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About this vendor

Elise S. Shatraw
Elise S. Shatraw
Senior Catering Sales Manager/Certified Wedding Venue Professional

104 years in business

We speak English and Spanish

Large team (21+ members)

Graduate Providence, formerly Providence Biltmore, is a full-service hotel and a classic wedding venue located in the heart of downtown Providence, Rhode Island. Celebrating our 100th anniversay, our landmark hotel debuted in 1922 and quickly became a tourist location and social center of Providence. It is conveniently located near the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence Place Mall, and Waterplace Park.

Facilities and Capacity
Graduate Providence offers two magnificent ballrooms that can accommodate weddings of anywhere from 40-250 guests. Along with stunning venues, they also have 294 rooms and suites that will make couples and their guests feel at home.

Services Offered
With its historic charm and authentic style, Graduate Providence is the perfect location for all wedding celebrations. Couples can host anything from an engagement party to a wedding shower and be at ease knowing that each detail will be coordinated by the talented catering staff. Along with a unique location for a couple’s wedding, they will also be provided with these services:

  • Professional wedding consultant
  • Attentive banquet staff with years of experience led by the banquet manager
  • Excellent cuisine prepared by executive chef and full catering staff
  • Complimentary suite for the evening of the couple’s wedding
  • Set-up of ballroom with hotel tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware, etc.
  • Large dance floor
  • Six-hour reception
  • Exclusive rates for couple’s guests traveling for the wedding

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FAQ

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

4,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

2,500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

2,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

1,000

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Chairs
China
Clean Up
Event Planning
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Cake Cutting
Dessert
Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$25

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Specialty Beer

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

50

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

4

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Historic Building
Hotel

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Accommodations
Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Chairs
Dance Floor
Lighting
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Chocolate Fountain
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
April

Still have questions?

Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!

Wedding couple

Reviews of Graduate Providence/Providence Biltmore

This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

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The Graduate Providence is an elegant, historic hotel with stunning ballrooms, terrace views, and a spacious bridal suite ideal for photos. Guests praised the responsive, professional event team for seamless planning and flawless execution. Food, cocktails, and service were repeatedly lauded, and on-site accommodations made logistics easy; valet lines were a rare minor complaint.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

The Graduate Providence is an elegant, historic hotel with stunning ballrooms, terrace views, and a spacious bridal suite ideal for photos. Guests praised the responsive, professional event team for seamless planning and flawless execution. Food, cocktails, and service were repeatedly lauded, and on-site accommodations made logistics easy; valet lines were a rare minor complaint.

K
Kerin Sent on 04/04/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing Venue

We got married in the Biltmore Ballroom at the Gradate in Providence last weekend and cannot recommend it enough! The staff is so incredibly accommodating and supportive, and Elise is truly a pro at wedding planning/coordinating. She was responsive and helpful over the last year of planning, and we felt so supported along the way. We planned our wedding at the same time that we purchased our first home, and we chose the graduate because they handle so much of the planning, and make it all so easy.
The whole weekend of our wedding was so smooth and calm because of Elise and her staff, we were able to truly sit back and just enjoy the day without worrying about a thing. A week later, we are still receiving compliments on how beautiful the venue was, and how much everyone loved the food. We also cannot get over the photos we took at the hotel! Cannot recommend enough!
Katie
Katie Sent on 02/26/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Gorgeous, Easy, and PERFECT!

When we first toured the Graduate Providence we knew we wanted to get married there based on the beauty and aesthetics alone, not knowing everything else would be just as incredible! Elise is such a calming, professional presence. She is attentive, responsive, and handles everything with the utmost care. She was fantastic to work with.

Not only was Elise a top tier professional, but the entire hotel staff was kind, welcoming, and accommodating all weekend – from the front desk representatives, to housekeeping, to lobby security. Haley was phenomenal onsite and took away all the step up and breakdown stress that we would’ve otherwise had to deal with.

We have attended many hotel weddings where the food is subpar – not the case here! We felt (and heard from others!) that it was the best wedding food we’ve ever tasted. Cocktail hour appetizers were particularly amazing.

The beauty of the hotel speaks for itself! It was the perfect setting for the moody, vintage, winter wedding we had always wanted. The bridal suite was gorgeous and spacious as well.

As a professional event manager and someone who has interacted with several weddings, the Graduate Providence was so easy to work with. With a large volume of out of town guests, we loved having everything in one place. (The Blizzard of ‘26 took place the day after and our guests were relieved to have the cafe and restaurant as saving graces as well!)

