A Waterfront Wedding at Glen Manor House with East Coast Soul
Cara Colbert and Kevin Kraft’s October wedding at Glen Manor House felt effortless in the best possible way — coastal Rhode Island scenery, a relaxed outdoor ceremony, and a reception that leaned confidently into dancing and modern energy.
Set just outside Newport in Portsmouth, Glen Manor House provided a stunning backdrop for a celebration that moved gracefully from lawn ceremony to terrace cocktails to a packed ballroom dance floor.
An Outdoor Ceremony on the Lawn
The ceremony took place on the lawn beside the terrace, overlooking the water. Sound support was handled on-site, including a lav mic for the officiant and wireless microphones for readers.
A personal highlight came when the bride’s sister performed live during the ceremony, adding an intimate, family-centered moment to the proceedings. With power readily available and clear sightlines across the lawn, the ceremony felt open, natural, and easy.
Cocktail Hour on the Terrace
Cocktail hour followed immediately outside on the terrace, where guests enjoyed the coastal views while mingling. A guest keyboardist provided the soundtrack, keeping the vibe relaxed and breezy as the evening transitioned toward the reception.
Reception Begins Inside the Ballroom
As guests moved indoors, the reception opened with introductions over Paul Simon’s “Obvious Child,” setting a joyful, slightly unexpected tone that fit the couple perfectly.
Bride & Groom Introduction: “And now for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. & Mrs. Kraft!”
Their first dance followed shortly after.
First Dance: “Coming Home” – Leon Bridges (recording, shortened)
Dinner, Toasts & Classic Moments
Dinner took place in a separate space, allowing the evening to breathe and giving guests a chance to reset before the dance floor opened. Toasts from parents and the wedding party were heartfelt and well-paced, keeping the emotional arc of the night intact.
Parent dances followed dinner, both performed live by East Coast Soul:
- Bride/Father: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Judy Garland
- Groom/Mother: “The Way You Look Tonight” – Frank Sinatra
A Dance Floor Built for Movement
Once dancing began, the direction was clear: keep things upbeat. Cara and Kevin requested a modern, dance-heavy mix — roughly 70% contemporary favorites and 30% classic funk and wedding staples.
The band leaned into artists like Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and Paul Simon, keeping the energy high while staying tightly curated.
The night closed on a perfectly chosen final song:
Last Dance: “Tenderness” – General Public
Why We Love Weddings at Glen Manor House
Glen Manor House is one of those rare venues that feels both grand and relaxed. With its waterfront lawn, terrace cocktail space, and elegant ballroom, it offers a seamless flow for weddings that want scenic beauty without sacrificing energy.
Cara and Kevin’s celebration captured that balance beautifully — refined, joyful, and built around a love of dancing.
Planning a wedding at Glen Manor House or another Newport-area waterfront venue? East Coast Soul creates live music experiences that evolve naturally from ceremony through last dance.
