newport weddings

Romance & Grandeur: Top 5 Mansions for 2024 Weddings in Rhode Island

Rhode Island, known for its stunning coastline and rich history, offers some of the most exquisite mansion wedding venues in New England. Whether you're envisioning a grand celebration or an intimate gathering, these majestic venues provide the perfect backdrop for your dream wedding. Move Mountains Co. has captured stunning photos and videos at these venues, ensuring that your special day will be unforgettable. Here are the top 5 mansion wedding locations in Rhode Island that will make your special day truly magical.

1. Rosecliff located in Newport, Rosecliff is a breathtaking mansion inspired by the Grand Trianon at Versailles. Its elegant ballroom and expansive terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean make it an ideal venue for a luxurious wedding. Here are some examples of the mansion and grounds at James + Christina’s wedding:

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2. Aldrich Mansion nestled in Warwick, Aldrich Mansion offers stunning views of Narragansett Bay and provides a timeless, elegant setting for your wedding. With its grand architecture and beautifully landscaped grounds, this mansion promises an unforgettable celebration. Here are examples of what Aldrich Mansion and its grounds have to offer at Brian + Bernadette’s wedding:

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3. OceanCliff perched on the scenic Newport coastline, OceanCliff offers spectacular ocean views and a classic, elegant atmosphere. Its luxurious interiors and stunning outdoor spaces make it a perfect venue for a memorable wedding. Take a look at the beauty of OceanCliff showcased at Mary + Oliver’s wedding:

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4. Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum situated in Bristol, Blithewold Mansion combines historic charm with natural beauty. The mansion's elegant interiors and lush gardens create a serene and enchanting atmosphere for your wedding. Nickolas + Hannah’s wedding highlights the stunning features of Blithewold and its grounds:

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5. The Chanler at Cliff Walk located on Newport's famous Cliff Walk, The Chanler is an exclusive mansion that offers breathtaking ocean views and an intimate, luxurious setting. With its unique blend of historic elegance and modern amenities, The Chanler provides a romantic backdrop for your special day. See the charm of The Chanler through Teddy + Bay’s special day:

Edit Look: MMC1 Classic

Move Mountains Co. thoroughly enjoys documenting weddings at these Rhode Island mansions, where history, beauty, and elegance blend seamlessly to make your special day as memorable as it is magical.

3 Tips for Your Engagement Session

Saint Lucy Vincent Beach

Martha’s Vineyard, MA

At Move Mountains Co., we believe that engagement sessions are an integral part of the wedding experience. These sessions allow couples to celebrate their love and capture memories that will last a lifetime. In this resource page, we share some essential tips that will help you make the most of your engagement session.

Tip One: Choose a Recommended Location

Choosing a location is crucial for capturing stunning photos during your engagement session. At Move Mountains Co., we highly recommend using our preapproved locations for best results. Our talented photographers are familiar with these spots around Southern New England and know exactly where to find the perfect lighting and scenery. Choosing a new location can be a bit challenging, and sometimes, it may not yield the best results. Click here to view our recommended locations for your engagement session.

Tip Two: Wear Clothing You Feel Confident and Comfortable In

Your engagement session is all about capturing your love and unique personalities. To help you feel confident and comfortable during your session, we recommend wearing clothing that makes you feel good about yourself. It's essential to choose clothing that reflects your personal style and makes you feel your best. If you're a bit self-conscious, we suggest wearing clothing that won't exacerbate your insecurities.

Tip Three: Dress for the Weather

The weather can be unpredictable, especially in Southern New England. Before your engagement session, check the forecast and dress accordingly. If you're having a beach session in April, wearing a flowy thin dress may not be the best idea as it can be freezing and uncomfortable. Instead, we suggest wearing layers and bringing a jacket or sweater just in case. Being comfortable during your session is essential, so make sure you're dressed for the weather.

We hope these tips will help you prepare for your engagement session and make it a memorable experience. At Move Mountains Co., we are passionate about capturing your love and creating memories that will last a lifetime. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. We look forward to working with you!

“Our photos are unbelievable, we love them! Thank you so much.”
— Olivia
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Tim + Alexandra

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The Chanler

Newport, Rhode Island

We loved shooting Tim and Alexandra’s micro-wedding this fall at The Chanler on the Newport Cliff Walk. The couple were so fun and laid back which was an overall feel that encapsulated their day. We love the elegant and clean details that were intertwined throughout the day. And we especially loved the aesthetic of The Chanler which is a great venue for the modern bride. Not to forgot the vendors that made this day possible and the beautiful florals done by Sayles Livingston to make the ceremony come to life.


