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Patrick & Courtney pose for a formal photo during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Patrick & Courtney

It's common for couples who reach out to book me for their wedding to say that they want "every moment" of the day captured but it's another thing to really, truly mean that.

So when Patrick and Courtney told me they would be booking me for their complete wedding day back in September-- from the start of bridal prep until the after party -- I couldn't help but be a little bit skeptical if they really needed a full day's worth of coverage. Turns out I shouldn't have doubted them.

In what might be the most complete wedding day I've ever witnessed, Patrick and Courtney went all out during their Labor Day-weekend bash and from the moment I arrived until the moment I left, there wasn't a time where something cool wasn't happening.

And, boy, am I glad I was there to witness it all because this was a day worth documenting. 

A look at Courtney's hotel during her bridal prep session prior to her September 2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
A look at Courtney's wedding dress, on display prior to her September 2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.

My coverage of Patrick and Courtney's wedding day began bright and early with a 9 a.m. call time for the start of bridal prep. Now, normally, whenever I get up that early for bridal prep, I know it's going to be a long day full of long periods of time where nothing happens but, thankfully, Courtney and her girls had plenty going on and lots of fun stuff to photograph.

I especially loved that the bride had the wedding rings with her as it gave me a chance to do detail shots in her beautiful hotel at the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott in Warwick. What I loved the most, though, was how excited Courtney looked as she got closer and closer to putting her dress on and heading to the ceremony.

My favorite moment of bridal prep, by far, was the wry smile she had on her face as she read a letter from her groom-to-be. This prep session started the day off absolutely perfectly.

Courtney has her hair done prior to her September 2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney has her makeup applied prior to her September 2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney and her bridesmaids smile for a photo prior to her September 2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney reads a letter from Patrick prior to her September 2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney has her wedding dress zipped up prior to her September 2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney takes a moment to breath prior to her September 2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney and her bridesmaids pose for a photo prior to her September 2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.

Following a really fun bridal prep session, Courtney and her girls hopped on their trolley and made their way to St. Paul Church in Cranston. 

This church has always held a special place in my heart as not only is it close to my house but it's home to one of the first weddings I ever shot a few years ago. And it didn't disappoint on this beautiful day either.

Patrick and Courtney's ceremony was your standard traditional Catholic mass but what wasn't standard was the smiles on both of their faces. I loved seeing how happy these two were as Courtney walked down the aisle and the way Patrick tried to keep his emotions in check as they exchanged rings and said their vows to one another.

Patrick watches Courtney walk down the aisle during his September 2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney walks down the aisle with her father during her September 2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney and Patrick listen to their priest speak during their September2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney reads her vows during her September 2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Patrick reads his vows during his September 2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney and Patrick exchange rings during their September2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney and Patrick smile for a photo during their September2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney and Patrick light a candle during their September2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney and Patrick have their first kiss during their September2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.

One of my favorite parts of the way Patrick and Courtney planned their wedding day was just how much time we had between their ceremony and reception. 
I'm lucky if I get a half-hour with some couples and for this bride and groom we not only had roughly that much time at the church as they worked their way through a receiving line but we had enough time to go for formal photos at a very-busy Roger Williams Park AND shoot some at the site of their reception itself: Valley Country Club.

Patrick & Courtney pose for a formal photo following their September 2018 wedding ceremony at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney and Patrick pose for a photo with family members at Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island following their September 2018 wedding at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney and Patrick pose for a photo with their wedding party at Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island following their September 2018 wedding at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney and Patrick pose for a photo at Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island following their September 2018 wedding at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney and Patrick pose for a photo at Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island following their September 2018 wedding at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney and Patrick pose for a photo at Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island following their September 2018 wedding at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney and Patrick pose for a photo at Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island following their September 2018 wedding at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
A trolley waits for Courtney and Patrick at Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island following their September 2018 wedding at St. Paul Church in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Patrick & Courtney pose for a formal photo during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.

I knew from the moment Patrick, Courtney and I arrived at Valley Country Club that this was going to be a beautiful reception as the venue was gorgeous outside. 

It wasn't until I stepped inside and saw the amazing way this bride and groom decorated their room (and the incredible uplighting to match) that I knew this was something special.

I loved the little touches Patrick and Courtney put into their day. It really made this room pop. 

A look at the sweetheart table during Patrick & Courtney’’s September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
A look at the table settings during Patrick & Courtney’’s September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
A look at the dessert table during Patrick & Courtney’’s September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Speaking of things that really stood out, I think my favorite moment from Patrick and Courtney's reception has to be their first dance. Set to "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds, this bride and groom really took command of the room and this simple song stood out for its simplicity and traditional beauty as they held each other and smiled. 

