Blog— Weddings — Rhode Island — 2019 —
Rhodes on the Pawtuxet Wedding
Andrew & Tais
The internet is a magical thing. Not only does it allow you to stay connected with friends and family members around the world whom you haven't seen in years but, as a wedding professional living and working in 2019, it allows you the chance to meet amazing couples from thousands of miles away with awesome love stories you just HAVE to document.
And that was the case back in May when I had the honor and privilege of shooting Andrew and Tais' Memorial Day weekend wedding at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Andrew and Tais currently live in San Francisco but are a worldwide couple at heart. The pair met in college in Rhode Island but have traveled and lived in a variety of countries at different points in their lives, making countless friends and lifelong memories along the way.
That love of life and experiencing new things was evident throughout their wedding day as their wedding attracted friends and family members from all corners of the world to witness the pair say "I do" and I can't blame them.
Despite not knowing Andrew and Tais personally, within three minutes of being around them, I could see how fun and radiant they both were and this wedding showcased their beautiful spirits magnificently.
Andrew and Tais were, quite possibly, the most laid-back couple I've worked with this year. The pair had officially gotten married a few months before they flew to Rhode Island to hold their ceremony and reception for those closest to them, meaning this wedding day was strictly a celebration and had next to no nerves associated with it.
I could tell just minutes in that this would be a relaxed day as Tais laughed and cracked jokes with her amazing bridal party as she shimmied into a lovely wedding dress that put the perfect cap on their funfetti-themed day.
Andrew, meanwhile, looked incredibly excited for this day as he finished his groom prep and got ready for his first look at Tais.
And even though he had already seen Tais in her wedding dress prior to their "official" wedding day, it didn't make the moment he turned around and saw her on this afternoon any less special.
Andrew and Tais chose Rhodes on the Pawtuxet to hold their wedding celebration and I don't think they could have selected a better location or a better weekend to do so.
I adored their family photos and especially loved how nice their wedding party photos turned out in the shade by a little patch of trees and we had a great time shooting the various combinations of photos they requested with those closest to them.
As is often the case, my favorite part of this wedding day were bride and groom formals.
Andrew and Tais have a unique energy to them and, as a couple, they're a ton of fun to watch interacting.
The pair never took themselves too seriously but were down for any of the ideas I had and considering how pretty the venue looked on this picture-perfect afternoon, there were MANY.
By the time Andrew and Tais finished their formal photos, I felt like I could have left a happy photographer ... and we still had the main events of the day to go.
First up was the pair's ceremony, which took place inside the venue.
I loved Andrew and Tais' ceremony as it was deeply personal, shared their love story in a meaningful way to their guests and, most importantly, kept the spirit of their relationship by being funny in all the right moments.
Andrew and Tais put a lot of thought into their wedding day and, considering they were planning it from the other side of the country, that was pretty impressive.
I especially loved the way they used their funfetti theme for decorations. Whether it was the uplighting in their reception hall or the cute color coordinated tables and signage, this was one of the most colorful weddings I've ever photographed and the little details of their day came out awesome because of it.
Andrew and Tais weren't big in the "boring/traditional" moments of their wedding reception (Their words) but nonetheless went through with them in a perfect way.
Their first dance was set to Florence + The Machine's "Stand by Me" and it was really hard for me to stop smiling while watching the pair twirl around the amazing dance floor at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet.
Seriously. With the funfetti colors in the background and the lights above them reflecting on the hardwood floors, this was a beautiful moment to document.
Following their first dance, Andrew and Tais hit the checklist of big wedding moments with a fun cake cutting and a short but sweet double parent dance. One of my favorite moments, though, was the impromptu rendition of "That's Amore" that their DJ surprised them with.
While I usually think this is a cheesy addition to a wedding day, it almost always gets the crowd moving and leads to great photos and Andrew and Tais' wedding was no exception.
"That's Amore" and Andrew and Tais' parent dances really started the party off on a great note and that's not the easiest thing to pull off when you're talking about a wedding reception taking place in the middle of a Sunday afternoon.
I loved the candid photos and moments from this wedding day and though I wasn't there for a ton of their reception, I really feel like we captured the spirit of it perfectly as everyone in attendance let loose and clearly had a great time.
As my time with Andrew and Tais came to an end, I couldn't help but think about how lucky I was these two stumbled upon my portfolio and found me from the other side of the country.
I love getting to know my brides and grooms but, sometimes, it's even more special when I meet a pair for the first time on the day of their wedding.
Andrew and Tais have an infectious energy and passion about them and getting to document this day for them was something I'll remember for a long time.
So congratulations Andrew and Tais and best of luck with your marriage ... wherever it takes you in this big, beautiful world.
-Paul J. Spetrini
Tags: Indoor Weddings, Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, Rhode Island Weddings, Cranston, Paul J. Spetrini Photography
The Vendor List:
Photographer: Paul J. Spetrini, Paul J. Spetrini Photography; Bride's Hair & Make-up: B Lovely Beauty Studio; Bride's Dress: David's Bridal; Groom's Suit: The Black Tux; Florist: Franchesca's Events and Floral; Ceremony & Reception Location: Rhodes on the Pawtuxet; Officiant: Jonathan Migliori; DJ: Anthony Avicolli of Luke Renchan Entertainment; Cake: Michelle Migliori; Videographer: Chris Esper, Stories in Motion; Photo Booth: Smashing Photo Booth.
