Our Wedding Blog

Keswick 8/4/24 Keswick 8/4/24

A Beautiful Vow Renewal Celebration for Ciara & Jerome at Keswick Vineyards

On Sunday, August 4, 2024, Keswick Vineyards was graced with the love and joy of Ciara and Jerome as they renewed their vows. This special occasion marked a blessed year for the couple, with their friends and family gathered to celebrate their enduring love. The day was made even more special with a blessing for their 8-month-old son, Shilo. The Godparents of Shilo joined the couple with a heartfelt blessing during the ceremony, creating a moment that will be cherished forever.

Unlike traditional weddings, Ciara and Jerome opted for a unique brunch event. One of the many advantages of hosting an event at Keswick Vineyards is the flexibility in start times. Unlike most winery venues, which typically begin events after their tasting rooms close around 6:00 PM, Keswick Vineyards offers a separate, private location for weddings. This allowed Ciara and Jerome to change their rental time from noon-midnight to 8:00 AM-8:00 PM. This schedule was perfect for their brunch-themed celebration, ending earlier and allowing the couple to enjoy their evening or get some rest before their honeymoon.

The brunch menu was simply delightful, featuring personalized omelets, French toast, salmon, bacon, sausage, eggs, and the best fried chicken. Guests indulged in the delicious spread, and the DJ kept the energy high with music to dance off those extra calories.

A unique photobooth experience added a special touch to the event. Instead of the usual setup, a photographer with a backdrop took photos that instantly appeared on his computer, edited and ready for guests to scan a QR code for their copy. This innovative approach ensured everyone had high-quality photos to remember the day.

For those looking for a unique way to celebrate their wedding or vow renewal, Ciara and Jerome’s brunch event at Keswick Vineyards is a fantastic inspiration. Imagine the charm of such an event in the fall – the possibilities are endless!

Congratulations to Ciara, Jerome, and little Shilo on a beautiful day of love and blessings!

Thanks to the following vendors: Wedding Planner Yolanda from By Love Events, Uncle Reggie’s Catering, DJ Randall “DJ Hop” Hopkins, Musician Listeso Music Group, Photographer and Videographer Sarah Doge Photography, Photo Booth by Will Hawkins, Virginia Floral Design, Hair & Make-up by Tiffany Lumpkin and rentals by Rent-E-Quip.

Keswick 8/3/24 Keswick 8/3/24

Embracing the Rain: Yancey & Matthew’s Beautiful Indoor Wedding

When planning an outdoor wedding in Virginia, it's always wise to be prepared for unexpected weather changes. Yancey and Matthew's wedding on Saturday, August 3, 2024, is a perfect example of how a rain plan can turn out just as special and beautiful as the original outdoor ceremony.

If you read the previous blog about the wedding on August 2nd, you read how they flipped their ceremony and cocktail hour to deal with rain. Because they had done a first look, that option was available to them. Yancey and Matthew did not do a first look, so moving the ceremony under Keswick Vineyards Aurora tent was the plan. This tent is designed to let natural light shine through, creating a bright and beautiful setting, even in the rain. The couple wanted to retain the vineyard and mountain views, so tables were moved aside, and chairs were arranged to create a long, elegant aisle for Yancey's walk.

In the photos, you can see their original ceremony location and the charming setup under the tent. The Aurora tent's ability to let in natural light ensured the space remained stunning and filled with the beauty of the outdoors.

One unique and artistic touch at Yancey and Matthew's wedding was a live painter. In just four hours, a beautiful watercolor painting of the ceremony was created, serving as a cherished heirloom of their special day.

Another heartfelt element of this wedding was the inclusion of special dances with parents. Yancey and her father shared their first dance with a slideshow of photos playing above them, bringing back wonderful memories. Matthew and his mom also enjoyed their dance with a similar slideshow, adding a deeply personal touch to their celebration.

Little details like a live painter and personalized slideshows truly made Yancey and Matthew's wedding day unique and memorable, showcasing how a rain plan can be just as magical as the original outdoor ceremony.

Special thanks to the following vendors: Wedding Planner Alex Bailey of Two Peas in a Pod, Eric Stamer Catering, DJ Dwight Ellis, Photographer Molly Litchen, Videographer Ryan Fiester Films, Gregory Britt Florals, Hair & Makeup by House of Beauty, Transportation provided by Albemarle Limousine, rentals by MS Events and Live Painter Nicole Daniels.

