Upper Shirley Vineyards

Incredible! Upper Shirley was an all around amazing wedding venue. What most sold us, was the encompassing package they had to offer. They take care of and include so many things and trust me, you do not want to plan an a la cart wedding where you are renting your own tables and chairs and more - USV provided so many items all at the best of quality. Catherine, the events coordinator and Taylo,e the owner were a joy to work with!! They are personable, accommodating, responsive, and so professional. The facilities, staff, and food were all exceptional. I could write a novel on each. But overall, if you are considering USV for your wedding venue I could truly not recommend them enough.

I honestly don't even know where to start, but let's just say look no further!!! Upper Shirley's exceeded any and all of my expectations, which were very high! We are from Baltimore so wanted to ensure we set the bar high given 95% of our guests were from out of town, and we have received sooo many compliments on how beautiful the venue was, how amazing and delicious the food and wine were, etc. This venue is worth every penny and the food is literally to die for!!!!!!!! Catherine was so professional, knowledgeable and excellent to work with from the beginning and made the entire experience; walk through(s), tastings, payments, last minute arrangements, etc. so seamless. She is a true event professional, super organized and on top of everything! The USV staff and service for our wedding was above stellar!!! USV made my wedding absolutely perfect (from arriving, to the amazing bridal suite and grooms den service, to the cocktail hour, dinner, etc.) and I would recommend to anyone and everyone- the experience is truly like none other- 10 STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot say enough nice things about Upper Shirley Vineyards and the staff. We had such a beautiful wedding and it was all because of them. The staff were amazing and so quick to get guests drinks, food, whatever it was. The grounds themselves were completely immaculate. And I love the rain backup plan. It didn't feel like i was sacrificing anything. Catherine and her team are TOP NOTCH! I would recommend this venue to absolutely anyone who wants AMAZING Food, Impeccable service and a Fabulous event!!!

Upper Shirley Vineyard exceeded expectations! From planning, to the day of ceremony, Catherine and the entire team went above and beyond to make the day special for our family. They were simply amazing and made the process easy. We highly recommend the beautiful venue, fantastic food & wine, and the entire support staff!

Upper Shirley was the most unbelievably stunning wedding venue and everyone there is so accommodating. Tayloe the owner is super personable, Catherine the wedding coordinator is so organized, timely, and nice to work with. She made all of our wishes come true! The chef pulled off some of the best food our guests had ever had including a completely custom dessert bar! There are endless possibilities on how to make your wedding your own at the vineyard and there isn’t a single bad view there!

We held our wedding on 10/6/2018 at Upper Shirley. From the moment we met the owners, we were convinced that the event would be a wonderful, memorable celebration of our new life. The USP venue and staff are incredible. They are extremely responsive and very professional. Given that we had last minute changes, alterations and revisions, they were accommodating and supportive. The Events Director is amazing. Her attention to detail as well as helpful suggestions brought all the details together in a comprehensive, seamless fashion. My highest commendations for her work and her professionalism. The event was a remarkable success. Our guests continue to compliment us on the setting, the facility and the food. No detail is too small not to be cared for by this dedicated team.

We had our wedding at Upper Shirley Vineyards on 11/10/2018, and we continue to hear guests tell us it was the best wedding they had ever been to, and we really think they are being genuine. One of the major reasons the wedding was so remarkable was USV. It is an absolutely GORGEOUS venue that was designed with an eye toward weddings. The beautiful white building with the huge front and back porch and the river setting was perfect for what we wanted aesthetically. The interior of the tasting room is pretty/cozy and the reception/dining room is also beautiful and classy as is or to be used as a blank slate to personalize your wedding. The food at the venue is absolutely amazing. We got so many compliments on the passed hors d'oeuvres and the dinner entrees. Usually wedding entrees can be underwhelming the night of the wedding (especially for >200 guests), but every rockfish/chicken/filet entree turned out perfectly. We had SO many compliments on the food, the wine, and the service from the staff. We were busy during cocktail hour with photos and guests, but people told us the passed hors d'oeuvres were never-ending and delicious. Most of all, the staff of USV ensured the night went incredibly smoothly and if there were any issues that popped up, neither my husband nor I were aware. I worked closely with Catherine in the year leading up to the wedding and she was great to work with. Between my mom and me, we sent her countless emails with questions and she always responded promptly with a positive attitude. She was very enthusiastic about our wedding and making sure our needs were being met, and we really appreciate her time, effort, and attention to detail. She was super accommodating. Were we to do our wedding over again, I would not change a thing about the venue. It was picture perfect. Although it's certainly not cheap, we definitely got what we paid for, and then some. No regrets whatsoever, and we are so happy that it's only half an hour away from our home in Richmond so we can visit on anniversaries. Thanks to all the staff at USV and especially Catherine!

