Gilded-Era Inspired Newport Wedding At Rosecliff Mansion

The Planning
Design / Vibe / Vision

To capture Cara & Jesse's enchantment with the Gilded Era, our design concept integrated elements such as blue toile, custom vintage place settings, and a French Rococo painting as the liner. Ink & Press Co. played a pivotal role in enhancing our vision by incorporating stunning gilded elements into all of our paper goods. For the ceremony at Rosecliff Mansion, we embraced a distinctive approach, positioning Cara & Jesse at the top of the lawn steps with the mansion as their backdrop, departing from the traditional waterfront orientation. Their enthusiasm for our design concepts was substantial, and with Stoneblossom's floral expertise, we transcended our vision to new levels of elegance and sophistication.

Proposal Story
In March 2022, Jesse took Cara on a surprise trip to Utah. Jesse managed to keep the destination a secret until landing. The proposal happened after hiking in Antelope Canyon. The tour guide doubled as a photographer, allowing for the moment to be a surprise for Cara. Other than Jesse opening the ring box toward himself, the proposal was a success. After the proposal, they returned to Cara's favorite resort, Amangiri, to celebrate among the secluded desert landscape of Utah.
The Fashion
Wedding Gown

Cara's Wedding Gown was made by Martina Liana, along with a custom veil from Kleinfeld Bridal. Cara was always in awe over royal weddings, admiring the long trains and regal veils. Inspired by Grace Kelly, Cara searched for a dress with fine lace details and delicate sleeves. The lace on the dress and roses complement the namesake of the venue.


Rehearsal Dinner Dress: Cara's rehearsal dinner dress was her mother's wedding dress, reconstructed and reimagined by Lovellfaye. She surprised her mother on the day of the rehearsal, and it was the perfect way to incorporate her into their big day.

Bridesmaid Dresses

The bridesmaids picked their own dresses as we wanted them all to be as comfortable as possible and have something they would wear again.

The Details
Food & Drink

For our signature cocktails, we made sure to incorporate their beloved pets into the celebration. We achieved this by featuring a line sketch of their furry friends alongside their signature drinks – an Old Fashioned and a Cosmo, each named after their cherished companions. Additionally, we provided a linen bar sign detailing the available beverage options, ensuring guests knew what was at their disposal. As for the cuisine, we curated a delightful selection of seafood and locally sourced Rhode Island dishes. Our aim was to offer guests a taste of coastal flavors, allowing them to experience the essence of the region, especially as many were traveling from afar.


Guest Experience Highlight: Elevating our celebration, we chose a Champagne wall rental from La Affitto, offering guests a distinctive and lavish experience. A mere ring of the bell unveiled the delight of butler-passed champagne emerging from a picture frame. This interactive twist created a memorable moment, swiftly becoming a favorite among attendees.

Florals & Decor

The transformation of our floral vision into reality left us all in awe. Stoneblossom not only captured our ideas but elevated them into a magical, vibrant display of flowers. The arch they crafted for the ceremony, adorned with cascading blooms, surpassed all expectations. In the ballroom, our goal was to create a dynamic atmosphere with high and low centerpieces adorned with crystal glass elements. Serving as the pièce de résistance, a magnificent cascading floral runner adorned the head table, commanding attention with its sheer beauty. Enhanced by an abundance of candlelight, the evening exuded a romantic aura, creating an enchanting ambiance that lasted throughout the celebration.

Wedding Cake

For the wedding cake, our aspiration was to evoke a vintage-inspired charm, drawing upon beloved styles from the past. Opting for a six-tiered masterpiece, we incorporated elements from the bride's dress into the design, along with delicate sugar flowers reflecting her floral palette and colors. Confectionary Designs skillfully crafted a cake that surpassed our expectations, capturing the essence of nostalgia and elegance. For the wedding cake, our aspiration was to evoke a vintage-inspired charm, drawing upon beloved styles from the past. Opting for a six-tiered masterpiece, we incorporated elements from the bride's dress into the design, along with delicate sugar flowers reflecting her floral palette and colors. Confectionary Designs skillfully crafted a cake that surpassed our expectations, capturing the essence of nostalgia and elegance we envisioned for Cara & Jesse's special day.

Special Detail #1
Jesse and Cara were set up through their mutual friends. Jesse hosted a gathering at his house, and Cara was impressed that Jesse made his own Hors D'oeuvres. Cara's job at the time required her to travel every week, and Jesse was on the road often, coaching college lacrosse. As Cara and Jesse could no longer travel during the pandemic, the quarantine presented the perfect opportunity for them to settle down and get to know each other better. They are now each other’s perfect travel partner.
Special Detail #2

The bride, born in Rhode Island, visited the Newport mansions as a child. Together, the couple have an admiration for the East Coast's charm, and the opulence of the Gilded Age, which made the Rosecliff Mansion the perfect choice for their big day.

View as
Gallery
Little Black Book Vendors
Back to Brooke Nash Photography
What We Do
Photography
Back to Willow Tree Films
What We Do
Cinematography
Back to BBJ La Tavola
What We Do
Linen Rentals
Find Even More Little Black Book Vendors
Featured Vendors
Other Vendors
Event Planning: Infinite Events | Floral Design: Stoneblossom | Cake: Confectionary Designs | Invitations: Ink & Press Co. | Ceremony Venue,Reception Venue: Rosecliff Mansion | Catering: Russell Morin Fine Catering | Band: Wilson Stevens Band | Rehearsal Dinner: 22 Bowens | Photobooth: 360 Photobooth | Ceremony Strings: Atlantic Strings | Tabletop Rentals: Borrowed Blu | Beauty: Cassandra Broccoli | Accommodations: Castle Hill Inn | Dog Handler: Doggie Day Weddings | Beauty: Glam Done Wright | Lounges: Kadeema Rentals | Tabletop Rentals: La Affitto | Cocktail Hour Music: Michael Dutra & The Strictly Sinatra Band | Linen Rentals: Nuage Designs | Gift Bags: OOT Lala | Rentals: Peak Event Services | First Look Location: The Elms | Accommodations: The Vanderbilt