Shenandoah Lodge Lakeside Wedding

February 10, 2021

Shenandoah Lodge | Andrea & Jeff | Front Royal, VA

Shenandoah Lodge Lakeside Wedding

Andrea & Jeff had a beautiful Shenandoah Lodge lakeside wedding last year on an early fall September afternoon.

I first met these two at Seven Oaks Lavender Farm.

Jeff messaged me a few weeks prior asking if I could take photographs of a surprise proposal he had planned for Andrea. I don’t shoot proposals often, so I was super excited and the morning turned out so beautifully! Andrea LOVES lavender, so the location was perfect. She kept the theme for their wedding by using purple accents and added lavender into her bouquets.

On the day of the wedding, Mary Kate and I arrived at the Shenandoah Lodge and Athletic Club while the girls were getting ready. I hadn’t seen Mary Kate since Mackenzie & Nick’s bayside wedding, so it was great to catch up.

Funny enough, Andrea actually got a job at the lodge shortly before her wedding so she was able to give me a grand tour herself!

The lodge is impressive to say the least. I was so excited to shoot here after seeing photos for the first time! It sits just outside of Front Royal atop a lake that was dotted with early fall foliage. There is such attention to detail with the interior design, like you are walking through an elegant modern farmhouse with floor-to-ceiling wine racks and grand sweeping ceilings. As you walk around, you hear pots and pans from the restaurant’s open kitchen and excited chatter from guests and wedding attendees.

Before the ceremony, Andrea and Jeff shared an emotional moment swapping handwritten notes. Andrea also did a first look with her father and it was one of my favorite parts of the day. He surprised her with stunning diamond and sapphire earrings as her “something new and something blue”.

They had a beautiful outdoor ceremony in front of the lake followed by formals and cocktail hour outside on the venue’s patio. The reception space was dotted with purple accents and many personal touches to Andrea and Jeff like a donut wall (these were delicious, I can attest), intricately iced floral cake, a great selection of draft beer (Jeff works at Front Royal Brewing Co.), hand-drawn poster of their dog and cat, and a special tribute boutonnière for Jeff’s late father.

The night progressed with dusky photos of the couple by the lake, sparklers, dancing and lots and LOTS of smiles. These two were surrounded by so much love from those in attendance, it was one of those nights you didn’t want to ever end.

Andrea and Jeff, I’m so glad I’ve gotten to know you through the wedding planning process and so excited for what your future holds. Thank you for asking me to be your photographer. Can’t wait to see you both again soon!