Vanessa and Pat were married on a beautiful summer day at one of my favorite venues, Linden Place in Bristol, Rhode Island

We started off the day down the street from the venue in a very New England home where the girls were getting ready.

Elegant white lace wedding dress with spaghetti straps hanging on an ornate wooden hanger against a red door.
White wedding dress hanging outside a blue colonial style house with red doors.
Bright indoor wedding preparation scene with natural light streaming through windows.
Bridal party in pastel colors getting ready in a sunlit room.
Close-up of a bridal bouquet wrapped in delicate lace and adorned with golden jeweled pins.
Crystal-embellished bridal shoes on pink surface with delicate flowers in background.
Wedding preparation scene with white robe and dress in elegant setting.
Military name tape reading 'GOLEMBEWSKI' sewn onto white fabric.
Bridesmaids in pink robes celebrating on outdoor steps.
Group toasting with green glass bottles while wearing pink and white robes.
Wedding party in matching pink robes posing on porch with white picket fence.

Then it was time to head over to where the guys were getting ready.

Groom adjusting burgundy tie while wearing navy vest and light blue shirt.
Mirror reflection of groom adjusting tie while getting ready.
A groom in a navy suit and red striped tie smiles while looking out a bright window.

Then the girls headed to the bridal suite at Linden Place to get dressed.

A grand white antebellum mansion with tall columns and ornate architectural details.

I loved Vanessa's bridesmaids' reactions to seeing her. She was a breathtaking bride!

A white wedding dress hangs in a bright room with antique furniture and hardwood floors.
Close-up of hands fastening delicate buttons on a white lace wedding dress.
A bride admires her reflection in an ornate gold-framed mirror.
A bride in a fitted white lace gown gets help with final adjustments in an elegant room.
A bride in a fitted white lace gown laughs joyfully in an elegant room with hardwood floors.
Someone in a burgundy dress holds a phone while covering their face emotionally.
Wedding party members share a candid laughing moment in a bright white room.

We made a quick pitstop to take some portraits on Vanessa in the coolest bathroom I've ever seen...and I've seen a lot of bathrooms in my day.

A reflection in mirrored walls shows a bright, elegant bathroom interior.
A person in a white wedding dress reclines elegantly on a chaise lounge beside an ornate mirror.
A reflection of a wedding dress is captured in multiple mirrors with orange curtains in the background.

Then it was time for the first look!

A person in a white wedding gown descends a curved wooden staircase.
A joyful moment captured on a spiral staircase as a wedding dress flows down the wooden steps.
An artistic overhead view of a spiral staircase with a white wedding dress trailing down the steps.
An elegant entrance framed by decorative glass panels and potted ferns welcomes a bride in white.
A first look wedding moment captured outside a white colonial style building.
A couple shares a playful moment during their first look outside a classic white building.
A wedding couple shares a lighthearted moment in front of a white colonial mansion.
A tender first look moment between a couple outside a historic white building.
A romantic wedding moment captured with a flowing white dress and navy suit against a white colonial building backdrop.
Elegant couple poses in front of a grand white mansion with black shutters and classic architectural details.
Close-up wedding photos showing tender embraces against a white colonial building.
Wedding couple stands on gravel driveway in front of stately white mansion with elegant columns.
Black and white wedding photos showing couple walking through scenic outdoor grounds.
Autumn wedding scene with golden leaves framing the couple beneath fall foliage.
Wedding couple walks along gravel path with white colonial building and autumn trees in background.
Panoramic wedding scene with fall foliage and white colonial architecture.
Sun-drenched wedding portraits captured in a lush garden setting.

Then we did the family and wedding party portraits. This is part of why I love doing first looks. The couple gets time to themselves and if we budget enough time, we can get the group portraits done so that everyone can enjoy cocktail hour after the ceremony!

