Rhode Island Weddings

Newport is a place near and dear to my heart. It’s just a hop, skip and a jump away from the place I call home so I often find myself hopping, skipping and jumping to the gorgeous city on the sea as often as humanly possible. The reason? It’s drop dead gorgeous, and has that coastal east coast charm that simply can’t be beat. So my heart does a little happy dance when I come across a wedding that virtually transports me to that fabulous place, particularly when it’s done in such a stylish fashion like this wedding captured at Rebecca Hansen Weddings at the always stunning Belle Mer. It’s perfectly Newport, and perfectly, well perfect – and you can take a little virtual trip to that pretty little place right here.

From Rebecca Hansen Weddings… Megan and Brian had a perfect Newport, RI wedding. It was held at the Belle Mer which is right on the water. Megan and Brian wanted to see each other in a small garden before the ceremony and do a first look and wander around Newport. After pictures the wedding party was taken to the Belle Mer on a trolley. The ceremony backdrop was the beautiful Newport bridge and harbor. Guests were given lemonade and programs as they arrived for the ceremony. The reception was airy and beautiful. Guests were served a traditional New England seafood dinner which was followed by dancing into the evening. The bride and groom made sea salt favors for all of their guests, and guests signed a map of Newport which served as their guestbook. They also provided flip flops tied with wedding colors for guests with tired dancing feet. 

[dotted]

Wedding Photography: Rebecca Hansen Weddings | Wedding Venue: Belle Mer in Newport, Rhode Island | Floral Design: Greenlion Weddings | Caterer: Belle Mer | Music: The Swinging Johnsons | Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller via Country Weddings Bridal Boutique | Bridesmaids’ Bags: Kate Spade

I must admit, I’m completely smitten with this timeless Glen Manor House soiree from Snap! Weddings. From the neutral and absolutely stunning color palette, to the couple’s creative tributes to their alma mater and the seamless blending of culture + tradition, it’s just one continuous pretty party. There is so much more to swoon over in the full gallery – promise me you’ll go see it all!?

From the Bride… There were many special things I wanted to incorporate into our wedding including a tribute to my late father, a tribute to Ohio University (where our love story began), and a tribute to both the African American and Latino culture. While incorporating these were important, it was also very important to both Jason and I to keep the look of the wedding timeless. I wanted to create a look that even our future kids would find beautiful. For this reason, we selected a neutral color palette that included pale pinks, khaki  ivories and golds. Adding to the color we also wanted a vintage theme to be carried out throughout the decor. The idea was to create an inviting environment that was somewhat formal but not stuffy.

Once the venue was chosen, everything seemed to fall right into place. The Glen Manor House, a French style mansion with views of the Sakonnet river located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, provided the perfect location to carry out my vision. The beautiful garden area overlooking the Sakonnet river was perfect for the late summer outdoor ceremony I always dreamed of. The idea behind the decor was less is more. The spaces in the house are so beautiful that the need for decor is very minimal. I wanted it all to be very elgeant but was careful not to go over the edge. The aisle was simply decorated with hanging 3 armed mini chandeliers daintly decorated with light pink majolica roses. The mahogany chiavarri chairs provided just the right amount of pop color that was needed to make a statement during the ceremony. To top it off, two large urns filled with large hydrangeas, dusty miller, and roses all in ivory, latte, and blush hues created a breathtaking floral statement peace to call attention to the front of the aisle. I was a DIY bride that was not afraid to go against the grain and incorporate different unique items that would make my wedding stand out from the rest. Throughout my planning stages, my focus was on closely paying attention to the small details and ensuring that my guests, most of whom were traveling far distances to share our special day with us, felt like they were in a fairytale; we wanted to create an experience that our guests would never forget. Small details included the tissues I incorporated in each program, that read “For Your Tears of Joy”, to the handmade sign I created out of burlap that read “Uncle Jason, Here Comes Your Bride” and was carried down the aisle by our twin flower girls, our personally and heartfelt wedding vows, the skeleton keys that were tied to coffee stained escort cards all of which were individually handwritten in caligraphy. The vintage suitcase turned card box also created a nice vintage feel. 

To incorporate our love for Ohio University, Jason and I created a green and white candybar that made a wonderful statement. To take the Ohio University theme even further, each table was named after a special site on O.U’s campus and included a blurb describing why that site is dear to our hearts.

And last but not least, my attire exuded the vintage look. I wore a full lace dress with gold vintage style jewelry, topped off witih a mantilla veil.

[dotted]

Wedding Photography: Snap! Weddings | Wedding Venue: The Glen Manor House in Portsmouth, Rhode Island | Floral Design: Toni Chandler Flowers | Caterer: Blue Rocks Catering | Wedding Cake: Patticakes | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited + Taylor Rental | Invitations: Robin Duke Invitations | Wedding Stationery: DIY by the Bride | Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander | Jewelry: Carolee Lux | Bridesmaids’ Attire: After Six | Groom’s + Groomsmen Atire: Jean Yves | Makeup: Makeup by Leni E. | Hair: Nina Salon

Rhode Island might be the littlest state in the land, but I would like to argue that it’s one of the prettiest too. With miles and miles of gorgeous New England coastline, and charm that seems to govern the wee state – when I see a wedding hosted in sweet Rhody, my eyes light up. And when that wedding is captured by Mandy Mayberry Photography, I put everything aside so I can bask in the beauty. There is so much pretty to take in from the drool-worthy florals from Petal Pushers to the stunning Newport views, and it’s all waiting for you right here.

From Mandy Mayberry Photography… Ariel and Ian were married at the Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown, Rhode Island. It was a beautiful, pre-sunset fall wedding with oranges, deep reds, and panoramic views of Narragansett Bay. Ian is very Scottish and surprised his father with a bagpiper for the ceremony, to which was met with tears of joy! Their reception was held at the prestigious and historic Hotel Viking in Newport, RI where they treated their guests to exquisite vintage wines and scotches. 

Wedding Photography: Mandy Mayberry Photography / Ceremony Location: Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown, Rhode Island / Reception Location: Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island / Event + Floral Design: Petal Pushers / Wedding Invitations: John DiCristaforo / Wedding Dress: Priscilla’s of Boston / Shoes: My Glass Slipper

I happen to love, love, love a traditional wedding and when it’s one that is as crazy chic as this Newport affair captured by Adeline & Grace, it ups the ante from love to downright obsession in about 5 seconds flat.  Because, really, who could possibly resist the fab stylings of Details with Love, a princess Vera Wang and sparkly Jimmy Choos?  Not I.  And when you get to know the stunning sweeties behind the day (they met on April Fools’ Day!), you’ll love it even more.  And, really, that’s the best part of all. Click here to see more.

