CALENDAR: Your

Which Wedding is Right for You?

6 WAYS TO EXCHANGE VOWS INSPIRED BY REAL-LIFE CEREMONIES

BY Elyse Major

planning a wedding can be as simple or complex as you want it to be; there is no wrong answer. The most important underlying factor is that the day is personal to you and your intended.

Begin by asking yourselves some questions: What makes you happy? What can you afford? How much time do you need to realize this vision? What is the setting you want? For a small state, Rhode Island offers limitless possibilities for every budget – from opulent venues with or without beachfronts, to glitzy cityscapes, farmland, even grassy backyards. Here is a sampling of some real-life nuptials to help inspire your own planning.

The Beach Wedding

ERIN MCGINN PHOTOGRAPHY • THE DUNES CLUB, NARRAGANSETT

Though they grew up worlds apart – Pablo from el campo in Argentina and Allison from Rhode Island – the feeling of home was what this couple wanted to express through their nuptials. Allison has always summered in Narragansett, so when it came time to plan her American wedding to Pablo, her thoughts immediately led to the shoreline. With “light-filled, natural, breezy, and full of love,” as personal directives from the couple’s roots, Allison took her color cues from the ocean. “Greens and blues from the seafoam, and golden hues from the sand dunes were pulled in as the source of inspiration for the wedding stationery suite, florals, and decor,” says the newlywed. “Supporting local artisans and creatives was important to us and a large majority used for the wedding were women-run businesses that added unparalleled creativity to the sentiments of a warm Rhode Island summer night,” she adds. DWRI Letterpress created menus in both English and Spanish, and the couple shared vows in both languages. The day ended up being a perfect blend of their two lives, and they followed up with a second celebration in Argentina.

The City Wedding

LAURA INK PHOTOGRAPHY • WATERPLACE PARK, PROVIDENCE

Love waits for no one: When Letitia and Brenton were ready to get married, there was a pandemic going on. Rather than delay, the couple decided to move forward and host a small affair, known as a micro-wedding, in the heart of the city. To include extended and far-away family and friends, the pair provided a Zoom link for well-wishers to experience the ceremony virtually. Even now with masks tucked away, the popularity of micro-weddings is likely to continue. Shorter guest lists translate to smaller everything, including costs, making hosting events more affordable.

Make It Your Own

There’s something about a city wedding that evokes a timeless glamour with New Year’s Eve feels no matter the season. After a rough time of it, the hospitality industry is at your service more than ever as they recover. Find hotels around the city including The Ballroom at Providence G, The Dean (shown), The Graduate, Hotel Providence, Skyline at Waterplace, and newcomer Dye House, among others. Don’t forget about restaurants – Gracie’s consistently gets rave reviews thanks to Kendal Fitzsimmons, their director of catering, who makes clients feel at ease from start to finish.

After dining at The Capital Grille, the couple canoodled along the pedestrian bridges of Waterplace Park for photos that rival those taken in any European city

Rhody Resources

FLOWERS:

Bloom Back Flowers Providence

LODGINGS:

The Dean Hotel Providence

VENUE/FOOD:

The Capital Grille Providence

The Backyard Wedding BROOKE NASH PHOTOGRAPHY • PRIVATE RESIDENCE, JAMESTOWN

Like so many couples, Kate and Neil saw their wedding plans derailed due to the pandemic. A post on The Knot, a leading online wedding planning and marketplace, informed guests that the pair planned to keep their original July date but limit the celebration to immediate family and closest friends. What Kate and Neil assembled could not have been more personal or joyous. Held in the backyard of the groom’s family home in Jamestown, the couple exchanged vows on the premises followed by a cocktail hour, passed hors d’oeuvres, dinner, a dessert of homemade churros, and a late-night snack of sliders. No limo for this fun bunch – instead a vintage Beetle was the perfect prop (read more about Little Blue on page 12), along with charming touches like fans on wood benches, a rustic arbor, and a bicycle welcoming guests.

