An Oceanfront Wedding in Newport, Rhode Island

Summer camp originally brought Colie Edison and Jared Weinberger together, so it’s only fitting that Jared decided to propose at the same summer camp. At a camp reunion in 2015 (also the camp’s 50th anniversary!), Jared made to be called on stage at the end of the owners’ presentation. “When it was his turn to choose a prize, he jumped off the stage, got down on one knee, and proposed to me in front of a packed auditorium,” Colie says.

The couple clearly loves nature and the water, so they sought a similar venue when choosing a spot for their August 27, 2016, wedding in Newport, Rhode Island. “We wanted a quasi-destination wedding that was still within driving distance for most of our guests,” Colie explains. “After a day of touring venues, we visited Castle Hill Inn and immediately knew it was where we wanted to get married!” The couple loved the venue’s charm so they invited 185 guests to meet them there for an oceanfront setting and dinner in a classic sailcloth tent, when they decorated with Brooklyn-inspired elements as a nod to their home. Keep scrolling to see Erin McGinn’s album of the coastal chic I dos.

Colie kept her accessories classic, opting for white satin Jimmy Choo sandals and a flowing veil. Her dress, on the other hand, was a little more modern. She wore a two-piece Lihi Hod gown that featured a backless, beaded camisole and a draped satin skirt with a knee-high slit. Her bouquet combined dahlias, ranunculus, and roses in shades of cream, white, and blush.

For the waterfront wedding, Jared wore a cerulean blue suit with a sky blue bowtie and a white ranunculus boutonniere. Even his shoes were the perfect shade of blue!

The ceremony took place on the Inn’s lawn, overlooking the Atlantic. A chuppah of birch branches was dressed in lush greenery and eye-catching orange blooms.

Jared’s nephew was the ring bearer, wearing a gray suit to match the groomsmen, and his dad played the guitar throughout the ceremony. “It was so special to see Emmet look over and give his dad a thumbs-up as he headed toward the altar,” says Colie. Musical selections included “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen and “She’s Got a Way” by Billy Joel.

The couple wrote their own vows, but truly every word of the ceremony was customized. “Jared’s sister was our officiant, and she wrote the most beautiful, personal, honest, and emotional ceremony for us,” says the bride.

The escort card display was a total statement piece, with wreaths of greenery hung from the tent. Guests’ table assignments were printed onto cards, then attached to the wreaths with miniature clothespins.

The tent itself was draped in beautiful soft cream linens and lit with chandeliers. The head table was decorated with low arrangements of garden roses, stock flowers, hydrangeas, and dahlias in gold bowls and a collection of vintage metal boxes.

Round tables were topped with mink-hued linens and decorated with a mix of low and high arrangements of Anabelle hydrangeas, scabiosa, and spray roses. Each place setting featured a white charger, a blush napkin, and a printed menu outlining the meal to come. “We couldn’t decide on an entrée!” says the bride. Instead, they served a duo of grilled angus beef tenderloin and smoked Murray’s Statler chicken breast.

So what advice does Colie have for brides-to-be? “If your partner has a talent, use it!” she says. “Jared is a super-talented graphic designer, so he designed all of our signage and invitations, from save-the-dates to our thank you notes, and captured the rustic-chic look and feel of our wedding.” We’re all for getting your partner involved in the process!