Chapel By the Sea – Colt State Park, Bristol Rhode Island

A couple is sharing a kiss on their wedding day under a shelter at Colt State Park. The bride wears a white dress with an open back and her hair in a bun, while the groom is dressed in a blue suit. Guests with umbrellas are gathered around them, smiling and clapping.

Colt State Park Wedding Ceremony at Chapel by the Sea in Bristol, Rhode Island

Alison & Casey’s Wedding at Chapel By the Sea

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Colt State Park in Bristol, Rhode Island, Chapel By the Sea stands as a beacon of love and commitment. This quaint chapel offers a blend of natural splendor and intimate spiritual ambiance, making it a coveted choice for couples looking to tie the knot in a unique and serene setting.

Colt State Park, known as the ‘gem’ of the Rhode Island State Parks system, provides a stunning backdrop for weddings. With its sprawling lawns, vibrant flower gardens, and panoramic views of the Narragansett Bay, the park offers a tranquil and picturesque setting for your special day.

When it rains, We still get married!

Every bride dreams of a beautiful wedding day, with gorgeous weather. The idea that it might rain is something that they never want to consider. This is especially true if your wedding ceremony will be outdoors. Rain on a wedding day has long been something with negative connotations (as even Alanis Morrisette points out when she sings “It’s like rain, on your wedding day”). This doesn’t mean that if it rains, your day is ruined. It can really be quite the opposite. Here is one of my favorite rainy day wedding couples.

Rainy Day Wedding – Umbrellas Everywhere!

Umbrellas have long been used by photographers for controlling light. We do this even when the weather is great. We do it inside. Sometimes, they are needed for the weather. Just look at the family and friends at this wedding at Colt State Park. The weather for Bristol, Rhode Island that day was just all rain, and everyone there had their umbrellas out. There was no stopping this bride and groom, though. They were ready to go and excited to be there. The rain really made for a special occasion.

A beautiful, smiling bride. Just look at her face. Everyone around her is huddled under umbrellas, but you’d never know it. She is 100% glee and joy. That photo of her smiling just might be one of my favorite wedding ceremony photographs. It really captures how happy she is to be getting married to him, rain or shine!

When you think about kissing in the rain, what comes to mind? It probably is something rather dramatic, like right out of a movie scene. Sometimes, rain is what makes the moment. I’m sure they would have had a beautiful wedding no matter what the weather was, but I really think the rain made this wedding special. Look at the two of them. I can’t remember the last time I saw people so happy to be outside on a rainy day!

If you need a wedding photographer in Bristol, definitely get in touch with me. I’d love to photograph your wedding, rain or shine!

  • A bride in a white dress and a groom in a blue suit stand under a gazebo facing a gathered audience holding black umbrellas, suggesting a rainy outdoor wedding ceremony. Set within the picturesque Colt State Park, surrounding trees and greenery complete the romantic scene.
  • A bride and groom stand facing each other under an outdoor tent during their wedding ceremony at Colt State Park in Bristol. The groom is wearing a blue suit, and the bride is in a white lace dress. The officiant, holding a book, stands between them as guests hold umbrellas in the rain.
  • A groom with short hair and a neatly trimmed beard, wearing a blue suit and tie, smiles joyfully at the bride. The bride, seen from behind, has her hair in an elegant updo and is wearing a white lace dress. They are outdoors at Colt State Park in Bristol, with greenery in the background.
  • Chapel by the Sea Colt State Park Wedding
  • A newlywed couple kisses passionately under a shelter at their outdoor wedding in Colt State Park, surrounded by guests holding umbrellas in the rain. The groom wears a blue suit, and the bride dons a white dress with a low-cut back. Guests in the background clap and smile.

And Providence, Too!

While it was raining at Colt State Park, everything was nice and dry at the hotel and reception venue (at least inside, anyway). They got ready at the wonderful Dean Hotel in downtown Providence. This elegant hotel makes for some great backdrops, including their working vintage elevator!

Later in the evening, their reception was held at The Cav, also located in Providence. The Cav is known for its wonderful menu and quirky decor. It’s a fantastic venue for a wedding reception and definitely worth a look! I’m a local, and I’m available to photograph weddings in Providence and elsewhere in Rhode Island!

  • A couple is standing outside the entrance of a brick building. The man is wearing a blue suit, and the woman is in a white dress. They are holding each other and looking into each other's eyes, surrounded by two large planters with greenery at Colt State Park in Bristol.
  • Four people, two men and two women, sitting back-to-back on a bench inside a coffee shop. The women wearing white dresses and the men are in suits. Each pair is reading a newspaper, creating a symmetric, mirror-like visual effect reminiscent of the serene symmetry found at Colt State Park in Bristol.
  • A couple in formal attire shares an intimate moment in a cozy, modern room. The man, dressed in a blue suit, sits on a red chair, while the woman in a white dress perches on a nearby shelf. Books and decor items are visible in the background, evoking memories of their visit to Colt State Park.
  • A groom in a blue suit sits in a wooden chair, looking up and smiling at his bride, who stands beside him, holding his hand and smiling back. She is dressed in an elegant white gown. The room, reminiscent of the quaint charm of chapel by the sea at Colt State Park in Bristol, features patterned tile flooring, bookshelves, and soft lighting.
  • Bristol and Providence Wedding
  • A couple is dancing closely together in a warmly lit, rustic setting within Colt State Park, Bristol. The man is wearing a blue suit while the woman is in a light-colored dress. They are gazing into each other's eyes, surrounded by soft lighting and a blurred background of seated guests.
  • A couple dances closely, sharing a kiss. The woman has her arms around the man's neck and is wearing a white dress; the man is in a bright blue suit. Set in Colt State Park, Bristol with softly lit, warm lighting in the background, they create an intimate, romantic atmosphere near the Chapel by the Sea.
  • A bride and groom share a joyful moment during their first dance at their wedding reception. The bride, in a white gown, laughs as she looks at the groom, who wears a blue suit. The warmly lit venue and smiling guests at Colt State Park in Bristol create a festive and intimate atmosphere.

Colt State Park
Chapel By the Sea

  • A couple is sharing a kiss on their wedding day under a shelter at Colt State Park. The bride wears a white dress with an open back and her hair in a bun, while the groom is dressed in a blue suit. Guests with umbrellas are gathered around them, smiling and clapping.

Bristol, Rhode island


Route 114
Bristol, Rhode Island, 02809

Colt State Park Website

Chris James is a professional wedding and portrait photographer with over a decade of experience, serving the Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and southern New England region. He has a Master's degree and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Rhode Island. He is a Professor at the Community College of Rhode Island.

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