Some venues just make everything feel timeless, and Castle Hill Inn is at the top of that list. For Caroline and Luke’s wedding, this iconic Newport, Rhode Island venue set the stage for a coastal celebration that was elegant, romantic, and effortlessly chic. Think a gold and white palette, lush organic florals, and the Atlantic as a backdrop. I’m Nicole Perfetuo of The Perfet Photo, and photographing this one on the Newport coast was an absolute dream.
Thirteen Years in the Making
Caroline and Luke are high school sweethearts, together for thirteen years. Their journey took them from Ohio to the New England coast, which made the day feel like a true full-circle moment. The couple had spent countless summers in Rhode Island over the years. They fell for the timeless charm of Newport, and in the end, it was the only place they could picture saying “I do.”
The Vision: Effortless Elegance
Caroline and Luke described their vision as effortless elegance, and Castle Hill Inn was the perfect canvas for it. They leaned into a sophisticated palette of gold and crisp white. Pranzi Florals brought the whole space to life with an abundance of lush, organic blooms. It was refined without ever feeling fussy, exactly the kind of coastal sophistication Castle Hill is known for.
Getting Ready at Castle Hill
The morning started in the bridal suite, where Caroline relaxed with her mom and bridesmaids around her. The mood was all good vibes and good company. There was even a fun surprise: a custom newspaper filled with articles all about the couple. Caroline wore a lace-trimmed robe and slip while she had her hair and makeup done, and her bridesmaids matched the moment in adorable ruffled pajama sets.
The Fashion
Caroline fell in love with a mermaid gown by Eva Lendel, complete with a dramatic detachable train. Luke kept his look timeless in a classic black tuxedo. Together they were the picture of coastal elegance.
One of the most meaningful details came later in the night. For her reception look, Caroline honored family tradition with a custom evening dress reconstructed from her mother’s original wedding gown. It was the perfect piece for dancing the night away under the stars at the water’s edge.
A Private First Look and Vow Exchange
One of my favorite moments of the whole day was Caroline and Luke’s private first look against the water. It set such a beautiful, intimate tone for everything that followed. More and more couples are choosing a private vow exchange like this one, and it’s easy to see why. It gives them a quiet moment together to truly be present before the celebration begins. On the Newport coast, with the ocean right there, it was pure magic.
A Waterfront Ceremony with Live Painting
As guests wandered through the garden to their seats at the waterfront ceremony, they found a lovely surprise. A live painter was already at work capturing the scene in real time. When a wedding is this beautiful, documenting it in every possible way just makes sense. It was one more artful touch on a day full of them.
The Cake and Sweet Details
The cake was a showstopper. Perched on its own table sat a three-tier, Lambeth-style design in rich red velvet. Fresh white roses crowned the top. And hidden in the decoration was an adorable little tribute to the couple’s beloved fur baby, the kind of personal touch that makes a celebration feel completely their own.
Featured on Wedding Chicks
Caroline and Luke’s Castle Hill Inn wedding was so beautiful that it was featured on Wedding Chicks. You can see even more from their coastal celebration in the full feature on Wedding Chicks. I was thrilled to have my photography showcased alongside their story.
The Dream Team Behind the Day
A Newport wedding this gorgeous comes together thanks to an incredible team of vendors. Here’s everyone who helped make Caroline and Luke’s Castle Hill Inn wedding unforgettable.
- Photographer: The Perfet Photo / @theperfetphoto
- Venue: Castle Hill Inn / @castlehillinn
- Videographer: LM Productions 88 / @lmproductions88
- Content Creator: The Social FRM / @thesocialfrm
- Florist: Pranzi Florals / @pranziflorals
- Baker: Wooden Pin Baking Co / @woodenpinbakingco
- DJ: Xtreme Soundz DJ / @xtremesoundzdj
- Live Music: Classy Strings / @classystrings
- Hair & Makeup: Lock Star Weddings / @lockstarweddings
- Stationery: Minted / @minted
- Rentals: Peak Event Services / @peakeventservices
- Transportation: Newport Travel Trolley
- Wedding Dress: Eva Lendel / @evalendel
- Evening Dress: Bremelia / @bremelia
- Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Birdy Grey / @birdygrey
- Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse / @menswearhouse
- Rings: James Allen / @jamesallen & Cartier / @cartier
More Newport and Rhode Island Weddings
Newport is one of my very favorite places to photograph, and I’ve been lucky to capture some beautiful celebrations across the coast. If you love this one, you’ll want to see Hannah and Willy’s butter yellow Newport wedding at The Bohlin too. And for another timeless Rhode Island celebration, take a look at my Providence Public Library wedding.
Dreaming of a Newport Wedding?
Are you planning a wedding at Castle Hill Inn, or anywhere along the Newport coast? I would love to hear all about it. As a Rhode Island and Boston wedding photographer, I’ve captured celebrations across the state, from the Providence Public Library to the Newport shoreline. I’m Nicole Perfetuo, the photographer behind The Perfet Photo. I’d be honored to capture your love story the way I captured Caroline and Luke’s. Get in touch here and let’s start planning.
