Jenna & Ryan
Five Bridge Inn, Rehoboth, Massachusetts (Ceremony & Reception)
August 8th, 2024
In my 14 years as a wedding photographer, I've found one of the most important ways you can ensure a bride and groom have the wedding of their dreams is simply to listen to what they want. Now, that might seem obvious but sometimes things are obvious for a reason.
Take Jenna and Ryan, for instance. I knew from my very first consultation with this couple, who were married back in August at Five Bridge Inn in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, that their biggest goal for their wedding day was making sure it “didn't feel like they were taking photos all day.”
As such, even though it went against every fiber of my being as a photographer, I made sure there were multiple chances throughout the day when this bride and groom could just exist in their wedding day without feeling the pressure of a camera breathing down their neck.
As it turns out, we didn't need to spend every moment taking photos to make the most of their special day. They did that on their own by savoring every second and that, in it itself, make this day perfect.
My time with Jenna and Ryan began with my personal dream scenario: Three hours of a super relaxed and easygoing bridal prep session. Now, this might seem like a lot for most people but, honestly, I'd rather have too much time for bridal prep than not enough as this portion of a wedding day really helps me – and the couple I'm working with – ease into their day.
Five Bridge Inn especially makes this easy with their unique prep setup as both Jenna and Ryan were just a room away from each other and there were plenty of entertainment options like a television, Foosball table and poker card to keep both the adults and children busy while Jenna and her girls finished their hair and makeup.
The unique setup at Five Bridge Inn also led to one of my favorite little moments of the 2024 wedding season as Jenna, moments after finishing her hair and makeup, took some time to make sure Ryan's hair was how he likes it.
I always love when a bride and groom are so clearly themselves on a wedding day and seeing this bride not at all stressed about the “tradition” of a couple not seeing each other before their first look/ceremony and, instead, only wanting to help her partner told me everything I ever needed to know about how much these two care for each other as we prepared for the final touches before getting this show on the road.
The first planned event for Jenna & Ryan's wedding day was their first look but, seeing as they had just seen each other not even 45 minutes earlier, I wasn't really expecting much if any reaction from these two the moment Ryan turned around and saw his bride in her wedding dress for the first time.
I'm glad to say I was wrong, however, as both Jenna and Ryan had massive smiles on their face as their wedding day really kicked into high gear and you could tell just how excited they were that this was really happening.
Jenna and Ryan wanted to get as many of their formal photos out of the way before their ceremony as possible but, sadly, Mother Nature had other plans as it started to rain just enough where the soon-to-be newlyweds changed their minds and asked to put a pin in the day's programming so Jenna's hair and dress didn't get soaked.
Still, I was glad we had a few under our belt before the skies opened and I knew given how chill this couple was that we'd make up for it after their ceremony.
Speaking of their ceremony, I was never too worried about Jenna and Ryan's wedding day — even when the forecast looked like it might rain — because I knew they were getting married under the protection of Five Bridge Inn's covered pavilion and this spot proved the perfect place for this couple to say “I do.”
I especially loved the noticeable joy on both Jenna and Ryan's faces as their ceremony started and the bride walked down the aisle. It set the stage perfectly for a beautiful and intimate ceremony.
Jenna and Ryan's ceremony may have only lasted four minutes — literally — but I don't think the bride or groom minded.
What it lacked in time, it more than made up for in sweet moments and by the time these two walked down the aisle as husband and wife, it was obvious they were ready to party.
But first, of course, we had that little matter of photos to finish.
Thankfully, despite massively large wedding parties, Jenna and Ryan's family and wedding party photos were a breeze following their ceremony. I've had a lot of weddings this year but few couples have had crews with them that followed direction better than these two and while I like to think that was because of my great instructions, it's more likely because they wanted to get to the delicious cocktail hour appetizers but, hey, a win is a win.
My one worry following Jenna and Ryan's wedding ceremony was whether or not the weather would hold up long enough for me to get what I considered a full bride and groom session with the newlyweds.
To their credit, even though the mist did start up again, Jenna and Ryan were a breeze to work with and we managed to get some lovely shots of the two of them that felt super natural and completely “them” before wrapping up the period with a couple of shots of them walking with one another and the traditional “veil over the head” photo that most couples hate … until they see how really pretty it is.
Following their formal portraits, Jenna and Ryan headed over to cocktail hour to enjoy as much time as possible with guests and in between casually photographing some of those interactions — but not too many as I wanted the bride and groom to be able to relax without a camera in their face their entire wedding day — I made sure to grab shots of some of the décor sprinkled in and around Five Bride Inn as Jenna and Ryan's black and white theme really popped in their venue's still brand new barn.
After what seemed like a much longer cocktail hour period than I'm used to — but, really, only felt so long because I couldn't wait to get to their reception events — Jenna and Ryan were finally introduced as husband and wife and the back half of their wedding officially kicked off.
The pair started the celebration portion of the evening with a first dance set to the slow version of “Us Against The World” by Christina Milian and, as I've said a few times on this blog so far, Five Bridge Inn's new barn is just the perfect place for a beautiful first dance like Jenna and Ryan had.
No matter where I stood in this room, every time I looked at this bride and groom, they looked totally locked into the moment and they were clearly savoring every single second of this dance, one I know they will never forget.
Following their first dance, Jenna and Ryan took a seat for two lovely toasts from the best man and matron of honor before an extended dinner period where they got to spend a lot of time catching up with friends and family members, something I know mattered a lot to them on this day.
After dinner, the pair rolled straight through the rest of the formal portion of their evening with a cute cake cutting and two touching parent dances but at no point did things feel too scripted or planned. Jenna and Ryan preferred to take their reception moment by moment and I really loved that for them.
That casual and relaxed vibe came through most once their dance floor opened as Jenna and Ryan's family and friends enjoyed a night of great music in a chill and smooth setting without things getting too insane — after all, it was a Thursday night.
That's not to say the evening wasn't without it's fun moments. Trust me, I had plenty to photograph to keep me busy.
I've always said a good wedding reception is one in which the bride and groom are right in the middle of it all, having a great time and in that regard Jenna and Ryan's was a blast.
Even with Jenna being many months pregnant, these two were all over the dance floor and intent on having a great time and their energy carried all the way through to the final song of the evening.
Jenna and Ryan booked me to stay until the very end of their wedding reception and I'm glad they did as I got to see how the night concluded and how much fun they were having. More importantly, as I packed my gear up and prepared to head to my car, I could hear them talking about how excited they were for a post-wedding bonfire and hang with friends and I think that says a lot about this couple: That their wedding was so fun they didn't want it to end.
I can think of no higher praise for the beautiful day Jenna and Ryan said “I do” because I didn't want it to end either so thank you Jenna and Ryan for including me on your journey down the aisle. I wish you all the best on this new and exciting chapter of your lives together as husband and wife. :)
-Paul J. Spetrini
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The Vendor List:
Photographer: Paul J. Spetrini, Paul J. Spetrini Photography; Bride's Hair & Make-up: Amanda Bolanos; Bride's Dress: David’s Bridal; Groom's Suit: Men’s Wearhouse; Florist: Shaw's Market, Cranston, Rhode Island; Ceremony & Reception Venue: Five Bride Inn, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; Cake: Kelly Estano, Traditions Bakeshop; DJ: Jordan Paiva; Videographer: Luis Vargas; Favors: The Chocolate Delicacy.