Rhode Island Weddings

Glamour can mean so many things but for this Rhode Island wedding it’s all about the sparkle. A classic affair with a dash of sequined chevron or peonies by Stoneblossom mixed with gold rimmed glasses and chandeliers strung from the tree branches. Those little details crafted by the Bride and coordinated by True Event take this wedding from traditional New England to an affair that truly sparkles. See even more captured by Rebecca Arthurs right here.

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From Rebecca Arthurs…Liz & Alex’s wedding at the historic Linden Place Museum, was inspired by rustic romanticism. A combination of sas and cool, Liz and Alex perfectly compliment each other to make a drop dead gorgeous couple. Their fun personalities came though all day in every detail of the wedding. Rustic farmhouse tables and glowing chandlers transformed the Linden Place Carriage House into a fairytale setting. The flowers by Stone Blossom complemented Liz’s palette of soft vintage hues. With the help of True Event and a team of amazing vendors, Liz’s vision shown through in all of the creative details.

Photography: Rebecca Arthurs | Videography: Buzz Media Company- Wedding Films | Coordination: TRUE Event | Flowers: Stoneblossom | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Invitations: Julie Song Ink | Caterer: Blackstone Catering | Makeup: Jennie Fresa Brow & Beauty Bar | Hair: Salon Acote | Ceremony & Reception: Linden Place Mansion | Lighting & Decor: Exquisite Events | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Live Music: The Free Downloads | Other Live Music: Mark Greel Music Sambita | Rentals: Sassafras Vintage Rentals | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited | Rentals: New England Country Rentals

I’m a major fan of Rhode Island and it’s for reasons like this chic affair. A seaside wedding that so embodies the classic beauty of New England along with a healthy dose of prep. It’s a combo that Rhodi does so, so well and with the help of Greenlion Design along with elegance folded into every blushing detail, this gallery captured by Melissa Robotti is where it’s at.

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From the Bride… We define our wedding theme as “simple, New York City prep” – the style marriage of two NYC professionals and their New England roots. It was important to us that this nautical elegance also included some more personal experiences, as the typical Newport wedding experience is a story already told. Our photographer, Melissa, took us to the daffodil fields on the Newport Cliffwalk for pictures (as opposed to the standard mansion and ocean shots). This field only blooms for about one week out of the year, so it’s not every day that other brides get these gorgeous shots. As for the reception details, personal touches like pylons were created by the bride’s parents (and of course with the help of our florist) to bring in the nautical feel to each table and carry through the simple elegance. What resulted was a beautiful uniqueness and fabulous day of celebration that we’ll have in our hearts forever!

Photographer: Melissa Robotti Photography | Florist: Greenlion | Wedding Dress: Liv Harris | Invitations: WedSpring | Ceremony Venue: St. Lucys Church | Church: St. Lucys Church | Reception Venue: Belle Mer: A Longwood Venue | Jewelry: La Bijouterie | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Donna Morgan | Hair And Makeup: SERAI Beauty | Calligraphy: Amanda Masson | Band: Night Rhythm | Ties: Vineyard Vines | Suits: 9tailors | Save The Dates: Preppy Paperie

Choosing your wedding venue sets the tone for your entire wedding weekend. So why not pick a locale that’s totally unique? Enter, Peabody Essex Museum. Located in the heart of historic Salem, Massachusetts, this stunning space has three incredible rooms, as well as an outdoor garden area, that will have your guests wowed.

The Peabody Essex Museum is the perfect combination of warm + historic along with clean + modern, which makes it easy for any couple to see their wedding day vision come to life! Featuring the contemporary Atrium (which transforms beautifully from daylight to dramatic evening light), the historic + elegant East India Marine Hall and the Bartlett & Copeland Galleries which open up to the stunning Asian Gardens, this venue simply has it all.  The central location puts guests close to restaurants, attractions and hotels all within walking distance!

Thanks to changes in their renovation schedule, there are still lots of Saturday night dates available at the Peabody Essex Museum in 2015. For tons more information and to book your wedding date, head over here!

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Photo Credits: Ned Jackson Photography | Kevin Liang Photography | Sherrell Photography

SMPers, get ready to feast your eyes on some seriously pretty flora and fauna goodness. Inspired by vintage Audubon prints, this shoot is the perfect marriage of masculine and feminine, including the wildly beautiful invites from Paper Moss, braided leather hairstyle, rich hues, and even a signature whiskey cocktail. All in all, it’s sweet rustic wedding heaven. We’re sending Erin McGinn, Greenlion Weddings and the entire vendor team a big ol’ virtual hug for sharing this gorgeous gallery with us.

