Kristen and Nathan’s Newport Harbor Island Resort wedding was an absolute dream. I’m still thinking about it all these months later! I absolutely love Newport, so when Kristen + Nathan reached out to me to photograph their wedding in Rhode Island’s cutest city, I was so in.
Their day was filled with tons of love and thoughtful details, and it all took place in the most idyllic location. I’m thrilled to share all the details today! If you’re looking for coastal New England wedding inspiration, you’ll love everything about K + N’s day.
Newport Harbor Island Resort Wedding Day Details
It was so clear that Kristen and Nathan put a lot of thought into all the details for their wedding day. Given the location, they went with an elegant coastal theme for everything from their decor to their looks. There was so much attention to detail both to the look and feel of the day, but also to the experience of the guests (and K+N)!
The Decor & Details
I love seeing all of the personal details that my couples bring together for their day. And Kristen and Nathan totally nailed it! Starting with getting ready – Nathan had beautifully etched whiskey glasses for a toast with his groomsmen, and Kristen had some lovely elements for me to photograph for their flat-lay photos. Including pretty painted oyster shells for ring dishes!
They also used the lighthouse theme tastefully throughout the day (it’s a focal point of the venue – more on that shortly! Their guestbook was artwork featuring the property’s lighthouse, and their table numbers were all beautiful illustrations of the different lighthouses across New England.
And some other fun twists were their display of family photos. They had TONS of photos displaying all of their loved ones, which was so fun for everyone to see! And their cake was a super cute take on the vintage wedding cake trend. They opted for all white frosting, including the lettering which was so retro-elegant. But when cut into it was revealed to be a funfetti cake!
Their Looks
Kristen and Nathan both looked amazing, and I loved their looks for the wedding party as well! Kristen wore a timeless off-the-shoulder gown. And she carried an incredible large bouquet made of white flowers and greenery, but with subtle pops of blue as a nod to the coastal setting. She also chose such elegant shoes which I loved.
Then, later in the reception Kristen changed into a totally unique reception dress! It was a mini sheath dress with a beaded pearl overlay. She paired it with some all white chucks that said just married on the soles. So fun!
The Guest Experience
There were so many elements of this wedding that made for such a lovely experience for both the guests and Kristen + Nathan. They had some great live music early in the evening, and a live painter! They also opted to include a content creator on their vendor team so their friends and family didn’t feel pressured to take behind-the-scenes videos and photos. Everyone was able to be present and enjoy themselves, which is the best!
There was a cornhole game going on the lawn outside during the afternoon, and a super fun dance floor as the night went on. They served Ben & Jerry’s ice cream along with their cake, and even treated everyone to late night snacks! Who doesn’t love some chicken tenders, sliders, and tater tots at the end of the night!?
The cutest part though has to be the shirts with Nathan’s face on them that the bridesmaids were surprised with 😆
A Beautiful Coastal New England Wedding Venue
If you’re looking for a coastal wedding venue in New England, definitely check out the Newport Harbor Island Resort! It’s close to downtown Newport which is a great attraction for your guests, and it’s RIGHT on the water!
K + N’s guests had views of the water the entire night, but the most gorgeous views were during the ceremony. They were married on the lawn right at the base of the lighthouse, which made for an incredible backdrop for photos. And cocktail hour was outside on the lawn and deck, so everyone could enjoy the ocean breeze as the sun set. Then finally the reception was held in the resort’s ballroom, which has huge windows and tons of natural light. It’s a great venue if you’re looking for something coastal!
[You might also like this post, where I shared all of my favorite coastal wedding venues in New England]
All in all it was a gorgeous Newport day. I couldn’t be happier for Kristen and Nathan, congratulations you two!
Newport Wedding Photographer
While I’m based in Boston, I love Newport, and get so excited when I have the chance to travel there for a wedding or session. There are so many stunning wedding venues in Rhode Island, and you can’t beat those ocean views!
If you’re searching for your photographer for your Newport wedding (or anywhere in New England!), I’d love to meet you. My approach is to focus on telling the story of your day, while letting you stay present in the moment with eachother and your guests. If this sounds like your vibe, reach out to me through my contact form, and we’ll get started!
Thank you to these amazing vendors!
Venue: Newport Harbor Island Resort
Photographer: Kelly Stevens Photography
Wedding Planner: Eventlightenment Planning
Florals: Homegrown Blooms
Beauty: Caitlin Mae Beauty
Ceremony Music: Kelsey Foeller, Violin
Cinema: EZ Productions
DJ: Matt Toto
Live Painter: Mark DeSilva Art Studio
Content Creator: Ocean State Bride
Rentals & Decor: Something Borrowed
