Couple Elope in Vermont in Captivating Style

Alexis & Nick Show You How to Have the Most Perfect Fall Elopement in Vermont

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / VERMONT & BEYOND

Every once in a while, an elopement goes so much better than even I could have ever imagined, and that is exactly what happened when Alexis and Nicked eloped in Vermont. Everything from their style choices to the weather could not have been better. And they truly enjoyed and soaked in every enchanting moment of their two-day elopement.

When they first reached out we planned an elopement for just the two of them. A couple of months later they emailed me again wondering if they could add an additional day and a few guests on one day. It was the perfect compromise between getting to celebrate with their family and getting exactly what they wanted, which was to adventure and explore.

On the morning of the ceremony and family celebration, some family members ended up getting lost on their way to the log cabin property where the ceremony was being held out. But that didn’t phase Alexis and Nick one bit. We planned to hike to a waterfall after the ceremony, so we just went before, and we actually finished the hike and photos at the stunning waterfall and made it back before the last members of the family arrived! Talk about efficient use of time. They had the ceremony on the land that their log cabin Airbnb was on, and the early morning fog hung in the air for just the right amount of time. The leaves were in full, fall foliage bloom, and the fog hanging onto the mountaintops and coming off the lake gave it the most perfect ethereal quality. After the ceremony, they enjoyed a brunch cocktail hour and some celebrating before breaking out their canoe and going for a paddle around the lake. It was such a peaceful and serene moment, as there was no wind the entire morning and it looked like they were floating on a perfectly reflecting pool made of glass.

Some more celebrating with family and a surprise serenade that Nick had planned for Alexis wrapped up the rest of that day’s celebration.

The next day I met them at Mt. Mansfield where we hiked with their two best friends, who were also integral parts of the previous day. But this day was just for fun and relaxation, to enjoy spending time with each other and their best friends, and for adventure. We had the most beautiful views on Mt. Mansfield, and we headed over to Lake Champlain, but they stopped on the way to pick up some pizza for the sunset viewing we were about to do. We picked a perfect spot on the rocks on the shore of Lake Champlain. They enjoyed pizza and their first dance. They spun and twirled as the sun sank low, and we watched the boats and paddleboarders come in for the night. And then we hung out a little bit longer than everyone else, waiting for the stars to come out and the moon to rise. It was the perfect ending of an impossibly perfect two-day adventure wedding celebration.

“Kat made our wedding dream come true!

We adore autumn in New England and decided that we wanted to get married there at that time amongst the incredible fall foliage. Though we had visited some places in the area, we really relied on Kat to find the perfect destination for our elopement. After briefing her on our vision for that day, Kat gave us a list of incredible spots throughout all of New England that fit exactly what we were looking for! We were blown away by her knowledge of the area and the details she provided in order for us to make our decision.

Once we decided on a location, Kat was there for us every step of the way offering information on where to stay, what to pack, and even what to wear in regards to shoes, layers, and color scheme.

Kat was also incredibly patient and flexible throughout the entire process. We had a number of changes to the original plan (including a few on the day of the wedding) and Kat was able to accommodate our every need. It was comforting to know that if we had any issues, questions, or concerns, Kat was only a phone call away.

On the day of our elopement, Kat went above and beyond to make us feel relaxed and comfortable in knowing that she had everything under control. In fact, before our day, she actually informed us that she was pregnant and would be bringing along a photographer friend, Lindsay (who was also delightful), to assist her in case she needed to take a break. We were blown away that Kat went out of her way to bring in a second photographer just to honor her commitment to giving us the best experience possible. That kind of dedication is priceless and hard to come by.

The photos from the wedding are absolutely stunning! Kat and Lindsay were able to blend in with the beautiful fall scenery in a way that made forget that they were there. We were able to really focus on eachother on our wedding day and it shows in the pictures.

To sum things up, we put all of our faith into Kat to make our wedding dream a reality and the result was better than we ever could have imagined. Our day was truly magical and the photos are breathtaking. We are so blessed and grateful that Kat was able to provide that for us.”

