Paige & Andrew
Private Residence, Bradford, Rhode Island (Ceremony & Reception)
September 21st, 2024
I tend to attract a lot of wild weddings. I don't know if it's my laidback nature or my style of photography but, for whatever reason, every wedding season I walk out of at least five or six wedding receptions thinking “That was the wildest party I've seen this year.”
It's rare, though, that I have that thought before we've even gotten to dinner.
Yet, that's exactly what was on my mind midway through the cocktail hour period of Paige and Andrew's September wedding in Bradford, Rhode Island as this bride and groom were in such a rush to get to the dance floor portion of their evening that they cut their formal photos short to rock out to some fantastic country music.
I can't say I blame them. When you have a crew this wild and rowdy, who wants to stand in misty rain and try not to look cold in group photos when you can shake it to Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll and Shaboozey instead?
And shake it they did. Early. Often. Always.
I knew WEEKS before Paige and Andrew's big day that this was going to be one that didn't follow the typical wedding playbook. For one thing, Paige was a bride who didn't care even a little about bridal prep photos or the standard detail shots you expect to see on a wedding day. In fact, she cared so little about doing the “standard” shots of a wedding day that she was already almost fully dressed and ready to go when I arrived to start coverage of her big day.
Her groom, meanwhile, was a bit more traditional in the sense of wanting a few “pre-ceremony photos” with his groomsmen but even then the vibes were super chill and laid back … which seemed fitting given our first big event of the day … one even the groom didn't know was going to take place.
In what was probably my favorite part of Paige and Andrew's special day, my job was to put the soon-to-be groom in place for what we described as a “special first look” on our timeline. In reality, the bride had no desire for a first look and, instead, Paige and Andrew's friend Colin surprised the groom with a first look fake out and Andrew's immediate burst into laughter really set a strong tone for the kind of day we were set to see in this true backyard, pure country wedding.
Following Andrew's "first look," we made our way over to Paige and Andrew's wedding ceremony and I knew two things about how this was going to go. First, I knew it was going to be beautiful as the location Paige and Andrew chose was in Paige's mother's backyard and the sunflowers looked amazing. Second, I knew we were going to have to contend with a bit of annoying Mother Nature as the rain starting lightly drizzling as the groom came down the aisle.
No big deal, though. That didn't deter Paige or Andrew. These two were ready to say "I do" and you could see it all over their faces.
Paige and Andrew's wedding ceremony was about five minutes in length but what it lacked in time, it made up for in sweetness. I loved watching the way these two looked at each other and the way they were both adorably nervous to be the center of attention in such a deeply personal and vulnerable way.
I also loved that neither seemed to care one bit about the rain coming down and as they exchanged rings, a first kiss and walked back down the aisle as husband and wife, it was only fitting that they stopped and celebrated the moment with one of the best dips I've seen a couple do this year. Talk about a moment.
With their ceremony in the books, Paige and Andrew briefly headed back outside for their formal and wedding party photos. I say briefly because this was the part of the day the pair struggled with the most as the light rain turned into a slightly annoying rain but, to their credit, the newlyweds got through their formal photos as quickly as possible so they could head inside to enjoy their cocktail hour.
And when I say went inside quick, I'm talking about 'We only did 50 seconds of bride and groom formals' quick.
But, hey, wedding days can be hectic and I can't blame these two for wanting to get to the party portion of their wedding. Thankfully, we resolved the lack of bride and groom formal photos afterward but that's a story for later in this blog. First, a little of the rowdy celebration ...
Now, if that looks like a fun party ... I remind you that that was technically the party BEFORE the party. But what a tone we set for this evening.
To Paige and Andrew's credit, I had no doubt they'd not only match the energy of their cocktail hour but would exceed it and they sure did right from the very first moment of their actual reception, a lovely first dance set to “Next thing you know” by Jordan Davis.
Paige and Andrew's first dance was a super sweet moment of touching romance ... and the last time these two needed to take themselves seriously for the rest of the night and I mean that in the best way possible.
One of the biggest things I loved about Paige and Andrew's wedding was how much love was in the air. Whether it was the pairs' respective wedding parties or the wild and rowdy dance floor that started during cocktail hour, everyone in that tent that night WANTED to be and was thrilled to celebrate this couple and I can't blame them.
That especially stood out during toasts as Paige and Andrew had three toasts right before dinner and all brought the emotions of the day front and center.
As laid back and fun as Paige and Andrew's wedding was, it wasn't without the standard wedding reception traditions you come to expect from a couple's big day. Now, granted, Paige and Andrew did the big things like the cake cutting and parent dances a little different than most but, still, the moments they shared and the memories they made were a beautiful way to kick off the second half of their reception before the dance floor fully opened.
Once the dance floor opened, I knew the rest of Paige and Andrew's wedding reception would be a blur and I sure was right.
I've seen a lot of parties this year but I haven't seen one quite like Paige and Andrew's and whether it was wild karaoke, giant circles of dancing all around or even folks getting lifted on one another's shoulders, this was a party for the ages.
As fun as Paige and Andrew's wedding was, as I packed my gear and headed to my car, I couldn't help but feel like we didn't get everything we could have from their special day. Namely, I truly regretted not having more time for the bride and groom for their formal photos.
It happens. I know. But I couldn't let it rest and, thankfully, when I proposed to Paige and Andrew that we get together a couple of weeks after their wedding for a 'post-wedding shoot' they thankfully obliged.
I'm so glad they did as this one-hour session really put a beautiful exclamation point on their wedding celebration and was a great chance to get together once again and talk about their memorable wedding day.
As I write this, it's been about a month and a half since Paige and Andrew tied the knot and, I've got to say, I am confident this wedding will be one I won't forget for a very long while. After all, it's not often you have a party the likes that these two did but, more importantly, there was something charming about this couple, this wedding and this love story.
So thank you Paige and Andrew for letting me document your journey down the aisle not just once but twice and best of luck as you start this new chapter of your life together. :)
-Paul J. Spetrini
