An Ochre Court Wedding at Salve Regina University with East Coast Soul
Katherine Shaw and Anthony Sassone-McHugh’s wedding at Ochre Court was a classic Newport celebration with a playful, personal edge. Set inside one of the most iconic mansions on the Rhode Island coast, the day blended cathedral ceremony traditions with a reception that leaned fully into fun, creativity, and a packed dance floor.
East Coast Soul joined the celebration for cocktail hour and reception in the Great Hall, helping shape an evening that felt equal parts grand and relaxed — never stiff, always moving.
Cocktail Hour in the Great Hall
Following a chapel ceremony nearby, guests gathered in Ochre Court’s Great Hall for cocktail hour. With its soaring ceilings, stone details, and ocean just beyond the windows, the space did a lot of the work on its own.
A guitar and sax duo provided live cocktail music, setting an easy, welcoming tone as guests explored the space, grabbed drinks, and settled in before the reception began.
Creative Introductions with a Personal Touch
Rather than traditional band-led introductions, the couple brought in a personal twist: the bride’s brother, Warren, served as emcee. What followed was one of the more creative entrance sequences we’ve seen — each group entering to a different song, ranging from movie scores to pop classics.
By the time Katherine and Anthony made their entrance to Coldplay’s “A Sky Full of Stars,” the room was fully engaged and ready for the night ahead.
First Dance, Toasts & Dinner Flow
The couple’s first dance followed immediately after introductions.
First Dance: “God Gave Me You” – Blake Shelton (recording, full song)
Toasts from family and friends came next, along with a blessing, before guests moved into dinner stations that opened throughout the Great Hall. Recorded dinner music kept the mood warm and cohesive while allowing the evening to breathe.
Cake, Parent Dances & Meaningful Moments
The cake cutting took place in a separate room just off the Great Hall, offering a quick change of scenery before returning to the main space.
Parent dances followed, starting with a groom/mother dance to “Perfect Fan,” then transitioning into a truly memorable bride/father dance.
Bride/Father Dance: “My Girl” – The Temptations (performed live)
Rather than a single partner, Katherine shared the dance with her father, brother, uncles, and finally her new husband — a moment that felt communal, emotional, and uniquely theirs.
A Dance Floor That Spanned Generations
Once dancing began, the Great Hall quickly filled. The couple’s requests leaned classic and joyful — soul, funk, R&B, and pop favorites that brought multiple generations together.
Highlights included Whitney Houston, Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin, along with modern crowd-pleasers mixed in thoughtfully.
One especially meaningful moment came during “Let’s Stay Together,” dedicated to couples in the room celebrating anniversaries that weekend.
Why Ochre Court Is a Newport Favorite
Ochre Court is one of Newport’s most distinctive wedding venues — dramatic without feeling cold, historic without feeling untouchable. Its Great Hall is ideal for live music, allowing sound to travel naturally while still feeling intimate.
Katherine and Anthony’s wedding showed just how flexible the space can be, accommodating both heartfelt traditions and lighthearted creativity in the same evening.
Planning a wedding at Ochre Court or another Newport mansion venue? East Coast Soul specializes in live music experiences that honor tradition while leaving room for personality and fun.
