A Joyful Coastal Wedding at Newport’s Castle Hill Inn

Beautifully captured by CORA JANE PHOTO, Sarah and Evan’s wedding at CASTLE HILL INN was an elegant celebration layered with meaningful traditions, thoughtful personal touches and the relaxed coastal charm that has long made Newport one of New England’s most beloved wedding destinations. With Lisa Nightingale of INFINITE EVENTS bringing every detail together, the day perfectly reflected the couple’s vision of something timeless, whimsical and deeply personal.

Their story began years earlier at St. Lawrence University in upstate New York, where both played collegiate lacrosse. Introduced through mutual friends, they spent their college years dating on and off before life after graduation finally brought them together for good.

When Evan proposed on a quiet Tuesday evening in Central Park, just weeks after the couple had moved back to New York from San Francisco, Sarah never suspected what was about to happen. After dinner plans at the iconic Loeb Boathouse, he led her to a secluded spot overlooking the water before asking her to marry him. Rather than hosting a large celebration, they spent the evening wandering the city together, soaking up every moment before ending the night with Sarah’s mother, who had secretly travelled to New York for the occasion.

Although Sarah had always imagined getting married in Newport, CASTLE HILL INN wasn’t originally on the radar. Just days after their engagement, the couple celebrated with drinks overlooking the water when they learned only two Saturday dates remained for 2025. It felt like fate.

Growing up between Barrington and Jamestown, Rhode Island, Newport had always been part of Sarah’s life. The coastal setting, sweeping ocean views and timeless elegance immediately felt like home, echoing the wedding photographs of her own parents, who had married in Newport decades earlier. That sense of family history continued into the wedding morning. Sarah prepared in the very same room where her mother had gotten ready before her own wedding, surrounded by lifelong friends and familiar memories.

One particularly meaningful moment came when her mother helped her into her gown in private. “It was nice to get into my dress, just her and I,” Sarah recalls.

Initially determined to skip a first look, Sarah ultimately changed her mind so the couple could spend more time celebrating with their 250 guests during cocktail hour. The decision became one of the highlights of the day. After an emotional first look with her father, Sarah met Evan by the water despite the strong coastal winds, which had other plans for her veil. There, away from everyone else, they exchanged private vows before the ceremony. It became one of those quiet moments couples rarely forget, allowing them to be completely present with one another before the celebrations truly began.

Without arriving at floral planning with a detailed vision, Sarah entrusted STONE BLOSSOM to interpret the feeling she hoped to create. The result was an elegant palette of greens, whites, soft blush and neutral tones that felt perfectly suited to late October without leaning heavily into either autumn or traditional coastal styling.

One of her favourite details was the bridesmaids’ bouquets. Each featured entirely different white blooms, giving every arrangement its own personality while maintaining a beautifully cohesive overall look.

The wedding stationery carried its own sentimental story. Designed by Sarah’s former college teammate Emma Garfield of EDG ORIGINALS, every piece reflected not only the couple’s personalities but also subtle references to the university where their relationship first began.

Their ceremony, officiated by Sarah’s childhood Reverend Rebecca Spencer, balanced family tradition with a deeply personal approach that reflected their relationship. It was heartfelt, warm and filled with small moments that guests would remember, including the amusing discovery afterwards that several groomsmen had unknowingly walked down the aisle without boutonnieres after missing the florist’s arrival.

As the celebrations moved to CASTLE HILL’S waterfront lawns, guests enjoyed a sunset cocktail hour filled with thoughtful New England touches. From personalised flags celebrating their alma mater to silver trays carrying cans of Rhode Island’s beloved Whalers beer, every detail felt unmistakably personal. Perhaps most meaningful of all were handwritten notes waiting for every guest, individually thanking them for making the journey to celebrate.

Inside the beautifully styled reception, playful details met classic elegance. Guests were welcomed with CASTLE HILL’S famous clam chowder, a cosy nod to Sarah’s New England roots, before enjoying heartfelt speeches, emotional family moments and a lively celebration that barely paused until the after-party.

One particularly memorable surprise came when Sarah changed into her mother’s shortened wedding dress near the end of the evening, creating an emotional full-circle moment that both women will treasure forever.

The dance floor remained packed thanks to an incredible live band who embraced the couple’s energy from beginning to end. Sarah happily spent most of the night singing into a pretend microphone while Evan perfected his air guitar beside her, creating exactly the kind of joyful, carefree celebration they had imagined.

Looking back, every element of the day reflected who they are, from the handwritten notes and personalised details to the balance of timeless tradition and playful fun. Beautifully documented by CORA JANE PHOTO, it was a wedding that celebrated not only a marriage, but the family, friendships and shared history that had shaped it from the very beginning.