Newport Wedding magazine 2022

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Winners! Best Florist, Caterer, Photographer + MORE!

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Make it the BEST DAY EVER!

11 INSPIRING

2022

WEDDINGS

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Venue GUIDE

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Where to SAVE

Where to Fashion SPLURGE

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Contents

42 44

Features 8

Tips & Trends

News of the Wedding World

12 Shop Clever gifts to give your guests, and personalized presents for the perfect couple.

16 A Wedding Venue Menu A guide to some of the most popular wedding spots in Newport.

20 David Tutera Tells All The celebrity wedding planner and TV host tells where to save and where to splurge.

28 52

24 Where to Stage the Perfect Proposal Romantic places to pop the question around Newport

28 Rethinking the Dress The pandemic has prompted brides to question their original choices.

54 Best of Newport Wedding Awards Your picks for the region’s best wedding professionals.

61 The Newport Wedding Show

sponsored by Audrain Hospitality Group

It’s baaack! A preview of our 2022 event.

Real Weddings 32 Maddy Laliberte & Will Danforth Adirondack II and Queen Anne’s Loft

34 Mackenzie Robb & Ryan Stanley The Chanler

36 Nischelle Kalakota & Brent Robertson Belle Mer

38 Alisa Loughlin & Steve Enright Glen Manor House

40 Jill Rondeau & Zack Allen Trinity Church and Regatta Place

42 Danielle Fleet & Eric Bieler New York Yacht Club at Harbour Court

44 Tim Dejsiriudom & Jonathan Lewis Rosecliff

46 Helena Kuhn & Ignacio Chavarria Our Lady of Mercy Chapel and The Bohlin

48 Alexis Souza & Nate Farrar Dragonline Studios

50 Brianna McShane & Alex Narodowy Fort Adams

52 Alex Chiaramonte & Taylor Stephen Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina

ON THE COVER: Maddy Laliberte and Will Danforth enjoy their wedding on the waves.

Photo by Kelsey Regan Photography. See the story on page 32

C loc k wis e f rom b ottom: S imone Plus Photography; J os eph Laurin Photography; S ara Z arrella Photography; Ludwig Photography; S nap W eddings ! ; A N omadic Lov e

34 48

Rehearsal Dinners Escape & Elope Wedding Photo Shoots Garden Parties Bridal Showers Après Wedding Intimate Gatherings Book your experience today! hilltopnewport.com | (401) 619-0054 | 2 Kay Street, Newport, RI

From the Editor

I

A Taste of What Awaits You

f you’ve already said “I do” to a Newport wedding, congratulations! We’ve got all the information you need to make your Big Day memorable. And if you’re still on the fence, take a dip inside these pages for a taste of what awaits you.

As you’ll see, Newport is blessed with bountiful scenery, outstanding cuisine, a convenient location and all the resources you’ll need to make your wedding memorable. (Did I mention it’s a fabulous place to party, too?)

It’s not just hometown pride talking here. When I interviewed celebrity wedding planner David Tutera for this issue, he had just returned from the City by the Sea and marveled at the wealth of venues and services he encountered here – in some cases surpassing what he finds in New York City.

Need more proof? We’ve gathered 11 couples who tied the knot in Newport County and asked them to share their tales of courtship and celebration. Many had to delay their weddings due to the pandemic, which made the actual event that much sweeter. Their individual approaches to food,

rituals, decor and dress are inspiring evidence that the best weddings are the ones that feel most personal.

On the pages that follow you’ll also find a list of romantic places to propose (feel free to leave it out where you-knowwho can see it), as well as a guide to two dozen popular wedding venues, trends in matrimonial fashion, and wedding favor suggestions from Newport merchants. And whether you’re looking for formal wear, a florist or a photographer, don’t miss the results of our annual Best of Newport Wedding Awards, voted on by our readers.

Marriage takes work. So does planning one. We hope the tips you find here help make your own nuptials a little easier, so you can focus on the important stuff: sharing a future with the one you love.

Fred Albert, Editor

Interested in submitting your wedding to Newport Wedding or Newport Life magazines?

Visit newportweddingmagazine.com/ submit-your-wedding for details.

Connect with us!

Find even more inspiration, vendors and tips for your Newport wedding at newportweddingmagazine.com

S e e Re a l W e d d in g p a g e 4 2

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NewportWeddingMagazine.com | 2022

Ludwig Photography

@newportwedding #mynewportwedding

our chefs are able to craft our 100% authentic Neapolitan pizza made with only the freshest, organic ingredients imported from Italy. Once prepared, you can watch through our floor to ceiling windows as each pizza cooks in the brick-oven, handcrafted in Naples, aboard the truck.

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La Costa brings a wide range of authentic flavors and delicious food all over Aquidneck Island. La Costa is a licensed caterer able to provide a full bar alongside our handcrafted menu, the perfect addition to any private event.

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Enjoy the ultimate bridal experience

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MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2021 EDITORIAL Editor Fred Albert falbert@newportri.com Market Editor Rebecca Chace

❧ Bridal

Food Editor Andrea E. McHugh

❧ Special Occasions

Graphic Designer Veronica Musch

❧ Bridesmaids ❧ Prom/Pageant ❧ Stunning Selection ❧ Exquisite Gowns ❧ Exceptional Service

Contributor Paula M. Bodah Thank you to the amazing photographers who make this issue shine: A Nomadic Love Dani. fine photography LeFebvre Photography Ludwig Photography Kelsey Regan Photography Simone Plus Photography Snap Weddings!

Kearsten Taylor Photography Sara Zarella Photography

ADVERTISING Sales Director Michael Cesare mcesare@localiq.com Sales Executive Diane Andrews dandrews1@localiq.com

COUT URE New England’s Premiere Boutique for 114 Years Visit Our Newly Renovated Glamorous Boutique 89 Main Street, Taunton, MA 508.824.6900 info@newyorklacecoutue.com newyorklacecouture.com

For editorial and advertising guidelines, and to order bulk quantities, visit NewportWeddingMagazine.com, NewportLifeMagazine.com or NewportWeddingShow.com 401-380-2384 • falbert@newportri.com Newport Wedding magazine (ISSN 1074-2190) Publication Number 0011804 is published each December by the staff of Newport Life magazine and Gannett Co., 272 Valley Road, Middletown, Rhode Island, 02842, (401) 849-3300, Periodical postage paid at Newport RI and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Newport Life magazine, 272 Valley Road, Middletown, Rhode Island, 02842.

Subscriptions to Newport Life magazine are available for $18 per year.

To subscribe or renew, go to NewportLifeMagazine.com/Subscribe or call (866) 758-3408. To check the status of an existing subscription or change your address, call (866) 758-3408 or email SubscriberServices@NewportRI.com. Individual copies may be obtained by first-class mail for $10, including postage and handling; call (401) 380-2384 for details. For editorial and advertising guidelines, go to NewportLifeMagazine.com.

All content remains the copyright of Newport Life magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Newport Life magazine welcomes submissions relevant to our content, however, we cannot be held responsible for unsolicited materials, and we assume no responsibility for their care or return.

Member of the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce

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Printed on partially recycled paper.

Wallys Wally’s Wieners is located in the heart of the lower Thames area of Newport and serves Rhode Island’s favorite hot dog, Saugy’s! We started in 2016 as a mobile hot dog cart serving crowds large and small throughout the state.

Since then we have expanded into a brick and mortar where we will strive to serve our customers affordable, high quality, approachable food including Saugy’s, smash burgers, milkshakes and fried chicken sandwiches!

For events and other inquiries please email us at events@wallyswieners.com | wallyswieners.com

Have the Cluck Truck at your next event for delicious food and a cluckin’ good time!

The Cluck Truck serves the best cluckin’ chicken around! Each handmade item on our menu takes into account all 5 senses: Sight, Sound, Smell, Touch and of course, Taste - creating a cluckin’ unbelievable experience. There is nothing else to say. You need to try our Cluckin’ Good Chicken.

For events and other inquiries, please email us at events@clucktruckri.com | clucktruckri.com

Tips & Trends

By Fred Albert

Golden OPPORTUNITY

SIGNATU RE LOOK

Increasingly, we’re seeing couples forego the formal guest book for items they can incorporate into their lives, like furniture, puzzles and even surfboards. Alisa Loughlin and Steve Enright did something clever at their wedding (page 38): They set out wine bottles labeled 1 through 5 and asked guests to sign them, with plans to open one bottle on each of their first five anniversaries. To up your game a little, order custom labels like the ones offered by Newport Vineyards, newportvineyards.com/custom-labels.

Take the Cannoli

We love a good wedding cake (heck, we love ANY type of cake), but a growing number of brides and grooms are serving individual baked goods like cupcakes, donuts and even artisanal ice cream sandwiches in place of a large, formal cake. In some cases, they opt for a small ceremonial cake they can cut, while guests help themselves to self-serve sweets.

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From Top:Ludwig Photography; Harle Tinney; Ludwig Photography

Looking to make a dramatic entrance (or exit) at your wedding?

We’ve got just the ticket — if you don’t mind traveling coach.

Built in the 1960s by the Tinney family at the behest of the Sheraton Corporation, this gold coronation coach spent decades at the family’s Bellevue Avenue mansion, Belcourt Castle. After the home’s sale in 2012, the coach languished in storage for several years until Harle Tinney rescued and restored it. She’s now offering to rent it for weddings for $500 an hour, not including transportation. The coach seats six and can be towed by truck if your stallions are indisposed.

For details, visit harletinney.com.

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Black

IS THE NE W LAV E ND E R

This Tops It

It’s time to sound the death knell for plastic cake toppers. Flowers have replaced figurines as the favorite crowning touch, as in this stunning creation from Scrumptions at M addy Laliberte and Will D anforth’s wedding ( s ee p ag e 3 2 ) .

Insta G ratification

According to a study conducted by luxury cashmere company N.Peal, Newport is the seventh most Instagrammed wedding location in the world, behind M aui and just a hair ahead of Provence. Number one? The French Riviera.