My husband and I got married at Upper Shirley Vineyards on 11/3/2018 and to say it was a dream is an understatement. From the first time we went to this vineyard (only a few weeks after they opened) we knew we wanted to get married here one day. In fact, we booked so far in advance that we were there second contract ever signed. From the very beginning USV was nothing short of magnificent to work with. This place really does it all - food, drink, rentals, ceremony site, multiple rain plans offered, and unlimited options to customize the day to make it yours. The bridal suite was beautiful and the perfect space for me and my 8 bridesmaids (+moms) to spend the morning and the grooms den was a fun space with games, tv, and couches for my husband's groomsmen. Catherine (their director of events) is a dream! She cares so, so much about her couples and about working with you to make your vision come to life. I can honestly say not a single stressor came out of this place and they only relieved any stress we ever felt. We cannot recommend Upper Shirley any higher. Get married here, have dinner here, drink wine here, lay on the lawn here. We're already dreaming of how we could possibly have a 10-year anniversary party here one day!

After my husband proposed before Thanksgiving 2016, we had a long car ride to my family in NJ to decide where we wanted to tie the knot. We tossed around ideas of touring various churches & venues in NJ, PA, GA, SC, & VA. Blame it on being architects, what it all came down to was selecting a place that embodied a modern aesthetic with southern charm. When we decided to stay in VA, Upper Shirley Vineyards stole our hearts as soon as we drove down their cotton lined dusty roads. We went for a tour and absolutely loved the venue - but what sold it for us was the wine tasting. Not only is the wine some of the best we've tasted in VA, but Tayloe was extremely hospitable during it as he described his part in designing the vineyard and his passion for making Upper Shirley Vineyards one of the best on the east coast. The vineyard is situated on the James River with long yet wide decks perfect for sipping your favorite glass of wine & relaxing. The building is reminiscent of a modern SC farmhouse (with deck ceilings that are painted blue), mixed with a dash of colonial Virginia making it the perfect winery venue. Our guests still give us compliments from our April 2018 wedding and said USV was one of the most beautiful venues they've ever been to. The excellent wine, delicious food options, breathtaking views, and ease of working with the staff truly made having USV as our venue the highlight of our wedding!

Upper Shirley was perfect! We got married in May and from start to finish working with Catherine and the Upper Shirley staff was so easy and fun! The venue itself is beautiful and fits a night southern outdoor/ indoor experience on the water which fit mine and my husbands upbringing. Everyone was accommodating to our needs and desires to personalize our day! From menu changes, added items and unexpected rain plans our wedding was seamless! We could not have had a better staff or experience!

We celebrated my daughter's wedding at Upper Shirley Vineyards on June 9, 2018 and had the experience of a lifetime - everything was fantastic. Tayloe, Chef Carlisle, Catherine Cristman and every single staff member did an exceptional job! Our friends and family were overwhelmed by the vineyards beauty, and the helpfulness and efficiency of the staff. Could not have experienced a better wedding for my daughter and son-in-law! Thank you so much!

We got married at Upper Shirley on 3/31/2018 and it was fantastic. The whole team was friendly and professional at every step of the way. All of our guests thought the food was amazing, and the venue itself was gorgeous. I would recommend Upper Shirley to anyone looking for an almost all-inclusive, elegant, and beautiful place to hold their wedding.

Simply amazing. My husband and I got married at Upper Shirley on 9/30 and USV provided us with the most magical night of our lives. I mean it when I say I have been reliving the evening every day since. I don't even know where to start- the views, the staff, the service, the food, the wine- it was all more than we could dream of. Despite a large wedding with MANY moving parts, the USV staff made the planning process seamless. They were remarkably accommodating and worked so well with all of our vendors. I mean it when I say there is not a thing I would change about our experience. We are so thankful for USV and the staff that made our night so unforgettable.

Cannot say enough about the team at Upper Shirley--Catherine, Ariana, Tayloe, Carlisle, the whole crew! We had an absolutely perfect day on 10/21. We had full attention from the team throughout the planning journey to the wedding day. They were making sure my husband and I had everything we needed--and the owner even made sure we had full plates ready for us so we could enjoy the delicious food. The attention to detail and assistance from the entire team made it a seamless day. From getting ready in the bridal suite to taking photos in the vineyards to the beautiful set up and sunset to the delicious food---it was the best night of our lives! We are so grateful to USV for helping make our wedding dreams come true. Our guests could not stop talking about the venue, the flow, the views and the food. I'm so glad Upper Shirley was the place to kick off our marriage. We cannot wait to return year after year and relive our magical night.

