Chris and the Boys Bachelor Weekend
Chris and 9 of his buddies celebrated his bachelor days for an entire weekend.
Chris’ brothers and closest guy friends put together a jam-packed weekend. They all congregated at Chris’ in Erie to mark the last days Chris will spend as a bachelor. First, the boys drove downtown to Perry Square Park and attended Erie’s annual Rib Fest. They sampled all the vendors and voted for their favorite fare. The stag also listened to live music and simply hung out and relished every bro moment.
To a night we will never forget!
The boys.
Next was hanging out more, like boys do. And it isn’t a guy weekend without a little healthy competition and for this bachelor party, it was playing lawn games. And….
it was that evening where the carousing got a bit out of hand….so out-of-hand, that the neighbors called in a noise complaint. Double drats!
But, kudos to the Erie PD. Upon arrival, they found out the noise was from a relatively low-key bunch of guys enjoying a few pops and a friendly lawn game contest, all in honor of a bachelor! The deputies simply advised the party to keep the noise down and went on to their next call, to fight real crime.
Most of the guys would agree, that the most exciting moments were while boating at Presque Isle State Park. Just kicking back, soaking up the sun and buzzing around on the water was relaxing itself. Everyone also had a go at tubing. Good times!
On a Boat, Ya’ll
The real celebration, August 12 at Quincy Cellars is almost here!!
Quincy Cellars’ 10-Year Anniversary
Quincy Cellars Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary!
Ten years ago, on June 7, 2007, Quincy Cellars opened its doors. Thank you to all our customers for being such a big part of our journey so far!
We had a vision to create a top-notch destination and an unforgettable experience just for you.
And so it began with the transformation of the 150-year old barn into an amazingly rustic yet modern event venue complemented by a charismatic wine cellar … and now includes gorgeously romantic outdoors spaces – an open-air pavilion, deck, patio and most recently, a dock over the pond.
And did we mention our fabulous food? Award-winning wine? Beautiful gardens? The willow tree? The envelopment of vineyards?
Take a look at this video from last year. Or see some shots below.
Quincy Cellars at Night
The willow tree. The pond. The fountain. This shot of Matthew and Teresa was captured by Rachel Lusky Photography.
Rachel Lusky captures another couple – this time, in the vineyard.
The wine cellar in the lower level of the restored barn.
With our customers’ continued support and vision, this year – and the next 10, will be even more remarkable!!
Katie and Matt’s Wedding Music and Vows
Katie and Matt choose to center their wedding day around the powerful feeling that brings them together every day – Love…
Wedding Ceremony Music
A Thousand Years by Piano Guys will play when Katie makes her bridal entrance. The Piano Guys are a piano and cello duo who cover this romantic and melodious song often played at weddings because it is so lovely. The top pop hit came out in 2011 on Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn’s soundtrack performed by Christina Perri and written by David Hodges and Perri. The lyrics are as beautiful as the melody. The last verse says it all expressing,
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more
Once the bride and groom are officially Mr. and Mrs., Make You Mine by High Valley will play. High Valley is a relatively new country duo that sings this catchy tune. The female character in the song is a Sunday Morning Hallelujah. A fitting song as we know Katie is that sweet.
Wedding Reception Music
Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO will pump up the party as the bridal party enters. (By the way, if you haven’t seen this video, you should check it out. It is an experience. Do note, it has explicit parts but it also has well over 1 billion views on Vevo!)
Katie keeps up tradition with having the bouquet and garter toss – Wanna Be by the Spice Girls will be spun by the DJ during the bouquet toss. (Yes, the 1996 hit performed by Scary, Sporty, Baby, Ginger and Posh – there is a video remake that was released this year).
Spice Girls are above – their song Wanna Be plays at Matt & Katie’s wedding reception during the bouquet toss
Def Leopard’s Pour Some Sugar on Me will play during the ceremonious garter removal. From the Ground Up by Dan + Shay will kick off the couple’s first ever dance as husband and wife (#ACoupleofBucks). Dan + Shay are another male country duo who know how to tug at your heart strings. From the Ground up is a beautiful composition the team created to show the love their respective grandparents had for each other (each set was married over 65 years) and the personal love each holds for his wife.
