Rhode Island Weddings

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:

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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

When I think of Newport I think of unpretentious elegance, seaside glamour and classic beauty and this wedding by SNAP! Photography embodies all of those qualities and so much more.  I am in la-la-land over the lavender palette with metallic accents and subtly sophisticated pineapple motif especially in the stationery by Paper Moss.  It is classic with a twist of chic and a dash of modern merriment and, needless to say, I am just smitten.  The full gallery is bursting with even more stunning photography and breathtaking details so click here to see it all!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

What could make this day even better?  How about the highlight film by Mike Picard Videography!

From the bride… On July 16, 2011, Sarah and Zack were married at Belle Mer’s ocean-side lawn with one of the summer’s most beautiful sunsets as their backdrop. An event nearly two years in the making, Sarah and Zack’s vision of a romantically glamorous and chic evening affair came to life. With the help of an all-star team of vendors, Sarah’s love for all things pretty and Zack’s love of being near the ocean were blended together perfectly. Sarah and Zack did not need to look far for inspiration; from the start, they knew they wanted to welcome their guests to Newport with a fun-filled weekend they would never forget. Enter the pineapple, a traditional symbol of Newport hospitality that was delicately carried throughout the event, from the invitation suite to the refreshing signature pineapple mojitos. A beautiful blend of white flowers with fresh lavender and crystal accents filled the salon with a modern, elegant atmosphere, making for an evening that Sarah and Zack feel was nothing less than “pineapple perfection.”

Wedding Photography: SNAP! Photography / Wedding Venue: Belle Mer in Newport, Rhode Island / Wedding Invitations + Paper Goods: Paper Moss / Flowers: Village Arts & Flowers / Videography: Mike Picard Videography / Wedding Cake: Confectionery Designs / Bride’s + Bridesmaids Attire: Allegria Bridal / Entertainment: DJ Raffi Professional Music Production / Cigars: Boston Cigar Factory / Lounge Furniture + Linens: Rentals Unlimited / Hair + Makeup: Breanne, Kristen + Marie of All About You Salon and Day Spa / Ceremony Officiant: Honorable Frank Camera / Ceremony Musicians: Martha Niemiec with Upstairs Quartet (781-640-5980) / Wedding Gown: Judd Waddell / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Jewelry: Haute Bride / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jim Hjelm

Welcome back to another fabulous week here at SMP Massachusetts. We’re taking a short trip south to Newport, Rhode Island this morning to share with you this pretty, ocean front fete by Kristin Spencer Photography. We’re talking gorgeous florals, pretty paper and calligraphy, and a totally stunning dress. Click here for even more!

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From the bride… I scanned dozens of bridal magazines looking for inspiration but ended up finding my inspiration in a bit of an odd place — a dressing room! While I was bridesmaid dress shopping at J.Crew, one thing that really caught my eye was the room we were sitting in. It was was warm and traditional like our venue but also felt modern. I took photos of the dressing room and used the images as my inspiration. We didn’t follow the exact look but looked to the decor as guidance. The dressing room brought in crystal and gold for a modern feel. Similarly, we brought in black, white and pewter to complement the warmer tones of the venue.

Artie and I were married outside on a cliff overlooking the ocean. We lined the aisles with silver buckets of pink flowers and scattered white rose petals throughout. In the front, we added two large silver vases topped with wire spheres and light pink flowers woven in creating a unique and modern look. Cocktail hour also took place outside and we moved the ceremony flowers to our cocktail tables so to bring in a bit of color. We had custom gray napkins made with our names on them as well as wooden stir sticks with our initials. To make things even more personal, we had “Bride” and “Groom” specialty cocktails — mine was a spiked pink lemonade (with a purple flower as garnish) and his was a Dark and Stormy. As the sun set and guests entered the indoor reception, they were greeted by a more modern and elegant look. The room was lit with purple lighting and highlighted beautiful white floral centerpieces. We also used dusty millers to bring in silver into our floral arrangements. For our menus, table numbers and escort cards, we incorporated black and white by using black paper with white calligraphy. We also re-purposed the large silver wire spheres from the ceremony and placed them behind the sweetheart table. Following dinner, guests were surprised by a spread of desserts and candy. We tried to stick to our colors in the layout, using pink, black and white. As New Yorkers, we were excited to bring in some of our favorite desserts including Momofuku truffles and black and white cookies. Artie and I both have a big sweet tooth so we wanted to have items we loved and could share with everyone. We also love cupcakes and cookies so we had a huge display of various flavors. Design-wise, I wanted to keep the set up to look modern, so we found mirrors and lucite trays, which we thought would be an interesting touch.

