Engaged 2019 | Page 8

Engaged contributors a letter from the team A special thanks to all of the local wedding photographers who made editorial contributions: B. Medeiros Photography lue ash h t ra h Brad Smith Photography Brittanny Taylor Photography Dual Edge Photography East Coast Capture East Passage Photography Emily Crenca Photography J. Crest Photography Jenee Cook Photography Kelly Louise Photography Lauren Fletcher Photography Lauren Halvorson Photography Lefebvre Photo M. Studios Michelle Miale Photography Mel Colvin Photography Nicole Gesmondi Photograper, LLC Olivia Gird Photography Penny Souza Photography Sara Drew Photography Sarah Pudlo and Co. Sharum Photography Stacy Smith Studios Therese Iacono Photography Tricia McCormack Photography What Cheer Photo 6 | RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY'S ENGAGED 2019 As the heads of a wedding magazine, we know that we’re not supposed to play favorites, but we can’t deny that we’ve been absolutely living for fall weddings lately. Between the rich colors and cooler temps… It’s no wonder it’s replaced summertime as the new “wedding season.” Thus, as you flip through the following pages, you’ll notice quite a few odes to the season, whether it’s a full-page of deep red florals or a number of real weddings set in October. Even our cover features a nod to the motif! But, if you aren’t as autumnally minded as us, don’t worry — we adore lighter looks, too (just peep our brand new watercolor design!), and we are happy to show just as much love to all of the other lovely local wedding themes. In fact, our feature alone (starting page 87) boasts twenty- five reasons why Rhode Island weddings are the best, and our venue guide has something for every couple (47). We also have nine experts dishing on this year’s trends and dispensing some essential planning advice (29), along with a hot take on why first looks have become the norm (43). Plus, our engagement (23) and real wedding (101) sections showcase a wide variety of inspiration. Photographing for every issue of Rhode Island Monthly's Engaged magazine (and, previously, RIM Weddings) has been something that I've looked forward to each year. It is always a collaborative effort from the start, working with the creative team at Engaged to discuss the best way to bring the concept of each photo shoot to life, as well as working with local vendors and locations to pull off each photo shoot. The process has been the key to all the successful photo shoots that we have had over the years, from hanging fabric backgrounds on a windy day on the shore line of Bristol and rigging gowns on wine barrels to this year displaying the gowns as works of art. I am already looking forward to what will be planned for next year! No matter your tastes, we’re confident that our 2019 issue of Engaged has everything you will need to get from RIng to marRIage Kaitlyn Murray, Associate Editor Chris Vaccaro XOXO, Kait and Meg Meaghan Susi, Associate Art Director Karli Hendrickson As a former art director for Rhode Island Monthly, I have always loved working on 'style' photo shoots. Now, as a full-time freelancer, I can be found at my studio in an old velvet mill in Stonington, CT, doing anything from designing logos and custom wallpaper to painting pet portraits and shop signs. I also now work as a stylist for Rhode Island Monthly and Engaged! Many of my friends are getting married these days, so it was fun to pick out dresses and accessories with their varying styles in mind! Weddings can be a big deal in this little state, so these photo spreads felt like high-stakes styling, and that was kind of a thrill! Special thanks to Nancy Rodrigues Spirito of the Bridal Finery for loaning her dress forms and her experienced eye in preparing for my first time styling Engaged.