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Our second Newport wedding this year – both at Astors’ Beechwood – both great and completely different!

Sharon and Ben got ready at the The Carriage House Inn with family and friends:

Sharon’s mom helping her with her necklace:

Ben in the mirror, shot by second-shooter, Mike:

I love this detail Mike got – woody’s hair wax (pomade) and comb!:

The ceremony was at St. Mary’s in Bristol, RI. 

Ben waiting for Sharon to come down the aisle:

Sharon’s mom watching her husband and daughter:

Ben’s family:

The singer was right by a window for interesting light:

The church was beautiful and this part had awesome light:

Sharon and Ben get ready to leave the church:

We did the first part of the bridal party shots on Ocean Drive.  This is a favorite cove of mine that I’ve noticed a million times and never shot at!  What good sports to go out on the rocks!

I love the bare feet:

This guy was actually in the water while we were shooting:

The best man:

The guys across the street:

Then we went on to Astors for more portraits:

and then on to the reception:

The tables looked beautiful and the  favor was a champagne egg timer:

1st dance:

and we ended with a late night portrait session:

There were so many great personal touches throughout the weekend and today was no exception, but this wedding had so much spirit … everyone was laughing, then crying, then dancing…LOVED it!

Day two of Neil and Kelly’s celebration was held entirely at the Astors’
Beechwood mansion on Bellevue Avenue.  It backs up to the ocean and the
interior and exterior are just beautiful!

Kelly got ready in the bridal suite at Astors:

We then took some portraits of Kelly around the house:

The ceremony was on the back lawn and the sun gave a lot of opportunity for interesting light:

Neil waiting for Kelly to come down the aisle:

Kelly’s dad escorted her:

The ceremony:

I love this shot…it’s a totally unposed moment caught right after the ceremony as they finish coming down the aisle!

All the guests …jumping.  Kelly’s mom – how did you jump so high (light dress off to the right)!

I love the moments in-between the formal shots:

We then went on to do some portraits during the magic hour:

I don’t know why but I love second-shooter Mike’s shot of the sashimi appetizers at the cocktail party:

Then it was on to the reception.  There were a lot of great details here that truly made it unique to Neil and Kelly. 

The cake had Persian writing on it:

A little school spirit (groom’s cake with Fondant icing):

I had heard before I shot here that the Astors’ has one of the most beautiful ballrooms in Newport:

Wine corks held the place cards:

I’d love to say it was skill, but I was very lucky to be in the perfect spot to capture the dip at the end of the first dance:

Dinner:

Looking in from the outside:

Kelly chasing her sister to get the cake knife in a Persian tradition:

A wild bouquet toss :

The dancing continues:

One of my favorite parts was a Cognac bar set-up in a tent off the back balcony outside.  The lighting was so cool, we used it for our late-night portrait session:

As guests left there was a take-home candy table.  Did you know you can get Jones soda bottles personalized:

Guests signed bottles of Neil and Kelly’s favorite wine that they can save and open on their anniversaries:

Neil and Kelly left in a vintage Rolls Royce. 

Parting shot:

Great night!  Stay tuned for day 3 coming up soon…