From the heartfelt ceremony vows to the centrepieces dripping with crystals, you will not believe that this beautiful Rhode Island wedding came together with just five short months of planning! Joy and Devin pulled together their fabulous September wedding with the help of some amazing vendors who made this a weekend to remember for the couple and their guests. Joy looked absolutely radiant in a luxuriously layered Monique Lhuillier gown topped with a beautiful bow sash, making for a simply stunning combination.
Joy + Devin | September 15, 2013 | Newport, Rhode Island | Dress Listing: Monique Lhuillier, Confection
The Ceremony
Devin was my first boyfriend waaaaaay back in the 9th grade (our parents introduced us at my cousins graduation party). We were “on and off” all through for the next couple of years, but had some dreams to follow and other “grown up” relationships during college and job endeavors. Then one day Devin reached out to me, when we were both back home visiting family and friends, saying he didn’t want to live without me. You never forget your first love 🙂
The 16 years of courting plus the introductions of our home town combined high school friends as well as our “adult life” friends (that we made separately) tied together with the fact that we always wanted to marry each other, but never thought our paths would align since we both lived such different lives, made for an amazing story and unbelievable wedding weekend.
When we started the wedding planning process it was important to us that we “unified” our worlds. Unifying what we were, are and hope to be… three worlds; where we came from (our hometown), a world of dreams and the friends, family I created through my many crazy job experiences and one that he created from college and work. Since people would be coming from all over the country we wanted a “destination” giving people the opportunity an entire weekend to get to know each other, connect, and become our family.
We chose to get married in Newport, Rhode Island; it’s a magical and beautiful place. Truthfully, I had never even been to Newport before but picked the spot once I toured the wedding venue, Belle Mer. I found The Belle Mer and The Vanderbilt Grace (host hotel for my guests) on Google and jumped into my car the next day and drove from NYC to Newport to snag the last available day in September at the wedding venue.
The Reception
Devin always wanted to get married on the beach and I always wanted a “garden, floral outdoor wedding”… it was the perfect combination of the two; a garden on the water. Along with our guests we stayed at a boutique hotel, The Vanderbilt Grace (impeccable service), this hotel offered 30 rooms and we filled all 30 of them! It was as if we had one big mansion sleep over. By the time the wedding happened on Sunday we were all one big happy family. Devin, myself, and our 94 guests keep talking about how magical the entire process was, from the weather, to the company, to the FOOD and music.
I planned the wedding in 5 months because Devin and I couldn’t wait to start our life together. It really was an unbelievable weekend, from our New England Lobster Bake Rehearsal dinner to the amazing wedding venue with confetti cake I will forever be grateful to my vendors, friends, family and husband for making the weekend unforgettable and magical!
Joy’s Dress Search
I’m in the entertainment industry and therefore have worn my fair share of beautiful gowns, so I promised myself when I went dress shopping I would stay open to any designer and/or style. Living in NYC I had the best designers and stores at my fingertips so I was excited to start the process.
I really had no major requests other than price. I was even open to color. I had the best experience with my sales associate Tara from Monique Lhuillier. She was amazing and patient and honest. I loved everything she picked for me. Through the process of elimination I discovered I wanted something runway and red carpet worthy but also not too provocative, yet still remaining sexy! I fell in love with the confetti dress. It made me feel everything I wanted to feel on my wedding day and my husband (then fiancé) LOVED it too!!!!
How Joy Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Modern, beautiful, elegant.
Why Joy Decided to Sell Her Wedding Dress
It brought me so much joy! It was the best day of my life! But I live in NYC with very little storage so it seems practical. It’s a “win-win!” Some special bride gets an amazing dress that despite being worn is still in perfect condition, and I don’t have to worry about storing it. Not to mention I can start paying off my wedding day debt 🙂
