Planning Your Wedding at Belle Mer
In a city full of elegant and opulent wedding venues, Belle Mer in Newport may, in fact, top them all. Belle Mer is a perfect choice if you’re looking for something more modern than the historic Gilded Age options on and around Bellevue Avenue but still want to capture Newport’s New England oceanside charm. It’s owned by Longwood Venues, which owns several elite event venues throughout New England. They also recently opened up Newport Beach House (technically located in Middletown, RI) which sits just feet away from First Beach on Memorial Drive. With four different reception spots on its property, Belle Mer has something for everyone, ranging from an intimate 30-person wedding to a massive 500-person celebration. Belle Mer exudes modern minimalism and seaside luxury, a rare combination in Newport. Let’s dive into the details about this stunning venue and what you should know when considering having your wedding reception at Belle Mer.
Location
As if choosing a wedding venue in Newport, Rhode Island, was not exclusive enough, Belle Mer is located on Goat Island, a small island just a few hundred feet away from downtown Newport. It sits in Narragansett Bay and is connected to downtown Newport by a short bridge not far from the much larger and iconic Newport Bridge. Narragansett Indians sold the island to colonists in 1658, who used it as a goat pasture (hence the name). The British used the island as a naval fort during the Revolutionary War.
Today, the tiny island is home to Newport Harbor Island Resort, a luxury hotel, and the Belle Mer event venue.
Wedding at Belle Mer – Venue Features
Many of the venues in Newport are either hotels or owned by the Preservation Society, but Belle Mer is one of the exceptions. This is a true event venue location and does not include a hotel or a restaurant. This brings a different experience and focus than other venues we’ve covered. Let’s first highlight some of the features you should be aware of.
Ceremony and Reception
A wedding at Belle Mer can be your spot for both your ceremony and your reception. Your ceremony can be held outside on the Ocean Lawn or inside in one of the rooms like the Water Salon. We’ll cover all of the spaces next, but it all depends on your preferences and the time of year you’re getting married.
Multiple Locations
Below we’ll break down the four different spots for a wedding at Belle Mer to use for your event. Which one will work best for you comes down to two main factors:
- The size of your ceremony and/or reception
- Your vision for your wedding
Use our analysis below as a starting point, but it shouldn’t replace seeing the spaces in person. Reach out to Belle Mer and schedule a walkthrough of the entire property.
Ocean Lawn
The Ocean Lawn at Belle Mer is far from any lawn you’ve ever seen before. It was specifically made for the sole purpose of hosting events. Over 16,000 square feet of meticulously manicured grass just feet from the waters of Narragansett Bay make this a site to see. It can fit around 500 guests seated for your ceremony or an outdoor reception with dinner and dancing. Despite being quite large, it does feel quite intimate, so it’s still a wonderful spot for outdoor marriage ceremonies. There is a ceremony circle near the water, and the paths around the lawn and garden are made up of crushed oyster shells. The lawn sits on the western side of Goat Island, so sunset ceremonies are a possibility. It’s also a nice spot for outdoor cocktail hours and it does have a fire pit.
Water Salon
The Water Salon is the crown jewel of the Belle Mer. It embodies elegance and grandeur on an unprecedented scale (which is really saying something in Newport). Belle Mer says that the Water Salon is Newport’s largest un-tented, four-season event space. The space is close to 7,000 square feet and can fit 280 guests for a sit-down dinner and dancing or 950 guests for a cocktail hour-style setup. If you’re envisioning a 500+ guest wedding, the combination of the Water Salon and the Ocean Lawn is really your only option in Newport. The room features retractable glass Nana walls, crystal chandeliers, and a fireplace.
Island House
If you desire a smaller and more relaxed space, the Island House will fit the bill. Oyster-crushed walking paths surrounded by illuminated fountains will guide you to the Island House, which is a separate structure from the Water Salon. It has excellent views of the Newport Bridge, two water fountains, and a fire pit outside. On the inside, it’s over 5,000 square feet and can fit up to 180 guests for dinner and dancing.
The Loft
The smallest space available at Belle Mer, the Loft, is on the second floor of the Island House. The space is less than 2,000 square feet and can fit 30-40 for a sit-down event or cocktail hour. If your wedding is larger than that, the space may still be useful as it can serve as an excellent space for a bridal suite.
Cost of a Wedding at Belle Mer
A wedding at Belle Mer will be one of the pricier options if you compare across Newport. We’ve heard estimates of in-season, on the weekend, running between $50,000 to $100,000 (closer to the top figure) depending upon the room choice and number of guests. It’s similar to some of the other venues we’ve covered, but it does seem like Belle Mer will likely be your top quote. It’s not that it’s overpriced though, as it is an elite wedding venue (and strictly a wedding venue). Their contracts also include so much, so your dependence on multiple contracts or vendors is limited.
Their menu with pricing can be found here. Just keep in mind that they’ll have contracted food and beverage minimums, and the pricing doesn’t include fees, tax, or gratuity. The minimums increase substantially during the summer months and on the weekends. The best way to get a firm idea of the costs is to contact Belle Mer directly.
Unique Location
The location is incredibly unique and offers incredible views that can’t be captured at other venues. It’s positioning on Goat Island allows a wedding at Belle Mer to potentially feature majestic sunset views and awe-inspiring views of the Newport Bridge (stunning when lit up at night). It’s also close to downtown Newport and yet removed from it, so it could be a quick trip to hotels or ceremony locations off the island but not caught up in the tourist foot traffic.
