Sometimes the most beautiful love stories are written through seasons of joy and sorrow, creating bonds that can weather any storm.
As an Indiana wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of documenting love stories, but Rashell and Will Nevins’ August 16th, 2025 wedding at Will’s family lake house was truly something special. Their celebration was a perfect blend of intimate family moments, cherished traditions, and the kind of authentic joy that makes my heart sing behind the camera.
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A Love That Weathered Every Storm
Rashell and Will’s journey to their wedding day wasn’t always easy. Like so many couples, they navigated the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic together, learning to lean on each other when the world felt uncertain. They’ve also faced profound loss as a family, including the heartbreaking passing of Will’s sister. Yet through every trial, their love has only grown stronger, creating the foundation for the beautiful blended family they’re building together with Will’s son, Isaiah.
This resilience and depth of love is exactly what I hope to document as an Indiana wedding photographer – not just the pretty moments, but the real, honest emotions that tell the complete story of a couple’s journey.
The Perfect Intimate Setting
There’s something magical about lake house weddings that makes them ideal for Indiana wedding photography. Will’s family lake house provided the most stunning natural backdrop, with peaceful water views and calming surroundings that felt both elegant and comfortable. The property offered countless opportunities for beautiful portraits, from the charming dock extending into the lake to the lush trees surrounding the home.
One particularly moving element of their venue was a bench overlooking the lake – a quiet spot to honor Will’s sister. These meaningful details are what make each Indiana wedding photographer session unique and deeply personal.
The Magic of a First Look
As an Indiana wedding photographer, I always recommend couples consider having a first look, and Rashell and Will’s decision to include this intimate moment was absolutely perfect! There’s something incredibly powerful about capturing that private exchange before the ceremony begins – the raw emotion, the quiet whispers, and the pure joy of seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day.
Their first look allowed us much more time for portraits throughout the day, creating a relaxed timeline that never felt rushed. This extra photography time meant we could document all the important family combinations and romantic couple shots without keeping guests waiting. It’s one of the many reasons I love working as an Indiana wedding photographer – helping couples make choices that enhance both their experience and their photo gallery.
A Ceremony Filled with Heart
The ceremony itself was beautifully personal and heartfelt. One of the most touching moments came when Isaiah’s letter to Rashell and Will was read aloud. As an Indiana wedding photographer, I’ve learned to always have my camera ready for these unexpected emotional peaks – and watching the faces of the bride, groom, and guests as Isaiah’s words were shared was absolutely tear-inducing. These are the moments that remind me why I love photographing weddings; it’s about so much more than just two people getting married, it’s about families coming together and love expanding to include everyone.
Golden Hour Magic
After the ceremony, we snuck away for sunset photos around the lake house property. As any experienced Indiana wedding photographer will tell you, golden hour light is absolutely magical – it creates that warm, dreamy glow that makes every couple look like they’re starring in their own romance film. The combination of Will’s family property and that gorgeous August evening light created some truly stunning images that perfectly captured their joy and connection.
Celebration with Personal Touches
The reception was filled with personal touches that made it uniquely theirs. Instead of a traditional anniversary dance, they held it in reverse – starting with all the married couples on the dance floor and gradually having couples sit down based on how long they’d been married. Rashell and Will were the last ones standing, which then seamlessly transitioned into their first dance. It was such a fun twist that had everyone cheering!
Their first dance was pure joy – lots of spinning and twirling that showed off Rashell’s gorgeous dress and Will’s obvious delight in making his new wife laugh. These candid, joyful moments are exactly why I love being a wedding photographer in Indiana – there’s something about Hoosier hospitality and genuine warmth that creates the most authentic celebrations.
Family Traditions and New Beginnings
One of the most special aspects of their reception was the seafood boil dinner – a cherished family tradition for Will. He with the help of his groomsmen prepared the entire meal themselves, which created such a wonderful sense of community and family involvement. Watching Will carry on this tradition on his wedding day, now sharing it with Rashell and creating new memories for their blended family, was incredibly moving.
Of course, Caliber, their beloved dog, was an important part of the celebration too. Including furry family members always adds such joy to wedding day photos, and Caliber was clearly thrilled to be part of the festivities.
Honoring Family
During the reception, Rashell gave a heartfelt thank you speech that honored her mother for all the support and help she had provided to both Rashell and the couple. These moments of gratitude and family recognition are always so meaningful to document – they remind us that weddings aren’t just about the couple, but about the community of love and support that surrounds them.
The Heart of Indiana Wedding Photography
What made Rashell and Will’s wedding so special wasn’t just the beautiful setting or perfect weather – it was the genuine love, resilience, and joy that radiated from every moment. As their Indiana wedding photographer, I felt honored to document not just their wedding day, but this important chapter in their family’s continuing story.
Their lake house celebration perfectly captured what I love most about Indiana weddings: the emphasis on family, tradition, and authentic moments. Real people celebrating real love, surrounded by the people who matter most.
Every love story deserves to be told beautifully, and Rashell and Will’s wedding was a perfect reminder of why I’m passionate about capturing these precious moments for Indiana couples.
Wedding day hair & makeup provided by Alyson of Something Blue Stylists
Brittney Lear is an Indianapolis portrait photographer specializing in clean, timeless maternity, newborn, family, and boudoir photography. Her natural and authentic work has been featured in magazines and online blogs.
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