— Nick & Alexis

Gorgeous Fall Elopement in Stowe Vermont

Kirsten & Kelsey Elope to Vermont During the Most Colorful Time of Year

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / VERMONT & BEYOND

To say that Kirsten and Kelsey’s gorgeous fall elopement in Stowe, Vermont didn’t go according to plan is an understatement, but they didn’t let anything stop them from having the time of their lives. I got a call the night before we were supposed to meet for a sunrise hike. It was Kelsey telling me she had just sprained her ankle going down the stairs. No worries, I assured her, there are plenty of spots around town that are short walking distance and we can pivot and still have a stunning and wonderful day. Kirsten was there to support her over the uneven terrain, and her crutches made a few appearances in the photos, but overall she was able to limp and sit and rest when needed. And at the end of the day, they were able to say their vows and they were married to one another, which is the most important part.

To add to the excitement of the day, there was rain in the forecast. But ultimately it only drizzled on us here and there, which honestly just adds to the ambiance. Their families made the trek to their waterfall ceremony location. They enjoyed a mini celebration at a mountain lake before heading back to their rental for the after celebration dinner with family. Their ceremony included tears from the officiant, Kirsten’s sister, and many of their family members were misty-eyed as well. The fall colors were in absolute peak form, just putting on the show of a lifetime and everyone was in awe of the scenery.

Watching Kesley and Kirsten together throughout the day was one of the most fun parts of the day. They genuinely have so much fun together, even when nothing goes as planned. They didn’t seem stressed at all, again even with plans changing from their original form. After our sunrise session where there was more misty fog than sunshine, Kirsten mentioned that she was a little bit nervous before the first session, but that honestly it just felt like we were hanging out and that it was so much fun. The rest of the day I just captured as it unfolded because their family was along for the ride, and in the end, the visual story of their day is one of my favorite I’ve captured so far!

Their joy, happiness, and love took center stage, and they let go of the things they couldn’t control, and honestly, they were the easiest, go-with-the-flow couple ever. Stowe is one of the easiest and loveliest places to elope because there are so many options for beautiful places to elope, even if you have a couple of changes of plans.

Rocky Coastline Elopement in Newport, RI | Rhode Island Elopement Packages

Victoria & Taylor’s Lovely Coastal Rhode Island Elopement

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

Victoria and Taylor’s early winter rocky coastline elopement at Beavertail in Jamestown, Rhode Island felt more like summer with mid-60’s temps and a nice sunny day. It was super important to Victoria that she and Taylor not see each other before the ceremony- something that rarely happens anymore just because of logistics. So I made sure to pick a nice, secluded spot on the coastline where I could position Taylor for watching her walk down the hiking trail (the outdoor adventure elopement equivalent to an aisle) to their ceremony site. Things went off mostly without a hitch except for when I left Victoria and told her to give me a minute to get set up, she ended up giving me 5 minutes and I found out later that her dress had gotten stuck on a bush and she had to untangle herself before walking down! Such are the perils of eloping in the great outdoors.

Close friends were in attendance for their intimate ceremony, and their adorable pup, Zinnia. They celebrated the ceremony on the cliffs of Beavertail State Park and had a mini reception with baked goods and sandwiches right there as well. We explored the many views of Beavertail before heading over to the Chanler in Newport, RI, where they were staying that night. The grounds of the Chanler made for incredible photos before we headed out for Fort Adams to catch the sunset. Everything happened just in time, too. As I was driving home from their elopement a huge storm rolled through, which hurricane-force winds, and massive amounts of rainfall. Talk about threading the needle in terms of weather.

There were so many sweet moments during their day- from the vows to all the laughter. One of my favorite moments was when we were driving together to Fort Adams to catch the sunset, Victoria mentioned that this was literally the best day of her life and the perfect way for the two of them to celebrate it together. Everything had just gone so wonderfully, from the views to the vows, it was all she imagined and more! That’s always what we aim to do, and it is so wonderful to hear that, in the middle of their day, we absolutely nailed it.

