Our Wedding Blog

Keswick 6/30/18 Keswick 6/30/18

Mercedes' Bridal Shower

Most people when they hear the name Keswick Vineyards immediately think 1) award winning wines or 2) one of Charlottesville’s top wedding venue. What many may not know is that you can host any type of event at Keswick Vineyards. From corporate events to rehearsal dinners, to anniversary parties or birthday celebrations, nothing is out of our reach. So, on Saturday, June 30th, Mercedes hosted her bridal shower to celebrate her upcoming wedding with some of her closest friends.

Although the Sperry tent at Keswick Vineyards can accommodate up to 200 people, this bridal shower with less than 50 people filled the space perfectly. From an initial cheese table to greet the ladies as they arrived by bus from Washington D.C., to a “tea party” feel luncheon followed by delicious desserts, no detail was left behind. And what would a bridal shower be without games to play! A separate “living room” was created for everyone to gather at while Mercedes opened her gifts. And when the formalities were done, the dancing began! While most of the ladies got their groove on, Mercedes slipped away with her photographer to get some of those iconic photos this venue offers.

Thank you to the following vendors for all of their hard work:

Event Planner: Logan Powell with Blue Ridge AV & Lighting, Caterer: The Catering Outfit, Desserts: Sweethaus, DJ: Derek Tobler, Photographer: Zaid Hamid, Florist: The Posey Detail, Rentals: MS Events, Transportation: K & V Transportation.

Keswick 6/29/18 Keswick 6/29/18

Love At First Sight | Lieve & Peter

I always love hearing how couples getting married at Keswick Vineyards first met. So many times, I am amazed at how it happens. Lieve and Peter had one of those stories. Lieve is a former member of the UVA rowing team and was vacationing in California with the girls when they decided to visit the San Diego Zoo versus going anywhere else. Peter, being from Lebanon, was visiting California and also decided to visit the San Diego Zoo the exact same day. Both of them just happen to be in the panda bear exhibit when they first laid eyes on each other. From that moment forward, they both knew they had found their soul mate. Isn’t that amazing? I mean, what are the odds of that happening? Both of them so far from their home towns. Both of them being there on that day, in that location. Just shows you that you never know where or when you will find your soul mate.

Since their love story started in the panda section of the San Diego zoo, they decided to make sure that was a big part of their wedding day. They had a bench with stuffed panda bears on it and their photo booth had a bamboo backdrop for guests to get photos in front of wearing silly animal masks.

Lieve and Peter also wanted to put some details to showcase their backgrounds, so a big rowing oar was present behind the cocktail bar and pictures of Lebanon were showcased at the bar along with some arak (a traditional Lebanese liquor). One of my favorite personal touch was having our gazebo draped in bright, colorful fabric.

Congratulations, Lieve and Peter! We had such a great time at your wedding and we hope that you enjoy your wedding in Lebanon!

Thank you to the following vendors for all of their hard work:

Event Planner: Donovan-Groves Events, Catering: Harvest Moon, Officiant: Geoff Pitts, Desserts: Pie Chest, DJ: Chase Capo with Black Tie Entertainment, Musicians: Jia Lie & Theresa Su, Photographer: Sam Stroud, Photobooth: Mox Box, Hair and Makeup Artist: Charlottesville Makeup Artist, Florist: Foxtail Cottage, Transportation: Ambassador Limousine, Rentals: MS Events.

Keswick 6/23/18 Keswick 6/23/18

Those Little Touches Make a Big Difference | Chelsea & Daniel

Chelsea and Daniel took no chances with their outdoor wedding at Keswick Vineyards when it came to the weather. Exactly one month before their wedding they buried a bottle of bourbon, upside down, to ward off any rain. This is an old Southern tradition that has always worked for our couples. As their wedding date got closer, it appeared this tradition may not work for them. So, to play it safe, they erected another tent to be used “just in case.” Well, guess what? Yep, you guessed it. Our magical mountains and southern tradition worked and no rain! So, on June 23rd, Chelsea and Daniel had their dream outdoor, Catholic ceremony at Keswick Vineyards.