Def Leppard’s, Pour Some Sugar on Me will play during the wedding reception garter toss
Wedding Vows
Katie chose a couple verses she finds meaningful and will use for her vows. Susan Polis Schutz is the author of Love Is and it starts out with:
Love is being happy for the other person
when they are happy
being sad for the other person
when they are sad
being together in good times
and being together in bad times
Love is the source of strength
Last Minute Wedding Day Details and Excitement
If you are wondering what Katie has been doing these last few days and how she is feeling – she had her last gown fitting Wednesday and final meeting with the DJ. Yesterday she got her nails done…and this morning is setting up at Quincy Cellars! She tells us,
I don’t know when it’s going to feel real!!!! I am so excited!
The Countdown to Katie & Matt’s Wedding Begins
Katie recently messaged me. “I literally can’t even believe our wedding is less than two weeks away!!!! It doesn’t even seem real!!!!”
So What is Katie Up To?
She and her mother recently had a salon run-through and she completed plans for the wedding-day breakfast. Katie is thrilled she chose Panache in Erie to prep for her special day. The stylist and make-up artist were both very nice and as excited for Katie’s day as she. In Katie’s words,
“My salon appointment was amazing and the salon is absolutely gorgeous inside!!” Once the appointment was done Katie and her mom were teary-eyed, feeling beautiful.
On her wedding morning all seven bridesmaids, her mother and flower girl will accompany Katie at Panache to get ready for this storybook day. Katie will order bagels, muffins and mimosa ingredients in advance from the Giant Eagle next door to Panache. That morning the Panache wedding-day coordinator will pick up the order and prepare for the bridal party. Fantastic!
Wedding Day Rehearsal
The rehearsal will be Friday evening at Quincy Cellars. Event coordinator, Amy, will be hustling around assuring all vendors, kitchen and wine cellar staff have what they need. She will also guide Katie, Matt and their close friends and family through what to expect on the wedding day. Before the day’s end, Amy will confirm all details are in order.
Katie & Matt’s storybook day at Quincy Cellars is coming soon!
Quincy Cellars Event Coordinator, Amy Nolan.
To fit their laid-back style, Katie and Matt decided on a casual Italian meal at Calamari’s in Erie for the rehearsal dinner. Lasagna and a sausage, peppers and onion sandwich will be served along with a salad, mixed vegetables, meat and cheese and fruit trays and rolls. Delish. The bridesmaids, groomsmen and their significant others, grandparents, aunts and uncles are invited to the intimate gathering.
In addition to the meal, Matt and Katie will present a gift to each member of the wedding party in appreciation for their friendship and participation in wedding festivities and their marriage. Katie’s girls will receive something they may use the wedding day morning while Matt’s guys will wish they had theirs at his bachelor party (by the way, that is coming up this Sunday!). Very thoughtful.
Owner, Master Chef & Foodie Kevin Daughrity Shares Insights
I sat down with Quincy Cellars owner and master chef, Kevin Daughrity, to find out why the food he serves at Quincy Cellars and Sensory Winery & Art Gallery is so extraordinary? if he considers himself a foodie – and what does that mean? and, the vision for his hospitality business? I gathered volumes from him and share a few insights today.
Most interesting to me is that Kevin is self-taught. Kevin became bored with college food and so cooking for himself and his college buddies became a practical and creative outlet. Food is still a passion of his, constantly honing his art, in addition to the creative license with cooking, Kevin likes the instant feedback – a quick sampling or a deep inhale gives him quick feedback about whether or not the direction he’s going is appealing or not. To dig a little deeper, Kevin loves to explore flavor combinations and trends – for instance he makes an all-time American favorite, macaroni and cheese, from scratch. For a twist, he includes a variety of fresh herbs and a blend of non-traditional cheeses, giving the dish new life with amazing rich flavor.
