Sophisticated Vineyard Wedding

Simplicity and beauty combined create the ambiance of a vineyard wedding. Not to be separated, but to be admired for their uniqueness, both the bride and the vineyard deserve a special mention! After all, isn’t a vineyard an incredible locale for a wedding?

This inspirational shoot truly shows how exquisite a simple ceremony and venue can be. We love the table setting with its gorgeous ivory centerpiece. The wedding cake is entirely elegant with a single ribbon as its decoration. What a glamorous shoot!

Details for a Sophisticated Vineyard Wedding

A large part of a sophisticated vineyard wedding is location, location, location. Many brides choose a look that involves vintage decor and boho dresses. Wooden tables, lace embellishments, and elegant glassware all lend to the glamorous look of a sophisticated vineyard wedding.

The venue you choose will factor heavily in the sophisticated vineyard wedding. Be prepared for uneven terrain and the fact that most vineyards are set in remote areas, which means you’ll need to discuss utilities with the venue staff (some brides have even had to bring in generators to power everything). However, if you wish for an environmentally-friendly wedding that is set in an absolutely gorgeous background, then the sophisticated vineyard wedding just might be the wedding theme for you.

Color Palette for a Sophisticated Vineyard Wedding

Some brides opt for a literal wine-colored wedding, utilizing burgundy and blush pinks for their primary colors. At the same time, a muted color palette is perfect for the occasion.

If a bride decides on colors that resemble wine, then the color palette may involve reds, pinks, and whites. Many brides choose a bouquet featuring white flowers with wine-colored or burgundy ribbon to make the look really pop.

Still, other brides select more neutral colors for the nuptials. Those who are planning a rustic look for the vineyard wedding will likely choose off-white, beige, and blush pinks.

What to Look for in a Venue for a Sophisticated Vineyard Wedding

When it comes to looking for the perfect wedding venue, brides should ask the venue representative a few extra questions about the location.

Since the venue itself is outdoors, be sure to ask about the possibility of inclement weather and a back-up plan. Wineries that host weddings regularly will have a plan in place for the possibility of a rainy day, and they will likely have an indoor location or provide a tent for the ceremony.

Some wineries or vineyards are located in remote areas; this makes for a great destination wedding, but it can be a problem where utilities and guest amenities are concerned. You may be responsible for bringing in water and/or electricity for the ceremony. It’s important to have a clear understanding of this prior to the big day so there are no misunderstandings.

Food for a Sophisticated Vineyard Wedding

Before we discuss actual food, let’s discuss the bar – if that’s important for your big day. Many wineries are not allowed to serve hard liquor, so if you planned to serve anything but wines produced by the vineyard venue, be sure to talk with the venue representative before committing. If you plan to serve wine at the reception, you need to coordinate with the food vendor as to what foods work best with the wine available.

Brides should also consider the season, and choosing seasonal food for the reception will really denote the sophisticated vineyard theme. For instance, a summer sophisticated vineyard wedding may call for fresh salad and watermelon or other fresh fruit. Knowing what fruits and veggies are in season can lend to the creation of a colorful plate that is as much a part of the decor as the greenery and flowers throughout the venue.

Budget for a Sophisticated Vineyard Wedding

Hosting a sophisticated vineyard wedding can easily invoke a large budget, but there are ways brides can save while having the wedding of their dreams.

Smart brides will sit down and decide exactly what are must-have items for the big day, and then they’ll craft the budget to match. One wise decision has to do with the venue itself. While many brides may have to allocate a large portion of the budget to ceremonial decor, the vineyard itself makes for an awesome background with little assistance from you.

In addition, a venue that offers multiple amenities for the big day can really stretch your budget. Other items that many venues offer may include a reception hall with tables and chairs. Bonus points if the venue provides some linens.