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From the vendor team… Mount Hope Farm, a national historic site with over 325 years of history, was the jumping off point for our springtime shoot. We wanted to create ambiance that highlighted the natural aspects of the Farm and the brilliance of the Spring season by choosing elements that complimented the property and all of its surroundings in a fresh and unique way. Inspired by vintage Audubon prints as well as birds, honeycomb, and other springtime fauna our vision seamlessly came to life. Paper Moss even incorporated some of the Audubon inspired prints into the stellar invitation design. We used rich and deep tones everywhere, leather, tobacco leaves, whiskey and wood to bring an almost masculine and moody, romantic feeling to the shoot while still allowing femininity to come across in the sweeping flowers, linen textiles, and gold rimmed place settings. Jennie Kay braided leather into our bride’s hair, and bedecked her Tony Hamawy gown with leather accents, while her dapper groom wore light-weight spring wool and season-appropriate corduroy with brown suede shoes and leather belt. As a reflection of the Farm’s natural abundance and life, farm fresh eggs were hand lettered by Heather Belle as place settings, local honey and farm-to-able ingredients were used in the cuisine prepared by Russell Morin Fine Catering, and Greenlion Design used some elements foraged from the 127 acres of land in the floral design to create a farm fresh vibe that matched the stunning natural surroundings.

Photography: Erin McGinn | Cinematography: Ella Iannotti Photography And Films | Coordination: Glass Event Planning | Floral And Event Design: Greenlion | Wedding Dress: Andria Bird Bride | Catering: Russell Morin Fine Catering | Wedding Venue: Mount Hope Farm | All Other Calligraphy: Heather Belle Ink | Dress Designer: Tony Hamawy | Earrings: Francesca's Collections | Envelope Calligraphy: Kristen Henderson | Groom's Attire (Jacket, Ascot, Pants): Royal Male | Groom's Attire (Shoes, Shirt, Belt): Island Outfitters | Hair, Makeup, And Fashion Styling: Jennie Kay beauty | Invitation And Paper Design: Paper Moss | Shoes And Belt: TJ Maxx | Table And Chairs: True North Rentals | Table Settings: Rentals Unlimited

Newport is one of my favorite places on the planet, so when I see a party from that pretty little city by the sea, I can barely contain my excitement. Particularly when it’s as gorgeous as this beauty captured by Sabrina Scolari. Filled to the brim with some of the most steal-worthy details, every image sitting in this gallery deserves your undivided attention – and you can get to swooning here.

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From The Bride…Courtney and Tony’s romantic journey around the world began almost three years ago. The couple had always spoken about traveling to Paris one day after Courtney fell in love with the city while studying abroad. Tony—who has traveled just about everywhere in the world, but Paris—had been waiting to visit the city once he met a very special girl.

And meet—they did. The couple began dating in February 2011 and over a year later, Tony decided it was time to make that special trip. On April 11th, 2011, Courtney thought it was just an average day. Little did she know that Tony would pick her up from work with a suitcase packed and surprise her with a trip to Paris.

Courtney and Tony set out on a private tour of the city and Versailles during their first full day in the city. They experienced the beauty of Luxembourg Garden, the architectural masterpiece known as L’Arc de Triomphe among many other monuments, and then set out for Versailles where they toured the gardens. As the day came to a close, there was one last stop they would make on their way back home—a trip to Parc de Saint-Cloud where they would overlook the city and reflect upon their incredible journey.

Their journey was just beginning there. As the couple looked out over the city, Tony got down on one knee and asked Courtney for her hand in marriage. An ecstatic Courtney screamed “yes!” and the celebrations began.

The couple have continued their around-the-world journey together during their 15-month engagement, which they have spent in London. Tony, a Lawyer for Latham & Watkins, and Courtney, an Account Director for McCann Erickson Advertising, knew that New England would be the perfect location to return and reunite with friends and family for their summer 2013 wedding. The couple—who have strong ties to Boston, the city where they fell in love, and Newport, where they spent much of their time—worked with many Boston and Newport creatives to help bring their romantic, summer wedding to life. The couple focused on the unique little details they knew would be enjoyed by friends and family. Highlights include: custom boarding pass wedding invitations, wedding time capsules, a grooms’ football garter belt toss, and many more.

Photography: Sabrina Scolari | Floral Design: John Orton Design | Wedding Dress: L'elite Boston | Makeup: Dani Wagener Beauty | Hair: Lindsay Griffin | DJ: Moondance Productions | Photobooth: ShutterBooth | Trolley: Viking Trolley of Newport

You know what I love?  This bride.  A crazy cool fashionista who isn’t afraid to buck tradition and totally rock a stunning silver gown.  And not only does she have some killer fashion sense, she also happens to know how to throw one seriously amazing party.  One that celebrates her gorgeous Belle Mer I do’s with fab paper goods from Lauren Chism Fine Papers, lush florals from Green Lion Weddings and beautiful images from Snap! Photography.  See them all in the full gallery.

From The Bride… As part of a New Year’s Resolution, Peter and I promised to plan a trip together in early 2013. His choice was London and my first choice was Paris, so agreed to visit both cities. I’ve always dreamed of going to Paris, but little did I know this trip would be extra special. Moments before we left for the airport, while I was still frantically packing before heading out, Peter called from the other room. He started by saying he bought me something to take on the trip and before I knew it, he was down on one knee asking me to be his wife. Moments later we were off to London and Paris for what I know call “our engagement-moon”. Fast forward four months after our engagement when we finally started to seek out venues. We took our time, found our dream location and quickly secured a late winter wedding date.

