Some weddings are memorable because of the setting, and others are because of the details. Athena and Chris’s New Year’s Eve wedding at King Family Vineyards was unforgettable because it was a celebration rooted in family and culture, along with their love story, of course. The fun countdown to midnight was just an added bonus!
This Charlottesville wedding venue was the perfect backdrop for their wedding at King Family Vineyards, especially the Carriage House.
It’s cozy and rustic-elegant, featuring a large stone fireplace that made an indoor winter ceremony feel warm and intimate. The space easily accommodated their guest count, and the panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain views gave us beautiful outdoor shots before the sun went down. All of that on top of the fact that Athena & Chris met at UVA and Charlottesville has always held a special place in their story made picking this spot to say “I do” felt like a no brainer.
The venue staff was also wonderful to work with, especially accommodating an event that carried on past midnight!
Design was a huge part of the planning process for Athena and Chris — and something we spent many late nights texting back and forth about. Athena and I bonded quickly (we’re both Leos and both went to Virginia Tech!), and were able to get really creative together, bouncing idea after idea off of one another.
For this wedding, we worked with dual palettes of black and white alongside red and gold — a nod to Athena’s Chinese heritage. At first, the design leaned heavily into New Year’s Eve, but as planning evolved, we realized that family and cultural moments mattered more than leaning fully into the holiday.
Red became the hero color, symbolizing good luck, joy, happiness, and prosperity in Chinese culture. Paired with gold, it was bold, elegant, and intentional. The key to incorporating it in a chic way was restraint. Red showed up in specific moments rather than everywhere and becoming overwhelming.
One of the most powerful parts of this wedding was the ceremony itself.
Athena and Chris thoughtfully incorporated cultural traditions into their ceremony that honored both their families and created deeply emotional moments.
Both mothers lit candles at the beginning of the ceremony, and Athena and Chris later used those flames to light a single candle together — a beautiful symbol of two families becoming one. The couple also shared a traditional tea ceremony, changing into a qipao and tang suit to honor Athena’s heritage. It was clear in these moments how much tradition and family means to them.
Escort cards doubled as red envelopes (symbols of good fortune), each containing a handwritten note for guests. The groom even designed custom fortunes for fortune cookie favors at the bars, adding another layer of personalization that guests loved.
As midnight approached, Athena’s sister sang Auld Lang Syne on a baby grand piano brought in specifically for the moment. Immediately after, the couple led a champagne pour to welcome the new year together.
The evening was windy, and while we did get sparklers lit and the couple through once for their grand exit, sparks were definitely flying… so we pivoted quickly, loaded guests onto the buses, and headed to the after party without missing a beat.
The care that Athena & Chris put into every decision for their New Year’s Eve wedding at King Family Vineyards is what made it so special. They didn’t let the holiday dictate their wedding. Instead, they let their values lead, and the result was a celebration that felt deeply personal and culturally rich!
If you’re wanting to have your own intentional and meaningful wedding day incorporating family and traditions, reach out! We can make your big day just as special as Athena & Chris’.
