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BlogWeddingsRhode Island — 2019

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom Formal Photos

Cara & Josh

     I love free spirited couples. To me, there's nothing cooler to see on a wedding day than a bride and groom who decide to get married ... in their own way that is true to their vision and their story alone.

     I knew the moment I walked into The Audubon Society of Rhode Island Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol on a hot August afternoon that Cara and Josh were set to do just that.

     Cara and Josh are one of the more unique couples I've ever worked with and all you had to do was look at the venue they picked and the attire they wore – with the bride choosing a lilac colored, flowing dress and the groom a white tux jacket to compliment a salmon colored dress shirt – to see it come to life.

     But the attire was just one in a number of heartwarming ways in which Cara and Josh made sure their day stayed THEIR day and I loved every second I got to document it. 

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography
The First Look

     My coverage of Cara and Josh's wedding day started as laid back as the rest of the afternoon would go as I arrived to the Audubon Society, a large, sprawling piece of land that truly showcased the beauty of Rhode Island's nature and floral scene, moments after the groom. 

     After photographing Josh getting his boutonniere pinned by his mom, we made our way into one of the coolest spots I've ever gotten to do a first look in as the Audubon Society had a circular mini-maze path that led to a tucked-away collection of pretty sunflowers. 

     I knew the moment Cara arrived and adorably made her way through the maze that this was going to be an amazing couple and I was right as their first look was beautiful and one of my favorites of the year for sure.

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom First Look Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom First Look Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom First Look Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom First Look Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom First Look Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom First Look Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom First Look Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom First Look Photos
The Wedding Ceremony

     Following their first look, Cara, Josh and I quickly knocked out their family and wedding party formals as we waited for their guests to arrive and their ceremony to start.

     Speaking of their ceremony, I loved the quiet, scenic location Cara and Josh chose to say "I do" as it was a small, intimate spot where all their friends and family could look on and really seemed perfect given how personal the two made the moments with beautiful vows and a heartwarming celebration of their love together.

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos

     After sealing their union with a kiss, the pair spent time basking in the moment with those closest to them and officially signed their wedding license under a beautiful apple tree that would make for a great location to begin our bride and groom formal photos.

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Ceremony Photos
Bride & Groom Portraits

     Speaking of their formal photos, it took me a few minutes to really see what kind of poses made Cara and Josh most comfortable but once I set them free to just be themselves, I swear they seemingly became professional models as the pair looked amazing together and you could feel their love beaming through every shot we took.

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom Formal Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom Formal Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom Formal Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom Formal Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom Formal Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom Formal Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom Formal Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom Formal Photos

     After setting the couple free to hang out with their friends and family members during cocktail hour, I took some time to capture photos of their rustic and colorful decorations, which really popped inside the nature-themed venue.

The Details
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Detail Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Detail Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Detail Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Detail Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Detail Photos
The Wedding Reception

     What made Cara and Josh's wedding so unique was just how low stress everything was. 

     Once we made it into their reception venue, Josh's best man and Cara's maid of honor took time to toast to the newlyweds and highlight just how great they are as friends and people in general.

     You could feel the respect and love the room full of people had for the new Mr and Mrs. and those toasts led perfectly into a casual night of dancing and partying following dinner.

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos

     Because of how relaxed and stress-free Cara and Josh's wedding day had been up to dinner, I genuinely had no idea what to expect from their first dance. Sure, I knew they were going to have one but they didn't strike me as a couple that would plan a big to-do on the dance floor. 

     To this day, I don't know if they did or didn't. I just know their first dance was amazing and, if it wasn't rehearsed, they are clearly a couple that has some moves because these two were incredible once they got under the lights of the Audubon's covered dance floor.

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos

     What I really appreciated from Cara and Josh were the ways in which they took traditional wedding moments and made them their own, like the double parent dance the pair did following their first dance as husband and wife. 

     I loved this moment for so many reasons, not the least of which was seeing how Cara and her dad interacted and the ways in which Josh and his mom showed how important the moment was to them as well.

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos

     After their parent dances, I knew my time with Cara and Josh was quickly coming to a close but I needed at least a little bit of time on the dance floor to watch how these two partied with their friends and I'm glad I got it.

     Cara and Josh chose all the music of their reception themselves and their friends loved it, making the most of the time they had together and sharing plenty of laughs on the dance floor itself.

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Photos

     As I got ready to call it a night with this great pair of newlyweds, Cara and Josh made sure to ask me if I could grab a quick photo of them inside the whale exhibit in the Audubon Society building and how could I say no? 

     These two had an amazing wedding day and you could see how much it meant to them by the seemingly never-ending smiles on their faces, from the first to final photos of the afternoon.

     And that's exactly what a wedding day is supposed to be.

     So congratulations Cara and Josh on a beautiful wedding ceremony. May your marriage always be full of the same spirit that made this day so special and thank you for including me, in a small way, in documenting it for you to cherish forever.

-Paul J. Spetrini

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom Formal Photos

Check out more of my most recent wedding blogs:

Quidnessett Country Club Wedding Photography from Amanda & Thomas’ 2019 wedding.

St. George Maronite Church &

Quidnessett Country Club

July 27th, 2019

Cranston Country Club Wedding Photography from Kaitlyn & Evan’s 2019 wedding.

St. Mary's Parish-Bristol &

Cranston Country Club

July 13th, 2019

Graduate Providence Wedding Photography from Andrew & Hina’s 2019 wedding.

Graduate Providence,

Providence, Rhode Island

June 9th, 2019

The Vendor List:

     Photographer: Paul J. Spetrini, Paul J. Spetrini Photography; Bride's Hair: Ky Michael's Salon, Providence, Rhode Island; Groom's Suit: Copa Menswear, Providence, Rhode Island; Groom's Accessories: Franklin Rogers, Providence, Rhode Island; Florist: South County Flowers; Ceremony & Reception Location: The Audubon Society of Rhode Island Nature Center and Aquarium; Desserts: Various sources, including Gregg's, Scialo Brother's Bakery, and Wrights Farm; Wedding Planner: Stephanie Walsh; Catering: The Catering Gourmet; Rentals: Quality Rental.

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