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Belle Mer

ashleym0706ashleym0706 member
10 Comments
in Rhode Island
Hello Everyone! My fiance and I went to look at Belle Mer this weekend, and I think this is the venue I like the most! Has anyone had there wedding here? I'm a little skeptical about the negative things I am hearing about prices when contracts are booked. This venue also applies your minimum to  other wedding expenses like photography? Has anyone had experince with this, and how did it turn out?
Thanks!
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Re: Belle Mer

  • tc1016tc1016
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    There are a few belle mer brides on here (myself included) who can answer your questions. Yes, Belle Mer is expensive... from what I hear though, their execution of the event is phenomenal. You can choose to have other vendors costs applied to your minimum.  My advise would be to read your contract thoroughly and ask questions about anything that you're unsure about.

    What other venues are you considering?
    image 208 Invited
    image 107 Are ready to party!
    image 102 Will be missing out
    image 0 Are MIA (RSVPs due 9.10)
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  • SummerBoston10SummerBoston10
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I am also a Belle Mer bride and have had a great experience thus far.  I do know though that they have changed their contract again so things are going to be done a bit differently.  Let me know if you have any specific questions. 
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  • NewportBride710NewportBride710 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm also a Belle Mer bride and also have had a great experience so far! Feel free to ask any questions to us and Belle Mer. As with any venue once you sign it can be hard to change things. 
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  • ashleym0706ashleym0706 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks everyone! I am thinking I really want to go with Belle Mer. I was wondering if any of you are using your minimum towards flowers, photography, etc, and how that process is. Since we dont have a big number of people attending our wedding we will be planning to use the minimum towards flowers and such. Also, have any of you done the food tasting yet? I would love to know how the food is!
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  • ayleeaylee member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I just got married there 2 weeks ago.  I thought they did a great job.  Our guests were amazed with everything.  There were a few unexpected things during the planning money-wise.  But overall, I wasn't really stressed and they really took care of us and our guests during the day.  I will be putting up a more detailed review of Belle Mer on my blog.  I'm just trying to gather all my thoughts first.
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  • tc1016tc1016
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In addition to food/drink and site fees, I'm putting flowers, uplighting, videographer, and linens towards my minimum fee.  Just be sure to calculate and be clear on what the additional costs are.
    image 208 Invited
    image 107 Are ready to party!
    image 102 Will be missing out
    image 0 Are MIA (RSVPs due 9.10)
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  • Vcole7002Vcole7002 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    I  have researched and looked at Bell Mere but am too concerned about what I hear. I have been told by some locals that they are understaffed and you may sacrifice in the quality of food and such. BUT the trade-off is the beautiful grounds!

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  • SummerBoston10SummerBoston10
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I am including our band, ceremony muscians and linen rentals toward our event minimum.

    I really think that they are making a lot of changes to their contract and how things are done so make sure that you understand that when comparing what brides here tell you.  I understand that there are no longer Vendor Fees or markups on the price that you pay for vendors you book through them BUT, the admin fee is increased.  I don't know 100% so make sure to read the contract carefully. 
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  • SummerBoston10SummerBoston10
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.weddings.com/Sites/Weddings/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_rhode-island_belle-mer-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:122Discussion:0c51c488-bf62-4265-9472-d1865eeed959Post:a850de25-d846-43ba-8645-6efa8dbdcf1e">Re: Belle Mer</a>:
    [QUOTE]I  have researched and looked at Bell Mere but am too concerned about what I hear. I have been told by some locals that they are understaffed and you may sacrifice in the quality of food and such. BUT the trade-off is the beautiful grounds!
    Posted by Vcole7002[/QUOTE]

    Oh and I wanted to reply to this.  I was told that they have one server for each table.  Our tables only have 8 people seated at them so I woudn't consider that to be understaffed.  I have been at events at the State Room in Boston and they were anything but understaffed.

