Belle Mer is a venue that I’d been looking forward to photographing at for a long, long time – and I was absolutely delighted when Jen called me last year and booked me over the phone to photograph her and Scott’s wedding there. These guys live in NYC and their beautiful destination wedding in Newport, RI was my first time meeting them. I think they were a little anxious about us not having met before, but I got the sweetest note from Jen after the wedding. I hope she won’t mind me sharing it here: “Hi Kate! Just wanted to say thank you for everything! You were amazing! Everyone loved you. 🙂 We cannot wait to see the shots you got. It was such an amazing day for Scott and I and it was so nice to really like our photographer … Thank you again. Xoxox, Jen and Scott” I can’t tell you how much that note meant to me … taking great photos is obviously really important to me, but so is making the experience really great for those that I photograph.
Anyway. I started my day with Jen and her ten (!) bridesmaids and mom at the Newport Marriott across the water from Belle Mer. They had a great bridal suite which was buzzing with activity all morning. I spent my time flitting between two rooms, getting detail shots and photographing Jen and her girls getting ready.
The lovely and talented Jennie Kay did Jen’s hair and makeup. She was very fun to work with and Jen looked absolutely stunning:
A little teaser of Jen’s gorgeous lace Jim Hjelm dress and veil, and one of the items from the welcome bag for out of town guests:
And a few more details – I love the sparkly theme going on here. 🙂
Once Jen was dressed, her dad came in to the room to see her – I am in love with his expression!
It was one of the windiest days we’d had all year, so we decided to play it safe and take photos indoors at the Marriott rather than risk messing up everyone’s hair. We found a great spot with cool light patterns playing on the wall … it was perfect for the soft, light colors Jen had chosen. Look at these cute ladies in their gorgeous Amsale dresses!
The picture-perfect florals were by Broadway Florist. I’m such a sucker for a sweet father-daughter photo: – and I love Jen working it in the photo on the right:
After we’d finished portraits with Jen and the girls, I had my awesome assistant Erica drive me over to Channing Memorial Church. I got to meet Scott finally, and took a few fun photos of him with his guys:
Time for the ceremony! This was the shortest church ceremony I’ve ever seen … it was something like 17 minutes long!
There were two readings (thank you Erica for the great shot above right!), then the vows and ring exchange …
… and then Jen and Scott were pronounced husband and wife. I love these shots of them leaving the church:
I jumped onto the trolley with the bridal party (thanks Newport Wedding Trolley for your incredible service) and off we went to Belle Mer for some more photos and a super fun (and ridiculously elegant) reception. Those photos will be along in a few days, so watch this space! Or better still, come on over and like my Facebook page and you’ll be the first to know when Part Two goes up. 🙂
Kate the pictures look amazing!! Thank you for posting. We cannot wait to see the rest!! – Jen xx