John and Missy met through mutual friends during her senior year in college at Salve. He complimented her handwriting and she loved how kind he was. They spent that summer after graduation in Newport getting to know each other. Spending days on the beach and nights strolling Thames Street and eating a lot of late night pizza, they fell in love. His easy-going personality balanced her passionate energy and things all fell into place.

A few years later, just before Christmas, John planned a surprise date day in Newport at some of their favorite places. After lunch at Diego’s, the couple checked into a room at the Viking, and got ready to go out to eat at Fluke where they had their first date. Just before dinner, John led Missy to a quiet spot and asked her to marry him right there in wharf. His friend was there to photograph the moment and it’s one of the couples favorite pictures–John, there on one knee, next to the anchor statue, and Missy gleefully covering her mouth, eyes wide with excitement. After the holidays, they were excited to begin planning. They knew that they wanted a Newport wedding, knowing that the city held so much meaning for their relationship. It felt natural for the couple to take their vows to each other in the place where their story began, where they met and fell in love. The search for venues didn’t take very long either. Ochre Court at Salve Regina University was an obvious choice with its breathtaking and romantic atmosphere. The bride remembers being in high school and visiting the campus for a tour. The first place the tour went to was Ochre Court and she couldn’t believe how lucky kids were to call the incredible building a part of their school. Touring the venue brought back these old memories and right then Missy and John decided that it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity to throw a party for all of their friends and family in a mansion.

Missy and John’s wedding day was a dream come true. With every person they loved in

one room, the joy and love in the room was clear. The ceremony was beautifully

meaningful and the vows they wrote to each other were hilarious and wholehearted. There was an epic speech given by the co-maids of honor, the most delightful donut table, and

hours upon hours of dancing. It was honestly the happiest day they’ve ever had and the pictures by Paul Robert Berman are proof. You can find more Newport wedding inspiration on our Pinterest account!