Weddings Life & Style

Planning a wedding can be as simple or complex as you want it to be; there is no wrong answer. The most important underlying factor is that the day is personal to you and your intended. In this first-ever special Weddings section, find information and advice for planning the big day in the smallest state.

Weddings INSPO

By Meg Schmit

Wedding Season

Four local couples share how the time of year inspired their special day

One of the first decisions the newly engaged must make is when to tie the knot. Whether you pick the sun-soaked days of summer or snow-covered serenity of winter, chances are the time of year finds its way into every aspect of your plans. Meet four local couples who found ways to seamlessly incorporate the season into their colors, flowers, menus, and more – and the Rhode Island vendors who helped it all come together.

The Spring Wedding

“We believe the season symbolizes beginnings and positive changes, with warmer weather, blooming flowers, birds chirping, and a palpable buzz for the year to come,” begins Brenda Maher of her and husband Dan’s late-April wedding. “We viewed it as a great time of the year to celebrate the beginning of our marriage with friends and family.”

Brenda and Dan both hail from Connecticut, spent summers in Rhode Island, and attended UConn – but their paths never crossed until one fateful January night at a bar in Hartford in 2016. As Brenda puts it, “we literally danced the night away and our lives were changed forever.” Four years later on a much-needed family getaway, Dan popped the question as the sun set over Narragansett Town Beach. “We ate, we laughed, we drank. It was a very special night.”

After soaking in their engagement, Brenda and Dan began to plan their springtime nuptials with the season in mind, inspired by beautiful blooms and a palette of peachy pastels that enhanced the historic beauty of their venue, Shepherd’s Run in South Kingstown.

The Colors

“We chose neutral, airy, light colors featuring peach, blush, and off-white tones,” Brenda explains. These choices appeared in the floral-embroidered table linens, invitation suite, and flowers.

The Venue

Brenda and Dan set their sights on the Ocean State, a place near and dear to both of them, and stumbled across Shepherd’s Run, a winery that was scheduled to open later that year. They were charmed by the sprawling field of grapevines, gleaming stone mansion, and, of course, the delicious wines. But what made it extra special were the estate’s gardens, which would serve as the perfect, flower-filled ceremony space.

The Flowers

Late April o ered plenty of options, including ranunculus, parrot tulips, hydrangeas, roses, baby’s breath, and white O’Haras, which were carefully curated by Wakefield-based floral studio Flowerthyme.

The Dress

Even Brenda’s dress featured floral lace, a purposeful touch to complement the season.

Rhody Resources

PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER:

MOVE MOUNTAINS CO. | Pawtucket

CATERER:

BLACKSTONE CATERERS | Middletown

FLORIST:

FLOWERTHYME | Wakefield

HAIR & MAKEUP:

JACLYNN KATE HAIR & MAKEUP

ARTISTRY SALON | Cranston

Photos by Move Mountains Co.

Weddings INSPO

By Meg Schmit

The Summer Wedding

The Ocean State holds a special place in the hearts of Nicole and Kristen, who are originally from New York and Massachusetts respectively. It’s where they first met their freshman year at college, and where their friendship flourished into something more. So, after the couple got engaged in 2019, it was a no-brainer to pick Rhode Island as the setting for their wedding.

“Kristen and I love the summer,” shares Nicole, reminiscing on warm-weather days and trips to the beach. They originally picked a date in June of 2021, but like so many couples, made the di cult decision to postpone it by a year due to pandemic and vaccine rollout concerns.

“Choose a season you love so the incorporation happens naturally,” says Nicole. “If you love summer, you can incorporate things you love about it into your wedding like fruity cocktails, ice cream, color choices, and decor.”

The Colors

“Our colors were dusty sage, dusty blue, and gold,” says Nicole, who drew inspiration from Blithewold’s natural beauty. “We chose a dusty palette so the vibe felt light, airy, and summery.”

The Venue

“Kristen and I knew we wanted a venue on the water,” Nicole explains, and they immediately fell for Blithewold’s harbor views. The beautiful mansion, manicured gardens, and outdoor tent sealed the deal, granting the couple’s wish for an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour.

The Flowers

Designed by Cranston-based Golden Gate Studios, the centerpieces and bouquets starred blue and green hydrangeas punctuated by white roses. “What is more summer?” insists Nicole.

The Menu

From an abundance of seafood, to fruity signature cocktails, to a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream bar, Kristen and Nicole’s wedding didn’t just feel like summer – it tasted like it, too!

The Special Touches

Painted oyster shells with their guests’ names added a personalized seaside touch to the place settings (and was one of Nicole’s favorite details).

Rhody Resources

PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER: BRITTANY ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

Bristol

CATERER:

BLACKSTONE CATERERS | Middletown

FLORIST:

GOLDEN GATE STUDIOS | Cranston

MUSIC:

MUSIC MIXERS ENTERTAINMENT

Narragansett

TRANSPORTATION:

VIKING TOURS OF NEWPORT