From the Bride… Nathanial and I met through mutual friends of my grandparents and his parents. I was thinking about moving down to Florida and didn’t know anyone in the area to give me advice as to where to live. We met for drinks on April Fools Day and Nathanial called me the next morning; we saw each other every single day for two weeks straight after that, and the rest is history. We got engaged almost a year later on a trip to California. Nathanial proposed out on a pier in San Diego. The surprise was almost blown though by the TSA lady in the airport going through security. He had the ring in his carry-on bag and when it was going through the scanner she gave him the thumbs up and said something along the lines of, “Is it going to be a yes?” Fortunately I was completely oblivious, and the gorgeous ring was a complete surprise and a dream come true!

My vision of a chic, elegant and romantic wedding came true in every way! The blush and champagne colors were so soft and timeless and the contrast of the unexpected pop of black gave it an elegant, fashionable feel. There were so many personal little details that made our day perfection. From the wishing stones that said our last name, Wish, on them to the leather totes given to our guests as welcome bags that my father (the CEO of a leather company) had made with our custom monogram on them, as well as the delish and beautiful cookies with our monogram for the welcome bags made with love by Nathanial’s sister. Every detail of our wedding was personal and meaningful to us as a couple, which made our day a dream come true.

My mom surprised me with a pouch styled handbag she had made from the fabric of her own wedding dress for my something old! My something new was my gorgeous Vera Wang dress and Jimmy Choos. I borrowed a lace tissue pouch my aunt had with her during her wedding, and my something blue was the bridal “must have” — the powder blue Hanky Panky undies with the Swarovski “I Do.”

Wedding Photography: Adeline & Grace / Assistant Photographer: Jessica McHale / Wedding Venue: Belle Mer in Newport, Rhode Island / Wedding Design + Planning: Details with Love / Floral Design: Stoneblossom Floral & Event Design / Wedding Cinematography: Artistic Wedding Films / Bakery: Jenny Cakes / Wedding Paper Goods: Papers of Newport / Entertainment: Night Rhythm / Rentals: Rentals Unlimited / Lighting: Groove Events / Accommodations: 41 North / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Bracelets: Vintage / Bride’s Earrings, Hair Combs + Veil: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo

If I could spend the entire weekend at Gabriella New York Bridal Salon, I totally would.  Especially if it meant that every second could be spent prancing around in this seriously stunning Anna Maier Ulla-Maija gown, which I happily rank as my favorite dress of all time.  And if I looked even 1/100th as beautiful as this gorgeous Newport bride, I would consider myself lucky.  Very lucky.  Because this is a bride that is literally glowing in each and every glorious image captured by Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography, dapper groom included.  See so much right here.

From the Bride… We didn’t have a decorating “theme,” but I guess food ended up being the running theme for the weekend (and our lives). Other then wanting the wedding to be simple, beautiful, and fun, we wanted it to be delicious and for everyone to experience some of our favorite foods! Even though this was a sit down dinner at the New York Yacht Club, we didn’t want the meal to feel stuffy. The chef at the club was wonderful and helped us create a family style menu that reflected some of our most favorite dishes – fried chicken and macaroni n’ cheese! It was the first time they had served these dishes and they were a huge success! For dessert we had simple sheet cakes–red velvet and chocolate. As a favor at the end of the evening we handed out bottles of Cholula hot sauce. Cholula is our favorite hot sauce, so much so that we named our little Chihuahua after it (we call her Lula for short.) We had another poster made on Etsy to stand on the table, it read: “Hot Sauce So Good We Named Our Dog After It. Please Take One at Your Own Risk!”

On all of our vacations, Jason likes to take photos of EVERY meal and dish we eat at memorable restaurants. This resulted in hundreds of food images taking up space on our computers. We decided to use these as place cards at the wedding. We had tables named after various places we’ve visited (Tokyo, Kyoto, Patagonia, Napa Valley, Atlanta, etc) and at each person’s place setting they had an image of a meal we’d eaten affixed to a beautiful card with their name on it. We then wrote the name of the meal and restaurant on the back of each card. So for Tokyo there were 10 beautiful pictures of sushi, tempura, etc. waiting for people when they sat down! Everyone knows that Jason is very passionate about food so it was a great conversation starter!

After all the stressful big moments were over (like the first dance, speeches, etc) and everything had gone off without a hitch (and truly exceeded my expectations), Jason and I took a moment to just step back, take a deep breath, and appreciate how truly amazing the night was. People were having a fantastic time dancing – my uncle even danced on a chair! To see everyone having so much fun was the cherry on top of this wonderful day and such a relief after months and months of planning. It was an amazing party and that is just what we wanted. I know everyone says it, but really try to slow down, look around, and appreciate every second of the weekend. It truly goes by so fast.

Wedding Photography: Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography / Wedding Venue: New York Yacht Club–Harbour Court in Newport, Rhode Island / Floral Design: Sayles Livingston Flowers /  Wedding Cinematography: Needlegarden Projects / Wedding Cake: It’s My Party Bake Shoppe / Music: The Sultans of Swing / Wedding Stationery: Spark! via Urbanic Paper Boutique / Poster + Sticker Design: The Dapper Paper Co. / Transportation: Lands End Limousine / Wedding Dress: Bianca by Anna Maier Ulla-Maija via Gabriella New York Bridal Salon / Bride’s Veil: Sara Gabriel Veiling & Headpieces via Gabriella New York Bridal Salon / Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew / Bride’s Earrings: From Bride’s Great Grandmother / Bridesmaids’ Dresses + Sweaters: J.Crew / Hair + Makeup: The Apothecary Newport

If black bowties and white jackets are your thing, you’re going to eat this wedding right up. It’s all sorts of classy with a gorgeous bride to boot – and not to mention the stunning Newport views, a gorgeous design from Details with Love, and the cutest little pug you’ll ever see. Person + Killian Photography were behind the camera’s we know and love capturing it all with grace, and we’ve filled up a gallery with the beauty. Click here to see it!

Click here to see the full image gallery!

From Person + Killian Photography … Hadley (Owner of The Gourmandise School of Sweets and Savories in Los Angeles) and Greg live in LA and got married in early September at Castle Hill in Newport, RI. Greg is a Newport Native in a long line of Booth family members there and Hadley is a Southern girl born and raised in Georgia (with parents from Texas and Louisiana). They were so in love that their first look lasted over 30 minutes of just looking and talking to each other!

