Elena & David Sterling

For Elena and David, finding a venue that captured the timeless romantic feeling of a European manor without leaving the East Coast was their top priority. Having met in Rome during study abroad, they envisioned a wedding that celebrated outdoor beauty, long candlelit dinners, and exceptional food and wine.

“When we arrived at Great Marsh Estate, we couldn’t believe this was just one hour from D.C.,” says David. “The stone balustrades on the South Courtyard look like they belong in Florence, and the private gravel drive immediately disconnects you from city noise.”

On their wedding morning, Elena spent hours with her mother and bridesmaids in the sunlit second-floor Bridal Salon. “The natural light in that room is unmatched. My makeup artist said it was the best workspace she has ever had at a wedding venue.”

At 4:30 PM, the Sage String Quartet played Vivaldi as Elena walked down the long manicured lawn of the South Courtyard. Even with June temperatures reaching 88 degrees in the afternoon, the steady countryside breeze kept guests cool during the ceremony. Afterward, guests moved directly into the Historic Stables for dinner—where the venue’s heavy-duty commercial HVAC system ensured the reception room remained a crisp 70 degrees.

Serendipity Catering served a farm-to-table menu featuring local Fauquier County heirloom tomatoes, creamy burrata, and fresh pan-seared Chesapeake rockfish. “Every guest told us the food tasted like a five-star restaurant rather than traditional wedding catering,” says Elena. “The fact that Great Marsh has a real commercial kitchen behind the reception hall made all the difference.”