We were the first wedding to ever book USV. We did this based solely on meeting Carlisle and Tayloe. While the venue was gorgeous it was the kindness and love that these men showed us that gave us the confidence to book They both helped created our NJ. SOUTHERN destination wedding Our guests were blown away by the venue,the service and the food Would highly recommend this venue

We could not have been more pleased with the setting, service and food at Upper Shirley Vineyard for our son's rehearsal dinner for 50 guests. The large tasting room is beautifully decorated and provides a wonderful up-scale, yet welcoming and relaxing, atmosphere. There is a huge, deep porch in the back, with comfortable chairs and tables, and a gorgeous view of the James River, as well as a fire pit. Our original plan was to socialize on the porch and enjoy corn hole on the lawn prior to dinner. However, it was an evening of heavy rains so corn hole still worked beautifully on the porch, and the guests had more time to soak in the ambiance of the lovely tasting room and enjoy the delicious wines and beer. We heard compliments from several guests during the evening and afterwards, and we know that we could not have experienced a more perfect "special occasion evening" anywhere else. Miranda, the event coordinator, was extremely competent, professional, friendly and very detail oriented. I was impressed with all written and oral communications during the 4 months of planning, and even more confident when I met with her in mid-Feb. Her sweet demeanor and eagerness to please were obvious, and she did follow through in every way to deliver a special evening. Yet, she never seemed bothered by any request or questions. I did speak briefly with the friendly owner, and I hope he realizes what a gem he has in Miranda, as well as the bartender and waitstaff. All are well trained, work harding and seem to have pride in making the Upper Shirley a special place to dine. The food was fresh, delicious and well prepared. I appreciated the buffet variety that was offered for such a large group and my son was very happy with the brisket, cat fish and fried chicken he chose. He was especially excited when he was able to choose his favorite sides, collards, mac and cheese, and Mexican corn salad. The sound system providing background music was appreciated. The only suggestion I would offer management is to procure a portable microphone that would make it easer to share group toasts and remarks in the large tasting room or porch. The Upper Shirley also has a very large banquet room, and upstairs dressing rooms, that would offer yet another option for weddings and large parties- inside or outside. The Upper Shirley may be a bit pricey, but it is worth every penny for the naturally beautiful setting and superb quality of services they provide. This extraordinary venue is excellent in every way, and I applaud the owner for pursuing his vision that has resulted in making the Upper Shirley a unique and exceptional place to enjoy a relaxing lunch, or host a special occasion affair. You'll have no regrets, and Miranda will see that everything is done just perfectly.

Elizabeth made the planning process so stress free! I no longer live where I was married and Elizabeth used the short amounts of time we had together efficiently. She is professional and organized but such a delight to work with. I never felt that we were being steered in the wrong direction or given options that weren't for us. She's honest in her opinions but would never suggest something just because she thinks it may be the easy way out. I would hire Elizabeth in a heart beat all over again; she brought together all of our thoughts and visions to a real and wonderful event. Elizabeth and her staff are absolutely the best!

After searching high and low in the southeastern part of Virginia for a wedding planner, I finally found Elizabeth and her team at Cordial Cricket. They exceeded my expectations in every single way, from design and organization of the event to execution of the wedding and any necessary follow up after the fact. Of all the wedding-related expenses, The Cordial Cricket carried the most value and proved to be the best design we made along the way!

Elizabeth Howard at The Cordial Cricket really went above and beyond to make our wedding day a true success! Elizabeth was a huge help in the planning process and we truly could not have done it without her. She always has the best advice and recommendations. Hiring Elizabeth at The Cordial Cricket was the best decision we made. She is a very sweet, helpful, and determined person who really made our wedding day perfect!!

Being able to bring Elizabeth onboard to plan our wedding was the best decision we made. It didn't take long for us to realize some decisions we had made without her were wrong and just a waste of money. Although some may view a wedding planner as one more expense or line on their budget sheet, there is no telling how much money we may have wasted trying to go through this process without her. By using the Cordial Cricket we were able to glide through the steps of planning our wedding. Whether it's a dream wedding that's already thought up or a blank slate, the vendors that she links you with will be the ones to help you create or pull off your special day. Also, the day of coordination is priceless. It was great having them there the day of to deal with any issues that came up and to handle all the small tasks that went on through out the night. Lastly, there was something we got out of using Elizabeth that you won't find listed in her packages or as a service. It was a friendship that develops as we went through the planning process. We are truly pleased to say we recommend you use our friend Elizabeth at The Cordial Cricket and enjoy the wedding process! Written by a happily married couple, Gary and Carter Turner

Elizabeth and her staff at the Cordial Cricket were AMAZING! Absolutely the best decision I made for my wedding. Hired them for day of planning and invitations, but helped with so much more and just had such great advice and input. Professional, friendly, organized, the list goes on and on. I honestly can't say enough about them. Our invitations were beautiful-I was so pleased! She helped me find ones that were modern but also traditional to please my mom! In the weeks leading up to the wedding, she reviewed contracts, called vendors to confirm, and organized a day-of schedule. The weekend of the wedding, she managed last minute changes, helped with last minute problems and was there quietly managing the wedding party to be sure the wedding went off as planned. She worked effortlessly with the church coordinator and the reception-site coordinator. Hats off to Cordial Cricket for a job well done!

