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Venue Guide | Belle Mer Weddings in Newport, Rhode Island

Situated on the scenic Goat Island, Belle Mer is one of Newport, Rhode Island’s most iconic wedding venues, blending modern luxury with the natural beauty of Narragansett Bay. Renowned for its breathtaking waterfront views and refined spaces, Belle Mer offers a sophisticated yet serene setting for unforgettable celebrations. The venue’s contemporary design, expansive outdoor areas, and versatile indoor options make it a favorite for couples seeking a chic, coastal wedding experience. Whether you’re envisioning an intimate gathering or a grand affair, Belle Mer’s timeless charm and unparalleled location provide the perfect canvas for your dream wedding.

The Water Salon


The Water Salon is Belle Mer’s flagship event space, designed for couples who desire a modern, luxurious atmosphere for their wedding. This stunning venue features soaring ceilings, sparkling crystal chandeliers, and a sleek white palette that creates a clean, minimalist aesthetic. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Narragansett Bay, offering awe-inspiring views that bathe the room in natural light and set a romantic, airy tone. Perfect for larger weddings, the Water Salon comfortably accommodates up to 400 guests, with ample space for dining, dancing, and celebrating. The room’s open layout and neutral design serve as a blank slate for personalized décor, allowing couples to bring their unique wedding vision to life. Whether hosting an elegant black-tie event or a whimsical coastal celebration, the Water Salon promises an unforgettable experience.

Capacity: 400 Guests
Price: $$$$-$$$$$

The island House


For couples seeking a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere, The Island House at Belle Mer offers a charming coastal retreat with stunning views and versatile spaces. Designed to reflect a casual yet elegant New England vibe, this venue features neutral tones, soft wooden accents, and large windows that frame the beauty of Narragansett Bay. The adjacent lawn provides an idyllic outdoor setting for ceremonies, with the sparkling water and sunset skies creating a picture-perfect backdrop. Inside, The Island House can host up to 180 guests for receptions, making it ideal for smaller weddings, rehearsal dinners, or cocktail-style celebrations. Its cozy yet refined ambiance ensures a warm and inviting experience for couples and their guests, while still providing the exceptional service and attention to detail Belle Mer is known for.

Capacity: 180 Guests
Price: $$$-$$$$$

Book Your Belle Mer Wedding Here

How much does a wedding at belle mer cost?

Belle Mer site fees start at $35,000 during peak season for wedding receptions, and $25,000 for site fees during their off-peak season. This site fee includes the use of their bridal suite, chairs, tables, flatware and glassware, linens, and parking. Belle Mer is a Longwood Venue, which means they have an in-house catering team for all weddings and events, and take it from us – the food is phenomenal.

Why Belle Mer is our Favorite Wedding Venue Yet:

Josie and I love the clean, elegant aesthetic of the ballroom of the Water Salon, which is the biggest event space on the Property of Belle Mer. High ceilings, large sliding windows and a look out into the Narragansett Bay makes this property visually stunning. The white walls are perfect for photos, the indoor/outdoor hybrid cocktail hour space leaves for plenty of room and flow between spaces, and the neutral floor with the ability to elevate the space to your own taste (like a pop of black and white as seen below at Avalina and Gianmarco’s wedding) make this venue one for the ages. To top it off, event staff at Belle Mer is the best we have ever worked with and we would recommend this property to any couple who has it in their sites! Both sites on the Goat Island Property are breathtaking.

Why Couples Love Belle Mer for their Wedding

Luxurious, Elegant Aesthetic

Belle Mer is renowned for its contemporary elegance, featuring crisp white interiors, crystal chandeliers, and open, airy spaces flooded with natural light. The minimalist design creates a chic and sophisticated ambiance, making it easy for couples to customize the décor to reflect their unique style while maintaining a timeless aesthetic.

Stunning Waterfront Views

Belle Mer offers breathtaking views of Narragansett Bay, providing a stunning coastal backdrop for both ceremonies and receptions. The picturesque waterfront setting, paired with Newport’s iconic seaside charm, creates a romantic and unforgettable atmosphere that is perfect for capturing timeless wedding photos.

Flexibility for Unique Layouts

Belle Mer’s open floor plans are a dream for couples looking to create a personalized experience for their large wedding. The Water Salon, with its expansive design and unobstructed layout, allows for creative seating arrangements, whether you’re envisioning traditional round tables, family-style banquet seating, or a mix of both. The venue’s neutral color palette and modern aesthetic also make it easy to incorporate any theme or décor style without feeling restricted. Additionally, Belle Mer provides enough space to include unique elements like custom dance floors, lounge areas, photo booths, and large floral installations, ensuring every aspect of your vision comes to life while accommodating all your guests comfortably.

Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow

For couples hosting a large wedding, managing the flow of guests between ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception is essential to creating a smooth, enjoyable experience. Belle Mer excels in this area by offering a seamless connection between its indoor and outdoor spaces. One of our favorite features of the venue, the large glass doors open to the lawn, allowing guests to enjoy both indoor and outdoor stations. There are bars at both ends of the venue, to prevent bottlenecking during cocktail hour. This seamless flow allows couples to maximize the beauty of both the indoor and outdoor areas while keeping their event cohesive and stress-free.

The Exceptional Staff

Something that Josie and I noticed right away – the exceptional staff at Belle Mer, and likely any Longwood Venue. The in-house catering team crafts delicious menus using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, accommodating dietary needs without compromising on flavor or presentation. The setup crew meticulously transforms the venue, ensuring every detail is flawlessly executed, while the support staff provides attentive, polished service throughout the event. The Belle Mer staff ensures that every couple, guest, and vendor feels cared for, making the entire experience as effortless as it is memorable.

Our Favorite Venue Feature

When Josie and I first worked at Belle Mer, we were blown away by the property and the space that each area at Belle Mer had. When we were headed back for a second wedding, our couple mentioned they were at the Island House, right next door. We had no idea there was a neighboring venue while we were at the Water Salon, and it blew us away!

A Preview of a Belle Mer Wedding


Check out our blog of Ava and G’s Wedding day to see more from the Belle Mer Water Salon, or check out Katie and Raheem’s Wedding Day to see more from the Belle Mer Island House.

Nearby Accommodations


Newport Harbor Island Resort

1 Goat Island Rd, Newport RI 02840

Newport Mariott

25 America’s Cup Ave, Newport, RI 02840

The Vanderbilt, Auberge

41 Mary St, Newport, RI 02840

The Chanler at Cliff Walk

117 Memorial Blvd, Newport, RI 02840

Nearby Restaurants


Giusto

Chic Italian Eatery Featuring Water Views

The Mooring Seafood Kitchen

Upscale Seafood with Outdoor Dining

22 Bowens

Steak and Fresh, Local Seafood in Nautical-themed Dining Room

White Horse Tavern

Upscale Farm-to-Table Cuisine in Historic 1673 Setting

See Our Belle Mer Wedding Films

Final Thoughts for your Belle Mer Wedding

Belle Mer is the perfect blank slate for anyone who really wants to design their wedding day from start to finish. The property provides plenty of opportunities for photos, and plenty of space for guests to roam and enjoy from beginning to end. Here are our final tips for your wedding at Belle Mer!

Prioritize your Getting Ready Space

Belle Mer has some beautiful getting ready rooms, but we do know that sometimes comes at an additional cost because of the time spent at the venue. If you are looking elsewhere for getting ready, we recommend one of the hotels we mentioned earlier, or a local AirBnB, but prioritize space and aesthetic.

Hire a Great Wedding Planner

Don’t get us wrong, the staff at Belle Mer is next level when it comes to your wedding. At the end of the day however, the staff at Belle Mer is there for their team and event. Hiring a great wedding planner is critical to your day, especially when you are hiring multiple top level vendors! Here are some of our favorite planners in the Newport, RI area:
Megan Mulkern – MCM Events
Amy Norton – AN Intimate Event
Casey Stamouli – Casey & Co Events
Erica Trombetti – Infinite Events

Know When the Sun Sets

It sounds simple, but knowing the time the sun actually sets helps you plan a majority of your timeline. Usually, a ceremony time three hours before sunset is perfect. It allows for cocktail hour and use of Belle Mer’s outdoor space during a beautiful time of the day, sets you up for a gorgeous golden hour dinner, and allows you to perfectly time your sunset photos to happen just before the sun dips below the horizon – and then it’s party on. We’ve got our free timelines below if you want to use them as a guide!

HAVE FUN!

We know it sounds silly, but the most important thing you can do on your wedding day is have fun. You’ve hired vendors you can trust, let them work at their craft so you can enjoy the best day yet. Josie and I prioritize our couples enjoying themselves on wedding day, because it’s supposed to be a party with your closest friends and family! We want your enjoyment of your wedding to show in your photos and your film, and the best way to do that is to enjoy your day together as husband and wife.

THESE MEMORIES LAST A lifetime.

Josie and I offer something you can’t find everywhere: A wedding photography and videography experience by a husband-and-wife team. We are based in Southern Maine, but travel all over the United States and across the globe to photograph and film weddings for couples who put an emphasis on preserving their wedding day memories. We’d love to have the opportunity to get to know you better and create a package that works best for your wedding and vision! Reach out at the contact form below to get the ball rolling – we can’t wait to chat.

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