Jenni & Steve | July

📸: Mackenzie Bremges Photography // @mackenzieb.photography

A lobster and clambake at Fort Getty in Jamestown kicked off Jenni and Steve’s retro reception, which took place just before the first dance.

The Meet Cute: Jenni and Steve met in the spring of 2016 through mutual friends while she was bartending in Providence.

The Engagement: Steve proposed to Jenni in December 2019 on the eve of a trip to New Orleans. As they were about to start packing, they decided to get a drink at a local bar to kick off their weekend getaway. The Jamestown residents walked down to the water to look at the Newport Bridge (Jenni’s favorite spot) and the Christmas lights. “Before we walk back, I have a question for you,” Steve had said. He then kneeled down and asked Jenni to marry him. After heading home and enjoying champagne and a delicious charcuterie board spread courtesy of Steve’s mom, they spent the night chatting away and lost track of time. Before they knew it, the couple forgot to pack for their trip and missed their flight. But thankfully they were able to make it to New Orleans the following day and spend the weekend celebrating the big news.

The Transportation: Jenni has always been a fan of VW buses, and Steve surprised her with this retro ride on the day of their wedding. He arranged for the bus to pick Jenni up and drive her to the venue, and they were even able to feature the bus during their photo shoot.

The Venue: Complete with a picturesque pavilion, ocean breeze and a spectacular view, Jenni and Steve couldn’t have asked for a better venue than Fort Getty in Jamestown for their big day. They were able to capture their paradise location in once-in-a-lifetime sunset beach photos. Fort Getty was just as practical as it was paradisical – there was ample parking and plenty of space at the venue for the couple’s 115 guests. On the beach, guests gathered around the lobster and clambake and waited for their delicious meal just before the first dance.

The Advice: “Work together and communicate with one another while planning,” says Jenni. “While things can become stressful and a bit overwhelming at times, Steve and I attended meetings with each vendor together and it made it so much more exciting and fun through the stressful times. All the chaos of planning is so worth it — keep reminding yourself that there is so much to look forward to on the day of!” Also, the couple recommends hiring a wedding day coordinator or planner to help make the day run smoothly. “Casey Stamouli was our wedding day planner and she was the MVP of the day,” Jenni says.