Weddings at Cooper Vineyards in Virginia

On my search of great venues to have a wedding, I visited the Cooper Vineyards in Louisa County Virginia.  In addition to magnificent tasting wines - my favorite is the Noche Chocolate Wine - the vineyard is spectacular.  In addition to the vineyard area, there is a pond, and many acres of different varieties of grapes.    The location is one in which nature provides the beautiful backdrop.  Your guests can enjoy both indoor and outdoor seating, and for the couple there are two "get ready rooms" and a room for the grooms as well.  Inside there is a baby grand piano, and stonework on the wall that would look great in your photos.  There is a balcony with ample seating where a buffet or your cocktail hour could be held.  This is one fantastic  location.  I hope to officiate YOUR wedding or other special event there. 

Many thanks today to Dorothy Cole for the tour and hospitality.  Dorothy will assist you with any needs that you may have about your event. 

Cooper Vineyards Facility Rentals: Private Events

WEDDINGS AND PRIVATE EVENTS AT COOPER VINEYARDS:

Enjoy the tranquility of the country with beautiful vineyard views at Cooper Vineyards for your next event. Cooper Vineyards now offers facilities for weddings, corporate functions, and wine dinners as well as for smaller birthday or anniversary parties, group meetings and business luncheons or retreats. Cooper Vineyards is just a short drive from Richmond, Charlottesville and Fredericksburg. . Event Planning Inquiry Form

Options:

• 40 x 60 Outdoor Tented Pad – can accommodate 150 seated

• Outdoor covered deck – can accommodate 50 seated

• Main tasting room – can accommodate 30 seated (after hours only)

• Private Tasting room – can accommodate 20 seated – also has audio-visual equipment/connectivity



Additional Options:

• Cooper Vineyards staff member (s) during your event

• Souvenir wine glasses with Cooper Vineyards logo

• Discounts on full cases of Cooper Vineyards wine (excludes library selections)



Rates:

• 40 x 60 Outdoor Pad - $3000 (Includes basic tent rental)

• Outdoor Covered Deck - $500 (Weekdays or after hours)

• Main Tasting Room - $500 (after hours only)

• Private Tasting Room - $150 (weekends)

• $100 (weekdays)



For more information, call (540) 894 – 5474 to help plan your event or fill in our Form to have someone call you.


Cooper Vineyards

13372 Shannon Hill Rd

Louisa, VA 23093

(540) 894-5474 
info@coopervineyards.com
Event Inquiry Form

Anime inspired wedding Stacia and Gabriel@Sunken Gardens

When Stacia and Gabriel phoned me to officiate their wedding at the Sunken Gardens, they expressed their desire to have an Anime influenced ceremony and reception.  To my surprise, I had not heard of Anime before, so I was excited at the prospect of venturing into new territory and work with them to create the ceremony of their dreams.






Stacia and Gabriel are fans of Anime and had actually met while looking at Japanese animated items in a bookstore. WOW!  Talk about finding your soulmate.



If you, like me, are not clear about what that is, I will give you a short explanation. Anime is the Japanese abbreviation and pronunciation of "Animation" - animated cartoons.    Anime is an art form, with influences of Japanese calligraphy and Japanese paintings that  characterize the linear qualities of the anime style. 

Many of the characters feature larger eyes, with coloring added to the eyes for depth.  There are many shows which are influenced by Anime and it has dramatically exposed more Westerners to the culture of Japan.  It is reported recently that the number of people studying the Japanese culture and language has increased dramatically.

Celtic Wedding at the Bilmar Beach Resort, Florida

It was such a pleasure and honor to officiate the Celtic Wedding of Laurie and Frank this weekend!  It all began with beautiful celtic music being played to greet the guests. The vows that they spoke were the traditional celtic vows, and then followed up with their own personal words to each other. As they stated their vows, they each held an oathing stone. One of the stones was an actual piece of the Blarney Stone, and another round stone from the brides family farm in Ireland. Oathing stones are very sacred in the ritual, as the ancients took their vows on sacred stones where spiritual devotions and ancient rituals took place. Stones are part of the earth, and hold the memories of Irish ancestors. To make a binding oath on or near a sacred stone, is to make a powerful and lasting vow, as if your vows are "cast in stone".  Laurie and Frank exchanged wedding rings with the celtic knots circling them.

The handfasting ritual is a celtic ritual that began in the middle ages, demonstrating that the couple is now bound together and are tying the knot.  Laurie and Frank chose a fabric that is the Muirhead Plaid representing his Scottish heritage.

