Emily and Gage were married at Castle Hill Inn, surrounded by ocean and loved ones. Below is how the weekend unfolded, from the welcome dinner at Giusto to the private vows and the wedding ceremony and party at Castle Hill Inn.
The Night Before: Welcome Dinner at Giusto
Most of the guests were already in town by Friday, so Emily and Gage hosted a welcome dinner at Giusto on Lower Thames.
The welcome dinner is worth photographing if your budget allows for it. Guests are relaxed. Nobody is watching the clock. You get the version of your family that shows up before the formal part starts, and those frames tend to hold up.
Getting Ready on High Street and at the Chalet Suite
Emily got ready at a house on High Street in Newport. I love photographing the getting ready portion of the day in a house. The rooms have character and there is room for people to move around instead of stacking up in one corner. Getting ready in a hotel usually means a bed sitting in the middle of every frame. There was none of that here.
Gage got ready at the Chalet Suite at Castle Hill Inn. The Chalet sits back from the main house and is connected to the tent, so it stays quiet even when the property is busy.
A First Look at Castle Hill Lighthouse
Emily and Gage first saw each other at the Castle Hill Lighthouse. The white lighthouse sits on the coastal rocks with an ocean backdrop. It’s a short walk from Castle Hill Inn. Often the venue will provide a golf cart ride as well.
Then we stayed out on the rocks for portraits. Footing is uneven near the lighthouse, so flat shoes and a hand from someone helps.
The Private Vows
Before the ceremony, Emily and Gage read private vows to each other with no photographer and no videographer present.
They are both lawyers. Words are their craft, and they wanted that exchange to be private.
I bring this up because couples ask about it more than they used to and then talk themselves out of it. If there is something you want to say without an audience, say it without an audience.
Castle Hill Wedding in Newport RI
The ceremony happened on the lawn at Castle Hill Inn, with the water behind them. Golden Scroll Soloists played the ceremony music.
Why choose Castle Hill Inn?
Castle Hill Inn is a stunning Relais and Châteaux property on a peninsula. The sun sets over the water with the Newport Bridge in the background.
The property boasts an expansive lawn, lighthouse, the mansion inn, stunning canvas tent, and the beautiful rocks that lead down to the water. Castle Hill also handles its own catering, so the food and the venue are one conversation instead of two.
Castle Hill Wedding, Newport RI | Vendors
Every one of these people made the day run, and several of them I would recommend without hesitation for any Castle Hill wedding in Newport RI.
- Photographer | Madison Van Wylen
- Venue and Catering | Castle Hill Inn
- Wedding Planner | Eventfully Planned
- Florist | Michelle Jeanne Floral Design
- Videographer | Move Mountains
- Band | Wilson Stevens
- Ceremony Music | Golden Scroll Soloists
- Hair | Jen Clark
- Rentals | Peak Event Services
- Transportation | Viking Tours of Newport
- Welcome Dinner | Giusto
