Love reached full blossom for a pair of local landscape designers on the evening of their wedding last September. Neil Best, son of Susan Clarke of Wakefield and Pat Best of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Samantha Head, daughter of Claire Lewis of West Warwick, harnessed their shared passions to plan an autumn wedding. "We were definitely using fall colors and thinking about ways to emphasize our love of nature and the outdoors," Samantha says. Creators and owners of local Magma Design Group, the couple was inspired by all things earth, down to ivory beaded flowers on the bride's gown. The entire day exuded a casual elegance as blushes of emerald, warm chocolate, and soft honey ornamented the celebration. A tranquil dusk fell over Mount Hope Farm in Bristol as family and friends gathered in a garden mere feet from the bay to observe the vows of Neil and Samantha. "We knew we had found the place that suited our desire for a day surrounded by natural beauty and peace," Samantha says. Under a romantic canopy of ancient trees and surrounded by mid- eighteenth century colonial architecture, the pair walked an aisle of white hydrangeas and rose petals. "The flowers were probably one of the most important elements for us, especially considering our line of work," Samantha says. "We wanted the flowers to have a very natural flow, with simple colors complementing our fall theme and a unique casual style." As an intimate touch to their special day, the couple included their loved ones in rituals throughout the ceremony and reception. "In terms of theme, I would say family became very important to us," Samantha says. "We involved many family members in almost all aspects of the wedding, so the whole day was incredibly personal." Neil's cousins, six girls ages 10 to 16, participated in a flower ritual to represent the different aspects of marriage. The couple also dedicated a part of the ceremony to speaking in honor of their mothers. A following reception pinnacled as Neil and Samantha took the dance floor as husband and wife. Serenaded by the groom's father, the pair floated to "Every Morning," a song by blues artist Keb' Mo'. "The song was performed beautifully and was full of meaning," Samantha says. After dining on teriyaki chicken, miso salmon, pad Thai, and buttercream frosted lemon cake, friends and family enjoyed the festivities well into the autumn evening. As a wedding favor, each guest was given a personal planted blessing. Wild seeds and Spanish moss were nestled in a small terra cotta pot and donned with raffia and a tag that named the couple and the wedding date. The tag aptly counseled, "Sow with care. Water with love. Watch them grow as one."- JS

• Brides Gown and bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal, Attleboro, MA
• Photographer: Sarah Bastille Photography, Boston, MA
• Rings: Portobello Jewelers, Newport
• Make-up and hair: Salon Rhea, Bristol
• Cake: Cappucinnos, Middletown
• Caterer: Blue Rocks Catering, Middletown
• Flowers: KaBloom, Providence
• Entertainment: DJ Butch, Newport
• Bride & Groom Accommodations: Bradford- Diamond-Norris House, Bristol
• Guest Accommodations: Carriage House Inn, Middletown

On a sun-soaked summer day with gentle waves lapping in the distance, Laura Swistak and Billy Boiani exchanged vows in front of a gregarious gathering of family and friends. The Newport natives met appropriately at Sig's Deli in the city's Fifth Ward. Following a six-year courtship, Billy, son of William E. Boiani of Middletown, and Jane Duffy of Newport, asked Christopher and Laurie Swistak of Newport, for their daughter Laura's hand in marriage. With their blessing, he asked Laura, deputy city clerk for the City of Newport, to be his wife, to which she readily agreed. Together the two planned a wedding celebrating their shared love of the coast. The seaside soirée unfolded at Gooseberry Beach on Newport's scenic Ocean Drive. Every last detail of the day was infused with soft-colored shades of yellow, pink, and green, complementing the natural surroundings. The groom, a landscape gardener, approved of the array of flowers selected to harmonize the wedding's color palette. After a busy morning and one year of careful planning, the bride arrived in a white vintage Volkswagen Beetle driven by a close family friend. Glowing in a champagne and ivory gown that flowed in the ocean breeze, Laura walked down the aisle toward her groom, who, clad in a casually elegant tan suit, stood barefoot, letting the sand shift between his toes. The bride's only attendant and maid of honor, Juliana Viau, stood at her friend's side clad in a butter-colored tea-length dress. Both carried bouquets of French-wrapped ivory calla lilies; flowers Laura describes as "elegant and strong." Billy's close friend and the City of Newport's sitting mayor, Stephen Waluk, served as best man. Following the noontime ceremony, guests were ushered to the beach club's event facility to enjoy a spread of brunch buffet favorites including carving stations, fritattas, fresh salads, fruits and vegetables. Reception tables were topped with floral centerpieces designed by the couple's friends Pam Rapik and Krysten Woodland of locally-based landscape company, T.J. Brown. Laura and Billy indulged their shared sweet tooth by choosing a three-tiered floating white cake with a basket weave design topped with a mix of pink and white flowers including zinnias and roses. Following a spirited afternoon of dining and dancing, the newlyweds made a grand departure and sped off into early evening on their way to The Chanler overlooking First Beach. Following a relaxing honeymoon spent in Antigua, Laura and Billy settled into their new home in Portsmouth.-AM

• Brides Gown: David's Bridal
• Bridesmaid's Dress: J. Crew
• Groom's Suit: Spardello's Clothiers, Newport
• Rings: Patenaude Jewelers, Fall River, MA
• Hair: La Petite Salon & Spa, Middletown
• Caterer: Pauldon's Catering, Warwick
• Bouquets: The Water's Edge Flowers, Newport
• Entertainment: Rhythm Productions, Newport
• Officiant: Frank Camera, Bristol
• Bride & Groom Accommodations: The Chanler, Newport
• Bachelor Party: Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, CT