Patrick & Courtney
St. Paul Church, Cranston, RI (Ceremony) & Valley Country Club, Warwick, RI (Reception)
September 1st, 2018
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Tags: Church Weddings, St. Paul Church, Roger Williams Park, Valley Country Club, Pub on Park,
Rhode Island Weddings, Cranston, Warwick, Paul J. Spetrini Photography
The Vendor List
Photographer: Paul J. Spetrini, Paul J. Spetrini Photography; Bride's Hair: Bianca Alessandro of The Best Little Hair House; Bride's Make-up: Samantha Franco; Bride's Dress: Ana's Bridal Boutique, East Providence RI; Men’s suit: Carl Anthony Tuxedo; Transportation: Rockstar Limo; Florist: Cherryhill Flowers, Johnston RI; Ceremony Location: St. Paul Church, Cranston, RI; Reception Location: Valley Country Club; Officiant: Father Adam Young; Band: Boston Premier Band; Cake: Wright’s Dairy Farm; Photo Booth: Mercury Photo Lounge; Violinist (cocktail hour) - Wendy Rios.
Check out more of my most recent wedding blogs:
Mike & Selah
The Rotunda Ballroom at Easton's Beach., Newport, Rhode Island
Date: August 31st, 2018
Courtnie & Richie
Glad Tidings Church (Ceremony) &
Emerald Hall (Reception)
Date: August 24th, 2018
Patti & Bob
The Olde Colonial Cafe,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
Date: August 18th, 2018
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