Everything on their wedding day was picture perfect including the sun peeking out from behind the clouds the exact second that Hadley and her Dad stepped onto the lawn from the tent to walk down the aisle.  The wedding included  lots of DIY and personalized inspirations: fresh lemonade and ice tea with cute straws, lanterns hanging from the trees, custom made cornhole game with their wedding logo (also incorporated on their cookies, on top of their cake, super cute ceremony programs that turned into a fan when opened). We loved their exit onto the trolley to the after party (through a tunnel of their guests throwing sparkling stars) and last but not least – their Pug Moxie!

Photography: Person + Killian Photography / Venue: Castle Hill, Newport, RI / Planning & Design: Details with Love / Hair: Jenny Kay Beauty / Makeup: Spectrum Makeup Artistry by Jennifer Hodges / Invitations + Stationery: Papers / Dress: Saks Fifth Avenue of Beverly Hills / Flowers: Stoneblossom / Cake: Confectionary Designs / Linens: Rentals Unlimited / Entertainment: Night Rhythm / Favors: Platine Sweets & Savories / Transportation: Viking Rentals

Wanting their wedding to focus on the joining of two families, this adorable Mr. and Mrs. (who you may remember from their too-sweet-not-to-share-again e-session) decided to be wed at Castle Hill Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, where their families have vacationed for years. The day was a gorgeous celebration filled with perfect petals from Sayles Livingston Flowers, a surprise fireworks show and an outpouring of love. This beauty doesn’t end here, there’s a gallery full of images from Lauren Methia Photography to peruse!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… My fiancé, Peter, and I have a deep-rooted past — both of our families have known each other for almost four decades. We did not start dating until later in life, but we both had the advantage of already knowing each others’ family very well, so no awkward “meeting of the parents!” Peter proposed to me at the gorgeous White Elephant on Nantucket the weekend of the Christmas Stroll in 2011. He planned a post-proposal intimate dinner where both sets of our parents surprised me at the restaurant. I was in complete shock, and I look back at that day as one of the greatest moments of my life!

We knew from the start we wanted our wedding to be more than just about two people. It was about two families coming together after many years of friendship and officially being able to say we are “family.” In addition to becoming a big family and a wife, I was also lucky to have the honor of becoming a step-mom to a precious little girl. I wanted a soft, romantic candlelit evening on the water: a quintessential New England occasion. A few weeks later Peter, my parents and I only had to see two venues when we made our decision at the second stop at Castle Hill in Newport, Rhode Island. For several years, Newport has had such a special place in our lives — our families have gone boating, sightseeing and watched the Blue Angels fly over head. I had always dreamed about get married at Castle Hill to the man of my dreams on a perfect summer day, and we got just that! Peter’s uncle was our officiant, my close friend sang Adele’s rendition of “Make You Feel My Love,” and my dad surprised us with a plane fly by during cocktail hour with a sign dedicated to Peter and me! And just when you thought the night was over, my dad surprised us again with the most spectacular firework display on the water… let’s just say the entire night was magical.

I had always heard the horror stories of planning a wedding, but I never really knew what it was like until we went through it ourselves. Looking back, part of me wishes I had taken in the little moments more, but at the end of the day everything was beyond my expectations, and I do not have any regrets. Our photographer, Lauren Methia, was able capture every perfect moment, and she was a joy to work with.  We are so thankful for our families, friends and the vendors who helped make our day the most beautiful and spectacular weekend of our lives.

Wedding Photography: Lauren Methia Photography / Assistant Photographer: Caroline Talbot Photography / Wedding Venue: Castle Hill Inn in Newport, Rhode Island / Floral Design: Sayles Livingston Flowers / Wedding Cinematography: Chris McClain of Visual Masterpiece / Wedding Stationery + Invitations: Jillian Macey of Weddings and Wellies / Ceremony Music: Sukada / Reception Music: Played Out / Wedding Dress: Alvina Valenta / Hair + Makeup: Jennie Kay Beauty

The English countryside meets Newport, Rhode Island in this crazy-beautiful Rosecliff wedding from Meredith Perdue. I simply cannot take my eyes off the stunning, cascading bouquets created by Flower Designs by Pat which absolutely set the tone for this classic + colorful fête. The vintage charm goes on for days in the full gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Meredith Perdue… Earlier this summer, Mike and Antonia were married on the back lawn overlooking the ocean at Rosecliff, one of Newport, Rhode Island’s gilded age mansions. The entire day was filled with festive cheer — smiling bridesmaids in colorful dresses with matching groomsmen boutonnieres and socks, singing and laughter aboard a trolley, and a night full of dancing to a lively swing band in the largest ballroom in Newport.

From the Bride… We were tremendously lucky to be married at Rosecliff Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, this past June, and we have a number of people to thank for all they did to make our celebration so special. We’d like to say a big thank you to some of our outstanding vendors: Pat Cammett worked tirelessly with us to understand our vision for the flowers, bouquets, trees and plants, and brought our ideas to life in spectacular form (we truly could not have been happier!); Kathleen Geasey at Russel Morin Catering was amazing to work with, and not only helped us create the perfect menu for our guests showcasing both our English and American heritages (including creating a custom sticky toffee pudding recipe from scratch!), but was an amazingly thoughtful, organized and effective coordinator on the wedding day; Philip Pelletier and his team at Rosecliff were wonderfully accommodating and did everything in their power to ensure the day went off without a hitch (including tying my Dad’s shoes for him before going down the aisle!); Meredith Perdue could not have been more lovely as our wonderful photographer — her sweet disposition and non-intrusive style helped us relax in front of the camera (and produced some gorgeous pictures!); the very talented and super fun and friendly Stacey Frasca made me feel amazing with my makeup, and she did a fabulous job with all our bridesmaids working with lots of different styles and skin tones; the similarly talented and lovely Rebecca at Jennie Kay Studio did a fantastic job on our hair (which stayed up all night long!); Stacey Kraft at Flair Boston and Bridesmaids Brass, the brass band for our ceremony, were fantastic to work with and played our ceremony pieces beautifully (one of my favorite memories was hearing the processional music begin); and the White Heat Swing Orchestra sounded spectacular and brought a ton of energy that kept the dance floor hopping throughout the night!