Pros of a Wedding at Belle Mer
Location
Real estate is all about location, location, and location. By in large, the same applies to choosing a wedding venue. Belle Mer is right on the water on Goat Island. Other waterfront venues have tall, steep cliffs separating themselves from the water, but not Belle Mer, which is just a few feet removed from Narragansett Bay.
Flexibility
Belle Mer offers many diverse spaces for a wedding ceremony and/or reception. No other venue in Newport could be a great fit for a 30-person wedding and a 500-person wedding. You may not choose Belle Mer due to differences in style or maybe the price, but it really won’t be because the venue doesn’t work for your wedding size.
Wedding Venue Only
Belle Mer is owned and operated by Longwood venues. Belle Mer is not a hotel or a restaurant. They are an event hosting company, and that’s all they do. In my opinion, it’s comforting knowing that the sole purpose of your wedding venue’s business is hosting events like your wedding flawlessly. It makes me feel like they have more to lose and more on the line, so they should bring their “A” game. This doesn’t mean that other venues aren’t reliable or high quality because that is certainly not our argument, but it’s a nice thought that everyone hired by your venue was hired for one purpose, to help work and host events. They weren’t hired to primarily or even partially work at a hotel or a restaurant.
Excellent Support Staff
Belle Mer is known for its high quality and super supportive staff. From your wedding coordinator to the support staff working during your reception, Belle Mer sets the bar high in every way and focuses on hiring the best to make sure they keep living up to that. Everyone working at Belle Mer is a professional, and you should feel confident about that.
Cons of a Wedding at Belle Mer
Price of a Wedding at Belle Mer
The price is not as competitive when compared to other venues, but one could argue that a wedding at Belle Mer also can’t be compared to any other venue. The price will be too high for some, especially the contracted minimums during popular times, but for others, it may be their only option if they’re planning a massive wedding.
Like other venues on this site, we’ve included the price as a negative, but that’s not a reflection of whether or not the value they provide is worth the cost. We include it as a negative as it definitely will be a no-go for many couples.
Lack of History
Belle Mer is a modern wedding venue that lacks the Gilded Age history that so many other venues in Newport possess. The spaces at Belle Mer are opulent and incredibly large, but they aren’t quite like the ballroom at Rosecliff or the Great Hall at Ochre Court. Belle Mer is not for you if your heart is set on a historical setting.
Multiple events on-site
Likely, yours will not be the only event on-site that day. If you have a reception at Glen Manor, Rosecliff, or Ochre Court, the only event those places will have on your wedding day is…your wedding. Because there are multiple, separated spaces at Belle Mer, it’s almost guaranteed that the other rooms will be reserved, and multiple weddings could take place all within the confines of Belle Mer. This shouldn’t be a huge concern, but it certainly is a different feeling when the entire property is only for you and your wedding guests.
Tips for a Wedding at Belle Mer
Stay at Newport Harbor Island Resort
Newport Harbor Island Resort is just a short walk from Belle Mer, making for a very convenient place to stay. Some transportation should still be provided for guests who do not want to walk or have trouble doing so. The two properties are essentially right next to one another, but both pieces of land are pretty large, so walking may not be all that easy. Staying on the island allows for a quick transition from reception to the afterparty (if that’s something you’re interested in).This is your best option for a hotel when having your wedding at Belle Mer.
Book the Loft as an extra room
Consider renting the Loft for the time around your wedding ceremony. This is worthwhile if your ceremony and reception are on the property, as it can be used as a bridal suite before and after your ceremony. Although Newport Harbor Island Resort is close by, it wouldn’t be a great choice for the wedding party to return to the hotel in the time between the ceremony and the cocktail hour/reception. The Loft is the perfect solution to that gap in time when having your wedding at Belle Mer.
Summary
Belle Mer is the most modern and elegant wedding venue in Newport. Its place on Goat Island allows it to have even great views and proximity to Narragansett Bay. This luxurious and opulent estate has a unique set of locations for ceremonies, cocktail hours, and receptions. It is really unrivaled in the area when looking for a venue that is solely a wedding venue. We suggest this with all of the venues we cover on this site, but we stress it even more with Belle Mer since it’s so stunning and there are many different options available to you, but you really must plan a tour of the property and all of its spaces.
FAQ
What is the cost of a wedding at Belle Mer?
Belle Mer is probably the priciest wedding venue in Newport but offers scalability that no other site can in the area. This means that it can accommodate everything from a 30-person intimate ceremony to a massive 500-person extravagant reception. The common price range for a wedding at Belle Mer is from $50,000 up past six figures. This depends on your guest count, time of year, add-ons, and the rooms needed for your wedding day.
Can you get married at Belle Mer?
Yes, Belle Mer offers not only wedding receptions but also ceremonies. The two popular spots on the property to do so are indoors in the Water Salon or outside on the Ocean Lawn.
What’s the capacity for a wedding at Belle Mer?
The capacity for a wedding at Belle Mer entirely depends upon which space you plan to utilize for your event? The Loft can hold up to 30 people and on the other end of the spectrum is the outdoor Ocean lawn which is fine for 500+ guests. In between are the overly impressive Water Salon and the Island House, both of which can hold over 175 guests for a sit down dinner and dancing.