Flower-crowned children walk down outdoor path during wedding celebration.
Wedding party poses outdoors in front of white mansion with fall foliage on sunny autumn day.
Wedding party stands in line on gravel path with white colonial building and autumn trees in background.
Wedding celebration group photo taken outside historic white colonial building with fall colors.
Wedding party members lined up on path with elegant white mansion and autumn trees behind them.
Wedding party members gather on gravel walkway near grand white colonial building.
Wedding group poses for formal photos outside stately white mansion on autumn afternoon.
A small wedding group poses on the grounds of an elegant white colonial mansion during autumn.
Formal wedding party portrait taken in front of historic white building with black shutters.
Bridal party in burgundy and blush dresses poses together on sunny autumn day.
Wedding party toasts with champagne flutes outside on sunny fall afternoon.
Bridesmaids in burgundy and pink dresses celebrate with champagne outdoors.
Three women in elegant dresses walk towards a grand white colonial mansion with black shutters on a sunny day.
A group of groomsmen in formal suits pose together on a path in front of a stately white mansion.
A bridal party holds beautiful floral bouquets while posing in front of a white colonial building.
A wedding party of groomsmen in dark suits pose outdoors in front of a classic white mansion.
Wedding party poses under autumn trees in front of a grand white colonial house on a sunny day.
Extended family and wedding party members gather for a formal portrait outside a grand white mansion.

Then it was ceremony time!

White chairs line a path leading to a small chapel surrounded by autumn trees for an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Wedding guests seated in white chairs chat before an outdoor ceremony on a sunny autumn day.
Guests share warm greetings at an outdoor wedding venue with white chairs on the lawn.
Wedding guests seated outdoors during golden hour at an autumn ceremony.
Wedding attendees walking along a path during a fall outdoor celebration.
Guests laughing and smiling during an outdoor autumn wedding ceremony.
White colonial style building with fall foliage and wedding guests walking on path.
Wedding party walking along gravel path with autumn trees in golden sunlight.
Wedding ceremony procession on gravel path with fall foliage and white building backdrop.
Wedding party walking down tree-lined path with golden autumn leaves overhead.
Children in formal attire walking down gravel path during wedding ceremony.
Wedding guests watching ceremony outdoors during autumn celebration.
White wedding dress flowing in front of elegant house with autumn foliage and white columns.
Elegant white house with autumn trees and pathway leading to front entrance.
Elegant bride in fitted white dress holds pink and white bouquet during autumn wedding.
Groomsmen standing in formal attire against golden autumn background.
Groomsmen in dark suits and burgundy ties stand together during outdoor autumn ceremony.
Outdoor wedding ceremony with attendees gathered on gravel path under autumn trees.
Wedding guest in light gray suit speaks during outdoor autumn ceremony.
Wedding guests seated in white chairs watch ceremony under autumn trees.
Wedding ceremony on garden path with bridal party and guests under golden autumn foliage.
Couple exchanges vows during sunset garden wedding ceremony with attendants in coral dresses.
Wedding guests watch ceremony intently while seated in outdoor venue.
Wedding party members smile and laugh together during golden hour outdoor photography session.
Wedding ceremony attendees gathered outdoors in formal attire during sunset.
Wedding party stands in line against golden autumn foliage backdrop.
Bridesmaids hold colorful bouquets while standing in line during outdoor wedding.
Groomsmen in suits and ties stand together during sunset wedding photos.
Wedding guests seated outdoors watch ceremony in formal attire.
Wedding ceremony participants stand in formal attire during golden hour.
Wedding ceremony participants gathered outdoors in evening light.
Wedding guests seated in white chairs during outdoor ceremony.
Outdoor wedding ceremony participants exchange vows in golden sunlight.
Wedding guests applaud during an outdoor ceremony with golden sunlight filtering through trees.
Wedding ceremony guests gather under warm autumn sunlight at an elegant outdoor venue.
Outdoor wedding processional with guests seated on white chairs under golden autumn trees.
Wedding ceremony setup with white chairs on a lawn surrounded by vibrant yellow fall foliage.
Wedding ceremony in progress with guests seated on white chairs under yellow fall foliage.
Couple walking on gravel path with autumn foliage and white colonial building in background.
Classic white colonial building serves as backdrop for outdoor wedding ceremony.
Wedding party walking along rustic wooden fence during autumn celebration.
Wedding celebration moment captured in front of historic white building.
Couple sharing champagne toast on gravel path during autumn wedding celebration.

