The Lodge at Rush Lakes Wedding in La Porte, IN

I had been looking forward to Kristen and Elliott’s wedding at The Lodge at Rush Lakes for months. When I first looked up the venue online, I was honestly blown away. I live just about 30 minutes away and had somehow never heard of it before, but the moment I saw it, I knew it was going to be such a beautiful place to photograph a wedding day. Getting to experience it in person with these two made it even better.

Kristen and Elliott actually grew up just a few towns apart in LaPorte and Michigan City, but it wasn’t until their freshman year at Purdue that their paths finally crossed. A few years later (and a couple of engineering degrees in hand), they’re now building a life together in Iowa. They came back to the place where it all started to celebrate their wedding.

I had the chance to meet them earlier this year for their Summer Indiana Dunes State Park Engagement Photos. After spending that evening with them, I knew their wedding day was going to be something special. I was so excited to celebrate alongside them at The Lodge at Rush Lakes!

The Details & Getting Ready at The Lodge at Rush Lakes

The Lodge at Rush Lakes in La Porte, Indiana truly feels like a hidden gem. The venue sits on hundreds of acres of protected wildlife preserve. It’s tucked back in the woods and surrounded by scenery that makes you feel completely removed from everything else. Everywhere you look, there are beautiful views. It made such an incredible place to spend the day celebrating!

The ladies spent the morning getting ready in the main house while the guys got ready in the guest house, both included as part of The Lodge at Rush Lakes wedding day packages. Before the ceremony, Kristen and Elliott shared a really emotional first look and private vows on the front lawn with their parents, maid and matron of honor, and best man nearby. It was such a meaningful moment and there were definitely plenty of tears.

After their first look, we jumped right into family and wedding party photos before heading down to the ceremony location. Their wedding colors were absolutely perfect for a fall wedding at The Lodge at Rush Lakes, especially with the beautiful wooded scenery surrounding us. I loved that Elliott wore a different suit than the groomsmen. It tied in so perfectly with the bridesmaids’ dresses and brought everything together so well.

An Outdoor Woodsy Wedding Ceremony at The Lodge at Rush Lakes

Kristen and Elliott’s ceremony took place in a spot perfectly carved out in the woods at The Lodge at Rush Lakes, and it felt like something out of a storybook. A winding path led guests through the trees to the ceremony space, where wooden benches surrounded a beautiful arbor tucked beneath the canopy. The wooded setting and the lake created such an intimate place for them to exchange vows.

One of the sweetest parts of the ceremony was the unity ceremony where their parents took part as well. It was such a special way to include their families in the day, and you could feel how meaningful that moment was for everyone standing there with them.

Outdoor Newlywed Portraits

One of my favorite parts of the day was sneaking away with Kristen and Elliott for their portraits around the property. We took advantage of the stunning views by Lake Liz, and it truly felt like everywhere we turned there was another beautiful spot to photograph them. The wooded paths, peaceful water, and cozy tucked-away corners made it such a dreamy setting for portraits!

The grounds at The Lodge at Rush Lakes have endless photo-worthy locations, and honestly we could have spent hours exploring them all. Kristen and Elliott were so natural together, which made these portraits by the lake and throughout the property some of my favorites from the entire day.

The Sass Wedding Reception at The Lodge at Rush Lakes Pavilion & Tent

Kristen and Elliott’s reception took place lakeside at The Lodge at Rush Lakes starting in the reception pavilion and ending in the tent which created such a fun indoor/outdoor atmosphere. Introductions and their first dances happened inside the pavilion before everyone moved out to the tent for dinner and speeches. One of my favorite parts of the night was capturing the reactions from friends and family during the toasts. Those moments always end up being some of the most meaningful photos to look back on.

As the night went on, Kristen changed into her second dress and the dance floor officially opened up. With music from 27 Entertainment, the party stayed full all night long and everyone was out celebrating. The Lodge at Rush Lakes quickly became one of my favorite venues I photographed in 2025, and I already can’t wait for the chance to be back there again!

Why The Lodge at Rush Lakes is The Perfect Midwest Wedding Venue

If you’re dreaming of a nature-filled wedding weekend, The Lodge at Rush Lakes is such an incredible choice. The venue sits on the southernmost of three private lakes within a protected wildlife preserve. It gives couples and their guests the feeling of being completely tucked away in nature while still having everything they need for an amazing experience. There are hundreds of acres to explore and miles of scenic trails throughout the property. Everywhere you look, you’ll find beautiful wooded views. It truly feels like a hidden Midwest retreat!

One of the things that makes The Lodge at Rush Lakes so special is how much there is for guests to enjoy throughout the weekend. Guests can hike the scenic trails, spend time on the water, or relax at the indoor pool house and spa. There are also plenty of games and gathering spaces inside the lodge. It’s the kind of place where your wedding feels like a full experience, not just a single day. It’s especially perfect for couples who love the outdoors and want to create a laid-back, memorable wedding weekend with their favorite people.

If you’re planning a wedding in Northern Indiana and love what you see here, I would truly love to hear from you! You can learn more about me on my about page, and if it feels like I might be the right photographer for you, you can reach out through my contact page! In the meantime, check out the blog to see more beautiful weddings from across Indiana and beyond.

Riley Trott Photography | Northern Indiana Wedding Photographer

Vendors:

Venue: The Lodge at Rush Lakes
Photographer: Riley Trott Photography
DJ: 27 Entertainment