From a joyride in a classic Excalibur to climbing to the top of the crows nest in beach patrol headquarters, to witnessing one of the most gorgeous purple sunsets for a couple that knew each other as literal babies(!!!)–  I love being a Stone Harbor Wedding Photographer!!

Why Rhinehart Photography?

Lexie smiles, “Our day did not feel like photoshoot, but *our day*, we were able to be fully present.  We enjoyed it, our guests enjoyed it AND we got incredible photos, it seems impossible but is totally true!!”

Lexie shares, “We initially chose Rhinehart Photography because of the unique style of capturing traditional portraits from a modern perspective. All of the photos on your website really show the passion and love that comes in these special days.”

Stevie adds, “I can’t wait to see the love and memories that that amazing day was all about.”

Lexie continues, “On our wedding day, Lisa was completely invisible! I have no idea how she did it at the church or at the reception but any time that I looked out, I saw my guests and not a camera. I have been to some weddings where your view is blocked at important moments and everyone has said to me how incredibly nice Lisa was and how they were able to be present and just enjoy the moments.

She smiles, “I couldn’t have done it without Lisa! Her timing and attention to detail really kept me calm and kept my inner bridezilla at bay. It really felt to me that she wasn’t just there as a photographer but a friend there celebrating with us.”

Ride or Die: Reeds Stone Harbor Wedding Preparations

Lexie smiles, “These girls are all my ride or die! Sofia, my Maid of Honor, has been friends with me since she was 6 and I was 8. We both met through riding! Emma is like my little sister and we have been riding together for 8 years at least and I have seen her grow up in the barn. Sophia, my new sissy, is the best sister-in-law I could ever ask for! She has always been so warm and welcomed me with open arms.”

She continues, “Madeline and I have been best friends since kindergarten. She changed schools in 8th grade and moved to California after college but we are the type of friends that will get together after 6 months of not seeing each other and pick up like it was yesterday! Anna is my cousin, she lives in Ohio but together we always terrorized the shore when we were little kids and got called the ‘nudges’ by our grandma.”

Inspired by Three Generations of Incredible Women

I love that Lexie brought bridal portraits of her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother! This is such a sentimental photo!

Lexie says, a little misty-eyed, “I have always grown up looking at those photos around the house and wanting to be like them. The way those women who came before me portrayed themselves was always an inspiration to me. For me to carry on the tradition of having all the portraits together was a dream come true and one I hope will continue in future generations.”

Lexie says fondly, “The veil I wore was my mom’s. She shortened it a little and added the ribbon around the edge herself. My mom is an incredibly crafty woman and it meant a lot to wear her veil and my grandmother’s headpiece.”

Gentleman’s Preparations at Stone Harbor Beach House

Lexie says, “The house that they guys got ready in is Stevie’s parents’ house. Stevie’s dad, Sandy, and Stevie built that house from the ground up! It meant a lot to Stevie to get ready there because of all the memories there.

Stevie smiles, “I really wanted a Rolex for the wedding. The one I got matches my mom’s Rolex bracelet. The Prada cologne I wore for the wedding was one I started wearing in college when I met Lexie. When we were separated for holidays or the summer she would steal it and spray it all over her room, haha!”

Her Father’s Vintage Excalibur

Lexie shares with tears in her eyes, “It was a dream come true to ride with my dad. When I was little fantasizing about my wedding day, the only thing that ever stayed constant, no matter my age or style at the time, was driving in the Excalibur to the church with my dad. I grew up with that car in my life, knowing the history of all the important people in my life including that car in their weddings made it all that much more special. It is definitely a core memory for me that I will never forget.”

Sacred Heart Church Stone Harbor Wedding Ceremony

Stevie sheepishly shares, “I am an incredibly emotional person and I just couldn’t believe that after 6 and a half years it was finally happening, I was marrying the love of my life, my best friend!  As she walked down the aisle towards me I could only see her.”

Lexie says fondly, “The veil I wore was my mom’s. She shortened it a little and added the ribbon around the edge herself. My mom is an incredibly crafty woman and it meant a lot to wear her veil and my grandmother’s headpiece.”

She continues, “The church reminded us of the church in PA that my parents got married in (Saint Anastasia of Newtown Square). The exposed beams and history really made it special for us.”

Sacred Heart Church Stone Harbor Vows & Ceremony

I love that this couple had classic vows and sacraments and also that they did it in their own way.  It was adorable how Stephen was whispering in Alexis’s ear during their ceremony!

Lexie laughs, “I will never forget what he said as soon as we walked up to do the offering to Mary! But, in all seriousness, it really meant a lot to have the full mass with all the history and traditions we hope to keep going.”

Blessing, Sacraments, and Rings!

I love how traditional all of this looks and feels the church setting: the prayers, the gold rings, so classic, meaningful, deep timeless…

During this time I sneak around like a little ninja, capturing real moments and trying not to upstage the real stars of the show the bride and groom!

Man and Wife!

Yayyyyy!  It’s official! I wanted to capture this from the choir loft, and I’m so glad that I did… You can see how happy their guests are and all of the emotion on their faces!

It’s so funny with everybody’s cell phones out too, I can imagine Lexi and Stevie looking back at these years to come and being like OMG look at those old phones!!

Joyride in Dad’s Excalibur: Wrong Way Down a One Way!!

This car is just incredible! It’s actually the same car that Lexie’s mom and dad rode in for their wedding day. After the wedding ceremony at Sacred Heart Church in Stone Harbor, Stephen was able to drive it!

Lexie shares, “I was definitely more nervous than Stevie was that he was driving it. That car means a lot to my dad and for him to allow Stevie to drive it for the first time at the wedding (we were supposed to have a practice day but it rained) showed how much he cares. The main heart attack came when we went the wrong way down the one way and the Jitney followed, will never forget that, haha!”