Our goal was to throw a fun and beautiful celebration that truly represented us as a couple and most importantly, fit within our budget. Artie and I were paying for the wedding ourselves, and while Artie wanted nothing more than to give me the wedding of my dreams, we both agreed we wanted to start our life together on the right foot by making smart financial decisions. Most people we have spoken to have been surprised at how many ways we were able to save money by combining an element of DIY with help of professionals to create a more affordable version of what we were trying to achieve. A perfect example are our menus. They were round black menus with white script. Initially, I reached out to someone in the wedding industry to help me but when I received the pricing, I realized I would need to find another route. I went online and found a calligrapher who was willing to design a sample and then help me digitize the file. From there, I sent the file to an online printer, which was very affordable. The only problem was that they couldn’t do a round cut within my budget so I ordered a regular cut and then purchased a circle cutter. Sure, it cost me hours of sleep, but I actually loved the DIY projects, and they made the process that much more memorable. When else will I see my now-husband helping me with arts and crafts?

Wedding Photography: Kristin Spencer Photography / Wedding Venue: OceanCliff Hotel in Newport, Rhode Island / Wedding Cinematography: Newport Wedding Films / Wedding Flowers: Stoneblossom Floral & Event Design / Entertainment: Victor Events / Desserts: Momofuku Milk Bar, Cupcake Charlie + Fatulli’s  / Ceremony Music: Sukada Trio / Linens + China: Rentals Unlimited / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Invitations: Kelly Hicks Design

When you think of Newport, Rhode Island visions of sailboats and sunny beach days may dance in your head – but after swooning over every gorgeous image of this winter beauty captured by Snap! Photography, you might think of that pretty little city by the sea a bit differently. With this couple’s sophisticated seasonal style all on display at the oh so lovely Belle Mer, the next time you think of Newport I guarantee you will have visions of this winter wedding waltzing around in your head! See it all here!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride… We spent our first “real date” in Newport, Rhode Island, at a small, cozy bed and breakfast during winter. Newport in winter is truly a unique experience. Historic mansions, cozy restaurants, quiet streets and empty beaches create the setting for a perfect romantic getaway. It became a regular trip for us so when we got engaged, deciding on a location and a time of year to get married was easy. Selecting our venue was also easy. Belle Mer is absolutely stunning. We used white, gray and black accents to create our winter wedding theme. The bridesmaids wore soft gray dresses and the groomsmen wore classic tuxedos. To complement the tuxes, the girls wore black faux-fur shrugs purchased on Etsy. I found my vintage fur stole in my grandmother’s closet and thought it would tie in nicely with our winter backdrop. However to our amazement, we had an absolutely beautiful, fall-like day, which made our photos absolutely breathtaking. For our reception, we wanted to keep it elegant, romantic and most of all, fun! Our escort cards were attached to custom ornaments filled with personalized paper hearts. I used clear glass ornaments, card stock and a heart punch put them together. Flowers by Semia created several types of beautiful high/low arrangements using all types of white flowers illuminated by a variety of candles. In addition to the candles, we used up-lighting throughout the room to add color. The lighting changed color throughout the night to depict transition between cocktails, dinner, and dancing. Also, I added a little sparkle of my own by wearing an embellished belt for the reception, which was inspired by the gorgeous chandeliers at Belle Mer. As for dessert, we decided on cupcakes because it allows guests to select their personal favorite, and more importantly, I’m a cupcake fanatic! We wanted to be playful with the cupcakes and stick to our winter theme so we brainstormed flavor combinations and came up with fun types such as “gingerbread” and “sno-cap.” Confectionery Designs put their elegant spin on everything and created the most delicious cupcakes. If that wasn’t sweet enough, we also gave guests chocolate nonpareils as our favors because the white pearls reminded us of snow.   I have always loved DIY projects, and weddings are the optimal platform to create fun and unique items of your choice. A lot of my inspiration came from browsing through wedding and photography blogs such as SMP and Snap! I would save all of my favorite pictures to my own vision board, which inspired the design of our invitations, ceremony cards, menu cards and escort cards. Using fonts downloaded from dafont.com, products from Paper Source and the help of family and friends, we created our own unique designs for all of the printed items. I think back on how many hours went into these personalized items and how rewarding it was to see the final product – I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Wedding Photography: Snap! Photography / Florist: Flowers by Semia / Wedding Venue + Catering: Belle Mer in Newport, Rhode Island / Cupcakes: Confectionery Designs / Wedding Gown: Angelina Faccenda via La Reine / Bride’s Belt: Enzoani “Fabi” / Brides Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Earrings + Fur Wrap: Antiques Owned by the Bride’s Grandmother / Bridesmaids Dresses: Bill Levkoff / Black Faux-Fur Shrugs: Alexbridal / Hair: New Leaf Salon / Makeup: Kristina Jones of Alayne White Spa / Invitations, Ceremony Programs + Holiday Ornament Place Cards: DIY by the Bride / Wedding Favors: Chocolate Delicacy / Transportation: Newport Wedding Trolley + Viking Tours / Lodging: Pearls of Newport

