Rebecca & Sam Elope in Enchanting Rhode Island

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

Rebecca and Sam were up before the sun and ready to elope in Narragansett, Rhode Island. They picked an area that had a special meaning to them, but they had actually not been to the exact spot of their elopement before I suggested it as a perfect, more secluded spot for their vows than the busy nearby beaches. They were very excited for the day and it was somewhat overcast as we hiked to the spot. But as the day started to lighten up the prospect of seeing the sunrise was getting better. They said their vows in the dawn hours, and just as they finished this big orange ball made its way above the horizon. Both the couple and their guests remarked how it had been such a long time since they’d seen the sunrise over the ocean, and what a special treat it was.

The area was mostly free of people expect a fisherman here and there. They enjoyed exploring the area and tide pools, and then we walked down the beach to some nearby ruins. A small crew was setting up their celebration picnic further down the beach, so they wrote their names in the sand and we flew the drone and watched the kite surfers dance on the waves. Another little walk down the beach lead us to their magical picnic celebration that looked like it had appeared out of thin air. Their favorite drinks, muffins, scones, and breakfast sandwiches were waiting for them, and while they celebrated, ate and drank, they enjoyed the sound of the waves, and the warm sun as it rose higher in the air. It was a particularly windy day, but they didn’t let any of that bother them. The let their hair and clothes blow in the wind and took each moment as it came.

On of the coolest things about having a custom picnic set up for you is that when you are done, you just walk away from it, and it magically gets cleaned up by the crew that is hiding across the street. I love that they operate like that. It makes it feel like you stumbled on their wonderful oasis and you can just frolic away again without a care and no responsibility, because after all, it is your wedding day. We took a different route back to the parking lot, and it was through lush greenery with super fragrant flowers. They made a joke acting like they were hitch hiking back to their car which was only a few hundred meters away, but I love that photo because it showcases how carefree and playful their day was.

We met up again later in the evening at a lighthouse and explored the grounds of Beavertail State Park. I have a few favorite spots there, so when we wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of other sunset watchers I took them to my favorite rocky alcove to relax and take in the final moments of their elopement day. If I had to describe the themes of their day it would be: fun, relaxed, and magical. There were so many wonderful moments that as you see from the number of images below it was hard to choose favorites.