Stevie recalls laughing, “I was so nervous driving that car. The visibility was not great, especially with all the flowers that they added after the ceremony. It was so bad to the point that I drove down a 1 way… the wrong way! It was really nice though that I could take my dad with me in the car after the church.”

Rescue Me: a Trip to the Crow’s Nest!

Stevie was a Stone Harbor lifeguard right here in New Jersey, so of course taking pictures at the Stone Harbor Beach Patrol Headquarters was a no-brainer 🙂

Stevie smiles, “It was nostalgic and sentimental for me because I used to work there, and now I am opening a new chapter in my life.”

Lexie says, “After the new headquarters were built, we went up there a few times getting tours, but to really be up there felt like we were on top of the world.”

So Classic!!

As their Stone Harbor Wedding Photographer, I used black and white for a lot of their photos which helped them to look cohesive with the different locations. Their wedding vibe felt so classic with personal touches.

Lexie agrees, “Even with all the modern things we did our wedding vibe was definitely traditional and it all came together perfectly.”

Cocktails: The Reeds at Stone Harbor

The Reeds cocktail hour looked exquisite, the beach house view was incredible not to mention all the seafood!

Stevie shares, “We chose The Reeds at Shelter Haven because I used to work there and it has always been a place that my family loves to go.”

Lexie adds, “I loved the inside and outside options. The fact that the weather held out and we had cocktail hour out on the deck was perfect to me. Everyone could wander from inside and outside to right on the bay. It was incredible.”

Mother & Son at The Reeds Stone Harbor

I love seeing the full range of emotion with friends and family members. What a fun and meaningful moment to be able to witness between this mother and son!

Romance: Marrying My Best Friend

Stevie shares, “When we met freshman year at Saint Joseph’s University we spent every moment together. If we weren’t together, we were talking on the phone. No matter how much time I spend with her each moment seems like one of the best moments of my life. She embraced my family with all their quirks. I fell in love with her because even when we are separated from our friends and family her love makes me feel like I am always in the perfect place. She makes me feel complete and I would never be my best self without her by my side every step of the way.”

Lexie says lovingly, “I fell in love with my best friend. Since the first day I met him, I knew he was the man for me. He is always the person I want to tell good news to first or ask for help with bad news. His smile lights up the entire room and his laugh is contagious. He embraces me in every way, even when I’m being crazy, but he never makes me feel like I’m too much. He is always my partner in crime and can talk his way out of almost every situation. When he hugs me everything else melts away, it’s just us, safe and happy. ”

She continues, “He is the most kind, hardworking, and genuine-hearted person I have ever met, not to mention he is the most ridiculously handsome man I have ever seen. He always puts us first and will change a day around just so we can spend more time together. Stevie challenges me and always holds me accountable. He always helps me learn and pushes me to grow.”

Stevie adds, “She is always in my corner through the toughest of times and always brings the best out in me. She goes out of her way to make me feel included in everything and has made me feel like a part of her family from the very beginning. Even when she is greatly inconvenienced, she always puts me first. I love Lexie because she is always genuinely my best friend and biggest support. She is always kind-hearted and willing to put her own life aside to help me with mine. She endlessly supports my choices whether right or wrong and treats these choices as her own.”

Just Desserts 😉

Lexie laughs “Stevie really wanted to do a cake-smash. There was a firm conversation about my makeup and how long it took so we decided that Andrew would be the best person to do it to because of his bubbly personality.  He took it so well, had fun with it and all of the guests were so surprised!”

Childhood Memories: Lexie & Stevie together as kids!!

Lexie smiles, “My dad and Stevie’s grandfather were best friends. We have baby pictures together but we never knew each other until our parents saw each other at our college orientation. Stevie snapchatted me on the first day of college move-in, August 28, 2017, and we have been inseparable ever since. We had our first date at the Broomall fair and he asked me to be his girlfriend on September 17, 2017. Then all those years later he asked me to marry him on September 17, 2022, and we were married on May 17, 2024.”

Bouquet Toss

How much fun is this?!? And how much fun are these ladies?!? Seriously girls I felt like I was just hanging out with friends! Thank you for welcoming me into your group and allowing me to get up close and personal during moments like this, ha ha!

Fun on the Reeds Stone Harbor Dance Floor

The couple shares, “We were hoping that the dance floor would be packed the whole night and everyone definitely didn’t disappoint!  We totally had the time of our lives!”

The End of the Night for this Stone Harbor Wedding

Lexie laughs, “I went from terrified there was a tornado coming down the road at 5 am and not sleeping to terrified to calm to just about everything else. But, once I started down that isle it all just didn’t matter anymore, none of the planning, the long hours, the problems they all just went away because he was in front of me, and in a little bit we were going to be tied together for the rest of eternity and that has been my dream since I met him.”

She concludes, “After the ceremony, it was just complete bliss. I’m sure something went wrong during the reception but it didn’t matter to me anymore I was with the man of my dreams surrounded by our family and friends celebrating the best day of my life. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world and I never wanted the day to end.”

Stevie shares, “I felt like our wedding day went by way too fast and I was a rollercoaster of emotions. I’m so glad we had Lisa there to capture it all!”

Vendors:

• Venue: The Reeds at Shelter Haven
• Florist: Blooms by Country Greenery
• Entertainers: EBE Events & Entertainment 

Hungry for More?

• Other Reeds at Stone Harbor Weddings
• Other New Jersey Weddings
• Recent Weddings

Contact Me!

Are you or someone you know looking for a photographer for their weddings, portraits, business branding, etc?  I’m your girl! Contact me here, I’d love to hear all about it!