2 Goat Island, Newport Rhode Island
A clean, light and modern wedding venue located on an iconic property in Newport Rhode Island, Belle Mer is one of our favorite New England wedding venues. Part of the Longwood properties, the team at Belle Mer is seasoned, exceptionally trained, and incredible to work with. The space is a breath of fresh air for the area — most of the wedding venues in Newport tend to be historic properties with lots of ornate architecture. Belle Mer is a clean, light and open year round wedding venue with plenty of space to spread out.
Top Reasons to Book Belle Mer as Your Rhode Island Wedding Venue
- A unique, modern wedding venue located in one of the most popular destination wedding locations
- In-house catering that your guests will remember
- Close to hotels perfect for your hotel blocks (Gurney’s, Marriott Newport, and more)
- Professional coordination team to support you throughout your wedding day
- Beautifully manicured property for your wedding ceremony, and reception
- Panoramic views of Newport Harbor
- One of the largest max capacities at 1000 guests outdoors and 300 guests indoors
A 20 year old wedding venue in Newport Rhode Island: Belle Mer
Belle Mer was transformed in 2000, one of the youngest wedding venues on Aquidneck Island. The venue offers a unique experience in comparison to many of the historic wedding venues in Rhode Island. With the blank slate space, you can dress up or down to your hearts desires. The ballroom is a stunning space perfect for expansive floral installations, or long tables filled with candles.
The landscaping outside offers a waterfront wedding ceremony surrounded by Newport Harbor. With gardens perfect for reveals, portraits, and lawn games, you’re taken care of at this favorite Newport wedding venue.
While there isn’t a ton of space for getting ready at Belle Mer, there are suites for you to keep your belongings in safely, or store surprises for your wedding party, and family. The Loft of the Island House is a perfect spot for one side of the wedding to get ready — lots of light, high ceilings and large windows offer a picturesque spot to spend time with your wedding party. Gurney’s, just next door, offers incredible options for suites to get ready in. There are also tons of rental properties off Thames Street that are perfect for you and your wedding party.
Wedding Ceremonies at Belle Mer
Outdoors or in, there is ample space for wedding ceremonies at Belle Mer. Often, I’ve seen clients use some of the historic chapels and churches in downtown Newport — including one that the Kennedy’s got married in: St. Mary’s. If you’re looking for an easier timeline, have both your ceremony and reception on site. There are plenty of ways to have iconic wedding ceremonies at Belle Mer.
Different Environments at Belle Mer
There are four main environments at the Belle Mer to use for your Newport wedding. Over the years, the wedding venue expanded to a building next door — the Island House. With these four main environments, there’s ample space to spread out for events of up to 1000 guests.
The Ocean Lawn — Iconic Views of Newport Bridge
From the Ocean Lawn you’ll have iconic views of Newport Harbor and Newport Bride. This backdrop for your Newport wedding is one of my favorites. You can also use the Ocean Lawn for your cocktail hour if you’re having your wedding ceremony off-site. During cocktail hours or wedding receptions, your guests can spread out at the fire pits or play lawn games on the sprawling lawn.
Water Salon + Lawn
The iconic building opens up onto the lawn, with 14′ tall ceilings, open white spaces with lots of large floor to ceiling windows. The glass doors opening out to the lawn provide unobstructed views of the ocean. The chandeliers offer a sophisticated and glamorous touch. The space offers the ability to dress up or down however your heart desires.
- 16,781 Square Feet total, 6,859 Square Feet indoors
- 300-600 Theatre Style guest capacity
- 950 Cocktail Party guest capacity
- 1000 Garden Reception guest capacity
- 500 Seated Event + Program guest capacity
- 500 Dinner + Dancing guest capacity
- Fire Pit
- Ceremony Circle
- Crushed oyster shell paths
- Waterfront sunsets
Island House
The Island House at Belle Mer is a more intimate space connected to Belle Mer. Next door to the main building, you’ll find this second building. The building also has iconic views of Newport Bridge, and Newport Harbor over the sprawling lawn. The space provides a modern, glamorous Newport experience akin to what generations before us had during Newports golden age.
- 5,122 Square Feet Indoors
- 12’1″ Ceiling Height
- 300 Theatre Style guest capacity
- 325 Cocktail Party guest capacity
- 150 Crescent Rounds of 6 guest capacity
- 250 Seated Event + Program guest capacity
- 180 Dinner + Dancing guest capacity
- Vanderbilt light posts
- Two water fountains
- Fire pit
- Private entrance
The Loft at the Island House
A big open space perfect for getting ready or rehearsal dinners, the Loft at Island House overlooks the property from the upstairs of the Island House. Use the space to get ready with your wedding party and family, your wedding shower, or for dinner the night before your wedding.
