This amazing seaside ceremony and reception in Newport, RI was such a fun event for us to do, as we had planned the bride’s best friends’ and business partner’s wedding a year prior. Also, the coastal landscape here is so different than ours on the Southeast coast, so it was great having such a lovely backdrop. The ceremony held at a private home owned by friends of the family and a reception followed at the New York Yacht Club. All of the gorgeous images are by Corbin Gurkin.
As her something old, the bride’s wore her grandmother’s pearl earrings, and something new was the gown designed by the bride with her matron of honor and business partner in Dee Hutton/Dee Hutton Bridal. For something borrowed, a diamond bracelet from best friend was perfect, and her sapphire engagement ring was of course “something blue”.
Having family from France, that was a huge influence on much of the design… From lavender used throughout the floral design to the Chantilly lace in the bride’s gown, French elements were predominant throughout.
Lettered Olive took the coordinated pastel color palette and made modern and whimisical influences on traditional wedding stationary. The guest bags were drawstring bags printed with a hand drawn map of Newport… Lots of sweets and treats like swedish fish as a playful nod to the coast, and NYC black and white cookies for a hometown fave.
Instead of having the wedding party in matching gowns, the ladies wore shades of pastels in different styles by Dee Hutton. That way, when all together, stylish “rainbow” array came together.
Heel savers and umbrellas were available to guests for walking across the grand lawn of the ceremony venue.
A custom bridge lined with boxes of lavender buds was built across the pool making a breathtaking aisle and entrance for our bride.
A spectacular view of boats in the harbor made for an amazing ceremony… this is one of my favorites we have ever done!
Guests enjoyed Rose and Seafood on the lawn overlooking the water, at the New York Yacht Club. So thankful for the gorgeous weather we had all weekend. We even able to use our lovely fabric lined umbrellas to shade the lounge seating and oyster bar. The escort “cards” were housed in a French farmer’s market… cones of toile paper holding stems of lavender were calligraphied with guests’ names and table numbers.
A grand tent with curtains revealing sweeping sunset views housed dinner and dancing. We even built a little “porch” off of the main tent for part of the after dinner lounge… A little way for us to bring the south to Newport!
The bride wanted a summery pastel wonderland, so draping the ceiling in complimentary shades transformed the huge white tent. Long tables with French toile linens lined with varying centerpieces containing lush blooms like peonies, roses, hydrangea, and ivy greens.
Confectionary Designs provided a tired cake with perfect pink rose accents, along with a variety of rainbow macaroons and other sweets served with vintage china.
After a night of dancing on a custom dance floor (mint green and white checkered), the bride changed into a second Dee Hutton Little White Dress. also designed by best friend and business partner.
The couple said goodbye with a sparkler send off and departed in a vintage yacht. A late night after party was held at the Tennis Hall of Fame where the couple soon joined guests into the wee hours…
Guests enjoyed popular favorites like New England Clam Chowder and mini lobster rolls. Keeping in line with the sea colored palette, escort cards were nautical inspired flags displayed on a watercolored board.
Keeping the decor natural and simple made the most sense for a nautical inspired feel. Table runners were of a french linen flour sack feel. Potted rosemary topiaries and simple hydrangea blooms dotted the length of the tables.
One of my new favorite design elements are colored border linen dinner napkins. So simple but they lend such an elegant touch. And, how cute were these white nautical rope balls which we used to “anchor” the place cards. White ink on navy paper is an unexpected but pretty way to present the dinner menus.
No seaside rehearsal dinner in New England would be complete without a lobster course.
