When I first heard the name Whispering Pines, I immediately thought it was a golf course, then when I saw that it was actually called a Conference Center, you think of a more form business location but in reality, Whispering Pines Conference Center is the perfect spot for a woodsy wedding! As I am sure you realize, this was my first time there and I fell in love from the second that I pulled onto the property~ I love everything from the long drive in through the tree lined street, to the canoes on the lake, to the fact that all of your guests can stay in the cottages on the property and keep celebrating with a bonfire at night! Fantastic:)! Apparently Ryanna and Sage felt the same way:) They planned their wedding weekend with this venue in mind and it worked out perfectly (with the rain holding off until the day AFTER their wedding:)!
I arrived to find Sage and his friend Matt out on the lake:)!
I started with Ryanna’s details and she even brought a few items from the amazing engagement story that Sage created for her (you can peek at their woodsy engagement session HERE too:)! It included this puzzle frame – the word “Crazy” unlocked it and a little tequila was inside….To go with their song by Kenny Chesney, “You and Tequila Make Me Crazy”…My heart melted when she told me this:)
The girls helped me hang the dress outside the lodge at Whispering Pines…There was even a nail there ready for hanging – a big thank you to the venue for that:)!
Homemade bean toss boards and life-size Jenga:)!
Indoors, Ryanna was finishing up her make-up with the fabulous Lisette (@LisetteLisette12 on Instagram) getting on her dress…
The girls helped Ryanna with her dress and shoes…
then we did a few pictures of just Ry before heading out for the first look – stunning:)!
This is one of my favorite first looks of all time! Genuine, authentic, happy and raw emotions – absolutely perfect:)
There are SO many gorgeous spots around the grounds of Whispering Pines – we started off with a few before the bridal party joined us!
The girls and guys came out to join us and the girls came bearing their new mugs for a pic:)
Golden Gate Studios in RI is responsible for these gorgeous bouquets! I have worked with them several times and have been in love with their work each time!! Be sure to check them out on Facebook too – they have a lot of recent work on there!
These are their lovely families and the adorable flower girls and ring bearers:)!
When we were wrapping up some family photos, it began to sprinkle out…We quickly got Ryanna indoors and then the guys and I headed over to “play” some poker – a Sage request:)!
While we were inside, the guests were beginning to arrive for the ceremony…
I snuck inside to get a few detail shots before the ceremony began…
A surprise addition to the favors were these specially made beers from one of the groomsmen. Professionally made at the company he works for! He even gave me one to take home too – delicious:)
The girls were awaiting the signal for the ceremony to begin…
and the guys were about to make their entrance…
How adorable are these little guys?!
One of my favorites because of the PURE joy and happiness!
More gorgeousness from Golden Gate Studios:)
This little guy ADORES his great-grandfather and the feeling is definitely mutual!
Whole wedding photo:)
The party was already started inside cocktail hour with these kiddos – they were ready to dance:)!
We spent just a few more minutes sneaking out at the end of cocktail hour to use a couple different spots…
The ferns were one of those spots:)!
The reception kicked off with some fun intros INCLUDING the idea for the ladies to wear the guys socks!
The cheering squad as Ryanna and Sage made their entrance:)!
First dance led into two speeches by Sage’s father, out on the dance floor, and the best man, inside of Whispering Pines at their tables…
I snuck outside with their rings during dinner:)
Ryanna’s mom joined in on their special dance…
Then the party was in full swing…
As I was headed out, the bon fire was beginning and I am sure it made for a fantastic end to a great day!
Ryanna and Sage – Thank you so much for choosing me (and a thank you to my new photographer friends Matt and Melissa for their stamp of approval in the searching process:)! I will always think of the two of you every time I hear the song, “You and Tequila Make Me Crazy”:)
(Their responses are to come:)