C loc k wis e f rom f ar lef t: K els ey R egan Photography; Ludwig Photography ( 2 )

Alisa Loughlin didn’t want her bridesmaids spending hundreds of dollars on an outfit they’d only wear once, so she told them to pick any full-length dress — as long as it was black ( s ee p ag e 3 8 ) . The color suits every body type, and was easy to match (unlike, say, lavender or mint). “ It made the ‘ choose your own dress’ adventure easier, since we weren’t competing with varying shades,” says Alisa, who deemed the results perfectly in line with the timeless, elegant look she was after. And chances are good those dresses will be worn again.

L GAN OC

Oceanfront

N S

ANC LIFF

” ”

StopGoLove Photography

Acres of Rolling Lawns Upper Deck at OceanCliff Safari Room Restaurant Guest Rooms 65 Ridge Road Newport, RI .6 . www.newportexperience.com

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Vintage wooden racquet bo�le stoppers, $ 11, Interna�onal Tennis Hall of Fame

GIFTS FOR

Newport House Blend, $16, Springline Coffee

Guests

Newport RI map rocks glass, $16, Museum of Newport History Shop

Send them home with a souvenir of Newport.

By Rebecca Chace

Personalized cookies, $4–$6 each, Newport Sweet Shoppe

Brass anchor bo�le opener, $10, Newport Mansions Stores The Black Pearl clam chowder, 35 for 6 cans, The Black Pearl

$

Round cut honeycomb, $10, Aquidneck Honey

Pure sea salt .75 ounce jar, $10, Newport Sea Salt Co.

Scent sample pack featuring 12 body lo�ons, $10, Shore Soap Co.

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NewportWeddingMagazine.com | 2022

Almond bu�er toffee, $ 12 for 6 ounces, Anchor Toffee

Book Your Private Event with

Coastal Queen WEDDINGS CELEBRATION CRUISES BACHELORETTE PARTIES

Visit CoastalQueenCruises.com/private-charters or Call (401) 423-9900 x3208

Let et Che Cherryhill Flowers be your first choice for flowers and specialty services

Courtesy of Brave Hearts Photography

Courtesy of Danyel DeBoise Photography

265 Greenville Ave, Johnston, RI 02919 (401) 231-5666 | https://cherryhillflower.org

Courtesy of Brave Hearts Photography

Courtesy of Penny Souza

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Custom monogram needlepoint slippers, start at $650, yce e

Name RECOGNITION Silver picture frame, $70, Lou Lou’s Decor

The te t on this wedding in ita�on pla�er can be customized, $178, Primavera Newport

G ive a gift that’s personaliz ed.

By Rebecca Chace

Custom monogram oyster ring dish, $25, Salty Girl Goods

Signal ag cuff links in choice of ini�als, $180 a pair, Style Newport

Pearlfec�on monogram bracelet, $68, Kiel James Patrick Flagship Store

Set of four monogram adhesive wax seals, $5, Eileen on Thames

Bridal jean jacket with date, $85.50, up2ournecksinfabric on Etsy

Personalized monogram cornhole game set, $300, Ben’s Furniture

Monogrammed leather place mats, star�ng at $275 each, Kimberly Pucci

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NewportWeddingMagazine.com | 2022

American acht lub sweater, $128, Kiel James Patrick Flagship Store

Harborside CELEBRATIONS Water Views FROM EVERY ANGLE

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2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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A Wedding

VENUE MENU

By Fred Albert

The Newport area is blessed with a multitude of wedding venues, from pavilions in the park to Gilded Age mansions. While it would be nearly impossible to mention every location, we thought we’d help you get started with a list of some of the region’s most popular venues.

For the sake of comparison, we have ranked each place from $ to $$$$, reflecting the price of renting the facility during the high season (May— October). Please keep in mind that the ratings do not reflect the cost of tents, caterers, portable restrooms and the like, which in some cases may need to be brought in from outside, adding significantly to the venue’s cost.

(All area codes are 401, unless otherwise noted)

S ara Z arrella Photography

The Chanler at Cliff Walk.

See Real Wedding page 34

Glen Manor House

Atlantic Resort at Wyndham Newport Hotel $ Modern resort hotel with water-view banquet rooms

240 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown 236-2021, wyndhamnewportri.com

Belle Mer $ $ $

Oceanfront venue offering several spaces and price levels 2 Goat Island, Newport (617) 854-5000, longwoodvenues.com

The Bohlin $ $ $

Nautical charm in a downtown marina setting 20 Commercial Wharf, Newport 619-7199, bohlinnewport.com

Castle Hill Inn $ $ $ $

Romantic old hotel in stunning oceanfront setting 5 miles from downtown 590 Ocean Drive, Newport 849-3800, castlehillinn.com

The Chanler at Cliff Walk $ $ $ $

A llis on M ark ov a Photography

Chic luxury hotel and restaurant bordering Cliff Walk 117 Memorial Blvd., Newport 847-1300, thechanler.com

Dragonline Studios $ $

Private, loftlike space on grassy promontory with wraparound views

Eisenhower House $

Ike’s picturesque summer White House in Fort Adams

1 Lincoln Drive, Newport | 847-6740 riparks.com/parks/eisenhower-house.php

Fort Adams $

Atmospheric old fort in historic oceanfront setting 90 Fort Adams Drive, Newport 619-1511, fortadams.org

Forty 1° North $ $ $

Modern maritime setting on a downtown Newport wharf 351 Thames St., Newport 846-8018, 41north.com

Glen Manor House $ $

Grand old house in bucolic ocean-view setting

3 Frank Coelho Drive, Portsmouth 683-4177, glenmanorhouse.com

Gurney’s Newport $ $

Expansive waterfront complex convenient to downtown

1 Goat Island, Newport 849-2600, gurneysresorts.com/newport

Hilltop Inn $ $

Luxurious and intimate boutique inn 2 Kay St., Newport 619-0054, hilltopnewport.com

2 Fort Wetherill Road, Jamestown 339-7751, rental.duncanlaurie.com

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Newport Beach House

Dragonline Studios

1 Bellevue Ave., Newport 847-3300, hotelviking.com

65 Ridge Road, Newport 619-7924, newportexperience.com/oceancliff

International Tennis Hall of Fame $ $

Grand Gilded Age mansion owned

by Salve Regina University

Genteel landmark property steeped in tennis history 194 Bellevue Ave., Newport 849-3990, tennisfame.com

Newport Art Museum $ $ Art-filled historic interiors and landscaped grounds

76 Bellevue Ave., Newport 619-7982, newportartmuseum.org

Newport Beach House $ $

Beachside spaces imbued with the lure of sand and sea

3 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown (617) 854-5000, longwoodvenues.com

Newport Marriott $

Spacious modern hotel bordering downtown and waterfront 25 America’s Cup Ave., Newport 849-1000, marriott.com

Newport Vineyards $ $

Woodsy modern complex in Napa-esque vineyard setting

909 East Main Road, Middletown 848-5161, newportvineyards.com

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OceanCliff $ $

Historic oceanside estate with panoramic views

NewportWeddingMagazine.com | 2022

Ochre Court $ $ $ $

100 Ochre Point Ave., Newport 341-2197, salve.edu/conferencesevents-and-weddings

Queen Anne’s Loft $ $

Window-lined space overlooking downtown Newport.

212 Thames St., Newport 524-0286, queenannesloft.com

Regatta Place $

Quiet waterfront setting adjoining Newport Harbor 5 Marina Plaza, Newport 619-7924, newportexperience.com/ regattaplace

Rosecliff $ $ $ $

Glorious Gilded Age mansion overlooking the ocean.

548 Bellevue Ave., Newport 847-1000, newportmansions.org/weddings

The Vanderbilt $ $ $ $

Elegant historic hotel with stylish, updated decor.

41 Mary St., Newport 846-6200, aubergeresorts.com/vanderbilt

From Lef t: A rielle D ones on Photography; C onor J ames Photography

Hotel Viking $ $

Venerable hotel on legendary Bellevue Avenue.

NO CHICKEN DANCE? NO LINE DANCES? NO PROBLEM!

ArpeggioWeddings.com 401.769.1325 x25 2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Tells All

DAVID TUTERA

David Tutera’s artistry was on display at an event he recently staged for wedding professionals at Newport’s Ochre Court.

With more than a thousand nuptials under his belt, celebrity wedding planner D avid Tutera knows a thing or two about making the Big D ay a success.

By Fred Albert | Photography by Alex Paul

In a career spanning 30 years, celebrity wedding planner David Tutera has overseen more than a thousand nuptials for Hollywood A-listers, athletes and titans of industry, and has hosted such TV series as My Fair Wedding and David Tutera’s CELEBrations. Along the way he’s authored seven books on weddings and entertaining, designed a line of bridal wear, and still finds time to work with a handful of engaged couples each year (like the recent pair who insisted on playing Grateful Dead music throughout their reception).

Tutera has hosted nine TV shows, and his client list includes Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, Barbara Walters and Nancy Reagan.

FR ED A LBER T: Y ou recently hosted a three- day event for wedding professionals in Newport. W hat were your impressions of the city as a place to get married?

In a conversation with Newport Wedding editor Fred Albert, Tutera discussed what makes Newport a great wedding destination, how to avoid picking the wrong wedding dress, and what he really thinks of emailed invitations. (Spoiler: He’s not a fan.)

V ic toria A ngela

speaks to the style of the party. The second place I ask people to spend their budget on is entertainment. I’m not a big DJ fan, but it could be a good DJ with an ancillary setup of live DAVID TUTERA: I was most surprised musicians, or a band, or an orchestra, by the vast uniqueness of the vendors and or specialty entertainment. And the venues. New York City doesn’t offer this last place is the décor. Other things massive plethora of venues. Any person are important, but you don’t have to coming to Newport can find something spend much money on those. for them. There’s everything there. It’s crazy!

Y ou say you’re not a big fan of DJs. W hy?

Y our weddings typically cost several hundred thousand dollars. I f a couple’s budget is more limited, where should they focus their spending?

Obviously, food. Food is taking care of your guests and creating a cuisine that

W hat makes a good DJ? I like a DJ that understands the music that the couple is expecting. I always ask for playlists. If you’re playing great music and it’s shifting through the wedding, it changes the energy and mood of the setting. So it’s actually an inexpensive thing with a very big reward.