When we were in the booking process Victoria told me she had planned and even mostly paid for a traditional wedding when they realized it wasn’t what they wanted. When she reached out I had a note on my website that I was already fully booked for the season, but something about the two of them (she made me cry on our initial phone call when she talked about working with special needs kids) made me realize that they were exactly the people I wanted to serve in this work that I do. And I’m so happy we were able to make their dreams come true.

As night fell and we headed back to the hotel where they had dinner planned that night, they had a few drinks with friends, we watched the storm roll in and cover up the stars and they relaxed content knowing that they had chosen the best possible way to get married catered perfectly for the two of them.

From the couple…

“Kat is an incredibly talented artist, wonderfully kind person, and all around magical human! When I first contacted her, I was in the throes of anxiety—I had planned and paid for a traditional wedding when I realized that wasn’t what I wanted. My now husband and I decided to elope, and after pouring over Google searches, landed on Swell and Stone. From the moment I saw her photographs, I knew we had to book her!! I contacted her and she got back to me so quickly, and was SO flexible—I gave her basically a 2 month timeline and she made it work for us!!

The day of my wedding, I was running late and she made me feel so at ease and not stressed at all! The whole day was so fun, and she found the MOST beautiful spots to take pictures that I see in wedding magazines and on the internet—I still can’t believe these are pictures of my wedding! She had our sneak peek ready in less than a week, and gave us the rest of our pictures (HUNDREDS!!) well before the agreed upon date.

Kat was incredibly flexible, professional, and open minded—she wanted to do whatever we wanted because it was our wedding, but also made sure to note things that would be preferable from a photography stand point. She is a lovely, warm, kind, and relaxed person, and I genuinely cannot recommend her enough to anyone looking for wedding pictures that will make you think you are dreaming. She also included drone shots (so cool!!) and GIFs which are some of my favorites!”

— Victoria & Taylor

Sunset Adventure Elopement in Vermont's Green Mountains

Rachel & Ryan’s Sunset Adventure in Vermont Mountains

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / VERMONT & BEYOND

Rachel & Ryan’s day two of their beautiful elopement style wedding in the incredible Green Mountains of Vermont was not short of spectacular. Click HERE to see day one of their wedding in Rhode Island. We had pretty much the nicest day on the mountain that I can remember. Most of the time it’s really windy on the ridge line and summit, and cold even in August sometimes. It was October and there was only a slight breeze and it was 70 degrees, even on the ridge line. Rachel choose her day two dress expecting chilly temps and instead was greeted with warm weather and beautiful views. We began the hike and it was clear that sweating too much was going to be the issue, not hiking fast to stay warm!

They brought their jeep up the road and the fall foliage was so incredible everywhere that we stopped multiple times to play in the leaves and take in all the colors of the trees. The had a blast throwing leaves and running around like little kids. Because we spent so much time doing that we were a little worried we might miss sunset, but started the hike with well over an hour before the sun went down. The incredible thing about this spot is that you have 360 degree views pretty much the whole way. We watched the sun sink over Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks and we reached the summit just before sunset. Rachel and Ryan danced and took in the views from the summit as color lit the sky. It was one of the most beautiful sunsets in recent memory and was made even better by the fact that we could hang out comfortably on the summit while it was happening. I’ve been on this peak over 25 times in the last several years and every single time there is a different type of weather to contend with. Normally, we are either racing fog to the summit, fighting snow, or battling high winds and chilly temps in wedding attire. This was one of the first times we could just sit and take it all in!

It was so nice up top that the hike out, even though it was in partial darkness, was really nice. So nice that I suggested we hang out a few more minutes to watch the stars come out. They were happy to, and we got some amazing milky way and night sky photos. I took one more shot of them and then they were able to head down the mountain while I laid in the meadow with my camera time lapsing for the next hour so I could create the star trail image (the one with the stars in a circle) that you see above. It was a very satisfying end to a beautiful day on the mountain.

