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Rhode Island

Venue Help!!

Hello All,

I am struggling to find a venue.  I am now looking in RI, but not any specific part of the state.  Our wedding is going to be about 100-120 people.  I do have a tight budget and am trying to keep everything under $15,000.  We are open to doing a Friday night over a Saturday to save some money.  We would like to book for June 2012.

Here is the trick.  I do not really like the standard outdated banquet hall that I have seen several of.  I would like something a little more origonal.  I would also like to host the wedding ceremony and reception at the same location.

Now that I have listed that out I feel like I might be ebing a little too picky.  Please let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions.  I need all the help I can get!
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Re: Venue Help!!

  • shoreshotz1shoreshotz1 member
    Sixth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Chelos has a waterfront location in Warwick that would be really nice in June.
  • i2012doi2012do member
    1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    Hey ! I don't think you are being pick y at all
    there are a ton of venues that fit the criteria you are looking for between RI and Boston.

    What type of venue are you looking for? Seaside, rustic barn, outdoor space? Indoor?

    Let us know, also, try browsing the board and searching "venues with a caterer"- (you will avoid banquet type venues), or searching "venue" in general...obvisously anything that is a country club or hotel will have that ballroom look- so avoid those!
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  • Sarah0335Sarah0335 member
    Knottie Warrior 100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    We are looking more in RI then Mass due to family.

    I like the idea of an outdoor space or something near the water.  I looked at a few of the vineyards, but they can be a little on the expensive side.

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  • MaryLaura13MaryLaura13 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I was in the same position as you... although my venue is costing 15,000 alone (tax, tip and service charge are included in that number) for 210 guests. 

    We booked with Renaissance Hotel in downtown providence. I absolutely fell in love. It is gorgeous and unique. They can definitely work with your budget for a Friday night with only 120 guests! Definitely check it out they are so accommodating and really want to make you happy regardless of your budget and that's a good feeling!
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  • pruemunropruemunro member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hi Sarah,

    We were also in the same position as you and a banquet hall type setup just wasn't an option for me.  I figured if we were going to move our wedding to Rhode Island (I'm in Boston) we wanted the most beautiful/unique venue possible!

    We looked at many but eventually decided on Glen Manor House, it's a beautiful venue, unique, right on the water and absolutely stunning.  The cost for the rental is a little cheaper during the week (we're getting married on a Sunday which also saved us some money) but you would need to bring in an outside caterer.  We are using Blackstone who are wonderful and they're very acoomodating and great for many budgets.  Not sure if this would be a suitable option for you but hopefully I've helped to give you somewhere else to look into.

    Congratulations!! :)
    ?Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale?
  • RoyalOrientRoyalOrient member
    Fifth Anniversary 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Independence Habor in MA (not too far from R.I) has a beautiful picturesque garden setting where you can have your ceremony and reception in one place. You also have exclusive use of the entire venue. They have discounted rates for Friday night weddings. 

    If you are interested in a venue by the water, check out Dewolf Tavern in Bristol R.I. There is a lovely rustic private space available. The food is delicious and the service is top notch.  

    I also love The Towers in Narragansett but you do have to bring in your own caterer. The rental rate might be more reasonable for a Friday night wedding.

    My venue, Easton Beach is also on the water but a bit big for your 120 guest count. You should also check out The Coastguard House, The Boat House and Squantum Association - all in R.I and by the water. They are not your typical banquet hall either. 


  • Sarah MDSarah MD member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Don't know if this will help (most of the places I looked at were indoors), but some atypical but cute places I have seen: Wright's Mill Farm in CT, Warwick Museum of Art (too small for dinner, but could work for a cocktail reception), Chorus of Westerly, The Meeting House.
    I haven't looked at these, but they might be a possibility: Newport Yachting Center, Mt. Hope Farm, Linden Place, Kinney Bungalow, Blithewold,  Atlantic Beach Club
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  • KBinRIKBinRI member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We spent less than your budget at The Meeting House in Tiverton. We had only 60 guests, but splurged a bit on photography and DJ, so I think it could be done for that with 100-120 depending on how much of your budget you've allocated to each of those two things and what kind of reception catering you want. You can have ceremony inside or outside (we did inside, set up sort of like a church), dinner is under a tent and dancing is back inside. I have lots of pics if you'd like to see. It's not on the water, but we found a nearby water spot for photos.

    Other venues we looked at that worked for that budget were Whispering Pines in West Greenwich, Kinney Bungalow and The Towers in Narragansett; the Casino and the Botanical Center at Roger Williams Park; Easton's Beach Rotunda; and the barn at Mt. Hope Farm.

    We also wanted the more unique, bring-your-own caterer type of venue and Whispering Pines was the only all-inclusive place we considered.
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  • edited December 2011
    You might want to look at some of the country clubs. I just booked the Pawtucket Country Club for my August 2012 wedding. We are doing the ceremony and reception there for 100 people and our total wedding budget is $10,000.
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_rhode-island_venue-4?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:122Discussion:b986c9bd-0596-4124-8591-a6e3e11e322bPost:2122556f-5130-4bf3-b14a-84ff7697c3b2">Re: Venue Help!!</a>:
    [QUOTE]I was in the same position as you... although my venue is costing 15,000 alone (tax, tip and service charge are included in that number) for 210 guests.  We booked with Renaissance Hotel in downtown providence. I absolutely fell in love. It is gorgeous and unique. They can definitely work with your budget for a Friday night with only 120 guests! Definitely check it out they are so accommodating and really want to make you happy regardless of your budget and that's a good feeling!
    Posted by MaryLaura13[/QUOTE]

    Hey Mary!! Congratulations!!

    OP, look into the Crowne Plaza.  They have a fantastic package deal that can fit your budget.  We had the ceremony in one room and the reception across the hall.  It was absolutely perfect, I cannot recommend them enough.  The staff is so helpful, the room was gorgeous and the food was delish.  I know it's kind of traditional, but we really got our money's worth.
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  • edited December 2011
    Check out Linden place. They have a beautiful site for a ceremony and a cozy carriage house for the ceremony. We booked Linden and Emery caterering, I also am a bride on a budget, so far with the major things booked we are just under 13,000. Good Luck!
  • edited December 2011
    Can you do something a bit off season to save money? June is probably the most desirable time. Our wedding is an April wedding and we were able to get a discount on our caterer which cut costs considerably.
  • chixfilachixfila member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    How about Spain? I was married at Spain in Narragansett in June of 09.  It is way under your budget but you would have to have a Saturday day wedding and the max is 120.  I had about 108 and we fit well.  We got married right there on the patio in front of the fountain.  The restaurant is closed for lunch on Saturdays so you have the entire place to yourself. 

    Good Luck!
  • Sarah0335Sarah0335 member
    Knottie Warrior 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thank you all very much for your help!!  We ran around and looked at different venues yesterday.  We are signing a contract at the Bay Voyage Inn in Jamestown, RI.

    You all had such great and helpful ideas.  I truely appreciate all of the help!
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  • edited December 2011
    I just went to Pawtucket Country Club to and we got penciled in and will book it! I love it there and I heard alot of good things about there food and the grounds are beautiful!
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