Inn at Grace Winery Wedding Photos
Well, I simply don’t know what to say. I don’t think I’ve ever felt quite like this about a wedding before: I literally want to go back and re-live this day over and over and over again. It was perfect. The venue, the flowers, the people, the families (ohhh their families… I wish you could all meet them), the weather… It literally could not have gone more perfectly. And the bride and groom…. Wow. You truly couldn’t find better people. Sometimes we work with couples and we end up feeling like we’ve known them forever, like we might have been old friends before they asked us to shoot their wedding – Marissa + Pat are totally one of those couples. And I truly hope these Inn at Grace Winery wedding photos do their wedding day justice, because it truly was amazing. The joy that these two have – THIS is what weddings are about. This is the kind of love that gives to others, simply by existing. It deserves to be celebrated and remembered and relived for generations to come. This is why I do what I do.
We could tell from the first time we “met” Marissa + Pat over Skype that they were extremely genuine, kind-hearted people. Marissa + Pat are both architects, and you could say that their love story is sort of similar to that of Jim + Pam’s from The Office – they worked together at the same architecture firm, and after what probably felt like centuries, they finally ended up together… And here we are.
When we arrived at The Inn at Grace Winery on their wedding day, we were greeted by each of Marissa + Pat’s parents, their friends, and even their grandparents. I cannot emphasize this enough: they all truly made us feel like friends, and I can’t tell you how much that meant to us. And what’s more, I don’t think we’ve ever photographed a couple this giddy. Marissa + Pat literally couldn’t stop staring at each other all day. I actually remember thinking during the reception that Marissa cheeks must have been hurting at that point because I literally don’t think she could have had a bigger smile plastered on her face. Ear to ear. Like she just couldn’t stop herself. All day. And Pat – oh, you should see the way he looks at her. Like he can’t stop staring. Pat is soft-spoken and kind and they literally just fit together perfectly. He wraps her up in his arms, and she giggles and grins… It’s perfect. They aren’t out to be something they’re not. They just simply, humbly live out their passions – they travel the world, run races together, dream of opening their own architecture firm one day – and they simply, humbly love each other, and everyone around them. They’re just good people.
I wish you could hear their friends toasting them, talking about how lucky they feel just to know Marissa + Pat. How giving they are. How passionate they are.
I wish you could hear their parents talk about how happy they are to see their children truly find their other half – I can’t tell you how many times I looked around and noticed their parents hugging, laughing, or dancing with each other. When they all walked up together during the ceremony to hug their kids, and send them off into married life with their blessing. When they laughed and toasted and danced the night away together… What an amazing thing to witness.
It truly felt like every single person at this wedding was rooting for these two. And I can understand why – it’s pretty impossible not to love them.
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Marissa + Pat both really like trees. And they, themselves, are truly are like two sturdy oaks. They recognize that they have grown in good soil, surrounded by beautiful families and loving friends, and that their roots have grown together. They are prepared to withstand storms and high winds. They are ready. And everything about their wedding day reflected that. What an honor it was to witness.
Two sturdy oaks I mean,
which side by side,
Withstand the winter’s storm,
And spite of wind and tide,
Grow up the meadow’s pride,
For both are strong.
Above they barely touch, but undermined
Down to their deepest source,
Admiring you shall find
Their roots are intertwined
Insep’rably.
Henry David Thoreau
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Enjoy just a few of my favorites of Marissa + Pat’s Inn at Grace Winery wedding photos!
Marissa + Pat did a choreographed dance to “Wonderwall” for their first dance and it was super impressive!!
Probably one of my favorite reception images of all time…. Mom and dad, at the end of their daughter’s wedding reception. I flat out cried when I was editing it.
And now, my favorite sparkler exit of all time so excuse the million images below…. A mile long line of 2 foot long sparklers and a couple that likes to spin and dip? Yes please. :)
Venue: Grace Winery at Sweetwater Farms
Florist: Julie D’Agostina Designs
Rentals: Party Rental
Lighting: Julie D’Agostino & East Coast Event Group
Hair + makeup: Bella Angel
Marissa’s dress: Casablanca – Purchased from Van Cleve Wedding Pavilion
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Hailey Paige – Purchased from Bella Bridesmaids
Groom attire: Jos A. Bank & Tie Bar
Groomsmen attire: Jos A. Bank & Tie Bar
Cake/dessert: Cake- Amy Barendt, Desserts -Brandywine Prime Catering
Paper suite: Minted & DIY
Catering: Brandywine Prime Catering