Cape Cod National Seashore Elopement with Kids | Cape Cod Elopement Packages

Denise & George’s Magical Cape Cod Elopement

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / MASSACHUSETTS & BEYOND

Denise and George’s Cape Cod elopement, which included their two kids, was such a heartfelt and adventurous day. When Denise first called and mentioned they’d love to adventure on the Cape, my first thought was this remote and secluded lighthouse that was only accessible via a 4x4 vehicle and a permit. They were completely game and even went a couple of days early to make sure they could secure the permit and test drive the route to see if their vehicle could make it! Needless to say, they accomplished it, and what followed was an incredibly beautiful and adventurous day with their two kids along for the ride.

At this point in their relationship, Denise and George had been together for over a decade and had known one another even longer. They wanted a day to truly celebrate their “little love pack” and include parts of the adventure that everyone would enjoy while keeping the focus on their union with one another. They visit the Cape every year, so this year they thought they would go one extra time and include a special day for celebrating their love.

The kids were totally game to enjoy the day with them and had an absolute blast the entire time. From running around in the sand to seeing a seal to eating lobster rolls it was their idea of a great day too. The fog rolled in during the evening ceremony, and although we didn’t get a dreamy sunset we did get a really cool misty aura that surrounded us. I like to tell my couples that every type of weather is truly special and memorable if you go into it with the right attitude. In fact, it’s some of the “bad weather” days that make for the best days in my opinion, and some of the perfectly sunny days that make for the toughest lighting conditions as a photographer. They had a great attitude and even managed to sneak in an outfit change in the middle of the day.

The drive out on the 4x4 road wasn’t too bad, just a little soft and deep in a few places. But George kept his speed through those spots and managed it perfectly. We found a little spot on the dunes with both views of the lighthouse and the ocean for the ceremony spot. The couple exchanged heartfelt vows and the kids looked away when their parents shared their first kiss as married people. Everyone ran down the dune after, ready for some celebration dinner, and spotted several seals bobbing in the water checking out what was going on. There was only one other car way down the beach and almost out of sight. It truly felt like they had a private beach completely to themselves for their day.

We laid out a picnic blanket and watched it get dark while enjoying the sounds of the ocean and the food. Then we started the drive back, making a stop at the lighthouse for some photos, before doing the rest of the 4x4 drive. Luckily, we didn’t get stuck, as digging out in formalwear would have been a unique challenge. All in all Denise and George created a day that they will remember for a lifetime, and their kids will as well, no doubt.

Rhode Island Small Outdoor Wedding at Lincoln Woods State Park | RI Wedding Photographer

Rachel & Ryan’s Stunning Intimate Wedding at RI State Park

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

Rachel and Ryan’s small outdoor wedding at Lincoln Woods State Park in Rhode Island was the epitome of the perfect micro wedding. Not only did they have a stunningly beautiful and perfect day, but they chose the perfect time and place to celebrate their love as well. The leaves were still super green with hints of fall sneaking in, the weather was warm, and they shared a special and lovely sunset together. They did celebrate a DAY TWO portion of their wedding by hiking the highest peak in Vermont. But the Rhode Island section of their wedding was so lovely it deserved its own post.

Here’s the thing- so many couples ask me if it is possible to have the friends and family attend their wedding, but still have that special elopement experience that makes it feel like it’s all for them. And the answer is something along the lines of how Rachel & Ryan celebrated. They shared one special day with their friends and family and had a second day all to themselves for the purpose of sharing the adventure and creating new memories together. Their Rhode Island day was so freaking beautiful that I’m sure they would have been satisfied with that celebration, but the Vermont portion (where they planned their honeymoon) was their version of having their cake and eating it too. You can have everything you want for your day(s), sometimes it just takes a little creativity and vision.

