Planning Your Wedding at Ochre Court
There’s only one college building in the world that is so impressive that it was actually in the running to become the home of the United Nations. That building is Ochre Court, on the campus of Salve Regina University. It’s the second-largest building in Newport, behind the Breakers, and it’s the University’s main administration building. It’s also a stunning wedding reception venue that serves as one of the most picturesque backdrops in Newport.
Before we begin our deep dive into all of the details involving having your wedding at Ochre Court, you need to know that there was a recent change to who was eligible to rent Ochre Court for receptions. For many years, the University required that “Salve Regina graduates, children of Salve Regina graduates, and current full-time students, faculty, and staff may reserve Ochre Court for wedding receptions.” The same also held true for rehearsal dinners. If you were not affiliated with Salve Regina University but had your heart set on Ochre Court, you were out of luck.
This is no longer the case. Anyone can now book Ochre Court for their wedding, pending date availability. There is a discount for those affiliated with the University.
History of Ochre Court
Ochre Court was built to be the summer home of Ogden Goelet and his family, who was a businessman, banker, and real estate investor. After their deaths, he inherited a large fortune from his father and uncle. The Goelet family was an influential dynasty in America for several generations during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Goelet commissioned Richard Morris Hunt to design this summer home in 1892 for roughly $4.5 million (around $130 million today). Hunt designed the Breakers, Belcourt Castle, and Marble House, making him the most popular architect among Newport’s elite during that time and the most responsible for setting the standard for design and extravagance that came to define the Gilded Age.
During the 8-week summer season, Mary Goelet was in charge of the home’s operations to symbolize the family’s power and proof of their social standing. It required two to three dozen house servants, a dozen gardeners, and six to eight bellmen/coachmen.
Ogden Goelet’s son, Robert, inherited the estate after the passing of his parents, and he donated the house in 1947 to the Sisters of Mercy, who opened up what became Salve Regina University.
Location
Ochre Court has arguably the best location in all of Newport. It’s located on Ochre Point Avenue, just down the street from the Breakers, and immediately adjacent to the famous Cliff Walk. The mansion is situated ideally on an unbelievable piece of land and, in our opinion, is it’s the best estate out of any of the famed Newport mansions. It’s placed seemingly in the middle of the land, which means that there is both an expensive front and back lawn. It’s also parallel to the road in front of it, and the cliff walk behind it. For example, the Breakers does not have much of a front lawn and is on an angle to the street and its front gates. Rosecliff is parallel to the road and the ocean but is pushed way back on the property, leaving a massive front lawn and a more cramped back lawn. The entrance to the house is also off to the side and leaves a lot to be desired as opposed to Ochre Court’s stunning black, wrought iron gates and centered driveway outlined with trees. We’ll cover this more later on, but Ochre Court has the most impressive exterior out of any of the other mansions.
Wedding Venue Features
Ochre Court is a unique wedding venue and is sure to leave your guests with memories that they’ll never forget and one that they’ll be eager to tell others about. When considering renting this venue for your special day, there are important features and benefits to be aware of.
Wedding at Ochre Court – Price
The price is either a positive or a negative, and it entirely depends upon when you’re getting married. As of 2025, Salve Regina University charges different prices depending upon whether or not you’re affiliated with the University.
Rental fees for Ochre Court:
- No affiliation: $25,000 (2025) / $30,000 (2026)
- Alumni, children of alumni and current full-time students, faculty and staff: $17,500
The cost includes a 5-hour reception, tables, chairs, support staff, setup, and cleanup. That price does not include catering costs, so it makes the most sense during the peak season and on Saturday nights when other venues would charge a minimum that is greater than that. If you’re looking to get married in June, July, or August, the Ochre Court option may be one of your most cost-effective venues, especially on a Friday or Saturday night. However, if you’re looking to get married out of peak season, this price becomes less favorable as you get more towards winter. September, October, and May are possibilities that might still have this price be the best option. Still, November through April will almost certainly be a high-priced option, even on a Saturday night. For comparison, Glen Manor has a rental fee of $3,000-$6,500 (depending on day of the week) in November.