Peter and I love Boston and I always thought we would get married in the city, where Peter is from and where we call home. We looked at a few venues and felt overwhelmed in the beginning so we stopped searching and took a break from wedding planning during the summer months. While chatting with girlfriends, it was suggested we look at Belle Mer, a modern seaside venue with beautiful views and a simple yet elegant setting. Upon arrival at Belle Mer we immediately knew this was our spot and worked quickly to secure a date and start the planning process.

While I never had a dream wedding, décor or inspiration in mind. I did find my dress prior to finding a venue and my dress really helped guide me towards a color palette. My dress, the venue and time of year influenced the neutral and soft palette. After meeting with Kim from Greenlion and describing our desire to have natural materials – wood, lots of candles, pale blush and white flowers our vision really started to come together. Overall, our goal was to have a modern, yet classic wedding.

We both love food and enjoy a good party, so immediately we knew that a cocktail style reception is the direction we wanted to go in. This type of reception lends itself to some flexibility with the room setup and tables, which allowed us to have fun with the table décor. With a mix of high and low tables we incorporated floral vignettes throughout and whitewashed manzinita branches with hanging votive candles to help add some depth, warmth and height to the space. We also had fun with the seating arrangement since we wanted to encourage our guests to “mix & mingle” and spend time on the dance floor. Our theme really involved into a simple and modern seaside cocktail party.

It was important to us that we get married in a Greek Orthodox church and deciding on the location was an easy decision. We incorporated his family and parents into the ceremony by using the candles and stephana they used for their wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony incorporating all of the Orthodox traditions.

The wedding reception was a direct reflection of our personalities and it was so fun to plan and incorporate elements that were important to each of us. Peter was laser focused on food and entertainment and I took on the overall design elements. Peter was able to get his 80’s dance party, which included a Karate Kid montage with a Peter Cetera’s song playing in the background and I had fun picking out all the flowers and table décor and bringing together the details with the help of Kim from Greenlion. Kim really took my vision and helped tie it all together with the flowers and she deserves all the credit.

Our wedding turned out perfectly and we are so fortunate to have worked with amazing vendors that helped make our dream wedding a reality. It was truly the perfect day and we couldn’t have been happier with how everything came together.

Photography: Snap! Weddings | Floral Design: Greenlion | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Belle Mer: A Longwood Venue | Invitations: Lauren Chism Fine Papers | Ceremony Venue: St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church | Reception Venue: Belle Mer: A Longwood Venue | Hair And Makeup: New Leaf Salon | Calligraphy: Lettered Life | DJ: Victor Events | Boutique Hotel: The Attwater Hotel

Let’s talk about the perfect ingredients for a drop-dead gorgeous e-session, shall we?  I’m talking a breathtaking sunset, a glistening beach and an adorable duo who know a thing or two about romantic moments, toes in the sand included.  Now add the crazy talented Lindsey Mae Child to capture every stunning moment and, voila!  An entire day of awesome.  Click here for sooo much more.

From Lindsey Mae Child… Liliana has been my friend for years, so when she asked me to do her engagement photos I didn’t hesitate to say yes. I love shooting just before sunset, and the beach was a perfect setting for their session. The warm glow set the tone for the evening, and I had so much fun capturing their sweetness. It was the first time I met Josh, and their love for one another is so evident from the photos that I was just constantly smiling.

From the Bride… When I first met Josh we immediately realized how much we had in common, but one of the things we both loved the most was the summer and especially the beach. Josh started taking me to South Shore Beach in Little Compton, RI our first summer together and I instantly fell in love. It became our favorite place to go, whether it be a relaxing drive in the fall or a beautiful beach day in the summer. There was just always something about going to South Shore that really brought us together and every time we went it was nothing short of special. That’s why when Josh proposed to me there on June 8th it left me speechless; it was undoubtably one of the most beautiful moments in both of our lives. So when it came time to pick a spot for our engagement photos, it wasn’t even a question. We chose the beach that has helped us create so many amazing memories for so many years and I’m sure we’ll continue to make more as time goes on.

Photography: Lindsey Mae Photography | Venue: South Shore Beach

Happy, happy 4th , m’dears! By now you’re probably prepping for a day of sparklers and grillouts, but if you’re in need of a little last-minute Americana inspiration we’ve got just the ticket. Thanks to Jennifer Gee and Sarah Del Buono we’re diving into red, white and blue party ideas you can pull off in a cinch. So what are you waiting for? Get started right here.

From Jennifer Gee… Who doesn’t have a party to throw or attend on Independence Day? With the nation’s birthday steadily approaching, it only seemed fitting to style an editorial shoot with my favorite photographer, Sarah Del Buono of Made In March.

Unlike many other 4th of July parties, I wanted this styled shoot to remain chic with touches of vintage and natural elements. The setting sun provided the perfect stage for our session as it gave us great natural light to highlight this table scape. The mood was heightened with unique vintage plates that my Mother found while perusing a local antique shop here in Jamestown. Sea grass and touches of bamboo added some natural elements while giving a nice contrast to the trendy, oversized mercury mason jars.

The drink station came together beautifully draped in printed linen table cloths, as decorative summer elements such as lanterns, sea glass and buoys anchored and adorned the table. To add some extra flare (and keep the kid’s busy throughout the day!) we added a suitcase full of goodies that really helped enhance the look. Finally, what better way to celebrate our patriotism than with gold spray painted sparklers? The perfect finishing touch!

