Hong & John’s Magnificent RI Elopement

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / Rhode Island & BEYOND

Hong and John eloped in Rhode Island in stunning style. Their day was full of surprises, including an unforecasted downpour that started in the middle of their ceremony. They rolled with it and soaked up all the views, surprises, and their day turned out to be the adventure of a lifetime.

They were supposed to elope the day before, but we checked in via phone and the forecast said pouring rain all day. Since I live in Rhode Island and I didn’t have anything booked the next day I was happy to not spend a day drenched and agreed. All started out dry the next day, but a couple minutes into their ceremony the rain began and didn’t let up until much later.

We met at a special spot in Lincoln Woods. I helped Hong change into her gown, and I set John up for the first look. She came floating down a sea of fall leaves and they saw each other for the first time in their wedding attire. It was as adorable as their only guests, two stuffed hippos. I was dying because they brought stuffed hippos and they had no idea that as a kid I collected stuffed hippos and happen to be obsessed with the animals. How appropriate that I would be the one to photograph their day. We understood each other.

After the first look we began our adventure around the park stopping at some of my favorite spots. It certainly helped that Lincoln Woods was in its full on peak fall foliage time and the trees were bursting with color in every direction. We picked a ceremony site and just as they were walking up to it a fisherman set up camp on the location. They asked if they could borrow it for just a few minutes and he was very gracious and totally fine with waiting his turn, which was so nice.

They began to exchange their vows and first just a drop. Then another. And another. Before we knew if they were getting soaked, but neither cared and to be honest it was such a memorable experience. We packed up after the ceremony and stopped at the covered bridge before heading down to the coast.

We hiked out to the beach and the great thing about a rainy day is that no one is at the beach. They had it to themselves and we ended up hiking to a lighthouse. The ground was so saturated and the trail was muddy, but they were absolute troopers and got to see a really unique side of the RI coastline, which was amazing. We played with lanterns and twinkle lights and then headed out in the dark.

The next day Hong texted me a photo of how much sand she shook out of her dress. She was laughing and the whole thing was such a memorable experience she wouldn’t have it any other way.