Our Wedding Blog

Keswick 8/13/22 Keswick 8/13/22

SPECIAL DATE/SPECIAL DAY

Alyssa & Jesse said their “I Do’s” on Saturday, August 13th, 2022. I remember when they toured how they were a little worried about the heat in August but that wasn’t going to change their mind on the date of their wedding. As you see, the number 3-1-8 has a very special meaning to them and the bride’s family. So, when they saw the date 8-1-3 was available, they knew it was meant to be and boy was it meant to be.

To help ensure a beautiful weather day, Alyssa’s parents drove down from Pennsylvania exactly one month before their daughter’s wedding date to bury that bottle of bourbon and boy did it work its magic! Leading up to August 13th the weather had been very hot & humid & raining but not on this day. Nope, the temperature was in the upper 70’s, sunny with some clouds and a gentle breeze. Perfection!

Even though the weather was just perfect for an outdoor ceremony, Alyssa & Jesse still chose to have their ceremony in what Keswick Vineyards calls their “shade” location. As you can see, everyone is in the shade yet still get that amazing fountain and mountain view in the background. And notice what is in the fountain, flowers!

I love the simplicity yet elegant feel to this wedding. Groomsmen were dressed in traditional black tuxedos while the groom wore a blue tuxedo with a black lapel. He also wore a bow tie while the groomsmen wore a regular tie. Nice touch! The bridesmaids were simply elegant in their gold-colored dresses with white baby breath bouquets accented with a rose or two.

I know a lot of our couples have chosen to have their dogs as part of their ceremony. I like how Alyssa & Jesse still wanted their dog at their wedding but chose to have him arrive early so he could be included in photos yet taken away before all the guests arrived. I think that was a win/win for everyone and wasn’t a distraction which sometimes can happen during the ceremony with pets.

So many wonderful details made this wedding extra memorable for guests. The couple provided cozy cups to put their can beverages in which also doubles as a wonderful keepsake. I adore their table numbers which had a different framed photo of them at each table. I also liked how they broke apart the typical, long farm head table. They chose to have their sweetheart table for them in the middle of two farm tables on each side for the wedding party. Again, something a little different than what I typically see here but I liked it! And finally, something that Alyssa really wanted, was the black & white dance floor that everyone enjoyed dancing on throughout the evening.

Congratulations Alyssa & Jesse. May you continue to spread the word of love whenever 8.1.3 appears. Thanks to the following vendors:

Pumpernickel Pickle: Caterer and Planner

DJ: Greg Tutwiler

Photographer: Gretchen Parker

Videographer: Folkes Film

Photobooth: Silly Shots

Florals: Colonial Florist (just love the florals in the fountain!)

Transportation: A&A limousine

Rentals: MS Events and Skyline Tent Company

Hair: Mariah McKenney

Make-up: Hayley Joan

Keswick 7/16/22 Keswick 7/16/22

Dreamy Summer Florals

Arlene and Ben tied the knot here at Keswick Vineyards on July 16th, 2022. There was a chance of rain all day but luckily the rain didn’t start until everyone was already under the tent. Talk about perfect timing!

When I look back onto this couples big day years from now I am going to remember how beautiful their florals were. When having a summer wedding, you can be more fun and playful with your floral choices. The pink and yellow florals really made their wedding day stand out! Also, take a look at how incredible Arlenes bouquet was!

Another memorable part of their wedding was the ceremony location they selected. In all 13 years of weddings here at Keswick Vineyards, no one has ever selected the ceremony location they did. So down the road whenever a couple selects this ceremony location, we will think of Ben and Arlene!

We feels lucky to have been a part of their day! A special thank you to their vendors:

Planner: Hannah Rose Design

Catering: Exchange Events

DJ: Ryan Clarke

Photography: Hunter & Sarah Photography

Pastry Chef: Pearls’ Bake Shoppe

Florist: Blue Ridge Floral

Officiant: Tom (Uncle of the Groom)

Hair and Makeup: Face Value Salon

Transportation: Charlottesville Transportation/James Limousine Service

Rentals: MS Events

Keswick 7/9/22 Keswick 7/9/22

Romanian and American Traditions Coming Together As One!

