Rachel & Ryan’s Stunning Intimate Wedding at RI State Park

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / RHODE ISLAND & BEYOND

Rachel and Ryan’s small outdoor wedding at Lincoln Woods State Park in Rhode Island was the epitome of the perfect micro wedding. Not only did they have a stunningly beautiful and perfect day, but they chose the perfect time and place to celebrate their love as well. The leaves were still super green with hints of fall sneaking in, the weather was warm, and they shared a special and lovely sunset together. They did celebrate a DAY TWO portion of their wedding by hiking the highest peak in Vermont. But the Rhode Island section of their wedding was so lovely it deserved its own post.

Here’s the thing- so many couples ask me if it is possible to have the friends and family attend their wedding, but still have that special elopement experience that makes it feel like it’s all for them. And the answer is something along the lines of how Rachel & Ryan celebrated. They shared one special day with their friends and family and had a second day all to themselves for the purpose of sharing the adventure and creating new memories together. Their Rhode Island day was so freaking beautiful that I’m sure they would have been satisfied with that celebration, but the Vermont portion (where they planned their honeymoon) was their version of having their cake and eating it too. You can have everything you want for your day(s), sometimes it just takes a little creativity and vision.

Rachel got ready with her sisters and mom and then headed over to Lincoln Woods State Park to share a special and private first look with Ryan. We walked over to the ceremony site that they had picked out and set up earlier in the day. In fact, that’s what Ryan was doing while Rachel was getting ready. Friends and family arrived and the couple shared special vows, celebratory jigs, and lots of hugs. After the formal part of the ceremony was done we took portraits and then friends and family headed to the reception site while we caught the sunset at some of the most picturesque spots in the park. It was special to take some quiet moments after all the excitement of the day to sit and reflect with one another and just to enjoy the beauty of the place that surrounded them. We made one last stop at the iconic Lincoln Woods covered bridge before heading to the reception ourselves.

At the celebration, the couple enjoyed many toasts, a first dance, cake, and a lot more fun and celebration with family and friends in attendance. The perfect end to a perfect day of committing their lives to one another.