A Rainy Newport Wedding | Oct. 23, 2022

📸: Faith Dugan // @faithduganphotography

Not every wedding day can host fair weather, but the show must go on.

Amanda and Pete Lankarge tied the knot on Oct. 23, 2022 at Regatta Place in Newport, a dream venue for them. Aquidneck Island holds a special place in their heart. “It is our home through and through,” Amanda says. Pete spent summers here as a kid and Amanda had her heart set for a wedding since she was a little girl. Every aspect of Newport living and their relationship was incorporated into their special day: Guests signed a beautiful handprinted map of the island, ballet pink Shell Escort cards were printed as well as personalized ballet pink decks of playing cards with “We Played Our Cards Right” to represent their favorite date night activity.

As the day approached and everything seemed to fall into place perfectly, there was one glooming factor: the weather. When booking a Newport wedding, you imagine the most beautiful coastal backdrop on a bright, sunny day. What many couples forget is the natural element of rain, which, yes, Newport does experience from time to time! Instead of avoiding it, Amanda and Pete embraced the weather and lived their fantasy wedding.

“We didn’t get those golden hour sunset photos, but instead, we got those whimsical umbrella photos with kisses in the rain out of a Nicholas Sparks romantic fairytale,” Amanda says. “You can collect the rain drops on your wedding day in a jar, and later save them to baptize your children with wedding rain,” she adds.

Amanda knew that rain or shine, she and Pete could get married on the boat dock, so they followed through and had a magical kiss in the rain. The weather didn’t stop them from having fun! The newlyweds and their guests took rainy day photos, danced and sang the night away under the tent.

“Rain is not the end of the world, even if it is not what you envisioned!” Amanda says. “Our dream day was so unique. My husband is the lead singer in a Newport band and performed/serenaded me at the reception, we had a surprise choreographed entrance for our guests and exchanged personal vows, truly setting the tone of the magic of the day.”

No matter how much your prepare, be it booking a summer wedding to escape spring showers, or checking the forecast, there are some elements out of your control. Wedding vendors are extremely accommodating to the rapidly changing New England weather and make sure you still have the day of your dreams.

“If it rains, it doesn’t mean that your dream Newport wedding can’t come to life,” Amanda says of her all-outdoor wedding.