A special thank you to all the photographers who made editorial contributions :
Alexandria Blake Angel Tucker Photography Ashley Olafsson Photography Atlas + Stone Photography Brad Smith Photography Caitlin Kershaw Photography Coli Michael Photography Created Coastal Photography East Passage Co . Eder Baptista EEW Photography Emily Crombez Photography GAUPERphoto House of Lubold Photography Kim Lyn Photography Laura Ink Photography M . Studios Mel Colvin Studios Melissa Stimpson Photography Move Mountains Co . Rhode Photo & Film Rhode Tripper Photography Sara Zarrella Photography Sheila Torres Photography Simone Plus Photography Tara Morris Images Trevor Holden Photography Yudi Ela Echevarria
Engaged in Southern New England
ENGAGEDSNE . COM
Engaged in Southern New England may be an annual publication , but our online presence is a year-round operation . Keep up with us on social media as we navigate the wedding world and help local couples get from ring to marriage .
SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS
We are always on the hunt for local engagements and weddings to feature on our website and in future issues of Engaged in Southern New England . This year , submit your engagement photos for the opportunity to win some fabulous prizes each month and for the chance to have your photos published in the next edition of Engaged magazine or Rhode Island Monthly ! Visit engagedsne . com for more details and to submit your unique story .
@ EngagedSNE
PHOTOGRAPHY : RHODE PHOTO & FILM
I ’ ll be honest . Throughout our two years of wedding planning — consisting of sending out numerous reminders for guests to RSVP and constantly modifying the seating chart — my now-husband Bruno and I asked ourselves once or twice , “ Why didn ’ t we get a wedding planner ?” The amount of stress we experienced and time we spent on decision making would ’ ve decreased had we hired a wedding planner .
Thankfully , Jessica Belanger of The Bradley Estate was a great assist in getting wedding details taken care of , from the timeline to the meal and seating chart . Calls with Margarita of Rhode Photo & Film helped us organize who and what would be photographed . Thanks to her talent and creativity , I can relive that magical day for the rest of my life . Ramu and the Crew kept our dance floor lively , and Copper Penny Flowers accentuated the bridal party ’ s attire and the tablescapes for the reception . I cannot thank these vendors enough for bringing my wedding vision to life .
Four months later , we ’ re still proud of the sweet and simplistic September wedding we planned , with the help of our parents , bridal party and amazing vendors . ( Read about our day on page 106 !)
If you wish to plan your own wedding like we did , here ’ s a little advice : No matter what ideas or suggestions come your way from loved ones , if it doesn ’ t represent you and your partner ’ s personalities , don ’ t be scared to say no . Be prepared to defend your wedding choices and politely decline unwarranted opinions . I know the wedding is just one day , so the doubts people expressed when I told them my decor plans , or the disapproval I faced when I put my foot down about an opinion I didn ’ t agree with , paled in comparison to what I envisioned for our day . It was all worth it to see delighted guests throughout the night .
If you ’ re overwhelmed with where to start planning , refer to our wedding countdown ( page 8 ) and check off to-dos as you go . Whether you ’ re planning to wed in the city , in the garden or by the sea , pull inspiration from our Tips and Trends section ( pages 13 – 48 ) and find the venue that suits you best ( page 51 ; page 69 ). Or take notes from our local couples and see how they pulled off their grand soirees ( page 79 ).
However you plan to spend the rest of your life with your significant other , make sure to be in the moment , laugh , cry , eat well and dance with loved ones .
xoxo , Edelinda Antunes
ENGAGED IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND 2025 | 3