Let’s Chat Top Places to Elope in Rhode Island
If you’re looking to elope in Rhode Island, small weddings and elopements are unique and offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity for any couple. And there are so many places — we’ve rounded up the best places to elope in Rhode Island for y’all! Whether you’re game for an adventure wedding climbing rocky cliffs or you’re looking for an island elopement for your special day — there are no rules and you get to do anything and everything that makes your wedding day perfect for you.
Having an intimate elopement day and extending celebrations
Our favorite Rhode Island elopements have been ones that had super uber personalized details. That may feel like work, but rather it’s an opportunity to include family and friends while extending the celebration of your wedding day. When you decide that you’re going to elope I’m sure friends and family will have mixed opinions. Take that moment as an opportunity to explain that you get to privately celebrate your wedding day with each of the most important people in your life as the build-up to your elopement and to extend your wedding day.
Have a close family member write your wedding ceremony, or for your wedding flowers get your closest group of friends together and pick wildflowers to use as your bouquet and for decorations at a hotel or home. You can bring your family and friends into every part of the planning process — have siblings help you pick out and buy your jewelry or tie for the day, or charge them with the task of picking out a getting-ready outfit.
One of my favorite ways to include family and friends that may feel left out is to ask them for three letters. One to read in the week leading up to your wedding day, one for you to read on your elopement day, and one to read in the six months after your wedding day. Eloping with little touches like this allow family and friends to feel a part of the celebrations and allow you and your love to extend your celebrations beyond just one big wedding day.
Picking Rhode Island wedding vendors
In Rhode Island, you need a wedding officiant and two witnesses to get married. For your day you can always have your wedding photographer or elopement photographer be a witness in addition to maybe an assistant of theirs.
Although there’s tons of elopement and wedding packages that are all-inclusive, we offer some, sometimes getting intentional about who joins you on your day can lead to a much more intimate and personalized affair.
If you’re feeling like you might miss out by eloping instead of having a big wedding day, plan for a big bash during your vow renewal or a big celebration in your backyard or at the beach down the road from your Rhode Island elopement day.
Top 20 Place to Elope in Rhode Island
Let’s talk places to elope in Rhode Island. There are plenty of free-to-use Rhode Island elopement venues and more formal wedding venues throughout the state of Rhode Island. As a Rhode Island elopement photographer here are some of our favorite locations.
1. Block Island RI: Black Rock Point
This has always been a favorite for me for folks looking to elope in Rhode Island. A quiet, off-the-beaten-path, and hard-to-find location, Black Rock offers epic panoramic views with a low-key, hidden away feeling. Come out to Block Island on a Tues to Thurs vacation at a neat hotel like the Block Island Beach House, and run away to this secret spot on island to elope!
2. Providence Rhode Island: Dean Hotel
If you’re looking for more of an urban feel, snag yourself a large suite at the Dean Hotel, bring your officiant, and elope right in the hotel room. With gorgeous views of the city, you’ll have that epic New York elopement feel locally here in Rhode Island.
3. Newport RI: Brenton Point State Park
If you’re ready for rocky cliffs and gorgeous views, head down to Newport in any season, snag a bougie hotel room and elope out at Brenton Point State Park. With lots of diverse environments, elope in the woods next to an abandoned building or out on the rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean.
4. Block Island RI: North Light
Trek out to the North Light with some Block Island seals, and elope where two currents become one. I can’t think of anything more ironic than that.
5. North Kingstown RI: Rome Point
Rome Point is a small little locals spot hidden away in North Kingstown. Hike through the forest out to the point, and enjoy a private little beach overlooking Newport and Jamestown.
6. Wakefield RI: Matunuck Point Beach
Thinking about eloping somewhere easy and in one of the most summer-in-RI-sort-of-ways? Bring your surfboards down to Matunuck Point Beach, and elope in this locals-known beach, hitting the Ocean Mist after for celebratory champagne, or Narragansetts.