The Loving Cup, called a Quaich, was ordered special for this occasion.  By the 15th century it was common for the Celtic couple to toast each other with a ceremonial cup. This cup is called the Quaich and is a two handled bowl often with an inlaid celtic design.  As with this quaich, it is inlaid with Celtic knotwork that is unending represnting the permanence of the marriage. As a circl symbolises Eternity, so does the celtic knotwork. and the interlacing patterns flowing endlessly on as the sea, with no beginning, no end.  These intricate patterns reached their peak in the 11th century illuminated manuscripts of the Lindifarne Gospels and the Book of Kells. Laurie and Frank toasted to their love of the past, present and future and their happiness at finding their Anam Cara - soul friend.  The cup is then passed down from generation to generation, ensuring happiness and good fortune for all who drink from it.

Frank and Laurie also blended their families together with a sand ritual, using sand from Sand Key, their favorite beach.

After the wedding the wedding party was introducted in to an irish jig, which they all enjoyed.  Congratulations Laurie and Frank!  I was very honored to celebrate your heritage and mine as well!  Laurie and Frank.... Slante'

Remembering deceased family and friends......

Many times I meet with couples who have experienced the loss of family and friends and they ask me about the ways that they can pay tribute to those people. I'd like to share with you a few of the ideas I have, and show you a few ideas that my couples have created as well.

Those we lost, remain in our hearts forever...........

During the beginning of a wedding ceremony, I ask the couple if they would like to have a special mention of their deceased family of friend. This is done by saying.......today, the couple, would like to mention the brides grandparents, John and Mary Smith and the grooms father, Bill Jones. We know that they are with us in spirit today on this very happy occasion. Some times, couples choose to leave a flower on a seat in the audience, or they may wish to light a memorial candle during the ceremony. Another idea is to have photos of those to be remembered at an area at the reception with candles or flowers. Of course, a couple who is going to have a wedding program, may wish to have it printed on their back page of the program. I would be happy to hear from all of you as well if you have some creative ideas on memorial mention.

Signing of the Marriage License

In ancient Babylonian and Assyria, marriage contracts were written on clay tablets. They were included in the large collections (25,000 tablets) of Assurbanipal II of Nineveh, the worlds first librarian. The marriage tablets came into use in Western society for the first time during the period of the Roman emperors.

After the celebration, when the bride had been ushered into the bridal chamber and the marriage was presumed to be successfully consummated, one of two things usually happened. A sacrifice was offered to the gods, and the marriage was recorded in the register!!!

We have come a long way! One of the rituals that I enjoy most is immediately following the wedding, I invite the two witnesses to sign the license and have the couple look on. I had always wondered why it was done off to the side, or privately, and I felt that the witnesses serve such an important role, why not bring them front and center! They seem to enjoy the ritual and the couple does as well, and it provides yet another great photo op for the photographer! So, when the time comes for the signing of your marriage license, make it part of your ritual and make your witnesses feel proud to be serving as part of your bridal party!

Cute Wedding Reading

Here is one that we used with a couple who had their dog's serve a ringbearer and flower girls......it was so very cute!


Love is Like Owning a Dog

First of all, it's a big responsibility
so think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sesnse of security;
When you're walking down the street late at night,
and you have a leash on love,
ain't no one going to mess with you.

Love doesn't like being left along for long.
But comes home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things in it's passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time?  No!  No!
Love can be bad.  Bad, love, bad!  Very bad love!

Love pulls you in many different directions at once,
or winds around and around you
until you're all wound up and can't move.

Love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.

But most of all, love needs love, lots of it
and in return, love loves you and never stops.

Wayside Inn, Sudbury, Massachusetts.....The Service of the Crowning - Congratulations Moira and Bill!!

Moira and Bill had a magnificent wedding at the Martha Mary Chapel, and the Longfellow's Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Moira wanted a service that would honor her Greek heritage and the ritual included the Service of the Crowning. This service is highlighted by seven significant acts.

• The Exchange of Rings - symbolizing the unbreakable bond of Christian marriage.
• The Lighted Candles - where the Bride and Groom are given lighted candles to hold to symbolize the purity of their lives which should shine with the light of virtue.
• Joining of the Hands - Three long prayers read to ask God to grant the Bride and Groom a long and peaceful mutual love and understanding, happiness, and health. The right hands are joined and God is called upon to join them into one.
• The Crowning - The crowns are raised and the sign of the cross made three times, over the heads of the bride and groom. after which they are placed on their heads. The crowning signifies the newly crowned married couple receive the grace of the Holy Spirit to be the founders of a new generation as they are crowned with virtue and holiness.
• The Bible Readings - following the crowning, St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians concerning the mystery and holiness of marriage and the duties of the husband and wife to each other; and St. John's gospel of Christ's miracle at the Marriage of Canna that shows how our Lord blessed the sacred institution of marriage.
• The Common Cup - Drinking from the "common cup" symbolizes that a couple must share every joy and sorrow. The bride and groom must each drink from it three times.
• Circling the Table - The bride and groom are led by the Minister around the table or altar 3 times. By circling, the couple signifies their oath to preserve this marriage bond forever. The circle symbolizes eternity, the triple circling honors the Holy Spirit. It also symbolizes that they will be following the word of God as they start their lives together.
• Benediction - Finally, after final words of blessing, the crowns are lifted from their heads and the newlyweds thus ending the marriage ceremony.