Let’s talk about details. So many special little details that really made this wedding a stand out. To begin with, the gift table; adorned with beautiful and creative, personal signs. Then, the giant floral arrangements at the back of the ceremony location on wine barrels with a pergola covered with drapery and flowers. Such a beautiful, traditional look for that outdoor Catholic ceremony. Then, after the ceremony, guests proceeded to cocktail hour and immediately saw the hi-top cocktail table linens tied with greenery versus sashes. What a great way to tie into the outdoors. Then, take a look at the simple, yet elegant, framed escort board adorned with some greenery.

Once under the tent, guests had to be taken back when they saw a different cake on each table displaying their table numbers. I’ve never seen that before and I just loved it! I’d take a cake centerpiece over flowers any day! So, later in the evening when it was cake cutting time, Chelsea and Daniel cut their cake while each individual table cut and served their own cake.

Last detail that I always love is a lounge area. Who doesn’t want to grab a glass of award winning wine and sit on couches with friends and enjoy the view and music? Doesn’t get much better than that.

Thanks to the following vendors: Event Planner: Barb Wired, Caterer: Travinia Italian Kitchen, Officiant: Father Antoninus Niemiec with St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Pastry Chef: Cakes by Rachel, DJ: Mark Allen, Photographer: Bethany Snyder, Videographer: DeVries Productions, Photo Booth: Photo Booth of Charlottesville, Hair & Makeup Artist: Charlottesville Makeup Artist, Florist: Verde Natural Florals, Transportation: A & A Limousine, Lighting: Skyline Tent Company, Rentals: MS Events & Festive Fare, Nanny Service: Local Nanny Network.

Keswick 6/15/18 Keswick 6/15/18

The Love of Sunflowers | Jessica & Jessie

Well, when I saw the décor that Jessica and Jesse were using for their wedding at Keswick Vineyards on Friday, June 15th, I couldn’t have been any happier since there were sunflowers just about everywhere you turned. There is no flower that can lift someone’s spirit quite like a sunflower. They are bright and cheery, and as warm and inviting as the sweet summer sun which Mother Nature provided plenty of for this lucky couple.

There were a few things that I just loved about this wedding. First, I just loved the bridesmaid’s bouquets. I have never seen, in my 8 years of doing weddings at Keswick Vineyards, a bouquet that has succulents in them. The density of the green succulents with the yellow from the sunflowers were just spectacular. Secondly, the arch used for their ceremony adorned with more flowers. Very simple yet made a bold statement. Thirdly, using an old window pane to display table assignments for their guests. Fourth, just loved how they made the head table so different from the other reception tables by renting farm tables and having a variety of different chairs. They also hung some drapery just behind the couple’s chairs again, making them stand out a little more from anyone else. Fifth, having a photobooth for guests to take funny and memorable photos to last a life time and finally, stringing bistro lighting outside of the tent to create an outdoor space for guests to hang out at. As you can see by my photos, it was a very popular spot throughout the entire evening!

As I look back at this wedding I can’t think of a better accent for them to of used then the sunflower. The sunflower symbolizes adoration, loyalty and longevity. What more could a couple want in their marriage? As the couple danced the night away on the dance floor, hanging above them was an interwoven “chandelier” structure that was made having sunflowers hanging down from it as if it was watching over the couple as they danced. Perhaps it was wishing them good luck and everlasting happiness.

As always, we thank all of our vendors for making weddings at Keswick Vineyards so special:

Ceremony Coordinator: Keswick Vineyards, Caterer: AKCatering, Officiant: Dave Norris, Desserts: Passionflower Cakes, DJ: Derek Tobler, Photographer: Jacqueline Waters Photography, Photobooth: Photobooth of Charlottesville, Makeup: Allison Barlow, Hair: Lauren Perkins, Florist: Lacy’s Florist and Gift Shop, Transportation: Easy Riders Bus Company, Lighting: Skyline Tent Company, Rentals: Paisley and Jade.