newport mansions wedding at rosecliff — Newport, Rhode Island Mansion Wedding at Rosecliff

Newport, Rhode Island

Three words that describe Newport, RI wedding venues and the surrounding area would be classic, coastal, and charming. Newport is the ideal destination for many New Englanders for many reasons. To begin, the area is full of natural beauty. With its expansive coastlines, sweeping vistas, mansions and museums, & quintessential towns make Newport perfect for hosting a destination wedding weekend.

When considering wedding venues in Newport, Rhode Island, be sure to look into the activities the area provides, such as touring The Mansions, local vineyards, boating and sailing, and my favorite, taking a walk on Cliff Walk. As a long time Newport, RI wedding photographer, I can give you plenty of tips for hosting a memorable weekend with your family and friends.

Newport is full of history in buildings and flair, hideaways like Grace Kelley beach to beautiful mansions, and the 300 acre Hammersmith Farm where Jackie & John married over 60 years ago.

These gorgeous outdoor weddings are the perfect setting for my style of photography using the beautiful natural light that shines over the area.

Curated Attractions around Newport, RI wedding Venues

Annual events in Newport to keep in mind, whether you want to skip the crowd or provide something fun for your wedding guests!

The Newport Regatta

The Newport Regatta is Sail Newport’s signature event and has been going on for over 30 years. They draw in over 500 competitors in 15 racing classes. The festivities usually run in middle to late May.

Newport Jazz Festival

Held each year at Fort Adams, the Newport Jazz Festival highlights new and accomplished talents. The festival is usually scheduled for early August.

Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival

Honoring the harvest of the sea! Enjoy local seafood, live music, and family fun! This harvest is scheduled for October!

Newport, RI Wedding Venues

There is an abundance of wedding venues in Newport, ranging in size, from intimate to grand. The surrounding area from Watch Hill to Little Compton also provides beautiful venues set against the beautiful ocean backdrop. Rhode Island is absolutely gorgeous year-round, with popular wedding months being May – July and September – November.

Below is a list of some of my favorite wedding venues in and around Newport RI. I’ll give you a nice range from a more intimate wedding feel to something more grand. You really have your pick of beautiful places in Rhode Island and I hope this list helps to narrow them down for you!

8 Newport Mansions To Consider For Your Wedding

Rosecliff Mansion

Host up to 180 guests at this beautiful Gilded Age mansion. Completed in 1902, The Oelrichs, the original homeowners, hosted many parties here including a fairy tale dinner and a party featuring Harry Houdini! This mansion was made for having a grand time! Just inside the main door, is a sweeping double staircase framed with arched windows and red carpeting, when standing opposite the staircase, a heart shape can be seen. The sweeping lawn at Rosecliff Mansion is perfect for an outdoor wedding ceremony.

Chanler at Cliff Walk

The first home built along my favorite walking trail in Newport, now operates as a hotel. You can do a full buyout for your family and friends and host up to 40 guests overnight, with a wedding capacity of 200 guests. The Chanler is considered to be one of the best Newport wedding venues.

Oceancliff

Dating back to 1892, this brick Hutton home is also officially a hotel and sits on 10 acres of rolling lawns with ocean views. Host up to 300 of your family and friends. The waterfront lawn at OceanCliff is perfect for an outdoor ceremony. Move guests to the patio is for cocktail hour and then the grand ballroom for the reception.

heart shaped staircase at rosecliff mansion wedding — Heart-shaped staircase at Rosecliff Mansion in Newport RI

bride portrait at her rosecliff mansion wedding

The Breakers

The Breakers is considered to be the grandest of Newport’s “summer cottages” (if you consider 70 rooms and just over 125,000sq ft as a cottage) and is built in an Italian Renaissance style palazzo inspired by the 16th century palaces of Genoa and Turin. The building became a national landmark in 1994.

Blithewold Mansion

Blithewold is a gorgeous estate sitting on 33 acres, featuring a mansion with 45 rooms, expansive gardens, greenhouse, and gorgeous light filled nooks everywhere. Ceremonies are held in the North Garden with the reception held on the great lawn, tented or al-fresco – your choice! The noise ordinance is 10:30pm for this Newport Mansion!