I asked Kevin what his favorite meal was and showing he truly is a foodie, he could not pin one down – he says what he likes best is the unabridged experience – and expects a complete celebration, no matter what the occasion or setting. Being served a 4-course gourmet meal at a fine restaurant with the perfect pairing of wine is pure enjoyment for him. Kevin also says that firing up the grill savoring a flavorful burger with a fresh homemade roll and kicking back with a craft beer is just as pleasing.
Check out future blog posts for more wisdom from Kevin like his secret to creating fantastic meals and vision for his business.
BBQ Chicken Dinner August 7
Quincy Cellars hosts a Sunday-for-a-cause chicken BBQ picnic August 7, 2016, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., rain or shine! The Tennessee Backporch band will perform. The event benefits the Veterans Miracle Center out of Erie. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Mihalak’s Guns in Cranesville, the UPS store at 2501 West 12th Street, Erie or from the Veterans Miracle Center Erie.
A ticket includes the live music, one drink and one trip through the picnic buffet. Choose from Quincy Cellars award-winning wines or newly released 7 Sins Brewery hand-crafted beers. Soft drinks are available too. Wine selections include Cayuga white, Vidal blanc, Niagara, Riesling, Seyval Blanc, Chancellor and dry and sweet Concords. The beers include Gluttony – a Stout; Envy – an Amber Ale; and Lust, the 7 Sins Brewery Cherry Wheat.
As far as the dinner goes, it will not be your everyday picnic – Quincy Cellars is known for its delicious foods served only for special events with Master chef and owner Kevin Daughrity creating amazing menus and meals. He and his staff will barbeque chicken and serve it buffet-style along with locally sourced, home-made potato salad, freshly baked corn bread, baked beans and a local seasonal vegetable.
Meanwhile Tennessee Backporch will pick and sing. This variety band is well known in Erie, playing numerous weddings and events since 1980 so it is likely you have heard them – and won’t want to miss this opportunity. In fact, Tennessee Backporch is so good they have a standing gig at the Presque Isle casino! And they are kind-hearted, performing in support of this budding charitable organization, Veterans Miracle Center of Erie and the vets it serves.
The Veterans Miracle Center Erie (VMCE) is a newly formed agency, created in January of 2015 as a non-profit agency assisting veteran and active-duty military families. It was modeled after The Veterans Miracle Center of Albany, New York and serves Northwestern Pennsylvania. The VMCE mission is to offer real solutions that will enhance the lives of the people it serves. The VMCE provides clothing, personal care and hygiene products, houseware items, ambulatory equipment, children’s toys and much more — additionally, specialists are available to provide veterans, military personnel and families counseling for personal needs, jobs, housing and finances. All goods and services are available free-of-charge to veterans, personnel and their immediate household.
Quincy is grateful to have the opportunity to offer support to those individuals who protect all of us. We salute all veterans and military families.
Katie & Matt book the Honeymoon!
Katie & Matt – the Future #ACoupleofBucks
It may seem a little early to talk about the honeymoon since Katie and Matt’s wedding day is in late October but, wait it is never too early to talk about plans as exciting as your honeymoon!
The couple plans to embark on a fun trip after the wedding – driving straight to Charleston, SC. A 13-hour road trip during the (literal) honeymoon phase of their marriage will be a breeze for these crazy in-love kids! They expect to have a full day in the lovely low-country historical city and take in the romantic battery, rainbow row, the market and other steamy spots.
Next, #Acoupleofbucks will depart Charleston on a cruise to the Bahamas – that’s right the Bahamas on a 5-day cruise! They are both incredibly eager for this first-time cruise vacation as a couple – romance is in the sea! Speaking of sea, there are two “fun-at-sea” days where they plan to get decked out for dinner one night while the rest of the time they will simply relax and be pampered poolside, with a tropical drink in-hand.
Katie has a shopping trip planned to freshen-up her tropical wardrobe – her list includes a cocktail dress, swim suits, sunglasses and sun-hats as well as everyday comfy yet smart cruise attire. Snorkeling is on the itinerary for their day in Nassau. Another other shore day includes the gorgeous exclusive beach at Half Moon Cay! Looking at the photos it is no wonder they are thrilled to experience this scenic islet retreat.
