Cailyn & Justin

A Timeless Wedding in a Gilded Age Mansion

Some weddings belong in a movie, and Cailyn and Justin’s was one of them. Their backdrop was Rosecliff, a Newport, Rhode Island, mansion built at the turn of the century for a silver heiress. It was a day of gilded grandeur, from a vintage Rolls-Royce and military dress uniforms to a ballroom that looked straight out of a fairy tale.

But as breathtaking as the setting was, what stuck with me most were the little, unscripted moments that made the day so uniquely them. Three of my favorites? Hand warmers, kilts, and dip kisses.

If you’ve ever seen Rosecliff Mansion, you know its Versailles-inspired exterior is practically begging to be photographed. There was no way we could skip using it for the first look and portraits. There was just one detail: the real-feel temperature was 11 degrees. Yes, eleven.

But as we say, “Anything for the shot!” So Cailyn came armed with hand warmers, and they still managed to look effortlessly romantic despite the freezing wind as we raced through portraits while losing feeling in our feet. (Suani, as wonderful and long-suffering an assistant as ever, drove the rental car to the church so I could sit with my feet on the heating vents, defrosting.)

Where do kilts come in? With Cailyn’s grandfather, who had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to wear his traditional Scottish attire to a family wedding. This easy going bride and groom were more than happy to oblige. Her grandfather looked so good that by the end of the night, he’d had quite enough of being photographed.

And then there were the dips. Once Justin dipped Cailyn for the first time, it became the signature move of the day, and it came out straight up iconic every time. It would have been impossible to only pick one.

So here’s a glimpse into that glamorous day, filled with elegance, tradition, and plenty of laughter.

Did I mention it was at Christmastime? What a dream.

You know I love a bridesmaid reveal!

Behold, hand warmers!

…in case I forgot to mention the freezing wind.

Then it was off to Trinity Church for the ceremony (with toe thawing on the drive).

Let me tell you, few places capture Newport’s historic charm quite like Trinity Church. Built in 1726, this colonial landmark has welcomed some notable visitors over the centuries, including George Washington and Queen Elizabeth II. With its custom high-backed box pews and nearly 300 years of history, it was right on par with the rest of this unforgettable day.

Fun fact about the organ: It was sent from London and legend says it was tested by Handel before leaving England.

Here’s a huge shoutout to Suani for second-shooting all the brilliant shots from the balcony.

The way he looks at her.

Not pictured: me, thrilled about third-wheeling in a classic Rolls-Royce.

Brace yourself for Rosecliff.

I’d say a heart-shaped staircase is a fitting place for a kiss.

The bridal party let me live out my editorial dreams, tweaking and adjusting poses until this photo was just right.

One of the things I loved most about this wedding was how Cailyn and Justin incorporated meaningful traditions into their celebration. Justin serves in the U.S. Navy, so their wedding included a traditional saber arch, a military honor in which fellow service members raise their swords to form an arch for the newlyweds to walk beneath. The final pair of swords often pauses the couple for a kiss before letting them pass—though this group required more than one. I don’t think that Cailyn and Justin minded.

Shoutout to our military! Thank you for your service.

Now, can we talk about this reception? Rosecliff is already stunning, but the decorated ballroom (the largest among the Newport mansions) was on another level. Between the crystal chandeliers, soft pink and white florals that seemed to cascade out of thin air, and all that gorgeous candlelight, the room looked like it belonged in a period drama. It’s no surprise Rosecliff has been featured in The Great Gatsby and The Gilded Age when a talented team can make it look like this.

Towards the end of cocktail hour, Cailyn and Justin had the chance to see the decorated ballroom for the first time. And their reaction was everything.

They walked in and their jaws dropped. I love that I got to capture their awed expressions at that exact moment, because those faces say it better than I ever could.

But my favorite part came next. After a few moments of taking it in, the two of them started dancing together, right there in the middle of the empty, exquisite ballroom. No audience. No grand announcement. Just the two of them, being madly in love. I remember watching them and thinking, Are these people even real?

Luke Renchan Entertainment seamlessly transformed the evening’s timeless elegance into an amazing party on the dance floor.

Cailyn and Justin’s wedding was gloriously grand, genuinely joyful, and entirely their own. Trinity Church was majestic, and Rosecliff was impeccably beautiful. But it was the warm, unscripted moments in between that made this day truly unforgettable.

Laughing and shivering our way through outdoor portraits, the saber arch refusing to let the newlyweds pass until they kissed just one more time, that spontaneous dance in the ballroom, and a Scottish grandfather that had to tell his fans to stand down… it was these things that reminded me why I love photographing weddings so much.

Cailyn and Justin, thank you for allowing me to be part of such a special celebration. It was an absolute joy to capture your day!

Planner: Casey Stamouli

Hair & Makeup: Allison Barbera Beauty

Florals: Sayles Livingston Design

Invitations: Minted

Dress: Amsale from Lelite Bridal Boston

Her Ring: Tiffany & Co

His Ring: Mallove’s Mystic, CT

Her Shoes: Sarah Flint

His Shoes: Allen Edmonds

Her Perfume: DIOR J’Adore Parfum

His Watch: Rolex Explorer