Picturesque Newport, Rhode Island, a long and lace-lined veil, a beautiful gown just begging to be twirled in, a perfect pink color palette, pretty blooms from Sayles Livingston Flowers – these are a few of the things I am currently swooning over. And when I swoon, I swoon hard so Snap Photography is making my day today with this elegant party. It’s the definition of classic elegance, and there is more pretty to swoon over in the full gallery of images!

And because we just cant get enough of this lovely wedding, we just had to share the GORGEOUS film from the fête by David Bettencourt…

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/32050608 601 338]

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Nick and I both attended the same high school in Ridgefield, CT but we weren’t friends at the time. It was not until college that we would meet again through mutual friends and quickly become best friends and then in 2006 we began dating long distance (Nick in Pennsylvania and Maria in Florida) while in our senior year of college. We spent almost four years doing long distance until Nick proposed under the Brooklyn Bridge at The River Café and soon after moved in together in Jersey City finally putting an end to the long distance.

When I started planning the wedding I knew I didn’t want any kind of theme. I knew I wanted to focus mainly on the color pink and stick to a traditional and classic wedding. My mom and I did most of the planning together, ripping pages from wedding magazines, and of course often visiting etsy.com and of course stylemepretty.com for inspiration.  When looking for my wedding dress I knew I wanted a timeless look which I could look back twenty years from now and wouldn’t be out of style. The Lazaro ballgown was perfect because it was simple and elegant and the jeweled belt added sparkle without being too much. My veil which completed the look was made by Provnovias in Barcelona. My veil was one of my favorite parts of the wedding, it really made me feel like a bride!

Newport, RI is one of those most beautiful cities in the United States. It is surrounded by water and the cliff walk and mansions emit the classic New England charm. Nick and I both had many friends and relatives coming from all over the country and overseas so we wanted our guests to not only enjoy our wedding day but also enjoy our wedding location as they would probably be spending a few days in the area. We were married at Trinity Church, one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Newport. When we visited Belle Mer I knew immediately it was “the one”. Three words describe Belle Mer: location, location, location! The views are breathtaking and it has a very modern and sophisticated feeling. The Island House at Belle Mer is surrounded by a sprawling lawn where our guests enjoyed cocktail hour looking over the Narragansett Bay. Belle Mer also provided croquet and bocchi ball. The lawn games were a great way for guests to relax and have fun. One of the best parts of the wedding reception was definitely the photolounge by Snap Photography. Our guests were taking photos all night long and they were able to take them home as a favor.  The photolounge pictures are also a great way for Nick and I to laugh and see how much fun our friends and family had on our wedding day.

Our wedding day was a dream and one we will never forget. We had beautiful weather, a beautiful location and celebrated with our loved ones. Who could ask for anything more?

Wedding Dress: Lazaro / Veil: Pronovias / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair + Make-up: Sandra Downie / Maid of Honor Dress: Jenny Yoo / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Ceremony Location: Trinity Church / Reception Location: Belle Mer / Wedding Photography + Photolounge: Snap Photography / Floral Design: Sayles Livingston Flowers / Cocktail Linens: Rentals Unlimited / Macaron Favors: Confectionary Designs / Wedding Cake: Scrumptions / Wedding Videography: David Bettencourt / Lighting: High Output / DJ: DJ Derek Holtie / Transportation: Viking Tours / Limousine: A1 Limo