Historic
We’ve already covered the history of Ochre Court, but there is something that is just as important…does it look and feel historic? Great news, it does! What good is a venue with a lot of history if you and your guests don’t feel that history? Ochre Court’s look and feel lives up to its Gilded Age history. Salve Regina has meticulously kept everything in great shape without erasing any of this French chateau’s exterior or its elegant and extravagant interior.
The only other wedding venue that could offer similar historical significance while still in Newport is Rosecliff. We’ll cover this next, but thanks to Ochre Court’s unbelievable main room, it arguably has even more grandeur than Rosecliff (if that’s possible). Having your wedding at Ochre Court is an experience back to the Gilded Age for you and your guests.
Magnificent, Multi-Story Great Hall
The Great Hall is on a level of its own and is a true statement maker when you have your wedding at Ochre Court. This will be used for dancing at your wedding and the setup of your band or DJ. The marble flooring with matching fireplace is where your guests’ eyes will stay momentarily until they work themselves up the intricate wood carved railings of the floors above and capped by a hand-painted ceiling. In our opinion, this is the most impressive space out of any in Newport, and it can be the heart of your wedding.
Water Front
As if the wrought iron gates, French chateau exterior, magnificent great hall, and two exquisite dining rooms were not enough, this has excellent ocean views. Only a tiny section of the Cliff Walk separates this property from the Atlantic Ocean. The mansion is elevated a bit above the Cliff Walk and the descending back lawn, so the first-floor views still offer a great vantage point of the ocean. Due to the placement of the mansion on the property and the expansive grounds, the mansion is not quite as close to the water as other venues like OceanCliff, Rosecliff, or Glen Manor; however, the views are still fantastic, and the sounds and smells of the ocean are still very present.
Estate/Grounds
Even though Ochre Court is not as close to the ocean as other venues, the estate is probably the most impressive. The wrought iron gates and centered driveway, lined with trees, make it the most picturesque front out of any property in Newport. There are multiple spots in the front and back that are perfect for stunning photos. The grounds add another dimension to your wedding experience and will leave your guests in awe before even stepping foot inside.
The only downside, albeit a small one, is that the estate is not as private and closed off as other properties. The Cliff Walk, which is open to the public, is very visible from the estate. Nothing creates a defined boundary on the back lawn, so the property is wide open and can be walked upon by anyone on the Cliff Walk. In comparison to another estate on the Cliff Walk, the back lawn of Rosecliff is set above the Cliff Walk and has a sea wall boundary with large potted plants. This makes the Cliff Walk all but invisible to anyone on the property. The lack of privacy would be a far more significant issue if the back lawn of Ochre Court was being used for wedding ceremonies, but that is not the case. It’s something to be aware of but is not really a factor when weighing venue options.
Ceremony in nearby Chapel
If you’re looking for a spot to have a Catholic marriage ceremony, then look no further than the Salve Regina chapel. The Our Lady of Mercy chapel can also be rented and is just a short walk away from Ochre Court. You won’t need to supply transportation from the chapel to the reception.
If you’re looking for a non-Catholic ceremony, you’ll have to look elsewhere. You won’t be able to have a ceremony in the chapel, and there are no ceremonies of any kind in or outside of Ochre Court.
Parking
Although you really don’t want guests to drive to your reception, there is ample parking if there are some who prefer to drive. Guests should be able to pull up the driveway of the mansion and use of the parking spots to the right of Ochre Court. There is also public parking directly to the left of the estate. There is a lot directly in front of the wrought iron gates of Ochre Court, which is used as university parking. Depending on the time of year, the University may allow your guests to use this lot. When booking the venue, confirm where your guests should be parking with the event coordinator.
Multiple Rooms
We’ve detailed the advantages of a venue with multiple rooms instead of a single ballroom with other venue articles like Glen Manor. The multiple rooms, albeit not traditional, actually give your guests more opportunities to connect and chat with others by offering them more ways to escape the noise of your DJ or band. Traditional single-room venues only provide this through an outdoor space, weather permitting.
Additional Vendors/Customization
Along with opening up the venue for non-affiliated couples, Salve Regina University also made another significant change recently. Although the University did not cater the events at Ochre Court themselves, they required that couples use Sodexo as the caterer. Sodexo is in charge of the food on campus for the University. They are a private company, used all over the country, but are not known for catering any of the lavish events in Newport on almost a weekly basis other than those that happen to be on campus. It was obviously a downside to booking Ochre Court, but this is no longer a requirement. The catering policy now includes the option to use preferred outside vendors. The preferred caterers are Blackstone Caterers, McGrath’s, or Sodexo Weddings by Flavor.
Allowing preferred outside vendors (similar to Glen Manor House) is important for a few reasons. First, you can now hire a vendor who’s sole business is catering weddings and other big events. They have years of experience and have worked at all of the different venues around Newport. Second, you can now reach out to multiple vendors and get pricing/offerings and decide which works best for you and your budget.
There is usually a financial advantage to using a venue that doesn’t cater themselves and instead allows you to find your own caterer. You’ll be able to avoid contracted minimums that often times put couples into a position where they’re tacking on extras that they don’t really want but they have to pay for them anyway. This change in policy has elevated Ochre Court into one of the top wedding venues in Newport.
Pros of an Ochre Court Wedding
The most picturesque venue in Newport
This is more subjective, but it is hard to point to any other venue that is more picturesque than Ochre Court. Couples can pay just to have wedding pictures taken there without holding their reception there. The pictures would be taken inside and out.
Ochre Court offers it all without traveling around Newport, regardless of what kind of pictures you want to capture of yourself and your wedding party. You can take photos in front of the wrought iron gates, with the mansion and tree-lined driveway as the backdrop. This is our pick for the best pictures in Newport. You can have your photographs taken on the back lawn with the ocean in the background. Of course, we would also recommend taking advantage of the multiple massive marble fireplaces. We recommend using the fireplaces as a great backdrop for photos with extended family and friends during the cocktail hour. You don’t have to choose one over the other with this venue. Take pictures in all of your favorite spots.
Favorable contract terms and minimums
What is nice about a venue like Ochre Court is the lack of more complicated and maddening contract terms found in other wedding venues. Similar to venues that don’t cater themselves, the food and beverage minimum is really a non-factor. You won’t find yourself tacking on extra desserts or other unnecessary upgrades to avoid paying the contracted minimum without receiving value in return.
Great Location
This is one of the best locations in all of Newport. It’s on the ocean and away from the chaos of downtown Newport. Although it’s on the campus of Salve Regina University, the campus is really unlike most other campuses. There is no security perimeter around the campus; it’s pretty seamless with the rest of the city. There is a cluster of university buildings surrounding Ochre Court, but most student housing is in former private residences mixed in with current private homes spread out all over Newport.
Separated spaces for dining and dancing
We touched upon this earlier and will go into more detail in our next section. There are two dining rooms adjacent to the Great Hall. The Great Hall will be the dance floor and where your DJ/band will be set up. Guests can take a break from the dancing and the music in either of the two dining rooms. They can have a seat and hold conversations without yelling over the music. They also aren’t completely separated from the music as the large doors to both dining rooms are left open. They still enjoy the music while still holding a normal conversation.
Can use campus dorms for guests
If your wedding is not during the school year, some of the dorm rooms can be made available to guests looking for a cheaper option than Airbnb or hotels. It should cost $50 per night per room, which is quite the savings compared to hotel rooms during the summer months in Newport. This is an especially intriguing option as Newport weddings are usually destination weddings. Guests will be spending a lot of money on your wedding, especially if they’re flying. This option may work for some of your guests and make attending a much more realistic opportunity. You should present the option to your guests with your invitation.
Cons of an Ochre Court Wedding
Price during offseason
As described before, the cost to have a wedding at Ochre Court is between $17,500-$25,000 for 2025. Keep in mind that this is just to use the space and doesn’t include food and beverage. This is a lot of money, but this is a more affordable option during the summer months than most other venues. During the offseason, the fact that the price does not get lowered is a bit of a detriment and makes this venue far less competitive. If you’re looking for a wedding in October through April, you are probably better off with a venue like Glen Manor, where the site rental fee is less.
