Alex & Craig | Wedding at Ocean Cliff, Newport, RI

When I received the call that Alex and Craig were getting married, I was so excited for them and even more excited to be a part of their day! When their day arrived, the weather couldn’t have been any more perfect! As I made my way to Ocean Cliff, I was compelled to pull over and photograph this view! I knew Ocean Cliff has its own gorgeous views but just seeing the bridge, boats, and that blue sky with white puffy clouds, I couldn’t resist!

My day began with a visit to Alex’s room in the main Ocean Cliff building…
I started with their details…
and their two sets of rings.  The bands below were used during the ceremony and hold special importance. They were made from the melted down gold of their grandparents rings. Such an incredible idea and something that I hadn’t seen done before!A-MAZ-ING Jimmy Choo shoes! Alex had told me that she had great shoes, but I didn’t know how amazing until I saw them and the complete look that she had created for her day!As Alex was wrapping up hair and beginning her make-up, I snuck down to see how the guys were doing!In the Ocean Cliff Gate House, Craig was with his guys and his family…It was a team effort of getting ready…Back in the main building, this was Alex’s view while she had her make-up done:)Alex’s Naeem Khan dress was simply marvelous! It was different than any dress I had seen before and the coordinators at Ocean Cliff agreed!  Besides the uniqueness of the beading, it was light-weight, airy and had pockets!! Absolutely perfect for Alex!We set up Alex and Craig’s first look outside of the Gate House on the Ocean Cliff property…and it was fantastic:)Look at the detail in that boutinaire! A bit of gold that ties into the rest of their day!Fabulous families:)!

Out back, we had to get a few photos with the Newport Bridge:)
After those last few moments – it was time to tuck Alex and Craig away and greet the guests for the ceremony:)  The outdoor ceremony spot at Ocean Cliff is to die for!  Such a gorgeous spot and view and the sun sets perfectly over the water.
These two may have been just playing but I thought they looked like they were kissing:)Alex and Craig entered their ceremony together as fiancé’s and then left as husband and wife!The Ocean Cliff ceremony spot has THE perfect lighting for an evening ceremony – I am in love:)Can you say gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous?! 

After their ceremony, Alex and Craig – along with their parents, greeted everyone in a receiving line and cocktail began:) The setting sun was perfect!As soon as they finished their receiving line, we grabbed just a few photos with the last moments of the amazing sunset…I am in LOVE with this photo:) I love the Ocean Cliff wooden adirondack chairs and where can you beat this view?! Alex and Craig look adorable too:)More of those KILLER shoes:)Even after the receiving line and a few pictures, Alex and Craig were still able to mingle for almost 45 minutes – it was fantastic!
As they were chatting, I snuck inside Ocean Cliff to photograph the gorgeous room and details! I love that their touch of gold and neutral blush colors, coordinated so well with the look of the room (and the gold chairs:)! The flowers on top of Alex and Craig’s spots were my favorite:)!!One of the last photos during cocktail and even though it was pitch dark, the sun still had a glow with a pop of flash:) The name cards were ready and waiting…along with the band!Alex and Craig shared their first dance with their bridal party and families – this is Craig’s parents along with his sister and her fiancé – they are up next and planning is underway:)!The band kicked off their first set before dinner and had the crowd already partying:)!Their were toasts by the best man and maid of honor:)Then after dinner, it was cake time and into the Hora – which is always a fun time!!Alex was very nervous about getting up in that chair but she did it:)!! She actually went up alone and then they went up together! I KNOW that I would be petrified too, but as I told Alex, I LOVE watching and photographing the Hora:)!!Alex’s mom and Craig’s parents went up too!Craig danced with his mom and Craig’s Dad joined in with Alex too – it was fun and so sweet:)We wrapped up our evening with a few photos outdoors…
and some cigar smoking for the guys!A perfect end to a perfect day:)!Alex and Craig (and Mary Anne too:), thank you for choosing me! I loved being a part of your incredible day!

Vendor Info

bridesmaid dresses | Monique Lhuillier

hair | Maria DeBenedictis

make-up | Noel McKinnon

florist |  Toni Chandler

ceremony | Steve Waluk

reception venue | OceanCliff

cake | Dessert Works

Band|  First Class Band & Concetta

Songs

introductions | Party Rock Anthem

first dance | Everything by Michael Buble

mother/son | Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra

last dance | Don’t Stop Believing by Journey

Bride/Groom Questions

What was the most memorable moment of your day?

 Walking into the ceremony and down the aisle together.

What was your favorite detail?

The ceremony was our favorite detail.  It was a little untraditional but it was us and we thought it was great.

Any advice for future brides/grooms?

 Plan a lot.  Spend as much time leading up to the big day planning and then when your wedding weekend comes just step back and let your vendors do everything.  Your day will go smooth and you will get to enjoy every minute of it.

Funniest memory from your wedding day?

 One of Craig’s work friends had a hidden talent for dancing and he was tearing it up and we couldn’t get him off the dance floor and one of Alex’s school friends is very southern and had a parasol throughout the ceremony.

If you could do it all over, would you change anything?

Not a single thing!

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

We are doing a delayed honeymoon to the Galapagos Islands in October.