Newport is such a fab little destination wedding location for New Englanders. Just a hop, skip and a jump away from Boston and the likes, and full of style and history – Newport produces loads of pretty. And this wedding by Lisa Rigby Photography at Belle Mer is most definitely pretty. SUPER pretty. Overflowing with flowers from Stoneblossom and stylish details around every corner, it’s pretty and THEN some! See it all for yourself in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…John proposed one year to the day after our first weekend away together at our favorite NYC hotel. I was completely surprised and over the moon happy. On our way home from celebrating our engagement that evening I found myself in front of an all night news stand buying wedding magazines. I couldn’t believe it was my turn to not just pass by this section but to finally start the fabulous adventure of planning our wedding. Being that John and I are both originally from NY but currently live in Boston we decided on a location that was half way between our two homes and Newport, RI was the perfect fit. We decided to do a mini-destination wedding in this beautiful seaside town. Belle Mer was our first appointment and we fell in love.Our wedding theme came easily to us since the venue was on the ocean and we booked a summer date, we wanted a modern seaside chic wedding filled with lots of personal touches that reflected our style. After securing the color scheme and choosing the bridesmaid dresses we went with a navy, bright purple and white color palette with accents of aqua.

Following Style Me Pretty religiously throughout the planning process I was inspired by so many beautiful weddings and took details that I liked and then put our own spin and style on them. I learned what I wanted our photographs to look like and knew I wanted both photos and film to capture our emotions on the big day. Lisa Rigby and Still Motion were the two best vendors who really understood that. Flowers and paper goods were my next obsessions. I wanted peonies & hydrangea everywhere an Stone Blossom seemed as giddy as I was planning out an all white floral palette with the only color being my wedding bouquet. Miss Pickles Press worked with me over the course of a year designing all the paper items and dreamed up the exact look we wanted for our modern wedding. Details were so important to us and we really felt made the wedding special to John and me. I envisioned beautiful pillows, frames, apothecary jars, mirrors, vases everywhere and was able to find them all on Etsy. Every Etsy vendor I worked with was amazing and really gave me custom items to match our wedding. I was constantly surprised when everything came out better then I had imagined.

On the day of the wedding we had the most beautiful weather and everything went as we exactly as we had planned. It was the best overwhelming feeling of love and happiness we have ever felt and will always remember. We will be forever grateful to everyone who helped make all of our dreams come true on our special day!

Wedding Photography: Lisa Rigby Photography / Film Makers: StillMotion / Venue: Belle Mer / Floral Design: Stoneblossom / Wedding Cake + Groom’s Cake: Confectionery Designs / Wedding Dress: Anne Barge via Kleinfelds / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale via L’Élite / Band: Night Rhythm / Cocktail Hour Band: Steel Rhythm / Save the Date: Cheree Berry Paper / Wedding Invitations + Day of Paper Items: Miss Pickles Press / Navy + Aqua Pillows: Willa Skye Home / White + Navy LOVE Pillow: Wrap it Up LLC / Table Frames: Frame it by Jill / Hammered Silver Items: West Elm / Bridesmaid Rings: Toosis / LOVE Dishes: Say Your Piece / Wedding Mugs: Timeless Creations / Ring Pillow: Giggle Room / Silver Urchin Escort Card Holders: Gallery 360 / H&J Wood Letters: Compulsive Collection / Vases for Drink Stirrers: CB2 / Tote Bag Design: QA Design

What do you get when a few of Massachusetts’ most talented wedding vendors head on down to the Belle Mer in Rhode Island for a fabulous Newport soiree?  Magic.  A fuchsia, purple, modern and uber-chic kind of magic.  Yes, these New England nuptials have cast quite the spell on me with those gorgeous florals by Raspberry Bouquet (Hello peonies!) and the end-all, be-all of color palettes.  And these ah-ma-zing images by Lexi Photography?  They will most definitely have me swooning for days.  So, let’s get started, shall we?  Join me in the gallery for all of the fabulousness!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Lexi Photography… Marthé and Ryan were married on a beautiful June day at the fabulous Belle Mer in Newport, RI. They got the most stunning weather and the pops of fuchsia in the bridesmaids dresses and bouquets were beautiful against the modern white facade of Belle Mer’s Water Salon. Marthé wore an amazing Vera Wang belted gown and Ryan was in a traditional black tux with a pink tie and suspenders. The girls wore pink Amsale dresses and donned silver shoes, the guys were in the same black tux/pink tie attire as the groom. The reception room was decked out with amazing florals done by Lauren Perkins of Raspberry Bouquet, out of Charlestown, MA. The chairs were dressed with pink leis and the tables each had one of three exquisite centerpieces. The guests carried takeout boxes with their names on them filled with candy that doubles as both a seating card and their favors.

