Blog— Weddings — Rhode Island — 2021 —
Hope Artiste Village Wedding Photos
Lauren & Ian*
Hope Artiste Village, Pawtucket, Rhode Island (Ceremony & Reception)
September 11th, 2021
Moments after Lauren and Ian received the five and final toast of their wedding reception, their DJ grabbed the mic and announced that the special game they'd created for their wedding guests -- where each table had a BINGO-like piece of paper handed to them to keep track of the things they saw at the wedding -- had finally found a winner.
What was the grand prize? Whichever table, which were all named after travel destinations, called bingo first was the place Lauren and Ian would honeymoon.
It was a beautiful way to decide something incredibly exciting for the bride and groom and it summed up this amazing wedding day so well. Because, in the end, Lauren and Ian didn't care WHERE they went, as long as they went together.
And together was what this day was about.
Lauren and Ian were married back in September at the Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and it was a day full of little moments where the two crafted the exact wedding of their dreams and I couldn't love it any more.
* These photos were taken as part of my work as a second photographer for George Street Photography
and are presented here strictly for portfolio/display purposes.
My time with Lauren and Ian began with a super casual groom prep portion of the day inside the gorgeous bridal suite turned groom suite area of the Hope Artiste Village.
I've shot a couple of weddings at this venue and it truly is a unique location. Not only are all the offices themselves meticulously painted and ideal for photography but there are a slew of spots on the property which make for offbeat locations for photos.
The first one we chose was probably the absolute most one-of-a-kind as Lauren and Ian chose to do a reverse first look on the third floor bowling alley. I could make a joke about a perfect day for a perfect game but I think I'll go ahead and hold onto that one. Suffice to say, I can't think of a better and more 'them' way for Lauren and Ian to turn this little wedding tradition on its head than for the groom to go to his bride instead of the other way around.
And, yes, it was awesome.
Lauren and Ian were an incredibly laid back couple and I think that served them well given their chose of a wedding venue. The Hope Artiste Village is the kind of industrial building that you don't think of as a place to say "I do" but once you see some of the amazing backdrops and spots on hand, it makes perfect sense.
Lauren and Ian began their bride and groom portraits in the bowling alley but it wasn't long before we were outside taking advantage of the lovely outdoor brick spaces that really give this venue a city-worn look.
I thought this backdrop was perfect, especially when adding in the contrast of Lauren's stunning dress.
Lauren and Ian's wedding portraits were unlike any I've taken this year and I mean that in the best way possible. It's only fitting, then, that their ceremony was the same.
I've photographed a few wedding ceremonies where Lauren and Ian tied the knot and while you may not think of the middle of a shopping-type hallway as a place to get married, the Hope Artiste Village's ceremony location is super cool and lit in a way that makes it the perfect spot to capture a bride and groom's big moment.
This may have been my favorite part of Lauren and Ian's big day as you could just see how excited they were to finally become husband and wife the minute they lined up next to each other to make it official.
No good wedding at the Hope Artiste Village is complete without awesome decor for the main reception room. What sets this space apart so much is the brick that surrounds the ballroom area and Lauren and Ian took full advantage of that with their maroon and white theme.
I especially loved the little touch of city names for tables and thought their idea of using that to determine their honeymoon location was one of the cooler little wedding moments I've seen in some time.
I have to admit, I was looking more forward to Ian and Lauren's first dance than most. When I entered their reception room to grab detail photos, I was treated to their live band's warm up of the song they chose — an acoustic, slowed down version of I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by the Proclaimers, similar to this cover of the song by the group Sleeping At Last.
I'll be honest. It's not a song I ever thought of for a first dance but, man, it was SO GOOD. And it really kicked their reception off on such a great note. Literally.
I was especially thankful for the little taste of dancing I got to see from Lauren and Ian's family and friends as the band called everyone to the dance floor following the first song. As the second shooter for their wedding, and set to leave right before dinner was served, it was awesome to grab some fun dance shots before I left.
Before I left, though, I was lucky enough to see the speeches given in honor of Lauren and Ian by Lauren's father, Lauren's maid of honor (who is also Ian's sister) as well as Ian's core group of three groomsmen who all shared best man duties.
Add in the grand reveal that they would be traveling to Montreal and Paris for their honeymoon — yes, there was a tie in the BINGO game, because of course there was — and I can think of no better way for my time to have ended with this bride and groom.
As my time with Lauren and Ian came to an end, I was a little envious of the lead photographer who would get to document the rest of the night for them. Still, I can't complain. In the six hours I had with them, I got to watch a super sweet couple share a night they'd never forget.
And, if nothing else, we captured some really amazing shots that I think perfectly summed up the quirky and odd place they chose to say "I do." Somehow, that feels fitting.
So congratulations Lauren and Ian on a fantastic wedding day and best of luck traveling the globe as you get set to walk 500 miles, or more, together as husband and wife.
-Paul J. Spetrini
Check out more of my most recent wedding blogs:
Frank & Kelly
Jones River Trading Post,
Kingston, Massachusetts
September 4th, 2021
