Weddings at the Rose Island Lighthouse
A Vintage Love Story on the Edge of the Sea
Some weddings feel like they belong in another era—timeless, charming, and a little bit unexpected. Matt and Eva’s vintage-inspired wedding on Rose Island was all of that, and then some.
Accessible only by ferry from Newport, Rhode Island, Rose Island has hosted everything from celebrity soirées (Jennifer Lawrence’s rehearsal dinner, anyone?) to tiny, heartfelt elopements for the rest of us mere mortals. And yet, every wedding here feels like a secret—like you’ve stumbled upon a hidden chapter of New England coastal history. I’m a complete history dork, so this was huge for me.
Guests arrived by boat to the island while Matt and Eva were already cozied up in the historic Rose Island Lighthouse, where they’d be getting ready and spending their first night as newlyweds. It was raining as we arrived, and the forecast was ambiguous. The rain stopped almost as we got off the boat however, and the day ended up presenting all kinds of light and cloud configurations and sky colors… just my jam! The creative potential was endless, I love the challenge.
As the caterers prepped and the officiant walked guests through the ceremony plan, I joined the couple upstairs in the lighthouse bedroom—where open ocean waves crash right up to the windows, and time seems to slow down.
They got ready together in that beautifully worn, antique-filled space—Eva in vintage lace, Matt in a classic suit—and you could feel the anticipation, joy, and realness in every quiet glance between them.
Their ceremony took place outside the lighthouse, with sweeping views of the bay, sailboats drifting by, and seagulls swooping overhead. The sea breeze tossed her veil and tousled his hair, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.
After the ceremony, we wandered the island for portraits. There was a field glowing golden in the afternoon light, WWII-era bunker ruins tucked beneath weathered stone, a grove of old trees, and even a curious flock of baby ducks who waddled up as if on cue. Inside the lighthouse, original 1800s antiques and nautical artifacts set the stage for editorial portraits full of mood and character.
If you’re planning a wedding in Newport RI, whether you’re dreaming of a full-day celebration or an intimate lighthouse elopement, Rose Island offers something rare: a backdrop that’s both rugged and romantic, rich with history and totally unique.
Matt and Eva’s day was joyfully untraditional, utterly personal, and just the right amount of wild.
