Gabrielle and Ricardo | September 1, 2019

📷: Flavio D Photography

Join us in swooning over this glam-meets-whimsical wedding at the Roger Williams Park Temple to Music and Botanical Center.

The Meet Cute

Gabrielle, a Mississippi native, and Ricardo, a Massachusetts guy, fell in love with one another far from home, having first met while on a job in the emergency room of a Wichita, Kansas hospital.

The Engagement

Three years into their relationship, Ricardo planned a proposal for the ages. The feat included a surprise trip to the City of Love, a.k.a. Paris, France, and a romantic question popping in front of the Mona Lisa’s legendary smize.

The Process

Like many brides before her, Gabrielle didn’t particularly enjoy having to keep track of and manage all the different vendors throughout planning, but in the end, it was all worth it. “My favorite part was seeing it all come together,” she says.

The Ceremony

The best parts? The couple say it’s a tie between Gabrielle’s grand entrance (involving a classy white limousine and a long red carpet) and officiant Dr. Rev Soliny Vedrine’s comedic approach to the formalities.

The Venue

Gabrielle had a clear aesthetic in mind from day one. “I knew I wanted the wedding to have a romantic greenhouse effect,” she says. “The Botanical Center’s gardens are beautiful, and we knew it was the perfect location for what we had envisioned.” This included a cocktail space covered with beguiling flora as well as a reception tent embellished with dreamy drapery and glittering gold accents.

The First Dance

Gabrielle and Ricardo’s first spin on the dance floor as man and wife was set to “Is This Love” by Allen Stone. The newlyweds were taken by its beautiful lyrics and meaning, saying that it truly embodies the love they share.

The Hiccup

The capacity was an issue,” Gabrielle says. “We originally wanted our ceremony to be inside the Botanical Gardens, but due to seating limits, we had to move it outdoors.” No harm, no foul, though: they were still able to wed within Roger Williams Park at the grounds’ equally stunning Temple to Music (and instead save the beauty of the Botanical Gardens for later on!).

The Highlights

“Mine were seeing Gabbi for the first look at the State House and the first dance.” — Ricardo

“My favorite moment was the first look.” — Gabrielle

The Advice

“Slow down and enjoy every moment during the big day because the time passes by quickly,” Gabrielle says. “Also, take as many photos as you can with your guests.”