Most importantly, I cannot thank my family and especially my incredible Mum enough for all the effort and love poured into making the day so special. The best part was getting to say our vows to each other in front of a group of those we love most in the world, and we are forever grateful to our amazing families and friends for celebrating with us in such spectacular form. We love you guys!

Wedding Photography: Meredith Perdue / Wedding Venue: Rosecliff in Newport, Rhode Island / Floral Design: Flower Designs by Pat / Wedding Stationery: Parrott Design Studio / Band: White Heat Swing Orchestra / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Makeup: Stacey Frasca / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Flair Boston

Oh hello, wedding of my dreams, so lovely for you to stop by. This here is a priiiime example of how the location – when it is as gorgeous a place like  Glen Manor House – can be the most perfect starting point for designing your entire day. Kristin Spencer Photography has captured this darling number so flawlessly that as I was flipping through the gallery, I was unexpectedly overcome with such utter joy for this bride and groom. And that, lovelies, is what we are all about around here. Fall in love with every image in our gallery right here. 

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Kristin Spencer Photography… Kristan and Ricardo had an intimate wedding on April 20, 2012, with 6o guests and an amazing color palette. With a backdrop so incredible as the Glen Manor House, the day’s festivities were sure to be sophisticated and elegant. Peonies, hyacinth, anenomes and ranunculus splashed color through the rooms and bouquets while hidden treats of saltwater taffy decorated the tables. To accents the simple florals, Kristan’s gown was such a pop of extra-luxe style!

From the Bride… One thing I learned from my wedding planning is that without my lovely mother’s help, I would have never had the wedding that I imagined in my mind since the day I got engaged. My mother planned and organized the most beautiful, romantic and classic vintage French-styled wedding. Our reception venue, Glen Manor House was our inspiration for the wedding day. The elegant, French-style mansion with its beautiful gardens gave the way to the Amsale dress I wore, as well as the classic black tuxedos and simplified table settings.

Wedding Photography: Kristin Spencer Photography / Ceremony: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Newport, Rhode Island / Reception: Glen Manor House in Portsmouth, Rhode Island / Wedding Weekend Coordination: Kristin Love of Details with Love / Floral Design + Rentals: Sayles Livingston Flowers / Catering: Blackstone Catering / Wedding Cake: Confectionery Designs / Music: Moondance Productions DJ / Transportation: Viking Tours of Newport / Favors: Newport Fudgery / Wedding Dress: Amsale “Dahlia” (Color: Caffe)

I’m swooning big-time over the wildly gorgeous florals Flowers by Semia created for this Newport wedding, and amazingly enough, they were just one small piece of the stunning puzzle! Add on the breathtaking Harbour Court venue, the bride’s chic Anna Maier Ulla-Maija Couture gown and a custom groom’s suit by Michael Andrews Bespoke, and we’ve got a pretty party that just won’t quit! With Snap! Photography behind the lens, you’re guaranteed a gallery full of inspiration! See it all here.

And be sure to check out the Super 8 trailer from Buzz Media Company:

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/49519456?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ff9933 600 338]

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… For our wedding we really wanted the day to have a soft and romantic feel. My husband Jonathan and I didn’t have a specific theme, but we loved combining different colors to complete our look. We chose pink, peach, cream and light green, and they came together so beautifully, creating a very elegant and sophisticated atmosphere for our ceremony and reception. We worked with Semia Dunne, from Flowers by Semia, on our flower arrangements, and she saw our vision immediately. She used spring flowers such as hydrangeas, roses and peonies, which looked just gorgeous, and my bouquet was the most beautiful I’ve ever seen! Kelli DuBeau of Exquisite Events worked with us on the lighting and tent decor. Harbour Court is such an extraordinary location, being right on the water in Newport, and we didn’t want our decor to take away from that, so we opted for off white paper lanterns, which were strung throughout the tent. They added to the ambiance and gave the space a celebratory feel, without being overpowering. At night, when the lanterns were all lit up, it looked as if the tent was glowing from the top of the hill.  

Mariah Ashley, our talented photographer from Snap!, was terrific. She was able to capture everything about the special day: the dramatic overcast skies, ambiance, great candids of our guests, and most importantly, the love that Jonathan and I feel for one another. We rocked out all night to The Dexter Lake Club Band, a wedding band from New York City. I have to say, they aren’t your average wedding band! It feels like you are at a concert when these guys play, whether it’s a classic Rolling Stones song or an ’80s hit such as “99 Luftballons.” Our guests raved about how awesome they were, and the dance floor was filled until the very last song of the night.  

Another fun element of the wedding was the photo booth. Guests were able to choose whether they wanted their filmstrips printed in black and white or color, and then they could paste the pictures into a book with a message for us and take a copy home as well. They came out amazing! We also wanted to take pictures with our school banners, so we ordered them ahead of time from our high school and college school stores. We gathered together on the dance floor for those shots. Since Jonathan and I went to college together at Hobart & William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York, we had a large group, and it was really awesome to be able to document having our closest friends together with us on our most special night. 

One of our favorite DIY projects was putting together the candy bar. We used different sized glass bowls to hold cream, green and pink candies. Guests took bags of candy home with them at the end of the night. In lieu of additional wedding favors, Jonathan and I made a donation to RISE — Rhode Islanders Sponsoring Education — an organization that is very important to us as we both serve as RISE mentors. I ended the night by switching into a short white dress, and Jonathan changed into a khaki suit before we made our way down to the dock at NYYC for a sparkler send-off. Then we took a boat to downtown Newport to continue celebrating with family and friends. It was the perfect way to end the perfect day!

Wedding Photography: Snap! Photography / Wedding Venue: Harbour Court in Newport, Rhode Island / Floral Design: Flowers by Semia / Wedding Cinematography: Mike Cyr of Buzz Media Company / Wedding Cupcakes: Mad Hatter Bakery / Wedding Invitations: Paper Moss / Ceremony Music: Driftwood Duet and Strings / Band: Dexter Lake Club Band / Linens: Rentals Unlimited / Tent Decor: Exquisite Events of Newport / Photo Booth: Photobooth Planet / Wedding Dress: Anna Maier Ulla-Maija Couture via Saks Fifth Avenue / Hair + Makeup: Jennie Kay Beauty / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Thread / Groom’s Attire: Michael Andrews Bespoke / Groomsmen’s Attire: Theory

I can’t get enough of this pretty, seaside chic Newport wedding! You can totally tell that each and every detail was thought out so carefully and perfectly. From the totally dapper groomsmen attire to the beyond gorgeous flowers, this wedding is all about bright pops of color. Deborah Zoe Photography captured all the moments so beautifully, that we totally won’t judge if you spend your entire morning perusing the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Deborah Zoe Photography… Dave and Lindsey’s chance meeting on Facebook is one of those adorable, makes you say “awww” kind of love stories. Lindsey had been cutting Heather’s hair for five years. One day Lindsey saw a picture of this cute guy on Heather’s Facebook profile and started asking questions. Turns out it was Heather’s cousin Dave and well, the rest is history. Heather decided to play matchmaker, Dave and Lindsey went on a blind date, and they have been together ever since!

