Great Marsh Estate Wedding | Lieb Photographic | Catie and Andrew

Dec 31, 2019

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It was a wonderful way to end my 2019 wedding season…with Catie and Andrew at their Great Marsh Estate wedding! I just love a winter wedding and this one had all the cozy feels. Catie and Andrew planned the perfect Christmas time wedding with the help of Jessica of Jessica Ashley Events. And when the day finally arrived, they were relaxed and excited, joyful and full of anticipation!

Catie and Andrew’s engagement session was also on a cool winter’s day at Great Marsh. However, the lack of rain provided the kind of experience that allowed for images in places that we simply couldn’t access or have time for on their wedding day. I love that they chose their venue for their engagement session.

The Day Begins

When their wedding day arrived, I began by photographing the most lovely winter wedding details. Catie was so thoughtful with each and every piece. I especially loved her choice in florals. A beautiful mixture of pine cones, lamb’s ear, juniper and even succulents in her bouquet. What a green and gorgeous combination for a winter wedding!

Catie and Andrew included a very special touch. The guest favors were lovely delicate ornaments straight from Catie’s mother’s boutique gift store, The Globe. They served as both favors and escort cards!

Catie also has the most feminine, jeweled kitten heels from Badgely Mischka. They were gorgeous and practical as well.

Catie was a stunning bride in her Ava Laurenne exclusive gown. Her loose but elegant updo courtesy of Yisell Santos, was perfectly accented with a veil from USA Bride. Catie’s grandmother couldn’t hold back her excitement when she saw her walk down the stairs!

The Men

Andrew began preparing for the day inside the estate as well and prepared by donning some special details as well. His velvet tie and pinecone accented boutonniere truly set the tone for this winter’s day.

Andrew was excited and prepared for his first look with Catie, but not before finishing the final touches and posing for some group portraits with his groomsmen and his family.

Andrew had some time with his Best Man and the rest of his groomsmen on the back portico as the rain was just beginning to taper off.

Then all the men joined them prior to his immediate family as well.

Andrew’s parents and sisters joined them as the rain dissipated. The fur stoles added such a warmth to the steel grey bridesmaid dresses and Andrew’s sisters were happy to stand beside both him and Catie on such a special day.

The Ladies

Catie also posed for some quick bridal portraits on the way outside of the estate. Her bouquet was such a lovely accent and mirrored the texture in the lace of her gown.

Catie’s bridesmaids and her immediate family also posed for some individual and small group portraits in the front of Great Marsh Estate prior to Andrew and Catie’s first look.

The First Look

Finally it was time for Catie and Andrew to see each other! What an incredible moment it was for these two. When you think about all the planning and the anticipation that leads up to this moment, it’s almost overwhelming! And then here they are, together at last on their wedding day. They shared a hug, a kiss and then…personal vows.

I love that they shared vows with one another prior to their ceremony at Little Fork Episcopal Church. It was such an intimate moment filled with their personal sentiments for one another. I also loved how Catie tenderly took Andrew’s hand!

After their first look and vows, it was time for some romantic portraits together. Catie and Andrew were slightly limited in location due to the weather and the saturated ground. However, that didn’t stop the amazing moments together and these beautiful portraits from happening.

The sweet romance and chemistry between Catie and Andrew is simply undeniable. Can you believe that they met in middle school??? And even though they attended the same college, it wasn’t until after college that they realized they were the perfect match. Their lengthy friendship and the time they had to know each other over the years is really evident in their deep friendship and abiding love.

As the weather cleared a bit, we ventured out a little past the steps of the portico.

Group Portraits

After this sweet time together, their families joined them as well as their wedding party for portraits. These families were just so excited to become one!

And how about these gorgeous bridesmaids in those grey dresses and white winter furs?

Andrew and the entire bridal party joined in for some group portraits together as well. What a supportive, gracious and excited group of men and women! And one of these ladies is also a Lieb Photographic bride! Can you guess who?

I also just love this big beautiful group portrait of their families! And then Catie and Andrew posed quickly in front of the house at Great Marsh estate prior to heading to the church for the ceremony.

The Ceremony

The Historic Little Fork Episcopal Church was the site of the ceremony for Catie and Andrew. What a unique church for such a genuine ceremony!

The ceremony got off to a great start with the ring bearer bolting up and back! There’s nothing like an excited toddler to start the service.

Catie and Andrew were both beaming from ear to ear as they began their wedding ceremony. It was so much fun to see so many people in the boxed pews encouraging them as they pledged their love to one another.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Catie and Andrew were pronounced husband and wife and began their recessional. They did it! And they sealed it with another kiss or two!

After the ceremony, everyone headed back to Great Marsh Estate for cocktail hour. We also caught a few quick moments behind the estate!

Guests enjoyed a hot chocolate bar, some adult winter concoctions and beverages courtesy of Catie’s family’s distillery, Eight Oaks Craft Distillers.

The Reception

Guests entered the reception at the Stable at Great Marsh Estate and were greeted with the loveliest details, including ornaments that served as both escort cards and favors for their guests.

The reception space was full of warm candle light and greenery, greenery, greenery! It was the perfect winter warm up to a cool day!

Catie and Andrew made their grand entrance and moved right into their first dance as husband and wife. The glided across the dance floor together as their guest looked on while enjoying drinks and salads from Serendipity.

After their first dance, they greeted their guests and gave some genuinely sweet thank you’s to friends and family. Andrew’s father gave the blessing and then the guests enjoyed their dinner, followed by the Best Man and Maid of Honor toasts.

I loved hearing the sentiments from the best man and the maid of honor (Catie’s sister). They really brought to life all of the traits that make these two so incredible as individuals and so perfectly matched as a couple.

Catie and Andrew incorporated some classic traditions including the anniversary dance and bouquet toss. The entire evening was enjoyed by all and when it was time to cut the cake, Catie and Andrew had a great time together sharing their first piece, something Andrew said he was looking forward to earlier in the day!

My time ended after the first sparkler exit with just the bridal party. It may have been cold, but the air felt warm with the glow of the sparklers and the joy illuminating Catie and Andrew. I can’t think of a better way to finish out the 2019 wedding season than with Catie and Andrew at the Great Marsh Estate!

Congratulations and Thank You!

Congratulations Catie and Andrew! Keep scrolling to see more visual highlights from their Big Day. Thank you to these wedding professionals who helped to make Catie and Andrew’s day so incredibly special!