Bristol Harbor Inn Wedding

Weddings

A Charming Waterfront Celebration with Maggie and Matt

Bride and groom, hold hands walking on a dock at the Bristol Harbor Inn

On the East Bay of Rhode Island is an inviting waterfront venue perched right on a dock, overlooking Narragansett Bay. Add in a sunny autumn day, the sweetest couple you’ll ever meet, and a celebration infused with both tradition and personality, and you get this elegant Bristol Harbor Inn wedding. Maggie and Matt envisioned an elegant, cozy, coastal fall celebration — and the Bristol Harbor Inn delivered beautifully.

I recently blogged Maggie and Matt’s Providence engagement session, and I may have mentioned (once or twice) that I’m mildly obsessed with the fact that they lived in Alaska for military service. As a reminder, our session mostly consisted of me capturing sweet, joyful moments… in between enthusiastically peppering them with questions about life in Alaska. I just find it fascinating! Is it just me? Okay, moving on.

One trend I noticed with many of my 2025 brides was the addition of beautiful, delicate sleeves on their wedding gowns. Some were removable, some were not — and in Maggie’s case, hers were detachable. They added such a graceful, sophisticated touch that I absolutely love. And Matt? Equally dashing in a classic black tuxedo — a timeless choice that never misses.

The reception space glowed with rich fall color, from the florals to the place settings. The room felt alive with warm amber tones and deep jewel hues. One of my favorite details was the table numbers featuring childhood photos of Maggie and Matt — such a heartfelt and playful touch. Personal elements like that, whether woven into the décor or tucked into small details, make a wedding day feel uniquely yours. The vibrant palette paired beautifully with the soft blues of the ocean just outside, creating a contrast that was both striking and serene.

As the evening unfolded, friends and family filled the room with laughter and emotion during heartfelt (and often hilarious) toasts. A delicious meal, an energetic dance floor, and so much joy carried the celebration into the night. It’s easy to see how deeply loved Maggie and Matt are, and I couldn’t be happier for them as they begin this next chapter together.

Black and white couple portrait in sunlight in Bristol, Rhode Island

Wedding rings and lace wedding dress hanging on a door

Wedding invitation, and other bridal accessories photographed in a flatlay manner

Bridal shoes, bride’s perfume, and a detail of a wedding gown

Gold wedding bands on an antique gold tray

Portrait of groom, sitting on couch and smiling

Bride in pajamas, smiling, and laughing by her wedding gown

Portrait of bride getting ready on her wedding day by a window

Black and white wedding dress detail of elegant lace sleeves

Black and white portrait of bride by window

Emotional moment of bride seeing her dad for the first time on her wedding day

Bride admiring her lace wedding dress after getting ready on her wedding day

Exterior of charming white church with a blue sky in Bristol, Rhode Island

Candid group portrait of groomsmen in front of blue doors of the church

Traditional black-and-white portrait of groomsmen in front of church

Bride and father have a sentimental moment before walking down the aisle at church wedding

Bride and father in doorway of church as they begin to walk down the aisle

Groom waiting at head of aisle at church wedding

Bride and groom hold hands at head of aisle at church wedding

Couple hold hands at head of aisle at church wedding

Bride and groom recite vows on altar at church during wedding ceremony

Bride and groom exchange rings on altar at church during wedding ceremony

Bride and groom wedding ceremony recessional and church exit

Traditional, black and white wedding party portraits with brick wall in background

Candid wedding party portraits with brick wall in background

Vibrant florals with greenery and pink bridesmaid dresses

Bride and bridesmaid portrait in front of brick wall with flower girl

Black and white candid portrait of groom and groomsmen in front of brick wall

Traditional wedding party portrait in alley in front of brick wall

Fun black and white wedding party portrait in alley in front of brick wall

Traditional portrait of bride and groom in front of brick wall near the Bristol Harbor Inn

Black and white portrait of couple looking at each other with brick wall in background

Black and white portrait of couple holding hands looking at each other with brick wall in background

Traditional portrait of bride and groom facing each other in front of brick wall near the Bristol Harbor Inn