Photography: Made In March | Event Design: Gwen Studios

Little Compton is a magical little corner of the Ocean State, so when you host a wedding as pretty and as personal as this one captured by Joseph Laurin magic inevitably happens. With florals from the lovely Sayles Livingston Flowers adding to all the heartfelt DIY details, it goes without saying that we have one pretty gallery on our hands. 

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Rochelle and Jeremy have been together for 7 years. For their wedding, they had a 150 people guest list with friends from around the world, Jeremy’s from London & Scotland, and native Rhode Islanders on Rochelle’s side.

The wedding began in a small church, in a small rustic beach town of Little Compton. A favorite summer spot that Rochelle and her family would go to. Rochelle showed JJ Little Compton when they first started dating and he fell in love with it. The reception was held at the Stone House, an intimate venue with a large tent dimly lit overlooking the beautiful blue ocean.

Rochelle, being a native Rhode Islander, wanted to incorporate a lot of RI traditions, from the coffee milk favors to the clambake and chowder appetizers. Rochelle & Jeremy consider themselves foodies so when it came to picking the menu they knew they wanted local organic farm to table!

With Jeremy growing up in England it was important for them to incorporate some of the English traditions. The guests were encouraged to wear fascinaters and beautiful hats. The men were encouraged to wear bow ties and their summer best. English tea sandwiches were served at cocktail hour and English tea in vintage tea cups were served at desert!

Rochelle, her family, and her maid of honor Holly had so much fun being creative and doing a lot of DIY projects, The wedding was very much about bringing the whole family together throughout the wedding process.

The lace runners were made from beautiful French lace Rochelle’s mother had been given from a friend. The gold wooden flower boxes were made by Rochelle’s father, along with the gorgeous farm tables. All of the fun chalkboard signs were designed by a family friend, Chris and are hanging in Rochelle & Jeremy’s house. Rochelle & her mother made all of the place cards and stuck them in vintage forks.

This wedding had a lot of love that went into it and Rochelle & Jeremy both knew they wanted an unforgettable party!

Photography: Joseph Laurin Photography | Videography: Colby Blanchet | Floral Design: Sayles Livingston Design | Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel | Cake: Jenny's Wedding Cakes | Ceremony Venue: United Congregational Church | Reception Venue: Stone House | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids Dresses: Flair Bridesmaid Boutique | Catering: Tom's Market | Makeup: Joli Visage Makeup Artistry | Band: Groove Authority | Tent: Newport Tent Company | Bags: Dream State | Clutches: Roeho | Earrings: Stella & Dot | Veil & Sash: Madeleine's Daughter

There’s something about a great film that tells a love story in a way nothing else can. It takes true pros like Artistic Wedding Video Group who filmed every detail – made beautiful by Details With Love, Ryan Designs and Greenlion Design – to perfection. Set aside five minutes and Prepare. To. Swoon.

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From Details With Love…On Wednesday, March 7th, a messenger arrived to Lisa’s office with an enormous bouquet of roses and a note that instructed her to go downstairs. Waiting was a car with her dog, Theodore Pickles inside. Theo was wearing a little doggy hoody, and inside the pocket was another note that said Rich couldn’t wait to see her. The car drove them to Union Park, a beautiful, private park near their home in London. She approached to see Rich waiting in the center of the park, down on one knee and holding a ring. She said YES!!!

When I received the call from the London couple for assistance in planning their designation wedding, I couldn’t wait to get to know them better and get started in planning and styling all of the lovely details of their signature coastal chic celebration…and of course for their arrival, to meet them in person and for them to experience and enjoy all that my hometown of Newport has to offer. A very special congratulations to Mr & Mrs! xo

Photography: chennergy | Event Design: Details with Love | Event Planning: Details with Love | Floral Design: Greenlion | Wedding Venue: Castle Hill Inn | Specialty Lighting: Ryan Designs | Video: Artistic Wedding Films

Last summer my hubby and I explored Newport, Rhode Island for first time and haven’t stopped talking about it since. With stunning seaside views that had our jaws dropped, it’s no wonder this couple choose the Belle Mer for their own special day. Greenlion Weddings designed the bloomage, Cmostr snapped the goods, and the full gallery? It’s a modern wedding lover’s paradise.

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From the Bride…John and I met in the sixth grade but despite knowing each other for most of our lives, planning a wedding still wasn’t the easiest thing to do. With Newport’s fickle fall weather in the front of our minds we initially couldn’t decide whether to have our ceremony in or outdoors. We were tempted to have it outside by past stories of warm and sunny November weddings at Belle Mer, but in the end wanted our guests to feel comfortable no matter what, so we decided to plan for the less-than-ideal and get married indoors.

I wanted the look and feel of the wedding to be light and very natural despite having an autumn date. The best part of Belle Mer as a venue was that everything was so open and white- almost like a blank canvas where weddings weren’t dictated by the room’s established decor so we really could make our Big Day look the way we wanted it to. I love when things mismatch to the point where they all look harmonious together- from the linens to the centerpieces to the bridesmaids’ dresses and the groomsmen’s boutonnieres, we were able to accomplish rustic, modern, natural and chic all the same time.

