Real Wedding: Katina Fortunato & Alex Baren

September 16, 2017
Castle Hill Inn
Newport, Rhode Island

“The day started out sunny, then got a little overcast and foggy. But it was the perfect fog. It was magical and felt otherworldly,” Katina says. / Photograph by Corinna Raznikov

THE STORY

Alex Baren was bitten by the wedding bug even before popping the question. Not typically a planner, he surprised his girlfriend, Katina Fortunato, with a rooftop proposal at New York City’s Surrey hotel, complete with a candlelit path, soft music, champagne, and family waiting to jump out and snap photos. “I saw this beautiful setup, and I said, ‘I don’t think we’re allowed to be up here,’” recalls Katina, who thought they’d stumbled upon a private party. “Alex was like, ‘No, no, keep going.’ That’s when the waterworks started.”

For their wedding the following year, the couple quickly decided on an outdoor celebration at the historical Castle Hill Inn, where the bride—a native Rhode Islander—had spent summers as a kid. “I knew that it would be at Castle Hill from day one of even dating,” Alex says with a laugh. Katina imagined a romantic, garden-party feel for the reception under the inn’s waterfront tent, where a blush-toned palette with hints of green touched everything from the towering floral centerpieces to the ethereal bridesmaids’ dresses. The festivities continued well into the night: After the band played its last song at 11 p.m., the couple rallied friends and family for an after-party—featuring mini doughnuts, sliders, and fries—back inside the inn. “We were so surrounded by love, and that’s an overwhelming feeling to have,” Katina says. “I’m still on cloud nine from that.”

THE DETAILS

Photograph by Corinna Raznikov

Confectionery Designs incorporated the lacework and beading from the bride’s gown into the detailing on the cake.

Photograph by Corinna Raznikov

Alex changed into a dapper white dinner jacket for the tented reception.

Photograph by Corinna Raznikov

Flowers by Semia outfitted the ceremony arbor with an asymmetrical scheme of greenery and blooms.

Photograph by Corinna Raznikov

Tall centerpieces with dahlias, roses, and hydrangeas decorated the dinner tables.

Photograph by Corinna Raznikov

In a nod to their song—John Legend’s “All of Me”—the couple gave guests little bottles of Greek olive oil adorned with tags that read, “Olive me loves olive you.”

Photograph by Corinna Raznikov

“All of the bridesmaids picked different dresses to suit their personalities,” Katina says.

Photograph by Corinna Raznikov

The couple worked the bride’s Greek heritage and the groom’s Jewish traditions into the ceremony by having Katina’s mother perform the Greek Orthodox crowning of the bride and groom, while Alex’s mother recited the seven blessings.

THE FILE

Band EYE2EYE
Bride’s Dress Pnina Tornai, Kleinfeld Bridal
Cake Confectionery Designs
Caterer Castle Hill Inn
Ceremony Musicians Atlantic Strings
Cigar Roller Boston Cigar Factory
Decor Exquisite Events
Flowers Flowers by Semia
Groomswear Ermenegildo Zegna
Hair Jennie Kay Beauty
Makeup DW Beauty
Photo Booth The Bosco
Videography Cord 3 Films

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