A Rhody wedding photographer’s fresh takes on eloping local and non-traditional vows

“I Do” Your Way

From eloping local to eclectic venues, this wedding photographer will coach you through a non-traditional ceremony

By Abbie Lahmers

Maybe you want to bring your vows off the beaten path or throw an epic wedding shindig at your favorite place to hang, but don’t know where to start. For the couples who often don’t see themselves or their visions represented in wedding media, Meaghan D’Abrosca founded her unique and inclusive business around making those offbeat wedding dreams come true.

“I like to remind my couples that it’s their day and they don’t have to do something just because it seems like everyone else is,” says D’Abrosca, the wedding cheerleader, consultant, and photographer behind Rhode Tripper Photography. “In fact, I encourage them to do the opposite, to stand out and make the day the ultimate reflection of them.”

D’Abrosca is a self-described “serial wedding professional,” having worked as a bridal stylist for three years and then event coordinator with a boutique catering company for over 60 weddings, becoming an expert of the behind-thescenes minutia. “I’ve been dreaming of weddings, sketching designs, and creating collages of weddings since I was a kid,” D’Abrosca shares.

When she decided to break off and start her own wedding photography business in 2020, D’Abrosca says, “I knew I needed to do things differently.” Along with taking an artistic and candid approach to photography (and providing the option to work in retro film methods), her specialty in the less-conventional is wide-sweeping.

“When I say non-traditional, I mean more intentional and representative of couples who aren’t traditionally seen in mainstream wedding media. I’m talking non-white, LGBTQIA+, plus-sized,” she says, “but I also mean non-traditional in the sense of using funky venues that aren’t typically hosting weddings” and challenging the status quo, whether that means serving breakfast food for dinner or hosting cocktail hour before the ceremony.

Meaghan and Evan, the photography couple behind Rhode Tripper

MOOD BOARD

If your wedding planning is still in those initial steps of gathering inspo, here’s a few ideas from D’Abrosca to get the gears turning. For photography services and a blog packed with inspo, visit RhodeTripperPhotography.com

FUN WITH FILM

“Film requires an intentionality that you don’t get often with digital and is such a beautiful, tangible form of photography. I mean who hasn’t gone into an old relative’s home and looked through old albums and boxes filled with photos taken on film?” Grainy, moody Polaroids and artsy effects from artificial lighting and prisms are also options.

FAMILY OFFICIANT

Having trouble finding an officiant who’s the right fit? Opt for a family member or friend. “It makes it so much more personal, and it’s super easy to get a one-day officiant certificate from the Secretary of State.”

ELOPEMENT PARTY

If you’re into the spirit of eloping but still want to celebrate your marriage with friends and family, “I suggest eloping first and having a big casual party afterward.”

INCLUSIVE VENDORS

Among the LGBTQIA+ inclusive vendors D’Abrosca works with are Bella Rose Beauty (BellaRoseBeautyRI.com) for hair and makeup, wedding planner Madden Made Events (MaddenMadeEvents. com), and Janelle D’Ambrosia Photography (JanelleDambrosiaPhotography.com) for wedding and elopement photography. “I myself am a member of the community, too – bi-wife energy over here!” Wedding photos at The Wayfinder take advantage of retro accents

A big part of her business is also elopements. While adventure destinations are appealing to some couples, “I’m more into private homes and urban elopements,” says D’Abrosca, describing a Providence one in the works with paparazzi-style photos using direct flash, along with a recent elopement that took place at a family’s member’s house on the beach. “It’s intentional, it’s intimate, and it’s personal to the couple.”

Different from a micro-wedding, “an elopement is more of a mindset shift to being a little more ‘selfish’ in planning your day,” D’Abrosca explains. Though some couples will bring along a couple of close friends or family, guest considerations are nearly nonexistent, and there’s more flexibility to be creative in planning the perfect day.

Though the flexibility and low cost of an elopement is tantalizing, it’s also not for everyone. “I think you really need to take a step back and decide if you’ll be disappointed if you don’t have the big wedding with all the extended family and friends. And I don’t mean think about if your guests will be disappointed; I mean you,” says D’Abrosca. “If you’ll be uncomfortable in the spotlight, you don’t love sit-down meals and all the pomp and circumstance, then maybe an elopement is for you.”

And for the couple looking to throw the party of the year, D’Abrosca and her husband Evan – who’s also the second photographer for Rhode Tripper – have firsthand experience with that, too. Their own wedding took place at the New Bedford Whaling Museum and included 100 guests, a ceremony they wrote themselves, and a cocktail hour with food inspired by their favorite Rhode Island restaurants – an experience that couldn’t be more unique to who they are. “I just want the same thing for all of our couples, with photos that capture the essence of their day and all those personal touches,” says D’Abrosca.

“I meet my clients where they’re at,” she continues. “If they need just a few vendor recommendations or tons of planning help, ideas, mood boards – you name it – I’m in. It’s a part of what we offer, but I’m also so passionate about it.”