There’s something special about springtime in Providence. The city comes alive with color again. The air begins to warm up. The days last a little bit longer. And for Christina and Carl, it was the perfect time for their boutique hotel wedding in the spring at Dye House.
When these two musicians chose to host their May celebration at one of Providence’s most unique wedding venues, they knew they wanted something different. No cookie-cutter ballroom. No stuffy formal affair. Just a day filled with personal touches – one big party surrounded by their favorite people.
Let me take you behind the scenes of this breathtaking spring wedding that combined industrial chic with seasonal charm in an artistic and colorful way.
Getting Ready in the Dye House Lofts
The morning of their wedding day began with calm excitement. Christina and her family and friends gathered in one of the Dye House’s spacious lofts. Here they enjoyed breakfast and TV with her nephews while getting her hair and makeup done. Meanwhile, Carl and his friends spent the morning on the other side of the lofts listening to music and relaxing while Carl finished writing his vows.
The loft’s exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and funky furniture created a stunning backdrop for getting-ready photos. With plenty of natural light beaming in from the huge windows – we photographed them in a laid back and documentary style way as they eased into their wedding day.
All Under One Roof: The Convenience of On-Site Boutique Hotel Accommodations
One of the smartest decisions Christina and Carl made for their spring wedding was choosing a boutique hotel wedding venue with on-site accommodations. The Dye House lofts aren’t just gorgeous – they’re practical too.
The couple booked out all 4 of the rooms at Dye House for themselves family members. This created a genuine and community feeling throughout the day. Friends could pop in and out of rooms to say hello. Parents could easily check on last-minute details. And we could easily bop back and forth between Christina, Carl, and their day of coordinator, Jordan from Enchanted Events.
Some of the fantastic benefits of having on-site accommodations for your wedding day include:
- No transportation stress between venues
- A central gathering place for guests
- More time with loved ones throughout the weekend
- Stunning architectural details in every room
- A built-in rain plan (which thankfully wasn’t needed!)
- An easy place to retreat to for private moments or just to catch a breather between events
A Natural First Look
Christina and Carl chose to see each other before the ceremony. They wanted a private moment away from watchful eyes. The Dye House’s main facade provided the perfect setting.
They each took their positions on either side of the building and on my go turned the corner. This made for a more natural first look where they could both see each other for the first time in the same moment instead of one of them facing away from the other.
Afterwards, they spent a bit of time taking portraits together and with their families before the ceremony. This decision allowed them more time to enjoy with guests later. It also helped calm pre-ceremony jitters.
Indoor Ceremony
At 4:00pm, guests gathered in the Dye House’s main indoor event space. Rows of wooden chairs faced an altar adorned with colorful spring blooms from Sweet Talk Floral. And warm natural light filled the space with a sunny spring glow.
The couple’s friend played acoustic guitar as guests were seated. Christina’s parents walked her down the aisle to an instrumental version of their favorite song. Their officiant, a close friend, kept the ceremony short but meaningful. Both Christina and Carl exchanged heartfelt personal vows, with Carl’s favorite teddy bear even making a special guest appearance!
Cocktail Hour Under the Tent
After the “I dos,” guests moved outside to a tent in the courtyard for cocktail hour. They were greeted with signature cocktails and an epic grazing table from mobile bar, RI Cruisin’ Cocktails. The spring evening air was crisp and pleasant – around 55 degrees.
Guests dressed in their best colorful and retro inspired attire gripped cocktails and soaked up the golden hour sun while inside a transformation was happening.
Room Flip and Indoor Reception
While guests enjoyed cocktail hour, the Enchanted Events and Dye House staff transformed the ceremony space into a reception venue. This “room flip” happened seamlessly behind the scenes and all within one hour!
When guests returned indoors, they were amazed to find that the rows of folding chairs had been removed and in its place the dinner tables were set. Rows of wooden table covered with funky colorful bud vases, taper candles and glasses with charms serving as their name cards filled the newly transformed space.
The couple made a quiet entrance into the space – choosing to forgo the traditional grand entrance. Instead, they sat at their sweetheart table and invited family and friends up to give toasts in their honor.
The rest of the evening flew by as guests were invited to enjoy the buffet provided by Durk’s BBQ followed by an evening of donuts and dancing!
Considering the Comfort of Your Guests
Christina and Carl put guest comfort at the top of their priority list. They thought carefully about the flow of their boutique hotel wedding, wanting their guests to enjoy all of the spaces and be wowed by the transformations.
Having a room flip allowed for the ceremony chairs to be spaced out in a way that felt intimate, not squished and for the reception tables to have plenty of room to move about while still leaving room for a large dance floor. They also opted to keep the mobile bar outdoors with cocktail tables and string lighting throughout the evening, providing a quiet retreat for fresh air and a bit of reprieve from the live band.
Why You Should Hire a Live Band for Your Wedding
One of the highlights of Christina and Carl’s reception was a band comprised of some of their best friends. Normally, I don’t recommend hiring friends as vendors, but seeing as Christina and Carl are musicians themselves (in a touring band) it made for the perfect personal touch. And they were extremely talented too! The dance floor stayed packed all night.
