Ceremony Sites

jcorvese

Ceremony Sites: So I am looking for a  ceremony site for my wedding.We really wanted to get married in the chapel at Aldrich but can’t which is really a shame, because its super cute… and I would have had my reception there if I could have gotten married there. But alas, they do not honor interfaith marriages—even between Christians. So its onward and upward.I am looking for something like the Kay chapel at the hotel Viking. Or a nice outdoor space—that has something beautiful/nice/outdoor look. I am Catholic and my fiancé is LDS so it is something to take into consideration with ceremony sites that might be faith based (ala Aldrich). Any ideas??I like the outside area in front of the lighthouse at the Hyatt on Goat island – but not sure if you can justuse the area for a ceremony without having your reception there (ill have to call the amazing Steven and ask!)I am likely getting married in Narragansett or Newport. Let me know your ideas!thanks

DeliteSmith

If you are going for Narragansett, try the South Ferry Church (no associated religion, you just rent the building and bring your own officiant)

http://www.southferrychurch.org/

or try the South County Museum for an outdoor location, the old stable ruins are pretty, all covered in ivy, and you can have just your ceremony there, it wasn't too expensive and the contact person emailed back pretty quick. 

http://www.southcountymuseum.org/

KB_RI

This is from a magazine story I wrote last year. All sites are in South County. You also can get married at the gazebo in Narragansett across from the beach in Narragansett for, I think, $30 by calling the town's parks and rec department. Also, you can marry in the botanical gardens at URI in Kingston. I have more info on this if you'd like it. Good luck with your search!

Beavertail State ParkBeavertail Road, Jamestown

Couples looking for a free, outdoor site with a near-panoramic view of Narragansett Bay might consider Beavertail State Park. Powerful waves pound the rocky outcrop and breezes off the water provide natural air-conditioning on even the sunniest summer days.

Once owned by the U.S. Navy, the 170-acre park was created from federal surplus land and is the site of the third-oldest lighthouse in the country. Its stunning, unobstructed views of the bay attract visitors from all over to its shores. Its topography ranges from giant boulders to meadow to a preserve-like area with high, swaying grasses. Many wedding parties stop along the way between ceremony and reception elsewhere just to assemble on the rocks for photographs.

Couples who wish to marry at Beavertail can book their date starting Jan. 1 for the coming year by calling Goddard Memorial State Park at 884-2010. Park employees will confirm the date and availability of four different sites at Beavertail where weddings are held. Only two weddings are allowed per day on weekends, and reservations fill up quickly.

Portable toilets are located in the meadow area behind the museum, including one that is handicapped accessible. Remember, the champagne toasts will have to wait for the reception, as alcoholic beverages are not allowed at Rhode Island state parks.

Information about the park is online at http://www.riparks.com/beaverta1.htm.

South Ferry Church170 South Ferry Road, Narragansett

Located 1,000 feet from Narragansett Bay, South Ferry Church is a nondenominational church on the National Register of Historic Places. The interior is simple, with cream walls, sage trim and red-and-white stained glass windows. Pews of natural and painted wood seat up to 150 guests. The exterior of the church, which is an example of early Victorian church architecture, is crisp white with green shutters.

The church was built in the 1850s for the Narragansett Baptist Church in what was a thriving textile village. By 1908, the Baptists had moved to another church and the South Ferry Memorial Society took the church’s title, preserving it and preventing it from being moved. In 1974, the title was passed to the University of Rhode Island to become part of the expanded Bay Campus. Today the stewardship of the South Ferry Church has passed to the Friends of the South Ferry Church, a nonprofit group of concerned citizens.

While the church is technically available for rental year-round, it does not have heat. Its site on a hilltop – it was used as a navigational beacon for those traveling the West Passage – with bay-facing windows means it gets a good cross breeze.

There is no active congregation at the church, so couples must arrange to bring in their own officiant. There are two candelabras that couples may use, many hooks for hanging decorations and a system of bells that can be activated by pushing a button so couples can announce their union to all within earshot.

Rental cost is $500 for either a morning or an afternoon slot and rehearsal time.

Because URI still owns the land, no alcohol except communion wine is allowed on the site.