We couldn’t be happier with the Graduate Providence.
Hope
Hope Sent on 12/31/2025
5 out of 5 rating

A Providence wedding day dream come true!

From the moment we stepped into The Graduate Providence for our venue tour, we were awestruck by the beauty of the space. The colors, the ambience, and the ornate decor were exactly the aesthetic we were envisioning for our wedding. We felt immediately certain that we had found our venue.

The deal was further sealed when we met Elise, the venue coordinator. She is the embodiment of the type of professionalism, enthusiasm, and wisdom you hope for in a wedding venue coordinator. She patiently answered every question we had, responded to every email promptly, and made us feel extremely at ease about our big day with the level of attention and respect she paid to our ideas. She took the time to understand exactly what we had planned and executed it flawlessly. She truly was a decisive factor in our booking The Graduate Providence.

The Graduate Providence itself is an absolutely extraordinary location. We had our ceremony on the Parkview Terrace, our cocktail hour on the Atrium Balcony, and our reception in the Capital Ballroom. We loved how convenient it was to have our wedding in one place (and how convenient it was for our vendors, many of whom had worked with the Graduate Providence before and were thrilled to do so again) and yet, every space within in felt so unique. We also loved being right in the heart of downtown Providence, with so many restaurants, shops, and iconic sights conveniently close by for our guests.

On top of that, every staff member with whom we interacted—from the front desk to the waitstaff—could not have been more delightful. They were so friendly and polite throughout the entire process. We had a pretty significant number of out-of-town guests, and all of them reported that they absolutely loved their stay at The Graduate, many thanks to the attentiveness and care of the staff.

We truly cannot speak highly enough or more fervently recommend The Graduate Providence for your wedding day. It honestly defined our entire wedding day in the best way. We are eternally grateful to Elise and the entire Graduate staff for all of the hard work, care, and enthusiasm they put into making our wedding day a dream come true.
E
Elizabeth Sent on 11/29/2025
5 out of 5 rating

An amazing wedding at the graduate!

Our wedding at **The Graduate** was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we stepped into the venue, we knew we were in the right hands. The atmosphere was stunning, the décor was beautiful, and every detail felt thoughtful and elevated. It truly set the perfect backdrop for one of the most important days of our lives.

The **food and drinks were exceptional**—our guests are still talking about how delicious everything was. Each dish was beautifully prepared, full of flavor, and served with impeccable timing. The cocktails were expertly crafted, and the bar service kept the energy high and the celebration flowing.

What truly set the experience apart, though, was the **unmatched level of service**. Every single staff member was warm, attentive, and professional. They anticipated needs before we even voiced them and made the entire day feel effortless.

Working with **Elise and her team** was an absolute dream. From the initial planning stages to the final moments of the reception, they made the entire process seamless, organized, and genuinely enjoyable. Elise’s communication, expertise, and calm confidence put us completely at ease. She took the time to understand our vision and then executed it flawlessly. Her team mirrored her dedication, making everything run smoothly and beautifully.

Our wedding day was everything we imagined and so much more, and The Graduate played a huge role in making that possible. We couldn’t recommend this venue—or Elise and her incredible team—more highly. It was truly a perfect experience from start to finish.
Eli
Eli Sent on 10/21/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible Wedding Venue

My Wife and I recently got married at the Graduate and could not recommend the venue enough. First and foremost Elise who is their event coordinator is absolutely incredible. She is extremely responsive to emails, organized, and flexible. We met with Elise multiple times leading up to the wedding and at each meeting she was extremely prepared and made us feel at ease. She was willing to accommodate any requests or ideas we had for the night. We used the ballroom on the 17th floor and it was stunning. The views are amazing and the room itself is grand. We had both our cocktail hour and reception dinner at the Hotel and all of the food was phenomenal. If you are looking for a wedding venue in Providence look no further!
Private User
Private U. Sent on 10/17/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Best wedding ever!

My daughter got married 10/11/2025 at the Graduate in Providence. Food was fantastic! The cocktail hour spread was amazing and better than the tasting! Ballroom was beautiful! Elise Shatraw who is in charge of the weddings was wonderful with planning and helping the wedding go smoothly! The day of the event she calmed everyone's nerves, and the wedding went perfectly and was beautiful!
Roger
Roger Sent on 09/23/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely Awesome!

From the start Elise Shatraw managed every aspect of the event. She answered our questions before we got to ask them. Backup plans (mother nature) were necessary and were swiftly utilized. Not a hitch in the process. The Grand ballroom is a spectacular space to hold your reception. This place is dripping with class.
J
Jessica Sent on 08/31/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Thank you!

