An Elegant Wedding at Providence Public Library in Rhode Island

In April of 2011, Brianna Williams was walking around her college campus when she spotted a "cute guy" riding a long board. So naturally she stopped him and asked him to teach her how. Richard Ezerins was happy to show her the ropes, and by the end of the lesson, the pair had exchanged numbers—and they’ve been together ever since. Six years later, in May of 2017, Richard surprised Brianna with a romantic dinner in the Seaport District in Boston. “After dinner, we walked along the water admiring the ships sailing by, and that’s where Richard asked me to marry him,” Brianna recalls.

The couple knew they wanted a more intimate wedding, with just 120 guests on the list, but didn’t want to skimp on a venue with serious stature. “We loved the incredible architecture at the Providence Public Library,” says the bride. “It barely needed any decoration—it shone all on its own.” They planned a modern-meets-romantic celebration there on September 9, 2018, ultimately enhancing the library's classical styling with a subtly fall-themed palette and lots of fresh flowers. They made sure their families were involved along the way, keeping their celebration both personal and lighthearted.

Keep reading to see this elegant East Coast wedding, photographed by Jenny Fu!

The couple held both their ceremony and reception at the Providence Public Library, and even featured a sketch of the building on their ceremony program. “We wrote our own vows, and put them in ‘his’ and ‘hers’ notebooks,” says Brianna.

Brianna envisioned something elegant and timeless for her wedding-day look, donning a stunning satin Reem Acra ball gown with a wrapped bodice and peplum skirt. “It was classic, but still fashion-forward and unique,” she explains.

Brianna’s textured bouquet paired white roses, anemones, and dahlias. Her wedding day shoes were modern classics: silver Hangisi pumps from Manolo Blahnik!

“Richard and I were hesitant about having a first look, but it ended up being the most memorable and intimate moment we had that day,” Brianna recalls. She first spotted her groom, in his classic Suit Supply tuxedo, in the library lobby before the ceremony.

Brianna was also able to share a few moments with her mother and her bridesmaids, who wore off-the-shoulder silver dresses from Bella Bridesmaids.

The couple’s family played important roles throughout their wedding. Brianna’s father walked her down the aisle, then Richard’s mother offered a prayer during the ceremony, and his father served as the marital witness. At the reception, Brianna’s mother said a prayer, Richard’s sisters gave speeches, and Brianna’s brothers MC’d. “Our officiant was fantastic. He blessed our union, but also kept it lighthearted,” says the bride.

The wedding band Brianna put on Richard’s finger held a lot of meaning for the groom. “It was passed down to him by his great-great-grandfather,” she explains. “The ring has been in Richard’s family for over 80 years!”

How gorgeous is this building? The perfect place for a romantic city wedding.

The couple’s florist elegantly draped the venue in fresh blooms, starting with a cascade of white flowers and greenery along a stone staircase at the reception entrance.

Inside the reception space, the couple infused their fall palette by using florals such as tropical anthurium and orchids alongside roses and coxcomb.

The couple’s wedding cake, made by a family member, featured layers of honey, vanilla, and carrot cake draped in fresh flowers.

“We did our best to remember that our wedding day was about our union,” says the bride. “It can be easy to get caught up in the details, but your love is the most important part. Everything else is secondary.”