DC is home to plenty of elegant wedding venues, many of them large mansions with history and charm. But there is nothing quite like Great Marsh Estate, with its wistful Bridgerton/Downton Abbey aesthetic and 121 acres of Virginia landscape. It’s a blend of Georgian elegance and rustic stable space, perfect for a unique wedding that feels deliciously secluded while being only an hour outside of Washington, DC. I’ve put together some info about why Great Marsh Estate is a fabulous place for a wedding; read on to find out more!
About a Great Marsh Estate Wedding
Great Marsh Estate may look like it should be on the National Register of Historic Places. But it was actually constructed in the 1980s and was built as a recreation of a traditional Georgian Manor House. The house was used as a private residence for years until it was transitioned into a sought-after wedding venue in 2018. Surrounded by over 120 acres of rolling lawns and lush woodlands, Great Marsh Estate is a slice of secluded heaven that will make it feel like your wedding is the only thing happening in the world at that moment.
While Great Marsh Lodge was only built 40 years ago (rather than centuries, as it appears!), it was renovated in 2017 to update all of the facilities with modern conveniences like air conditioning, heat, bathrooms, and a catering kitchen.
However, while the Manor House is only a few decades old, the rustic Stables that are home to their beautiful reception space were originally built in the 1800s. The stables’ wooden beans and other original features have all been carefully preserved to add rustic nuance to your cozy celebration – a fun juxtaposition to the stately elegance of your ceremony in front of the Manor House! 
Details of the Grounds
A wedding at Great Marsh Estate takes full advantage of the beautiful Manor House, spectacular grounds, and spacious stables.
Begin your wedding day by having your hair and makeup done surrounded by your favorite people in the luxury bridal suite. Adorned with gorgeous mirrors and flooded with natural light, it’s the perfect place for feminine, romantic portraits of you putting on your wedding dress and getting ready to marry the love of your life.
Grooms won’t feel left out, either; the Groom’s Lounge is tucked away in the basement with a pool table and plenty of space for prepping for the big day. You’ll feel like you have your own exclusive country manor at your disposal – because you do!
The Ceremony
As your guests arrive (up to 200 of them), they’ll gather on the first floor of the Manor House. Then, they make their way to the outdoor ceremony site. The back of the estate has a beautiful stone landing with a stately balustrade. This vantage point looks out over rolling green lawns lined with beautiful forests. The stone “altar” is gorgeous on its own, surrounded by the natural beauty of the estate, but it’s even better adorned with greenery and florals that tie in your unique color palette and style.
You and your wedding party will descend down the back stone staircase of the Manor House and glide down the grassy aisle to the love of your life. It’s the beautiful, dramatic entrance that you deserve on your wedding day.
Cocktail hour can take place on the front lawn, so your guests can enjoy the scenery while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. (That’s also a great time for us to sneak away and take advantage of the gorgeous natural light at sunset, but we’ll talk more about that later.)
Great Marsh Estate Wedding Reception
Your reception will take place in the Stables reception hall. The Stables structure, originally built in the 1800s became modernized with a spacious covered patio, and elegant bistro lighting. Additionally, a fire pit area for your guests to gather and enjoy each other’s company. The space highlights the original wooden beams and detailing, accented with romantic string lighting and a gorgeous rustic chandelier. It’s the perfect canvas to bring in plenty of greenery, florals, and decor to totally customize it to match your vision.
Photography Opportunities
There are so many ways that we will use Great Marsh Estate’s property for your gorgeous wedding photos. After all, it practically looks like it’s out of an epic romantic historical show or movie. So your photos will definitely exude the same aesthetic!
We’ll take advantage of the Manor House’s beautiful exterior. Including the stone steps you’ll walk down as you enter your ceremony. As golden hour hits, we’ll find the perfect outdoor spots for timelessly romantic couple portraits. You will be bathed in the glow of the setting sun. The driveway is an alley of tall trees that are the perfect backdrop for effortlessly natural pictures. In addition, the rolling green hills are expansive, and with the Manor House in the background. You’ll practically look like royalty.
Inside, we’ll capture intimate moments on the beautiful spiral staircase, use the elegant wainscoting as a unique background, and find plenty of other architectural features that feel rich and historic for your unforgettable photos.
Wedding Details
Hosting your wedding at Great Marsh Estate Manor comes with a variety of included perks and amenities.
You’ll have access to the Manor’s first floor, the Bridal Suite, and the Groom’s Lounge in the basement. You’ll also be able to host your ceremony in the South Courtyard and your cocktail hour in the North Courtyard. Additionally, the Stable Reception Hall is all yours for an evening of epic celebrating. Plus, you’ll be able to access their acres of picturesque scenery for your photos.
Great Marsh Estate offers optional in-house coordination to help you ensure that every detail is accounted for. They also have recommendations for high-quality and trusted vendors they love working with!
When it comes to catering, they do use Serendipity Catering as their exclusive vendor. Their chef will work with you to create a menu that caters to your culinary needs. They strive to always reflect their personality and tastes. Feel free to bring in a wedding cake, desserts, and treats from your preferred vendor, too!
Great Marsh Estate Wedding
The Manor House and Stables at Great Marsh Estate are stunning wedding event spaces to host a dreamy, romantic wedding. The venue’s historic aesthetic and modern comforts make it an elegant but rustic space to hold a mansion wedding in Virginia.
So, are you ready for more Northern Virginia wedding content? Then, the blog links below are just for you! They feature more wedding venues and featured wedding galleries. But before you go, be sure to start the conversation about your Northern Virginia wedding photography!