Children's Readings for Weddings

If there are children involved in the ceremony, and they are able to read, I love to suggest some great children's readings. Here are two of my favorites. The first is called "I Need a Friend" by Sherry Kafka, illustrated by Samantha Smith. This reading works best if there are two children who can take turns reading.

All by myself, I can dig for treasure - But I need a friend to hold the map.
All by myself, I can grow a flower - But I need a friend to give it to.
All by myself, I can throw a ball - But I need a friend to catch it.
All by myself, I can tell a joke - But I need a friend to laugh.
All by myself, I can climb a tree - But I need a friend to give me a post.
All by myself, I can draw a picture - But I need a friend to look at it.
All by myself, I can eat a sandwich - But I need a friend to have a picnic.
All by myself, I can run -But I need a friend to race.
All by myself, I can skin my knee - But I need a friend to feel sorry.
All by myself, I can know a secret -But I need a friend to whisper it to.
All by myself, I can dream a story - But I need a friend to listen to it.
All by myself, I can play alone - But I need a friend for sharing.

The second book is called "Together" by George Ella Lyon, with
pictures by Vera Rosenberry.

You cut the timber, and I'll build the house.
You bring the cheese, and I'll fetch the mouse.
You salt the ice, and I'll crank the cream.
Let's put our heads together, and dream the same dream!

I'll drive the truck, if you'll fight the fire.
I'll plunk the keys, if you'll be the choir.
I'll find the ball, if you'll call the team.
Let's put our heads together, and dream the same dream!

You dig for water, and I'll make a pail.
I'll paint the boat, if you'll set the sail.
You catch the fish, and I'll catch the stream.
Let's put our heads together and dream the same dream!


I just love both of these, and if you know of other readings that are great for kids to read, let me know about it!!!

Handfasting, Creative Wedding Rituals

I love rituals. Handfasting has long been a Celtic Ritual. Did you ever wonder where the term "Tie the Knot" comes from? It was derived from the ancient celtic ritual in which the couple's wrists were loosely tied together during their wedding ceremony to symbolize their commitment to each other.

Whether you are Irish or not, handfasting is a beautiful ritual, and you may want to include it as part of your ceremony as a very meaningful ritual. Handfasting Ribbons are used, and their are many colors of ribbons that represent different facets of our lives and relationships. I usually ask couples to stand side by side and hold hands and the ribbons are placed around the hands and wrists of the couple.

I usually say "these are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you throughout the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, and giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Many times, ribbons of colors are used. In the traditional Celtic handfasting, the ribbons that bind the couple's wrists are made up of thirteen different colors, each with special meaning. Here is a list of each color and their own special meaning.

• Red - passion, strength, lust, fertility


• Orange - encouragement, attraction, kindness, purity


• Yellow - charm, confidence, joy, balance


• Green - finance, fertility, charity, prosperity, health


• Blue - Tranquility, patience, devotion, sincerity


• Purple - power, piety, sanctity, sentimentality


• Black - strength, wisdom, vision, success


• White - purity, concentration, meditation, peace


• Gray - neutrality, canceling,balance,


• Pink - unity, honor, truth, romance, happiness


• Brown - earth, grounding, talent, telepathy, home


• Silver - treasure, values, creativity, inspiration


• Gold energy, wealth, intelligence, longevity

There are also Christian ceremonies that use three strands of rope, the couple weaves together three strands of rope, and then tie the strands together into several knots. The three pieces of rope represent the joining of their lives together, with the third piece standing for Christ's presence in their marriage. According to the words of Ecclesiastes 4:12 which reads " A threefold cord is not quickly broken".

Ever wonder where the term "tieing the knot" really came from??? It derives from a time when couples needed a new bed. Before mattresses and box springs, beds were made from wooden frames with ropes strung across the frames, upon which were placed straw mattresses. Newlywed couples thus had to "tie the knot" of their marriage bed.

In a Christian wedding, we can think of tying the knot as it is God who binds together the bride and groom, making the two into one. It is the binding together of the perfect knot that will keep them together as they face difficult challenges of marriage.