Some weddings are quiet and intimate. Kaleigh Whitnell and Dante Abruzzese’s was not one of those, and it didn’t need to be.
Married on Sunday, August 16, 2026 at Zorvino Vineyards in Sandown, New Hampshire, Kaleigh and Dante brought a wedding party fourteen strong, a color palette of soft pink and garden white, and enough energy to fill a Sunday evening the way most weddings barely fill a Saturday. Their dog Gunner got his own spot on the cake. Their guests got glow sticks. And by the time the pizza came out at 8:00 PM, nobody was checking the clock.
The Setting: An Estate That Moves With You
There are winery venues in New England, and then there is Zorvino.
Eighty acres of vineyard, gazebo, orchard, and post-and-beam barn give a couple room to shape the day however they want it — and Kaleigh and Dante used nearly all of it. Their morning started in the private wedding suite, their vows were exchanged at the gazebo overlooking the vines, and when cocktail hour rolled around, the celebration moved indoors, warm and unhurried, rather than out to the patio. That’s the advantage of a full-estate venue: the day adapts to the couple, not the other way around, whatever the forecast or the size of the guest list.
The Morning & the First Touch
Kaleigh arrived at 8:00 AM to settle into the wedding suite, while Dante and the groomsmen rolled in at noon to their own space to get ready. Then, at 3:15 PM, before a single guest had taken a seat, Kaleigh and Dante shared something entirely their own: a private first look, complete with their own vows exchanged quietly between just the two of them. It was the emotional center of the afternoon, tucked away before the ceremony began; a few minutes that belonged to no one but them.
The Ceremony: Vows at the Gazebo
At 4:00 PM, Kaleigh walked down the aisle with her mother and father at her side, while Dante was walked in by his mother; a detail that set the tone for a ceremony built around family from the very first step.
Their officiant led the couple through their vows beneath Zorvino’s gazebo, with the vineyard as a backdrop and paper fans in hand to keep the August afternoon comfortable for guests. The procession alone was a celebration in miniature: seven bridesmaids and seven groomsmen, with Kaleigh’s brother Dario standing as best man alongside best friend Nick, and Kaleigh’s sister Megan serving as maid of honor alongside matron of honor Gabby. It’s rare to see a wedding party that size move as one, but this one did.
The Welcome: Cocktail Hour, Moved Inside
From 4:30 to 5:30 PM, guests gathered for cocktail hour built around a wine barrel display of Zorvino’s own estate wines and an upgraded open beer and wine bar. Rather than spilling out to the patio, the celebration stayed indoors for the hour; proof that a Zorvino wedding doesn’t lose any of its warmth just because the party moves under a roof.
A Formaggi e Frutta display of assorted cheeses, crudités, and fresh fruit anchored the room, while three passed hors d’oeuvres kept guests circulating: arancini with marinara and parmesan, coconut chicken with chili lime chutney, and classic meatballs in marinara.
The Details: Pink, Garlands & a Dog Named Gunner
Kaleigh’s palette of pink and garden white ran through the room, with Ford Flowers building a garland for the sweetheart table and soft floral drops throughout. Pink table runners set the tone at every place setting, mirrored centerpieces caught the evening light, and paper fans carried over from the ceremony gave guests a second life on the reception tables.
The personal touches were everywhere once you looked. An audio phone guest book let friends and family leave a voice message instead of just a signature. A basket of matchbooks sat out as favors. And cocktail napkins printed with the couple’s dog, Gunner, made sure the fourth member of the family was part of the party even though he stayed home — a nod echoed later at the cake table, where Gunner got a spot of his own beside the couple.
The Feast: The Classico Wedding Package
Kaleigh and Dante chose Zorvino’s Classico Wedding Package, and the kitchen delivered a menu built for a crowd.
Dinner opened with a champagne toast and a Caesar salad with herbed croutons, before guests chose from three plated entrées: chicken piccata in a lemon, wine, and caper sauce; prime rib au jus, the couple’s own pick for their table; and a butternut squash ravioli for the vegetarians in the room.
Then, at 8:00 PM, the night took a turn nobody complained about: a flatbread pizza station with BBQ chicken, meat lovers, margherita, and vegetarian pies, served alongside a cookies and cannoli bar loaded with mini chocolate chips and M&Ms. For a dance floor that had been moving for hours, it was exactly the right kind of second wind.
The Cake: Chickadee Hill Cakes
Chickadee Hill Cakes created a three-tier ivory wedding cake finished with delicate piped detailing and clusters of blush garden roses. At the very top, a gold cake topper depicted Kaleigh and Dante — with Gunner standing proudly beside them. Served with a coffee and tea buffet, it was as sentimental as it was beautiful.
The Music: NRG Entertainment
Greg of NRG Entertainment kept the night moving from the first introductions through a photo dash, three toasts and speeches from best man Nick, maid of honor Megan, and friend Curtis, straight into cake cutting, parent dances, a full group photo, and a bouquet toss. When the glow sticks came out, the dance floor didn’t stop until the bar closed at 9:00 PM.
The Photography & Videography: Jana Legere Photography + Gordon Yurk
Jana Legere Photography spent the day capturing Kaleigh and Dante’s story, from quiet portraits among the vineyard rows to the fourteen-person wedding party in full celebration mode. Videographer Gordon Yurk rounded out the coverage, capturing the motion and sound of a day built for a crowd.
The Reception Room
The Dream Vendor Team
| Role | Vendor |
|---|---|
| Venue | Zorvino Vineyards, Sandown, NH |
| Photography | Jana Legere Photography |
| Videography | Gordon Yurk |
| Florals | @fordflower — Ford Flowers |
| Wedding Cake & Desserts | @chickadeehillcakes — Chickadee Hill Cakes |
| DJ | NRG Entertainment — Greg |
| Officiant | Lisa Parker |
| Accommodations | Artisan Hotel |
Congratulations, Kaleigh & Dante!
To the couple who brought fourteen of their closest people down the aisle, gave their dog Gunner a permanent spot on the cake, and turned a Sunday into the best party their guests had been to all year —
You did it exactly right. It was our honor to host your summer celebration. Thank you for choosing Zorvino Vineyards.
Learn About Weddings at Zorvino Vineyards
Zorvino Vineyards | 226 Main Street, Sandown, NH 03873 | (603) 887-8463 🌐 zorvino.com/weddings | Instagram: @zorvinovineyards
