A bride and groom exchange vows at a lake house wedding with fall leaves in the background.

Lake House Wedding with Editorial Images

Sometimes you just know where you want to get married. For Sarah and Rob, their lake house on the Eastern Shore of Maryland is their favorite place to read and relax together. Rob even proposed there on a joyful trip with family and friends. For their lake house wedding, they skipped the traditions that didn’t resonate and focused on creating a cool, relaxing, and decadent experience for their family and friends.

A bride and groom walk down a dock after their lake house wedding.

Sarah and Rob’s Lake House Wedding

If you’ve landed on this blog post, you might be deciding between having a wedding at a lake house or a traditional venue. There’s a lot to be said for the convenience of a conventional wedding venue for large celebrations. For more intimate weddings, though, a lake house can give your wedding a relaxed, carefree feeling. You get beautiful photos by the water and wide open space to enjoy with your guests. Nothing beats the convenience of getting ready, having the ceremony, and enjoying your reception in the same place you get to stay the night, too.

Sun shines through the windows of a lake house living room.
A white wedding tent sits on a lawn for a lake house wedding.
Blankets sit on ceremony chairs for a guests at an outdoor wedding in the fall.
Orange and yellow-leafed trees line a lake on the afternoon of a Philadelphia wedding.
Red and pink roses decorate a tree at the ceremony spot for a fall wedding.

One thing that I always recommend, whether you’re getting married at a venue or a private home like Sarah and Rob, is to hire a coordinator. Whether you hire someone to help you day-of or month-of, it can save you a lot of stress. Let them put out little fires (or prevent them altogether) while you enjoy the amazing experience you worked so long to put together.

A bride laughs in a living room with family members.
Wedding guests embrace as they arrive at a lake house for a wedding.
Wedding guests, including a child and dog, arrive for a lake house wedding ceremony.
A bride and groom pose with family members for formal wedding photos.

Although Sarah and Rob are Philadelphians, they decided that a lake house wedding was the perfect fit for them. Their friends and family joined them in Rock Hall, Maryland, about two hours south of the city. Rock Hall is a waterfront town on the Chesapeake Bay. There are lots of old school bed and breakfasts and charming inns for guests to stay the weekend.

A bride and groom exchange vows at a lakeside wedding ceremony in Philadelphia.
Wedding guests stand as the bride walks down the aisle for the outdoor wedding ceremony.
At a lakeside wedding ceremony, a bride and groom turn to face their guests.
Wedding guests toss flower petals on a bride and groom at the recessional at their fall wedding.

A lake house wedding would be charming any time of year, but this one was especially stunning with all the fall color. I love the way that film photography portrays the vibrant oranges and yellows of the fall foliage. A clear blue sky meant the sun glowed through the leaves and cast a warmth on everything. Sarah and Rob’s modern minimalist approach to their decor worked perfectly for the ceremony under the gold leaves. The vining red and pink roses decorating the trees blended with the natural fall palette. 

A bride puts her arm around a friend after her outdoor ceremony.
A bride and groom pose on a dock for editorial wedding photos.
A bride and groom kiss beneath a tree as the sun shines through the autumn leaves.
A wedding guest reads a sign with table assignments for a fall wedding reception.

Wedding Photos with an Editorial Edge

When I asked Rob and Sarah what drew them to my work, they explained that they love my use of film. They wanted their lake house wedding to have an artistic, editorial atmosphere, so they wanted wedding photography that reflected that. I appreciated being able to prioritize creative film work since it’s my favorite way to document weddings.

A bride and groom sit at a reception table and put on sunglasses at their lake house wedding.
Wedding cocktail hour hors d'oeuvres sit on a table.
A family member gives a speech in a wedding tent.
A bride and groom laugh during a wedding toast in wedding photography on film.
A bride reaches across a wedding reception table for a plate of food.

To give Rob and Sarah’s wedding photography a more editorial edge, I mixed candid and lightly posed images. The dock was an especially great backdrop for posed editorial images with its interesting lines and swath of water and trees sweeping beyond it. I photographed most of Rob and Sarah’s wedding using the candid style that’s signature to my work. As moments unfolded, I found the best angles and lighting to portray the emotions and overall atmosphere of the day. After dinner, I used some direct flash as well.

Guests pass around plates of food from Maryland wedding caterers.
A bride wearing a blanket around her shoulders points to a table of wedding cakes.
A bride and groom laugh as they cut a wedding cake in wedding photography on film.
A slice of cake sits beside a bottle of wine on a reception table at a lake house wedding.

A Cozy, Cool Dinner Party

Before the day arrived, I asked Rob and Sarah about their vision for their lake house wedding. They said they wanted it “to feel like an awesome, cozy dinner party… [We] want the wedding to feel cool, editorial, and a little edgy.” It’s safe to say they exceeded their goals! Guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner surrounded by vibrant floral arrangements. They even provided blankets to keep everyone comfortable in the chilly fall evening. It was the right mix of cozy and sophisticated to keep everyone’s spirits high late into the night.

A bride and groom share a first dance at their fall wedding.
Lights blur behind a bride and groom in a wedding tent in a modern wedding photo.
Lights string between a tree and a white wedding tent for a lake house wedding.
Wedding guests put on masks on the dance floor.
A bride wearing a mask dances with wedding guests.

Would you like me to photograph your wedding? I’m a Philadelphia wedding photographer, and I specialize in artistic images on film and Super 8. Inquire with me here!

Thank you to the vendors who made Sarah and Rob’s lake house wedding so incredible:
Venue: Private Lake House
Caterer: Rouge Catering
Florals: Sara’s Garden
Hair & Makeup: Bride
Officiant: Family Friend, Donovan Dyson
Music: Family Friend
Cake/Dessert: Sweet Cheeks
Rentals: Eastern Shore Tents & Events
Dress: Jenny Yoo
Crown: Jennifer Behr
Suit: Suit Supply
Rings: Angela Monaco Jewelry