Not only was this wedding the kickstart to the fall wedding season for me, but it was the official first wedding at the STUNNING Great Marsh Estate!! And since my last wedding in July, I was excited to be back in action. In fact, it felt like my first day back to school. HA! I had my outfit laid out and butterflies in my stomach all morning. 🙂 Although, it might have been from all of the COFFEE I drank … I was just a little hyped. 😉
If you didn’t get the chance to meet Greg and Amber from their engagement session, check out their love story and photos HERE, Amber reached out to me a while back ago with a very coincidental commonality between us. Without any relation between Amber and I, we share the same middle and last name! How cool is that?! What was also coincidental was the fact that she chose to have her wedding at my great cousin’s once-owned estate, now known as the Great Marsh Estate! I surely thought she was connected to him, but it was through my enthusiastic initial email response when she discovered the connection! I know my family and I grew up admiring the grounds thinking it would be a dream to get married on the property! And now it’s a wedding venue and a GORGEOUS one! The crew had been working hard to the very last minute to get the barn ready for Greg and Amber’s wedding, and it turned out beautifully, as you can see in these photos below! I know the Great Marsh Estate will be a huge hit in the Virginia wedding venue business! I’m so excited for them, and it was very cool photographing around the grounds where I once celebrated other family occasions growing up. So special. <3 You have to see how special below!!!
Greg & Amber’s Wedding Day
Greg and Amber fell in LOVE with the property when they were shopping for a potential wedding venue! The tree-lined driveway, historic mansion, stonework around the house and the bridge, expansive fields, water features, the newly renovated barn … There’s so much to not love!
I was SOOOO impressed with Greg and Amber! They told me they did these invitations themselves and had to place flags on each of the RSVPs to feed it through the printer. I hoped they took a photo of that process so they can forever remember the work they put into these details! Haha! But seriously … 😉
LOOOOVE. That’s one beautiful rock!
Gosh! Her dress was stunning and I loved the sleeve detailing!!!
The girls were fun!!! While Amber was getting dressed, they all stood around dancing, snapping their fingers to the background music. What I didn’t realize was the energy they were building up for one of the best receptions I’ve photographed!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
OH MY GOSH. This hairdo. GIIIIIIRRRRRRL.
Haha! You see this photo correctly — Toesocks! That’s a fun sock!!!
Awe, gosh! I love a good mother-son photo. She is so proud of him!!! <3
I love this! A little “first touch” prayer before the first look!!!
So many favorites here!!!!
Then we met up with the crew! HAHA!
I love the floral tie with the blue suit!!!
Amber did her own flowers!!! WHEW. This girl is so talented… Flowers and stationery?! And I believe I heard she did the signage too!!!
I love the ceremony site! The tree marks a great backdrop with providing ideal lighting for photos!!!
Their family is SOOO talented. Some of them sang/played during the ceremony, but I had no clue how talented until I really got to hear them during the reception!!! I believe I remember hearing them sing/play Matthew West’s song, “When I Say I Do.” I love the words in the song!!
I love the symbolism of the three strands tied together during the ceremony!
The families got together to pray over Greg and Amber which was so special because these families will help support them, with God’s guidance, for the years to come. 🙂
Amber’s talented brother officiated at their wedding, which was so unique and very honorable! I really enjoyed listening to his sermon as he dove into the Bible, from Genesis to the Song of Solomon, regarding their roles as married partners and how God fits into that picture.
HUSBAND AND WIFE!!!!
Glowy sunset light goodness? HECK YES. So dreamy!!!
I love the sweet love of 68 years!!!! Wow — Amber’s grandparents are so inspiring! <3 Look at the way they look at each other!!! Melts my heart!
It was so special that Amber’s grandfather was there at the wedding!!! He is in his 90s and is, unfortunately, battling cancer. I wanted to make sure we took full advantage of his presence here at this wedding by taking special photos at any given opportunity!
Amber’s brother working hard on finalizing the marriage license paperwork — The things you don’t typically see on the wedding day!
It was a beautiful night!!!!
I loved admiring their rustic, classy wedding details set up! They incorporated their dusty blue, ivory, and gold color theme well into the barn with the use of the silk napkins, lace table runner, and gold vases! The card box favors were a cute personalized detail placed on each seat!
Tacos?!?! Greg and Amber know what’s up!!!!
This was a treat!!! Greg doesn’t admit that he’s a singer, but Amber was SO proud to see her husband singing by her side for a song! Oh, and I’m going to admittedly get carried away with my words — This family is sooooooo unbelievably talented. Seriously. It’s unreal!!!! The family band sang/played the entire reception and they were PHENOMENAL. I had to pinch myself because I thought, “How in the world is everyone THIS GOOD at everything?!” HA! But really, I wish my photos sang so you could hear the amazingness I heard on Saturday!!!! Some of my favorite songs they jammed out to were songs like, “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),” “The Devil Went Down to Georgia!” and many, many more!!!! <= That last song listed should give you an idea of the level of talent I’m talking about!!!!!!!
The “Generations Dance” made me tear up watching Greg and Amber’s grandparents dance together. <3 And I was borderline about to lose it (HA!), but I had to keep it together!! But gosh … What a beautiful example of love after 68 years of marriage!!!! Incredible. At one point I saw him lean over to his wife while they danced and whispered something sweet into her ear. Gosh … The way she looked at him, you would’ve thought they had just started dating!!! I think what made this time so emotional for everyone was knowing that he wasn’t supposed to be there at the wedding. Battling cancer is exhausting. The fact that his wife bought plane tickets to make this trip happen for him and the family will be forever cherished, especially through these documented moments. I loved how much he participated to the best of his ability, including dancing with his wife in the center of the room!
Again with the talent … Amber’s mom got up to the mic and not only did she write a special song for Amber and Greg, but she is also one AMAZING singer!!! Where do these people come from?! HA!
I’ll admit that I tried looking up “The Brook Sisters” on Spotify so I could listen to them while I edit. HA! So if you want to hear how talented one of the singers is, check her out on Spotify HERE!!! 🙂
YAY!!!! <3 <3 <3
An incredible night that quickly came to an end!!! I’m glad they will have these photos to forever relieve the day!
Thank you, Greg and Amber, for having me document your engagement and wedding celebrations!!! I loved how personal it was!!! So many loved ones in your life came together to make this day as special as you are, and that is something to be so grateful for! God has big plans for your marriage and I’m excited to see where He takes you!!!! <3
Congratulations!!!
Thanks to the vendor team for making this day so special!
Venue: Great Marsh Estate
Wedding Planner: MayJune Events
Hair and Makeup: Beauty By Sue
Caterer: Savory Fare
Florist: Amber
Ceremony and Reception Musicians: Family Band, The Brook Sisters
Videographer: Eastbourne Media
Stationery: Amber
Dress Designer: Rosa Clara
Officiant: Andy Messick (Brother of the Bride)
Rentals: Beggars Banquet Rentals
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