We snuck in a few more portraits before cocktail dinner!

Romantic wedding couple poses outdoors in golden sunlight with pink and white floral bouquet.
Close-up of hands holding delicate wedding bouquet with engagement ring visible.
Intimate wedding portrait captured in warm sunlight with soft pink floral bouquet.
Elegant bridal bouquet featuring pink roses, white flowers and eucalyptus leaves.
Wedding bouquet of blush roses and greenery held against white dress in golden light.
Groom in navy suit and burgundy tie adjusts his jacket in warm evening light.
White bridal slingback shoes with crystal details on vintage patterned rug.
Wedding rings photographed in dramatic sunlight creating golden shadows.
Wedding details flatlay with gold shoes, rings and pink floral arrangement.

First dance time!

Wedding party makes a grand entrance into an elegant reception hall with decorative wooden doors.
A romantic moment shared between newlyweds in front of ornate wooden doors.
Wedding reception venue decorated with string lights and white chairs for evening celebration.
A couple shares their first dance at a wedding reception in a rustic venue with string lights and guests watching.

After the first dance Vanessa and Pat's friends and family gave some really heartfelt and humorous speeches.

A wedding guest delivers a speech while holding a microphone and phone at an indoor reception.
Newlyweds sit at their reception table decorated with greenery and wine glasses.
Wedding guests react enthusiastically during speeches at the reception dinner.
A wedding guest delivers a heartfelt toast at the reception dinner table.
Wedding guests share emotional toasts and reactions during the reception speeches.
An elderly guest in a green suit gives a wedding toast at the reception.
A joyful celebration moment during wedding reception toasts near a decorated fireplace.
Guests seated at tables during a social gathering in a room with brick walls.
People seated at dining tables in a brick-walled venue during an event.

We took a break for dinner and then the dance floor opened up! With DJ Valentina mixing there wasn't a dull moment for the rest of the night!

People dancing under string lights at an indoor celebration.
Guests dancing and celebrating on a dimly lit dance floor with string lights overhead.
Crowded dance floor with party guests enjoying themselves under warm lighting.
Wedding reception guests dancing together in a rustic venue with string lights.
Lively dance party with guests in formal attire under decorative lighting.
Celebration on dance floor with guests in colorful formal wear under string lights.
Party guests dancing and mingling at an indoor event with ambient lighting.
People dancing at a social gathering in a rustic venue with string light decorations.
Wedding guests mingle and socialize at an elegant indoor reception with warm lighting and festive atmosphere.
Guests gather under illuminated archways at an evening wedding venue with white columns and lanterns.
Pink roses bloom against a dark background in an evening garden setting.
Exterior view of an elegant white mansion illuminated at night with architectural details.

Vanessa and Pat made a conscious effort to use women-run businesses for their wedding, which is so freaking cool! I absolutely loved working with them and every vendor they chose. It was such an awesome way to empower women. Purchase power is so real!

Yvonne from Unique Melody Events & Design planned and coordinated the whole day and made sure everything ran smoothly from start to finish. I couldn't recommend her enough if you're looking for a wedding planner!

Joyful wedding guests dance and celebrate on a dance floor under string lights.

ALL FEMALE VENDORS

Venue: Linden Place

Planning: Unique Melody Events & Design

Music: DJ Valentina

Hair & Makeup: New Leaf Hair Studio

Catering: Blackstone Caterers

Cake: Aimme's Bakin

Donuts: PV Donuts

Florals: Tracy Bauer (Vanessa's Aunt)

Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier

Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN

Groom's Suit: Ted Baker