We had our wedding at The Graduate Providence, and it was truly everything we dreamed of.

From the start, Elise made us feel completely supported. Every question was answered quickly and every detail handled with care. She made the planning process feel easy. We didn’t have to worry about a thing.

The venue itself is stunning – elegant, regal, historic, and full of city charm. Our guests couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful everything looked.

We’re so grateful to Elise and the entire team, including Mackenzie and Michael, for helping us create such the most special and unforgettable day of our life. They are true professionals. The best in the business, honestly!

We HIGHLY recommend The Graduate.

P.S., sorry this review is a bit late! Life got busy after the honeymoon, but we didn’t want to miss the chance to thank Elise and her team for everything they did to make our day amazing. Thank you!
Brianna
Brianna Sent on 08/26/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Highly recommend

My wedding was at the Graduate this past Saturday, and I cannot say enough amazing things. Elise and her team were top notch, they went above and beyond to make sure my husband and I had the best day ever. The ballroom itself is absolutely gorgeous, the food was 10/10, and the drinks were incredible. The bartenders were all super nice and the lines never got too long, especially with my 190 person wedding. The service was great as well. Truly every aspect of the day was perfect and just as I had visioned. I highly recommend having your wedding here, it truly was just everything and more! Thank you to Elise and her team for a day we will never forget!
Jennifer
Jennifer Sent on 08/24/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect in every way!

We recently celebrated our daughter’s wedding at The Graduate Providence, and it was truly an unforgettable experience from start to finish. The historic charm and elegance of the venue set the perfect tone for such a special occasion, but what truly made the day exceptional was the incredible staff, particularly Elise.
From our very first meeting, Elise stood out with her professionalism, warmth, and meticulous attention to detail. She was incredibly well organized, always one step ahead, and made sure every element of the day ran smoothly. Whether it was coordinating vendors, adjusting timelines, or accommodating last-minute requests, Elise handled everything with such grace and confidence that we felt completely at ease. It’s rare to find someone who can manage both the big picture and the smallest of details so flawlessly and she truly made the experience perfect.
The food was absolutely delicious, beautifully presented, and received countless compliments from our guests. The accommodations were equally impressive, they were stylish, comfortable, and reflective of the hotel’s unique personality. Every member of the staff, from the front desk to the servers, went above and beyond to provide excellent service with a smile.
We couldn’t have asked for a better setting or a better team to help bring our daughter’s wedding vision to life. The Graduate Providence gave us memories we will cherish forever, and we’re so grateful for the role Elise and the entire staff played in making it all happen.
Highly recommend!
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Awards

135
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2026 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2025 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2024 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2022 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
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Team

Elise S. Shatraw
Elise S. Shatraw
Senior Catering Sales Manager/Certified Wedding Venue Professional

Professional Network & Endorsements

Honey Train Music Services Honey Train Music Services Wedding Bands

WE LOVE THE BILTMORE! Our band had two weddings there last season, and hope to do more! A wonderful venue for weddings--very organized, great food, great service... All-around a great choice for any event--the best choice for a Providence wedding! A shout out to Elise, the organizer, who has been great to work with... Bravo! See you soon.

Designing Images Florist Designing Images Florist Wedding Florists

As a vendor, I love working with the staff at the Providence Biltmore.They are so very professional and helpful. It is a wonderful venue with great views. The staff, from the banquet managers to the work crew all know what is going on and always on top of things. It is a fabulous place for a wedding or any type of party.

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Graduate Providence/Providence Biltmore frequently asked questions

Graduate Providence/Providence Biltmore includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planning
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
  • Set Up
  • Tables
Graduate Providence/Providence Biltmore includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
  • Dessert
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at Graduate Providence/Providence Biltmore includes:
  • House Beer
  • House Liquor
  • House Wine
  • Open Bar
  • Premium Liquor
  • Specialty Beer
The space offered by Graduate Providence/Providence Biltmore for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Historic Building
  • Hotel
Graduate Providence/Providence Biltmore offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Graduate Providence/Providence Biltmore offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Graduate Providence/Providence Biltmore offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Accommodations
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planner
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Wifi
Graduate Providence/Providence Biltmore offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Lighting
  • Tables
Graduate Providence/Providence Biltmore is recommended by 98% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.9 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.9 in quality of service, 4.9 in average response time, 4.9 in flexibility, 4.9 in professionalism and 4.8 in value.
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