Newport Wedding Venues

Wedding Venues in Newport

Since the Gilded Age, Newport has been a favorite retreat of the rich and famous. Industrialists and financiers built lavish summer residences on Bellevue Avenue, overlooking the sea. John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married in Newport, and Dwight D. Eisenhower summered at the Naval War College during his presidency. The city is also home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the National Sailing Hall of Fame, and it played host to the America’s Cup races from 1930 to 1983.

Today, Newport invites couples and their guests to experience its beauty and splendor for themselves. The city offers a variety of venues, perfectly suited to a range of needs and styles. Couples can celebrate in one of the city’s many historic buildings or enjoy a lovely outdoor wedding by the water. Venue rental costs vary by season. Options are available for around $2,000, though average costs are significantly higher and rental prices for some venues exceed $50,000. WeddingWire’s wedding planning tools give couples the resources they need to manage their budget.

Newport Travel and Accommodation

Newport is easily accessible from New York, Boston, and Providence. Guests journeying up from New York can take I-95 to Route 1 and pass through Narragansett. Visitors traveling down from Boston or Providence can enter Newport via Jamestown or Middletown. The magnificent Claiborne Pell Bridge links Jamestown and Newport from the west. Visitors traveling south through Middletown can take the Sakonnet River Bridge from Tiverton or the Mount Hope Bridge from Bristol. The 64 bus connects the Kingston Railway Station to the Newport Gateway Visitor Center, and guests wishing to make part of their journey by rail can get to Kingston Railway Station via Boston.

Guests requiring off-site overnight accommodation have a number of options available to them. Newport is home to a number of fine hotels and bed and breakfasts. Guests planning to visit between May and September are advised to book early to avoid disappointment. Accommodation is also available in nearby Narragansett, Warwick, and Providence.

Newport Climate Information

Newport has a warm, temperate climate. Average temperatures range from 23°F in January to 78°F in July, and average monthly precipitation ranges from 2.99 inches in July to 4.53 inches in March. Couples planning a spring wedding can take advantage of the fine weather to enjoy Newport’s beaches and explore its famous mansions. The winter season is ideal for a romantic indoor wedding. Couples marrying during the winter months can expect cheaper accommodation costs and fewer tourists.

FAQs

• What is the average cost of a wedding venue in Newport?

Venue rental prices average around $25,000 in Rhode Island, though prices can vary significantly by season, and venues in Newport are some of the most expensive in the state.

• Can I get married at one of the Newport Mansions?

Yes. Individual properties are available for rental. Contact the Preservation Society of Newport County for more information.

• Do I need a marriage license to get married in Newport?

Yes. Couples wishing to marry in Newport must apply together and in person to the Newport City Clerk’s Office. Licenses are valid for three months. Further information can be found on the City of Newport’s website.

• Are civil unions legal in Newport?

No. From August 1, 2013, couples will no longer be allowed to enter into a civil union. Same-sex marriage, however, is legal in Rhode Island.