Look: MMC1
Package: I Do Photo

Vendors:
Venue: The Chanler at Cliff Walk
Florist: Sayles Livingston
Hair & Makeup: Allison Barbera Beauty
Band: Mark Greel Band
Invitations: On Three Designs
Dress: Theia

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Ryan + Rebecca

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Belle Mer

Newport, RI

You know those weddings that are simple and dreamy? Well this was one of those. We met up with Ryan and Rebecca on a beautiful fall day in Newport, RI at one of our favorite Longwood Venues, Belle Mer. This down-to-earth bride and groom duo were naturals in front of the camera making our job effortless. Our photo and video team couldn’t get enough of the florals and beautiful signage. This wedding was everything and more.

Look: MMC1
Package: The Deluxe

Vendors
Venue: Belle Mer
Caterer: Longwood Venues
Florist: Fresh Foraged
Hair Stylist: New Leaf Hair Studio
Makeup Artist: New Leaf Hair Studio
DJ/Band: DJ Martika
Photobooth: Luxe Booth Co.

Tim + Olivia

Saint Lucy Vincent Beach

Martha’s Vineyard, MA

Tim and Olivia’s engagement session at Martha’s Vineyard was our favorite photo session to date. We loved getting to visit this down to earth couple’s favorite beach with our engagement photography and videography team. We now offer engagement videos for our wedding brides and grooms as the perfect creative element to include in your engagement session. This teaser is easy to share on Instagram and is a beautiful way to remember the days leading up to your wedding. If you’d like to learn more about booking an engagement video session with us, you can reach out to us here:

“Our photos are unbelievable, we love them! Thank you so much.”
— Olivia

Mike + Becky

Castle Hill Inn

Newport, RI

Mike and Becky’s sunny, bright, romantic mansion wedding at Castle Hill Inn in Newport, Rhode Island was filled with so many sweet candid moments that our wedding photography and wedding videography team had so much fun getting to capture. Our wedding photographer and wedding videographer’s photojournalistic approach to the wedding day allowed the wedding team to stick to the background and let the bride and groom really enjoy their day while still capturing all of the heartfelt, beautiful moments in photos and in video. If this laid back photography style fits what you’d like for your wedding photos and wedding film, reach out to us today before our season books up!

“So excited about our wedding photos! We are beyond happy with them.”
— Becky

Tyler + Lauren

Colt State Park

Bristol, Rhode Island

Tyler and Lauren are a down to earth, fun loving couple and our wedding photographers loved getting to photograph their windy March engagement session photos. Their two hour engagement session at Colt State Park in Bristol, Rhode Island took full advantage of the early evening light and the diversity of their location. This wedding couple knew that they wanted their Save the Date photos to include some scenic photos by the ocean as well as in the woods, and this portrait session location was the perfect fit to get the best of both worlds. We can’t wait to see them again at their wedding this autumn at Oceancliff!

Chris + Christina

Brenton Point + Fort Adams

Newport, RI

Chris and Christina held an intimate elopement ceremony this past month to celebrate their love and life together, and our wedding photographers had the chance to document it! This adventurous couple set out against the winter wind and even some rain to get some elegant, dramatic portrait photos at Brenton Point State Park and at Fort Adams. After being together for almost six years, Chris and Christina’s romantic story and excitement to elope came to life in their photographs! It was a misty, magical day, and this bride and groom took it by storm!

“These folks were great. They were a pleasure to deal with and were very creative in their approach. They accommodated all of our random photo requests and their own ideas blew us away, and we got our photos back sooner than we expected. I recommend them whole heartedly!”
— Jacob D

Tom + Hana

Engagement Session

Warren, RI

Sometimes the most magical engagement photos can be taken right in the comfort of your home! It was a snowy winter day when our wedding photographers visited this bride and groom’s cozy home for their casual winter engagement session. This was the perfect option for a photo session in February, since the couple was able to stay warm and still take advantage of the snow on the ground outside. We even got some great photos with their dog included! The next time we’ll see these two is at their fall wedding at the Blithewold Mansion in Bristol, Rhode Island, and our wedding photography team can’t wait!