I f couples need to save money, where should they scrimp?

I think people spend too much money on cake. I think people spend too much A DJ is supposed to be the background. A money renting expensive tabletops — DJ that is very vocal, speaks too much, glassware, flatware, charger plates, linens, announces a song, decides to get people chairs. You can use what the venue up on the dance floor by [raising] their already has to avoid additional expenses from having to rent from a vendor. Favors voice, is just wrong for a wedding.

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A harpist floats above a fog-covered floor in this ethereal event Tutera staged at Newport’s Castle Hill Inn.

are not a necessity; those are not memorable, and you want to spend your money on things that are going to be remembered for a lifetime.

A ny suggestions for dressing a table without spending a lot of money?

I would do low centerpieces with florals that are in season, not out of season, because that costs more. Sometimes people put so many florals into a centerpiece that you don’t even pay attention. We did an event in Newport where we showcased the simplicity of flowers: Just a couple of unique stems, a couple of orchids, some interesting greenery, and some really sleek candles with a great container. Visually, it was breathtaking — very simple and understated.

W hat are other trends in florals right now?

We’re going back to a more romantic approach to flowers. Viburnum, tuberose, lycianthes — anything with a petal count in soft tones is very in. But I also see the opposite side of this: a lot of 22

NewportWeddingMagazine.com | 2022

use of succulents and really interesting foliage, mosses, mushroom pods. It’s a much more modern approach to a wedding. Some people don’t get it, but I think it’s actually really interesting when executed beautifully.

C ompetition for venues is really intense right now. I f you’re stuck with a bland banq uet hall, what can you do to make the space more interesting?

If you’re going into a venue that’s not visually desirable, do a subtle drapery around the perimeter of the room, and then do simple uplights to illuminate the space. Drapery doesn’t cost a ton of money, depending on what you pick, how tall the ceilings are, and how large the room is. Then you focus solely on the table settings, and you can turn something that’s not pretty at all into something very romantic and lovely.

There are a ton of drapery companies in Newport that can help you install it. It’s not a big expense, but visually, it’s a massive change.

Y ou’ve even talked about introducing new technology like holograms into weddings.

We do a lot of really interesting technology. You can do a hologram of the couple, you can do a hologram of the cake — it’s something I would do when you’re moving from cocktails to dinner.

You can place LED panels around the perimeter of the [reception] space, where you’re showcasing some beautiful scenery and it’s moving from panel to panel. It’s expensive to do, but it can replace some of the traditional decor like flowers on the ceiling or big, high centerpieces. It gives you this immersive experience, so guests don’t feel like they’re just stuck in a room.

Y ou have your own line of wedding gowns. Do you have any advice for picking a dress?

You need to know your body type: hourglass, pear… Then you need to know the silhouette of the gown. Is it an A-line? A trumpet? A mermaid? All those names have to sync up to the woman’s body type. Do your homework,

“You want to spend your money on things that are going to be remembered for a lifetime.” which is very easy to find online. And it’s really important to work with a bridal boutique salesperson who will put you in the right silhouette for your body type.

W hat about grooms?

Today, everybody wants to stand out a little. I think a groom gets that more when they really look traditional. A pocket square with a punch of color is always great; great cufflinks; great shoes.

But keep your suit or tux really classic.

Your photos will always look like [they were taken] today. I think that’s really important.

So no plaid j ackets with wide lapels?

cakes cost thousands of dollars, and by the time the cake is cut, most people are either too many drinks in or have left early, and no one’s really appreciating the cake.

A re digital invitations environmentally responsible or tacky?

Not a fan. A digital invite … feels like you just don’t care as much.

A side from digital invitations, what would you say is the most common mistake couples make when planning a wedding?

Right now, any day that someone can get is a great day. I think we’re going to see that issue straight through 2022.

Speaking of C O V I D- 1 9 , what are your feelings about req uiring tests for guests?

We have done COVID testing for guests; we hire companies that do it. Everyone has to get rapid testing when they arrive.

You don’t do it in advance, you do it onsite. I think it’s smart. I don’t know if it’s needed today, but if it’s needed again tomorrow, we know it’s there.

Having a ring on your finger and a partner you’re getting married to doesn’t equate to all of a sudden knowing everything that’s needed to run a wedding. Instead of hiring an expert and taking their advice, they’re telling the expert what they should do. That has been a very big shift in our industry over the past 10 years. It causes chaos.

H ow do you feel about vaccine mandates?

O ther common mistakes?

Do you think weddings will ever go back to the way they were before?

Not being fully aware of what things cost, and understanding that as the guest count goes up, the budget increases.

I s there a best day and time to get married?

For 30 years, there was always the same answer: Saturday night is the best night, and Sunday is a secondary good night.

I think it’s brilliant, and I think everybody should be doing it. That has to be [explained in] a letter that is sent by the family to all of the guests. I would not include it in an invitation — it would be a separate mail-out.

It could go back. The one thing that doesn’t stop is celebrations. People may not be getting the event that they had fully wished for, but the moment and emotion of being together for these people’s weddings is even more powerful than it would have been three, four or five years ago.

Do it for your rehearsal dinner, definitely not for your wedding.

W hat about for the mother of the bride or groom?

Moms should have their own personalities. They should pick a dress that they would want to wear … to an elegant event, or if it’s a casual wedding, a casual event. You shouldn’t try to stand out so you’re more seen than the bridesmaids, or you’re overstepping the bounds of the bride. It’s a really important dialogue that many families don’t have until the day of the wedding.

I see fewer couples opting for a big wedding cake these days.

I think it’s fine if you don’t want a wedding cake. Quite frankly, wedding

Tutera ups the tablescape drama with gray, black and white.

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23

W HE R E TO

S TA G E THE

Perfect Proposal Looking for a scenic spot to pop the question?

E x perts weigh in with their N ewport f av orites .

By Andrea E . M cHugh

Castle Hill Lighthouse

S ara Z arrella Photography

W

ith miles of coastline, centuries-old architecture, charming cobblestone streets, rolling green hills, a fleet of seaworthy vessels and jaw-dropping panoramas around nearly every corner, Newport is a natural setting for a picture-perfect proposal. But with so many choices, where do you start?

“Newport is full of simply gorgeous places to propose, but one of my favorite places ... is at the C astle H ill Lighthouse,” says photographer Sara Zarrella, who has shot hundreds of proposals, engagements and weddings in and around the City by the Sea. “It’s an iconic Newport locale, right at the place where Narragansett Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, and typically we get a few boats sauntering by, which is a nice nod to the Sailing Capital of the World.”

Zarrella says the spot, accessible by footpaths, is typically quiet and offers privacy. “There aren’t a ton of places in Newport that are so beautiful, yet secluded, and here, couples really have some time to take in their moment. The Castle Hill Lighthouse is also stunning every season throughout the year, whether covered in a soft blanket of snow, peeking out amid stunning fall colors or basking in the summer sun.”

N ic ole G es mondi Photographer, LLC

Brenton Point State Park

Brenton Point State Park on Newport’s legendary Ocean Drive marks the southernmost tip of Aquidneck Island and affords the kind of views that are simply breathtaking. It’s an idyllic location to pop the question, and Newport Picnic Co. is accustomed to setting the stage with a variety of luxury picnic packages. “We’ve done brunch picnics and sunset picnics at Brenton Point, says Hollie Mitchell, who founded Newpor t Picnic Co. with Shannon Hookanson. “It’s a really pretty spot with sailboats in the distance, and a lot of sailboat races out there during the summer.” Mitchell says there are also a handful of secluded spaces that offer privacy; a good option when the park is particularly crowded in the warmer months. “On the lawn there are some little tucked-away spots, or along the path, with the backdrop of some really cool older trees.”

The company partners with local gourmet food purveyors, including Bellevue Boards and Chelcuterie by Chelsea, which offers “grazing boards” featuring all kinds of light bites, like chocolate-covered strawberries. Newport Picnic Co. can also par tner with photographers for a “one-stop-shop” p r o p o s a l . “ O u r p a c k a ge s i n c l u d e everything, so all the person proposing has to do is show up,” explains Mitchell. “They don’t need to worry about anything except what they are going to say. We can’t do that for them!”

For a truly secluded, one-of-a-kind proposal, a small island in Narragansett Bay might be just your speed. R ose I sland, the 18-acre island between Newport and Jamestown, is home to a majestic lighthouse and two-story keeper’s dwelling built in 1869, as well as a wildlife refuge

with trails to explore. Day visitors can reach Rose Island via the Jamestown Newport ferry; overnight guests travel aboard the Starfish, a 32-foot lobster-boatturned-launch owned by the nonprofit foundation that maintains the island.

“There are quite a few people who’ve inquired about weddings and events here,” says Executive Director Brian C. Tefft. The number increased after actress Jennifer Lawrence had her star-studded rehearsal dinner on the island in the fall of 2019. But one need not be Hollywood royalty to arrange a proposal here. Tefft says he recently picked up a couple who stayed in the lighthouse for two nights. The young man dropped to one knee at the top of the light beacon, arguably the best vantage point with 360-degree water views.

Photographer Faith Dugan says the boat ramp at Third Beach boasts stunning water views, while the park just north of Glen M anor H ouse in Portsmouth offers a private pastoral setting with water views.

(Look for the parking lot on the left side of Frank Coelho Drive.) Docks and piers are a natural fit but can be troublesome if the ring falls, she warns. To prevent such a casualty, Dugan suggests attaching the ring to a boater’s float, which is typically used to keep keychains from sinking.

Dugan adds that privacy is the key with proposals. But if you’re planning to have a photographer capture the big moment, “the location shouldn’t be so remote that it doesn’t make sense that a photographer just so happens to be around!”

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Privacy is key.

Seek a beautiful location that

will allow you to share a moment without a lot of onlookers.

Gurney’s Resort, overlooking Newport Pell Bridge.

From Top: Faith D ugan Photography; N ic ole G es mondi Photographer, LLC

The Breakfast Room at The Breakers.

One of the most iconic backdrops for a Newport proposal is the Newport Pell Br idge. The V a n Z a n d t P i e r of f Washington Street in Newport’s Point neighborhood offers enviable sunset views of the bridge, when the colors of the painted sky are rivaled only by the necklace of lights that adorn the bridge from end to end.

Many couples gravitate to the pastoral beauty of Sachuest Point National W ildlife R efuge in Middletown. The 242acre refuge is populated with deer and migratory birds, and affords numerous proposal spots along its 2.4-mile trail, i n c l u d i n g a n o b s e r va t i o n t owe r overlooking Third Beach. On the opposite side of the peninsula, along the Ocean View Loop, you’ll find plenty of spots with a panoramic view of crescent-shaped Sachuest (Second) Beach, as well as greenery and sunsets.

C liff W alk is an extraordinary place to pop the question — although you might find more privacy if you venture down Forty Steps. Nearby Easton’s ( First) Beach is publicly accessible and offers ample

13

PLACE S TO

Pop the Question The Breakers

4 4 Ochre Point Ave., Newport

Brenton Point State Park

Ocean Drive, Newport

Castle Hill Lighthouse Adjacent to Castle Hill Inn, 590 Ocean Ave., Newport

Cliff Walk

Beginning near E aston’s (First) Beach on M emorial Boulevard

Easton’s (First) Beach 17 5 M emorial Blvd., Newport

OceanCliff

N ewport Pic nic C o.

Newport Picnic Co. will set up a picnic at Brenton Point State Park, Colt State Park in Bristol, or at a private residence.

parking, but local favorite R ej ects Beach, at the southern end of Cliff Walk, requires a bit more planning. Rejects is located in a neighborhood with restricted parking, so consider walking, biking or hopping a ride (a pedicab makes for a fun adventure!) to reach this small-but-beautiful slice of paradise, with its quintessential New England vistas.

Since Newport is synonymous with Gilded Age mansions, such a setting is a natural fit for a proposal. Whether or not you attended Salve Regina University, the school’s main administration building, O chre C ourt, is a stately proposal setting t h a t m a ke s a n i mp r e s s i o n . T h e châteauesque mansion was built in 1892 as a summer home for a wealthy New York banker and developer, with a whimsical tree-lined driveway that sets the tone as one approaches the three-story behemoth, which drips with architectural detail.

If you’re planning on photographing the proposal, Newport-based photographer

Penny Souza finds plenty of beautiful backdrops at Ochre Court, from the wrought iron gates in front to the stone structure and brick walls beyond. “You also get a view of the water from the back of the building,” she says. “I love the entire Salve campus, there’s so much to work with: rose gardens, trees, brick walls, etc.”

Located on 10 sprawling acres that meet the edge of Narragansett Bay, O c e a n C l i f f was built in 1892 for industrialist Gaun M. Hutton, became a retreat in the mid-1950s, and still stands just a stone’s throw from Hammersmith Farm, where John and Jacqueline Kennedy held their wedding reception. Across town, The Breakers offers a proposal package, where one can ask for their sweetheart’s hand under the serene painted sky of the opulent Great Hall, or in the intimate Breakfast Room adorned with French decor. The $300 fee includes a private tour of the mansion’s first floor, but professional photography and props are not allowed.

65 Ridge Road, Newport

Ochre Court

100 Ochre Court Ave., Newport

Park north of Glen Manor House

Frank Coelho D rive, Portsmouth

Rejects Beach

Bellevue and Coggeshall avenues, Newport

Rose Island

Open seasonally, admission fee, visitors access via the J amestown Newport ferry; overnight guests via charter boat

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge 7 69 Sachuest Point Road, M iddletown

Third Beach boat ramp Third Beach Road, M iddletown

Van Zandt Pier

Washington Street and V an Z andt Avenue, Newport 2022| NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Jennifer Stemm wears a strapless ballgown with a V-notched bodice from Anne Barge.

COVID postponements — and a desire for comfort — are promp�ng brides to ree amine their choice of wedding gown.

A

dd wedding dresses to the list of coronavirus casualties.

With so many weddings postponed because of the pandemic, brides are swapping the dresses they bought pre-COVID-19 for something that better reflects their tastes or plans today. “The last few years have been pretty weird to say the least,” acknowledges wedding dress designer and couturière Harper Della-Piana. At her bridal studio, Seams Couture in Providence, Della-Piana often sees brides who bought their dresses early in the planning process, then delayed

28

NewportWeddingMagazine.com | 2022

their weddings, only to conclude that their original gown is no longer “the one.”

“Many are rethinking their approach,” says DellaPiana. “There were so many dresses bought long ago that some brides have had buyer’s remorse.” She says she has worked with brides to reinvent dresses, whether that meant adding sleeves or removing sleeves, or adding a high neck. But she says that even when brides downgraded their guest list dramatically or canceled overseas weddings, she saw no reason to rethink the dress of their dreams.

“Why dull it down?” she asks rhetorically.

Ludwig Photography

By Andrea E . M cHugh

From top: Ludwig Photography; J os eph Laurin Photography

Alisa Loughlin paired her Mikado gown with a Bel Aire cathedral veil.

See Real Wedding on page 38.

Francesca Micheletti was a “COVID bride” who than more traditional fabrics, and had a plunging exposed delayed the date of her Rosecliff wedding to her now- back capped with a giant bow. “I’m a sucker for big bows,” husband Anthony more than once. By the time they laughs Micheletti. “I really wanted to dance, and I really confirmed their October 2021 nuptials, she was in a love clean lines. I loved them both and I didn’t want one different mindset. “My style changed,” concedes to overpower the other.” And she’s not alone; she finds Micheletti, who owns Lucia Aguiar/Ivory Bridal Boutique many brides opting for two dresses nowadays. in East Greenwich with her mother, Kate. “As new trends “Today’s modern bride is focused on comfort and not came out and continue to come out, COVID brides had always seeking out a skintight dress,” adds Micheletti. The a chance to really think about what they wanted — because comfort and flattering fit of A-line silhouettes, she says, they didn’t know when they were is making the style one of the getting married.” most in-demand right now, and Micheletti had bought a the design’s emphasis on a narrow wedding dress early on in her wai st an d fo rg i v i n g f l a re d wedding planning process, then skirt complements a wide range ultimately decided it was no of body types. longer the style she wanted. As Donna Morrissette, owner of she explored new options, she The Bridal Shoppe in Warwick, found not one but two new agrees. “Today’s brides like the dresses for the big day: one for the A-line silhouette, which is a little ceremony, cocktail hour and more comfortable. It’s not that early part of the reception, and big ballgown with lots and lots of one for the latter half of the fabric. It’s a little easier to wear.” celebration that would allow her Morrissette theorizes that the to comfortably dance the night trend may be driven by couples away. “Yes, I’m a two-dress bride,” who have had to postpone and she admits. reschedule their wedding time While her more formal dress and time again due to the embraced traditional vibes with pandemic. “They really want to Francesca Micheletti wore two dresses long sleeves and a full skirt, her enjoy their wedding,” she adds. at her wedding: this crepe outfit was second dress was crepe; lighter Although it has been a better for dancing.

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Bridesmaids wore complementary hues at the wedding of Rosy Ward (far right), avoiding the typical “matchy matchy” look.

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NewportWeddingMagazine.com | 2022

comfort

“Today’s modern bride is focused on and not always seeking out a skintight dress.”

Piana. The skilled seamstress also makes veils that incorporate sentimental vintage elements.

“I do a lot of restoration or take part of a mother’s gown and incorporate it into a dress or veil. This year, we took the sleeve lace off of a mother’s gown for a veil.”

Local bridal pros are also seeing brides eschew traditional white in favor of gowns in different shades of off-white, champagne, gray and pink.

“This year I’ve seen the color trend of gray and pale gray — even the mother of the bride in gray,” says Della-Piana. “Grays and silver really complement so many different skin tones. It’s moody, but still looks really formal.”

Micheletti agrees that color is a trend not only in bridal gowns, but throughout the bridal party, as well, explaining that groomsmen and bridesmaids no longer have to be, in her words, “matchy matchy.”

“It can be hard trying to perfectly match colors. Instead, I’m a big fan of tone on tone,"

From top; J os eph Laurin Photography; C onor J ames Photography

After rejecting her original dress, Francesca Micheletti switched to this long sleeved gown with a full skirt, which she wore for the first half of the celebration.

decade since Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, wore the wedding-dress-seen’round-the-world, its V-neckline and signature long sleeves remain extremely popular today.

“Statement sleeves are huge right now,” says Micheletti, noting that the look may include “puff sleeves,” a touch that adds both drama and romance, or intricate lace long sleeves, which Micheletti wore at her ceremony. “A lot of dresses also have detachable sleeves; you can take them off for more mobility later in the night.”

Morrissette says smaller guest lists and more intimate affairs are giving many brides permission to choose more casual wedding gowns. “You see that in the fabrics,” she says.

“Brides seem to be more interested in soft chiffons and tulle: a very easy, romantic, boho look and silhouette.”

Though comfort and mobility are top-ofmind for many brides, that doesn’t mean they’re compromising on style. “Giant trains are back, and so are long, dramatic veils,” insists Della-

says Micheletti. She also suggests the bridal party can wear different colors together, provided the shades are complementary.

At The Bridal Shoppe, many brides are opting for champagne and ivory in lieu of traditional white. Morrissette adds that most often, brides take their cue from the vibe of their wedding venue. “They’ve done their research and they really want to embrace where they’ve chosen to get married, whether a beach or vineyard or mansion,” she says.

“These women are really knowledgeable,” Morrissette says about the brides she encounters, many of whom have had to endure pandemicrelated challenges before they were finally able to make their dreams come true. “They waited for it, and they deserve it!”

From top; S imone Plus Photography; M olly Lo Photography

Statement sleeves are very popular right now, and can include intricate lace designs.

Blue suits are especially popular in Rhode Island. See Real Wedding on page 50.

LET’S HEAR IT

For the Boys W

hen Senator John F. Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier at St. Mary’s Church in 1953, he wore a double-breasted morning coat with a white pocket square, a white turndown collar shirt sporting French cuffs, a gray waistcoat, and a subtly patterned tie paired with wool hickory-striped trousers and shiny black Oxfords. Nearly 70 years later, any groom wearing this same ensemble would look equally stylish.