7. Lincoln RI: Lincoln Woods State Park
Tucked away close to Providence, Lincoln Woods State Park is a great little low key park to elope in. One of the best places to elope in RI if you’re looking for something other than the beach, enjoy large trees, and a mountain feel in the little sandy state of RI.
8. Westerly RI: Watch Hill Lighthouse
In Westerly you’ll find quite a bit of locations, but nothing beats Watch Hill Lighthouse. Snag desserts from Sift after, and try to catch Taylor Swift at the beach.
9. Block Island RI: Charlestown Beach
If you’re looking for something a little low key and easy — Charlestown Beach off Champlin Road is a great spot for a beach elopement on Block Island without the tourists. A small beach right off the road, there’s limited parking and usually not many folks around. It does get a little packed for sunset, but that quickly changes when the sun disappears.
10. Warwick RI: Conimicut Point Park
If you’re looking for something a little more religious and traditional, hit the small chapel on this beach close to Warwick. A perfect location for a half day elopement, enjoy the changing sand bar, and hit some of the best seafood restaurants after.
11. Charlestown RI: East Beach
One of the most popular places in summer, this beach is phenomenal for a fall or winter elopement. I know I know it’s cold out, but sunset is EPIC in Rhode Island during the winter.
12. South Kingstown RI: Moonstone Beach
With heavy restrictions and limited parking, this can be a toughy BUT it can also be one of the most secluded. Time it right and you’ll have an epic, and likely one of a kind elopement.
13. Block Island RI: Painted Rock Beach
The first place I ever took clients, this beach has a special place in my heart for elopements. Enjoy listening to the rocks rattle on the beach as the waves crash, and watch local surfers on the water as you walk to find your spot. This beach is a tough one to get to but well worth it — particularly for how secluded it is. You won’t find tourists here.
14. Middletown RI: Second Beach
A lengthy beach that connects to Third Beach and a nature conservancy, this is the perfect beach for all those beach walkers out there. Grab your favorite beverage and walk the beach till you find the perfect spot. Drop a blanket and just enjoy the beach for a moment before starting your ceremony.
15. Block Island RI: West Beach
Alright adventurers, I’ve got a challenge for you. This beach is the perfect one for all those wanting an adventure wedding here in Rhode Island. Boat in to New Harbor from the mainland, or snag a bougie hotel room for a few nights. For your elopement you’ll have to snag kayaks or another small vessel to take to this beach — it’s not available by road making it one of the most secluded and magical locations on Block Island (or in Rhode Island).
16. Westerly RI: Napatree Point Conservation Area
Although you should plan for a weekday elopement here, (…tourists), the point is a long strip of land perfect for walking and finding the spot that’s right for the both of you. The beach is one of the most stunning in Rhode Island surrounded by beach grass and dunes.
17. Jamestown RI: Beavertail State Park
If you’re wanting rocky cliffs like the coast of Maine without the drive to Maine, this one’s for you! On the southern most tip of Jamestown you’ll find Beavertail State Park. A little busy in summer, you’ll find secluded spots walking around and climbing some of the cliffs.
18. Prudence RI: Prudence Island Lighthouse
A quick ten minute ferry from Bristol, head out to Prudence Island for a magical one of a kind day. Without restaurants or any kind of real commercial businesses, Prudence Island is a special place in RI.
19. Hog Island RI: Southwest Point
Another secluded little spot, Southwest Point on Hog Island is the perfect place for an RI elopement. Sail out to the island, anchor off the coast and head in on a dingy or just elope on your boat.
20. Little Compton RI: Sakonnet Point
In southern Rhode Island, you’ll find this beautiful little spot in Little Compton. A crowded beach on summer weekends, this spot is fantastic for weekday off-season elopements. Head out early in the morning for epic sunrises. Come in for sunset and walk till you find the spot for y’all.
If you’re looking for a magical place to elope in RI, I‘ve got quite a list of magical places to elope in RI. A small state with a lot to offer, check out options before saying I do. If you’re looking to learn more about Block Island and all it can offer for an elopement click here.
