Rhode Island Kay Chapel Wedding /// To the Moon and Back /// Kristel + Austin, the full film

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"I love you to the moon and back"

Taken from the words of her favorite childhood book, Kristel and Austin felt that this phrase was the best theme for their wedding as a way to express to all of their friends and family the depths of their love.  Austin met Kristel while he was rooming with her twin brother in college.  While he quickly won her heart, their  love was tested through 6 years of long distance relating.  Throughout the wedding weekend, we heard their friends and family repeat a familiar theme as they spoke about Austin and Kristel-- what tied them together through that long journey of courtship was the strength of their love for each other and their love for making the lives of their friends and families better.   As Kristel's brother so poignantly said: finding love isn't like finding $20 on the ground--it takes a thousand acts of bravery and and a thousand victories over the course of time.

Now, that is worth celebrating.   Enjoy their full film below!

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/106278942[/vimeo] musical soundtrack licensed through The Music Bed or Creative Commons: "Devote" by Monako Davis "Border Blaster (Instrumental)" by Josh Woodward "Love You Strongly" by Amy Stroup "That Kid..." by Chris Zabriskie "Walk in Season" by Kelly Latimore

For this Texan filmmaker, traveling to Rhode Island in the middle of the flaming hot Texas summer was like a ticket to paradise--every blade of grass in Newport was the most vivid shade of green, bunnies roamed unafraid across the lawns of the mansions on Bellevue Avenue, and the quiet roar of the ocean  was so calming as the waves gently kissed the shore and yachts gracefully made their way in and out of the port each morning.  Newport is certainly a perfect location to gather for a celebration!

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michelle rago destination wedding rhode island stone kelly event photo 59Both the rehearsal dinner and reception were held at Castle Hill Inn which faces the sunset.  On the wedding day, #teamrago (lead by Michelle Rago) were out early preparing the reception site, while Kristel and her bridesmaids prepped in an upstairs cottage overlooking both the reception lawn and the harbor.

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With yellow and navy as the guiding colors, a gorgeous and very fragrant assortment of florals graced each table and surface--daisies, sunflowers, hydrangeas, and more!

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Ringbearer and bridesmaid--joking around just before the ceremony.  The bridesmaids wore classic, navy tea-length a-line dresses with pearls and a beautiful variety of repurposed antique earrings.

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The reception began on the lawn with fruit-infused specialty lemonade varieties and "dark and stormy" signature Newport cocktails.  Guests were able to play rounds of lawn games like corn hole and croquet, wander to a canopied cigar lounge, sit and listen to a string quartet, and watch the boats as they slid silently across the water.

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michelle rago destination wedding rhode island stone kelly event photo 95 Kristel and Austin,

Congratulations on this next step in your journey through life together.  You are truly beautiful people with an inspiring story, and we can't wait to see more of the wonderful things you bring to the world with the light of your love.  Here's to many thousands of victories in your future!

love, Mason Jar

Planning & Design: Michelle Rago Destinations Confections & Cake:  Marie Soliday Decor: Stone Kelly Events Music & Entertainers: Vali Entertainment Venue: Castle Hill Inn Wedding Photographer: Brian Dorsey Studios Transportation: Rockstar Limo Wedding Videographer: Mason Jar Films Hotel:  Hotel Viking

Rhode Island Castle Hill Inn /// To the Moon and Back /// Kristel + Austin, the intro

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"I love you to the moon and back"

Taken from the words of her favorite childhood book, Kristel and Austin felt that this phrase was the best theme for their wedding as a way to express to all of their friends and family the depths of their love.  The night of the rehearsal dinner, as their guests gathered on the edge of the ocean where Castle Hill Inn sits nestled on the hills, they watched the sunset, cheered on the traditional clambake reveal, and listened to the story of Austin and Kristel.

Sometimes, the story of how a couple meets is just an introduction to the story of how they learned to love one another.   These love birds have been pursuing one another's hearts for the past 6 years, and their wedding weekend was truly a celebration of their joy.  Every detail was a reflection of their love: home-made banners featuring hand-drawn cards from Kristel's students to signature Newport-themed cocktails (the "dark and stormy").  Even Kristel's toenail polish was "clambake red!" :)

Enjoy this introduction to their full film, which is in the works as we speak:

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/101669150[/vimeo] musical soundtrack by: Monako Davis and licensed through The Music Bed

Rather than have the wedding in one of their hometowns, Kristel and Austin decided to plane their event in a location where the guests'  sole focus for could be spending time together to celebrate.  The city of Newport, Rhode Island is a coastal town with plenty to keep one entertained.  There's a bustling downtown area with some of Kristel & Austin's favorite coffee shops and seafood spots.  One could also explore Bellevue Avenue and tour any of the mansions seen there.

michelle rago destination wedding rhode island stone kelly event photo 25 michelle rago destination wedding rhode island stone kelly event photo 27 michelle rago destination wedding rhode island stone kelly event photo 32 michelle rago destination wedding rhode island stone kelly event photo 33Both the rehearsal dinner and reception were held at Castle Hill Inn, which faces the sunset.  At the rehearsal dinner, Michelle Rago's powerhouse team (affectionately called #teamrago) had set up the lawn with stunning buffets of treats, adirondack chairs, outdoor lounges, and a s'mores station for later in the night.  A wandering minstrel from Vali Entertainment softly crooned as the families dug into a delicious lobster dinner under the twinkling strands of lights strung from the large oak trees.