But today’s grooms have more options, and as with some brides, many are focusing more on how they “want” to look and feel versus how they are “supposed” to look and feel.

“A lot of men right now — especially the younger generation — don't see the necessity of a tuxedo. Some see it as their father’s or grandfather’s thing,” says Jim Fortier, owner of Blueprint 5 in East Greenwich and a men’s clothier for more than 35 years. Clients often ask for something that they can work into their wardrobe and wear again, Fortier notes.

In those instances, he tries to steer them toward a bespoke suit, since they’ll get considerably more wear out of it than a traditional tuxedo.

Fortier also says that blue suits, ranging from midnight blue to navy and lighter shades of the hue, are very popular right now. “Especially here in Rhode Island and New England in general, most guys are more comfortable in blue,” he points out. “Guys look at black as very formal.”

Grooms who want to show a little more personality, he adds, tend to do so when choosing a custom lining for their suit, as well as with ties, pocket squares and socks. Says Fortier, “Some guys don’t want any pizazz at all, but some guys want a little fun.” — Andrea E. McHugh

Real Wedding

M

addy Laliberte’s life changed in 2013, the day a beautiful fair-haired stranger approached her in Boston’s North End. It was Hazel, the golden retriever belonging to Will Danforth, an old acquaintance she’d met through friends years earlier. Sensing her stress (it was a sweltering day and she was apartment-hunting), Will offered Maddy a glass of wine, which led to months of socializing and, eventually, a formal date at Clarke Cooke House in Newport. In 2019, Will invited Maddy for a ride on his boat.

Approaching their destination, she turned to discover him on bended knee, while a friend photographed the whole thing from shore. Entering his yacht club to toast the engagement, she found both families waiting for them. When the party moved to a local bar, all of their friends were waiting there to celebrate.

Water Rescue

The couple knew they wanted to marry in Newport, but had to cancel a wedding at Rosecliff just weeks beforehand due to the pandemic (“I waited until the last minute, thinking COVID would go away,” Maddy confesses), booking a floating ceremony on the Adirondack II instead. But even that was fraught with complications, as mandates forced them to whittle their initial guest list of 250 down to 46, and then to 37 just days before the event. (A friend agreed to follow in a motorboat with nine guests aboard.)

The bride wore a squared-off scoop neck gown with A-line skirt from Jenny Yoo, while the groom sported a white dinner jacket with a navy bowtie as friend Myles White united the pair in marriage.

Hashtags & Hangover Cures

MaddyAugust &15,Will 2020

After the ceremony, the boat returned to Bowen’s Wharf, where the wedding party was welcomed by cheering bystanders as they walked over to Queen Anne’s Loft for the reception. Guests were invited to sign the couple’s sailcloth tote bag before adjourning to their tables, which were decorated with posey-filled ginger jars and ceramic tiles bearing a hashtag tribute to the bride, #willyoumaddyme? Everyone went home with a welcome bag filled with Newport-specific treats (and cures for the following morning).

Where are They Now?

After the wedding, the couple motored over to Nantucket, then returned to Boston, where Maddy is a senior account executive for a software company and Will works in wealth management.

— Fred Albert

Featured Vendors

PHOTOGRAPHER: Kelsey Regan Photography CEREMONY VENUE: Adirondack II RECEPTION VENUE: Queen Anne’s Loft BRIDAL GOWN: Jenny Yoo GROOM’S TUX: The Black Tux HAIR: Lira Salon MAKEUP: Glam Done Wright FLOWERS: Golden Gate Studios CATERER: The Landing Restaurant CAKE: Scrumptions TRANSPORTATION: Viking Tours ENTERTAINMENT: Corin Ashley, Murray Hill Talent Additional vendors & inspiration at NewportWeddingMagazine.com

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Real Wedding

S

ometimes you have to leave home to discover something wonderful in your own backyard. Mackenzie Robb and Ryan Stanley had their first encounter on an o ercrowded train as both were returning from a weekend in the Hamptons. As they chatted, they discovered they lived across the street from each other in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood. n their first date, they lingered o er dinner in the West Village till the restaurant closed.

“I immediately canceled the other date I had scheduled that week!” Mackenzie says.

“I knew Ryan was different.”

Two for Two

The couple spent Mackenzie’s 30th birthday weekend at the Chanler at Cliff Walk, and knew they wanted to return for their wedding. “It’s such a breathtaking location,” Mackenzie says. A self-described beach bum who grew up in Marblehead, Massachusetts, she says it was important to her and to Ryan, an avid surfer, that they marry by the water. Unfortunately, like so many other couples eyeing a 2020 wedding, they found their plans upended by COVID-19, so they held a tiny wedding with just 11 guests in upstate New York in August 2020. Then they threw the party of their dreams at the Chanler almost a year later.

Between the intimate wedding day and the bash with 220 guests, “we had the best of both worlds,” Mackenzie says.

I’m Lovin’ It

Mackenzie & Ryan July 24, 2021

Mackenzie and Ryan envisioned a “coastal garden party” with a sophisticated but relaxed feel. Her silk organza gown from eanne arshall set the tone with its ruffled V-neckline and A-line skirt. Her seven attendants wore dresses from different designers in an array of pale solids and florals yan and his groomsmen wore tan linen suits, white shirts, and pocket squares that complemented the women’s dresses.

Guests dined under a tent on the Chanler’s lawn at long tables decorated with simple sprays of blue and white flowers and blue candles. The wedding cake — a carrot cake with a simple white icing topped with hand-painted oyster shells — was augmented with an ice cream selection from Ben & Jerry’s. And guests who worked up a second appetite dancing to the Sultans could snack on Chicken McNuggets and Big Macs, which were served in festively decorated yurts.

Where Are They Now?

The couple vacationed in Greece before returning to New York City, where Mackenzie works in hospitality tech and Ryan is in finance — Paula M. Bodah

Featured Vendors

PHOTOGRAPHER: Sara Zarrella Photography VENUE, CATERER: The Chanler at Cliff Walk EVENT PLANNER: Leila Ryan Events BRIDAL GOWN: Leanne Marshall SUITS: Suitsupply HAIR/MAKEUP: Allison Barbera Beauty FLOWERS: Robin Hollow Farm CAKE: Scrumptions ENTERTAINMENT: The Sultans VIDEOGRAPHER: lueflash Additional vendors & inspiration at NewportWeddingMagazine.com

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Real Wedding

B

rent Robertson met Nischelle alakota during their first year of medical school, where the two were ine plicably assigned seats together during e ams, despite any alphabetical rationale for it y the second year of med school, they were studying together ound by their mutual lo e of electronic dance music, they began attending concerts and then officially dating fter si years, rent hatched an elaborate plan to propose during a ayman slands trip with Nischelle s family he night before their departure, rent disco ered his passport had e pired While Nischelle headed to the Caribbean, rent headed to the passport office, where he pleaded his case to an official, who must ha e harbored a romantic streak, because si hours later he recei ed his passport rri ing in the aymans the ne t afternoon, he took Nischelle on a pre-arranged sunset stroll on e en ile each, then proposed while a photographer captured the whole thing from afar fterward, the pair headed to a beachside restaurant, where Nischelle s family was gathered to celebrate

A Grand Entrance

Nischelle & Brent August 8, 2021

he couple s wedding weekend began with a mehndi ceremony, where henna designs are applied to the bride s hands and feet he wedding itself took place the ne t day at elle er, whose contemporary waterfront setting spoke to Nischelle s aesthetic rent arri ed at the ceremony atop an elaborately draped horse, before joining Nischelle under a custom mandap (wedding canopy) draped with billowing blush curtains and a chandelier wanted something that was a bit different from traditional mandaps, says Nischelle, who worked with wedding planner Erica rombetti from nfinite ents he groom sported a traditional sherwani at the ceremony, while the bride wore a saffronand-pink sari before changing into an iceblue silk lehenga embroidered with crystals that took nearly fi e months to create

Musical Moments

t the reception, guests were greeted by tables dressed in blush pink and teal, with pink uplighting and music that reflected Nischelle s ndian roots and rent s est ndian heritage (e cept the first dance, which was to electronic dance music, naturally) firepit surrounded by lounges beckoned outside, where lanterns twinkled on the seawall as the sun sank in the west

Where are They Now?

he couple li es in New ersey, where Nischelle is an infertility physician and rent is a ascular surgeon — Fred Albert

Featured Vendors

PHOTOGRAPHER: Danielle LeFebvre Photography EVENT PLANNER: nfinite ents CEREMONY & RECEPTION VENUE, CAKE: Belle Mer MEHNDI VENUE: Newport Marriott BRIDAL GOWN: Vivaah Bridal Studio BRIDESMAID DRESSES: esigned by eghna ain odish GROOM ATTIRE: Nazranaa HAIR, MAKEUP: Miranda Lynn Hair & Beauty NAILS: New Nails FLOWERS: ayles i ingston esign CATERER: Indian Accent Catering ENTERTAINMENT: ishi, ilk ents dditional endors inspiration at NewportWeddingMagazine.com

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Real Wedding

A

lisa Loughlin and Steve Enright like to take things slow. True, they did move to Virginia just 10 months into their relationship, but when it came to marriage, neither was in a hurry. The two met on a summer night in Newport in 2014 but didn’t get engaged until December 2019. “The Christmas Steve proposed, I joked that I either wanted him to get me a pair of Athleta leggings or a diamond,” Alisa says. “Either would have been fine he ring he proffered was better than fine, with its diamond flanked by two sapphires in memory of Alisa’s beloved grandmother, whose birthstone was the sapphire. The couple enjoyed a leisurely -month engagement before finally tying the knot at Portsmouth’s Glen Manor House.

No Place Like Home

Alisa & Steve August 7, 2021

Alisa, who grew up in Portsmouth, attended a wedding at Glen Manor House when she was in sixth grade and decided then and there (perhaps on a sugar high from a dozen or so Shirley Temples, she confesses) that she’d have her own wedding at Glen Manor one day. The stately house and manicured grounds were perfect for the kind of wedding she and Steve envisioned.