Wedding Photography: Deborah Zoe Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Regatta Place in Newport, Rhode Island / Floral Design: Toni Chandler Flower and Events / Officiant: The Groom’s Sister, Jill / Wedding Cake: Cakes by Carol / Entertainment: Ra-Mu and the Crew / Transportation: Newport Wedding Trolley / Getting Ready Location: Hyatt Regency Newport / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Bridesmaids’ Attire: J.Crew / Groomsmen’s Attire: JCPenney

After having to postpone their wedding for almost a year due to Hurricane Irene, this couple finally got to say “i do” on a gorgeous spring day at Belle Mer in Newport, Rhode Island. With the help of Lemon Drop Team, the spot-on blush + grey color palette came through in everything from the chiffon JCrew bridesmaid’s dresses to the overflowing-with-pretty centerpieces by Kreative Vision Floral Design.  Epic Filmmakers and photographer Mark Kuroda captured all the wedding magic, including the bride’s reception dress + shoe change! See it all for yourself right here.

 [iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/44670467?title=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff 600 337]

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Lemon Drop Team… Anh and Leon were initially planned to get married in August 2011 but were caught in the middle of Hurricane Irene. Due to everyone’s safety, the wedding held at Belle Mer in Newport, Rhode Island, had to be postponed until this May 2012. But when May 26, 2012 arrived, Mother Nature was great to us and gave us absolutely incredible weather! Anh and Leon got married on the lawns of Belle Mer, surrounded by many loved ones. The bride wore a stunning strapless mermaid gown with an asymmetrical, pleated bodice and cut, organza, blossom hem by Vera Wang. Her pumps were equally stylish from Christian Louboutin. The bride also slipped into a second look after introductions featuring a classy bun by Jennie Kay, a dress by Jovani with a custom back s and flat shoes by Jimmy Choo. The bridesmaids wore a gorgeous, gray, long dresses from J.Crew. The groom and the groomsmen looked quite sharp as well in their gray suits. The colors for the wedding were gray and blush, and they was just perfect on a gorgeous, spring day. The feel of the wedding was modern and clean but also very romantic. Anh and Leon’s wedding was truly special, and everyone had a wonderful time. Especially the guests, who danced the night away with a live band and were treated to midnight snacks of milkshakes, mini sliders and tater tots. I think the highlight of this wedding was seeing how much love Anh and Leon had for one another. They just sparkled. A perfect pair!

Wedding Photography: Mark Kuroda / Wedding Venue: Belle Mer in Newport, Rhode Island / Wedding Day Coordination: Lemon Drop Team / Floral Design: Kreative Vision Floral Design / Wedding Cinematography: Epic Filmmakers / Wedding Cake: Dessert Works / Band: Boston Common Band / DJ: E.C.F Entertainment / Lighting: High Output Inc. / Flip Book Booth: Flip Chix / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Bride’s Second Dress: Jovani / Bride’s Second Pair of Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Hair: Jennie Kay Beauty / Bride’s Makeup: Nam Vo  / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew

Well hello, beautiful. This little number is so off-the-charts gorgeous you’ll want to jump into all of the lovely images from Rebecca Arthurs Photography just to feel the breeze and smell that wonderful ocean air. The stunning stunning stunning Regatta Place has everything nautical and absolutely classic for the back drop of this wedding that is sure to send your hearts aflutter with its dockside views and iconic sailboats. Add in the delightfully hilarious groomsmen and a seriously enchanting bride and groom, and you’ve got yourself a real winner here. See even more of this wedding in the full gallery, right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Rebecca Arthurs Photography… The bride and groom took their inspiration from the Rhode Island coast. They both grew up near the ocean and wanted to incorporate their love of it into their day. The blue and gray of the water, the coastal flowers and sea breezes. They wanted a relaxed venue right on the water where they could throw a big party and invite all of their family and friends. The venue, Regatta Place, couldn’t have been a more perfect setting. Located right on the docks of Goat Island overlooking the historical coastal town of Newport, Leah and Brad tied the knot surrounded by water and air. Have you ever met a couple that smiles all the time? A couple that thinks about others before themselves? Leah and Brad are one of those couples. They are as sweet as pie, and I feel truly blessed to have photographed and been a part of their wedding day. 

Wedding Photography: Rebecca Arthurs Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Regatta Place in Newport, Rhode Island / Wedding Coordination: Melanie Hanna / Floral Design: Flowers by Semia / Wedding Cake + Pies: Scrumptions / Music: The Free Downloads / Wedding Dress: Lea-Ann Belter via The Wedding Dress / Hair + Makeup: Steph Shey + Beth / Transportation: Newport Wedding Trolley

Cocktail cruise? Yes, please! That’s just one of the many fabulous details of this spectacular wedding by Meghan Sepe Weddings. With a weakness for all things nautical, I just can’t get enough of all the sea loving details from the Sarah Rodgers Florals, beautiful throws and striped stiletto’s. All aboard to the full gallery for more seaside wonderfulness.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Meghan Sepe Weddings… Nell and Andy were married on May 26 in the famous Trinity Church on Spring Street in Newport, Rhode Island. Following the ceremony, they took all their guests on a harbor cocktail cruise on the Rum Runner II, passing landmarks such as the New York Yacht Club and other Newport sights. The reception was held in a tent and on the docks at Regatta Place at Goat Island Marina, also in Newport. Dinner and dancing went well into the night… The firetruck images were from a fire alarm mishap at the venue that we made the most of.

This wedding was full of nautical inspired details and colors. The groom is a professional sailor and sailing commenter, and the bride owns a string of gorgeous boutiques located in Newport, Vermont and Nantucket. Her personal style and boutiques are tasteful, yachting-chic apparel and home decor, and Nell has impeccable taste across the board. Andy is from the UK and played it up with preppy coat tails with a bright pink silk inner lining. Both Nell and Andy are happy, sweet, lighthearted people, so the bright green pedicabs to the church were no surprise and a lot of fun.