Backyard vows were followed by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with close friends and family

Rhody Resources

CATERER:

Blackstone Caterers Middletown

FLORALS:

The Secret Garden Jamestown

Make It Your Own

Taking a second look at the backyard? Rental companies can help put all the puzzle pieces together with inventories at the ready of chairs, flooring, tents, tables, bars, linens, and more. In addition to standard companies like Rhode Island Rentals, Ocean State Rentals, etc., if you’re looking for something like a blush pink and gold ottoman to rent, check out Uniquely Chic Vintage based in Lincoln for unexpected panache.

RENTALS:

PEAK Event Services Providence

The Outside-the-Venue Wedding PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENN BAKOS ZEPHYR FARM, CRANSTON

Ashley and Sarah chose a place that isn’t a wedding venue at all but through a friendship with the owner, who graciously allowed a little fete on her farm, the couple fashioned a day to remember. “We were initially supposed to get married at The Guild in Pawtucket with about 75 guests, but pretty early on during COVID, Sarah and I made the tough decision to move forward with our wedding ceremony but not have guests,” explains Ashley. “We turned one of the seed houses on the farm into our romantic dinner setting, decorated simply with string lights, fresh flowers, and candles. It was intimate and magical.”

Clusters of flowers and candles add romance and warmth to the lateSeptember setting

The Rustic Wedding

LAURA INK PHOTOGRAPHY • THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER, WAKEFIELD

The outdoor nuptials of Sarah and Joe blended seamlessly into the breathtaking outdoor setting of Rhode Island on the cusp of autumn. Held at The Farmer’s Daughter, an inspiring garden center worth a visit even for those sans green thumbs, now also boasts the Event Field, which can accommodate 20 to 400 guests. Bordered by tall pines, evergreen trees, and garden, the area connects with the Ceremony/Small Reception Site by a privet hedge. This was the setting for the late-September wedding of Sarah and Joe who played off authentic farm surroundings with everything from a burlap “Mr. & Mrs.” banner, an inventive array of raw wood accents, and bridal party gowns in a bohemian mix of warm orange hues in solids and floral prints.

Rhody Resources

DESSERT:

Ellie’s Providence KNEAD Doughnuts Providence

Lime Lite Entertainment Johnston

FLOWERS:

The Ceremony Site at The Farmer’s Daughter

Wood accents on white linen perfectly complements the day

Make It Your Own

While plenty of planning and nerves obviously went into creating this day, the takeaway from the wedding is an air of a relaxed good time. The bride’s hair typifies the day – a pretty braid adorned with floral sprigs with wisps of hair flowing about, not tightly sprayed. A casual sensibility permits everyone to kick off their shoes and enjoy the day with ease.

The Traditional

Wedding PHOTOGRAPHY BY M STUDIOS BELLE MER, NEWPORT

For many couples with strong connections to religion, it’s almost a given that the wedding ceremony will take place in a house of worship. Chelsea and Jim were married at St. Joseph’s Church before heading off to Belle Mer for their reception. The Newport venue is perfect for couples who want to put their feet in the sand at the Ocean Lawn for beach photos and then head back inside for a fancy reception amidst crystal chandeliers. Continuing with the classics, Chelsea wore a romantic ballgown-style wedding dress with a veil and held a large bouquet of flowers. The pair’s personality and Rhody love was evident via whimsical touches like a Del’s Lemonade cart on-site.

Rhody Resources

FLORALS:

greenlion design Newport

PLANNER:

Leila Ryan Events Newport

RENTALS:

PEAK Event Services East Providence

Make It Your Own

There are many moving parts to a traditional wedding, including transportation, but it’s all worth it for couples who want their day to begin exchanging vows at a house of worship. Venues such as Belle Mer have their own wedding planning services, day-of coordinators, kitchen facilities, and more, which can help streamline a complex itinerary. Like the idea of an on-site events team? Look at country clubs and places like Twelve Acres in Smithfield and The Preserve in Wyoming (Rhode Island, of course).

Flour Arrangement

Put your wedding cake vision to reality with vendors ready to craft frosted masterpieces for every style and taste

By Abbie Lahmers

From coast to city, our little state has no shortage of bakeries to choose from when it comes to planning for the dessert of the hour. Maybe you just have a color scheme in mind, or you have a full-fledged vision just waiting to be put to frosting. Thankfully, wedding cake consultations not only give you the chance to iron out the details with a professional, but sampling flavors is also an event in itself to help build anticipation for the big day. Here are a handful of specialty cake businesses big and small, classic and eccentric, to start with.

