It?s hard to keep a secret ? especially when you have news that you want to shout from the rooftops. When Andrew Rosa presented his then-girlfriend Stephanie a medium-sized wrapped gift on the evening of her 25th birthday, she tore it open only to find another box, followed by another which, when opened, was empty. ?I looked up at Andy confused and he was already on his knee with the ring in his hand.? After Stephanie accepted his proposal, the two celebrated with a bottle of champagne and waited until the next day to tell anyone ? and everyone. The Portsmouth natives became acquainted in high school and started to date senior year. Both had applied to the University of New Hampshire where their relationship flourished, and upon their return to Aquidneck Island, continued to grow. During their year-long engagement, Stephanie, daughter of Richard and Catherine Wicks, and Andy, son of Joseph and Janet Rosa, all of Portsmouth, planned a beach-themed wedding highlighted with shades of raspberry pink and gold. The two wanted their reception location to reflect their love of the sea, and one look at the campus of St. George?s made their decision easy. ?We couldn?t resist knowing that most of our guests have never been to a wedding reception there and most likely never would,? says Stephanie. As a perfect late summer afternoon unfolded, Stephanie and Andy exchanged vows at St. Barnabas Church, the parish their families had always belonged to. ?It was always the church we planned on marrying in,? says the bride. After the ceremony, the couple mingled with well-wishers on the sprawling lawn at St. George?s overlooking Second Beach. As the dinner hour approached, guests moved into King Hall and dined on filet mignon and baked stuffed shrimp, rosemary skewered veggies and oven-roasted red bliss potatoes. Following the cutting of the three-tier carrot cake (Stephanie?s absolute favorite), the newlyweds danced the night away alongside family and friends, some of whom they had not seen in many years. ?We are looking forward to our ?happily ever after,??? says the couple. Stephanie, a realtor with Century 21 Access America in Middletown, and Andy, an associate planning analyst with Care New England Health Systems, make their home in Bristol.?AM

• Bridal Gown: Helene?s Bridal Shoppe, East Providence
• Bridesmaids? gowns: J. Crew
• Photographer: Melinda Amaral Photography, Swansea, MA
• Tuxedos: Slade Formal Wear, Fall River, MA
• Rings: Hannoush Jewelers, Swansea, MA
• Transportation: Access Tours, Newport
• Nails: ReVive Salon, Portsmouth
• Makeup: Sydney?s Salon & Spa, Portsmouth
• Cake: Steve Cory, Middletown
• Caterer: Silveira?s Catering, Newport
• Invitations: Rovi Currier, San Diego, CA
• Flowers: Carlone?s Florist, Portsmouth
• Music: Mike Murphy of Atlantic DJ Service, Newport

See the pages of Newport Wedding Magazine come to life, plus celebrate Valentine's Day with a romantic weekend. Whether you are recently engaged or just need a few final details to complete your wedding planning, The Newport Bridal Show is the bridal event you won't want to miss.

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It?s the first thing a newly engaged gal does after she says ?yes!? The perennial trip to the bookstore to stock up on wedding magazines- Newport Wedding on top of the pile, of course! Other will just ?go public? with the secret stash they?ve been hiding all those years... Before you dog-ear all the awesome A-lines, sexy sheaths, or bountiful ball gowns that speak to you, consider your reception location. A fabulous fête in a lush Newport mansion calls for luxe looks and sophisticated styles, while an outdoor celebration at The Rotunda, Eisenhower House or Fort Adams for example, allows for more casually elegant gowns. If you dream of tying the knot with the sand between your toes, consider a tea-length gown ? for the bridesmaids too! Also, when trying on dresses in a bridal salon, let the storeowner or sales associate recommend a style or two. These professionals have worked with tons of brides and body types and might just have the perfect wildcard to help you look your wedding day best!