Amanda & Jimmy
To be wed April 25, 2020 at Our Lady of Grace Church in Johnston, RI, followed by
a reception at the Atlantic Resort in Middletown, RI.
Photograph by B. Medeiros.
Though Jimmy and Amanda met through mutual friends about ten years ago,
they didn’t really get to know one another until they reconnected five years later. “We started
out going for breakfast every Sunday morning — our plan was to try a new location every
week, inspired by Rhode Island Monthly’s best breakfasts list!” Amanda says. “Our breakfast
dates turned into full Sunday adventures, which then turned into dinner dates.” Which then
turned into full time dating. Fast forward to July 14, 2018, the couple decided to take their
dog, Bane, for a walk through their favorite place, Chase Farm in Lincoln. About half-way
through the excursion, Jimmy paused on a shaded pathway and got down on one knee.
Following a ‘yes’ from Amanda, a few pictures and many happy tears, Jimmy then whisked
his new fiance away to his soon-to-be-in-laws’ house, where all of the couple’s nearest and
dearest were waiting to celebrate. “The day was so perfect and so special,” Amanda recalls.
Knowing that they wanted professional photos for their first Christmas card and their
save the dates, Amanda and Jimmy decided to make their session all the more special
with a few familiarities. They held it at Chase Farm, taking sunset photos in the same spot
where Jimmy first asked Amanda to be his wife; posed with Amanda’s family’s antique
mustang; and even let Bane tag along and steal the spotlight a bit. The shoot also prepared
them for the wedding. “We are so happy we did an engagement session because it helped
us get used to the camera, helped us see poses we liked and didn’t like and also helped
Brittany get to know our personalities a little more!” Amanda says.
Victoria & Paul
To be wed April 25, 2020 at Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown, RI.
Photograph by Nicole Gesmondi Photographer, LLC.
Victoria has been in love with Paul since she was sixteen years old. “But I was just
his little sister’s friend,” she laughs. At eighteen, she worked up the nerve to ask him to prom,
where they had a great time, but unfortunately, different college plans led them down different
paths. “I thought we'd get married and so did our mothers, but we didn't,” Victoria muses.
Still, they stayed in touch. “I had a son, got married and got divorced,” Victoria says.
“Paul was there as a friend when I needed him.” Then, last November, Paul’s sister, Gillian,
had a great idea: Victoria should come to his birthday dinner. Paul was happily surprised to
see her, and the next week they spent Thanksgiving together at his family’s house. The two
began seeing one another more frequently and, a month later, they decided to see the Hip Hop
Nutcracker at the Emerson Theater in Boston. “We talked the entire car ride, catching up on
everything we’d missed,” Victoria recalls. “Then, during dinner before the show, he looked
at me and said, ‘You may not be ready, and I understand if you are not, but I need you to
know this...You are the one for me. I want to marry you. I want to spend my life with you.”
Victoria immediately replied with, “I knew you were the one for me, my soulmate, when I
was sixteen. I am ready to be with you, and only you, for the rest of my life.” She says it was
the happiest day of her life.
The soulmates chose Blithewold for their engagement session backdrop because of its
simple elegance, beautiful gardens and view of the water. “We love nature, we love to dress
up and we enjoy the simple things in life, like walks through the garden or along the beach,”
she says. “It’s so peaceful and brings us joy.”