Gustavo & Susannah’s Real Wedding at Stone Tower Winery

A Romantic Real Wedding at Stone Tower Winery in Virginia

Love knows no bounds as we see in this glorious Virginia Real Wedding that was featured in Volume 5 of Wine and Country Weddings. Be sure to watch the wedding video at the bottom of this post for even more beautiful details.

Gustavo and Susannah’s love story brings two travelers and their global journeys together as one. Their love story began in Houston when the two met in a theatre class in college, which later served as the location for Gustavo’s proposal five years down the road.

“There is no season in the Virginia countryside that doesn’t have a surplus of beauty.”

When Gustavo and Susannah’s paths united in a beautiful marriage ceremony at Stone Tower Winery, they wanted to celebrate their different backgrounds and cultures and loved the mix of industrial, elegant and unexpected aspects of the venue.

Both have made many places their home over the years. Gustavo grew up in Venezuela while Susannah was raised Jewish just outside of Washington, D.C. As their two paths officially fused in a November wedding, they wanted to incorporate traditions from all the places and people that helped shape their lives.

Inviting guests from India, Sweden, Venezuela, Amsterdam, the United Kingdom and all over the United States, Gustavo and Susannah honored and celebrated cultural traditions from around the world.

The stunning indoor venue was filled with bright natural light and breathtaking white and blush blossoms. When the globe-trotting guests arrived at the intricate autumn ceremony, they were offered kippot, traditional Jewish skullcaps, and Buddy Poppies for Susannah’s grandfather, who was a World War II veteran.

The couple exchanged vows in both English and Spanish while standing under the chuppah of Susannah’s family, a beautiful canopy embroidered with the names of all the couples who have been married under it.

The ceremony included a traditional Catholic coin ceremony and ended with a Western European handfasting as the pair were literally bound together in marriage using Susannah’s late brother’s tallit.

Each time Gustavo and I came back to the Winery, we fell in love even more.

Another personal touch included the couple toasting with the same Piper Heidsieck champagne served at Susannah’s parents’ wedding in 1972. With local food, such as 48-hour braised short rib, wheat berry risotto, carrot and ginger soup, served in typical Jewish and Latin style, the pair topped off the menu with heart-shaped ice cream cookie sandwiches, apple cider donuts and a spiced carrot cake.

The reception featured a wide range of dancing and merriment, from a traditional Jewish hora to la hora loca, “the crazy hour,” at the end of the night. During the reception, the newlyweds donned large foam hats brought from Venezuela and drank together from a German wedding cup consisting of two cups connected by a hinge. It was an evening full of traditions, one that Gustavo and Susannah will cherish for years to come.  ~

Photographer: Nessa K Photography
Planning: Linda Ha Events
Venue: Stone Tower Winery
Florals: Wild Green Yonder
Hair Stylist: Brianna Adams
Beauty Stylist: Anna Breeding
Catering: Bluewater Kitchen
Entertainment: Dan Goldman Events
Ceremony Strings: Sage String Quartet
Cake: Scout’s Bakeshop
Bridal Dress: Ines Di Santo from Chic Parisien
Cinematographer: Paperboys Films
Stationery: Ettie Kim Studio

This wedding was featured in Wine & Country Weddings Volume 5 magazine.