Even after all the planning, nothing could prepare us for the most perfect sunset that greeted us following our I do’s. It made for the most perfect backdrop for cocktail hour and completely set the tone for the rest of the night. The rest of a very perfect night.

Photography: Sam Nichols Photography | Florist: Greenlion | Dress: BHLDN | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Makeup: Jennifer Marcuson | Hair: Meg Ryan | Venue: Belle Mer: A Longwood Venue | Rings And Earrings: Tracy Dungo Porges Of Kalaki Riot

Watercolor details are fast becoming a wedding world darling and this Bride has embraced them with open arms. Painterly tid bits are woven throughout the day from the stationery to the dress – yes, that gorgeous gown crafted by her fashion designer Mom is indeed watercolored – and to say it’s a beauty is a gross understatement. The whole affair is a fusion of approachable, fun elegance captured by Katie Slater Photography. See it all here.

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From Katie Slater Photography…Julia and Jonathan are one of our favorite couples of the year! They totally win the award for “cutest, most laid back, totally madly in love couple of the year” if there is such a thing. This wedding is filled with DIY touches made by the bride. The girl water colored everything she could get her hands on….including her custom made silk ballgown! She’s such a free spirit. You’ll want to be her bestie as soon as you see these pictures. Speaking of….this. gown. It’s to die for. It was lovingly created by her fashion designer Momma! We can’t stop looking at it.

From The Bride…I’m not a formal human being. Jonathan is a bit more proper than I am, but also generally really jovial and easy-going. So, having a big wedding and keeping it approachable and lively and equal parts elegant and casual was our biggest goal. I didn’t want anything to feel put on. (Though having said that, I am extraordinarily particular, visually, so I wanted to perfectly curate all of that informality. Now you’re probably getting a sense of my particular brand of insanity.)

From the beginning, I was in pretty deep on the whole DIY thing. I’m fairly hands-on, generally, and I also felt that if this was going to be a big extravaganza, per my husband’s wishes, I wanted it to feel as personal as possible. This was a celebration of our life together with our most-loved-ones; I wanted my own hands on every single inch of it.

I knew almost immediately that I would paint my dress, so I was testing various paints and dyes on different kinds of washed and unwashed silks before we even had a venue. Secretly from my husband, of course. Interestingly enough, he never asked why I had so many paints when I am not a painter.

I then designed our Save The Dates and decided to hand-letterpress them. This did not go quite as planned, so I ended up blind embossing and then hand-inking each one. This was my lowest point in the process, probably. But! It led me to the wonderful people at Coeur Noir when it came time to print our invitations. I was so psyched that I got to work with such an amazing hometown business and they executed my designs beautifully, while walking me through a lot of specs and details very patiently.

I water colored and did the calligraphy for each invitation’s envelope and designed a return-address stamp as well. Designed/calligraphied/drew the welcome letter, map, and menus. And then subsequently did the calligraphy for the top of each (pre-printed) menu. And also the table assignments. Man, looking back, that was a lot of paper.

We also put together little welcome baskets in those lovely teal berry containers and dropped them around the island. Block Island’s signature cocktail is a banana mudslide, so Jonathan and I (and a couple AMAZING friends) put together small bottles with mudslides, and added them to the baskets with a banana, some Cape Cod chips, and water. Again, I water colored the bottle labels. Oy.

I made a morning-of decision to buy all the mason jars I could at the local grocery store (I don’t think anyone even knows I did this), which I then handed to my mother and her amazing friends, along with scraps of leftover rose-gold sequin fabric from my rehearsal dinner dress. They put together our votive holders with the jars, sequins, and extra fabric from my blush-colored veil.

I’m trying to think if there was anything else we did beyond the piles of paper. Do the globe lights I bought online and then forced my family to hang day-of-wedding count? I did also write a song for Jonathan that my younger sister and father performed during our ceremony. Music is not really what you think of as DIY, but… well, I did do it myself.

I feel so materialistic saying it, but the dress reveal was SUCH fun. My mom is a designer and we’ve been trading ideas on my wedding dress for years. The shape was modeled on a 2008 Oscar De La Renta dress that I’ve loved forever, though we rounded the neckline, inspired by another gown she had done. That original Oscar dress had had flower apliques as well, and I think those played a big role in my ultimate desire to paint. Designing, making, and painting the dress was such an amazing mother-daughter experience and one I wouldn’t trade for the world. And (per my mom’s prediction) when Jonathan saw me walk down the aisle, he give a great big laugh. That was the best.

Photography: Katie Slater Photography | Floral Design: Blazing Star Farms | Wedding Dress: Kathryn Conover | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Reception Venue: Spring House Hotel

These ethereal nuptials set the bar high for backyard weddings. Even if you aren’t surrounded by the splendor of small town Rhode Island, it’s hard to go wrong with charming invitations from Paper Moss, scattered wildflowers, and rounding the night out with some pie a la mode. Keep scrolling for some stunning images from First Mate Photo Co. For more find the full gallery here.