Wilcox Park44 Broad St., Westerly Wilcox Park, in the heart of Westerly’s business district, has been the backdrop for many wedding ceremonies. The park, which the Memorial and Library Association of Westerly owns and maintains, features a beautiful landscape defined by an open meadow area with surrounding trees, a fish pond, monuments and perennial gardens.Harriet Wilcox donated land in memory of her husband, Stephen, who was the moving force behind building the library, with the vision of creating a walking park. Another large land acquisition in 1905 significantly increased the size of the park. Couples who wish to marry at the park must complete a park use form, which is available online (choose “Park Policies” under “Park” at www.westerlylibrary.org), at the circulation desk in the library or by mail. A $50 park use fee is charged for weddings, and the park is not available for receptions. Couples can choose their ceremony site; the bandstand is popular, as are the grounds beneath the magnolia trees.Those who use the park for private events must not disrupt others’ enjoyment, so walkways cannot be unobstructed and electrical amplification of voice or music is not allowed unless it is a battery-powered device. Live acoustical music and horse-drawn carriages are welcome. No alcoholic beverages, confetti, silk flowers or rice are allowed.Wilcox Park is considered a Medallion Park by the American Society of Landscape Architects and is a “nationally” significant listing on the National Register of Historical Places. For more information, call 401-596-2877, Ext. 334, or visit www.westerlylibrary.org. Point Judith Lighthouse and Rose Nulman Memorial Park1460 Ocean Road, Narragansett Lighthouses are quintessential New England landmarks, and many couples seeking a beach-themed wedding choose the Point Judith Lighthouse, an octagonal brick building erected in 1856. The lighthouse is still in use as a navigational beacon and the site is home to a U.S. Coast Guard station, but couples can seek permission to use the grassy lawn for ceremonies.Couples are not allowed to bring chairs and tables onto the property (a limited number of chairs would be allowed to accommodate elderly and handicapped guests.) There is no access to electricity, no public restrooms and no access to the buildings. Also, no cars are allowed inside the gate.Couples who wish to schedule a wedding at the site should call the U.S. Coast Guard station at 401-789-0444 and ask to schedule an event there. If the date and time are available – not all are – the couple will receive a letter of confirmation that outlines the rules and regulations for using the site. While the grounds are open to the public from 8 a.m. to sunset, the Coast Guard will lock the gates on days when special events or visits from VIPs are scheduled, so couples marrying elsewhere who wish to stop by the lighthouse for photographs also are advised to call ahead.Couples also can wed in the adjacent Rose Nulman Memorial Park, which offers 700 feet of open shoreline and a 270-degree view that includes Block Island. Saul Nulman purchased the property in 1993 and transformed the former restaurant site into a park in honor of his mother, Rose. Nulman had a longstanding policy of public access to the property’s picnic areas and oceanfront views. There is no electricity at the site and no restrooms, although one couple brought in portable toilets for their event. Couples can bring chairs onto the property and even host a small reception there if they wish. Plenty of parking is available.There is no set fee, but couples are asked to make a donation to the VNS Home Health Services in Narragansett – an arrangement Nulman made before his death. To reserve a date, call caretaker Jim Boule at 782-8461.

aishamf

Why don't you get married at Kay Chapel?  We got married there.  You can rent out the space without having your reception at The Hotel Viking.  It is such a beautiful little church, it was absolutely perfect.  If you are looking for a quaint little church that's the one for you!

jcorvese

I know. I have my heart set on it. Although, we have to get married at 2 pm!
It seems so early!! and Especially if cocktail hour isnt until 6:00 pm.  Also, there is no AC.. did you find that was an issue?
My cousin is getting married at the Manning Chapel at Brown-- and they are handing out fans.

I didint think about the Botanical Gardens at URI what an awesome Idea-- thats my alma mater (in the essence of RI my alma Mattah!)

I like the idea of an outdoor ceremony but im paranoid of the weather-- it has kept me up and Im not even getting married until Aug 2012.

Im trying to picutre the gazebo across from narrangsett beach-- and I can't ... is it near the village inn, liek right by the towers..?

and I LOVE that little south ferry church. Im just apprehensive about the no restrooms,. and wed have to find a nearby hotel to get ready-- but if we end up having our reception at the Towers--it would be an ideal spot!

