The Virginia Wedding Venues of 2021 | Lieb Photographic
Dec 15, 2021
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Sometimes I’m asked where do I photograph the most or what venues do I usually photograph most weddings and engagement sessions. I photograph in many places each year so I thought I’d share the venues where I’ve photographed in 2021. My yearly recap of what venues I’ve been to while serving my couples this year includes some of my staples as well as a few new ones to me.
An April engagement session is always lovely at Airlie. Airlie as so many beautiful options for couples. From the Spanish Steps to the butterfly garden, the formal gardens to the LOVE sign overlooking the pond, Airlie does not disappoint. Here are a few images from my times at Airlie in 2021, but click through the link to see more!
Old House Vineyards is another lovely place and very local to me as well. It has a gorgeous pond with a skinny bridge, lovely landscaping, rows of vines and great local wines as well! Here is a snippet from my April 2021 engagement session with Kaitlyn and Matt.
Ahh…Morais Vineyards. One of my favorite local venues and for good reason. The ownership and staff are amazing, the grounds are incredible any time of year and their rain plan is perfect. From the vintage atrium to the ballroom, the Portuguese inspired front facade to the rows of vines and the lovely bridal suite to the charming wine cellar…Morais Vineyards really has it all! Here are snippets from my sessions there in 2021.
Waterperry Farms and Gardens is one of my favorite venues for engagement sessions. Intimate weddings can also be held there! From the greenhouse to the sprawling formal gardens, the lovely pond to the tree swing, Waterperry is a gorgeous place to tie the knot or head to for an engagement session!
Goodstone Inn is another one of my favorites. It’s ivy laden, historic wall that overlooks the inn’s pool makes an incredible backdrop from both sides. It’s fast acreage is soft and lovely at golden hour and the inn and restaurant have a unique courtyard as well.
I also found myself at the fabulous Fleetwood Farm Winery again this year. I love it’s gorgeous landscaping, that amazing oak tree (great for a ceremony backdrop), and their light walled reception hall. They actually have since opened a new reception hall that’s twice as large as well! From the stone arch, the house itself and the rows of vines, Fleetwood Farm has so much to offer!
A venue I find myself at often and one that s definitely in my top five is Great Marsh Estate. From the moment you arrive along the beautiful tree-lined driveway of this 121 acre estate, you’ll see why I love it. The renowned Georgian Mansion, with restored period features is steeped in heritage and charm. The Stable is the reception hall located in the restored historic barn at Great Marsh. With several unique ceremony locations on the grounds, you’re sure to find one perfectly tailored for your day. Say “I do” in the South Lawn, South Courtyard or North Courtyard. And engagement and anniversary sessions are always stunning here!
It’s been a few years since I’ve been at Fauquier Springs Country Club. So when I returned to photograph Nicole and Julian’s engagement session there, I was reminded how lovely it is. With perfectly manicured trees and grounds, little footbridges and plenty of space, it makes for a great place for an engagement session.
Another favorite garden location I have is Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. It has a newly installed outdoor greenhouse, an incredible atrium for receptions and gorgeous gardens. From Japanese gardens to a walking bridge to majestic willows and more varieties of trees and flowers than you could possibly count, Meadowlark is clearly a favorite!
Another Fauquier county venue I so enjoy is Blue Valley Vineyards. The ceremony view at sunset is simply stunning. From the multiple spaces overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains to a lovely grand room with stone accents, exposed wood beams, and floor to ceiling windows with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains…Blue Valley is quite the destination.
The Spotswood Lodge at Grelen is a part of the Market at Grelen family of venues. And for an intimate venue space, it has much to boast. You can also ride over to Grelen for portraits overlooking the mountains and around the vineyard. But the space at the Spotswood Lodge is also impressive. From some gorgeous willow trees to a small pond, the grounds are like a fairy tale. The lodge itself is so charming and it has the perfect backyard space for an intimate celebration.
This year marked my first time at St. Bride’s Farm. I almost didn’t include it in this post since it isn’t a dedicated wedding venue, but it does host many events as an event venue and may host more weddings in the future. St. Bride’s Farm is home to the largest private collection of contemporary artist sculptures in the United States. It is also a 350-acre horse farm, which makes for plenty of space to host an incredible wedding day.
Rust Manor is another lovely historic mansion in Leesburg, Virginia. You can photograph inside the manor as well as use the surrounding gardens for your ceremony. It’s a part of 68-acre nature sanctuary managed by NOVA Parks and the Audubon Society. The venue also includes an outdoor tent for the reception with heaters for cooler months.
I photographed at Bluemont Vineyards in November and the lovely panoramic views set the backdrop for an outdoor ceremony. There are so many twinkle lights in their rustic stable reception hall along with ceiling draping. The rows of vines and the outdoor stone wall provide quite the setting for an outdoor wedding.
I could have also written about many of the other private estates and public spaces I photographed in during the 2021 season. But since this is all about the venue, I won’t! But hopefully brides and grooms to be have enjoyed taking a quick tour of some of the venues I’ve been to this year!
Michelle with Lieb Photographic is a Northern Virginia Wedding Photographer, a Charlottesville Wedding Photographer and photographs destinations worldwide. If you’d like to explore some of my favorite wedding venues in the Virginia and Washington D.C. areas, view the Wedding Venues page.
