The Meet Cute: Ironically, the same dating app that brought together Colin’ s best friend and his current wife also connected Michelle and Colin. One date was all it took, and history took care of the rest.
The Engagement: It was a sunny day in the freezing month of February. Colin had plans to go on a hike with Michelle, who struggled to agree at first, in their neighboring nature preserve of Devil’ s Den. Colin had danced with the devil many times before, so for him the preserve’ s waterfall was a perfect place to surprise Michelle. It took a couple of tries, and a break on the side to shake off a couple of hikers for some privacy, but when they finally had a moment alone, he popped the question and truly surprised Michelle. It’ s safe to say that aside from freezing, there were lots of smiles and tears.
The Venue: After looking at a handful of gorgeous venues on the mainland, the couple agreed nothing felt unique to them. Colin had been visiting Block Island each summer for most of his life, since that’ s where his mother’ s family originally settled. To their delight, The Atlantic Inn had opened under new management, and after a visit to check the place, they loved how cozy it felt. The idea of a small wedding with close friends and family in one small hotel at a place like Block Island felt memorable and unique.
The Theme: Colin had been watching the romantic thriller“ The Lighthouse,” starring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, and in the film, which is set on an island similar to Block Island, there is a mermaid. Coincidentally, there were mermaids in the decor of the newly designed Atlantic Inn, so they took the color palette of the venue, which made for a nautical-themed, casual Block Island wedding.
September 28, 2024
BRAD SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY @ SMITHBRAD
The Custom Attire: Colin had a custom suit and Michelle had custom Converse shoes. Since Colin works as an art director and in wardrobe design for commercials, men’ s wear felt limited to him. Therefore, he reached out to a suit designer named Chancelor Roberts who does custom embroidery to make something that felt unique and beautiful. Good thing he did, or else Michelle would’ ve taken the spotlight all to herself!
The Advice:“ Do what feels best for you,” says the couple.“ Don’ t try to make someone’ s idea of a wedding just to get into Engaged in Southern New England magazine. When you trust what’ s right for you, you might end up in it like us!”
84 | ENGAGED IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND 2026