Blithewold Mansion looks straight out of a period film; full of sweeping landscapes and gorgeous old-world architecture. I sound like the Mansion’s number one fan and I just might be, but this spot is a serious gem in Rhode Island and so worthy of a gorgeous fête full of glamourous gowns, a sea of twinkling chandeliers and feather clad bouquets all crafted by Perfect Surroundings. Yes, to be wed on the shores of New England is a beautiful thing, especially when it is captured to total perfection by Rebecca Arthurs Photography. See it in all its tented glory right here.
And now, lucky ducks, you have a front row seat to the film of the day captured by David Bettencourt Videography. Enjoy!
Click here for the FULL wedding!
Rebecca grew up traveling, so when her friend suggested moving to Boston, it sounded like the perfect adventure. Even though the chilling winter season didn’t sound incredibly appealing, there was still an undeniable draw to the city. It was fate. Rebecca was introduced to Donovan her first day of work, and all it took was a simple handshake. Something, call it intuition, told Rebecca that this would be the man she would one day marry. Rebecca was hard-pressed to believe her premonition would one day come true, but it wasn’t long before, with the waters of beautiful Newport, Rhode Island, as a backdrop, Donovan was down on one knee holding a gorgeous custom ring he had designed himself.
After one glimpse of a unique invitation that had caught her eye, Rebecca had the entire vision for the wedding. Together, the couple visited numerous waterfront locations but the moment they set eyes on Blithewold, they both knew it was perfect. The rehearsal dinner was held at Point Pleasant, directly across the water from the wedding venue. It was the precursor for the glorious day to follow. People had traveled far and wide, so having the ability to enjoy one another’s company while in a picturesque setting made for the ideal evening.
Before the ceremony, Donovan and Rebecca shared a special moment together capturing their “first look” photographs and were then whisked away to their ceremony in a vintage Bentley. The wedding was nothing short of magical. The ceremony took place overlooking the water. Small white feathers lined the aisle. The programs, which doubled as fans, ended up being incredibly useful because of record-breaking high temperatures. Rebecca’s gown was the very definition of couture and was paired with a dramatic, vintage-style gold necklace. The bridesmaids’ dresses were blush, vintage, cocktail-inspired and paired with an ultra-modern floral heel. Each table displayed lush arrangements packed with hundreds of roses. Chandeliers and soft waves of fabric draped the venue. The soft blush and brushed gold color palette captured the true feelings of romance and elegance. Outside, chandeliers dangled from branches of a tree welcoming guests to yet another fabulously designed area. No detail went overlooked, from the lounge areas and cigar bar, all the way down to the pink champagne. The bride’s family planned an additional affair for the day after because people had traveled so far. The couple wanted something entirely different than the other events, so they chose a rustic, casual approach, serving southern favorites and offering lawn games. Even the couple’s dog was invited, sporting his very own tux, of course. Rebecca and Donovan love exploring new destinations, and for their honeymoon they wanted somewhere neither had traveled before, so they chose to stay at the luxurious Viceroy hotel on the beautiful island of Anguilla. As they explored different locations around the island, they met some great people, ate some wonderful food and soaked up as much sun as possible.
Wedding Photography: Rebecca Arthurs Photography (Available in Rhode Island & Hawaii) / Wedding Venue: Blithewold Mansion in Bristol, Rhode Island / Floral + Custom Design: Perfect Surroundings / Wedding Cinematography: David Bettencourt Videography / Catering: Blackstone Caterers / Wedding Cake: Cakes To Remember / Wedding Stationary: a deux: bespoke bridal paper / Entertainment: Mike Amado of Entertainment Specialists / Rentals: Rentals Unlimited / Cigar Roller: Boston Cigar Factory / Trolleys: Viking Tours / Vintage Bentley: Tony’s Antique Wedding Cars / Wedding Dress: Rivini / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Hair + Makeup: New Leaf Hair Studio / Rehearsal Venue: Point Pleasant Inn / Day-After Venue: Mount Hope Farm