Caitlyn and David’s wedding day held two scenes that felt perfectly connected. Their wedding at Blithewold Mansion RI began with a private first look on the lawn, with the house in the background. Later, their friends gathered for a toast and entered the reception ready to celebrate.

Caitlyn and David were shy and reserved at first, but they opened up in front of the camera as the day went on. They wanted a mix of candid moments and classic portraits without feeling overly posed, and that balance became a natural fit for their June wedding at Blithewold Mansion RI.

A New England weekend at Blithewold

Caitlyn and David met through mutual friends after attending the same college without crossing paths there. After four years in Washington, D.C., they moved to Charlotte. When they began planning their wedding, many of their guests would be traveling, and they wanted to give everyone a true New England weekend.

Blithewold brought together the two parts of the setting Caitlyn loved: gardens and views of the water. It also gave their guests room to enjoy the celebration, which mattered to both of them. Their hoped-for feel was elegant and fun, and the day had space for both.

If you are comparing Rhode Island venues, you can also see Molly and Brendan’s summer wedding at Blithewold Mansion, another celebration at the property with its own story and details.

A quiet first look before the celebration

Caitlyn and David chose to see each other before the ceremony. They wanted the first look on a grassy area with the mansion behind them, away from the woods and deeper garden paths. That gave us a simple, open setting for a private pause before the day gathered momentum.

We also made time to travel around the property and photograph their portraits before the ceremony. It gave them time together and meant they could be more present for cocktail hour and the party afterward. For couples considering a first look, that is one practical benefit I see firsthand: it can make room for portraits earlier in the day, so you spend less of the celebration away from your guests.

Sage green, white florals, and a garden ceremony

Caitlyn’s attendants wore sage green, paired with the white and green palette of the flowers. The invitations carried the same colors, with a green floral liner against white. In the bouquet, the cascading shape gave the greenery and white blooms a graceful movement.

Blithewold Mansion RI Wedding in June | Caitlyn & David

Lindsay Philibotte of Philibotte Florals designed the flowers. The palette felt at home among Blithewold’s gardens, while the greenery tied the details together without competing with the setting.

The ceremony took place outdoors at Blithewold. One of the couple’s planned ceremony traditions was a lasso ceremony, with their mothers placing it around them, and David’s sister was set to give a reading.

Blithewold Mansion RI Wedding in June | Caitlyn & David

A reception ready for everyone

After the ceremony, the day moved into the reception under a tent, where woven pendant lights added texture overhead. Caitlyn and David wanted their guests to enjoy the party, and the group toast and reception entrance carried that spirit into the evening. They were surrounded by a fun group of friends who were ready to celebrate with them.

Blithewold Mansion RI Wedding in June | Caitlyn & David

Photographing a wedding means paying attention to the people guiding the day as well as the couple. Katie Tavares did wonderful work for Caitlyn and David, and her planning made my job easier throughout the day. She is one of the planners on my preferred vendor list, and I was grateful to have her looking after the details while I focused on the photographs.

Celebrate at Blithewold

Caitlyn and David wanted a day that felt easygoing, gave their traveling guests a real New England experience, and left room for a joyful party. Blithewold brought the gardens and water views they loved into one setting, while a first look and portraits before the ceremony gave them time to be together before the celebration began.

Blithewold Mansion RI Wedding in June | Caitlyn & David

If you are planning a wedding at Blithewold Mansion RI or elsewhere in Rhode Island, I’d love to hear what you’re envisioning. You can also explore Jennifer and Marc’s June wedding at Fort Adams for another Rhode Island celebration with a distinct setting.

Vendor credits