With fewer than ninety days to plan my daughter's wedding, the choice of a wedding consultant was paramount. Elizabeth and The Cordial Cricket team are top-notch professionals. Elizabeth literally hit the ground running, gathering information in order to help plan an elegant, classy wedding. They set up and attended appointments with vendors, reviewed contracts, and provided helpful tools, including a budget for managing expenditures and a timeline to manage our time. The day of the wedding went like clockwork! I greatly attribute this to the personal attention that Elizabeth provided. She is a great listener who was always accessible by phone/email. She is detail-oriented, has extensive knowledge of protocol and etiquette, is very punctual, and is very pleasant to work with. I highly recommend The Cordial Cricket because of their professionalism and spirit of excellence!

My wife and I got married this past November at an outdoor venue the week following Hurricane Sandy. Stress levels all around were high. Elizabeth and her team at the Cordial Cricket were beyond amazing. She took the thinking and worrying out of the equation and handled everything. From my wife and I's first meeting with her until the end of the reception Elizabeth and her company went above and beyond. I'm not one to normally write reviews but couldn't give a better recommendation to anyone. Elizabeth is the most detail oriented and punctual person I have ever met. She was even able to reign me in during the reception(looking back no the easiest task). If you need a wedding planner Elizabeth and The Cordial Cricket are the way to go!!

Elizabeth was great in helping with the invitations etc. She always asked questions to the vendors that we never even thought of. She and Sara made it so everyone could enjoy the wedding and was a pleasure to work with.

I was blown away by the professional and genuine customer service that Cordial Cricket provided for my wedding. Elizabeth is an exceptional role model to all businessmen and women in the wedding industry on how to execute quality customer service. She possesses an intense passion for her work which is reflected in her interactions with her clients. She makes it a priority to listen and understand your needs. It is very clear her intentions are about making the bride and groom HAPPY and not about making her company profit. I highly recommend the Cordial Cricket for your wedding planning and invitation needs!

I cannot say enough good things about Elizabeth and her team at The Cordial Cricket. We met with Elizabeth initially to look at wedding stationary. She helped us to choose an invitation suite that was both within the budget one that fit our theme. She was extremely professional and knowledgeable. Not to mention, she has a great eye for design! She helped us with everything; from the color of the font to the wording on the invitation itself. The invitations ended up being my favorite part of the wedding! We also used the coordination services offered by The Cordial Cricket. It was the best decision ever! We worked with Jennifer, who was wonderful. She reviewed all of our vendor contracts, created a day-of timeline, reminded us of details we had not thought of, and much much more. She was professional and responded to e-mails in a timely manner. On the day of the wedding she and Elizabeth (who was working as her assistant) were invaluable. They made sure everyone was where they needed to be (vendors and wedding party included!); they also ensured that everything was carried out as planned. This took an immense amount of stress off of my mom and me and it allowed us to actually enjoy the wedding. There were a couple of minor problems, but they were handled promptly. Despite that, the wedding turned out better than I imagined and we couldn’t have done it without the help of Jennifer and Elizabeth. They went above and beyond to ensure that I had the wedding of my dreams. I recommend wholeheartedly The Cordial Cricket for both wedding stationary and wedding coordination services.

Elizabeth and Jennifer, Kevin and I would like to thank you so much for all of your help!!! From start to finish, you were nothing short of spectacular! I hear wedding horror stories all the time, but I feel very fortunate that I cannot contribute to those stories! I can proudly say that our wedding "went off without a hitch," (pun intended... :) ) We were extremely pleased with your services and would definitely recommend The Cordial Cricket to others! Thanks again for your professionalism and kindness! Our wedding was a fabulous day that we will never forget! Love, Hillary and Kevin Crenshaw

The Cordial Cricket had the best selection of wedding invitations, save the dates, bridal shower invites, and thank you notes that I found in the Richmond area. Not only that, the staff was extremely knowledgeable about their products. They have products to fit all budgets and styles. They also have an in house wedding/event planner which came highly recommended as the best in the area. Once meeting with their planner, I knew those recommendations were spot on!! I hired The Cordial Cricket immediately and it was one of the best decisions I made for my wedding. My wedding day ran very smoothly and I didn't have to worry about a thing. I highly recommend The Cordial Cricket for all your invitation needs as well as planning your big day.