Meet the team:
Hi, I’m Amanda — co-owner of Montlaurel along with my husband Keith. We met in 2014 and were married just a few years later in 2017. Together, we’ve called this beautiful property home since 2019, and it’s been our dream to open it up for couples who want to celebrate their love surrounded by peace, beauty, and intention.
I grew up in Virginia’s Tidewater region but have lived in Charlottesville for over a decade after attending the University of Virginia. It was during college that I discovered my love of photography—what began as a hobby quickly turned into a passion and eventually a career. I started out as a family photographer and photographed my first wedding in 2014. Since then, I’ve captured weddings up and down the East and West Coasts, and many places in between. I never tire of witnessing the joy, emotion, and intimacy that wedding days bring.
Outside of photography, you can usually find me hiking the Blue Ridge, mixing up a new cocktail recipe, or planning cozy gatherings for friends and family here in Madison County. One day, I hope to combine my love for photography and mixology into a book about craft drinks.
In addition to weddings, I’m also the founder of Sûr de Soi Studio—a boutique boudoir studio I launched in 2022. It’s been an incredible creative outlet and a powerful way to help people feel confident, celebrated, and truly seen.
Montlaurel is the heart of everything we love: beauty, connection, creativity, and care. We can’t wait to welcome you here.
And I’m Keith, co-owner of Montlaurel alongside my wife, Amanda. I grew up in southern Ohio and attended The Ohio State University in Columbus before taking a job that brought me to Charlottesville. Not long after that move, I met Amanda, and the rest is history.
By day, I’m a software developer, which means I spend a lot of time solving problems and building things from the ground up. That mindset naturally carries over into life at Montlaurel. Whether it’s troubleshooting a last-minute hiccup, helping with event setup, or making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, I’m usually the calm presence making sure the details are handled.
Opening Montlaurel as a wedding venue was actually my idea. After countless conversations about how special this property is and how much we love hosting friends and family, we finally decided to stop saying “one day” and just go for it. Sharing our home with couples who want a meaningful, intimate celebration feels like the most natural extension of who we are.
I’m currently working toward becoming an ordained minister so I can officiate ceremonies here on the property. There’s something incredibly meaningful about not just welcoming couples to our home, but also standing with them as they begin their marriage.
Outside of work and weddings, you’ll usually find me playing video games, working on projects around the property, or relaxing in the backyard hammock. Though if I’m being honest, my favorite spot might just be the couch. I also grew up farming tobacco with my dad in Ohio, which taught me the value of hard work and caring for the land, something that feels especially full circle now as we steward this property together.
Amanda is the visionary and entrepreneur in our partnership, and I’m proud to be the steady support behind the scenes. We balance each other well, and Montlaurel is a reflection of that - thoughtful, welcoming, and built with intention.
I can’t wait to welcome you here.
