Dawn & James

Ocean House in beautiful Watch Hill, Rhode Island was the perfect backdrop for this sweet couple's November nuptials. An unusually warm and sunny day set the tone for getting ready photos in the ocean front suites of the hotel. Dawn did her own hair and makeup - while next door her father and brother helped James don his suit and tie. The couple's dogs ran playfully though the room, adding more smiles and cheer to an already exciting day. Dawn and James didn't want to do a first look, but requested a "faux first look" to exchange letters before the ceremony. Dawn was escorted down the aisle by her father to a waiting James. The couple said their vows - surrounded only by the closest friends and family - to the sounds of beach waves and seagulls. Following the ceremony, the couple took family photos with Ocean House in the background before walking the boardwalk to the beach for their newlywed portraits. The unusually warm November day allowed for many beach photos, just as Dawn had dreamed of since coming to Ocean House as a little girl with her mother.We also took advantage of photographing against the beautiful hotel and used its seasonal decorations to create some colorful portraits. The couple were welcomed into their ballroom with cheers and hoots from the many more guests that joined for the reception. Dawn and James shared a first dance, and parent dances before hearing heartfelt words in the many toasts from their families. Splash! - a Boston band - provided amazing music and got guests up and dancing all night long. The newlyweds slipped out for some cool ocean breezes and night photos before sharing a final dance with their wedding guests. The next morning, I joined them for brunch at their hotel and captured more family photos as well as some fireside photos in the courtyard (It was seasonable cold that morning!). I truly enjoyed every moment of this awesome wedding and had the pleasure of designing wall art for Dawn and James' home following the event. Check it out at the bottom of the post. The couple took their honeymoon in Disney - where James proposed to Dawn. As she says "It really is where all your dreams come true" and what a fairytale this wedding was!