Erica & Jeffrey

Erica McNeil & Jeffrey Napoli on July 21, 2018

By Tracie Seed | Newport Wedding 2020

Lunchtime has a special meaning for Connecticut residents Erica McNeil and Jeffrey Napoli. The teachers met at work in 2010 and spent years sharing lunch until, eventually, they shared a loving relationship. In 2017, Jeffrey sent Erica out on a scavenger hunt in Newport. It began at a nail salon and wended its way through various meaningful places, with clues signifying the next stop. The final location was the Forty Steps off of Cliff Walk, where the bride-to-be found notes that family members and friends placed on each step. At the bottom was Jeffrey with a ring and a question. The celebration continued at — you guessed it — lunch, with family and friends at the Mooring. 

“Planning a wedding in six months can be stressful! We needed a location where everything fell into place, and that was Newport. We were fortunate enough to go to the Newport Bridal Show, where we chose all of our vendors.” 

Now, That Takes the Cake

“When we saw the hanging cake at the Newport Bridal Show, we knew it was a ‘must have’ at our wedding,” beams the bride. The confection in question was a three-tiered hanging chandelier of chocolate ganache and strawberry shortcake with Chantilly cream. Guests were also wowed by a magnificent display of Italian cookies.

History Has Its Place

The bride took “something old” to a modern level by having one of her grandmother’s dresses turned into a cocktail dress for her rehearsal dinner. Her bridal shower dress was made from her mother’s wedding dress. At the reception, she displayed wedding photos of the guests, who had sent them in before the big day.

Another Kind of Wedding Portrait

While sharing their first dance to Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud, a live wedding painter captured the moment. “This offered entertainment for the whole reception,” Erica says, “as guests watched the painter start the canvas during the cocktail reception and end by the last song.”

Where Are They Now?

After a honeymoon in Scottsdale and Sedona, Arizona, the couple jetted back to Shelton, Connecticut, where Erica is a science teacher and Jeffrey is a physical education and health teacher.

Vendors

Photographer: Samantha Robshaw Photography
Ceremony Venue: Our Lady of Mercy Chapel
Reception Venue: Ochre Court
Bridal Gown: Classic Brides by Eva
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal
Suits: Jos. A. Bank, The Tie Bar
Hair & Makeup: Petal Blush Beauty
Flowers: Songbird Floral Designs
Caterer: Sodexo Catering
Cake: Wingate’s Cakes
Bridal Party Transportation: Newport Limousine Service
Invitations: Invitation by Dawn
Rehearsal Dinner: Sardella’s Italian Restaurant
Nails: Blue Lotus Nail Salon
Flower preservation: Floral Memories by Becky
Ceremony Music:  Salve Regina University Wedding Chapel
Reception Entertainment: Festiveevents.com
Videographer: MJL Photography and Films
Guest Accommodations: Salve Regina University Residential Life, Quality Inn and Suites, The Wellington
Gold Chivari Chairs and Mahogany Bars: Rhode Island Rental
After-Ceremony Refreshment: Del’s Frozen Lemonade
Painter: Vesna Longton
Cookies: Only the Finest Italian Cookies