THE ALN BLOG

My name is Alexandra Nurthen, a wedding and portrait photographer serving all of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia. Being yourself IS art, so let’s get it on camera.

Riverdale Manor | Fun Wedding in Lancaster, PA

A portrait of the bride and groom smiling lovingly while she holds her bouquet on the grounds of Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

From the pavilions to the ballroom, to the farmhouse to the gorgeous 6-acre grounds, Riverdale Manor in Lancaster has a lot to offer. I’ve been to countless venues around the East Coast and throughout the US, and this venue checks all the boxes. Helpful staff, scenic views, and being close to Philadelphia and Boston really means you can’t go wrong with this gem.

Bridesmaids in champagne dresses walk to the ceremony at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

A flat lay detailing the bride and groom's details, including their rings, vow books, her heels, and their invitation at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The bride's mom helps her get dressed in a black and white candid shot at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

A portrait of a groom smiling in the afternoon shade on the grounds of Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A portrait of a bride holding her bouquet, smiling over her shoulder in the afternoon sunlight on her wedding day at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

A close-up of the bride holding or bouquet of soft lavenders, creams, and peach florals at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A bride smiles brightly, holding her bouquet from Waverly Flower Co. at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A close-up of the bride and her bridesmaids' floral bouquets from Waverly Flower Co. at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A close-up of the bride and two bridesmaids displaying their bouquets on her wedding day at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A close-up of the groom's suit jacket with florals, a monogramed tie clip, and champagne tie at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A black and white image of the groom adjusting his cuffs while gazing out the window before his wedding at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

A close-up of a beautiful wildflower bouquet on a pedestal for a wedding ceremony at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  The guests wore soft colors and florals for the wedding at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A flower girl smiles while seated front-row at an outdoor wedding ceremony at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A close-up of a bridesmaid holding her bouquet, wrapped in an ivory, satin bow at a Riverdale Manor wedding in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The bride's father walks her up the aisle at an outdoor wedding ceremony at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The bride and groom kiss for the first time as a married couple at their outdoor ceremony at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The bride laughs as the groom reads his vows with the bridesmaids looking on in the background at their outdoor ceremony at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The bride reads her vows as the groomsmen look on in the background during their ceremony at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The bride and groom walk hand-in-hand down the aisle after their outdoor ceremony while the guests stand and clap at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The bride and groom walk hand-in-hand toward the main house of Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A black and white image of two flower girls running in a field at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The bride and groom walk side-by-side toward their reception ballroom at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The bride and groom share a quiet moment in black and white, while her veil billows around his shoulders at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Bridesmaids and guests pose in colorful, floral dresses on the grounds of Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The bride and groom walk down the steps from the main house of Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania after finishing their first look. The bride and groom pose on the porch of the main house at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A bride and groom smiling at each other on the wrap-around porch of Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A bride and groom smiling at each other on the wrap-around porch of Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A toddler looks on as two bridesmaids help secure the bride's veil prior to her wedding ceremony at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Kelsey & Shane’s Wedding at Riverdale Manor

I was thrilled to hear that Kelsey and Shane were getting married at Riverdale Manor. They are such a fun, laid-back couple, that I knew this venue would be perfect for them! We knew from the beginning that family portraits were really important to Kelsey and Shane, and this venue offers lots of great spots for scenic backdrops and historic architecture.

I also love the fact that they have options for beautiful ceremonies and large receptions right on the grounds. Saving on the logistics and travel time leaves lots of opportunities for photos and means the guests can just enjoy being there without worrying about going from location to location.

Embracing the Light at Riverdale

Kelsey and Shane really wanted their day to feel light, fun, and full of love. To keep it airy, Kelsey chose champagne-colored dresses for the bridesmaids and blue suits for the men. I loved how those ethereal vibes carried through the wildflower bouquets from Waverly Flower Company. Altogether, it made the day feel extra special and unique to Kelsey and Shane.

A bride and groom laugh together in a black and white portrait with her arms draped over his shoulders at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  A close-up of the bride and groom holding hands while the bride's veil drapes delicately on their wedding day at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.     The bridesmaids smile as they look to bride at the center of the portrait during her wedding at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The bride poses for a portrait with her bridesmaids in the afternoon shade on her wedding day at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Flower girls running through a field at a wedding at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The bride putting in her earrings for her wedding at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Portrait of bride and groom walking on the grounds of Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The groom poses with his groomsmen and groomswoman on the grounds of Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Bridesmaids and guests pose in colorful, floral dresses on the grounds of Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A bride laughing with the groom on the grounds of Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Partying it up at Riverdale Manor

One of my favorite parts of photographing this wedding was being out on the dance floor. Kelsey and Shane share a love of music, from indie to emo to classic rock, which made for a really eclectic dance party at the end of the night. The guests were all for it, and I was able to get so many awesome action shots! All of their guests let it all out on the dance floor and it was SO MUCH FUN.

As we were planning the photography for the wedding, Kelsey outlined how she imagined her wedding day, “Full of life and dancing!” After spending the night on the dance floor with Kelsey and Shane’s family and friends, I would say MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. I know that they’ll treasure the dance floor candids that I was able to capture.

A black and white candid shot of the bride and groom laughing as they enjoy their first dance as a married couple while the guests look on at their Riverdale Manor wedding in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A black and white shot of the newly married couple, arms raised high as they exit their reception while confetti falls around them at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The bride and groom kiss as confetti falls around them at the end of their reception at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The bride and groom share a quiet moment in black and white, while her veil billows around his shoulders at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The newlywed couple raise their hands as they exit their reception while confetti falls around them at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A close-up of the couple's wedding cake, adorned with purple, white, and peach flowers at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The bride's dress twirls as she enjoys her first dance with her husband on the dance floor of Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Making your day about YOU

Whatever your wedding vibe, whether it’s fun and light like Kelsey and Shane or chic and classy like some of the other weddings I’ve photographed, it needs to reflect you and your style. Kelsey and Shane compiled an amazing vendor team at Riverdale Manor that made the event magical and true to them.

The bride dancing the night away at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The guests dancing the night away at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The flower girls dancing the night away at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The guests dancing the night away at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The groom dancing the night away at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Their vendors:

Floral: Waverly Flower Company 

Catering: Thyme & Seasons Catering

DJ: Stampone Weddings 

Design & Decor: Creamery Hill 

Dress: The Ivory Concept 

 

If you’re planning a wedding in the Boston or Philadelphia area, I would definitely recommend Riverdale Manor for a top-notch wedding spot. And if you’re in need of a photographer, hit me up! I’m currently booking for 2025 and I would love to help make your wedding photography dreams a reality.

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