“We wanted it to feel like the classiest dinner party our guests had ever attended,” Alisa says. With help from Exquisite Events, the couple created an elegant setting with strings of miniature lights glimmering above outdoor seating arrangements that promoted camaraderie and conversation.

Centerpieces of candle clusters surrounded by fragrant eucalyptus cast a pretty glow on tables set with classic gold-trimmed white plates and mini bottles of champagne that served as favors.

Puppy Love

or the ceremony, lisa wore a simple fitted silk dress with spaghetti straps and a low back. Her bridesmaids wore black gowns that each woman chose for herself, while the groom and his groomsmen donned classic black suits with white shirts and black neckties o sa e money on florals, the couple opted for silk bouquets. Their 8-pound pup, Donny, served as ring bearer, accompanied (rather comically) by their 7-foot-tall friend, Pat. In actuality, Pat is the one who held the rings because, Alisa says, e lo e onny, but we don t trust him

Where Are They Now?

After a “minimoon” of several relaxing days on Block Island, the couple returned to their Virginia home, where Alisa works in college admissions and teaches yoga, and Steve is head coach of men’s basketball at a local college. — Paula M. Bodah

Featured Vendors

PHOTOGRAPHER: Ludwig Photography CEREMONY & RECEPTION VENUE: Glen Manor House CATERER: Blackstone Caterers CAKE: Confectionery Designs BRIDAL GOWN: Spark Bridal SUIT: Men’s Wearhouse HAIR/MAKEUP: Jaclynn Kate Hair & Makeup Artistry NAILS: Star Nails & Spa FLOWERS: Something Borrowed Blooms and Carlone’s Florist DECOR: Exquisite Events ENTERTAINMENT: CE Productions Additional vendors & inspiration at NewportWeddingMagazine.com

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Real Wedding

J

ill Rondeau and Zack Allen hit it off right away when a mutual friend introduced them in 2015. Even so, Jill thought of Zack as friend material, and it took him a few tries to persuade her to go on a date. Two months later (after “a lot of self-control,” Zack says), he confessed his love for her. Happily, Jill returned the sentiment. Their wedding at Trinity Church in Newport continued an Allen family tradition. “Zack is the third generation of his family to get married there,” Jill says. “It’s an incredibly beautiful and historical church.

We always loved the idea of being married there.” A highlight was sitting in a pew once occupied by George Washington.

Best-Laid Plans

Zack planned a romantic proposal at sunset on a beach in one of the couple’s favorite vacation places, Key West, Florida.

His excitement (or maybe his nerves) got the better of him, however, and he found himself proposing earlier in the day as they floated in their hotel s swimming pool ( n case you’re wondering, Zack did not kneel in the pool to ask for Jill’s hand.) COVID-19 derailed their original plan to marry in August 2020, but they both believe it worked out for the best. Their wedding day weather was a balmy low 70s with lots of sunshine and light breezes, perfect for the bridal party’s private ferry ride to Rose Island for photos.

Maritime Marriage

JillJune&6, 2021 Zack

What better color scheme for a wedding reception at Regatta Place than navy and white accented with a pale pink evoking a just-before-sunrise sky? Jill’s gown, designed and sewn by one of her best friends, was an A-line confection of taffeta and tulle adorned with vintage faux-pearl buttons (and a bonus every woman loves: pockets).

“I felt like the most beautiful woman in the world,” Jill says. Her bridesmaids wore dusty-blush gowns, while the men in the wedding party sported pink whale-print bowties with their navy-blue suits. The couple skipped a wedding cake in favor of a tiered arrangement of mini doughnuts in an array of fla ors uests were also treated to ood golden vanilla ice cream with Skippy peanut butter — a snack Zack and his late father often enjoyed together.

Where Are They Now?

The Allens spent a few days on Nantucket before returning to Boston, where Jill works as a special ed teacher and Zack is a senior software engineer. — Paula M. Bodah

Featured Vendors

PHOTOGRAPHER: Kearsten Taylor Photography CEREMONY VENUE: Trinity Church RECEPTION VENUE, CATERER: Regatta Place EVENT PLANNER: AMC Weddings BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Show Me Your Mumu SUITS: Aldo’s House of Formals HAIR/MAKEUP: Allison Barbera Beauty NAILS: Dluxe Nail Bar FLOWERS: Bette’s Finishing Touch CAKE: PVDonuts RECEPTION MUSIC: Sugarbabies Inc. VIDEOGRAPHER: Frame + Anchor Additional vendors & inspiration at NewportWeddingMagazine.com

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Real Wedding

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or their first date, anielle leet and ric ieler agreed to meet at the Newport lower how ithin an hour, both were thinking the same thing never again t could not ha e been more awkward, acknowledges anielle, who ne ertheless agreed to join ric for the polo match they had already planned to attend that afternoon ho knows if it was the horses or the thrill of competition, but the magic that eluded them at the lower how suddenly kicked in he Newport team lost, anielle recalls, but we managed to win o er each other s heart hree years later, the pair attended another Newport olo e ent this one a charity gala with a ames ond theme s a photographer snapped away, the pair posed back-toback, imaginary handguns raised, in their best pose hen anielle turned back to face ric, she found him on one knee, ring in hand, pro ing an leming s adage that you should “never say never again.”

License to Thrill

Newport was where the couple s lo e story started, so it s where they decided to consecrate it, with a ceremony and reception at the arbour ourt home of the New ork acht lub trail of petals led to a waterside chuppah draped top-tobottom with white flowers (to match the bride s bou uet) as the pair said their do s anielle dressed in a strapless white satin gown customi ed with a crystal belt and headband, and ric sporting a midnightblue tu edo he bridesmaids looked tres soigné in their champagne-colored gowns from era ang

Nautical but Nice

Danielle & Eric August 28, 2021

hite twinkle lights illuminated the reception tent, where the nautical na y-and-white motif played out against a backdrop of boats bobbing in the bay o underscore the maritime theme, guests signed a intage yachting logbook in lieu of a guest book and feasted on cupcakes adorned with compass roses and the couple s custom burgee fter she had been hoisted on a chair during the hora, anielle changed into a short white beaded dress for dancing, e iting later alongside her groom under a cascade of sparklers

Where Are They Now?

fter a mini-moon in upstate New ork, the pair returned home to ast reenwich, where anielle is senior trust officer at a pri ate wealth management firm and ric works in measurement technology sales — Fred Albert

Featured Vendors

PHOTOGRAPHER: Ludwig Photography VENUE, CATERER: New York Yacht Club at Harbour Court PLANNER: nfinite ents BRIDAL GOWN: Reem Acra BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Vera Wang TUXEDO: The Black Tux HAIR, MAKEUP: ake e p by hristina aian NAILS: tar Nails pa FLOWERS: ayles i ingston esign CAKE: my s pples ENTERTAINMENT: Nate ash and, ugarbabies nc VIDEOGRAPHER: top o o e dditional endors inspiration at NewportWeddingMagazine.com

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Real Wedding

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fter Tanatee (Tim) Dejsiriudom and Jonathan Lewis met at a New York City disco in 2013, it didn’t take long for them to realize that, despite their different backgrounds — Tim is Catholic and grew up in Thailand, while Jonathan is Jewish and was raised in Israel — they shared a similar worldview and the same vivid imagination. As their relationship deepened, the two often visited Newport, where they fell in love with the city’s history, romance and elegance. “This is our special place, and we visit yearly,” Jonathan says.

Blending Traditions

The couple spent more than a year perfecting every detail of their wedding weekend, from Friday’s tea ceremony and Shabbat dinner at the Vanderbilt to Saturday’s ceremony and reception at Rosecliff, to Sunday’s Take Me Home, Country Roads brunch and hoedown at La Forge Casino Restaurant. The men aimed to bridge their religious traditions at the ceremony at Rosecliff, where they incorporated both the Jewish seven blessings and the Catholic unity candle in a ser ice officiated by a nondenominational spiritual leader.

Dessert Storm

The reception in Rosecliff’s ballroom featured a ilded ge motif, with florals inspired by 18th-century Dutch master paintings and tabletop arrangements (designed by Tim) featuring fruits, seashells, birds and butterflies preser ed under bell jars he menu reflected the couple’s cultures, with a deconstructed Israeli salad and seared salmon with Thai red curry. A three-tiered marbleized cake was the centerpiece of a dessert table filled with such exotic choices as mango sticky rice with jasmine coconut crème, violet compote tiramisu, and orange blossom milk custard.

Love in the Air

Tim & Jonathan November 2, 2020

The couple chose ABBA’s Thank You for the Music for their first dance usic is our muse, our light at the end of the tunnel, our blessing,” says Jonathan. After dinner, he and Tim entertained guests with a duet of Kacey Musgraves’ Rainbow, with Tim on piano. Later, guests joined in to dance the traditional Jewish hora. “As we were lifted high into the sky, our guests sent our spirits soaring to the stars,” says Jonathan. “For a few short moments,” Tim adds, “the entire room seemed to levitate.”

Where Are They Now?

After the wedding, Tim and Jonathan returned to their New York City home, where Jonathan is director of marketing for a cosmetics company and Tim is a chef at a popular French restaurant.

— Paula M. Bodah

FEATURED VENDORS

PHOTOGRAPHER: Snap Weddings VIDEOGRAPHER: StopGoLove VENUE: Rosecliff CATERER: The Catered Affair CAKE: Confectionery Designs FLOWERS: Sayles Livingston Design MENSWEAR: Brooks Brothers HAIR/MAKEUP: The Best of You CEREMONY MUSIC: Newport Harp RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: DJ Vito Fun Additional vendors & inspiration at NewportWeddingMagazine.com

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Real Wedding

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s Dr. Helena Kuhn and Ignacio ha arria shared their first wedding dance to Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You, they couldn’t help but focus on one line in the song: “At long last, love has arrived, And I thank God I’m alive.” At ages 35 and 40, respectively, the pair waited a long time to find each other, and were especially grateful they decided to swipe right on Hinge three years earlier, launching a relationship that saw them sharing a life even when they were living on different continents. It was during a communal trip to Turks and Caicos that Ignacio decided to propose. While the couple strolled on a deserted beach (“It was the middle of the pandemic, so we had almost an entire resort to ourselves,” Helena says), Ignacio kneeled in the sand and asked for her hand in marriage.

