Bride and groom romantically dip-kiss exiting their tented outdoor ceremony at The Regatta Place in Newport, Rhode Island

There’s something about a fall wedding in Newport, Rhode Island that just hits differently,


especially when the day is spent on the water at The Regatta Place, surrounded by that soft October light and the kind of people who instantly make you feel like you've known them forever. Katie and Drew flew up from South Carolina to celebrate their wedding weekend in Newport, and by the time the night wrapped up (with the coolest boat sail-away send off by the way), I felt like I'd known them long before they inquired through Google for a Newport wedding photographer earlier this year.

We first met on a Google Meet client consultation call while they were planning their destination wedding from out of state, and they immediately felt like my kind of couple: warm, funny, grounded, and so easy to be around. They're also avid tennis players, so naturally, their rehearsal dinner at The International Tennis Hall of Fame the night before their wedding was perfect. Such a cool and personable touch to a Newport wedding weekend, check out some photos from the rehearsal dinner below!

Sunset golden hour bride and groom portraits at International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island wedding venue
Bride and Groom celebrating at their wedding reception venue using flash photography at International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI
A group of people seated at a long banquet table with food and drinks during what appears to be a celebration.
Historic International Tennis Hall of Fame brick building with Tudor-style architecture set against a dramatic purple and pink sunset sky.

The Wedding Day at The Regatta Place


Katie and Drew's day was one of those weddings that moved fast in the best way possible. A chilly mid-October breeze, the dock rocking against the ocean waves, florals in that beautiful blue and white palette... it all matched them so well. When Katie stepped into her gown from Gown Boutique of Charleston, she looked classic and effortless. Her hair and make-up by The Best of You - Kristi stayed flawless through the entire day.

A bride in a flowing white gown poses gracefully on a wooden dock by the ocean at sunset at The Regatta Place in Newport Rhode Island
View through window blinds of boats docked in a marina with blue water and coastal scenery in background at The Regatta Place in Newport RI
People in a bridal boutique admire a white wedding dress displayed in an ornate silver frame mirror.
Black and white photo of bride being helped into a white wedding dress by bridesmaids at The Regatta Place in Newport Rhode Island
Wedding party helps bride get ready in bright white room with bridesmaids assisting with dress and preparations at The Regatta Place in RI
A sequence of four photos showing groomsmen performing a fun dance move on a hardwood floor at a wedding.
Beer cans sit in sand traps on a sunny golf course with a silhouetted figure in the background.
Bride in off-shoulder white dress holds stunning blue and white bouquet while standing on dock by ocean.
A bridal bouquet featuring white roses and blue delphinium flowers against an ocean backdrop at The Regatta Place in Newport Rhode Island
A bride in a flowing white gown twirls joyfully on a wooden dock by the ocean at sunset.
A bride in a flowing white dress twirls gracefully on a wooden dock by the ocean at sunset at The Regatta Place in Newport Rhode Island
Groom in formal black attire fixing his suit on a wooden dock by the ocean at sunset at The Regatta Place in Newport Rhode Island
A groom in a black tuxedo and bowtie poses against a waterfront backdrop during sunset at The Regatta Place in Newport, Rhode Island
A person in a black tuxedo stands on a wooden dock by the water during sunset with boats in the background.

One thing I loved about their wedding was how real the day felt. No rigid timelines, no stiff moments... just a lot of laughter, people hugging and chatting everywhere you looked, and the occasional tears shed in the happiest of moments. Their ceremony overlooked the harbor just as the sun was dipping behind the boats, and the whole scene had that soft, glowy light that makes Newport, RI weddings so magical.

White folding chairs are arranged in neat rows under a white tent canopy for an outdoor ceremony.
A person in a black suit laughs while standing in a white tent decorated with floral arrangements and greenery.
Bride entering wedding ceremony walking with family on a wooden boardwalk with white carpet runner and wooden shutters in background in RI
Groom and his mother at an elegant wedding ceremony in a rustic wooden venue with white drapes and chandeliers.
Bride and groom share a joyful moment together under white drapes during their wedding ceremony.
An emotional mother of the groom wipes tears during an intimate wedding ceremony at The Regatta Place in Newport Rhode Island
Wedding party members sit together on wooden benches in formal attire at a seaside venue during wedding ceremony at The Regatta Place in RI
A couple exchanges vows during an indoor wedding ceremony under a floral arch with yellow and white flowers.
Black and white photo of newlyweds exiting the tented dock ceremony at The Regatta Place in Newport, Rhode Island
A bride and groom in formal wedding attire poses on a wooden dock with sparkling blue water and boats in the background in Newport RI
A bride and groom pose editorially by the ocean at sunset golden hour for couples portraits at wedding venue The Regatta Place in Newport RI
A couple shares a romantic moment on a dock with blue and white floral bouquet at sunset.
A couple in formal wedding attire dances on a wooden pier by the ocean during sunset.
A bride and groom twirl and dance joyfully on a boat dock at sunset golden hour at The Regatta Place in Newport Rhode Island
A romantic bride and groom couples portrait with a windswept veil kiss at sunset golden hour at The Regatta Place in Newport, Rhode Island
A romantic wedding couple embraces under a flowing veil against a soft sunset sky.
Bride with her bridal party naturally fixing her dress outside of the wedding venue The Regatta Place in Newport, Rhode Island
Wedding party wearing light blue bridesmaid dresses poses together on white steps during sunny outdoor celebration at The Regatta Place RI
Groomsmen in black tuxedos pose together on white steps for formal wedding photos at The Regatta Place in Newport Rhode Island
A group of groomsmen in black tuxedos pose playfully on wooden deck boards at a wedding venue.
A wedding party in light blue bridesmaid dresses and formal attire poses on a wooden dock by the waterfront.
Wedding party in black suits and blue bridesmaid dresses pose together on wooden dock by waterfront at sunset at The Regatta Place in RI