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From First Mate Photo… Galen and John were married on a gorgeous summer afternoon in the beautiful seaside town of little Compton, RI. The wedding was held at the bride’s parents home. Their wedding had a gorgeous, rustic yet ethereal quality to it. Galen looked stunning in her Jenny Packham gown. The couple’s nieces and nephews were their flower girls and ring bearers and were absolutely adorable in mini boden dresses and pink bow ties. There were so many children that the couple decided to have a table for just the kids. They all received gift bags with fun goodies in them to take home and to keep them entertained during the festivities.

Wood walls were built to hide the tent poles and to display pictures of the bride and groom as children. Tables were covered in wild flower arrangements and mismatched napkins and plates. Escort cards were put in a planter box that was full of flowers. The evening was full of dancing and heartfelt toasts from family and friends. Pie and ice cream for dessert.

Photography: First Mate Photography Co. | Event Design: Exquisite Events | Wedding Gown: Jenny Packham | Invitations: Paper Moss | Venue: Stone House

My very own wedding was at the Ocean House in Watch Hill, so whenever I lay eyes on another couple lucky enough to tie the knot in that beautiful place, I can’t take my eyes off. Particularly when it is as beautiful as this one captured by Lauren Halvorson Photography. Every image is worthy of this couples’ most special frame, and you can see all of this beach beauty here.

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From Lauren Halvorson Photography …Sarah and John Eric love being together in their boat on the water, so there was no place more perfect for them to tie the knot than Ocean House in Westerly, Rhode Island!

One night in college Sarah decided to venture out with two of her best friends (and later bridesmaids) to a party where she met this cute guy who would later become her husband. The funny part is, when he gave her his number she couldn’t remember his name for the life of her, and ended up storing it under the wrong name for a long time! Once they got that sorted out, they managed to fall in love and that’s where this story begins. On Fathers day of 2012 Sarah made plans for them to visit his parents in the morning and hers in the evening, but John Eric had another idea. He wanted to take her out to an elaborately planned evening including a fancy dinner so he could propose to her, but she wasn’t having it. After a bit of back and forth he gave in and just did what she wanted, visiting both sets of parents and then coming home. When they were home, he dropped down on one knee and asked her to be his wife, saying that this wasn’t at all as he had planned it, but she ruined all of that, and he didn’t want to wait another day to ask her to be his wife so he decided an intimate proposal at home would be perfect.

Sarah remembers spending their summers out on the boat in the Watch Hill area, and one of her favorite memories is how Ocean House puts their flag up to symbolize the start of summer. With her favorite moments of their relationship all being in that area in the summer time, and the special place Ocean House held in their heart, they KNEW that’s where they wanted to get married! According to Sarah and John Eric, the best part of their wedding day was having all of their family and friends, many who had never visited the area before, all together in their favorite place: Watch Hill!

Photography: Lauren Halvorson Photography | Flowers: Elements Flowers | Bridesmaid Dresses: Impression | Makeup: Joya Beauty | Hair: Jenn Conway | DJ: Beat Train Productions | Venue: Ocean House | Bridal Gown: Justin Alexander

Without a doubt, one of my favorite parts of wedding planning was getting to craft + DIY little projects to really personalize my big day! So I’m really having an I-wish-I-was-still-a-bride moment after my introduction to Wayfair – the one stop shopping destination for everything home! Based in Boston, but available everywhere online, they have everything you could possibly need to craft and create until your hearts content! Take a peek below for a few fabulous DIY ideas.

Offering the largest selection of home furnishings and décor for every style and every price point, Wayfair has you covered when it comes to prepping for your reception and filling up your home with pretty after you’ve said I do!  How cute are these easy to create floral napkin rings? With just a small mix of florals and herbs, they add a bit of rustic charm to your table setting. I’m loving these confetti cones made from vintage paper or script-printed scrapbook paper and secured with double-sided tape. Present them at your ceremony in a sweet wooden box, and voila — an inexpensive and totally unique DIY craft!

I’m seriously smitten with this pinwheel cake topper, held up by a sweet striped straw or wooden skewer! Totally customizable, you could use any paper color or type to make it work with your style. Last but not least, an easy and charming escort card idea using vintage keys! Not only are they creative and unique, but they double as a guest favor! See, Wayfair really does have it all! For full instructions on each of these amazing projects, head over here.

To jumpstart your crafting, Wayfair is offering one lucky reader a $150 gift card to Wayfair! To enter, simply comment on this post with what you’d love to create for your big day with a Wayfair item. A winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Friday, June 6, 2014. Good luck!

On your wedding day, looking glamorous doesn’t have to start when you put on the dress. Get ready in style too with these lovely robes from Doie Lounge (hint: these make perfect gifts for your bridesmaids. They really will wear it again!). You can also rest easy knowing knowing all the robes are made in the USA with high-quality eco-friendly fabrics. Keep scrolling to see the SMP exclusive discount!

