With Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s recent engagement, all eyes are on Newport, Rhode Island, as fans wait to see where the beloved pop star will be celebrating her upcoming nuptials. Whether or not Taylor chooses Newport for her own wedding ceremony, the seaside city is a romantic haven for weddings. Located on Narragansett Bay on Rhode Island’s Aquidneck Island, Newport oozes charm and elegance with the bonus of being easy to reach from major East Coast cities like Boston and New York. 

The Chanler at Cliff Walk

While the waterfront in Newport is plentiful, The Chanler at Cliff Walk takes ocean views to the next level. The private estate is perched upon the iconic Cliff Walk, providing sweeping views of the Atlantic from its many ceremony and reception spaces. Couples can choose from the outdoor covered Terrace, Meadow Lawn, and Cliff Lawn for their wedding events. In addition to space for up to 250, the venue has 20 luxury guest rooms on-site, each unique and historical to preserve the essence of the Gilded Age. 

Photos by Newport Art Museum

Newport Art Museum

Set within a Victorian-era mansion and a Beaux Arts-style building, the Newport Art Museum is one of the oldest operating art museums in the country and a unique venue for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Intimate wedding parties are able to select one of the many galleries within the museum for their events, while larger weddings can utilize Newport Art Museum’s porch and grounds, with the option to tent the space for extra protection against any potential weather.

Queen Anne’s Loft

The 1800s building where Queen Anne’s Loft is situated recently underwent a gut renovation, opening as a woman-owned wedding venue in 2017 with a unique upscale design and historic architectural details. The venue is in an open-concept loft space with capacity for up to 90 guests seated and 125 for a cocktail reception and is in the heart of Downtown Newport for easy access to the city’s hotels, shops, and restaurants.

Photos by Linden Place Mansion

Linden Place Mansion 

Linden Place Mansion is located in nearby Bristol, RI, an easy 30-minute drive from Newport. The Federal-style mansion was built in the early 1800s and was designed by renowned Rhode Island architect Russell Warren, making it a beautiful and historic backdrop for any celebration. When booking Linden Place Mansion, couples have full use of the grounds and mansion for their wedding events. The sculpture-filled Rose Garden is a stunning spot for a picturesque ceremony with already-there florals, while the Grand Ballroom features high ceilings and air conditioning for year-round receptions.

The Newport Harbor Hotel

Nestled in Newport Harbor at Bowen’s Wharf with gorgeous marina views, The Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina has 6,000 square feet of event space and on-site catering with menus filled with fresh seafood and refreshing cocktails. For couples looking for an all-in-one option, the hotel offers accommodations for out-of-town guests and enough space to host the entire wedding weekend. The Marina Lawn is a favorite for ceremonies with a water view beyond the altar, while the Aquidneck Island Ballroom blends rustic charm with modern elegance for an upscale yet lively reception.

Newport Vineyards

At Newport Vineyards, couples get the best of both worlds with 50 acres of land for wedding activities and proximity to Downtown Newport for convenience. The vineyard has two unique ceremony spaces, depending on the time of year, an outside terrace with views of the lush vineyards from April to October, and the Tank Room nestled among the oak and stainless steel barrels of wine from November through March. Cocktail hours are typically held by the vines with firepits, lawn games, and a section of the vineyard open for guests to stroll through. Receptions are hosted in the Meadow Room, which features exposed wooden beams from reclaimed New England barn wood and large windows overlooking the vines. Guests are guaranteed a delicious culinary journey with estate-grown wines, fresh beers from their on-site brewery, and a farm-to-table culinary philosophy from Newport Vineyard’s excellent catering team.

Gardiner House

Gardiner House is a boutique, waterfront hotel and event space with 21 rooms and suites and space for gatherings up to 220. While the hotel’s design gives off a gilded flair, it’s a relative newcomer to Newport and was built in 2023. Set on Lee’s Wharf just off the city’s famed Thames Street, Gardiner House offers couples a collection of indoor and outdoor spaces for an unforgettable wedding weekend. Brides and grooms can take advantage of the ocean views from the Gardiner Ballroom, the iconic backdrop in the Front Hall, or the cozy, art-filled Studio Bar for their events.

Photos by Laura Miller, Professional Event Images, John Gillooly, and Josh Adam Photography

Ochre Court

Located on the campus of Salve Regina University, Ochre Court is a historic building that serves as the University’s main admissions building and a popular wedding venue for alumni and non-affiliated guests alike. Built in 1892 as a summer home for wealthy New York City socialites, Ochre Court features sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, a French Chateau exterior, flagstone terraces, and historic craftsmanship. The multi-story Great Hall has marble flooring and a matching fireplace, while the Back Lawn offers a gentle slope for uninterrupted ocean views. The two dining rooms are adjacent for separate but nearby dining and dancing spaces. In addition to Ochre Court, Salve Regina University offers several other buildings for wedding events, including their on-campus Chapel, beautifully adorned with exquisite John La Farge stained glass windows; the Young Building; and McAuley Hall.

Rosecliff Mansion

Part of the Newport Historical Society, Rosecliff Mansion is one of the country’s most timeless and romantic locations. It’s set along Newport’s famous Bellevue Avenue and backs up to the Cliff Walk, providing gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean. The snow white, terra cotta mansion is modeled after Grand Trianon, a baroque pavilion built in Versailles, with a trompe-l’oeil ceiling of painted clouds and gilded bronze and crystal chandeliers. The entry features a heart-shaped double marble staircase, a perfect setting for unforgettable wedding photos. With space for up to 160 guests, RoseCliff has stunning indoor and outdoor spaces, including a massive front lawn and gardens, which offer privacy from the main road. It’s worth noting that the space is also a museum, so events aren’t able to start until after 6:00 pm, which might cut into cocktail hour or force a late dinner.

OceanCliff

A boutique hotel and historic destination, OceanCliff is set upon 10 acres of rolling lawns overlooking Narragansett Bay. Built in 1864 as a summer home, the hotel has 20 unique guest rooms and a four-bedroom gatehouse on-site to host the couple and close family and friends. The picturesque Seaside Ceremony site is backed by ocean views and has an adjoining patio for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before the reception, which can be held in the Grand Ballroom or Upper Deck. The Grand Ballroom is a stunning indoor space with views of the bay and Newport Bridge, while the Upper Deck provides an indoor/outdoor feel perfect for an oceanfront cookout and celebration.

For couples seeking an oceanfront wedding in a story-worthy setting, Newport delivers at every turn. The city gives off quintessential New England charm, with historic architecture, elegant design, fresh seafood on every menu, and lush coastal landscapes. Its bustling downtown allows guests opportunities to shop, eat, play, and explore outside of wedding festivities, and the area’s established wedding industry gives couples an impressive selection of vendors to bring any vision to life.