Rhode Island | Maine Wedding Photographers Bethany and Dan

Jasmine and Raul were married at the Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island on aÂ beautifulÂ day surrounded by theirÂ closestÂ friends and family. That is aÂ sentenceÂ I can use at many of the weddings that we photograph, (sans the location) but never has the phrase, “surrounded by theirÂ closestÂ friends and family” meant more. There were less than twenty people at the wedding, just as they intended. We headed to the ceremony site, and the light in the church was heavenly… no pun intended. It was so intimate, and so close among everyone there that we felt like we were ALL vital to the ceremony in some way. As Raul said his vows to Jasmine, I can only assume that they rest of the people there were crying as hard as I was. It was unbearably romantic.

Following the ceremony we hung out all over the town taking photographs of the newlyweds. I love the way everyone cheers andÂ clapsÂ for the bride and groom when we are out and about with them. This time a family even stopped and took a photo with Jasmine and Raul! We headed back to the Hotel, where Jasmine changed into a reception dress so she could dance a little more free with Raul for their very important andÂ choreographedÂ first dance. They had been practicing for weeks! We all sat down for dinner, including Dan and I and the officiant, which blew me away in such an intimate setting. It was truly an honor to be a part of their wedding day.

Florist: Flowers by SeminaÂ Â | Â Catering: Hotel Viking Â | Cake: Sin Desserts Â | Â Officiant:Â Deborah C Faith

Make-up: Salon Red Â | Â Ceremony Music:Â Music Performance Service

If you want to have perfect weather for your wedding, you should ask Lori what she prayed for specifically, because I don’t think a more perfect weather day exists. From the ceremony to the sailing trip, the day was exactly as one would dream of. First we started the day off in a beautiful house that Lori ordered up just for lovely photos, which I love. Next we headed to the Ocean Cliff where the two were married overlooking the ocean. Lori came down the aisle laughing, in her unforgettable way and they both read their vows from an Apple device: Joe had an iPad and Lori had her iPhone. The clouds came over the ceremony and created great light and just as they kissed, the clouds moved and it was bright again. It was a photography miracle. If you are a photographer yourself, you will understand. Thanks God!

The reception had some funny moments and even a group line dance to Steve Earle’s “Copperhead Road.” Joe cried during the first dance, and so did his mom during hers. It was like mother like son. After the reception a few of the guests headed over to the harbor where we boarded a sailing ship and enjoyed a sunset cruise to close out the night. The sunset was stunning… as it always is and we even passed the Ocean Cliff on our trip. We had been looking forward to this wedding all year and it did not disappoint.