“We are in love with our photos and haven’t stopped looking at them!! We are even more excited than before for our wedding photos and are so glad we have Move Mountains Co to document one of the most important days of our lives!”
— Hana

The Morning Of

Getting the Best Bride Prep Photos

You wouldn't think it at first, but some of our favorite wedding photos/videos are taken in the morning when the bride is getting ready! It’s the beginning of the day, excitement is in the air, and we don’t want to miss a thing. This is a critical time for your wedding photographers to capture some really important photos that you’ll love to look back on later. In order to make sure that your bride prep looks great, here are a few suggestions that we can offer!

Location

We recommend choosing a space/location that is open, has plenty of natural light and is free of clutter! This will ensure the photographer or videographer has plenty of light and room to work with and will keep your photos looking nice and clean! Try to avoid hotel rooms that are cramped and don't provide much natural lighting. Indoor lighting can be difficult to work with and usually produces orange skin tones, and hotel rooms can also be limiting when trying to find a nice place to shoot details, such as the dress! Often times these rooms have TVs, phones, desks and lamps which can take away from the elegance of the dress and other details that need to be shot.

If you've already scheduled a hotel or are in a smaller/darker space this is totally okay! Here are a few tips for working in this type of space:

  • Make sure your hair and make up artists position you by a window (This is important in any scenario, we love natural light!)

  • Keep indoor lighting off, it may feel dark but the pictures and video will still come out bright!

  • Keep the space clean

 
 

Details

Be sure to bring all the details that you want us to photograph or catch on video on the morning of. This may include but is not limited to:

  • Shoes

  • Dress

  • Wood or Custom hanger for the dress (Example)

  • Bridesmaid dresses

  • Invitations

  • Rings (All 3)

  • Ring Box (Example) (Another Example!)

  • Any jewelry 

  • Any card/gift you'll be exchanging with your fiancé

  • Your bouquet

 
 

Time

Bride prep is such an important part of the day and can sometimes be neglected and undervalued. This is the most relaxed time of the day: you're spending time with your girls, getting pampered, and getting ready to say I do! It’s a great time for your photographer or videographer to warm up and build a rapport with you, your bridesmaids, and your family! But beyond that, shooting details takes time! We ask that you give our team at least an hour (but we recommend more) to style invitations, rings, florals and shoes, and also find the best place to hang your dress!

If we are shooting video and you're planning on exchanging cards on the morning of, please allow your videographer an extra 15 minutes to capture good visuals and audio!

We hope that this is helpful for you as you continue your wedding planning! As always, feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have!

 
 

Tim + Katie

Beavertail State Park

Jamestown, RI

We’ve been looking back at our favorite weddings and engagement sessions from previous wedding seasons and we wanted to share a throwback to Tim and Katie’s engagement session at Beavertail State Park in Jamestown, Rhode Island! Their love story began with just a high school crush, it was incredible to see how far this New England couple had come. By the time the sun set on the beach at the end of their photo session, this bride and groom was more than ready for their wedding the following summer. If you’ve ever been on the fence about having an engagement session, our photographers always recommend trying it! Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have!

“Absolutely incredible team of photographers and videographers! Our wedding day could not have been captured any more beautifully and we are so thankful to Move Mountains for that. If you are looking for a professional, thoughtful and extremely talented group of people- look no further!”
— Katie

Mike + Kelly

Hotel Viking

Newport, RI

Our wedding photography and wedding videography team had the best time shooting Mike and Kelly’s beautiful summer wedding at Saint Mary’s Church and Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island! These classic Newport locations became a timeless renaissance backdrop for these two as they tied the knot! Our team especially loved their artistic taste and upbeat energy! Their silliness and fun was unapologetic, and we couldn’t get enough of it! In between jokes and laughs, we were able to capture edgy photos and video that perfectly complimented this classy couple and their eye for drama! If you’re recently engaged and you’re looking for someone to capture your big day, we’d love to hear from you! You can reach out to us here!

Vendors:

Venue: Hotel Viking

Caterer: Hotel Viking

Florist: The Bouqs

Hair Stylist: Sam Wilson

Invitations: Crane for Paper Potpourri

Make-Up: Natural Creations

“We are so happy we stumbled upon Move Mountains Co. when looking for our wedding photographer and videographer! From the first time I met with Sean at a coffee shop to go over our vision of our wedding, to the day they delivered our photos and video, we couldn’t have been happier. Their easy going team made us feel completely comfortable on the biggest day of our lives, and everything came out better than we could have imagined. We’re so thankful for the wedding memories we will have for a lifetime!
”
— Kim

