ROSECLIFF- Thoughts? Reviews?

Lbloom88

Hi ladies-
I am booked at the Astor's for July, but am of course considering other options due to the sale issue.  I am seriously considering Rosecliff but am unhappy with their "rain plan."  I am inviting 170-180 and the room where the ceremony would be held if it rains only holds 130.  They seem pretty inflexible about doing it in the ballroom, and I really don't want to do it in a tent.

Any thoughts from past brides?  I could use ANY advice or thoughts on this venue...

Thanks!

eacosta1120

I'm also an Astors' bride booked for June...so I'm potentially ok?! I looked in to RoseCliff a lot before I decided on Astors'. Have you read all of their rules and regulations? They're extremely strict about everything and their fees are exhorbitant. They charge for every little thing and requie a lot of personnel and extras.A friend of a friend got married there and said that the rules/regulations were ridiculous and ended up being a real hassle in the end since they were extremely strict and inflexible.
I know this isn't what you want to hear....but I thought I'd let you know what I know.

Lbloom88

I appreciate your advice!  I know the fees are steep, but I think it may be worth it for my peace of mind.  Do you think your friend would mind if I emailed her?  I would love to know more details on the rules, so far the one that scares me is the noise level.  Did you go to her wedding?  Was the band able to play loud enough?

Thanks xoxoxo

eacosta1120

hi. i actually dont have the contact info as that was a while ago. i didnt go to the wedding but a few members of my family did. i can ask them about the band.
as far as te fules and such...you should ask for a sample contract and i assume that you emailed them for general info-the rental info sheet outlines many of the little rules. i know that this bride thought getting things aproved by the wedding coordinator was a pain. if you have your photographer, caterer etc booked-ask them about their experiences there-aske for their honest opinions and im sure that theyll let you know wheher or not rosecliff is a hard venue to work in etc.

bunnycakes123

Hi!

All the posts indicate that Rosecliff is very very pricey.  Can anyone provide me a ballpark range?  I'm thinking of giving them a call, and don't want to fall off of my chair when I hear what the price tag is.

Thanks so much!!

eacosta1120

heres the info thats from their PDF of prices:
Four hour events 7pm-11pm:
January, February, March, April Call for availability and rates
May (Saturday) $ 12,000.00
May (Sunday through Friday) $ 8,000.00
June, July, August, September (Saturday) $ 15,000.00
June, July, August, September (Sunday through Friday) $ 8,500.00
October (Saturday) $ 12,000.00
October (Sunday through Friday) $ 7,500.00
*Please note that the Friday and Saturday rate applies to Sunday nights with a Monday holiday following.
$2500 for an extra hour
****$1500 for prep and clean up (4 hr event or $2000 for 5 hr event)

$10 each for tables, $7 for ballroom chairs, $6 for garden chairs
$17.50/hr for ladies room attendant, coat check, custodian, house attendants
$55/hr for firefighter (required with over 200 guests) and security

CAPACITY:
The Ballroom can accommodate a total of 220 guests for a seated dinner with an adequate area for dancing. The Salon, which is
adjacent to the Ballroom, can seat up to an additional 100 guests and the Terrace is used as a cocktail area.

Miscellaneous Rules and Regulations
Wedding parties can begin their photographs on the grounds after 5:45 p.m. and will be permitted inside the property after 6:15 p.m.
A dressing room is available to the bride and her attendants on the second floor after 6:15 p.m. on the evening of the event.
Candles are permitted to be used inside our property. All flames must be enclosed in glass. No open flame is permitted. When using
glass enclosures, the flame must be 1" below the top of the enclosure.
There is no smoking allowed inside any Society property and fireplaces may not be lit. An outdoor smoking area is made available.
Only Society personnel are permitted to move any furnishings inside our properties. Caterers, musicians, etc. should consult with the
Director of Special Events or his designate if an item must be moved.
Throwing rice, birdseed, flower petals and the like is not permitted.
If a wedding ceremony is planned at our property, there will be no rehearsal prior to the event. A daytime meeting can be scheduled
with the parents and bride and groom prior to the event to review the ceremony.
The Director of Special Events must approve all outside services and they must meet the Society's specifications. The Director of
Special Events must be informed of any and all details as they occur for an event. The Director of Special Events will have complete
control over the caterer, orchestra, and/or subcontractors while they are working at the Society's property. The Director of Special
Events can curtail the services of any service provider if he or she does not meet the standards set forth by the Preservation Society.

Rules for Caterers
1. Any subcontractor hired by the caterer is to submit a Certificate of Insurance to the Society.
2. The Caterer will not have access to the property earlier than two hours prior to the event. The set up time for caterers
will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Any additional time will be arranged with the Director of Special Events. The caterer
will have a maximum of 1 ½ hours at the conclusion of an event to breakdown and be clear of the property. Prior to the
Caterer leaving the property, they must be cleared by the Director of Special Events or his designate.
3. Caterers are responsible for preparation and clean up of their respective areas. The Caterer must leave the kitchen
and any other facilities in the exact condition as found upon arrival. The Preservation Society will neither provide trash
barrels nor provide for the removal of trash and/or garbage.
4. Caterers and their employees must, at all times, be properly dressed and conduct themselves in a manner which is
suitable to the client and the setting of the event.
5. Deliveries should be scheduled on the day before or day of the event. The Special Events staff or Rosecliff Mansion
staff is not authorized to sign for deliveries and the Society assumes no responsibility for anything brought to or left in
the building.
Bar Services
1. No Alcoholic beverages may be brought onto the property by guests at any time. Alcoholic beverages shall only be
served by persons employed by the caterer and are licensed/ insured.
2. All bar areas will be closed 30 minutes before the end of the contracted rental period. The Director of Special Events,
however, retains the right to close any/all bar areas earlier as determined by the progress of the event.
3. Bartenders must be professional and approved by the Director of Special Events; volunteers are not acceptable in this
capacity.
4. Bartenders must be appropriately dressed and may not smoke or drink while working behind the bar.
5. Bartenders are responsible for the preparation and clean up of their respective areas and the removal of all trash
and/or garbage from these areas following the event.
6. Bartenders are not, at any time, to place a tip jar on the bar.
Liquor License Policy
Alcoholic beverages will not be sold at any event held at a Society property unless the person or organization first
obtains a temporary Liquor License from the City of Newport, Rhode Island and enters into an Agreement with the
Society to indemnify and save harmless the Society from any liability resulting from the event. Clients wishing further
information should contact the City Clerks Office at Newport City Hall (401) 846-9600. This does not include those
clients, who, as host, have invited guests with no exchange of money such as wedding receptions or complimentary
corporate functions.