Lake Raystown Resort Wedding: Ashley & Derek

February 6, 2026

🐞 🌊 🍁 Division I college athletes, Ashley and Derek, experienced the beauty of nature & enjoyed some unexpected guests! I absolutely love being a Lake Raystown Resort wedding photographer!

A bride and groom sit close together at their wedding reception table, smiling and touching faces lovingly under a glowing The Hites sign. Captured by the best photojournalistic wedding photographer, their table glows with flowers and illuminated A & D letters. — I love **candid moments**! Can you see the **best man’s shadow** in the background?

Why Rhinehart Photography?

Ashley and Derek share, ” Lisa goes above and beyond for her clients. Lisa can find the best angles and lighting better than anyone else. Lisa’s photos will make you feel like everything comes together. Hire Lisa if you want your wedding to be remembered through priceless photos. Investing in Rhinehart photography is the best decision you can make.”

The groom in a suit with closed eyes, as his bride holds her hand near his face, gently supporting a small red ladybug resting on her finger. The softly blurred background adds an authentic touch, perfect for an authentic wedding photographer at Lake Raystown Resort — Lift off! These **ladybugs** held special meaning for Ashley, read more to find out…

A bride and groom stand side by side at the edge of a lake at Lake Raystown Resort, framed by tall trees, with sunlight reflecting off the water. The scene is calm and romantic—perfectly captured by the best natural wedding photographer in black and white. — The way **he held her dress** as she walked, though…

Lake Raystown Resort wedding: Preparations

I played with shadows, reflection, motion blur, and more during these preparation photos. I wanted these to just feel like a natural part of the day and also be elevated, showing off candid moments and the little things that made their day so unique.

Three autumn leaves—red, orange, and yellow—lie on a wooden surface, each holding a gold ring in its center. Soft light and shadows create a gentle pattern across the scene, captured by the best Lake Raystown resort wedding photographer. — One **unique item** was the **autumn leaves** brought in by the wind. I picked them up and placed them inside the shadows, anchoring them with the wedding rings!

A woman in a strapless dress sits and puts on an earring, looking at herself in a mirror. Captured by a Raystown Lake wedding photographer, the black and white image features soft focus and a blurred reflection in the foreground. — First, **Ashley is absolutely stunning**. Second, doesn’t this feel **so intimate and natural** with the motion blur? I love to play with my camera settings to **elicit emotion**…

Blurry figures in the foreground, with two shadows on a wall in the background—one shadow has an arm raised. Glasses and bottles sit on a table, captured candidly by a natural wedding photographer. — This may be an unpopular opinion, but this is one of my favorite photos from the day! The light, the shadows, the dresses, all the breakfast stuff on the table… **authentic, artistic, love**!

A woman in a white strapless dress stands by large windows, looking at the camera with one arm raised. Sunlight streams in, illuminating her and the autumn trees outside—captured by a talented natural wedding photographer. — **SLAY**. That is all. Oh, and the autumn leaves, window framing, and tease of reflection…

Two men in dress shirts and vests get ready in a dimly lit room. Captured by an authentic wedding photographer, one fixes his hair at the sink while the other adjusts his clothing near a sunlit doorway. — **I love telling two stories at a time**, while my second photographer, Kris, focused on the groom, you can also see the best man in the shadows getting ready too…

A man in a dark suit, light shirt, and tie stands outdoors on grass at Lake Raystown Resort, with trees and the lake behind him—hands in pockets, facing the camera and smiling in sunlight for a natural wedding photographer. — While I **focus on authentic moments**, I make sure to get several formal portraits, **smile-and-look-at-the-camera shots**, when they don’t interrupt the emotion of the day.

First Look: Lake Raystown Resort Wedding

Ashley shares, “Derek and I have been together for 6 years before getting married. We have chosen to grow together over those years and be there for each other through thick and thin.”

A bride in a white gown and a groom in a suit stand hand in hand, smiling at each other after their first look on a wooded path by the lake at Lake Raystown Resort, beautifully framed by two tree trunks—captured by an authentic wedding photographer. — I gave them some **privacy** here, peeking from behind the trees.

A bride in a white dress gently holds the face of a groom in a black suit as they share an intimate moment by the calm, sunlit lake, beautifully captured by a Raystown Lake wedding photographer. — I, of course, zoomed in to get the **authentic moments**, too!