Live bands bring energy that recordings simply can’t match. The musicians interact with guests. They read the room and adjust their set list. They create moments that feel spontaneous and special. It feels more like a concert than a wedding – in the best way!
If you’re considering live music, book early. The best Providence wedding bands are often reserved a year in advance for prime wedding dates!
Why Choose a Boutique Hotel Wedding?
Christina and Carl knew they wanted something different from a traditional hotel ballroom. Dye House offered the perfect blend of style, convenience, and uniqueness for their colorful and laid back spring boutique hotel wedding.
Boutique hotel weddings offer several advantages:
- Distinctive architecture and design
- More personalized service
- Flexibility with vendors and customization
- On-site accommodations
- All-in-one location that simplifies planning
The Dye House staff worked closely with the couple’s coordinator to customize every aspect of their day. From specialty decor to unique food, nothing felt cookie-cutter.
Springtime Magic: Why Spring is an Underrated Season for Your Rhode Island Wedding
Many couples overlook spring when planning their Rhode Island wedding. They focus on summer or fall. But Christina and Carl’s May celebration showed why spring deserves more love. The weather is pretty on par with the fall months, and the new blooms on the trees and in gardens provide a beautiful and cost-effective added decor element.
Spring offers several advantages for Providence wedding venues:
- Sometimes you can get lower rates (before peak summer and fall season)
- Comfortable temperatures for both indoor and outdoor events
- Naturally beautiful décor from blooming flowers and trees
- Better availability for popular vendors and venues
- An all around good mood from guests as they venture out to enjoy the end of the winter blues
The couple lucked out with weather – mild temperatures and sunny skies. But they had backup plans ready just in case. The Dye House’s flexible spaces meant they could’ve had everything indoors if needed.
What is the best month for spring weddings?
In Rhode Island, May typically offers the most reliable weather for spring weddings. April can be rainy and unpredictable at time while June borders on summer heat and humidity. But you can get lucky with some dates in late March and April anyway if you’re willing to take a chance on the rain!
Christina and Carl chose the second weekend in May. By then:
- Flowers are in full bloom
- Temperatures usually range from 50-60°F
- Rain chances decrease compared to early spring
- Outdoor photos are comfortable for everyone
- Evening celebrations rarely need heavy outerwear
Planning Tips: Making the Most of Your Boutique Hotel Wedding in the Spring
If Christina and Carl’s boutique hotel wedding has inspired you, here are some practical tips for planning your own spring celebration in Providence:
- Book early – spring dates are slowly becoming more popular in Rhode Island
- Have a solid rain plan – the Dye House makes this easy
- Choose in-season flowers for better pricing and sustainability (or better yet hire a florist who will do this for you!)
- Plan for temperature fluctuations with layered outfits
- Take advantage of natural light for photography prior to your ceremony
- Consider spring holidays and college graduations when selecting dates – you’d hate to get caught in the chaos of moving weekend or have all the hotels nearby with jacked up prices due to graduation
Spring Wedding Florals and Decor
One of my personal favorite things about spring weddings is the opportunity to work with the biggest and brightest fresh florals. Christina worked with a local Providence florist, Lorinda from Sweet Talk Floral, to create arrangements that celebrated the season. Her vision: retro and celebrating all the best colors of spring – bright purples, oranges, pinks and blues!
Her spring bouquet included:
- Fluffy peonies (just coming into season in May)
- Garden roses
- Cala lillies
- Vibrant orchids
- and more!
The ceremony featured two large columns adorned in similar colorful florals in a wild and “springy” manner. The reception featured funky colored bud vases that twisted and turned and provided an extra pop to the tables. Some tables also had simple black bowls with flowers stuck into spikes in the base – drawing inspiration from the Japanese Ikebana technique of floral arrangements.
Boutique Hotel Wedding Photos
One major advantage of a boutique hotel wedding in the spring? The incredible photo opportunities both indoors and outdoors. Dye House especially provides space for funky furniture, a cute outdoor courtyard, city streets, big beautiful windows filled with natural light, and a cool but neutral backdrop for all photos.
If you’re considering a Providence wedding, the spring season at a venue like the Dye House might be exactly what you’re looking for. The combination of seasonal charm and urban sophistication creates a celebration that feels both timeless and uniquely yours.
And if you’re looking for a photographer who has worked at and is obsessed with the vibes of Dye House, look no further. I’m right here! Come check out even more of our work and reach out to book your wedding day with your two new best friends!
As Christina and Carl’s photographers, we captured a variety of documentary-style images on digital, film and Polaroid cameras throughout the day.
Dream Providence Wedding Vendor Team for Christina and Carl
Photography – Rhode Tripper Photography – that’s us!
Day of Coordinator – Enchanted Events RI
Venue – Dye House
Food – Durk’s BBQ
Bar + Grazing Table – RI Cruisin’ Cocktails
Desserts – PVDonuts and Sin Desserts
Florals – Sweet Talk Floral
Hair + Makeup – Annie’s Vanity
Rentals – Quality Rental
Dress – Lady Sycamore Bridal, designed by The Law
Suit – Indochino
Rings – Dogwood Jewelers