Take It Outside

When plans to wed in Ignacio’s native Costa Rica fell through due to the pandemic, the pair decided to tie the knot in Newport, where Helena had spent many summers.

Determined to give their largely out-oftown guests a thorough introduction to the city, they arranged a rehearsal dinner at The Vanderbilt, a sail on Narragansett Bay, a stroll on Cliff Walk, the wedding itself at Salve Regina’s Our Lady of Mercy Chapel followed by a waterfront reception at The Bohlin, and a farewell brunch at Castle Hill Inn. “As a doctor, it was essential to me that our wedding was as COVID-safe as possible,” says Helena, who only booked events that could take place outdoors or under a tent.

Latin Lovers

Helena & Ignacio August 1, 2021

A patient of Helena’s, Father Robert Hayman, came out of retirement to perform the ceremony, for which the bride wore a sleeveless V-neck mermaid dress by Reem Acra, and the groom sported a tux from Hugo Boss. The reception tent was dressed in crystal chandeliers, cascading sheers and endless bou uets of pink and white flowers, for a look the couple describes as “Classic Newport with some atin fla or he latter was provided by a mariachi band, which made a surprise appearance after dinner, luring normally reticent guests onto the dance floor t was a beautiful moment of blended cultures and families, reflects Helena.

Where Are They Now?

After a honeymoon in France, the pair returned to Pawtucket, where Helena is a dermatologist and Ignacio is a manager at a consulting firm

— Fred Albert

Featured Vendors

PHOTOGRAPHER: dani fine photography CEREMONY VENUE: ur ady of ercy hapel, al e egina ni ersity N N , he ohlin NN imply tyled ents N eem cra, elite ridal ugo oss, Nordstrom , aclynn ate air akeup rtistry N urora Nails astle and ottage crumptions ENTERTAINMENT: o er tory ntertainment, iesta del Norte N N N eak ent er ices, yan esigns dditional endors inspiration at NewportWeddingMagazine.com

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Real Wedding

I

t would be hard to imagine a more fitting setting for Alexis Souza and Nate Farrar’s wedding celebration than Jamestown’s Dragonline Studios. Nate, a carpenter and musician, and Alexis, the owner of Newport’s Bohemian Bias women’s clothing store, have a singular style of their own, and the unique compound perched on a bluff with nearly 360-degree views of Narragansett Bay spoke to the two the moment they first saw it he energy is what drew us in,” Alexis says.

A Stormy Start

Alexis and Nate met at Pour Judgement Bar and Grill in Newport, where both were taking refuge from a blizzard. Alexis mentioned that she was opening a shop, and Nate offered to help with the build-out.

He dropped by the store on Valentine’s Day 2017 to talk about the job and asked le is to join him for a drink t was pretty much history from there, le is says wo years later, on a New Hampshire hike with their dog, Fender, Nate suddenly dropped to one knee and proposed.

Bohemian Rhapsody

Alexis & Nate October 3, 2021

Fender appeared again at the bohemianstyle wedding, escorting Alexis down the aisle to an Oriental carpet set before an arch adorned with dried flowers from weet alk loral he bride wore a lacy ittle ock dress by ue de eine, while the groom looked dapper in a suit he purchased on sale from an online English retailer. Before and after the ceremony, guests lounged on groupings of vintage furniture that Alexis assembled for the e ent ust because you are getting married in Newport County doesn’t mean you have to have a typical Newport-style wedding,” observes Alexis, who opted for an autumnal color scheme ranging from russet to gold to bittersweet to deepest red. A mocha cake with buttercream frosting, gold leaf details and miniature dried florals ( eautiful and unbelievably delicious,” Alexis says) sat on a vintage hutch that her father gave them a few days before the wedding. Guests were also treated to donut holes from Knead Donuts and mini ice cream sandwiches from ricycle

Where Are They Now?

he couple enjoyed a wedding trip to Vermont, where they chilled in a historic old farmhouse before returning to their iddletown home opefully, says le is, cross-country road trip is in our future once things go back to normal!”

— Paula M. Bodah

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Featured Vendors

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Carly + Elliot Pollaro, A Nomadic Love VENUE: Dragonline Studios CATERER: Blackstone Caterers BRIDAL GOWN: Everthine Bridal Boutique GROOMSMEN SUITS: The Groom Store HAIR/MAKEUP: Corinne Walker, Remedy Beauty Company NAILS: The Nail Bar FLOWERS: Sweet Talk Floral CAKE: Alyssa Koch, Thames Street Kitchen RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: Los Duderinos Additional vendors & inspiration at NewportWeddingMagazine.com

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Real Wedding

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ike many legendary romances, this one began … at Subway. Brianna McShane was working behind the sandwich shop’s counter when a new recruit, Alex Narodowy, joined the team. (In fact, Brianna was the one who had to train him.) In time, friendship turned to romance, and in the blink of an eye (nine years later, to be precise) the two found themselves sitting in front of a roaring fire one hristmas night as Alex handed Brianna a watchband engraved with her “married initials,” then proceeded to pull out a ring and propose.

Fort-uitous

As with many couples in this age of - , the pair had to be nimble in their wedding planning, adjusting their locations and guest list in order to stay one step ahead of the pandemic. The only constant was Newport, which Alex had visited since childhood and Brianna cherished for its beaches. With its rustic casemates and waterfront setting, Fort Adams proved to be the perfect setting for their nuptials.

“Fort Adams is a historic venue that not only provided an ocean view, but had a beautiful indoor option in the event there was rain,” Brianna says.

Don’t Delay, Downsize

Under a vaulted brick ceiling washed with light, the bride wore a Willowby strapless -line dress with a sweetheart neckline, while her intended rocked a na y-blue tu edo from oseph bboud The bridesmaids wore sage gowns that matched in color, but not design. After the “I do’s” were spoken and the newlyweds were showered with bubbles, guests moved on to the reception, where they dined at tables dressed with candles and greens. In lieu of a guest book, they were invited to sign a handcrafted wooden bench for the couple’s future yard — “something that we’d use and enjoy forever,” Brianna says.

After the meal, an assortment of cupcakes (in fla ors like snickerdoodle) was arrayed on wine crates to complement the natural, woodsy decor espite the obstacles presented by the pandemic, Brianna was glad she and Alex decided to downsize instead of delay. “Tying the knot was more important to us than having a large wedding and having to wait,” she says.

Brianna & Alex August 29, 2020

Where Are They Now?

he couple spent a week on ape od before returning to Providence, where Brianna works as a licensed clinical therapist and Alex is cannabis production operations manager for a marijuana dispensary. — Fred Albert

Featured Vendors

PHOTOGRAPHER: Simone Plus Photography VENUE: Fort Adams EVENT PLANNER: Jen Chapin, Fort Adams BRIDAL GOWN: Willowby BRIDESMAID DRESSES: David’s Bridal TUXEDOS: Joseph Abboud, Men’s Wearhouse HAIR: Secret Beauty Spa NAILS: OPJ Nails Salon CATERER: B&M Catering Company CAKE: Wright’s Dairy Farm & Bakery FLOWERS: Elaine’s Flowers ENTERTAINMENT: Silver Arrow Band

Additional vendors & inspiration at NewportWeddingMagazine.com

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Real Wedding

T

hroughout the annals of history, couples have been divided by pestilence and political upheaval.

But how many can claim their relationship was threatened by a game of ultimate frisbee? Friends and classmates Alessandra “Alex” Chiaramonte and Taylor Stephen were practicing the sport at Worcester Polytechnic Institute when Taylor accidentally smacked Alex in the face. orrified, he turned to find her completely unfazed and ready to proceed with the next drill. A few weeks later, they went on their first date he pair continued to date o er the ne t fi e years (while li ing in different states much of that time), until a weekend rendezvous in a hotel penthouse in Boston changed the course of their lives. Working with his brothers, aylor erected a flowercovered swing in the middle of the hotel room, recalling the garden where he and Alex used to meet in college. Ushering her into the room, Taylor got down on one knee in front of the swing and said, “Alessandra Chiaramonte, will you marry me?” Of course, she said “Yes!”

To the Lighthouse

On Labor Day weekend, beneath threatening skies that suddenly cleared as they walked down the aisle, the two were wed in front of the majestic Newport Harbor Lighthouse on the grounds of Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina. As boats bobbed in the harbor around them, a string trio accompanied Alex as she paraded down the aisle in a intage-inspired artina iana gown with scalloped train, joining Taylor, who wore a black Kenneth Cole tux. The pair wrote their own vows and were amused to discover they both mentioned how much they enjoyed beating the other at cards.

The Perfect Moment

Alex & Taylor September 5, 2021

As guests entered the reception, they were invited to inscribe a wooden sign bearing the hashtag “#TaylorMadeForAlessandra.”

Florals in vintage hues such as desert rose, sage, mauve and cream adorned the tables, which boasted a half-bottle of sparkling rosé at each place setting as a wedding favor. The couple took to the dance floor as d heeran and ndrea Bocelli sang Perfect — a tune the pair used to listen to during quarantine while making homemade pizza and dancing around their living room.

Where Are They Now?

The couple plans a 2022 honeymoon in Greece, and are living in Tuckahoe, New York, where Alex is a veterinarian and Taylor is an IT strategist. — Fred Albert

Featured Vendors

PHOTOGRAPHER: Simone Plus Photography VENUE, CATERER, CAKE: Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina BRIDAL GOWN: Martina Liana, Be Unique Boutique BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Azazie TUXEDO: Kenneth Cole HAIR: Curl Up & Dye NAILS: Lily Nail & Spa FLOWERS: Floral Designs by LiRog CEREMONY MUSIC: Golden Scroll Soloists RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: Music Machine Entertainment

Additional vendors & inspiration at NewportWeddingMagazine.com 2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Sayles Livingston Design ee ea e in pa e

Awards

Once again, we asked the readers of N ew p ort W ed d ing magaz ine to tell us which wedding businesses they thought were tops in the tate. he re u n i t na e the winner in o e 1 cate orie an inc u e the runner up in ca e ou nee e ore u e on .

