I had never been to Newport, much less Belle Mer, before Kiara and Peter’s wedding. We took the train up, and as we neared Rhode Island, I knew that I was going to love it there. I was completely enamored of the light, the landscapes, and the beautiful dark-blue ocean. More than that, I was enamored with Kiara and Peter.
Sometimes you meet people, and you just love them from the start – and that was how I felt from the first time Kiara grabbed me in a huge hug before her rehearsal dinner. I’m not a huge fan of overt gushing on wedding blogs (seriously, not every wedding can feature The Greatest Love of All Time or The Best Wedding Ever!), but I am a fan of overt gushing about good, kindhearted people who love their families and each other. Kiara and Peter are just that, and the entire weekend was so warm and enveloping that I didn’t want to leave!
Belle Mer Newport Rhode Island Wedding Photographer
Belle Mer is at 2 Goat Island in Newport, Rhode Island — a small island in Narragansett Bay connected to downtown Newport by a short bridge. Seven acres of manicured lawn on the water’s edge. The Water Salon, with its wall of glass doors opening to the ocean. The Island House is down a shell path past illuminated fountains, with views of the Newport Bridge and the Vanderbilt Light. The Ocean Lawn with the fire pit and the bay behind the couple. The light here — that particular dark blue ocean light off Narragansett Bay — is unlike anything I had encountered before I took the train up for my first wedding here, and I was completely enamored with it. I have photographed here twice and would go back every chance I get.
About the Venue
2 Goat Island, Newport, Rhode Island. On Narragansett Bay, connected to downtown Newport by a short bridge. Managed by Longwood Venues. Four event spaces: Water Salon, Ocean Lawn, Island House, and the Loft. Up to 400 guests on the Ocean Lawn, up to 280 for a seated dinner in the Water Salon, up to 180 in the Island House. In-house catering only — no outside caterers. Starting at around $185 per person, a $35,000 peak-season site fee. Newport Harbor Island Resort a short walk away for overnight accommodations.
The Spaces
The Water Salon is the flagship space — 14-foot ceilings, crystal chandeliers, white palette, retractable glass doors that open the entire wall to the Ocean Lawn and the bay. Up to 280 for dinner and dancing, 950 for a cocktail party. The indoor-outdoor flow when those doors are open is extraordinary.
The Ocean Lawn is the waterfront ceremony and reception space — up to 400 seated, a giant fire pit, views of Narragansett Bay, and the Newport Bridge. The ceremony backdrop here is open water and sky. The sun sets over the water, and the Newport Bridge lights up at night behind it.
The Island House is a short walk down a shell path past illuminated fountains — separate from the main building, more intimate, up to 180 guests. Views of the Newport Bridge and the Vanderbilt Light. A completely different atmosphere from the Water Salon — warm, coastal, quiet. Ideal for smaller weddings and rehearsal dinners.
The Loft is on the second floor of the Island House — nearly 1,800 square feet, up to 40 guests for dinner, and used as a getting-ready suite for larger weddings. The light up there is very good.
Photography at Belle Mer
The Ocean Lawn ceremony with Narragansett Bay and open sky. The Water Salon, when the glass doors retract and the room opens to the water. The shell path to the Island House in the evening with the fountains lit. The Newport Bridge at dusk from the lawn — that bridge is dramatic when the light goes golden and then blue. And Newport itself: the town is a short drive or walk away, and the Cliff Walk, the Vanderbilt properties, and the harbor give you portrait options unavailable anywhere else in New England. I spent a full hour wandering Newport with a couple before arriving at Belle Mer, and the light in that town is extraordinary.
Frequently Asked Questions: Belle Mer Weddings
Where is Belle Mer located?
2 Goat Island in Newport, Rhode Island, on Narragansett Bay. Connected to downtown Newport by a short bridge.
What is Belle Mer?
A seaside wedding and event venue on Goat Island managed by Longwood Venues. Four spaces: the Water Salon (up to 280 for dinner, wall of glass opening to the ocean), the Ocean Lawn (up to 400 seated, waterfront ceremony), the Island House (up to 180, intimate, Newport Bridge views), and the Loft (getting-ready suite or intimate dinner). In-house catering only. Starting at around $185 per person, $35,000 peak-season site fee. Newport Harbor Island Resort steps away for overnight stays.
What makes Belle Mer distinctive?
The light and the water. Most waterfront venues in New England are separated from the water by cliffs or distance. Belle Mer is a few feet from Narragansett Bay. The Ocean Lawn ceremony backdrop is open water and sky. The Water Salon opens completely to the lawn and ocean when the glass doors retract. And the Newport Bridge, lit up across the water at night, is a backdrop that belongs in this city and nowhere else. Newport itself adds another layer — the town, the Cliff Walk, the harbor — all within minutes.
Do you photograph weddings at Belle Mer?
Yes. I photographed here and took the train up from New York for it. The light off Narragansett Bay was something I had not encountered before, and I would go back without hesitation. If your wedding is here, I would love to hear about it.
