When Caroline and Stuart contacted me to shoot their New York Yacht Club wedding in Newport, Rhode Island, I was happy to learn that we had a few things in common. They are competitive sailors in the J/105 fleet in The Bay Area living right near our San Francisco, California studio and I, as a self described boat geek (I hold a 100 ton Captain’s license and went to wooden boatbuilding school in Newport), always love photographing at Harbor Court any chance we get. I knew pretty quickly that I would thoroughly enjoy them and their wedding celebration at The NYYC!
What I didn’t know then, was that Stuart was an Aussie who had also been a member of The Royal Perth Yacht Club! To those that haven’t been involved with yacht racing, that may mean nothing… but it’s the equivalent of a New York Yankee getting married in Fenway Park. You see, the New York Yacht Club dominated the America’s Cup racing scene for 132 years, until 1983, when in Newport, Rhode Island… Australia II sailed into town and stole the Cup from under our nose. It’s one of the great stories of sport (read more about The America’s Cup here), & a moment in history that I remember like it was yesterday.
Stuart and Caroline’s wedding was everything we could hope for: filled with thoughtful details, beautiful moments and most of all, two people who truly love and enjoy one another. The one exception was that once again, the weather gods decided to test us (see the NYYC Blizzard Wedding here), but like all great sailors, the wedding party was up to the challenge.
Caroline walking down the aisle with her dad (wearing her mom’s 1968 wedding veil).
Stuart sees Caroline for the first time in her wedding dress.
The ceremony was held at The Emmanuel Church, a beautiful and historic building in Newport.
The details in the church were everywhere and hard to ignore!
Caroline puts Stuart’s wedding band on.
Returning down the aisle as husband and wife.
They were so excited right after their wedding!
Stuart & Caroline have a moment on the way to the reception.
A shot overlooking Newport Harbor illuminated by headlights.
Entering the reception… so happy and beautiful!
Caroline & Stuart’s first dance as husband and wife.
In the mirror, you can see Caroline’s dad leading a toast to the two of them.
Stuart’s toast came with a bit of a surprise… he confessed that he had walked down the aisle carrying the boxing Kangaroo flag… a replica of the one flown by Australia II when they took the America’s Cup in 1983!
Their beautiful rings… on Jack, the boxing kangaroo.
Their reception was beautiful… lots of dancing.
When the band played a song by Michael Jackson, this woman took advantage of the gentlemen’s white gloved formal dress wear , and did her own impersonation! Nice work!
Leaving the NYYC illuminated by sparklers & surrounded by friends. An end to an amazing evening.
A touching moment: Caroline’s dad makes eye contact with her and waves goodbye as they drive away.
Before heading into Newport for the after party, Caroline’s sister and boyfriend create slow shutter speed art with their sparklers.
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Want to see the complete wedding photos? Just click right here to see them all!
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Caroline & Stuart! Thanks so much for having us at your wedding! We were honored to support you both… and had a blast seeing how much fun everyone had. We will be looking for you on the waters of San Francisco Bay… or at the very least the next time we’re at Sam’s in Tiburon! Thanks again for being so welcoming, it was wonderful to be there to document your day!
Vendors:
Ceremony: Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Reception: New York Yacht Club (thanks Julie… you’re the best! We love working with you!)
Florist: Sayles Livingston
Stationer: William Arthur
Band: The Cords
Makeup: Robin McAloon
Hair: Frank Antonio Hair & Makeup
Cake: Creative Cake Comapny
Dress: Alvina Valenta
Sarah - What a classic, beautiful and personal wedding. I love the shot of Jack the fighting kangaroo with the rings and of course the sparkler photo was really neat as well.
Looks like a special wedding once again captured forever.