A Meaningful & Elegant Historic Ashland Wedding
- Molly
- Aug 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 20
Some wedding days feel especially meaningful from the very beginning. Michaela and Corey’s wedding at Historic Ashland was one of those days.
There were layers of history and love woven into every part of their celebration: from the wedding dress Michaela had purchased years ago and kept carefully in her closet, to the man who once said he would never get married surprising her with a proposal. On August 1st, guests look on as the two of them stood together, surrounded by the people they love most, as their families became one. It was a day overflowing with meaning, emotion, and the kind of joy that makes you grateful to be there.
As a Pennsylvania, East Coast, and destination wedding photographer, these are the wedding days I love most. The beautiful details matter, of course, but it is the stories behind them that make the photographs truly timeless.
The morning began inside the main house with all of the little details that tell the story of the day. Invitations, rings, and sentimental pieces were photographed before the day really began. Her rings from Plum Diamonds and Gentle Bands were among the meaningful details that would soon become part of their new family story.
But perhaps the most meaningful detail of all was Michaela's wedding dress. It was a gown she had purchased years earlier at Renaissance Bridal in York,PA—one she had kept after losing her best friend. To see her finally wear that dress on her wedding day was incredibly special. It was a beautiful reminder that wedding days aren't simply about what happens in one day. They carry pieces of the people, memories, and stories that brought us there.
The girls spent the morning getting ready in the main house with MKUP The Beauty Studio creating their beautiful bridal looks. There was plenty of laughter and excitement throughout the morning, including sweet pajama photos and getting ready. Michaela's bridal portraits were some of my favorites from the morning. Her look was elegant and classic, and the soft light throughout the house created the perfect setting for photographs that felt editorial without ever feeling overly posed. After getting ready, the girls stepped outside for portraits and a first look with Michaela's father before making their way toward the ceremony.
Meanwhile, the guys got ready in another house on the property, and I especially loved photographing Corey with his sons before they walked across the bridge to the ceremony location. Their green suits from Men's Warehouse added a polished feel to the day These quieter moments are easy to overlook on a wedding timeline, but they are exactly the kind of photographs that become more meaningful with time. The little interactions, the hugs, the smiles, and the way a father looks at his children are all part of the story. Because years from now, those photographs won't simply remind Corey of what his wedding day looked like, they will be for those kids too.
The walk from the house to the ceremony site was beautiful, with the couple and their wedding party making their way through the Historic Ashland property to the sreamside pergola ceremony site The ceremony florals by Lace and Peonies were the perfect complement to the setting. Lush, romantic blooms and beautiful peonies brought a timeless, editorial feel while still feeling natural against the historic architecture and greenery.
Almost immediately, the emotion of the day was everywhere. Guests wiped away tears as the processional began. Children smiled. Parents sitting in the front row watched with the kind of emotion that is impossible to manufacture. And perhaps one of the sweetest moments was watching the children tear up as they watched their parents exchange vows.
It was a beautiful picture of just how deeply loved Michaela and Corey are—and how many people were genuinely invested in the beginning of their life together.
After the ceremony, guests made their way up the sweeping path across the lawn toward cocktail hour while we photographed family portraits. For Michaela and Corey, we were able to take advantage of the beautiful property while still keeping the focus on them and the people they love. The result was a collection of timeless wedding photos that feel elegant and polished while still capturing the emotion of the day.
Once portraits were finished, everyone headed inside for the reception. Guests enjoyed dinner catered by Michael's Catering while Shaken and Strained provided the bartending experience and kept the celebration moving. The reception had that wonderful shift that happens on a wedding day. The emotional intensity of the ceremony giving way to laughter, conversation, drinks, dinner, and a room full of people celebrating as DJ Edge from Cutting Edge Events selected dinner music and got the dance floor going for the evening. After all the planning, anticipation, and emotion that goes into a wedding day, there is something wonderful about watching a couple relax and enjoy the people who came to celebrate with them!
