Tommy & Justin local love
JULY 24 , 2021 MYKE YEAGER PHOTOGRAPHY
The Meet Cute : The couple met online in April 2018 . Justin is from Boston and Tommy is from Rhode Island . After a month of exchanging phone calls and texts , they decided to finally meet in person . “ There seemed to be a spark there and we felt like it was worth taking our time to do it right ,” Tommy recalls . They arranged a day date : Justin took the train down to Providence and Tommy took him to Figidini , where he ’ s friends with owners Kara and Frankie . Kara ended up officiating their wedding .
THE DETAILS
Ceremony and Reception Location : Private property in Tiverton , RI Catering : Pranzi Catering & Events Cake : Shannon Bakery Open Bar : Gasbarro ’ s Wines Bar and Seating : Uniquely Chic Vintage Hair : St . Germain Studio Tuxedos : Perry Ellis at Macy ’ s Florals : Hawthorn Designs DJ : Joey Silva Table Rentals : RI Rentals via Advanced Production and Design Wedding Bands and Rings : Doumato Jewelers
The Engagement : The two moved in together rather quickly . Tommy was about to open his salon , St . Germain Studio , and Justin was between apartments in Boston . They moved in four months later on a trial basis , but found it to be quite easy . That was fall 2018 . When the pandemic hit , it was a test for any relationship . “ I didn ’ t want to kill him , and it brought us together even closer ,” Tommy laughs . “ Neither of us were ever into marriage , but after the pandemic , I felt like I needed to marry him .” He went to Doumato Jewelers and had a custom ring made for him and surprise-proposed on New Year ’ s Eve 2020 . After the initial shock wore off ( even stating at one point that he felt like he was going to die ), Justin happily said yes .
The Wedding Plans : Rosanna Ortiz , founder of StyleWeek , and her husband bought a house in Tiverton on a peninsula with a gorgeous view . Amanda , who made the wedding rings , wanted to hold an engagement party . The grooms ’ families hadn ’ t met yet , so this was the perfect opportunity . As the planning was coming together , Rosanna remarked how beautiful it was going to be and suggested making it their wedding . After some consideration , they turned it into a small surprise wedding , about fifty to sixty guests . All of the guests , including the grooms ’ parents , thought they were coming to an engagement party . At the beginning of the party , they made an announcement . “ I know that you came here under the impression this is an engagement party , but we ’ re actually getting married today ,” Justin said . Kara came up and they jumped right into the ceremony .
The Highlights : “ The fact it was a surprise wedding was definitely the biggest moment ,” Tommy says . “ The reaction was pretty wild .” Tommy ’ s Aunt Jennifer had gifted them a handmade broom as a housewarming gift , but they used it to jump the broom as a nod to Justin ’ s heritage at the end of the ceremony to make the union official .
58 | ENGAGED IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND 2023