Daniel + Chelsea

The Bohlin

Newport, RI

One thing’s for sure: Dan and Chelsea know how to throw a party! Our wedding photography and videography team had a blast at this bright summer wedding! This fun-loving couple had an effortless wedding day seeing all that Newport, Rhode Island had to offer! They took on the nautical town by trolley and hit some classic Newport landmark spots for their wedding photos and wedding film! After starting the day at RaNew Salon, we were able to have their first look photographed at the elegant and beautiful Salve Regina University! After saying “I Do” at The Bohlin, they were whisked away to the sailing docks to take a quick breath and get some beautiful photos along the water! After this, it was straight to the tent reception that they had all been waiting for! Our bride and groom danced the night away, and our photo and video team was there to catch all of the best moments! We hope you enjoy!

Vendors:

Venue: The Bohlin
Flowers: Robin Hollow Farm
Hair/Makeup: RaNew Salon & Spa
Band: Clique (via Wilson Stevens)
Invitations: Lasting Impressions

“I wish I could give 10 stars! I am so happy that we found the team at Move Mountains Co. to be our photographers and videographer for our special day. Our engagement session with Sean was awesome because it gave us an opportunity to meet each other before the big day and for him to get to know our personalities. Nicole, the Studio Manager, was great to work with, as she was quick to respond via e-mail and always available to answer my never ending questions over the phone. Day-of shooters were Sean and Tiahna and they were so great, especially because they patient with our large bridal party, which at times was a rowdy crew!”
— Chelsea

Akash + Jennifer

Belle Mer

Newport, RI

Akash and Jennifer’s traditional, colorful Indian Wedding in Newport, Rhode Island was nothing short of stunning! We couldn’t get enough of the bright red colors and elegant details of Jennifer’s Sari and the venue’s stunning decor. The Belle Mer in Newport, Rhode Island was the perfect backdrop for this bride and groom to get ready in the morning, hold their traditional Hindu ceremony, and celebrate their new beginning together! As their wedding photographers and videographers, we were there to capture every moment!

Dan + Sarah

FORT WETHERILL

Jamestown, RI

As wedding photographers, our hope is that being in front of the camera is never nerve-wracking and always a good time! Dan and Sarah were able to keep cool and have a blast at their wedding engagement session at Fort Wetherill in Jamestown, Rhode Island. This relaxed, intimate park just outside of Newport, Rhode Island created the best atmosphere for an adventure with Sean, their wedding photographer. Between playful splashes in the water to cozying up in their towels, this couple was able to have a memorable time getting to know their wedding photographer, and they got some stunning photos as a result! Stay tuned for their wedding photos and wedding highlight video shot at Glen Manor House in Portsmouth, Rhode Island!

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Fort Adam's and Her Siren

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Inspiration and Initiative

This shoot was inspired by Ben Sasso's work! if you don't know who he is make sure you check out his stuff. I love his style, the type of models he chooses, his often odd prop choices, simple wardrobe choices, and his willingness to help other artists like myself, as I attribute 95% of my photography knowledge from pestering other photographers.

Fort Adam's and Her Siren

Fort Adam's was built in 1798 and named after President John Adam's and was active in five major wars. Today it's a State Park, has a great vibe and is a great place to shoot (no pun intended). The inner rooms are covered in old shiplap and there are antique couches floating around that are great for creative shoots, wedding shoots and engagement photos!

I'd been wanting to shoot at Fort Adam's ever since we helped load film for John Abbott as he photographed up and coming Jazz artist's at the Newport's Jazz Festival or maybe it's been since my best friend got married there back in 2015 (truly a unique wedding venue!)

Since we are mostly in the wedding photography game it's rare that we get a chance to get to work on purely creative projects but it's always a joy when we are able to. This was the first time I had shot Briana and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. She was perfect for the fort and brought the exact energy to the shoot that I hoped she would, although as hard as I persisted she would not play that trumpet (or bugle, not pictured).

Frequency Separation

For photographers...

For the editing I used Ben Sasso's Heck Yeah Presets (The Bright Pack) with Lightroom/Photoshop and a method of photo retouching called frequency separation. It was my second time working with this method. I originally went with using the first tutorial I found on Youtube here, but wasn't getting the results I wanted. I emailed Ben and he sent over the video that he learned from which seems like an even more time consuming method but I think the results are better (however, at that point I was about 75% through the photos and couldn't start over). That video can be found here. 

If you look at the results of the process, it is definitely worth the time invested.

Canon 5D Mark III / Canon 24-70 II / Heck Yeah Presets / Adobe Creative Suite