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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