About Doie Lounge… As a 12-time bridesmaid (yes, really!), designer Sara Kirsner knows a thing or two about bridesmaid gifts! Doie Lounge was born from the idea that these glamorous, super-soft robes make the perfect gift for a bride to give to her maids. These robes make beautiful and practical gifts for the bridal party, while infusing an often-ignored moment (getting ready the morning of), with elegant detail. The robes look amazing in the pre-wedding primping photos and are a gift that your best ladies will surely wear again and again. Each robe is made from the highest quality, earth-friendly fabrics, and is produced in Los Angeles, CA. Sara loves to work with each bride, answering questions about colors, sizing, and “custom” color combinations. Bulk discounts apply: 15% off when buying 3 or more, 20% on 5 or more, 25% off with a purchase of 8 or more, and 30% off when buying 10+ robes. SMP readers can get 15% off of up to 3 robes (after that bulk discounts will kick in), with the code SMP15.

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Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Photography: Valorie Darling Photography + Hair: Trace Hennigsen + Makeup: Artistry by Danika | Photography: ES Creation Photography (Simon Fu and Yoki  Lin) | Photography: Kyle Hale | Photography: Katie Hall 

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Welcome to the family Doie Lounge!  We are so happy to have you! xoxo

Classic at its very core yet contemporary at the very same time, this wedding at the stunning Aldrich Mansion is the perfect blend of chic and totally heartfelt. With images from Twah Dougherty so lovely you feel like you were there, and not a detail left unturned, this gallery is just the most wonderful way to spend your day. See it all here.

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From Twah on the Wedding of Thai-Anh & Elvir….I loved that Thai-Anh had a very clear vision for her day which stems from her love for Jane Austen and all things having to do with the English Manor lifestyle. She brought that entire concept into her wedding while infusing a contemporary vibe throughout. The wedding was romantically refined yet relaxed and jovial. The event started outdoors to take advantage of the beautiful scene. As the soiree moved indoors, guests were ushered from room to room throughout the evening to make use of the beautiful mansion.

From the Bride…Since I first read Pride & Prejudice when I was young, I had always wanted a countryside English manor wedding. I thought, “What would Elizabeth Bennet want if she was in our era?” I think she would most likely want an understated, elegant wedding that is chic and modern for her time. When Elvir & I first visited Aldrich Mansion in Warwick, RI, I was instantly in love with the gorgeous view and beautiful intimate rooms. I knew our guests would love to explore the many rooms and it felt more like a home.

For our wedding inspiration, we wanted a refined elegance that was reminiscent of an English Manor lifestyle yet contemporarily understated. We didn’t want too much to take away from the stately home so we chose shades of greyish blues and incorporated lace to compliment it.

We wanted to incorporate both our cultures, Bosnian and Vietnamese, into our special day. We had customized Macarons flavored in Bosnian baklava and Vietnamese coffee for our guests as a takeaway treat. The dessert room had various desserts including ones stemming from both our background. I made sure to have an ice cream bar for the children and myself.

It meant a lot to me to involve my family and friends during the planning process. My Aunt made my veil. My cousin who is a dress designer, Aurelia Hoang from France, created my getting ready robe to complement my wedding dress. My bridesmaids each got to design their own dresses and I picked out fabrics from Moods in NYC. My cousin, Amy Dao of Amy Dao Design, created all of the bridesmaids and flower girls dresses. My cousin and friend from Love Letters Production filmed my special moments. My best friend from high school who is a professional opera singer sang “Vivo Per Lei”, as I walked down the aisle. We talked about this since high school and I am very glad he flew in from London to do so. My close friend, Paul Bullard, from Bullard & Xenides Interiors, helped provide design insights and coordinate my special day. When I look back on day, there is not one thing I would’ve done differently!

Photography: Twah Dougherty | Videography: Love Letters Production | Coordination: Paul Bullard | Floral Design: Golden Gate Florist | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Made In Heaven Cakes | Invitations: Paper and More | Ceremony Venue: Harbor Lights Golf Club | Reception Venue: Aldrich Mansion | Wedding Shoes: Enzo Angiolini | Jewelry: Rena's Jewelry | Catering: Aldrich Mansion | Makeup: Kelly Zhang | DJ: Engagements | Grooms Attire: Isaia | Vintage Car: Spring Green Auto | Bridesmaids' Accessories: Vintage Hair Pins | Envelope Seal: Nostalgic Impressions | French Macarons: Ellie's Bakery | Papergoods: Lia Griffith | Wedding Robe: Aurelia Hoang

A tented seaside wedding is a New England classic and this Ocean House fete dressed in old Hollywood glam has stolen my heart. With a lineup of crazy good vendors behind all the pretty (True Event, Hana Floral Design and Paper Moss, just to name a few) it’s no wonder I’m smitten. See the whole lovely gallery from Leila Brewster and don’t miss Elysium Productions heartwarming film!

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From Sarah of True Event… This was one of our absolute favorite weddings to work on with one of the most amazing couples and families. When we started, sarah knew exactly the direction she wanted to go with an old hollywood theme and that is what set the tone for the design and details of the wedding with the most perfect backdrop set amongst the Ocean House.

We built her color palette with soft blush tones, carrying shades of cream and wove in a mix of metallics and black and white. This palette was the foundation for a very sophisticated, elegant, romantic, timeless event.

No detail was missed from the custom paper suite to the 5 foot crystal chandeliers that hung throughout the tent, custom fabric paneling, black and white dance floor, leather lounge areas, sequin linens, silver pattern china, black chivari chairs, custom welcome bags, dell’s lemonade, two bands that rocked well into the night and the exclamation point to the festivities a private fireworks show that lit up the sky over the croquet lawn. It sure was a night/weekend to remember.

