Rhode Island

Need Help Finding a Budget Friendly venue that will allow us to have a smalll wedding

Hi  Ladies,

I have been looking around for a venue that will accomadate only 85 guest and wont hurt my budget.  I really do dream of a small intimate spring wedding, but every place has a minimum of atleast 100 guest and/or are really expensive.  My FH and I are paying for our wedding entirely and between school and work we are really on a tight budget.  Can anyone recommend a beautiful place that is not too expensive and that will accomidate a smaller wedding.


Thanks!

Re: Need Help Finding a Budget Friendly venue that will allow us to have a smalll wedding

  • RIFallBrideRIFallBride member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Hi - one venue option I can think of is Meadowbrook Inn in Charlestown, the decor is a little dated however the location/grounds are beautiful and the food is very good.  Definitely worth looking into.  Best of luck!
  • KBinRIKBinRI member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    We had a wedding for 60 and I never encountered a problem with minimums, but we looked at places where you could bring your own caterer so I don't think they cared how few we had.

    I'm a broken record about my venue, The Meeting House in Tiverton, but it's really lovely there. We had the ceremony inside (but there are outside spots, too, if you want that), then dinner under a tent and dancing back inside. It was perfect and budget-friendly.

    We also were on a tight budget and paying for it ourselves, so I understand. You said spring: the prices are much cheaper there November to April but I still think it's affordable as far as weddings go even during the "peak' time. Here's the site: http://www.themeetinghouse.info/weddings.htm and I have plenty of pics if you want to see.

    Other venues we considered that met our budget requirements included Kinney Bungalow and The Towers in Narragansett, the Carousel at Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick (but no alcohol allowed there), Slater Mill in Pawtucket and the botanical gardens and the casino at Roger Williams Park in Providence.

    Others we didn't look at but you might consider: South County Museum, the Kent Performance Hall in Westerly (http://www.chorusofwesterly.org/site/PageServer?pagename=gek_rental) and Spain restaurant in Narragansett (Saturday day weddings only).

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  • edited December 2011
    I'm in the same situation as you are. My fiance and I have not booked our venue yet, but we're strongly considering Bristol Harbor Inn, which was suggested to us by another member on here. It's a beautiful location, right on the harbor, and they will work with your budget (especially if you're open to considering a Friday or Sunday wedding). Rafaela, the wedding coordinator there, is excellent.

    Also, if you would consider a Saturday or Sunday daytime wedding, the food/beverage minimums at the Quidnessett Country Club are pretty low. I believe the minimum spending requirement for a Saturday wedding is only 2,500, and for Sundays, it is about 1,500. You could also look in the Quonset O'Club in North Kingstown. Their prices are really affordable and I believe they only require a 75 guest minimum.

    There's also the North Beach Club House in Narragansett, which is situated right on the beach (gorgeous view). You would need to find your own caterer, but the rental price is budget-friendly and the facility accomodates up to 100 or 150 guests. I went to see it recently and I think it would be perfect for a wedding of your size. Also in Narragansett, there is the Coast Guard House restaurant (75 person minimum) and the Towers as the prior poster mentioned.

    Lastly, if you would be open to crossing the border into CT, I have heard wonderful things about Mystic Seaport. Apparently, they accomodate small weddings and are also very reasonably priced. You could talk with other Knotties on the local CT board for more information, if you'd like.
  • Sarah0335Sarah0335 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    We booked The Bay Voyage Inn in Jamestown, RI.  I thought it was beautiful and not your typical wedding banquet hall.  They are very flexible with sizes.
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  • alevesque88alevesque88 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I am getting married at Kinney Bungalow at Sunset Farms in Narragansett. We are having around 60-65 guests and Brandi is awesome to work with and so nice. The price was amazing and the venue is georgeous! 
  • nikkibelnikkibel member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I am getting married at Coachmen's Lodge in Bellingham, MA.  It's pretty and very affordable - you only pay for the meals!  Check them out :)
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  • Sarah MDSarah MD member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I'm getting married at the Warwick Museum of Art - in Apponaug near city hall.  Our guest list is bigger - 110, so we're having a cocktail reception, but Patty (the coordinator) said they can do a sit-down for up to 85 with dancing.  It's $160 to rent for 4 hours (we're doing 8 hours plus renting the kitchen so the total is $370).  You can bring in any food - homemade, caterer, whatever.  You can also bring in your own alcohol as long as you have a TIPS certified bartender.  The potential to save money is there, depending on your food/beverage route.
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