Wedding Photography: Meghan Sepe Weddings / Second Shooter: Hilary Block / Ceremony: Trinity Church in Newport, Rhode Island / Reception: Regatta Place in Newport, Rhode Island / Floral Design: Sarah Rodgers Florals / Wedding Cake: Sin Desserts / Boat: Rum Runner II / Pedicab: Newport Pedicab / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed)

If you’ve ever been to Newport, Rhode Island you know there is something special about that city by the sea. A wee bit of magic, if I may say. So couples that decide to snap their engagement portraits here are super smart. Because when you mix unreal backdrops and love, you get a session that turns out as gorgeous as this one by Mikhail Glabets Photography. And you can see it all right here!

From Mikhail Glabets Photography… I must say, it was awesome to skip town and do a super lovely engagement session in Newport, Rhode Island. Meredith and Dennis are crazy-go-nuts for each other, and we had a blast hopping from location to location! 

From the Bride-to-Be… Since I went to college at Salve Regina University and Dennis went to college at Roger Williams in Rhode Island, we figured Newport was the best place for our engagement session. Newport is a special place to both of us, as we have had many great memories here. 

Photography: Mikhail Glabets Photography / Location: Newport, Rhode Island / Dress: J.Crew

The classics, tradition, and stunning views. Is there anything else, really? This Hyatt Regency Newport wedding by Details with Love shows us that when it comes to effortless elegance, those are the only ingredients you need. Well, there are a few more deets that push the pretty envelope, like the bride’s stunning scallop edged lace sheath, the couldn’t-look-happier smile on her groom’s face, and the spring essential peony filled Jephry Floral Studio flowers.  M.Studios shared all the best shots of the day with us so get an eyeful of the rest of the essentials here!

From M.Studios… Matt and Maura had an elegant wedding in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island.  They love the water, so it was the perfect location for their wedding. Both are Rhode Island natives, but they live in Boston. They wanted to have a fun-filled day with family and friends, and that is what they got. Matt and Maura have so many friends, from elementary school to law school. It was amazing to see two people loved by so many. With the help of Kristen Love of Details with Love, Matt and Maura’s day ran smoothly, and everything looked beautiful. The reception was at the Hyatt Regency in Newport. Hair and makeup was done in the Hyatt at the Stillwater Spa. The flowers were done by Jephry Floral. Maura’s beautiful dress and all the bridesmaids dresses were from L’Elite. The cake was from Scrumptions.  The band, Sugar Babies, kept everyone on the dance floor all night long!

Wedding Photography: M.Studios / Wedding Venue: Hyatt Regency Newport in Newport, Rhode Island / Event Planning: Details with Love / Floral Design: Jephry Floral Studio / Wedding Cake: Scrumptions / Band: Sweet Tooth and the Sugar Babies / Wedding Dress: L’elite (Designer Unknown) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: L’elite / Hair + Makeup: Stillwater Spa at Hyatt Regency Newport

Who doesn’t love a great love story!? Grab a box of kleenex and get ready to shed a joyful tear or two because this wedding by Meghan Sepe Photography is filled with love. Just reading the radiant bride’s words on her engagement story got me choked up, and then I looked through the exquisite images. The flowers, the flowers, the flowers…yes, Stoneblossom Floral and Wedding Design executed their design wonderfully, but then again this entire wedding is pure gorgeousness. Continue the love story in the full gallery here.

From the Bride… Ours is a story of love at first sight. Tony and I met on a blustery evening in Boston shortly before Christmas 2010. After a few minutes of conversation I now know that Tony told his sister “I’m going to marry that girl.” Within seven months, we were engaged. It was my 30th birthday, and like all other summer weekends, we were at my parents’ home in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Dinner in Newport was on the birthday agenda, but we were first to meet Tony’s parents for a drink at Castle Hill. We had a cocktail (or two!) on the lawn overlooking the bay, engaged in cheerful conversation and watched sailboats pass by. Mysteriously, Tony’s parents, the ever-punctual couple, never showed up. After announcing how shocked he was that his parents were so late, my prince charming dropped to his knee, photographer extraordinaire Megan Sepe sprung up from her hidden place among another group of guests, and Tony asked me to marry him. I can say with one hundred percent certainty that there has never been a time in my life where I felt happier, more blessed, or more at peace. But the surprises continued… A few minutes later one of the many boats we had been watching sail by was for me. The joyful group was complete with birthday banners, happy birthday song and air horns for all of Castle Hill to hear. When I got a closer look it was our families and my dearest friends, who surprised me with a visit to Newport to celebrate my 30th. So with Meghan leading the way, we walked down to the docks we went to wait for the boat. No one on the boat (except my father) knew that we just got engaged, but when they found out, all of Newport could hear. We shared an evening that none of us will ever forget and I will cherish forever.

Tony and I were engaged at Castle Hill, Meghan Sepe was part of our story, so both were natural choices for our wedding. One thing we both knew for sure was that we wanted the atmosphere of our monumental day to mirror our relationship: an enormously fun evening for our intimate group of friends and family filled with romance, love, laughter and candle light. The ceremony was held outdoors at the water’s edge and was performed by one of Tony’s closest friends. The arbor was decorated with spring’s finest blooms and the entire setting screamed fairytale. Our guests were each handed homemade ceremony programs and flags that said “Yay!” which were waved for our recessional as husband and wife. My gorgeous bridesmaids wore spectacular blush Amsale gowns and held smaller versions of my lush bouquet.

The floral played an enormous part in creating the atmosphere of our reception.  I turned to the ever-amazing Joyce Holland at Stoneblossom Floral and Event Design to make my vision come to life. We created a palette centered around my favorite childhood bloom, the blush peony, and incorporated dreamy creams and whites to complement. To add height to the rectangular center table in the spectacular Sperry tent at Castle Hill, we filled tall silver vases with flowering branches dripping with twinkling tealights. The candle-lit ambiance was massively important, so we had candles of all heights and sizes — I couldn’t have enough.  I handmade the place cards and the table cards, which were named after special towns in our beloved Rhode Island. Everything from the invitations to the band was totally us. The entire day was simply perfect. We laughed, we cried, and we danced the night away. We both feel so lucky to have celebrated our love, to have our parents’ incredible support and to have had our vision come to life in the spectacular way that it did.