Wedding Photography: Lexi Photography / Wedding Gown: Vera Wang / Jewelry: One World Designs / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale / Hair + Make-up: Sara Faella / Groomsmen Attire: Read & White / Flowers: Raspberry Bouquet / Wedding Cake: Sweet Tooth Boston / Venue: Belle Mer / DJ: Victor from Party Time / Uplighting: Boston Uplights

Krystal and Paul at Studio Foto captured this classic Newport, Rhode Island church wedding with a stunning reception at Belcourt Castle.  We’ll be back on Monday with the full wedding feature, but first a quick peek and the link to Studio Foto for more gorgeous imagery!

So many beautiful shots from Taylor and Jeff’s wedding at Belcourt Castle … Studio Foto continued it right here!

See you later with the full feature on Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book Blog!

I just want to wrap myself up in the ethereal feel of this Rhode Island wedding by Melissa Robotti Photography. The beiges, creamy whites, and soft pinks just speak to the elegant and chic part of my soul (and of course that is a good part).  It’s all that is wonderful about a classic Newport wedding, yet modern at the same time – which in my eyes makes it perfect. While I am going on and on about how much I love this wedding, you should check out the full gallery for even more images to fawn over.

click here for even more elegant excellence!

While Ari and I love the excitement and exhilaration of living in NYC, we have visited and fallen in love with Newport, RI every year since we began dating 4 years ago.  The beauty and serenity of this historical sailing town just captured our hearts from the start.  Knowing that this was a special place to both of us, we decided to take a spontaneous visit on a hunt to find a perfect venue for our special day. When we arrived at Belle Mer, it felt like we stepped into a mélange of chic NYC elegance and serene Newport charm with stunning views overlooking both the Harbor and Narragansett Bay.  More importantly, it was large enough to host all of our family and friends who always love a good party!

The inspiration was a blend of vintage elegance and modern, romantic touches so as to surround ourselves and our guests in a warm, ethereal setting. Neutral colors of light beiges and creamy whites with highlights of soft pink helped to create the overall feel. There were amble amounts of candlelight– lanterns that flickered with subtle light during the ceremony, hundreds of tea lights throughout the room, and tall white pillar candles enhancing the beauty of the long staircase and cozy fireplace.  Creamy white and beige roses and fluffy hydrangeas centered the tables and highlighted the ceremony.  One of my favorite elements was an idea that our lovely event coordinator, Venessa put together at the last minute for us! With the cool ocean breeze that was chilling the air that day, we offered our guests hot cider and donuts as they arrived for the ceremony.  It was a wonderful addition to a chilly Fall day!

It was important to us to make certain elements of our day very personal: two of my brothers played their guitars and used their amazing voices to perform acoustics with specially selected songs during the reception, the mother of the groom wrote out beautiful gold calligraphy on all of the place cards, white cakes from our favorite NYC bake shop were brought in and our favorite candies were offered at a candy bar throughout the evening.  My late grandmother also had a meaningful presence in my special day.  I wore her favorite broach on my vintage fur shawl and the pearls from the veil she wore on her wedding day adorned my veil– all as a thoughtful gift from my mother. In lieu of favors, we made a donation to the American Cancer Society to honor of my beloved grandmother and all of our friends and family that have been affected by the disease.

The hours flew by before our eyes with our guests glued to the dance floor, to heartfelt and witty speeches, and an all around fantastic evening.  Our wedding was a story of the love we have for each other and being surrounded by our friends and family made it complete. It was truly unforgettable! Thank you to all of our vendors for making it so perfect!  Special thank you to Melissa Robotti and Kristen Teig of Melissa Robotti Photography for capturing the wonderful emotions and telling the story of the best day of our lives through photographs!

Photography: Melissa Robotti Photography / Flowers: Broadway Florist / Ceremony Location: Belle Mer / Reception Location: Belle Mer / Save-the-dates: BeforeYourParty.com / Invitations: Oblation Papers & Press / Menus and Thank You Cards: William Arthur Stationery / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Dress: Modern Trousseau / Cake: Billy’s Bakery / Band: Synergy / Hair and makeup: Jennie Kay Murphy

A classic Newport Rhode Island wedding never goes out of style, particularly when styled by Raina Dawn Events with the gorgeous floral design of Sayles Livingston Flowers. This fabulous summer affair contained everything endearing about the timeless beach town including a sunset sail for all the guests around the harbor. If that doesn’t scream Newport, I don’t know what does! So for a moment put away your winter boots and put on your boat shoes because each image in the gallery by Carrie Rodman Photography will have you dreaming of sweet salt air and warm summer days.

click here for full wedding gallery!

