1. Real Weddings

A Traditional, Romantic Seaside Wedding at Ocean Cliff Resort in Newport, Rhode Island

For their wedding, Arizona-based couple Kristine Hunt (29 and an audiologist) and Zachary Aulick (30 and works in commercial real estate) planned a tr

For their wedding, Arizona-based couple Kristine Hunt (29 and an audiologist) and Zachary Aulick (30 and works in commercial real estate) planned a traditional, romantic event at Ocean Cliff Resort in Newport, Rhode Island. The day started with a traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Mary’s Church in Newport, the spot where Jackie Onassis and John Kennedy had said their “I dos” 60 years earlier, a detail that—in addition to the church’s striking architecture—drew the couple to the location. Planner Pamela D’orsi Ryan of PDR Events used her design expertise to bring the couple’s vision to life, creating two distinct vibes for the cocktail hour and reception through the use of color and texture. Sayles Livingston Design created bunches of brilliant pink blooms for the cocktail hour, which popped against a backdrop of sea-foam green linens and gilded accents, while the reception had a more refined, sophisticated feel, with neutral hues like ivory, cream, gold and blush. Arrangements of hydrangeas, roses and dusty miller piled high atop etched glass stands worked with the Ocean Cliff Resort ballroom’s cathedral ceilings and stately chandeliers to set an elegant, formal tone. The menu highlighted local specialties, like a raw bar stocked with freshly caught seafood, and the band FreeStyle by Wilson Stevens Events ensured the dance floor was packed all night. “Everyone had so much fun dancing and socializing,” Kristine says. “People couldn't stop talking about how amazing they were.” A tip from Kristine: “Having a wedding planner was the smartest decision we made. We planned our wedding from across the country, so it was really nice to have the peace of mind knowing that everything was going to be okay and taken care of. We also recommend picking a goal of what is most important for your wedding and focusing on that. The day of, relax, let go and enjoy every moment.”

Valentino Gold Bow Bridal Heels
With an elegant, romantic theme in mind, Kristine wanted a gown with a timeless, classic feel. The Arizona-based bride visited Lillian Lottie Couture in Scottsdale to begin her wedding dress search, and it wasn’t long before she came across an A-line design by Private Label by G, which she knew was the one. The gown featured Chantilly lace, shimmery beaded embellishments, scalloped lace edging and delicate lace straps.
Keeping with the day’s classic theme, Kristine and Zachary chose traditional, semiformal styles for their wedding party. For the bridesmaids, Kristine chose a sea-foam green gown from Lauren Conrad’s Paper Crown bridesmaid collection, while the groomsmen donned traditional black Calvin Klein tuxedos that matched Zachary's.
The flower girl’s dress had the classic feel of Kristine’s lace Private Label by G gown, with delicate lace detailing and an A-line silhouette. For a romantic, garden-inspired vibe, Sayles Livingston Design crafted a bright pink rose and baby’s breath flower crown for her to wear atop her flowing blonde locks as she made her way down the ceremony aisle.
With an elegant, romantic affair in mind, there was no place more fitting for the couple’s ceremony than St. Mary’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island. In addition to the intricate architectural details, the church’s history was a major draw for Kristine and Zachary; Jackie Onassis and John Kennedy had said their “I dos” in the same spot 60 years earlier.
Before heading into the ballroom for the reception at the Ocean Cliff Resort in Newport, Rhode Island, Kristine and Zachary invited guests under a waterfront tent for drinks and appetizers. Classic cocktails like a Cape Codder and old-fashioned were served, a nod to the timeless feel of the coastal locale, while a raw bar highlighted the area’s culinary specialty: freshly caught seafood.
With pink being one of Kristine’s favorite colors, it was a given that the cheerful hue would make an appearance throughout the day. Sayles Livingston Design featured the eye-catching color in a big way for the cocktail hour, creating small arrangements of full peonies and dahlias in gilded vases for the tables, which brought the tented seaside venue to life.
Dinner and dancing took place in the Ocean Cliff Resort ballroom, an elegant space with cathedral ceilings, stately chandeliers and windows giving way to ocean views. Kristine and Zachary’s vision for a classic, romantic soiree came to life with the help of planner Pamela D’orsi Ryan of PDR Events, who decorated the room with striped ivory linens, gilded accents, floating candles casting a warm, ambient glow and tall arrangements of hydrangeas and garden roses designed by Sayles Livingston Design.
While cocktail hour was all about bright color and statement-making floral arrangements, the reception centerpieces had a more classic, subdued vibe. Sayles Livingston Design created tall arrangements of fluffy white hydrangeas, blush roses and silvery gray dusty miller for each of the tables, displayed atop elegant etched glass stands.
Before making their way out onto the dance floor, Kristine and Zachary treated their families and friends to a slice of wedding cake. Scrumptions Inc. created an elegant, contemporary confection for the occasion, with four ivory fondant-covered tiers, pearl accents and ivory satin bows. Instead of a traditional cake topper, the cake was finished with a single sugar rose and ivory ribbon.
While the decor was nothing short of stunning, FreeStyle by Wilson Stevens Events, the band, stole the show with a mix of lively dance tunes. “Everyone had so much fun dancing and socializing,” Kristine says. “People couldn't stop talking about how amazing they were.”