Via Vecchia Winery; Wedding Venue in Columbus!

What I enjoy about being a wedding officiant is that I have the chance to visit the many beautiful venues here in Columbus, Ohio, and meet some great people. Some venues are more unique than others and Via Vecchia is in a class by itself.

Via Vecchia Winery and wedding venue in Columbus Ohio. Photo by Picture the Love www.picturethelove.comI had the chance to visit with the Owners, Paolo Rosi and Michael Elmer, along with their Marketing Manager, Lindsay Everson, and they shared some things that make this special winery their pride and joy.

Owners Michael Elmer & Paolo Rosi at Via Vecchia in Columbus Ohio. Photo by Lindsay Everson - Via Vechhia Winery.Via Vecchia is first and foremost a winery! They had moved to their location at 486 S. Front Street in Columbus and then people spontaneously began asking to have weddings there! It became a win-win arrangement for them and brides and grooms. They offer a great deal of flexibility for events without some of the usual added fees found elsewhere - in an awesome urban setting where couples can personalize their decorations (which tends to draw creative people). For wine enthusiasts, the care and attention they give is amazing. Via Vecchia offers a wine without additives! I received quite an education from Paolo in just a few short minutes about the many additives (including color!) used in virtually all wines. It seems that once people start enjoying the Via Vecchia brand, they have difficulty returning to the others. One of the main draws about this winery is the feeling they create; like you are one of the family with Michael, Paolo, Lindsay and their entire staff. 

Wedding at Via Vecchia Winery and venue, Columbus Ohio. Photo by Kevin Keefer.So when looking for a unique and very pleasant experience for your wedding day, check out Via Vecchia Winery in downtown Columbus, Ohio. You will be glad you did!

Rachel & Steven at Via Vecchia!

I had the privilege of sharing in Rachel and Steven's wedding as their officiant in Columbus, Ohio! They chose Via Vecchia Winery as their venue. Below, bride and groom enjoy a happy moment as they walk the aisle together!

Rachel & Steven at Via Vecchia wedding venue in Columbus, Ohio.The love that Steven and Rachel share is sweet and genuine. My heart sometimes jumps a little when I see a couple enjoy moments like the one seen below.

"We couldn't be happier!" Rachel & Steven at Via Vecchia wedding venue.There is a great deal of emotion in the 2 images that follow and I feel that these images have their own language. Take a close look at bride with father; then bride with father while she looks upon her groom.

An emotional moment at Via Vecchia in Columbus. Father of the bride with Rachel on her wedding day.Father of the bride joins daughter's hand to groom's at Via Vecchia wedding venue.Here is a full image of their indoor ceremony.

Rachel & Steven's wedding starts at Via Vecchia. Damian King was their officiant.Just love this shot! What a fun group!

Having a great time! Rachel & Steven and their bridal party outdoors at Via Vecchia in Columbus Ohio.Another very genuine and touching moment shared by Rachel & Steven. I feel fortunate just to be able to see and enjoy this moment in time.

"With tomorrow in front of us...to share this moment with you makes time stand still."At Via Vecchia couples can enjoy an outdoor ceremony or one that is indoors. This bride and groom chose an indoor ceremony with the delicious food served by the wonderful folks at Catering by Scott. The owners of Via Vecchia are Michael Elmer and Paolo Rosi. These men are some of the most warm, friendly, and kind you will ever meet. They create a real "family feeling" at Via Vecchia, and take great pride in making people feel so welcomed. They will make you feel like family too. Scott Bast, owner of Catering by Scott, loves his work and loves to make people happy. He is always so fun and friendly, and the food he and his staff prepare is amazing!

All the photos in this entry are by Kevin Keefer Photography. Kevin does fantastic work as you can see by the images shown here. They speak for themselves. Please contact Kevin at the link provided. Also, his email and phone number are kevin@kkeefer.com and 614-787-4743.

It was my honor to celebrate with Rachel & Steven as their wedding officiant in Columbus, Ohio! I wish the very best for them in the years ahead!

Will You Marry Me, In Two Places?

The idea of getting married in two places seems almost magical. This couple began their wedding outside at the Browning Amphitheater at OSU in Columbus, Ohio. As the wedding officiant for Andy and Maggie, I was having a lot of fun starting their ceremony with storm clouds and thunder overhead.

Then about one-third of the way through their ceremony it started to pour (photo below). I didn't mind though as we were having fun. The bridal party and guests were becoming a bit drenched. Andy asked me several times, "What do you want to do?" to which I replied, "I have no preference, what would you like to do?" You see, I had a nice, big umbrella being held over me so I was not getting soaked, and I didn't have anywhere to go right after the ceremony.

You can really see the rain coming down in the picture below. See...Maggie is enjoying every moment!

Finally the groom made the call and said, "Let's go inside." So inside the OSU Faculty Club we went... and so did all the very wet (and happy) guests, who were having fun themselves.

Once we came in for a landing, and the guests were ready, the first words out of my mouth were..."Now, where were we?" Their family and friends all laughed and we picked up right where we left off, as the guests continued to dry out. It was great.

Does this couple look bored to you? Not a chance....

A sweet token of love after I said, "You may kiss the bride!"

The newly married couple presented, now celebrate. The moment they have planned and waited for has come. You can see Andy and Maggie's faces beaming with joy. Happy to be together. Happy to be husband and wife!... on this day, as they were married in two places.

Once again, Kevin Keefer is the photographer behind these images. You can contact Kevin by following the link to Kevin Keefer Photography or calling 614-787-4743. He is wonderful to work with and captures amazing pictures. True treasures. His email is kevin@kkeefer.com. You can read Andy & Maggie's review and find out more about Kevin's work by following this link at Weddingwire.

Thanks for reading my blog about a fun and memorable wedding celebration with Andy & Maggie.

Fun at Ohio Stadium!

Groomsmen-groom-bride-bridesmaids. This is Columbus Ohio and as a wedding officiant in this town there is no getting away from the love of the Ohio State Buckeyes! As a wedding minister I perform many ceremonies on the grounds of this University. This year 2 were on the field where the Bucks play their game, and where they beat the team from up north. In this photo, Andy & Maggie enjoy some time just having fun with their bridal party. They were married at two places on the same day at Ohio State. More about their humorous and fun wedding in a later entry!

This photograph is courtesy of Kevin Keefer of Kevin Keefer Photography. I really love the work Kevin does and there will be more beautiful images he captured soon to come. You can contact him by following the link provided. You call also call 614-787-4743, or email Kevin at kevin@kkeefer.com.