Groom twirls bride in backlit sunlight in alley with brick wall in background

Traditional portrait of bride and groom facing each on dock at the Bristol Harbor Inn with water in background

Bride and groom embrace and smile at camera

Portrait of couple looking at each other with brick wall behind them

Traditional black and white portrait of couple facing each other and smiling at the camera with brick wall behind them

Black-and-white portrait of embracing couple facing at each other with brick wall in background

Black-and-white portrait of couple on dock at the Bristol Harbor Inn

Couple kissing in alleyway with brick wall in the background

Detail of bride’s elegant lace sleeves with groom embracing behind her

Backlit portrait of bride and groom, snuggling in alley of the Bristol Harbor Inn

Black and white of couple walking in alley by the Bristol Harbor Inn

Traditional portrait of couple facing each other, looking at the camera on the dock of the Bristol Harbor Inn

Elegant lace sleeve wedding dress detail

Traditional portrait of bride with bouquet in front of brick wall

Groom kisses bride on the cheek on the dock in front of the water at the Bristol Harbor Inn

Wedding dress detail of lace sleeves, and vibrant bouquet

Close up of elegant lace sleeves on wedding dress

Bride and groom dance in sunlight of alleyway

Couple walking in alleyway with Bristol Harbor Inn in background

Couple facing each other and smiling at one another with brick wall in background

Traditional family portrait on wedding day on dock at the Bristol Harbor Inn

Wedding reception details, including vibrant colored table tops green monogrammed koozies and bright florals

Tabletop settings at the Bristol Harbor Inn with amber glassware, pink napkins, and small bud vases

Seating place cards with corks as stands

Bristol Harbor Inn wedding reception details, including vibrant colored table tops green monogrammed koozies and bright florals

Table top settings with photo table numbers and bright florals

Wedding reception details that include amber glassware, florals in bud vases and traditional flower centerpieces

Vibrant colored tabletop with deep red runner, pink napkins, and colorful florals

Colorful floral centerpiece at the reception for the Bristol Harbor Inn

Sunlight tabletop setting with candles, florals and bud vases, amber glasses, and pink napkins with menus atop

Overview of the reception room at the tent of Bristol Harbor Inn

Bride and groom entrance into reception at the Bristol Harbor Inn

Bride and groom first dance in sunlight under tent at Bristol Harbor Inn

Sunny couple first dance at wedding reception

Wedding guest listening intently to wedding day toast

Traditional portrait of bride and groom, facing each other on the dock in front of the water at the Bristol Harbor Inn

Traditional portrait of bride and groom, embracing each other on the dock with water in background

Couple embrace and face each other smiling with water in the background at golden hour

Motion blur of groom spinning bride on dock in front of water

Intimate anonymous moment of bride and groom kissing and holding hands

Bride and groom kissing on dock at the Bristol Harbor Inn at sunset

Bride kisses groom on cheek at sunset on dock

Silhouette of bride and groom facing each other, kissing on the dock at the Bristol Harbor Inn

Classic black-and-white portrait of bride and groom smiling at camera

Bride and groom walk away on dock with water and background at the Bristol Harbor Inn

Silhouette of sailboats on the water at sunset in Bristol, Rhode Island

Bride and groom smile as they listen to toast on their wedding day

Bridesmaids and groomsmen share toasts at reception at the Bristol Harbor Inn

Black and white of bridesmaids and groomsmen share toasts at reception

Reception dancing at the Bristol Harbor Inn

Guests on the dance floor at the Bristol Harbor Inn

Wedding guests dancing and laughing on the dance floor

Bristol Harbor Inn wedding reception celebration on the dance floor

Bride and groom dance with wedding guests on the dance floor

Long exposure of the Bristol Harbor Inn wedding tent at night

If you’re dreaming of an elegant coastal wedding filled with meaningful details and joyful moments, I would love to connect! Let’s start planning a day that feels authentically you.

Bristol Harbor Inn Wedding

Weddings

A Charming Waterfront Celebration with Maggie and Matt

Rhode Island & Southern New England

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