The moment Kristin and Nick knew they found love was in the summer of 2005 on a trip to Block Island. Since it was the place to spark it all, years later the couple decided a Block Island wedding would be the perfect setting to exchange their vows. Embracing the breathtaking beach and all it has to offer, the couple decorated their private residence venue using pineapples as centerpieces and offering the guests personally designed towels. Chellise Michael Photography perfectly captured the effortless beauty of this bohemian wedding.

The Couple:

Kristin and Nick

The Wedding:

Private Residence, Block Island, Rhode Island

The Inspiration:

We have been vacationing on Block Island for years and its laid-back vibe is what set the mood for us. Our goal was to adapt traditions and ideas that only felt right for our style and story. I sketched my own dress design and created the graphics for the invitations, while Nick planned a seasonal custom menu. We wanted a cake made from scratch and assembled live, to celebrate the craft behind cake tradition, rather than a traditional cake. For décor, we chose to rent blooming plants and used 80 pineapples in place of cut flower arrangements. Hundreds of candles, 600ft of lights, sea glass vases, tiki torches, serapes from Tulum, our own paddle boards, macramé swings, hanging fern disco balls and white linens came together to create an eclectic seaside atmosphere. Despite the hard work installing it all ourselves, we wanted the actual event to feel effortless.

The Moments:

So many! The most random involved our super long hair. Before my Dad and I had started walking out I had twisted my hair back in a quick bun because of the wind. We walked out to ‘Intro’ by The XX and when we reached Nick in the circle, I sort of swung my head in an accidental boudoir type way and my hair was down. You could hear our guests – and Nick – let out a laugh as we looked at each other and knew we were doing all of this ‘our way.’ We held hands and locked eyes and the ceremony started. Then there was Nick, who mid-dance with his Mom, flung out of his manbun in an awesome crowd-pleasing highlight that brought a burst of energy to the only formal portion of the reception. These little unplanned moments and others, are what made for such an amazingly good time.

The Couple Recommends:

Chellise Michael Photography — we chose photographers who shoot expressively and were intuitively skilled at capturing moments. After seeing CMP’s work and meeting in their studio for all of an hour, we hired them before we had finalized the location. Chellise and Mike’s process is unobtrusive yet they bring naturally good energy — you want to be in front of their lens. They are workhorses and exceptionally passionate about the art of photography. Plus they are just darn good people. We were honored to have them as part of our fondest memories from that day.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Chellise Michael Photography
Venue – Private Residence on Block Island
Catering – Block Island Gourmet
Cake – Aldo’s Bakery
Officiant – Ken Lacoste
Makeup & Hair – Andrea Dilieto
Wedding Dress – Designed by Bride, Made by Kathryn Conover Couture
Bridal Accessories – Pamela Love (earrings and cuff)
Groom’s Apparel – John Varvatos
Rentals – Party Rental ltd., Wildwood Nursery (plant design and rental)
Transportation – Rondo’s Taxi
Favors – Stran (custom towels)
Printing – Print Icon

A huge thank you to Chellise Michael Photography for giving us a glimpse into Kristin and Nick’s laid-back beach wedding! Looking for more bohemian wedding inspiration? Check out this wedding at Friedman Farms and this wedding at Island Lake Lodge.