Guests walked a red carpet for this iconic Newport mansion wedding
Welcome to "The ROW"—the Rosecliff O’Connor Wedding—a unique celebration that took place at the Rosecliff Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. The bride and groom met in high school in Boca Raton, Florida, where they still live today. Michael works in ultra luxury real estate, while Kristina works in social media and marketing. Though South Florida will always be home, the couple fell in love with the elegance and stunning landscapes of Rhode Island. Enchanted by Newport’s mansions and gilded age charm, they knew it was the perfect destination for their dream wedding. Every moment was thoughtfully curated by the bride and groom to celebrate their love while immersing their guests into a world of creativity and luxury - think MET Ball meets Art Basel.
Designing the epitome of black-tie luxury
Choosing to forgo traditional bright florals and pastels one might expect to see in Newport, the couple embraced bold tones accented with black and gold, and opted for extravagant candles and minimal florals, creating a striking visual experience that beautifully complemented the elegance of the Rosecliff Mansion. Guests were encouraged to dress on theme: floor-length gowns, dark & moody colors, bold accessories, shoulder pads, feathers, and more.
A unique red-carpet experience
Planning was expertly handled by Infinite Events, led by Lisa Nightingale. Upon arrival, guests posed for photos outside the venue with Atlantic Strings playing before walking down a red carpet, which also served as the dress train for a live performer who welcomed guests on stilts.
Custom three-piece Galia Lahav
The bride wore a breathtaking, custom three-piece gown by Galia Lahav, paired with exquisite 10-carat diamond earrings from Boca Raton’s CR Jewelers.
Bespoke apparel handmade for the groom
The groom did not fall behind when it came to his wedding weekend wardrobe. Over the course of the weekend, the groom wore a forest green Loro Piana suit for the welcome party, a bespoke Carnet Como Tuxedo for the wedding, and a linen Zegna suit for the farewell brunch. All pieces were curated by luxury handmade fashion expert, Shawn Christopher.
First-look backdrop: A fleet of vintage cars
For her first look with her dad, the bride arranged a fleet of vintage cars to serve as a stunning backdrop; while it made for unforgettable photos, the true intention was to honor their cherished memories of car shows and the deep bond they have built for classic cars over the years. This meaningful gesture was an emotional moment for the bride and dad due to his current year-long battle with stage three cancer.
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A waving aisle of white florals
As they awaited the bride’s entrance down the aisle lined with white roses put together by Stone Blossom, guests enjoyed the serene sight of local surfers riding the Atlantic Ocean waves in the distance.
Unique luxury drink service
Following the ceremony, guests were greeted with glasses of champagne from TEN31Living Art performers dressed as marble statues and were invited to explore and engage with this non-traditional event. They rang a bell to choose between an Espresso Martini or Tequila Spritz, had their portraits painted by a live watercolor artist, savored fresh oysters from a raw bar, and left voicemails for the bride and groom.
Reception style: Mini and matching gloves
For the reception, the bride switched to a chic mini dress with matching gloves by Jaclyn Whyte, ensuring she wowed guests throughout the night.
Luxury reception design and details
During the reception, guests could visit the photo booth or leave the bride and groom a voicemail in-between dancing to Hudson Horns, a New York City-based group of musicians that pairs with a live DJ for an interactive and elevated dance experience. The entirety of the event was captured by a 10-person photography and videography team, The Cardonas, who along with many of the other vendors traveled from Miami for the event.
- Wedding Photography and Videography: The Cardonas
- Event Planning & Design: Infinite Events (led by Lisa Nightingale)
- Celebrity Makeup Artist: Natalie Dresher
- Hair Stylist: Marz Starz
- Drink Wall, Custom Bars, and More: Ryan Designs
- Creative Production: TEN31Living Art
- Ceremony Music: Atlantic Strings
- Wedding Cake: Confectionery Designs
- Social Media Content: Social By Si
- Music: Hudson Horns
- Bride: Kristina Megonegal
- Groom: Michael P O'Connor