Lindsey & James

Block Island Wedding Rhode Island | Champlins Resort

How They Met

James and Lindsey have known each other for quite some time and their paths have crossed several times, even as far back as Sailing Camp at the same sailing club, Shrewsbury Sailing & Yacht Club, however the first memorable night when there was something special was the first time they kissed. That day, they went fishing together in the river with friends and then at night it started to pour but we went to a beach bar with friends anyway. They were all dancing to the awesome band (which happens to be their wedding band, the Jukebox Criminals (JBC)) and it was like they were the only ones there and it was perfect!

THEIR STORY OF THE WEDDING WEEKEND AND VISION:  

The time leading up to the wedding, all the details started to come together. A friend from High School who has a company called Bespoke Bubbly, last minute painted our wedding crest onto a bottle of champagne we had received as a gift from one of our guests. This would then be a detail that we brought with us to many locations as a symbol of the wedding weekend. She rushed to get the custom painting done and gave it to me the day before we head up on the boat to Block Island.

We arrived on Saturday and got to make Champlin’s our home. We stayed on our boat the beginning of the week and James’s parents and Aunt & Uncle joined us on Monday. It was so relaxing to get to spend Labor Day and the first few days on property, spending time with the incredible staff at Champlin’s and little meet ups with our wonderfully talented planner, Julie Kiley. By Wednesday, Ashlea, Tyler and team arrived and we were so excited! I did a hair trial with the wonderful Jill at Koru Spa, then we went to get our marriage license with James’s parents, aunt & uncle and celebrated with a lunch all together at Ballards! We then got the opportunity to do a boating adventure photo shoot to kick off the Snell team arrival.

The entire week was so relaxing albeit with so many details and nuances that we had planned but so much thoughtful planning and coordination had been done but such an AMAZING team that everything fell in place and we could all be present and enjoy.

The day was absolutely perfect. It was 75, sunny and no wind – ideal for the first ceremony that has every been at Champlins for the first bride to ever arrive on the Old Port Launch.

The morning was wonderful and relaxing with the girls and then Julie, the most thoughtful, detail oriented wedding planner ever surprised me with a vintage olds-mobile for my sister and I to ride over to the first look. It was so special and we had truly formed a friendship through the process and I am so thankful for her collaboration and such a special gift on our day. The first look was so special because it was just our best man – Luke – and matron of honor and my sister – Meredith – and it was in the spot that overlooks where we got engaged. There we also got to read out vows in private and spend a moment together before the rest of the day continued.

We then met with our family and bridal party at one of our favorite beaches on the island to get photos with our loved ones which was a blast and Marlin was definitely the star. 

After photos, we headed back and my dad and I were dropped at the Oar – a classic restaurant on Block Island – and the home of the Old Port Launch. There, the launch drivers greeted us and we even rode around for 30 minutes before arriving to the dock at Champlins for the ceremony. Getting to ride around on this launch with my dad in a place where my favorite childhood memories are was the most special thing to do together right before getting married. We got to wave a different boats and did a little tour around the harbor before surprising everyone on the dock since they all expected me to come from the other direction. We honked the horn and everyone turned and realized I was passing by and it was one of the most memorable moments of my life. 

The ceremony was performed by James’s sisters boyfriend who is a dear friend to both of us and we are so thankful for everyone that could be there. We even streamed the ceremony on Zoom so James’s grandmother and our friends/family who could not be there could still be part of our special moment. Julie then set up a private toast on the back of our boat right after the ceremony and we got to enjoy cocktail hour and the beginning of the reception with our friends and family where the food was incredible!!

I then switched dresses, Ashlea put my hair in a party pony and we took a quick moment where we went out on the boat right before sunset to capture the beautiful moment with the harvest moon about to rise. 

Every moment of our wedding week and weekend was extremely special and personal to both James and I. Every detail, every moment we wanted to share with our family and friends how much they mean to us and experience a place we love together to build memories and the ultimate personal experience.