Words by Caite Hamilton | Photography by Kir Tuben Photography
Karly Bardy & AJ Neuharth-Keusch
September 17, 2021, at Keswick Vineyards
When Karly and AJ had to switch from a Washington, D.C., wedding on New Year’s Eve to a fall wedding in Virginia due to COVID, all of the details ended up switching, too.
“Everything was white, green, and gold,” says Karly. “When we had to pivot to a fall wedding, I wanted the complete opposite.” The bride gave creative liberty to her florist, specifying she wanted tons of florals, greenery, and pattern play. Oh, and lots of candles.
What the couple ended up with was beyond their wildest dreams, and Karly says seeing the reception space after their “I dos” was her favorite moment.
“While everything was planned to a T, somehow seeing it all come together felt like a surprise,” she says. Because they had to cancel their original wedding, “it felt like such a special triumph within those first few wedded moments as husband and wife following the ceremony.”
On the menu
Guests arrived and were greeted with an Aperol Spritz. For dinner, family-style Italian cuisine from Harvest Moon created a convivial feel. Plus, the food continued late into the night, with a wall of Italian desserts. “Lots of carbs!” says the bride.
School rules
Karly and AJ met during their senior year at Radford University and were together eight years before tying the knot.
Signature moves
The bride says she and AJ incorporated lots of personal touches throughout the day to make their wedding feel more like “them,” including having the string quartet play current hits from Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber, using a classic black and white dance floor, and changing outfits (both of them!) toward the end of the evening.
The details
Event planner: Rachel Rice (The One Moment Events) Officiant: Sarah Pete Catering: Harvest Moon Catering Flowers: Bee Inspired Music: Gravatt Productions (ceremony), DJ Dan Huynh (reception) Bride’s attire: Lovely Bride (first dress), Bronx and Banco (second dress) Shoes: Lulu’s Bridesmaids’ dresses: Revelry Rings: Ascot Diamonds, Cartier (bands) Hair: Claudine Fay Makeup: Makeup by Shirin Videographer: TLIC Media