Wedding Dresses & Accessories for a Sophisticated Vineyard Wedding

A sophisticated vineyard wedding offers brides quite a variety of choices for the bridal wardrobe. While some brides opt for a traditional dress, others will decide on a white or ivory jumpsuit or even a pantsuit in blush pink. The sophisticated vineyard wedding has no set dress code, and brides love the freedom this brings.

Some brides love the idea of a beaded ball gown while others choose a long, fitted ivory gown. Some go sleeveless, while others choose a cap sleeve or bare shoulders. Some brides really love the idea of organza as a material; on hot days during the summer, the fabric is light and more comfortable. Maybe choose Chantilly lace over a fitted gown. The sky is the limit as long as you are comfortable.

Wedding Cake Ideas for a Sophisticated Vineyard Wedding

A topsy turvy or multi-layered naked cake covered in fresh fruit is a great wedding cake choice for a sophisticated vineyard wedding. You won’t have to worry about layers of icing melting and the cake coming apart on the hot and humid days when a vineyard is in full bloom.

However, if your reception is held in a climate controlled building, you can opt for a more traditional cake topped with fruit or flowers. Some brides will choose a smaller, one tiered cake with grapes draped on top. Others will choose a multi-layer cake that is separated by cake plates with greenery and grapes between each layer.

Outdoor Wedding Ideas for a Sophisticated Vineyard Wedding

Since your nuptials will likely be held outdoors, there are a few extras most brides will add to the natural beauty of the venue. Some venues provide an arbor or arch or perhaps a gazebo. Add some greenery for a lovely effect, but white lights that add a warm glow may have the biggest impact on the romance of the ceremony.

Look into barn doors for the ceremonial backdrop. You may use the barn doors as is, or drape curtains from the structure. Use lots of greenery as well as fresh flowers to decorate arbors or gazebos.

Ceremony Decor for a Sophisticated Vineyard Wedding

Use flower petals for the aisle; be sure to have a fair amount spread across the aisle prior to the wedding. It isn’t always a good idea to have an aisle runner for the ceremony. Some vineyards are notorious for uneven terrain, which could require nimble footing when walking down the aisle.

Wicker furniture for seating rather than white chairs is a nice trend. This sets a cozy mood and is perfect for small, personal ceremonies. If there are trees in the background, utilize them to hang lights for an early evening ceremony. However, you may construct some wooden frames from which to hang greenery and lights.

Reception Decor for a Sophisticated Vineyard Wedding

Why not borrow decor ideas from the vineyard or winery itself? Barrels can be used for tables.  Drape a burlap tablecloth over the barrel and secure it with ribbon that matches the color palette. Consider a picnic setting with wooden baskets overturned with delicate centerpieces. Place a colorful blanket or rug under the basket for seating purposes. This is perfect for little ones attending the wedding.

Some brides use long reception tables so that everyone sits together. White table linens are used, and centerpieces of hydrangeas or peonies can be strategically placed. Outdoor reception areas may be draped with greenery and hanging lights.

Sophisticated Vineyard Wedding

Today’s wedding editorial photographed by Kacie Lych and styled by Elisa Bricker at a charming vineyard in Virginia is the epitome of laid-back sophistication. With a muted color palette and little splashes of gold, this wedding inspiration shoot is absolutely exquisite!

From Kacie Lynch Photography – “I recently had a one-on-one mentor session with Elisa Bricker and it was such a wonderful experience! Elisa did a lovely job of creating an exquisite styled shoot at the Blenheim Vineyards. The details were simple but elegant and chic and everything was sprinkled with accents of the gold. The scenery in the area was also to die for!”

Credits: Photography: Kacie Lynch // Styling & Design: Elisa Bricker // Hair & Makeup: Lora Kelley // Paper Goods: Rock Paper Scissors // Cake: Maliha Creations // Dress: Bella Rosa Bridal // Floral Design: Tourterelle Floral // Film Lab: FilmBox // Model: Brittany Jo Sprinkle // Venue: Blenheim Vineyards in Charlottesville, Virginia.