Since only Rhode Island– based businesses were eligible for this award, we had to exclude some popular choices. Nevertheless, we hope the results prove helpful as you’re planning your Big D ay!

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Lef eb v re Photography

BEST OF NEWPORT WEDDING

eila yan

Bella ose Beauty

Accommodations

Bridesmaid Dresses

vaca onnewport.co unner up ote i in

uciaa uiar ri e.co No runner up

Band

Cakes (TIE)

aca�on Newport

From lef t: S arah Pudlo Photography; J amal and Las hana Photography

ents

iquitones

ace oo .co he i uitone 1 0 No runner up

Bridal Accessories Arianna Nicola Bridal

ariannanico a.co unner up ucia A uiar ri e

Bridal Shop

ucia Aguiar Bride

uciaa uiar ri e.co unner up par ri a Out et

Ceremony Venue (TIE)

ucia Aguiar Bride

Castle Hill Inn ca t ehi inn.co

isenhower House

ripar .co

ei enhower hou e.php

newporte perience.co unner up a Chape , Our a o erc Chape at a ve e ina, e a a ace

Mad Ha er Bakery a ha er a er .co

Scrump�ons cru p on .co unner up in

Desserts

The Newport Sweet Shoppe

Caterer

newport weet hoppe.co unner up cru p on , in

Blackstone Caterers

ac tonecaterer .co unner up u e orin Caterin

Ceremony Music egacy String Trio

e ac trin trio.co unner up a e a

par

ceanCliff

u ica

vent

DJ (TIE) DJ Bells

e .co

uke enchan ntertainment

u e ent.co unner up

u ic

achine ntertain ent

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

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Interna�onal Tennis H all of Fame

Florist

Sayles Livingston Design

sayleslivingstondesign.com unner up ar an ora Co ec ve

Gifts & Favors No Winner

Hair (TIE)

A llison Barbera Beauty allisonbarbera.com

Bella R ose Beauty

bella-rose-beauty.business.site

Jennie Kay Beauty

jenniekaybeauty.com Runners-up: BellaBeauty Bridal, J ulie Rose Beauty

Invitations Sharon M orgera

Sharon M orgera

sharonmorgera.com Runner-up: Champagne and Ink

Jeweler

Tiffany Peay ewelry

Makeup (TIE)

Bella R ose Beauty

bella-rose-beauty.business.site

BellaBeauty Bridal U niq uely C hic V intage R entals

bellabeautybridal.com Runners-up: Allison Barbera Beauty, New Leaf Hair Studio

Men’s Formal Wear A ldo’s H ouse of Formals a o hou eo or a .co Runner-up: J os A. Bank

iciant

Christa Andrews

christaandrews.com Runner-up: Heavenly Weddings

Party Rental

U niq uely C hic V intage R entals uniq uelychicvintage.com Runner-up: PE AK E vent Services

Photo Booth

Luke R enchan Entertainment lukesent.com No runner-up

From top: N ic ole G es mondi Photographer, LLC ; S haron M orgera; D anielle C lark e/ Floral Fix ation

an pea .co Runner-up: Baxter’s Fine J ewelry

S PE C I A L A D V E R TI S I N G

S E C TI O N

DJ & PHOTO BOOTH

LUKE RENCHAN ENTERTAINMENT

Congratulations to the Best of Newport Wedding winners and runners-up!

TRANSPORTATION

CATERER

”

LUKE RENCHAN ENTERTAINMENT 2490 Main Road, Unit 7 Tiverton, RI 02878 401.816.5496 www.lukesent.com

ACCOMMODATIONS & REHEARSAL DINNER VENUE

BECAUSE YOUR BIG DAY SHOULD BE

ROCKSTAR LIMO is the premier transportation provider that not only has vehicles to match your style, but service beyond your expectations. Relax, and let us MOVE you.

ROCKSTAR LIMO 42 Ladd St. #321 East Greenwich, RI 02818 888.725.7871 rockstarlimo.net

From gala events with 2,000 people to intimate cocktail parties in your own home, Blackstone Caterers is known for its exquisite food, spectacular presentation, and unfailing service since 1945.

LAC STONE CATERERS 224 John Clarke Road Middletown, RI 02842 401.848.2030 blackstonecaterers.com

ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY

HOTEL VI IN 1 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI 02840 401.847.3300 hotelviking.com

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

57

Photographer

Samantha H olland Photography samanthahollandphoto.com Runner-up: Penny Souza Photography

Reception Venue ceanCliff Hotel

newportexperience.com Runner-up: Eisenhower House

Rehearsal Dinner Venue (TIE) Brick A lley Pub & R estaurant brickalley.com

Interna�onal Tennis Hall of Fame tennisfame.com

ceanCliff Hotel

newportexperience.com Runners-up: Forty 1° North, Eisenhower House, Hotel Viking ceanCliff Samantha H olland Photography

Spa

The Bodhi Spa Newport thebodhispa.com Runner-up: Spa Fjör

Tent Rental

Newport Tent Company newpor ent.co No runner-up

Transportation

perience hode Island Tours

experienceri.com Runner-up: Rockstar Limo

Videographer (TIE)

Mike Picard Mo�on Pictures Steve Levin C inematography stevelevincinematography.com No Runner-up

Wedding Planner Leila R yan Events

leilaryanevents.com unner up ri n Nico e vent

Wedding Weekend Activity Schooner A urora

newportexperience.com No runner-up

o�ng for the Best of Newport edding Awards egins Fe ruary at the Newport edding Show. ote at Newport eddingMaga ine.com 58

NewportWeddingMagazine.com | 2022

From top: J oanna Fis her Photography; S amantha Holland Photography

mikepicard.com

Villa 120

Weddings Rehearsal Dinners Private Events Showers Farewell Brunch Full Mansion Rental

120 Miantonomi Avenue, Middletown, RI info@thevilla120.com

401-324-5433

www.thevilla120.com

La Forge Casino Restaurant overlooks the historic grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Whether your group is 15 or 150 people, there is no event too big or small. We take a lot of pride in the execution of every event we orchestrate and can even cater your off-site event for any number of guests.

Our picturesque setting and abilities to customize events are only limited by our guest’s imagination!

We do not require any room rental fees or food and beverage minimums and invite you to tailor your event with us!

For more information, please visit our website laforgenewport.com or email us at info@laforgenewport.com

laforgenewport.com | (401) 847-0418 | 186 Bellevue Ave. Newport, RI

S�����, F������� 27, 2022

You’re invited

to the 19th annual Newport Wedding Show, sponsored by Audrain Hospitality Group It’s Newport’s biggest and best wedding event of the year!

Rosecliff and OceanCliff 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Free shuttle between venues courtesy of The Wedding Trolley

2022 | NewportWeddingMagazine.com

61

Plan your dream wedding in one day!

Here’s a preview of the 80+ exhibitors you’ll see at the show:

Beauty

Avalon Medical Spa Calma Salon

Entertainment

Arpeggio Wedding Entertainment Audrain Automobile Museum Audrain Hospitality Group The Cocktail Guru Daley’s DJ Service Entertainment Specialists Exceptional Wedding DJs & Photo Booth Fred Astaire Dance Studios of RI Jamestown Newport Ferry Luke Renchan Entertainment Shaded Soul Band Viking Tours of Newport & The Wedding Trolley

Fashion

Aldo’s House of Formals Franklin Rogers Ltd. Jason & Co. New York Lace Couture

Financial

Embrace Home Loans The Fitzpatrick Team at RE/MAX Professionals of Newport St. Anne’s Credit Union

Floral & Decor Cherryhill Flowers D’Paulo Designs & Linens Fleur Soiree

Food & Drink

A Mano Pizza & Gelato Audrain Hospitality Group Blackstone Caterers Breakwaters Cigar & Whiskey Lounge Chelo’s Banquets & Catering The Cocktail Guru Ellie’s Bakery La Forge Restaurant Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling RI Cruisin’ Cocktails Sweet Streams Chocolate Fountains

Jewelry

The Diamond Guild Jason & Co. Kerry McGauley

For an updated list of exhibitors, visit NewportWeddingShow.com

R ESER V E TI C KETS A T NEW PO R TW EDDI NGSH O W . C O M

Special Thank You to our sponsors Title Sponsor

Grand Prize Sponsor

Transportation Sponsor

G I V EA W A Y S FA SH I O N SH O W S ENTER TA I NM E NT

& mo r e

Participating Sponsor

Tote Bag Sponsor

Welcome Bag Sponsor

Cocktail Sponsors

Lodging

Hilltop Inn Hotel Viking Sonesta Select Newport Middletown The Wayfinder Hotel

Photography

Frozen In Time Photography funfotos2 go Luke Renchan Entertainment Mike Picard Motion Pictures Nicole Gesmondi Photographer Piper Brown Photography Sabrina Scolari Photography Stefy Hilmer Photography Tracy Jenkins Photography

Transportation Rockstar Limo Viking Tours of Newport & The Wedding Trolley

Travel

Fly Me To Travel Travel by Kelly Vacation Newport

Entertainment Sponsor

Venues

Audrain Automobile Museum Audrain Hospitality Group Fort Adams & The Eisenhower House Hilltop Inn International Tennis Hall of Fame La Forge Restaurant Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling The Newport Experience: O ceanCliff & Regatta Place Nonantum Resort Preservation Society of Newport County Villa 1 2 0

Fashion Show Sponsor

Hair & Makeup Sponsor

Jewelry Sponsor

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Sponsored Content

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Memorable Events Begin with Audrain Hospitality Group

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Audrain Hospitality Group is a multi-faceted organization focused on creating memorable experiences for every kind of event imaginable. With a diversified portfolio of over 10 properties in Newport County, Audrain Hospitality offers a unique selection of venues, a wide-variety of catering services and a remarkable team of dedicated hospitality professionals.

No event is too small or extravagant – from a food truck at your home, to a lavish black-tie gala, the team’s first-class attention to detail creates a customized experience handling everything from place cards on the table to the floral arrangements and signature cocktails. Audrain Hospitality’s team is with you throughout the entire planning process, from initial inquiry to the last goodbye at your event. You will work with an event specialist at each location in our growing and expanding list & we will help bring your unique event to vibrant life.

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