Ari & Dave’s Epic Block Island Elopement Adventure

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / RHODE ISLAND & BEYOND

When Ari and Dave gave me a call and started planning their Block Island elopement they were clear on a few things- They wanted to be married at the end of it, and they wanted to explore Block Island. Sometimes that’s all the info you need to plan the most magical elopement day, even if it rains on you. And magical is a great way to describe their day. The rain held off on our ferry ride over from the mainland, and it continued to hold off during their ceremony at Mohegan Bluffs. But it started sprinkling as we explored the beaches, no worries we had some lovely umbrellas in tow.

By the time we arrived at our sunset portion of the evening, it was pouring on us. We stood in the parking lot in the warm summer rain as the wind whipped around us. Ari tossed her umbrella aside and Dave gave her an “are we seriously doing this?” smile. We hiked out to the lighthouse and they were both soaked when we got there. They cut some cake, walked down to the water, played in the water and the rain, and some very cute onlookers joined us. Seals poked their heads up out of the water to see what was going on. There was not another person for miles and they watched the seals and enjoyed the peace and quiet and gentle rainfall that capped off an incredible and adventurous day full of everything they ever wanted and nothing they didn’t.

Earlier in the day at the beach, their vows induced a few tears of joy. This was a place they had been to before and one they would keep coming back to over the years. We saw lighthouses and beach volleyball courts. Fun fact: Ari was an amazing Division I collegiate volleyball player, so it was fun to get some shots of them on the sand volleyball court. Their day just goes to show that everything doesn’t have to go exactly according to plan and it can still be everything you ever hoped for and more. Sometimes welcoming the unexpected on your elopement day is the most rewarding thing you can do.

Throughout the day their love radiated through the landscape. They reminisced on their previous trips to the island and they were really looking forward to spending a few more days on it after their elopement. They embraced their feet in the sand, the rain on their faces, and at the end of it, all thought it was perfectly them, getting married in that way.

So, at the end of the day, don’t sweat the small stuff. Do welcome the rain on your face with arms wide open and at the end of the day you’ll be married and maybe see some seals too.