    We were actually just in Newport a few weekends ago staying at the Hyatt.  There was a black tie wedding at Belle Mer and all of the wedding guests were staying at the Hyatt as well.  The next day all anyone was talking about was how amazing the wedding was.  We talked to a few people who had attended and they said the food was outstanding and that the service was excellent.  The Hyatt workers also said that everyone who attends a wedding at Belle Mer also raves about the wedding after.  I'm definitely not worried about Belle Mer's execution the day-of!
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  • ashleym0706ashleym0706 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011

    Thanks everyone! I am glad to hear such good things!

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  • ashleym0706ashleym0706 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I am also looking to use the island house, and have heard that they have really strict rules about the music. I have heard if you have any music at all you cannot roll up the tent.

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  • SummerBoston10SummerBoston10
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://newport.weddings.com/main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_rhode-island_belle-mer-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:122Discussion:0c51c488-bf62-4265-9472-d1865eeed959Post:b9f56548-a884-4054-ac09-1d722559ac43">Re: Belle Mer</a>:
    [QUOTE]I am also looking to use the island house, and have heard that they have really strict rules about the music. I have heard if you have any music at all you cannot roll up the tent.
    Posted by ashleym0706[/QUOTE]

    I specifically asked this question the last time we were on-site.  I was told that you can roll up some of the side panels but the ones facing the Goat Island condos have to stay down.  The ones facing the water can be opened.

    This is actually a little bit of a sore point for us.  When we first toured Belle Mer the salesperson made it sound like they could all be rolled up if it was nice out and we didn't find out until about 3 months before the wedding that this wasn't true.  My one complaint with Belle Mer was that they "sell" hard and I think they stretch the truth sometimes. 
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  • ayleeaylee member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I'm sorry I missed your 2nd post.  I had Belle Mer booked my DJ.  You can let them pick the vendors or you can tell them the vendors you want and they'll get the quote for you.  Based on my experience, they tack on 30% to the price.  We had our tasting last December.  The food was good, but not everything.  The chef tend to make stuff on the sweeter side.  You can see my review on my blog at http://www.ayleebits.com/2010/01/04/belle-mer-menu-tasting/.What's weird is that I felt the food tasted better at the tasting than at the wedding.  I have to asked FI if he felt the same way, or if it was just me.  However, my guests couldn't stop raving about everything... the place, the food, the service, everything!  By the way, the way they serve the guests was synchronized.  I don't know exactly how to describe it.  It was great though, our guests were impressed.

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  • ashleym0706ashleym0706 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    So the side where cocktail hour is held...can't be rolled up? I'm almost positive she said if its nice they call roll those sides up. Just wondering if I am understanding this correctly. I appreciate your input.

    Aylee so glad to hear your guests were so impressed...that's exactly what I want.
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  • SummerBoston10SummerBoston10
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://newport.weddings.com/main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_rhode-island_belle-mer-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:122Discussion:0c51c488-bf62-4265-9472-d1865eeed959Post:60eca462-f939-4eb0-9a38-d4a6517919eb">Re: Belle Mer</a>:
    [QUOTE]So the side where cocktail hour is held...can't be rolled up? I'm almost positive she said if its nice they call roll those sides up. Just wondering if I am understanding this correctly. I appreciate your input. Aylee so glad to hear your guests were so impressed...that's exactly what I want.
    Posted by ashleym0706[/QUOTE]

    That is correct.  We were also told when we toured the property that "if it is nice, all of the flaps will be rolled up."  I constantly see all of the flaps down in pictures too which bother me.  Plus, they changed the wall of flaps facing the water.  They used to be 100% clear plastic and now they are the ones that just have the plastic window.  It is my understanding though that those CAN be rolled up if it is nice.
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  • SotobeMarriedSotobeMarried
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    It's incredible there & the view is to die for!!!
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  • ashleym0706ashleym0706 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011

    IWe are thinking this is the place! How far in advance did you all book?

    Just wondering about the vendors you booked through them...was everyone happy and who did you use? We plan to book most of our vendors through them, since our guest number is lower we have a lot to play around with. I appreciate your input!

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