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Kristel and Austin, congratulations on this next step in your journey through life together.  You are truly beautiful people with an inspiring story, and we can't wait to see more of the wonderful things you bring to the world with the light of your love.  michelle rago destination wedding rhode island stone kelly event photo 96

Planning & Design: Michelle Rago Destinations Confections & Cake:  Marie Soliday Decor: Stone Kelly Events Music & Entertainers: Vali Entertainment Venue: Castle Hill Inn Wedding Photographer: Brian Dorsey Studios Transportation: Rockstar Limo Wedding Videographer: Mason Jar Films Hotel:  Hotel Viking

The Argyle | Luckiest Man Alive- Annlyn + D.A., the full film

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blog_san antonio wedding video pic 30

Hearing a groom say "I'm the luckiest man alive" when he sees his bride for the first time seems like it would be something out of a movie--but it isn't.  Those were the very words that D.A. uttered when he saw Annlyn for the first time underneath the canopy of a wandering wild oak tree on their wedding day. 

Annlyn's dad was just as sweet and doting, too--his comments during the Father of the Bride toast were just precious, and when he walks out on the dance floor to shake hands with D.A., his son-in-law, his smile is as big as Texas.  We hope you enjoy their wedding film--we certainly enjoyed making it!

wedding video package heirloom
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blog_san antonio wedding video pic 37

Annlyn & D.A. love to spend time boating and out on the water.  They love to travel, and they brought this sense of adventure to their wedding reception.   During cocktail hour, guests  enjoyed perfect Texas weather as they mingled on the lawn; also, they were treated to performances by one of New York City's favorite party bands--Area Code.  Annlyn & D.A. descended the grand staircase of the building onto the lawn to cheers and whistles, and they showed off their new monograms on their leather cowboy boots to friends and family who gathered around them.

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blog_san antonio wedding video pic 39

D.A.'s groom's cake was a german chocolate cake with an oil rig tower made entirely of chocolate on top of it, decorated with their monogram initial and chocolate scrollwork.  That's not the only treat--Annlyn's cake was covered in white chocolate sculpted to look like coral.   Their table centerpieces captured both a traditional and eclectic look simultaneousely--classic bundles of white hydrangea, lilies, and roses were accented with white-kissed sea fans, and blue light floated over-head as the night faded over the lawn.  This lagoon of blue light was made even more romantic as guests danced the night away under the stars--the canopy top of the tent was clear! So lovely!

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blog_san antonio wedding video pic 41
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blog_st mark episcopal wedding video pic 19
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blog_st mark episcopal wedding video pic 23

Guests could take a break from dancing to wander about the colonial porches of the Argyle, tasting shrimp and sushi from buffet lines lined with aquatic muses--including ice sculptures of swordfish and mermaids.

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blog_the argyle san antonio wedding video pic 46
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blog_san antonio wedding video pic 43
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blog_san antonio wedding video pic 44

By the end of the wedding reception, several cute kiddos had already called it a night on some of the lounge furniture that was scattered around the dance floor: a sure sign that these kids had been having such a good time, they just couldn't have a good time for one second longer!

San Antonio Wedding The Argyle Club
San Antonio Wedding The Argyle Club
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blog_the argyle san antonio wedding video pic 47

P.s. if you're loving this ocean decor, you should check out some other sweet ocean-side video footage from destination weddings we've filmed.  It's like a little mini-vacation to Maui, Hawaii while at your desk!

Ceremony: St. Mark's Episcopal Church 315 E. Pecan St. San Antonio, TX 78205

Reception: The Argyle Club  934 Patterson Ave  San Antonio, TX 78209

Event Planner: The French Connection with Tracy French

Ceremony Coordinator: Jody Kelly

Photographer: JeanAnn Wilkinson

Florist: Steven Pizzini with Pizzini Designs

Caterer: The Argyle

Reception Band:  Area CodeSimply Irresistible  and Julian Mercado

Hair & Makeup: Amar Cosmetics  artists: Valerie Perez and Johanna Woodfin

Late Night Snacks: Cheesy Jane's

Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo