6 Rhode Island Wedding Venues (Plus a List of Local EQUALITY-MINDED™ Wedding Pros We Love!)

Brittny Drye Founder + Editor-in-Chief of Love Inc. Magazine | On-Air Wedding Expert | LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in the Wedding Industry
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From decadent, historical spaces to coastal charm, Rhode Island packs a lot of variety in their small state. We recently toured The Ocean State and many of its wedding-worthy offerings, traveling to the capital of Providence and then over to the seaside summer escape town of Newport, meeting lovely equality-minded wedding pros along the way.

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Providence Biltmore

This historical landmark hotel in Providence was built in 1922, and is rich with ritzy architectural details with panoramic views of the state's capital in the main reception space. And even though it has a luxe, boutique hotel feel, it's now under the Hilton umbrella, so you can expect high-quality service.

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Roger Williams Park

If you want the beauty of Mother Nature without the rain risk, book your wedding at Roger Williams Park's gorgeous botanical gardens. Their glass-enclosed space is filled with exotic flora (yes, you can incorporate it into your decor!) and their sprawling lawn is perfect for a tent reception.

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The Dorrance

They converted an old Edwardian bank into this elegant eatery, keeping all of the decadent details: high, ornate ceilings, stained glass windows and even a vault! Fun fact: the quarry that the space's marble came from was demolished after the project was finished, so you won't find those patterns anywhere else in the world. And while the decor is a treat in itself, it's the food and cocktails that are the main attraction, and they love working with couples in crafting a menu that will blow their guests away.

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Hotel Viking

This iconic hotel in downtown Newport recently received a makeover, seamlessly blending Old World architecture with modern interior design and amenities. They've taken details, like old keys from the original building, and turned them into Instagram-worthy designs. Outdoor patios, expansive ballrooms and even a chapel on the property makes this a popular wedding spot for a variety of styles. They've even added a masculine “Grooms Room” for the wedding party to get ready in — complete with a minibar, flat screen TV, poker set and indoor putting green.

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Castle Hill Inn

Say “I do” with amazing coastal views as your backdrop at this former seaside summer home. Boasting the epitome of New England charm, the estate houses several charming beach cottages as well as multiple rooms in the main house, allowing your wedding to take over the entire property for the weekend. If you walk to grounds, you'll stumble upon its famous lighthouse and a private beach escapes, including one dubbed “Grace Kelly Beach” which was a frequent spot the actress retreated to while filming “High Society.”

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Rosecliff Manor

This Gilded Age, Newport mansion was completed in 1902 by architect Stanford White who modeled it after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles. Hand-painted ceilings, glistening chandeliers, intricate crown molding and a heart-shaped staircase are just some of the elegant interior details you'll find at this popular venue.

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Also on our Rhode Island wedding tour, we had the opportunity to meet with several amazingly talented wedding pros.

John Orton Flowers & Events: A seasoned veteran (25 years and counting!), John brings the wow factor into any event's florals and design. His studio is a designer's playground, filled with blooms, vessels and rentals.

Seams Couture: Designer Harper Della-Piana can do it all — frothy tulle skirts, chic bridal suits, pocket squares, crop tops, capelets, hairpieces and more.

Matunuck Oyster Bar: It's not a proper Rhode Island wedding without a raw bar, and the guys at Matunuck Oyster Bar are extremely well-versed about the different farm-to-table varieties they offer.

Suite Tart: Pinup maven and head stylist Lulu Locks runs this retro salon with her wife and brings more to the table than a simple ‘do — she brings an experience that will leave you feeling like you just made a new b.f.f. She also has a built-in photo studio in the salon, — which doubles as a getting ready room for wedding parties — filled with vintage costumes, accessories and props to play with.

 

Header image by Alex Sergeev via Wikimedia Commons

*Editor’s Note: Travel, accommodations, meals and activities were provided Rhode Island tourism. All opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. Each time you purchase an item via our affiliate links, Love Inc. is receiving a small percentage of the sale, thus you are helping our small, equality-minded business grow and allowing us to provide more content for YOU! Isn’t that just fantastic?

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