A Refined Romance: Luxury Wedding at Morais Vineyards

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Morais Vineyards, Beth and Tom’s luxury winery wedding seamlessly blended timeless European elegance with soft, romantic design. Known for its grand architecture and refined ambiance, the venue provided an exquisite setting for their outdoor ceremony, followed by a candlelit reception rich with warmth and sophistication. Every detail of Beth and Tom’s Morais Vineyards wedding was intentionally curated to embody elevated, classic wedding design in the heart of Virginia wine country.

The classic design of this luxury Morais Vineyards wedding was the result of our Full Planning Signature + Weekend Experience, a journey that began with guidance from day one. By managing the vendor selection and timeline with precision, we provided the creative framework Beth and Tom needed to ensure their vision was executed flawlessly, allowing them to simply celebrate while we handled every detail. This package also included

Meet the Couple: Beth and Tom

After trekking to the top of Maryland Heights for a stunning May proposal, the two celebrated the only way they knew how: with local brews and a custom blessing from Survivor’s Coach. But the celebration didn’t stop at the trail’s end. The couple swept off to Washington, DC for a night of luxury at the Watergate Hotel and a celebratory meal at Hell’s Kitchen. It’s a proposal story that proves you can have the best of both worlds—the great outdoors and the greatest of luxury.

The Venue: Morais Vineyards

Morais Vineyards is a classic, European-inspired estate where grand architecture meets the rolling romance of the vines. From the serene Lake with swans to the light-filled Conservatory and the stately courtyard just outside the Grand Ballroom, the property is a collection of breathtaking focal points. With luxurious on-site wedding suites providing a seamless start to the day, the venue offers a blend of scale and intimacy—an estate designed for a truly sophisticated celebration.

V&V’s Favorite Spot:“The courtyard outside the Grand Ballroom is the ultimate transition space—perfect for a sunset cocktail hour before the doors swing open to the candlelit reception.”

Our Planning Approach

Beth and Tom chose our Full Wedding Planning Package, allowing them to truly enjoy their engagement while we handled the heavy lifting. We kicked things off with deep-dive styling sessions, translating their personal style into a cohesive design vision. By staying connected through monthly check-ins and high-touch communication, we kept every detail organized and on schedule. We used professional planning tools to keep timelines and budgets on track. Lastly, we curated a vendor team that aligned perfectly with their priorities, culminating in a day that felt both personal and perfectly coordinated.

The Art of Personalization: An Intentional Guest Experience

For Beth and Tom, luxury was defined by how their guests felt at every turn. Every detail was an opportunity to weave their story into their wedding day, ensuring that the grand architecture of Morais Vineyards felt warm, welcoming, and uniquely theirs. 

A Spirited Welcome & Lakeside Vows

The intentionality began the moment guests arrived. Before taking their seats for the lakeside ceremony, guests were greeted with chilled champagne, setting a celebratory tone from the very first sip. This transition from arrival to “I do” was seamless, leading into a heartfelt exchange of vows against the serene backdrop of the lake.

Curated Interaction: From Calligraphy to the Courtyard

The cocktail hour in the Morais courtyard was designed to be a fun playground! While some guests engaged in a bit of friendly competition with personalized lawn games like Jenga, cornhole, and ring toss, others took home a personalized gift. We arranged for live calligraphy, where guests received custom wine cups—a nod to the vineyard setting. In lieu of a traditional guest book, friends and family signed wine bottles that Beth and Tom will open on their future anniversaries, turning a wedding moment into a lifelong tradition.

As the evening progressed, the design shifted to accommodate both relaxation and high-energy fun.

• The Cigar Bar: We curated an elaborate outdoor lounge complete with plush seating and candlelight, offering a sophisticated retreat for guests to enjoy a premium cigar under the stars.
• The Modern Keepsake: In the courtyard, a personalized mirror for guests to take fun selfies. In the ballroom, a prop-filled photo booth provided a playful, modern touch, capturing the candid joy of the ballroom reception.

Thoughtful Departures

True luxury is found in the details that anticipate a guest’s needs. As the dance floor heated up, we distributed personalized party sunglasses and glow sticks to keep the energy high. And for the ladies who had spent the day in heels, a basket of slippers was waiting—a final, thoughtful gesture that ensured the celebration continued in comfort.

Elevating the Experience: The Logistics of Luxury (The Planner’s Perspective)

Bringing a vision as intentional as Beth and Tom’s to life requires more than just inspiration—it requires a balance of perfectly timed logistics. As their Full Planning partner, my role was to serve as the director for an incredible team of carefully curated vendors. From coordinating the delicate acoustics of the live string quartet by the lake to ensuring the multi-course catering and DJ transitions moved in perfect harmony, every moment was anchored by a meticulously crafted timeline.

We wanted the day to feel as playful as it was prestigious. During the cocktail hour, we curated a selection of custom lawn games, offering guests a relaxed, interactive experience before the formal grandeur of the ballroom.

The Creative Challenge: The Neon Glow One of my favorite “labor of love” details was the custom LED sign adorning the sweetheart table. Securing the sign safely and aesthetically was a technical challenge, but the result was a stunning, focal point that showcased the couple in a personalized glow all night long.

The Result: A Day to Remember

Beth and Tom’s luxury wedding at Morais Vineyards was more than just a beautiful event; it was a masterclass in how purposeful design and expert planning can create a day that feels both grand and deeply intimate.

“Virginia was absolutely incredible and truly made our dream wedding possible. From start to finish, she was organized, responsive, thoughtful, and genuinely invested in making sure our day was perfect. We met monthly leading up to the wedding, and she was incredibly accommodating to our schedules, often with evening meetings after our 9-5s…she was always one step ahead of us and made sure to keep us on track. I especially loved the platform that she uses, which made checklists, guest tracking, and table planning super easy. She has an incredible network of vendors under her belt, which made even some of our niche asks – such as a cigar bar setup, and live calligraphy – possible.

On the wedding day itself, everything ran flawlessly. We were able to fully relax and enjoy every moment knowing that our planner had everything handled. Literally everything went completely according to schedule, thanks to her. If there were any issues, we had no idea that they happened because she took care of it. So many of our guests told us it was the best wedding they had ever been to, and we have Virginia and her team to thank.” – Beth (bride)

It was an absolute honor to serve as Beth and Tom’s planning partner, and we are so grateful they trusted us to protect their vision and orchestrate such a milestone chapter of their story.

Creative Team:

Venue: Morais Vineyards

Photographer: Karyn Johnson Photography

Videographer: Done in Love

Wedding Planning and Design: V&V Weddings

Hair & Makeup: Ivett Beauty Co

Caterer: Purple Onion Catering

Florist: The Garden House

DJ: Dream Day Djs

Ceremony Music: Atoka String Quartet

Specialty Rental: H.E.R. High Expectations Rentals

Live Engraving: Subtle Grace Calligraphy

From lakeside vows to candlelit ballroom grand finales, we specialize in the “intentional details” that make a wedding truly yours. Ready to trade the planning to-do list for a curated, stress-free experience? Let the professionals begin designing your dream wedding—we would love to bring your vision to life.
Inquire About Full Planning Services Here—for a complimentary consultation!

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About The Author

Virginia Swope is a wedding planner and the owner of V&V Weddings. Based in Northern Virginia, she specializes in full-service wedding planning, design, and event management for couples who want a classic, elevated celebration that still feels personal and effortless. With over a decade of experience, Virginia is known for her calm, detail-driven approach, strong vendor relationships, and seamless execution—creating weddings that are beautifully styled, thoughtfully organized, and genuinely enjoyable for couples and their guests across the DC and Virginia area and beyond.