It was so great to finally meet Dora & Mitch the day before their wedding day. Because they were not local, Dora’s parents were the ones I got to give their tour to. We immediately had a connection because of the shirt Dora’s Mom was wearing. It had a Hungarian look to it, and I was looking for something like that for my daughter. It was then that I learned they were from Romania and how they wanted to include some of their Romanian culture into Dora & Mitch’s wedding day. Because we allow outside vendors at Keswick Vineyards, there was no problem with that request, and you will see just how they did that.

On Saturday, July 9th, Dora & Mitch said their I Do’s in front of almost 150 of their friends and family that had travelled from all over to attend this glorious occasion. Being in July, Dora & Mitch had everything prepared for an expected hot July wedding in Virginia including cocktail tables with umbrellas and air-cooling units under the tent to help keep everyone comfortable. But guess what? You know the saying in Virginia. If you don’t like the weather, just wait an hour. Well, a front came in that evening cooling temperatures down to 70 degrees!!! In July! In Virginia! Who saw that one coming???? You just never know what tricks Mother Nature may perform for you so just always be prepared for anything. With that front unfortunately, rain was now in the forecast versus heat. With everyone keeping a very close eye on radar, it was decided to go ahead with Plan A and have the ceremony outside. As you can see, the overcast sky provided the perfect lighting for photos and a wonderful backdrop for photos.

As guest arrived, they were to take a polaroid photo and place it in a scrap book and sign. I just love those personalized guest books versus just signing in. As they made their way to the ceremony location, they were serenaded by the Charlottesville String Quartet that was seated under the front porch of Edgewood Estate to protect them if the rain started. Thankfully, the rain started right as the ceremony ended allowing Dora & Mitch to have the outdoor ceremony they so badly wanted.

The reception was kept simple and elegant with white roses and baby breath creating beautiful floral arrangements. My favorite item of this wedding had to be the desserts! Cakes by Rachel made one of the most simple, yet beautiful and tasty cake I have seen. Isn’t it beautiful? And remember Dora’s parents that wanted to bring some of their Romanian heritage to the wedding? Well, just look at that dessert table and all those goodies. Thank you so much for making me a “to go” box to enjoy the next day!

Guests definitely enjoyed dancing the evening away with both Romanian and American music. I just love when our couples add those Styrofoam light up things too. And when the rain had ended, guests went outside to enjoy time together under our bistro lights in the cocktail lawn area.

All in all, despite the rain, everything was just perfect for Dora & Mitch. Everyone agreed that they would take the misty type of rain day with 70 degree weather over a clear, hot July day. I just love it when we have another happy ending.

Congratulations again to Dora & Mitch. Thank you for choosing Keswick Vineyards for your destination wedding. Be sure to come back and visit us! Special thanks to the following vendors who make this all possible:

Wedding Planner – Jessica Scott

Caterer – Exchange Events

DJ – Frank Smith

Musician – Charlottesville String Quartet

Photographer – Mordi Photography

Videographer – Laurel and Films

Pastry Chef – Cakes by Rachel

Florist – Foxtail Cottage

Officiant – Mala Cunningham

Transportation – Ambassador Limousine

Rentals – Paisley & Jade and MS Events

Hair – Katlyn Sainz

Make-up by Hayley Joan

Keswick 6/25/22 Keswick 6/25/22

The Sweetest Wedding

Alyssa and Edward were married at Keswick Vineyards on June 25th, 2022. From the second this couple arrived on property you could see how excited they were to finally say I do! I mean just look at these two! You can see the pure joy and excitement on their faces!

I really loved the design of their welcome sign. It looked like it could have been the cover of a fairytale book!

I have to take a moment to give a huge shoutout to their florist, Willow Branch, for the stunning floral arbor they created. This was such a wonderful backdrop for the ceremony. I mean who doesn’t love over the top florals! It also made for such a gorgeous photo opportunity for the couple and their guests!

Alyssa and Edward got blessed with beautiful weather on their wedding day but it was for sure a hot day! They decided to have a Moo Thru Ice Cream Truck come on property as late night treat! Such a fun detail to our summer weddings! Who doesn’t love ice cream in the summertime!