Raven & Terry
MEL COLVIN PHOTOGRAPHY
As alums of the same high school , Raven and Terry didn ’ t connect until Terry graduated college — Terry had just graduated and Raven was in her senior year . In November 2016 , two of their mutual friends set them up . In 2021 , Terry and Raven were in the process of building a house in Blackstone , MA , frequently stopping by to check its progress and take photos . On September 25 , during one of their usual house visits , Terry switched up the routine . “ We were walking around the backyard near this beautiful tree that holds a lot of history ,” says Raven . “ The lot used to be part of a farm and several members of the family who owned the farm got married under this specific tree .” Terry wanted to take a photo of Raven looking at the tree , and after posing with her back to the camera , she turned around to find him on one knee . “ Terry proposed in the backyard where we were building our future home ,” Raven says . “ It was such a special and incredible moment .” The couple wed on November 4 , 2023 , at Lakeview Pavilion in Foxborough , MA .
Hayley & Austin
EAST PASSAGE PHOTO
Hayley stopped at a stop sign across from the Fastnet Pub in Newport . She suddenly locked eyes with Austin , who was sitting with his cousin by the pub window watching cars blow through the stop sign . At home , she received a message from Austin on social media asking in disbelief if she had actually just stopped at the stop sign . Three years later , the same stop sign marked another special moment for them . Some steps away from the sign , in front of the Old Colony House , Austin got down on one knee and proposed . Back inside the pub , their loved ones congratulated the two over some beers . The wedding will be on May 18 , 2024 , with the ceremony taking place at Saint Mary ’ s Church and the reception at the Newport Art Museum . “ Getting married in a local church is significant for Austin , while I grew up heavily involved at the art museum ,” says Hayley . “ Every detail is being created down to the dress itself . It ' s almost like our wedding is just a onenight installment at the museum .”
Natalie & Paolo
LAURA INK PHOTO
After meeting online , Paulo moved to Rhode Island to start his career as an EMT and be closer to Natalie , a high school educator and culinary arts instructor . He popped the question on the Providence River Pedestrian Bridge — a “ wonderful surprise filled with joy and excitement ,” Natalie says . Five minutes later , another couple nearby got engaged , and the moment turned into an impromptu party as onlookers cheered and clapped for both couples . They celebrated afterward with a romantic dinner at Gracie ’ s . Natalie ’ s favorite part of the proposal was seeing how happy Paulo was : “ He couldn ’ t stop smiling ear to ear ,” she says . The pair eloped during a trip to Kauai in April 2023 , and broke the news at a surprise “ engagement ” party they held for family and friends after returning home .
10 | ENGAGED IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND 2024