Melanie Woods & Keith Bonds II
July 18, 2021, at Keswick Vineyards
The couple knew they wanted what they were calling “rustic glam” as the theme of their wedding, but after touring a bunch of different vineyards, nothing felt quite right (“They were too rustic—more barn-like,” Melanie says). But then they found Keswick Vineyards, with its stately white colonial and cascading water fountain. “[It was] the perfect blend of rustic and elegant,” says the bride.
They added hues of pinks and purples, corals, nudes, and metallics to the space through florals, attire, and furniture rentals, and even claimed a few Keswick firsts: draping the venue’s signature fountain in a cascade of flowers, and wrapping the dance floor.
“We went back and forth about whether to have the floors wrapped,” Melanie says. “We kept thinking, should we spend money on something people will just be walking on? In the end, we decided to wrap the reception dance floor in white with our crest in gold. It was beautiful and added a nice touch to the space.”
Still, Keith says the most beautiful part of the day was his bride.
“The first time I laid eyes on her at the sneak peek, I turned around and my breath was gone,” he says. “It was pure emotion and I’m usually a calm guy. She left me speechless.”
Beautiful details
Leading up to the wedding, Melanie kept asking Keith if he was working on his vows, to which he’d respond, “I’m just going to freestyle it.” On the day of the wedding, he nailed it. “He spoke so beautifully from the heart and to my surprise, had additional vows handwritten by a calligrapher on an antique scroll as a keepsake.”
Bar hoppers
A good friend of Melanie’s wanted to introduce her to her boyfriend’s fraternity brother, so she came to Washington, D.C., to visit. “A group of about eight of us went out for a night on the town,” Melanie says. “I actually sent Keith my number through his friend’s phone at the end of the night.” They dated three and a half years before getting married.
Greek getaway
For their honeymoon, the couple spent three weeks in Santorini, Crete, Mykonos, and Athens.
The details
Photographer: Hannah Baldwin Event planner: Courtney Hildebrand of Two Byrds Events Officiant(s): Captain William Marshall (civil ceremony), Donald Garner (wedding ceremony) Catering: The Catering Outfit Flowers: Hedge Fine Blooms Cake: Maliha Creations Music: Ninja Strings (ceremony); DJ Derek Tobler (reception) Bride’s attire: Martina Liana Luxe Bride’s shoes: Dolce & Gabbana Headpiece and earrings: SuReina Bridal Groom’s attire: Brian Alexander Bespoke (suit), Sharp Crisp Clean (bow ties) Groom’s shoes: Gucci Groomsmen’s attire: The Black Tux Bridesmaids’ dresses: Azazie Rings: James Allen and Helzberg Diamonds Hair: Rayven Nicole Makeup: Taylor Simpson Videographer: Brian Schornberg Floor wrapping: Kundan Events Photo booth: Photo Booth Charlottesville Favors: Olivia Macaron
