We love stand-out details and the vibrant florals at Emily and Ben’s Newport, Rhode Island nuptials are unforgettable! The couple requested that florists Greenlion Design, create blooms that reflected their joy and laughter with each other and the bright displays of corals and pinks at Belle Mer: A Longwood Venue do just that. Invitations are by Minted, cake by I Dream of Jeanne Cakes and fabulous-as-always photography by Erin McGinn.
What made the wedding special and unique?
We originally wanted to go away and have a small destination wedding but decided to have our wedding on the water in Newport so it would be a destination for others and then to go to have a tropical getaway in a hut on the water in the Maldives for our honeymoon. The island house seems like the perfect mix of casual, beachy chic that fits our relationship – we like to have fun together and laugh. I wanted the flowers to represent us as well, so we’re having Greenlion have a bright display of pinks and corals to make the space pop and as Kim said – make it look like a celebration!
Ben wooed me with Champagne when we first started dating, so we had a bubbles bar to celebrate the next journey of our bubbly love as a married couple! Ben’s parents are big fans of the arts, so they commissioned a local German artist to create a “story of our love” painting, which shows the start as two houses (mine is a calculator since I work in finance ha!!) and Ben’s is a depiction of his childhood home that he grew up in (and his parents still live in) in Recklinghausen, Germany. The top of the painting shows the merging of our love in a hot air balloon with German/American flags. There are many small personal details throughout the painting, including the Newport Pell Bridge, which was visible from our wedding venue. We had small versions of the painting made to include with our thank you notes so that each guest had their own signed copy to commemorate our special day.
We incorporated some of Emily’s Irish heritage in the wedding by having a traditional Celtic handfasting ceremony. It was a special moment where we symbolically bound together our lives, hopes and dreams in front of our closest family and friends.
Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!
After trying on many gowns, my wedding dress stylist at Madeline’s Daughter Bridal in Portsmouth, NH pulled out a “wild card.” Looking at it on the hanger, it was everything that I said that I didn’t want – strapless and fitted, but I figured it can’t hurt to just try it on. Once, I put on the Watters Taylor dress, I knew it was the one – soft and romantic, with unique Coquille lace and a fit-and-flare shape that fit my personality to a T! The best part is that it was very comfortable and easy to dance in!
What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?
Ben’s cuff links were handmade by his grandfather and Emily’s bouquet had her grandmother’s handkerchief wrapped around the base of the flowers to remember our loved ones that couldn’t be with us that day. Emily’s father made personalized cornhole boards for the outdoor cocktail hour. We also had a bubbles bar and a bourbon bar, which are our favorite drinks!
What was the most memorable part of the day?
It was a beautiful, special day and we wanted the wedding to be a big, fun party full of laughs and dancing. Our band, Men in Black, made sure the dance floor was full the entire night!
Tell us how you met and became engaged.
Ben is a dentist and Emily’s childhood friend who worked for him as a dental hygienist introduced them. He wrote Emily the cutest email entitled, “Two Gingers” and it was smooth sailing from that first day. We got engaged on a weekend getaway in Boston 15 months later.
Photography: Erin McGinn // Floral Design: Greenlion Design // Invitations: Minted // Wedding Venue: Belle Mer: A Longwood Venue // Wedding Dress: Madeline’s Daughter // Wedding Dress: Watters // Hair and Makeup: Jennie Kay beauty // Cake: I Dream of Jeanne Cakes // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo // Ring Box: The Mrs. Box // Shoes: Jimmy Choo // Band: Men In Black // Rentals: Peak Event Services