Sarah & Jeremy were married August 7, 2010 in Newport, Rhode Island.  Sarah and Jeremy live in NYC and hired Raina Dawn Events to coordinate their destination wedding weekend.  The weekend kicked off with a rehearsal dinner at The White Horse Tavern on Friday night after guests checked into the Hotel Viking.  Newport was buzzing that weekend with the Jazz Festival in town and everyone was lucky because come Saturday there was the most perfect summer Newport weather!

Working closely with the bride and groom, the wedding day started early with all 75 guests arriving at 11:00 a.m. ceremony at The Kay Chapel.  Sayles Livingston, a fellow Little Black Book Member, designed all of the beautiful florals on the wedding day, while Carrie Rodman Wedding Photography captured every detail and moment with such beauty.  Sarah and I worked closely on both the wedding day events, as well as all of the fabulous details that were incorporated into the weekend.

Starting with a welcome galvanized tin of goodies representing Newport and Michigan, the bride’s hometown, the basket was full with everything from vintage postcards with history of all of the wedding weekend venues, custom designed maps of Newport, and much more.  They included muslin bags that Sarah hand stamped and filled with vintage style candies (i.e. “Eat at your own Risk” FireBalls, Lemondrops,  Fun Dip), along with vintage looking candles and matches.  In addition to the fabulous gift baskets in every guests hotel room, Sarah also had a number of other DIY projects she took on, like her vintage picture framed Menu Card Board and Escort card board.  Sarah also collects vintage McCoy vases so each table at the reception at OceanCliff had a large white McCoy vase along with a miniature animal McCoy vase that held the table number letterpress cards. Sarah also loves paper, so when it came to her invitations she had Mika 78 produce gorgeous letterpress invitations with a “Welcome to Newport- Wedding Weekend Events Guide” and Tara Jones provided the beautiful calligraphy.

Once the guests witnessed Sarah and Jeremy tie the knot at The Kay Chapel, the bride and groom got in The Hotel Viking London Cab and all the guests headed to OceanCliff for their afternoon wedding reception on the breathtaking coast of Newport.  As the sailboats went by, guests had cocktails out on the lawn and then were ushered into the ballroom for the wedding reception.  For something sweet the Sarah and Jeremy didn’t want the traditional wedding cake, so they opted for the fabulous whoopee pies from Cranberry Island Kitchen.  They were flown into Newport from Maine and Sarah had another DIY project, she color coated with adorable little flags  so guests knew which flavor of whoopee pie they were choosing on the whoopee pie buffet.

The wedding day festivities didn’t end there.  All the guests were then whisked away for a sunset sail on the Schooner Aurora.  Sarah and Jeremy met on Match.com, so when Sarah told me she saw this cute card by Snow & Graham that said “Perfect Match- Caution This Is One HOT ITEM”  I went right to work to have custom made napkins done up with this logo for their sail.

It was such a joy working with Sarah and Jeremy on their destination Newport, RI wedding.  Thanks to all the vendors, Sarah’s DIY vintage projects, and months of planning and coordinating with Sarah and Jeremy, the outcome was a beautiful, fun, intimate, personalized wedding with their own style and flair that truly shined through!

Event Planning and Design: Raina Dawn Events / Photography: Carrie Rodman / Flowers: Sayles Livingston Flowers / Ceremony Location: Kay Chapel Newport, Rhode Island / Reception Location: OceanCliff Newport, Rhode Island / Reception Sunset Sail: Schooner Aurora Newport, Rhode Island / Invitations: Mika 78 / Invitation Calligraphy: Tara Jones Calligraphy / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Dress: Carolina Herrera, Kleinfeld Bridal / Entertainment: Melissa Woolverton and Rick Costa Band / Hair: LaLaLuxe Salon / Makeup: Makeup by Maggie Leonard / Whoopie Pies: Cranberry Island Kitchen / Perfect Match Napkins: Snow and Graham; ForYourParty.com / Accommodations: Hotel Viking Newport, Rhode Island