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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…

We just shot Neil and Kelly in Newport for three days and I knew while shooting this that it would be three separate blog entries — there was so many wonderful things to cover, I couldn’t possibly edit it down to one entry.  So here goes but first, thank you Neil and Kelly, to you and your families for making us feel so welcome!

The Persian ceremony and rehearsal dinner was held Friday night in a tent at Kelly’s Dad’s house in Rhode Island.

The focus of the tent is the Sofreh table and it was beautifully decorated with symbolic items.  Neil’s family, who weren’t local, brought items from all over to decorate for the ceremony. 

During the ceremony, Neil and Kelly will sit in beautiful chairs passed down through Neil’s family for generations.  The chairs will then become a part of their home.

Neil pre-ceremony:

Fans kept guests cool pre-ceremony:

The dancing begins…

All the guests gather round Neil and Kelly and the table.  The officiant leads the ceremony but the families are very involved, making it a really warm experience.

Kelly sits at the table with her step-dad, Jon, looking on:

It is tradition that the bride receives gifts of jewelry and more as part of the ceremony…and the groom receives a few gifts too!  Here are Neil’s parents:

Neil gave Kelly a beautiful necklace:

Neil trying on Kelly’s earrings!

Neil and his brother and best man, Sean:

Neil’s grandmother:

Kelly’s dad signing the marriage certificate:

Kelly throwing the Ghand Cloth to the single ladies:

Kelly and her mom share a moment after the ceremony:

A traditional feast of kababs and more followed the ceremony and were cooked on a grill:

A few margaritas were included too!

I loved this dress on one of the guests:

It was a stunning night:

Stay tuned for Day 2 – The Christian Ceremony at Astors-Beechwood…