- 1,788 Square Feet indoors
- 40 Theatre Style guest capacity
- 40 Cocktail Party guest capacity
- 24 Crescent Rounds of 6 guest capacity
- 40 Seated Event + Program guest capacity
- 30 Dinner + Dancing guest capacity
- Dramatic 360-degree views
- Heigh ceilings and open layout
- White washed floors
- Full bath
Belle Mer Weddings: Food and Beverage
The pride and joy of this location isn’t just the view — the food and beverage options are expansive and incredible. From Brazilian steak kabobs to Nashville hot fried chicken, the menu spans cultures and cuisines, with lots of easy gluten free/dairy free and vegetarian/vegan options. The team at Longwood made sure that your guests will enjoy each meal they have at your Newport wedding.
Belle Mer: Culinary Dream
The team at Belle Mer have specifically prioritized the food for your guests to ensure that they have an incredible culinary experience during your Belle Mer wedding. With a fresh and expansive wedding you can ensure your guests are having fresh, modern options instead of just the typical chicken marsala and sirloin with mashed potatoes. The menu ranges from ricotta crostini with peaches, to salmon tartare, and for entrees expect options like Eggplant Caponata Stuffed Roasted Tomatoes, and Icelandic Cod with a Golden Beet Hash. There are also cake and dessert options making it easy to have
Culinary Menus:
- Fall + Winter Menu
- Spring Summer Menu
- Formal Affair Menu
- Prix Fixe Menu
- Breakfast + Lunch Menu
- Indian Fushion Menu
- Indian Cuisine Partner
- Young Adult Fancy or Fun Menu
- Cake Menu
Creative Cocktails and Beverages for Belle Mer Weddings
Whether you’re looking to ensure your party is dancing all night or you’re wanting to have creative cocktails that set your wedding apart, the beverage menu and team at Belle Mer have prepared something really creative for you. From a Bellini Table to Mini Patron Margaritas, your wedding will be taken care of with the beverage team at Belle Mer.
Typical Wedding Costs at Belle Mer
For weddings at Belle Mer, you can expect to spend a starting total of $25,520 for 50 guests for your venue fee and catering. Keep in mind that you’ll have other vendors, so when calculating budgets we’ve pulled together some information that will be helpful. In peak season, wedding ceremonies are a $2000 fee, and if you’re looking for extra hours, the fee is $1500/per hour. All in all, if you’re expecting 125-150 guests, I would expect to spend around $65,000-75,000 on a wedding here.
Newport Area Wedding Vendors for Belle Mer Weddings
I absolutely love Newport weddings. Being just a town over (although about 13 miles) and having started out in the Newport wedding scene, I do have a few recommendations that will make your wedding process so much fun, and that I know will absolutely take care of you.
DJs and Bands for Newport Weddings
There is a big price difference between bands and DJs (think about $8,000 versus $3,000), however, both options can provide an incredible experience.
My favorite DJ to work with in the Newport area is DJ Dan Moran. He has a few options for musicians during cocktail hour, dinner, and the wedding ceremony, and is ready to bring the party as soon as that dance floor opens up. having him on the team makes the wedding process a dream. He’s thoughtful, detail oriented, and has your priorities always at the forefront of his mind, no matter how wild you want to get.
If you’re thinking about going more the band route, I’m a huge fan of Silver Arrow band. A national company, they pool from the best of the best to work your wedding day. I’ve never had any complaints working with the crew, and they’ve always kept wedding guests on their feet and dancing all night long.
Newport Wedding Florists
On the mainland, I’m a big fan of Harvest Moon Florals and Sweet Talk Florals. Both are out of the Rhode Island area and will provide you with an incredible service as well as unique and gorgeous flowers.
Harvest Moon Florals is a South County wedding florists that grows and sources local, in season flowers. Ayla is the perfect floral artists to say “hey, I’d love for you to work your magic, here’s a few things I love, here’s a few things I wouldn’t want,” and just see what she proposes. Your event will feel very connected to nature, whimsical, and elegant with her at the wheel.
Sweet Talk Florals is another sustainably focused wedding florist in Rhode Island. They’re also definitely a little more alternative and funky which I really appreciate. Your wedding flowers won’t look like any other wedding flowers and I think that that level of individualism is really important. Your wedding day should always 100% of the time feel unique to y’all.
Hair and Makeup Artists for Newport Weddings
Two of my favorite hair and makeup artists for this Newport wedding venue, Belle Mer, are Makeup by Jenna and Transcendent. Both companies are familiar with a variety of skin tones and hair types, and have worked with LGBTQ+ couples as well. My favorite part about working with both, they’re very diligent about finishing hair and makeup early on the timeline — making it easy for the day to run smoothly.
