Old House Vineyards | Charlottesville Wedding Photographer | Sari and Cole

Wedding

Jul 19, 2018

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When Sari first contacted me about her wedding day, I was excited to see she was tying the knot at Old House Vineyards. Not only do I love their wines, but I love photographing at Old House Vineyards as well. After learning more about their wedding day plans, the anticipation began to build about their day. Then we explored Great Falls together for their engagement session and I really had the chance to see Sari and Cole interact. They have such a sweetness with each other and are clearly the closest of friends. I knew their wedding day would be so special!
After so many weekends with either pouring down rain or scorching heat, it was so wonderful to have a wedding day with literally the PERFECT weather. And for a venue like Old House Vineyards, perfect weather really is in order. The island, the vineyard, the outdoor terrace…it really does call for dry weather and hopefully lower heat! It was just perfect from start to finish.
Old House Vineyards was also the perfect setting for some very lovely details including some gorgeous blooms from Good Earth as well as Sari’s incredible pear halo engagement ring. And those bouquets fit in the fountain’s rim like a glove!

The Day Begins

Sari began the day getting ready with her ladies in the “old house” at Old House Vineyards. At the same time, the guys were in the distillery preparing. Sari chose the most perfect Jim Hjelm dress paired with flawless hair and make up courtesy of Yisell Santos.  She looked like a princess and it was evident she felt like one too!  Lots of dress swooshing was in order!
Sari’s bridesmaids wore the prettiest grey tulle dresses and I love how they were short. They were so appropriate for a summer wedding, both feminine and comfortable.
Let’s not forget the men. Cole and his best man (and brother) are quite the gentlemen. They enjoyed some time together and were ready early. Cole was more than ready to see Sari by ceremony time. They opted to not do a first look and wait for the ceremony so the anticipation had definitely built up!

The Ceremony

I love how Sari’s parents both walked her down the aisle AFTER she walked down the bridge to the island. It made for the sweetest family shots as well as some stunning images of Sari walking down the bridge with her veil and dress flowing behind her.
Their ceremony was beautiful and filled with genuine sentiments and forever vows. They also engaged in the lock ceremony and secured their lock on one of the bridge’s chains, tossing the keys into the lake. I love this Old House Vineyards tradition! I also caught a glimpse of some past couples’ locks that day which is always a treat.
At the end of the ceremony, Sari and Cole shared an epic kiss before heading off with me for group photos and their romantic couples’ photos.  Their family and friends were just so much fun and so welcoming. What a squad!

Couple’s Portraits

While their guests enjoyed a pretty delicious looking cocktail hour, Sari and Cole went with me to some choice spots around Old House Vineyards for some couples’ portraits. They were so sweet and even playful together as I prompted them and as they interacted. Sari was the most graceful princess bride full of laughter and Cole was the perfect gentleman!

The Reception

Sari and Cole had some of the prettiest table settings Old House Vineyards has seen! The blush and grey palette was accented with lush greenery and the most amazing looking fresh baked bread from Roadside Chive.  The sweetheart table was the perfect place for the Belle of the ball and her Prince Charming.
Sari and Cole’s first dance was romantic…filled with Sari’s laughter and Cole’s knowing smiles. Everything about the reception was such a true reflection of these two as a couple. As they enjoyed the sentiments of their toasters, they held hands, exchanged laughs and shared private glances.
Cole shared a dance with his mother and Sari did so with her father. Both were sweet and sentimental. One of my favorite dances, however, was grandma dancing with grandpa! Sari also successfully lured all her bridesmaids and even more guests onto the dance floor as well. Sari and her mother shared some fun moments on the dance floor too. And through it all, we even saw a rainbow over the vineyards!

Golden Hour

At golden hour, Old House Vineyards is a magical place. The sun sets over the side of the lake, making the bridge a perfect spot for photos as well as the secret pond off to the side of the reception facility.
There were so many spontaneous moments at golden hour, including Cole picking up and spinning Sari around. They walked together in the vines and we spent some time strolling in front of the ceremony site by the bridge.
Old House Vineyards
While my evening concluded with photographing a bit of dancing and the cake cutting (what a cake!), Sari and Cole enjoyed more dancing into the evening. It was truly a love story worth celebrating and I am so honored to have recorded this special day.
Scroll down to see many more images highlighting the day.
Congratulations Sari and Cole and thank you for the joy of serving you, your family and friends!

Thank You!

To see more Virginia Winery Weddings, peruse HERE.

Thank you to these incredibly cool cats who helped make this day so wonderful!
Venue: Old House Vineyards
Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm from Wild Flower Bridal
Catering: Roadside Chive
Cake: Gateau
Officiant: Mary C. Sullivan
Bridesmaid Dresses: Color Bridesmaid
Second Photographer: Adrianne Shelton
Invitation Suite: Shutterfly

Are you a bride planning The Big Day? Check out the Ten Wedding Day Essentials you may not have considered yet for your wedding day.

Michelle Lieb with Lieb Photographic is a Virginia Wedding Photographer, Charlottesville Wedding Photographer, Baltimore Wedding Photographer and Maryland Wedding Photographer. She is also a Washington DC Wedding Photographer, Phoenix Wedding Photographer, Arizona Wedding Photographer and a Destination Wedding Photographer!

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