Keswick 8/2/24 Keswick 8/2/24

Plan B Better Than Plan A? It Could Be!

Taylor and Nick were married at Keswick Vineyards on Friday, August 2, 2024. In their wedding planning, they decided to have a first look so they could get all their photos done before the ceremony. This way, they could join the cocktail hour immediately after the ceremony.

Even though they buried a bottle of bourbon to ward off rain, Mother Nature decided to add a little moisture to their wedding day right at the scheduled time of their ceremony. Thankfully, Keswick Vineyards is a flexible venue and quickly adapted to the situation.

Guests were welcomed under the reception tent when they arrived and were served cocktails and some food. Because Taylor and Nick had already seen each other, they were able to join their guests for this pre-ceremony cocktail hour. Guests loved arriving at a wedding and immediately being served a drink—no complaints there! After about an hour's delay, the ceremony took place outside as originally planned. The only difference was they had the cocktail hour first, then the ceremony, and finally the reception.

The couple still felt that the buried bourbon helped with the weather because the little bit of rain lowered the temperature and made everything more pleasant. So, all in all, it was a win-win!

One of the most important things Taylor insisted on was switching out Keswick Vineyards' dance floor for a black and white one. And I can see why. For their first dance, they had all their guests surround them, and they dazzled everyone with their dance. Just look at the fun everyone was having!

At the end of the night, Taylor and Nick still had their dream wedding and might agree that Plan B was indeed better than Plan A!

Special thanks to the following vendors for being so flexible: Wedding Planning by Keswick Vineyards, Catering by Hank’s Smokehouse, DJ Carter Ward, Photographer Carrie Coleman, Sliced Cake Bar, Lacy’s Florist, Officiant Chris Cleveland, Transportation by Quick Bus Company, Skyline Tent Company for the Black & White dance floor, MS Events and Argent Events for rentals.

Keswick 7/27/24 Keswick 7/27/24

A Dream Realized: Amelia and Ryan's Wedding at Keswick Vineyards

Amelia and Ryan were married at Keswick Vineyards on Saturday, July 27, 2024. The moment I saw them, I was struck by how they looked like a real-life Barbie and Ken, as if they were the models for the perfect couple figurine atop a wedding cake. Their joy and excitement were palpable, especially in Amelia's radiant smile, reflecting her delight that this long-awaited day had finally arrived.

Amelia, a self-proclaimed Army brat, spent her childhood moving from one place to another. As a young girl, she once asked her mother who was about to attend a wedding what a wedding was? Her mother explained that it was a day when you get married, surrounded by all your friends and loved ones who come to celebrate with you. This vision stayed with Amelia as she moved from one location to another, always leaving behind friends with the hopeful thought, "I’ll see you at my wedding!"

Fast forward to July 27, 2024, and Amelia's vision came true. Friends from all over gathered to celebrate with her, and her happiness was evident to everyone present. Amelia understood the true essence of a wedding – not just the details, but the joy of marrying the love of your life, surrounded by the most important people in your world. And celebrate they did!

The couple prepared for their big day at Keswick Vineyards before heading off-site for their ceremony at a church. Before leaving, they shared a heartfelt first look and took photos with their wedding party and family. Upon their return, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour in front of the grand Edgewood Estate.

Dinner was a sumptuous buffet that delighted all, but a highlight of the evening was the late-night snack of Krispy Kreme Donuts. Thankfully, this crowd was full of dancers who happily burned off those delicious calories.

To end the night, Amelia and Ryan were celebrated with "pop" streamers as they made their way to a decorated golf cart with a "Just Married" sign and strings of beer cans trailing behind. It was a perfect conclusion to a day that likely fulfilled, if not exceeded, all of Amelia's wedding day dreams.

Much happiness to these two and a special thank you to the following vendors: Wedding Planner Karen Kudro of Rockfish Valley Events, Lexington Catering Company, DJ & Photobooth by Prime Time Events Frank Smith, Tyrie Mehaffey Photography, Videographer Brian Schornberg, Hedge Fine Blooms, Hair by Posh Bride, Make-up by Captivating Complexion, Transportation provided by Easy Riders Buses and Hop On, Rentals by MS Events and BBJ La Tavola and finally, Krispy Kreme Donuts!