Exploring Lake Raystown Resort Together

They share, “Lake Raystown Resort is halfway for both sides of the family. The scenery is amazing, and we were able to house ALL of our guests in one location on the property! We loved the balcony right off our reception room. Derek and I went to Wedding Pointe and said our vows that morning. It was perfect.”

A bride and groom walk together by the edge of a lake, framed by tall trees, in a black and white outdoor scene—beautifully captured by an authentic wedding photographer at Lake Raystown Resort. — When **the groom helps the bride with her dress**, I think it’s a **really good** sign 😊

url_access_error — I love the way **her dress is rippling** and the way **she’s taking the lead** this time, and the movement of the blue sky in the reflection

Close-up of a couple holding hands, one in a white lace dress and the other in a dark suit, symbolizing unity and love. Captured by the best authentic wedding photographer, the softly blurred background enhances this intimate moment. — There is something **so soft and sweet** about this shot. I love the water in the background and the **lace detailing and buttons** on her sleeve.

Meet the Wedding Party

Ashley says, “Our bridal party was amazing. It was filled with really supportive friends and family. They made sure Derek and I had everything we could possibly need!”

Eight men in matching dark suits, light ties, and brown shoes stand outdoors on a path with colorful autumn trees in the background. Captured by an authentic wedding photographer, they face the camera with serious expressions and hands in pockets. — Wow, my assistant Chris nailed it with these formal photos, just what Ashley and Derek asked for!

A bride in a white dress with lace sleeves laughs joyfully with her bridesmaids in matching taupe dresses and holding bouquets, standing together in bright sunlight—an authentic moment captured by a Raystown Lake Wedding photographer. — These candid ones are **my all-time favorites**! I’m **not the typical wedding photographer** who says, “OK everybody laugh!” My approach is to have everyone share their favorite fun or funny moments with the bride, and get authentic reactions!

Ceremony: Lake Raystown Resort Wedding Tree Tops Terrace

The couple shares, “Our ceremony was short and sweet, so we were able to spend more time with friends and family!”

They continue, “Ohio is HUGE with football. New York likes football, but it’s different. It just so happens that Ashley’s dad and her dad’s best friend, Jimmy (the officiant), went to Wisconsin and are big Wisconsin football fans. The day of the wedding was the Ohio State vs. Wisconsin football game! Jimmy knew that almost everyone at the wedding was an Ohio State fan, so he wore an Ohio State pennant! It was a great way to bring everyone together!”

A groom in a navy suit, looking emotional, stands facing his bride during their outdoor ceremony, with groomsmen and floral decorations in the background—captured beautifully by an authentic wedding photographer. — Sometimes, couples worry that a first look will ruin the first time he sees her during the ceremony. I’m sure that happens sometimes, but my experience is that the ceremony just hits different... Exhibit A

A bride and groom exchange vows outdoors beneath a floral arch, surrounded by bridesmaids in taupe dresses and guests. Captured by a natural wedding photographer, the sunlit setting features autumn trees in the background. — The **ring exchange**, that fall foliage, though! And the Ohio State banner!

A bride and groom share a kiss at their outdoor Lake Raytown Resort wedding as bridesmaids in matching dresses smile and guests seated nearby applaud. Sunlight filters through trees in the background. — **Photojournalism is everything**! This is one of my favorite photos of the entire day. I love the **genuine emotion**, laughter, clapping, kissing, and **the way it’s framed** with the lights, family, couple, and officiant.

A bride and groom share a kiss outdoors, backlit by sunlight streaming through trees. Captured by an authentic wedding photographer, the couple is silhouetted, with the bride in a veil and lace sleeves—perfect for a Lake Raystown Resort wedding. — Here comes the **sun**! This kiss was beautiful, the way **the sun illuminated her veil and sleeves**, and showed how the two of them are **joining into one**… Yes!

Mr & Mrs! Autumn at Raystown Lake

Ashley shares, “Doing golden hour photos right after the ceremony was amazing. Our favorite part was when Dan brought out our signature drinks and some apps, and we were able to sit down for five minutes together and eat and drink. It was beyond perfect and delicious!!”

A bride and groom stand close together outdoors, smiling and holding hands, surrounded by sunlit autumn leaves and colorful foliage—captured by a natural wedding photographer. — Oh my goodness, look at **that wedding band** on your hand!