Wedding Photography: Meghan Sepe Photography / Wedding Venue: Castle Hill Inn in Newport, Rhode Island / Floral Design: Stoneblossom Floral and Wedding Design / Event Planning: Rebecca White of Castle Hill Inn / Wedding Cake: Scrumptions / Save-the-Dates, Wedding Invitations + Place Setting Thank you Cards: Kelly Elizabeth Designs / Band: Splash! / Wedding Dress: J.Crew “Waterfall” / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Ring: Hearts on Fire “Beloved Band” / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale / Hair + Makeup: Jennie Kay Beauty / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Groom’s Shoes: Tod’s / Groom’s Ring: David Yurman “Sky Band”

We’re kicking off another gorgeous week here at SMP Massachusetts with this pretty, winter wedding by Rebecca Arthurs Photography. Newport, Rhode Island is such a beautiful place any time of year so it made perfect sense for this pair to hit the road for a mini destination wedding. We’re loving all the soft pinks and champagne tones and how they set the mood for some cozy, winter romance. Click here for even more!

 

From the Bride… I loved the idea of a winter wedding before I was even engaged. It just seemed romantic and cozy and also just a little different from other weddings I had been to before. When George and I got engaged on Christmas Eve, it just started to fall into place. The phrase “winter wonderland” started to become the recurring theme. The fact that George is Greek-American also played in to the planning quite a bit. Part of my wedding planning included being baptized as Greek Orthodox so that we could be married in the Greek Othodox Church. It also meant that the location of the wedding was heavily influenced by the proximity of a church where we could get married. We live in the Boston area with plenty of churches around, but we liked the idea of a “mini-destination” wedding — something within driving distance that would still give the feel of a weekend away. My family would be flying in from the west coast, so any location we chose was going to be a destination wedding for them. Due to the locations of the churches, we had to rule out a lot of northern New England mountain areas that would have given us a real winter wonderland feeling. Newport quickly became the location of choice — not only does it have a Greek Orthodox church right in town and a seaside feel that we love, but it also stays lively in the winter months. Our version of a winter wonderland started to take shape.

It was Ellen, the church secretary, who led us to finding our reception venue. She suggested that we check out the Atlantic Beach Club, and when we did, we knew it was right for us because it had lots of windows to look out on the beach and a huge dance floor. Of all the elements of the reception, the one that was probably the most mutually important for me and George was that there be a lot of dancing. We planned to have two bands — one American and one Greek — and hoped to dance the night away with our guests. We wanted our wedding to be beautiful, but we also wanted it to be a lot of fun, and, aside from our ceremony in the church, light on the formalities. This is how our fancy winter wonderland became casually elegant.

I looked at a lot of magazines and blogs for style inspiration. When we settled on February 18 for our wedding date, I decided to let the color inspiration of Valentine’s Day be my guide. I didn’t want it to hit everyone over the head with pinks, reds and hearts, but I wanted the romantic essence to come through. That led me to a palette of soft pinks, champagne and ivory. Working with our florist was wonderful for helping to solidify and expand my vision for the day. She and all of my wonderful vendors that I was lucky enough to work with were amazing artists who played a big role in shaping how our wedding day turned out. However, that first meeting with the florist was an important moment in planning  because it helped me realize that my seeds of inspiration truly could turn in to something tangible and beautiful. I felt a lot more confident in the vision for the day after every vendor meeting, but I still could not believe how wonderfully it all came to life in the end.

Wedding Photography: Rebecca Arthurs Photography / Ceremony: St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Newport, Rhode Island / Reception: Atlantic Beach Club in Newport, Rhode Island / Wedding Planning: Jaime Nelson of Eventfully Planned / Floral Design: Toni Chandler Flowers and Events / Wedding Cake: Kate Repko / Wedding Invitations + Programs: Bella Figura / Rentals: The Perfect Setting at Felicia’s / Bands: Boston Common Band + The Olympians / Lighting: R. Jason Citrone of Music Mixers Entertainment /Transportation: RockStar Limo / Pre-Wedding Venues: Hyatt Regency Newport + 41 North / Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet for Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair: Jen Gonzalez (jennyg9883@yahoo.com) / Makeup: Jennifer Hodge of Spectrum Makeup Artistry

This Newport bride is a glitter-loving gal after our own hearts.  Shimmery gold shoes, two amAHzing gowns, a sequin-studded reception and pops of jewel-toned hues.  Need I say more?  It’s a glistening, glittery dream of a day all captured so gorgeously by Susan Sancomb Photography.  Of course, I can’t leave out the groom who is rocking some serious style with his black and white striped bow tie!  See it all in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

We wouldn’t dare send you off into the weekend without first sharing this incredible film by William Smyth of vaciliando!

From the Bride… I was born with glitter in my veins and ever since I could remember, I wanted my wedding day to be filled with lots of color, an amazing dress, a touch of sparkle and the perfect groom (of course!). My vision for creating a day of “love and sparkle” was the foundation for everything I did. I wanted my guests to leave saying “Wow — that was fun!” and Chase (my handsome groom) and I feeling like we just threw the best party of our lives. So we surrounded ourselves by the family who helped shape us, the friends who make us smile every day and the vendors that could make all of our (err … really mostly my) crazy visions into a reality.

Studying fashion in college, color has always been something which inspired me. I spent a ton of time making everything “coordinate.” I didn’t want to have anything that felt “typical” or overdone but still ensuring to stay true to my vision. My bridesmaids all wore coordinating colors but different dresses that they picked out and were comfortable in and my wedding gown had feathers on it (the moment I put it on — I knew it was “the one”). Black and white stripe details were my way of calming down the saturated color palette (Chase’s bow tie, the ribbon on all of the bouquets and bouts, the striped table squares on all of our tables made by one of my bridesmaids) and of course, I integrating “sparkle” where ever I could (our flower girls threw gold confetti, our photo booth backdrop was gold sequined fabric, I changed into a gold sequined reception gown, gold rhinestone jewelry adorned both me and my bridesmaids, my dyed blue shoes had gold glitter heels). My paper goods were inspired by a card I got at the New York Magazine wedding event (in NYC) featuring the Kate Spade New York Bridal Collection (also the company I work for, another driving force for my inspiration). There was gold confetti twirling carelessly in the air on the card, and I replicated this and featured the same gold confetti theme on all of our paper goods (save-the-dates, invitations and place cards — I even made sure to have gold confetti on all of the tables to tie back to the paper goods).