Patrick & Courtney dance during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Patrick & Courtney dance during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Patrick & Courtney dance during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Patrick & Courtney dance during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Following their first dance, Patrick and Courtney had three great speeches by the bride's father, maid of honor and best man and, after a delicious dinner, went right into some really sweet parent dances as Courtney danced with her father and Patrick with his mother. 

The bride's father gives a toast during Patrick & Courtney’s September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
The maid of honor gives a toast during Patrick & Courtney’s September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
The best man gives a toast during Patrick & Courtney’s September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Patrick & Courtney cut their wedding cake during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Patrick & Courtney cut their wedding cake during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Patrick & Courtney cut their wedding cake during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Courtney and her father dance during her September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Courtney and her father dance during her September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Patrick and his mother dance during his September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Patrick and his mother dance during his September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.

After the formalities were over, though, the real party began and it didn't take long for me to find out this would be a night full of dancing, laughing and plenty of hilarious candid moments.

Patrick & Courtney dance with guests during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Guests dance during Patrick & Courtney’s September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Guests dance during Patrick & Courtney’s September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
The band plays during Patrick & Courtney’s September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Guests dance during Patrick & Courtney’s September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Guests dance during Patrick & Courtney’s September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.

All told, Patrick and Courtney had two full hours of open dance floor and, with a great live band keeping the rhythm moving and never letting things get stale, they certainly got their money's worth from this reception.

Patrick & Courtney dance with guests during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Patrick & Courtney dance with guests during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Patrick & Courtney dance with guests during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Patrick & Courtney dance with guests during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Still, with the way this night was going, I can't blame this bride and groom for not wanting the party to stop. 

And it didn't. Not even after the last song as we all made our way to Pub on Park in Cranston for their official after party. Now, normally I hate shooting after parties. Most of the time, nothing happens at these events and everyone is just flat out exhausted and wanting to go to bed.

But not for this wedding. 

No, Patrick and Courtney's guests weren't done with dancing, they just took a slight pause in the action, and by the time my time with this couple came to an end, I wasn't sure if they'd ever stop celebrating.

A look at Pub on Park, where Patrick and Courtney held the afterparty of their September 2018 wedding.
Guests hug during Patrick and Courtney’s September 2018 wedding afterparty at Pub on Park in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Guests dance during Patrick and Courtney’s September 2018 wedding afterparty at Pub on Park in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney smiles during her September 2018 wedding afterparty at Pub on Park in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Patrick smiles during his September 2018 wedding afterparty at Pub on Park in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Courtney sings during her September 2018 wedding afterparty at Pub on Park in Cranston, Rhode Island.

Patrick and Courtney had one of the most intense wedding days I've ever seen but it was full of amazing moments and awesome memories I know they'll cherish forever. In the end, I was glad I was on hand for all of it as I really can't think of anything I would have been OK with missing. 

I think that's what I loved the most about this wedding day. It truly was a celebration of love from the start of the day until the end of the night and you can just tell how much fun this couple had living the moments for themselves.

So congratulations Patrick and Courtney on a fantastic wedding day. I can tell this will be the first of many memorable days for you as husband and wife. :)

-PJS

Patrick & Courtney pose for a formal photo during their September 2018 wedding reception at Valley Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island.

The Vendor List

Photographer: Paul J. Spetrini, Paul J. Spetrini Photography; Bride's Hair: Bianca Alessandro of The Best Little Hair HouseBride's Make-up: Samantha FrancoBride's Dress: Ana's Bridal Boutique, East Providence RIMen’s suit: Carl Anthony TuxedoTransportation: Rockstar LimoFlorist: Cherryhill Flowers, Johnston RICeremony Location: St. Paul Church, Cranston, RIReception Location: Valley Country ClubOfficiant: Father Adam YoungBand: Boston Premier BandCake: Wright’s Dairy FarmPhoto Booth: Mercury Photo LoungeViolinist (cocktail hour) - Wendy Rios.

Check out more of my most recent wedding blogs:

A teaser image for Mike & Selah's wedding blog.

Mike & Selah

The Rotunda Ballroom at Easton's Beach., Newport, Rhode Island

Date: August 31st, 2018

A teaser image for Courtnie & Richie's wedding blog.

Courtnie & Richie

Glad Tidings Church (Ceremony) & 
Emerald Hall (Reception)

Date: August 24th, 2018

A teaser image for Patti & Bob's wedding blog.

Patti & Bob

The Olde Colonial Cafe,

Norwood, Massachusetts.

Date: August 18th, 2018

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Gina and her bridesmaid share a toast prior to her December 2016 wedding ceremony at the Waterman Grille in Providence, Rhode Island.

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