Glen Manor

Glen Manor is located just outside of Newport in Portsmouth on the banks of the Sakonnet River. Home to beautifully tended gardens, sweeping waterfront lawns, and gorgeous patios, this Newport wedding venue is ideal for a romantic, intimate wedding, hosting up to 200 guests.

Aldrich Mansion

Located just north of Newport, Rhode Island, the Aldrich Mansion is situated on 70 acres and can accommodate up to 230 guests. Overlooking beautiful Narragansett Bay, this 70-room French chateau is a wonderful wedding venue in Rhode Island, perfect for a comfortable, stately wedding.

Castle Hill Inn

Home to Grace Kelly Beach, Castle Hill Inn is a stately resort on Narragansett Bay. Host 35 guests in the 19th-century dining room or up to 250 people in the tent on the lawn!

Susanna & Kit‘s Wedding Video

Newport Beach House

Located on Newport’s most famous beach, Easton beach, sits this Newport, RI wedding venue is the ultimate laid back meets luxury wedding venue. This is the only event venue in the Newport area where the beach can be the backdrop for your wedding ceremony. With 4 distinct locations on the property, you can accommodate up to 350 guests for dinner and dancing.

Belle Mer

Surrounded by over seven acres of manicured lawns on the edge of the Narragansett Bay, Belle Mer is glamorous & contemporary. Hosting an exquisite oceanside wedding here is definitely one to be remembered. Host your wedding at 1 of their 4 locations on property – the Ocean Lawn, Water Salon, Island House, and the Loft. You can host up to 1000 guests for a garden-style reception on the Ocean Lawn!

The Bohlin

Set in the hear of Newport Harbor, The Bohlin is perfect for those couples that just love being near the water. Host a seaside ceremony as sailboats sail by and the sun setting overthe iconic Newport Bridge in the distance. Located just 90 minutes from Boston, the Bohlin is perfect for the couple that wants comfortable, casual elegance. Invite up to 400 of your people to celebrate you here!

Regata Place

Located on Goat Island, near the Marina, Regatta Place is the ideal setting for a waterfront wedding reception. Surrounded by luxury yachts, and traditional sailboats, host up to 180 wedding guests at this Newport wedding venue. The tent is cream and white striped and adorned with billowed draperies, perfect for catching that summer breeze. For a grand exit, you can sail into the moonlight on the Schooner Aurora!

Wedding Venues Newport, RI | Fort Adams

Located just a few minutes from downtown Newport, Fort Adams offers sweeping views of Narragansett Bay! There are many locations on property to host your ceremony and reception. The North Lawn enjoys panoramic views of both the bay and Newport Harbor. The Eisenhower House (President Eisenhower’s summer White House), offers New England architecture in a mansion completed in 1873. The House boasts a cheerful, sunny yellow shade that will add to the joy of the ambiance. The Harbor Lights Lawn is yet another location with views of Newport as well as Brenton Cove. There is plenty of parking on-site here which is a plus in Newport! Like most places in Newport, the noise ordinance is for 11:00pm.

Warwick Country Club

Not technically located in Newport, but this country club wedding venue is not one to be missed. Warwick Country Club is situated in the Warwick Neck overlooking Narragansett Bay (same bay, different view). Invite your guests for an outdoor wedding ceremony on the back lawn overlooking the bay with most wedding receptions taking place in the Bay Room (different Bay this time ;)). Host up to 250 of your nearest and dearest.

Where To Eat And Drink In Newport Rhode Island

Now that you’ve officially decided to have your wedding in Newport, R.I., you’re going to need to send your friends and family to get some food at some point. I highly suggest these institutions in Newport:

Stoneacre Pantry:

Stoneacre Pantry, a brasserie-style restaurant, is known for its support of local fishermen and farms featuring outdoor seating, butcher shop, and deli. They also operate La Vasca – a tapas style restaurant and wine bar. Both are not to be missed.

Sweet Berry Farm

Pick-your-own fruit farm and specialty food store! I actually think Sweet Berry Farm is a great option for a clam-bake Rehearsal Dinner location in Newport!

The Clarke Cooke House

A long-standing Newport institution! Located in Banister’s Wharf – go here to experience the ambiance that is Newport!

The White Horse Tavern

The White Horse Tavern is America’s oldest tavern serving up Irish cuisine through locally sourced ingredients. Collared shirts are expected, jackets are optional.