We love desserts, so we definitely had plenty to go around. Sweet Indulgence in Warwick, Rhode Island, made the most wonderful cupcakes. Again, wanting to stay away from anything traditional, we included some of our favorite flavors (funfetti cake, Del’s lemonade, zeppole, peanut butter) in addition to chocolate-covered Twinkies, gold sprinkle-covered cake pops and bride and groom chocolate-covered strawberries and oreos. We had Ben and Jerry’s bring in their ice cream cart with all the fixings, and one of our favorite details of the entire evening was inclusion of milk and warm cookies for a late night snack. It was only appropriate since my new last name would be “Fields” — so we knew we had to have a variety of Mrs. Fields cookies for all of guests to enjoy! My photographer, Susan Sancomb, and event planner, Jaime Nelson, made our wedding day an absolute dream. Jennie Kay Murphy made me and my bridal party feel so glamorous and beautiful, and David Urban from the Secret Garden filled our venue with the most beautiful, non-smelly flowers one could find in November (Chase and I are allergic to most of them!). Because of this amazing team, we worried about nothing. I left our wedding with a mouths sore from smiling, a heart heavy with love and gold confetti in my hair — making my dream of an evening of “love and sparkle” an incredible memory.

Wedding Photography: Susan Sancomb Photography / Wedding Venue: OceanCliff Resort in Newport, Rhode Island / Event Planning + Day-Of Coordination: Jaime Nelson of Eventfully Planned / Floral Design: David Urban of The Secret Garden / Wedding Cinematography: William Smyth of vaciliando / Wedding Invitations: Judy Paulen Designs / Additional Paper Goods, Wedding Signs, Labels + Brunch Invitations: Abby Barnett of Flair Designery / Dessert Table: Sweet Indulgence / Cake Topper: From the Bride’s Parents Wedding, Redone by Over the Top Studios / Band: World Premier Band / Cigar Roller: Boston Cigar Factory / Photo Booth: Seemonkey Photobooth / Rentals: Rhode Island Rentals / Gold Paillette Tablecloths: Wildflower Linen / Lighting: Jason Citrone of Music Mixers Entertainment / Fun Fact Napkins + Table Numbers: Etsy / Favors: A Donation to the American Heart Association in Memory of the Bride’s Uncle / Transportation: Viking Tours of Newport / Wedding Dress: Pronovias “Fidji” / Bride’s Necklace, Earrings + Shoes: Kate Spade (Shoes Dyed) / Hair + Makeup: Jennie Kay Murphy / Bridesmaids’ Earrings: J.Crew (No Longer Available) / Bridesmaids’ Bracelets: Rent the Runway / Bridesmaids’ Shoes: Nine West “Danee” / Ice Cream Cart: Ben & Jerry’s, Newport, RI

There is just something undeniably fabulous about Newport. The gorgeous views, the sailboats all lined up looking lovely, the fabulous old school tradition of a New England seaside town – Newport has charming down pat. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that the weddings in that coastal town are just as fabulous, and this beauty from Laurie Bailey Photography at the OceanCliff Resort is the perfect example. With lovely nautical colors, sweet nods to the seaside scene and image after image with gorgeous backdrops, it’s all the reasons why we LOVE a seaside soiree. See it all here!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

And now for this gorgeous couple’s gorgeous wedding film by The Light Mill!

From the Bride… I landed in Washington, D.C. from six weeks of non-stop traveling for work, ran for the closest cab and rushed home to see my boyfriend, who was in town from Los Angeles, where he was working on a political campaign. It was the second time we would see each other in a three month time period. Matt greeted me with a big kiss and pushed me to change so we could meet our friend to say goodbye as he headed for his sixth deployment overseas as a United States Marine. He took me to the World War II memorial. It was dark, but from the United States Capitol, to the Washington Monument, to the World War II Memorial, to the reflecting pool, to the Lincoln Memorial, lights shone in the most spectacular way. A side of DC I remembered from one of our first dates as new residents to the city four years earlier. As I fumbled with my camera to snap a few photos, Matt got on one knee, and from then on, I have no recollection of what he said. We laughed, I cried, and it was all photographed by a tourist visiting the monuments who Matt was able to sneak a camera to. A car picked us up and brought us back to our apartment, where he had champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries (my favorite), and the most beautiful dress for me to change into. We got back in the car, and it took us to one of our favorite restaurants in the country. A small Italian restaurant that seats 10 tables at a time and prepares its menu daily based on the best available local food and produce that day. After a magical weekend, we parted ways in the airport. Matt went back to LA, and I went off to some other city in the country. It would be another two-and-a-half months before we would be together again, but the thought of marrying my soul mate, best friend and confidant made the time that much shorter.

For us, our wedding was about sharing our most special day with an intimate group of family and friends who have supported us in so may ways throughout our relationship. We wanted romance, intimacy, and casual elegance. There was never a thought other than Newport, Rhode Island. Seeped in history and tradition, we felt it would be a beautiful and fun place to welcome our family and friends from around the country. We invited them for our ceremony and reception at the breathtakingly gorgeous OceanCliff Hotel. Amidst a backdrop of the Newport Bridge and magnificent sailboats we said our vows just before sunset. We wanted our guests to get the full Newport experience, so a lot of attention was paid to the navy and yellow nautical details. Our fluffy white peonies and lemony yellow ranunculus were a vision. Bringing in some of our Italian heritage, we had a lemon topiary made to be the center piece for our limoncello bottles that were our escort cards as well as gifts. We were treated to one of the most spectacular sunsets, and we even got a call from our good friend serving as a Marine in Afghanistan (It was 4 a.m. for him!). Prior to our ceremony, coupled with our fabulous photographer Laurie Bailey, we took thousands of wedding shots in and around Castle Hill, where we stayed on our wedding night. She made the two of us, our family and our wedding party feel so comfortable as she snapped away through the night. After nearly eight years of dating, our wedding was more beautiful than we could have dreamed, and we couldn’t have asked for better people to share it with.

Wedding Photography: Laurie Bailey Photography / Wedding Venue: OceanCliff Resort in Newport, Rhode Island / Floral Design: Toni Chandler Flowers and Events / Menus + Thank you Cards: Fillit Communications (The Brides Father’s Company) / Cinematography: The Light Mill / Video Song: “All This Time” by One Republic, Licensed Through Songfreedom.com / Band: Night Rhythm / Limoncello: Fabrizia Limoncello / Photo Location + Accommodations: Castle Hill Inn / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Shoes: Louis Vuitton / Bride’s Veil: Amsale (Borrowed from the Bride’s Sister) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale / Men’s Suits: Brooks Brothers / Men’s Ties: Vineyard Vines / Rehearsal Dinner: Regatta Place