Rachel got ready with her sisters and mom and then headed over to Lincoln Woods State Park to share a special and private first look with Ryan. We walked over to the ceremony site that they had picked out and set up earlier in the day. In fact, that’s what Ryan was doing while Rachel was getting ready. Friends and family arrived and the couple shared special vows, celebratory jigs, and lots of hugs. After the formal part of the ceremony was done we took portraits and then friends and family headed to the reception site while we caught the sunset at some of the most picturesque spots in the park. It was special to take some quiet moments after all the excitement of the day to sit and reflect with one another and just to enjoy the beauty of the place that surrounded them. We made one last stop at the iconic Lincoln Woods covered bridge before heading to the reception ourselves.

At the celebration, the couple enjoyed many toasts, a first dance, cake, and a lot more fun and celebration with family and friends in attendance. The perfect end to a perfect day of committing their lives to one another.

Tiverton Boathouse Small Outdoor Wedding | Rhode Island Wedding Packages

Maddie & Mike’s Tiverton, Rhode Island Small Outdoor Wedding

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

Maddie and Mike’s small outdoor wedding at The Boathouse in Tiverton, RI was nothing short of magical even though they got married during a literal hurricane. I was super fortunate to shoot their elopement exactly a year before on Block Island, where we saw seals, ran around the dunes, up and down a million stairs, and ate cake under the stars.

This time was a little different. They had invited 25 of their closest friends and family to celebrate with them and planned their ceremony on the dock. But the weather had other plans, so last minute the ceremony was moved to the reception area. They still walked out on the dock in the pouring rain, and later in the night they even danced under an umbrella for a little bit.

The thing that made their wedding day so incredibly special is that not for a single second did they let the rain or the weather put a damper on their enthusiasm. Everyone in attendance had an unbelievable time and their love and joy radiated enough to warm everyone up.

The spot Maddie chose to get ready at with her mom and bridesmaids was adorable and right on the water. The ladies enjoyed their time with leisure and Mike’s day started with feeding and playing with their adorable bunnies, and then smoking a joint with his brother and dad. He came over to the spot Maddie was getting ready at a little bit later for the first look. From there we made our way to the ceremony site to assess what would be possible in the weather. Luckily, the staff at The Boathouse was extremely helpful and organized and already had both ceremony locations set up so the couple could easily choose either. It literally rained the entire day, non-stop. So while Maddie and Mike felt comfortable venturing into the rain for photos, they didn’t want to make their guests sit on soaking wet chairs under umbrellas for the ceremony.

Having been fortunate to experience both sets of vows I can say that the second was as sweet as the first, although this time Maddie cried more, and during their elopement, Mike had a harder time keeping it together. It was so sweet to see them support each other. I mean it when I say these two really are some of the most laid-back and happy, joyful people ever. Both of them have a smile perpetually glued to their faces and love having a good time. It was my privilege and honor to be chosen not once, but twice to tell the visual story of their day!

From the couple…

“We absolutely love the pictures!! Thank you for capturing our special day for us for the second time! We really could not be happier with how they came out. Thank you again, you made both days so enjoyable and stress-free for us!”

— Maddie & Mike

Couple Elope Along Breathtaking Kancamagus Highway, NH | Elope in NH

Maddy & Chris’s New Hampshire Waterfall & Mountain Elopement

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / NEW HAMPSHIRE & BEYOND

Maddy and Chris eloped along the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire and in some little-known mountains in the region. They enjoyed a perfectly adventurous day full of both mountain and waterfall views. There were views and laughs and all-around they both exuded joy the entire day.

They began by getting ready at an adorable Airbnb, and after their first looked they video called their parents so they could share part of the day and excitement with them. They are both private people and saying their vows in front of a ton of people sounded more like a nightmare than their dream day. So when they reached out we concocted a plan where they could say their vows, just to the two of them (and me lurking in the distance photographing behind some bushes). The plan went off without a hitch, and end the end they were hitched!