Inside the tent for the reception, Pranzi Florals brought in bright, textured arrangements that tied the whole blue and white theme together. Mad Hatter Bakery made the sweetest cake (topped with wedding-themed dinosaurs hand selected by Drew), and Elite Entertainment RI kept everyone dancing from the second the party started (seriously, no guests wanted to leave the dance floor once the final call was made at 10:00pm).

Elegant wedding reception table setting with gold chiavari chairs and white linens in a bright outdoor venue.
A couple shares a romantic dance on a wooden floor under draped fabric and golden chandeliers at an elegant wedding reception.
Two people share an emotional dance moment at a wedding reception with string lights and navy bridesmaids dresses visible.
A bride and groom in formal wedding attire dances together on a wooden floor during their wedding reception at The Regatta Place in Newport
A romantic wedding cake cutting sequence shows a couple sharing sweet moments under twinkling string lights.
A bride and groom candidly cut their wedding cake during wedding reception at The Regatta Place venue in Newport, Rhode Island
A couple shares a playful moment while eating wedding cake together under twinkling string lights at an outdoor reception in Newport RI
Energetic crowd dancing and celebrating at a wedding reception with pink decor and uplighting.
Bride and her guests candidly hanging out at their tented wedding reception using flash photography at The Regatta Place in Newport RI
Black and white wedding reception photo showing dancing guests under string lights while bride holds bouquet on dance floor.
Wedding guests dance and celebrate on a crowded dance floor with green lighting effects in the background at The Regatta Place in Newport RI
A bride and groom dancing together at a wedding reception with green ambient lighting and decorative string lights at The Regatta Place RI
White plates with partially eaten cake and blue lottery tickets scattered on a reception table during wedding at The Regatta Place in RI
Guests gather around a wooden table at an event looking at photo albums while a vintage white telephone sits nearby.
Dancer in light blue dress performs a dramatic breakdance move on a wooden floor at a party venue.
Wedding guests dance and celebrate on a crowded dance floor at a reception party with decorative lighting at The Regatta Place in Newport RI
A bride and groom cheerfully have a grand exit using bubbles at The Regatta Place in Newport, Rhode Island wedding venue
A bride and groom have a boat send-off at the end of the reception and pose for flash portraits taken at The Regatta Place in Newport RI
String lights illuminate a dark indoor event space with wooden beams and festive holiday decorations.

 

And honestly? Katie and Drew were just amazing. They laughed through their portraits, didn't stress about pictures once, and completely trusted me with every part of their day.

 

A couple in wedding attire stands on a wooden dock overlooking a waterfront cityscape at sunset.

"So thorough, so organized and made my worries about planning a wedding so far away subside."

Kind words from katie & Drew

"I cannot say enough good things about Emma! I am from out of state so booking my wedding in Rhode Island being from South Carolina was a journey. I found Emma Joyce Photo, LLC by a simple Google search and liked her style so I booked her to shoot my wedding. When we met, she was fantastic. So thorough, so organized and made my worries about planning a wedding so far away subside. On the actual wedding day she was so accommodating (it was a very hectic day) and she was incredible with timeline and getting all the little details of the day. I got back 100 (!!) sneak peek photos the next day!!! And they are insanely beautiful. She is truly talented and you would not regret booking her for any special event you have coming up!"

Vendors Who Made the Day Amazing:

Venue- The regatta Place


Dress - Gown Boutique of Charleston


Hair & Make-Up - The Best of You; Kristi


Florals - Pranzi Florals


Cake - Mad Hatter Bakery


Entertainment - Elite Entertainment RI


Photography - Emma Joyce Photo

A photographer sitting by the sand dunes holding her camera at sunset golden hour at Horseneck Beach in Westport, Massachusetts

If you're planning a wedding in Newport, Rhode Island,


especially at The Regatta Place or anywhere along Goat Island, and you’re looking for bright, natural, easygoing photography, I would love to chat. My style leans toward relaxed posing, glowy edits, and making sure you two never feel stiff or staged on your wedding day.

Just reach out through my contact form, and we’ll take it from there.

Contact me