 23, 2017, family and friends celebrated their joyous occasion in style! Guests were transported from local hotels to Keswick Vineyards by large motor coaches. Guests made their way along a brick walk way lined with hydrangeas, through a wood pergola to the protégé to sign the guest book. For the guest book guests would leave a thumb print on a canvas and then sign it. This canvas will be framed and hung in the home of the couple as a constant reminder of their wedding day.

Lauren & Spencer chose what we call our “fall” location for their vineyard ceremony. This location has no bad view to it! Depending on the angle you choose, you can look at the estate, the fountain, the vineyard or the mountains. It has such a panoramic view that just stuns all that see it.

After the vineyard ceremony guests enjoyed some appetizers and drinks while the wedding party and couple spent some time getting photos taken. I love the soft pink colors that the bridesmaids wore. One of my favorite photos was one I snapped of the couple back by the pool. The reflection the lighting was providing was just perfect!

After a delicious dinner guests made their way just outside the wedding reception Sperry tent to enjoy a bourbon and cigar bar. To make that area even nicer the couple had bistro lights strung to cast an ambient glow overhead. Back under the tent guests danced the night away under the 30 Asian lanterns hung throughout the tent.

Again, special thanks to our superb vendors that worked so hard that evening: Event Planner- Keswick Vineyards, Caterer- Harvest Moon, Photographer- Corey Hammons of Altamiria Film Company, Florist- Hedge Fine Blooms, Lighting- Skyline Tent Company, Officiant-Kirk Nave, Desserts- Favorite Cakes, DJ- Andy Wilfong, Transportation- Ambassador Limousine, Hair & Make-up- Anna Breeding.