Mr & Mrs Vandeventer’s eco-friendly and community conscious Rhode Island wedding

Olivia + Tyler crossed paths for the first time at Bridgepointe Church in East Providence, RI. They were both the new kids in town. Tyler, originally from Manchester, NH was interning there. Olivia, a Cape May, NJ native, had just moved to the area for work. 

It's only fitting that two lovers of craft beer and good food would have their first official first date was at the Square Peg in Warren, RI. However, Olivia and Tyler will tell you that their first "unofficial" first date was when she invited him over her apartment for dinner. She made him some homemade chili, and being the good sport that he is, he politely pretended to enjoy every last drop. I guess we can understand why they'd go out for dinner the next time around :) 

You know the saying, "when you know, you know"? This couldn't ring more true for these two. After only two months of dating, it was written on their hearts that this was it for them. Tyler fell head over heels for Olivia's personality and Olivia saw how his work ethic, kindness and patience was exactly who she was looking for in a partner. Putting his kindness and caretaker traits into practice, Tyler cooked dinner for Olivia (from scratch, folks!) in hopes of nursing his sick girlfriend back to good health. There's nothing a good home cooked meal can't fix, right? That night it was so clear for them that this was what their future held. Being together, lifting the other up, and taking care of them in good health and through every cold. They sat down at the kitchen table and declared their intentions.

The proposal

Fast forward to their January India Point Park proposal (captured by yours truly). This day in particular was absolutely frigid! We were some of the only people in the park that day because, well, who goes to the park on a day like that? Just us! Tyler had planned this moment with George. He knew he wanted the whole moment captured forever - which is a total #eisleycouple move! We arrived before them to scout out the location. I had never met Olivia before so I had the perfect element of surprise. George and Emmy ran off to play so there would be no suspicion whatsoever! A family of three with a professional camera and a blonde baby? She would have known! Once I saw them walking over hand in hand, I tried made myself inconspicuous. It was a little hard considering no one else was in the park! Haha I remember pretending to take photos of trees and boats in the opposite direction of them.

Let me set the scene: Freezing, crisp wind blowing. Tyler leads his girlfriend to the pier by hand. He brings her in for the tightest, squeeziest hug, and kneels down on one knee. From his sock (yes, his sock) he pulls out the ring and asks Olivia to marry him. She replied with a "Yeah, I'll do that!"

the wedding

Olivia + Tyler were moved to see how their village came together to support them on their wedding day. Wether it be traveling from all over the country to come together, to our photography, her handmade dress, her flowers, the hair and make up, the videography, and the countless hours their friends and family put into making sure this was the best day of their new lives together, they were grateful. It was especially kind of Pat Miller & Bob Engle to open their home to the bridal party on the morning of the wedding. Tyler lived with them while interning and it felt very fitting to photograph them getting ready there.

For us, this wedding was a dream! We can see the State House from our front porch and I often catch myself daydreaming about our future Providence couples who might give us the chance to shoot here. We were the lucky people that got a chance to play photographer + guests and we made a million new friends!

Their ceremony took place at Gloria Dei in Providence, RI. During their service Tyler sang a heartfelt song to his soon-to-be wife accompanied by his groomsmen, Nick. After their 'I do's' and multiple kisses, we ran over to the State House for some portraits. For a November day, it was unseasonably warm. What New England luck that was!

We couldn't wait to get to the reception at Le Foyer in Pawtucket, RI. Little did their guests know, there were PVDonuts waiting for all of them! After some toasts, dances and donut eating we put our cameras down to join in the fun. We even got to participate in a sparkler send off!

(Here are some really cool history facts about Gloria Dei!)

Vendor list

Photography: Eisley Images

Ceremony: Gloria Dei

Reception: Le Foyer 

Donuts: PVDonuts

Wedding Band: Ring Only - Fine Jewelry

Ties: MyTieShop

Dress: Hannah Faucett