A smiling bride and groom pose outdoors at their Lake Raystown Resort wedding, the bride holding a bouquet of white flowers as sunlight filters through autumn trees in the background. — I tend to wait until all the crazy emotions subside and quickly ask them to look at the camera. This is how I get such **authentic smiles** and still **respect them and their day**.

Ladybugs & Hors d’oeuvres

Ashley smiles, “There were so many ladybugs!!! Derek and I are sure that loved ones who had passed sent them to us.”

A person with closed eyes holds a hand near their face, with a ladybug resting on their finger. The softly blurred background evokes the gentle style of a natural wedding photographer, drawing focus to the peaceful expression and tiny insect. — **Ladybug launch**! I have never caught this in camera before – so cool that Ashley sees this as loved ones giving their blessing!

Reception: Lake Raystown Resort Wedding

A wedding reception table with a white tablecloth, greenery, candles, and glass vases. Behind the table is a white flower arch and a neon sign reading The Hites. Warm lighting adds romance—perfect for an authentic wedding photographer to capture at Lake Raystown Resort. — I wanted to lean into the **candlelight, fairy lights, neon lights vibe,** and the cool shadows that were coming in from the window…

A bride and groom share their first dance in a decorated reception hall at a Lake Raytown Resort wedding as guests watch from round tables. The scene is elegant, with candles and flowers on the head table in the foreground. — The **first dance** – love the **composition** here, how you can see all the guests and have the **perspective of the best man** watching

Speeches

Ashley shares, “Bella is my sister, and Jett is Derek’s best friend. They did AMAZING and put their hearts into their speeches. They also talked about a lot of difficult or sad times that brought us together! We are going to have the speeches framed!”

A man in a suit holding a microphone appears emotional while giving a speech at a wedding reception, as the bride and groom, seated nearby, listen attentively. Captured by a natural wedding photographer, the warmly lit scene is beautifully decorated. — I love when **speeches are deep** and real and meaningful and really **illicit emotion**. I have more of these featured in the slideshow below. And a ton in their full gallery, which will be up in a week.

A bride and groom sit close together at a decorated table, smiling and touching faces lovingly. Neon lights and large initials A & D glow behind them—captured beautifully by a Lake Raystown Resort wedding photographer. — Photojournalism! Here you can see the shadow of the best man giving the speech as Ashley and Derek react to it with their **new last name in neon** behind them and their first initials in the foreground.

Tradition: Getting the Party Started!

Ashley and Derek laugh, “The eagle funnel was a day-of decision! Derek’s brother and his best man were like, ‘Hey, we are going to do this,’ messing around, and Ashley said… ‘Heck yeah, let’s do it!’ The eagle funnel has been brought to almost every friend gathering we have had!”

At a Lake Raytown Resort wedding, a man in a suit pours a drink into the beak of a ceramic eagle adorned with an American flag, while formally dressed guests watch and laugh at this lighthearted indoor moment. Captured by fun Lake Raystown Resort wedding photographer. — You can just feel the **anticipation of the eagle funnel,** no doubt this was a staple during their college days!

A group in formal attire drink from cans, with one man in a suit drinking from an eagle funnel This lively celebration in a warmly lit room with chandeliers is captured by an authentic wedding photographer. — **Bottoms up!** I crouched down low to get the **whole vibe**, since everyone in the wedding party was yelling at this point. I was so low that you can actually see the ceiling!

Lake Raystown Resort wedding guests clap after hearing the speeches from the best man and maid of honor. Captured by an award-winning wedding photographer. — The guests **totally** dig it!

How sweet it is!

I customize each photography timeline to include exactly what the individual couples want. We talk through all of their priorities in advance to make sure we are getting all of the group photos and moments that they are anticipating. This really helps the day to feel smooth and easy. It also gives them time to really focus on each other and all of their loved ones, rather than having an entire day that feels like a photoshoot.

In this case, we started with natural details and preparations, and ended with the cake cutting… how sweet it is!

Lake Raystown Resort: Slideshow

VENDORS:

Venue: Lake Raystown Resort
Hair and Makeup: Jill Powell
Dj and Photo Booth: Nittany Entertainment
Videography: Encompass Weddings
Dress: Luxe Redux Bridal

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