WHIMSICAL

Don’t be afraid to do it up in color and personalized cake toppers to celebrate the joyous occasion with a custom design from Carina e Dolce, where the sky’s the limit. Geode cakes, stained glass patterns, sugar leaves, and fondant succulents are just a few possibilities. Cranston, CarinaEDolce.com

VEGAN

Celebrated is a plant-based bakeshop that also specializes in hand-crafted wedding cakes and dessert tablescapes. Not-toosweet vegan buttercream is used in artinspired creations, like a replica of Van Gogh’s Starry Night in cake form, along with gold leaf accents and local flowers. Warwick, Celebrated.co

LUXE

Often the choice for weddings at Newport estates like Castle Hill, Marble House, and Blithewold, Confectionery Designs brings elegance to each masterpiece with delicate sugar flowers handcrafted to closely resemble real blooms. Intricate gown details can also be recreated in buttercream accents. Rehoboth, MA, ConfectioneryDesigns.net

Photo by Natalie Colapietro Photography, courtesy of Celebrated

ARTISAN

A cake from Ellie’s takes painterly strokes to achieve an edible work of art. Swaths of rustic hues and hand-etched buttercream flowers complement flavors like Lemon Lavender and Bourbon Caramel Apple, along with displays of mini-desserts. Providence, ElliesProv.com

TIMELESS

You can’t go wrong with a traditional, clean design, which Gingersnaps Bakery updates with subtle textures or an unfinished top edge. Pressed edible flower designs or buttercreampainted floral accents create a look that seamlessly blends with the bouquets on the big day. Lincoln, GingersnapsBakeryRI.com

ALL NATURAL

In both ingredients and design, Isis Cakes aims for simple elegance with no food coloring or preservatives and muted colors. This can range from sophisticated to rustic, and real flowers, often locally sourced, are the trademark of their style. Wakefield, IsisCakesRI.com

ABUNDANCE

While standard requests are welcome, Maxine Baked shines when it comes to bountiful designs, whether that means macarons and rose petals cascading down the side, homemade meringue elements, dry florals, or a little bit of all those things incorporated into a textured, unified piece. Warren, MaxineBaked.com

COASTAL

From-scratch creations come in all styles and flavors at Scrumptions, including their popular strawberry and champagne filling. For the couple looking to capture their love of the sea, peruse a portfolio of ocean-inspired designs. East Greenwich, Scrumptions.com

Fresh florals on cakes blend seamlessly with decorative bouquets

Photo courtesy of Sugar Mama’s Sweets and Treats

IMAGINATIVE

Known for their devilish desserts and cocktail pairings, Sin Bakery does wedding cakes with equal bravado and welcomes creative and daring requests, from dragons to WaterFire gondolas, interpreted in fondant to make the day truly personalized. Providence, EatWicked.com

CUPCAKES

If you’re struggling to choose just one flavor, a lavish cupcake tower from Sugar Mama’s Sweets and Treats lets you have it all, with a six-inch cake in the center, plus gluten-free options. Classic tiered cakes are available, too, and Sugar Mama’s can even make funfetti look sophisticated. North Providence, SugarMamasSweetsAndTreats.com

SIMPLICITY

If you’re looking for natural designs, a variety of flavors, and a buttercream base, Sweet Althea’s is a great choice. With a “less is more” philosophy, they specialize in naked cakes, a technique used to rough frost the cake to reveal an exposed layer or secondary color underneath. Wakefield, SweetAltheas.com

ORNATE

Whether your vision is a fondant masterpiece or cupcake tower spilling over with fruit, Taunton Avenue Bakery, a Portuguese dessert shop, takes a detailed approach to custom cake orders with tasteful (and tasty!) accents. East Providence, TauntonAveBakery.com

STATEMENT

From French macaron-topped to upside down chandelier cakes suspended from a decadent stand, Wingate’s Cakes is all about making a statement. Tantalizing flavors like Rosé all Day and Vanilla Bean Cappuccino keep the surprises coming beyond the first cut. Westport, MA, WingatesCakes.com