Sounds like a fantastic romantic respite to me considering all the effort and emotional ups and downs that go along with a wedding day.
Less than 150 Days Till Katie and Matt’s Big Day
With 150 days left till the wedding day, what does a bride in our modern Information Age do in preparation for her big day? Creates a save-the-date card, a website and a hashtag – but, of course! #ACoupleOfBucks
Katie was stressed about creating the save-the-date, having a tough time deciding whether or not to place an engagement photo as the focus or a different graphic related to the Fall country chic theme. She also knew that time was of essence and getting it designed, printed and sent out no later than 4 months prior to the wedding date was critical. After much fretting and procrastination, Katie finally pulled the trigger and went with an engagement photo. She also created the card herself to save time.
Katie chose Zazzle.com as the vendor to produce the cards. Zazzle.com is an online store where you can collaborate with makers & designers to make almost anything. It has easy-to-use templates to help customers create a variety of event planning and marketing collateral. In addition to artwork as the focus, the details of the day are important in producing a save-the-date card. Here is what Katie’s design looks like – fabulous! She is waiting for the printed product to be shipped – cross your fingers it is what she expects! 
The purpose of the save-the-date notice, the wedding website and the hashtag is to give guests enough advance notice about your date. Having this knowledge for one, assures guests reserve your wedding day on their RL (real life) social calendar. Secondly, when friends and family talk about your day through social media like FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter, via the hashtag, all chatter, photos and links can be searched and viewed easily. The date, time and venue are the most important details to share at this point. Also, if the venue is in a busy region, if your date falls on a holiday or otherwise busy weekend and/or guests are traveling far (typically, 30 miles or more), you will want to suggest accommodations for them.
Again putting her creative skills to work, Katie designed the website and a hashtag. She went to theknot.com to produce a personalized wedding site. She had fun with this one, telling the “Matt and Katie” story and simply used the Knot’s boilerplate to fill in the blanks for their special day. The address is theknot.com/us/acoupleofbucks. She also had fun with the hashtag creation – #ACoupleOfBucks – Matt’s last name is Buck and before you know it, so will Katie’s – and that, my friends, makes a couple!
Phew, who knew wedding planning was so fun??!! We at Quincy Cellars are so glad to be a part of it!
Matt & Katie – The Ring
Matt is a true romantic and amazes Katie again – this time, with the engagement ring. Katie has urbane taste and had not specified what she wanted in a ring but Matt listened. He “creeped” around and talked to Katie’s family without her knowing so that he could create an extraordinary ring.
First, he asked her parents’ permission to marry her. Being the gentleman he is, Matt also spoke with her grandmother upon which she gave him her engagement ring. Knowing Katie’s special bond with her late grandfather Matt was able to take the stones from her grandmother’s ring and arrange it in a token of love personally made for Katie.
Katie expresses her joy and states, “Knowing that my ring has the stones that were on the ring my grandfather selected and gave to my grandma means the world to me.”
Her grandfather passed away when Katie was in middle school 10 years ago and she still misses him to pieces. For many years she was his only granddaughter so she was royally – and justly – spoiled. The two of them spent lots of time together – as a high school principal in the Erie Area Katie’s granddad often brought her to extra-curricular events with him. As as special treat, when they were out and about, he would always stop at local donut shops to satisfy their love of donuts (by the way, Katie is having donuts at her wedding reception – yumsters!).
The engagement ring story gets better, Katie had no idea that Matt was working with the jeweler located smack dab between their workplaces at the time – on several occasions during his lunch break he sneaked to the jewelry store, praying she wouldn’t spot his car in the lot! Check out the ring and witness Katie’s pure awe in the proposal photo shown.
Come back to our blog regularly for Katie and Matt’s storybook tale – their big day culminates at Quincy Cellars October 22, 2016.
Valentine’s Day Winemaker’s Dinner 2015
Our annual Valentine’s Day Winemaker’s Dinner was a fabulous success! The dinner included four courses each matched with a complimenting Quincy Cellars or Sensory Winery and Art Gallery wine. We were thrilled that the very talented violinist, Courtney Vargo, provided musical entertainment for the evening.
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