After the first look, we first visited a stunning waterfall along the Kancamagus Highway which is known as one of the most scenic areas in all of New Hampshire and New England. When they walked up to the falls they were blown away by the color of the water want the incredible pool at the bottom. When we made our way further up the pathway their jaws dropped at the beauty of the multi-tiered waterfall itself. I love when couples haven’t been to or seen their chosen elopement location until their big day. It adds a different level of exploration and wonder and only helps to solidify this new and exciting adventure they are taking together. I can’t thank them enough each time they trust me to help them build their dream day. Putting together a magical day full of adventure and joy is part of what I do- along with capturing the genuine story and emotions of the day as they unfold.

They had so much fun hiking to a 360 mountain view later in the day. Chris hiked with the cake in hand the entire way! At the top the views are overwhelming, you aren’t really sure which was to look. They had fun popping champagne, sharing their cake, and climbing boulders. We waited for the sun to go down, but the clouds were a bit too thick, so on our way back we stopped at a beach and they celebrated their first dance during the blue hour. It was the perfect end to a perfect day and one in which Maddy and Chris got married in exactly the way they’d hoped for, with just the two of them!

From the couple…

“We had the most amazing elopement experience with Kat from Swell and Stone! She was incredibly helpful throughout the planning process. She helped us find the perfect location based on the vision we had for our day and gave recommendations for lodging. She helped us put together all the details and made the entire process stress-free!

On our elopement day, she made us both feel comfortable being in front of a camera. We especially loved the Polaroid pictures she took throughout the day that we were able to bring home with us that day. All of our photos were amazing and captured our day perfectly. Once we got our photos, it was incredibly easy to view them through the gallery online and share them with family and friends. We can’t recommend Kat enough! She was incredibly thoughtful and made our day feel easy and adventurous!!”

— Maddy & Chris

Splendid Sunrise Elopement in Narragansett Rhode Island

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.

From the couple…

“Our day was captured so beautifully! Kat made the whole experience amazing, and helped bring our vision to life. I’d give her 10 stars if I could!”

— Rebecca & Sam

Colorful Rhode Island Small Outdoor Wedding at Beavertail State Park | RI Small Wedding Packages

Claire & Zack’s Beautiful Small Wedding at a RI State Park

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

Claire and Zack’s small outdoor wedding at Beavertail State Park on the cliffy coast of Rhode Island was the stuff dreams are made of. Claire happens to be one of my good friends and when she reached out I knew her incredible boho style would shine in a gorgeous small wedding. She and Zack are also surfers who my husband and I have surfed with many times, so of course, they had to paddle out in their wedding gear!

Their day began with getting ready and the first look at Beavertail State Park. It’s the perfect spot to have an intimate, yet easily accessible outdoor wedding with unreal views. Seriously, this place has 5-star views for days and is one of the most serene spots in the Ocean State. They practiced their wedding song as the waves crashed nearby, and for the pair of surfers smelling the salty ocean air was exactly what they wanted on their day.

Soon friends and family began to arrive and the ceremony went by in a whirlwind. Speaking of wind, coastal RI is known for its breezy shores, so be prepared for a windblown look if you choose this spot for your special day! After the ceremony, we walked around the park to a couple of my other favorite spots and then we headed back to Claire’s mom and stepdad’s house for the celebration. They have an unbelievably beautiful back and side yard that was decorated to absolute perfection. Little details from Zack and Claire’s relationship were all over, and Claire’s mom is an expert gardener, so the whole thing had secret garden vibes. It could not have been more beautiful.

Toasts were made and tears shed. The couple shared a very special first dance as Claire’s stepdad sang to them. to me, their wedding was the perfect combination of friends and family putting unique and meaningful touches on the day while still maintaining an overall feel of beautiful and unique luxury that looks like it was completely professionally done.

The next day we hit the beach and they paddled out in their formalwear. The waves weren’t exactly cooperating and it was mostly windy and flat, but the images still turned out pretty cool and they had a great time. I love to recommend that even if you are having a small outdoor wedding with friends and family they either keep a part of the day or they schedule part of the day before or day after for adventurous photos with just the two of them. It’s important to include things that you love doing together on your wedding day(s), so carve out a time to make memories that are entirely your own and for just the two of you.