How did you two meet?
Paul: Like most couples do, we met at the workplace.
Lindsey: We started working together when Paul got hired at Outback Steakhouse in 2012. It took a year for me to warm up to the idea of dating.
Paul: It took a lot of hard work. It was all worth it.
Lindsey: If not for Outback, we would have never met as I grew up in Cranston and Paul is from East Providence. We were together for five years before we got engaged.
How did you get engaged?
Paul: I knew I wanted to propose, but I had to come up with the perfect scenario. Those romantic comedies put a lot of pressure on us guys to make it perfect. As a planned ski trip with another couple was approaching, the timing just started to make sense: New Hampshire is special to Lindsey, January was the month we started dating and we were going to be with special people in our lives. Now I just had to pick the right time while on the vacation. I brought the ring with me everywhere we went and couldn’t find that perfect moment. Eventually, we had one more day of our vacation and I was feeling the pressure. Lindsey and I love to play games with our friends who were away with us. We started playing some games and I knew this was my moment. During that time, I asked Lindsey, “Do you want to be my partner?” She said, “Sure.” That is when I got down on one knee and said, “No, will you be my partner in life?” After getting over her shock, Lindsey said yes!
Tell us about the planning process.
Lindsey: People kept asking throughout the whole planning process what the theme was. We really didn’t have one the whole time and a part of me felt as though I wasn’t doing a good job planning because I didn’t care about defining a theme! We wanted the aesthetic to be elegant and classy. The uplighting used by our DJ helped us to achieve that soft, romantic feeling. Our favorite part of wedding planning putting our own personal touches on certain aspects of the day (i.e. signage, table numbers). Our least favorite was meeting with all the different vendors prior to hiring anyone. We both work different schedules, so coordinating meeting times was difficult!
What drew you to Quidnessett Country Club?
The venue is classically beautiful. We looked at several other venues, but kept comparing them to the ballroom at Quidnessett.
Paul, what were the shirts your groomsmen were wearing underneath their suits?
Power Ranger T-shirts. Each groomsman had a different color along with matching socks.
Lindsey, tell us about your veil.
It was my mom’s from her wedding thirty years prior. Arianna Buonanno of Arianna Nicola Designs removed the previously existing crown/beading and added the comb.
What was going through your minds while Lindsey was walking down the aisle?
Paul: I was thinking about how beautiful she looked and was hoping I wasn’t going to pass out!
Lindsey: I was just trying to hold it together and make it down the aisle without crying! I thought he looked very handsome.
Tell us about your grand entrance at the reception.
Lindsey: Paul grew up a huge wrestling fan and we wanted to incorporate something different with our entrance. Stone Cold Steve Austin’s theme song was playing and Paul’s best man, Joe Brennan, in the moment asked Paul if he wanted to “stun” him. Nobody was expecting it.
What was your first dance song?
Lindsey: “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur. We loved the message in the lyrics, but most of all we wanted a song that wasn’t too slow because we just aren’t that type.
How did you come up with the superhero cake?
Lindsey: The cake was the epitome of compromise. I wanted traditional white and Paul wanted the whole cake to be superhero themed, or something else out of the ordinary. We compromised and did the front half traditional and the back half superhero logos. Jen at Scrumptions did an amazing job executing our vision. We got so many compliments on the cake and still do.
Did you run into any issues while planning or on the day of the wedding?
Lindsey: Our original party bus was totaled a couple of months before the wedding. We started to panic since we had booked eight months before our date, but we didn’t have any issues rebooking with another company. We did have a couple of party crashers attempting to sneak from our open bar, but my mom quickly noticed and Quidnessett put a stop to anyone else entering our ballroom.
If you had to narrow it down, what would you say were each of your favorite moments from that day?
Lindsey: I loved dancing all night and seeing all our friends and family celebrating together.
Paul: I loved hanging out with everyone on the party bus to the Statehouse and the reception. Also, the entrances were really fun and seeing everyone together was awesome.
Do you have any advice for recently engaged couples?
Lindsey: Planning a wedding is hard work! Try to enjoy the little moments and celebrate crossing items off the never-ending to-do list. Make sure you do everything you want to do for your wedding.
The Details
Ceremony: St. Francis Xavier Church in East Providence // Reception and Catering: Quidnessett Country Club // Additional Photos Location: the Statehouse in Providence // Hair & Makeup: Studio B Salon // Bride’s Dress: Allure Bridals, Party Dress Express // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal // Groom’s and Groomsmen’s Suits: Carl Anthony Tuxedo // Cake: Scrumptions // Flowers: A Touch of Vermont // Reception Music: Pro Sound DJ Entertainment // Transportation: Princess Limo