Kat and Jay had their Third Beach micro wedding on April 25, 2026. About sixty guests came. The ceremony happened on the same stretch of sand where Jay proposed. Afterward, we slipped over to Sachuest for a quiet moment before the reception at Claw and Hammer in Newport. Every spot on the day was somewhere important to their life together.
Photos by Madison Van Wylen Photography
Simple Merchant regulars
I first met Kat and Jay while working Simple Merchant. It’s the coffee shop a handful of locals end up at most mornings. We’d been crossing paths there for a while. Then last summer I photographed a wedding for friends of theirs. I was so excited when they reached out about photographing their micro wedding.
The ceremony at Third Beach
Third Beach in Middletown isn’t a wedding venue in the usual sense. It’s where locals walk dogs, go for a swim, and pack a picnic dinner with friends. For Kat and Jay, it’s also where Jay proposed. They return to it often enough that the place feels like an extension of their relationship. Choosing it for the ceremony was the obvious call.
Sachuest after the ceremony
After the ceremony, Kat and Jay wanted some time before the reception. Not for portraits exactly, though we made a few. They wanted a moment to themselves, somewhere already theirs. The reception would be a room full of people waiting to hug them, and they wanted a moment first. Sachuest Point was the place. It’s a wildlife refuge about five minutes from Third Beach. It’s another spot they walk often and a place that holds a special meaning to them.
The reception at Claw and Hammer
The reception was at Claw and Hammer in Newport. There was a lot of banter back and forth between friends and family, the kind that fills a room.
Third Beach micro wedding ceremony photos
The photos from Kat and Jay’s day are below. Ceremony at Third Beach, the quiet half hour at Sachuest, and the reception at Claw and Hammer
FAQs about getting married on a beach
Can you get married at Third Beach?
Yes. The beach is run by the town of Middletown. You’ll need to go through their facility use process for any event setup. Permits, parking, and equipment are all handled there. You’ll also need a marriage license, which you get from the Middletown Town Clerk’s office. The town updates beach rules every season, so check the current year before locking anything in.
Is Second or Third Beach better for a wedding?
As a local, I prefer Third Beach. It’s quieter, less crowded, and less windy than Second. The water is calmer because Third faces east into the Sakonnet River instead of the open ocean, so the waves don’t get as big as Second’s sometimes do. Second Beach (also called Sachuest Beach) has a longer stretch of sand and more dramatic scenery, but it draws a much bigger crowd and is a popular spot for surfing. For a ceremony, I’d pick Third every time. Second is the better option if you’re surfing or there for the day.
What shoes should you wear for a beach wedding?
Kat wore platform Uggs and that was the best decision ever. The platform kept her from sinking into the sand the way heels do immediately and they were warm. Anything with a stiletto or a thin heel will sink at Third Beach within a few steps. Wedges, espadrilles, or bare feet are all better options than anything pointy. Skip the heels.
Third Beach Micro Wedding Vendors
Photographer | Madison Van Wylen
Coordinator | Samantha Bengston at Watch Hill Catering
Florist | Shade Studio
Cake | Village Hearth Bakery Cafe
Reception | Claw and Hammer
Dress | MWL Bride
Invitations | Minted
Linens | Peak Event Services
