By Mariah Ashley

We’ve been waiting all year for Kate and Joe’s Salve Regina and OceanCliff wedding so it’s only fitting that we bring it to you on New Year’s Eve! How lucky we are to end the year as strongly as we started with a stellar couple like Kate and Joe. In fact, I believe they are referred to as Mr. and. Mrs. Sunshine as told by Kate’s sister in her toast. Follow along and you’ll see why…

Kate and Joe met and fell in love in Newport while Kate was a student at Salve Regina. Love may have been sparked in the summer sunshine on Waites Wharf, but chilly November was the choice for Kate’s vision of a wintery Newport soiree. Great choice Kate, winter looks great on you!

We started the day at OceanCliff where the ladies had the run of the Gate House for getting ready. Here is Kate, taking a moment here to read a love letter from Joe. Her pretty crown was worn by her mother on her wedding day.

Older brother Joe is getting a little help with his tie from his younger brother and best man. During his toast, Joe’s brother told everyone what an inspiration and a role model that Joe has been for him.When Kate and Joe first came to visit us they brought Kate’s parents. We were quite taken with Kate’s sassy fashionable mom at that meeting. She didn’t disappoint on the wedding day either. Here Kate’s fashionable mom helps her with her earrings.Joe is seriously one of the NICEST people we have ever met. He’s got a great smile and laugh and seems to be perpetually positive!Kate comes from a great family, very close and very supportive. Her parents adore her! Which is no surprise, she’s a dream of a daughter.One of the best things about a winter wedding is the florals! Winter white, berries, acorns, deep reds… love it all! Toni Chandler created these beauties! I am especially crazy for Kate’s cascading gardenias that Toni fastened to a silk ribbon and tied to a vintage heirloom prayer book.Kate and Joe opted not to do a first look, saving the big moment for the aisle. I must admit, I’m kind of a traditionalist too.The last bit of leaves left on the trees make a pretty background for a vintage glamor car.Kate doing her best not to be seen by guests streaming into the church. A must have at any wedding, adorable kiddos. Kate has a great group of girlfriends who were so excited for her.How sweet Kate looks in her winter shrug. Her “bouquet” completes her look.Joe was so excited to see his bride. His jaw almost hit the floor.These next two photos demonstrate how amazing it is to have two photographers  because you can have two completely different perspectives of the same moment. I snapped this photo at the back of the church and I love it because it seems like the moment is happening only for Kate and her dad. Lifting the veil is a big deal for the dads, they are usually so nervous!This perspective is the same moment, but from Trish’s angle. I love the movement in the hands and the expressions of Joe and the two dads.Bored but behaved. Our Lady of Mercy chapel at Salve is so beautiful. It’s a small intimate space, but because of the circular design we are able to move around unobtrusively and get lots of great angles. This photo feels a little magical, which the ceremony always is. Are you wondering what I am using to frame the newlyweds? I am shooting through the harp.Married!A few quick portraits on the grounds at Salve. It was COLD! We sent the family and bridal party ahead so we could have some time alone with Kate and Joe. They didn’t seem to mind the temp, all that adrenaline kept them warm.The golden afternoon light was stunning. I love this little grove of cedar trees.So sweet! This one is a framer!Kate arranged for us to use Ochre Court at Salve Regina for our formal portraits which is always a treat. The ornate rooms really compliment the winter feeling of this wedding and the gold warms everything up.Family Portraits.We could have shot at Ochre Court all day we were having so much fun and the building is chock full of interesting light and architectural goodness.Another angle, thank you to Mike of Artistic Wedding Films for lighting this for us! Team work!Every angle of this building is amazing.I love the photo here on the left, classic! And the one on the right is so fun, can’t you just feel that chilly breeze? This kind of picture really help you recall the moment because your senses are engaged.And they’re off to the reception!Dreamy candle lit details in the ballroom at Oceancliff.First dance.Joe and Kate were really excited about their band, Flipside. We LOVE Flipside!An amazingly sweet toast from the Father of the Bride.Party time, who knew the flower girl had such moves?!Flipside doing their thing. P.S. They’re thing is, fun.And to end the evening… a dramatic ring shot that we totally ripped off from Mike at Artistic Wedding Films. Thanks for setting that up Mike. Well Kate and Joe, you booked us a long time ago so it was quite a wait to get to this day, but you were well worth it. Thank you for being so sweet and kind, so friendly and so excited about the pictures.

We truly wish every day could be as lovely as this one. You two are so lucky to have one another because you are so suited as partners. Your wedding was a pleasure to be witness to and an honor to document.

XO Mariah and Trish