Photography: leila brewster | Floral Design: Hana Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Everthine Bridal Boutique | Ceremony Venue: Watch Hill Chapel | Reception Venue: Ocean House | Makeup: Jennie Fresa Brow & Beauty Bar | Makeup: Sam Graham Trio | Hair: LaLaLuxe Salon | Band: Elan Artists | Transportation: Rockstar Limo | Tent: Newport Tent Company | Accommodations: Weekapaug Inn | Accommodations: Ocean House | Bridal Accessories: Everthine Bridal Boutique | Bridesmaids\' Dresses: Amsale | Cocktail Hour Music: Elan Artists | Coordination/Design: TRUE Event | Fabric Draping & Lighting: Ryan Designs | Lemonade Cart: Del's Lemonade | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper: Paper Moss | Rentals: Taylor Creative Inc. | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited | Rentals-Candelabras On Tables: Luxe Event Rentals | Video: Elysium Productions

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Elysium Productions

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Hana Floral Design

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Newport weddings make my heart sing. Newport weddings at the Newport Yachting Center with this amount of chic? They make me want to jump out from behind my desk and do a happy dance. It’s perfectly sweet with just the right amount of sophistication, making every image snapped up by Mikhail Glabets sitting in this gallery simply divine.

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From the Bride…From the time we started planning our wedding together, Jay and I knew we wanted to get married in Newport (where we met, got engaged and now live together)! My husband is a photographer and so I left the final decision of hiring the photographer to him. We had many contenders but one day while perusing SMP we came across Mikhail. Once Jay talked to him and had a look at his portfolio we knew he was the right choice for us. Most of the other details fell pretty easily into place. Planning the wedding in the town where we live made it easy for us to meet with vendors and make choices pretty quickly. We decided to get married at Salve Regina University where Jay is currently getting his MBA. They have a beautiful Catholic chapel that could accommodate our wedding size perfectly. Jay’s childhood priest Father John Prusaitis was kind enough to make the trip down to RI to marry us. We were able to spend some time with Father John this summer during our wedding preparations. It gave him some time to get to know me and get reacquainted with Jay. Sharing our special day with Father John was an important part of our Wedding Day.

Planing our wedding was an emotional process for me especially, as my mom passed away from Breast Cancer in 2011 so I definitely missed having her by my side during this special time. Luckily, I had a wonderful maid of honor (my sister) and great bridesmaids to help along the way!

The most difficult decision for me to make was choosing wedding gown. While my mom was sick we made a point to watch “Say Yes to the Dress”, so that in a way we had a chance to look at gowns together. It was important to me to get an idea of what my mom would have liked to see me in on my wedding day. When it came time to choose my gown, I thought I wanted a traditional lace gown, but after trying many dresses on I ended up choosing a sparkly Lazaro fit and flair. This was definitely my mom’s influence as she loved sparkly things! Once I put the dress on I just knew it was my dress; my mom would have loved it.

I met Jay shortly after my mom passed away , so she never had a chance to meet him. I feel that she had a hand in us meeting, but I still wish she had a chance to get to know the man I will spend the rest of my life with. We incorporated my mom’s memory into many of the design aspects of our wedding. She loved hydrangeas, so our Florist Paul helped to build our vision incorporating hydrangeas into my bouquet, the center pieces and and all of the cocktail tables. I created our menu cards and ceremony programs as a DIY project including hydrangeas on the back of the program with a note honoring my mom. Jay and I also made our escort cards by hand; together. I ordered wooden anchors from Etsy and painted them all navy blue with silver writing, they doubled as Christmas Ornaments for guests to take home. We incorporated Jay’s talent for Photography by providing matted photographs of Newport as gifts for our guests at the end of the night. After all the preparations for the wedding, our weekend went flawlessly. It was a feeling like no other to have friends and family surround us with their love as we exchanged vows.

During the maid of honor speech my sister talked about many things she felt my mom passed on to us. My mom always loved traditions and my sister shared one from her husband’s side of the family that night. They have a hat that is brought to every wedding, the hat is passed around during the reception while people are dancing. There was a great picture of mom from my sister’s, sister in law’s wedding. She brought the hat to our wedding to continue the tradition and everyone had a blast passing the hat around the dance floor.

We took just under 10 months to plan the wedding of our dreams, and it went by in the blink of an eye. We now how have the rest of our lives to spend together making memories and traditions for our own family.

Photography: Mikhail Glabets Lifestyle Photography | Flowers: Broadway Florist | Wedding Gown: JLM Couture, Inc | Invitations: Papers Of Newport | Ceremony: Our Lady Of Mercy Chapel | Reception: Newport Yachting Center | Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade | Hair & Makeup: Allison Barbera Beauty | Band: Mystique | Groomsmen Attire: Viking Tuxedo | Bridesmaid Dress: Amsale | Getting Ready Outfits: Plum Pretty Sugar | Tented Wedding On A Pier: Newport Yachting Center | Trollys: Rockstar Limo | Wedding Hotel Guest Accommodations: Hotel Viking

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Hotel Viking

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