KB_RI

Here's a bio with pics of the gazebo: http://www.theknot.com/co_profileview.htm?profilename=GansettGirl06&MsdVisit=1

It's very close to the Towers. Your guests could walk over to cocktail hour out on the new patio area there while you go take pics.

Here's what I got on the URI gardens from Gabrielle, who manages them, in February 2009 when I was looking for information:

Thank you for your interest in the URI Botanical Garden.The name was changed a few years ago to reflect the diversity of the plantings here. The Kingston campus also encompasses the Everett Christopher Arboretum, and there are many rare, unusual, and beautiful specimens here. The name Learning Landscape is used for the environmental education program which is held alternately here and at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center.

 The Botanical Garden is a wonderful place for a wedding ceremony. It is available May through September. The cost is $300.00 with access to restroom facilities and electricity (for PA, music, etc.). Wedding couples may set up a tent, at their own cost, with prior approval. It is also a lovely place for a photo session, whether wedding, graduation, or other event. For that we ask for a donation which goes directly to upkeep of the Garden.
Right now, we are unable to have receptions hosted in the Garden. However, the URI University Club is just across the street, with catering and banquet facilities.
I will send separately a copy of the agreement we ask interested parties to fill out for use of the Botanical Garden, and  a pamphlet with color photos of the Garden.You are more than welcome to come and see the Botanical Garden, and I would be happy to show you around. At this time of year, it is mostly brown and gray, but the size and form of the different areas can be seen. I  have a collection of pictures I have taken over the past few years of the Garden in different seasons, so if you would like some photos just let me know.
If I can help you in any other way, please feel free to email me at gtorphy@mail.uri.edu

aishamf

We got married at Kay Chapel at 3:00.  They say that they reserve prime times for the brides that are getting married at The Hotel Viking, but as long as there isn't another wedding you can change your time and push it back.  We took the chance because I absolutely love that chapel and it worked out fine because there was no other wedding on our day so we could have basically any time we wanted.

We got married on August 28th and it wasn't ridiculously hot.  The guys were hot towards the end of the ceremony, but I feel like guys are always hot.  It was prefectly comfortable for the girls.  I don't think that most churches have AC so that would be an issue in any church.

I have to say that I was in an outdoor wedding memorial day weekend and it was ridiculously hot!  There totally was not enough shade.  So, I think heat is an issue whether or not you are in a church. 

The final decision on whether you do outside ceremony or church should be based on whether or not you imagine yourself getting married in a church.  For my husband it was not an issue up for debate, he absolutely had to get married in a church, so we found one that worked for us!  HTH!

anne.azano

I'm getting married at south ferry church in august, it is sooooo pretty.  I'm in love with it.  It's also great cause it's non-denominational.  So, there's no pressure to do things a certain way.  

My guests are staying at the village inn and I'm planning on hiring a bus to bring them there.  I think I'm going to leave the guests a note in a welcome bag saying that they can drive or take the bus we're providing, and please remember to use the bathroom before they go.  I think as long as people know and your ceremony isn't hours long, the no toilet thing won't be a huge problem (at least for adults... don't know about children...)

AngieP900

I am a little confused about the Aldrich. I was married there and at that time you didn't have to be Catholic. Is it because one of you is Catholic and the other not? I think if you were noth not then you could still have the reception there. Weird rules, the church has.
RE: A/C. If you are getting married in August I think you have to have A/C.

jcorvese

Yes. I am catholic and my fiance is LDS (latter day saints= mormon).
Hes not practicing. but we cant get married at aldrich. I spoke to the nun there, its cathlolic to catholic only- unless you get approval from the bishop for catholic to protestant, cahtolic to unitarian etc.

i dont really need to be stressing out about stuf fliek getting approval from a bishop--there are lots of beautiful locations in rhode island.

thanks for all the help
i am going to maybe look at the kay chapel againn (I love it!!!)
and hopeuflly, keep my fingers crossed they dont book another wedding---

aishamf --- how long in advance did u find out that you could move your time back?

If you couldn.t move it back- what was your plan for the guests?? Did you plan an acitivity inbetween the wedding and the cocktail hr for them?

Xmckiel06

To: anne.azano

My finance and I are looking to have our ceremony at the South Ferry Church next April (2012). Who did you contact to book the church? I have contacted the POC listed on the church's website multiple times, but still have not had any reply. Any help you could provide would be most appreciated.

Thanks!