A Block Island Wedding that Defied all Odds

May 11

A hand-drawn illustration of a bride in an off-the-shoulder wedding dress and a groom in a pinstripe suit during their Block Island wedding

Everyone wants sunshine and balmy skies on their wedding day. But for Sydney and Jay, it simply wasn’t in the cards. As a live wedding illustrator, I have traveled all over the world to attend weddings and events, and have never experienced a storm like the one that threatened to overshadow Sydney and Jay’s Block Island wedding. And yet, the community, vendors, and wedding guests all came together to make their wedding day perfect—despite the Nor’Easter that swept along the East Coast.

Getting to Block Island Through a Storm

If you’re unfamiliar with Block Island, it is a tiny, tiny island off the coast of Rhode Island that’s been a popular vacation destination for New Englanders since the early 1800s! Usually, it is only a short ferry ride from the Rhode Island harbor. When Sydney and Jay first told me about their Block Island wedding, I was imagining a picturesque ferry ride to a charming small town. Well, the weather had other plans.

While I was driving to Rhode Island from Boston—in the pouring rain, no less—I received a call from the ferry operators that my ferry ride had been canceled, and I was rescheduled for a later one. I checked my watch, nervous, but saw I would still make it to the wedding. No sweat. Except, by the time I arrived at the harbor, all ferry rides for the day had been canceled due to the weather.

If you know me, you know I’m not easily deterred. I was determined to make it to Sydney and Jay’s wedding. Luckily, a local friend had mentioned a small airport near the harbor and I managed to book a flight on the smallest plane I had ever seen. The other five passengers (because there were only six seats) were either fellow vendors or guests trying to get to Block Island for various weddings that day. The six of us bonded through the most terrifying 15-minute flight, but we arrived safely! And, despite the wind being so strong that I could hardly walk down the street, I made it to Sydney and Jay’s wedding just in time.

An Unforgettable Celebration at the Spring House Hotel

I was one of the lucky vendors. One of Sydney and Jay’s guests and their entire band for cocktail hour got stranded on the mainland. But the community came together in such an amazing way, making Sydney and Jay’s Block Island Wedding one of my most memorable events, ever.

The vendors and planning team found a local musician to play his guitar during cocktail hour, creating a warm, relaxed environment even in the midst of crazy winds. And a guest stepped up to DJ the reception! Sydney and Jay had initially planned a tented reception, but the planning team flawlessly moved everything indoors. If I hadn’t known, I would never have guessed that the indoor reception was Plan B! The vendors and locals shared resources and contacts to make every wedding happening on Block Island that day a success.

Despite the chaos of the day, Sydney and Jay had the timeless wedding they envisioned. Every detail of their wedding felt intentional and personal, and the Spring House Hotel was the perfect venue. Instead of a traditional guest book, the couple had an oar painted with their names, dog, and wedding venue for the guests to sign. The bride looked absolutely stunning in her off-the-shoulder gown, and the groom’s pinstripe suit literally shimmered. Sydney grew up visiting Block Island during the summers, so this Block Island wedding was a beautiful homage to her childhood. I was so happy to be there and give them and their guests tactile reminders of the wedding day that defied all odds.

Wedding Day Illustrations for Every Event

One thing about me? I will do everything in my power to make your wedding day everything you want it to be—including getting on a tiny, duct-taped plane to make it in time! This Block Island wedding was full of the unexpected, but the vendor team made Sydney and Jay’s day come together beautifully. I love working with other vendors who are as dedicated as I am to making the couple’s dreams come true!

If you’re looking for a ride-or-die on your wedding day to provide an interesting, artistic, interactive experience for your guests, I would love to work with you. My live illustrations are personal, timeless favors that guests treasure forever. Explore my live illustration services and inquire about adding illustrations to your event!