Multiple rooms for dining
This is probably the most significant negative for a wedding at Ochre Court, depending on your preferences. We detailed earlier how multi-room receptions can be a big positive; however, some may prefer the traditional single ballroom style for their wedding. A single room ensures that all of the guests are present and aware of everything thats going on, such as the cake cutting, toasts, etc.
The two dining rooms are adjacent to one another, but there will be decisions to be made about seating. Who will be in the main Dining Room and who will be seated in the smaller Library. Couples need to consider these aspects of Ochre Court. Of course, the best thing to do is to tour the space and see for yourself.
We’ve included contact information at the bottom of this article to reach out to Salve Regina University.
Not a professional wedding venue business
It is a bit of a risk when dealing with an entity that is not a professional wedding venue. It’s not a huge concern, but something to keep in mind. A wedding at Ochre Court isn’t quite like one held at a wedding venue business, although it seems like they’re making significant changes to improve the experience and expand their offerings.
No separation or blocking of Cliff Walk
We touched upon this earlier when describing the back lawn, but the property is not as private and secluded as other venues. Not only does the Cliff Walk cut through the back of the property, but there is nothing dividing it from the popular tourist attraction. Although it’s not technically open after dark, the Cliff Walk still does get some foot traffic at night. If you were using the back lawn for a marriage ceremony, which is not possible, it would be a much bigger deal. This should not be that big of a deal for a rehearsal dinner or wedding reception.
Also, don’t forget that the campus is far busier during the school year, September through May.
Tips for Your Wedding at Ochre Court
Plenty of decorations
The great hall, entryway, and two dining rooms make up a lot of floor space for your reception. There are plenty of tables and opportunities to add your personal touches to your wedding. Whether it be flowers or custom decorations, make sure you tour the venue well in advance and start to plan out your decoration plan.
Make sure to visit both rooms during dinner.
As discussed previously, guest dining is split into two rooms. Plan carefully how you will split up seating and make sure that you visit both rooms during dinner to talk with your guests. You don’t want one room to feel like they’re completely separated from what is happening. Make sure you still eat but make your way to the other room after you’re done. Although it may be unusual for some at first, having your wedding at Ochre Court split amongst the various spaces can be a really nice feature for your guests.
Use the outdoor space.
Ochre Court has a great terrace and an expansive back lawn. You want to make sure that the terrace is utilized by adding high-top tables and some chairs, and if it might be chilly, see if you can rent some heaters. If you choose to have your wedding at Ochre Court, the outdoor space can be a huge plus for guests.
Pictures in front of the gates
Make sure to take at least some pictures in front of the wrought-iron gates with the tree-lined driveway and in front of Ochre Court in the background. Although it’s easy to be focused on the ocean views, our pick for the best photo opportunity in Newport is out in front of Ochre Court.
Candles in fireplace
Check with the event coordinator, but you should be able to add candles to the fireplaces that are covered in tall glass candle holders. This adds a lovely touch to the feel of your wedding at Ochre Court and is most important in the dining rooms. It also makes the fireplaces an even better backdrop for indoor pictures.
Summary
If you are looking at Newport venues, you should strongly consider having your wedding at Ochre Court. It is one of the most stunning wedding venues you’ll find anywhere. This French chateau styles Gilded Age mansion right on the ocean checks just about every box a couple could have for their special day. We recommend reaching out to Salve Regina University to get information and availability and tour the venue if you’re considering this venue.
For any questions regarding this venue, please reach out to:
Laura Van Scyoc – Wedding and External Events Coordinator at Salve Regina University
Email: [email protected]
FAQ
How much is it to rent Ochre Court for your wedding?
As of 2025, Salve Regina University charges different prices depending upon whether or not you’re affiliated with the University.
Rental fees for Ochre Court:
Alumni, children of alumni and current full-time students, faculty and staff: $17,500
No affiliation: $25,000 (2025) / $30,000 (2026)
Can anyone have their wedding at Ochre Court?
As of 2025, Salve Regina University changed their requirements and dropped the need to be affiliated with the school. There is discount for affiliated persons.
Can you get married at Ochre Court?
Ochre Court does not offer marriage ceremonies. Couples can get married in a Catholic ceremony at the campus chapel, the Our Lady of Mercy chapel. Having your wedding at Ochre Court means that the reception is held at the mansion.
