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Updated Oct 14, 2024How to Plan a Memorable Rhode Island Wedding
It's brimming with quintessential New England charm.
If you're dreaming of a classic New England wedding, Rhode Island promises to deliver. With quaint cobblestone streets, colonial architecture and miles of waterfront, the seaside state is dreamy. But how to get married in RI? We tapped some experts to lay it all out for you.
"Rhode Island provides a wealth of distinct advantages for couples planning their wedding, including scenic beauty, rich history and an ideal location for destination weddings," says Erica Trombetti of Infinite Events in Middletown, Rhode Island. "The state is home to breathtaking waterfront venues, picturesque coastal views and charming rural landscapes, making it perfect for both outdoor and indoor ceremonies."
Plus, its proximity to major cities like Boston and New York makes it an excellent choice for couples seeking a memorable destination wedding experience, she adds. From getting a marriage license in RI to picking out your wedding venues, here's everything you need to know to plan your dream Rhode Island wedding.
In this article:
- How to Get a Marriage License in Rhode Island
- Notable Wedding Locations in Rhode Island
- How to Plan a Wedding in Rhode Island Step-by-Step
How to Get a Marriage License in Rhode Island
Getting a Rhode Island marriage license is fairly straightforward. If you and your fiancé are both 18 years and older, you can apply at the city or town hall where either of you live. If you both live out of state, then you can apply at the clerk's office in the city or town where the wedding will take place—note that this wedding license is only valid in the city or town it was issued in. For Rhode Island residents, it's valid anywhere in the state. To get your marriage license in RI, make sure to bring a photo ID and certified birth certificate. Don't forget to check with the clerk's office in the area you're applying for any other required documents.
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Notable Wedding Locations in Rhode Island
As a small state on the coast of New England, Rhode Island is full of charm no matter where you go or what season it is. From historic homes and boardwalks to museums and beaches, Rhode Island wedding venues are things of beauty. Make sure to check out these areas if you're getting married in RI.
Newport
"Newport is always one of the top wedding destinations in the country," says Rhode Island photographer Erin McGinn. (It's also a top spot for a bachelorette party!) And for good reason: With a yacht-speckled harbor, sandy coastline and Gilded Age mansions, it has no shortage of beautiful spots to tie the knot. The port city is quintessential coastal New England, and it also boasts a vibrant downtown with restaurants offering fresh seafood, so there are plenty of rehearsal dinner venues.
Providence
Located on the eastern border of Rhode Island, Providence has a small-town meets big-city vibe thanks to its status as the state's capital and home to several colleges, including the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University. It's brimming with historic architecture and a lively arts scene and has several green spaces, so there are a range of wedding venue options.
Warwick
Couples looking for a more low-key vibe can find that in the quaint streets and picturesque shorelines of Warwick. Not far from Newport or Providence, Warwick stretches for 39 miles along Narragansett Bay, making it a prime slice of real estate for a waterfront wedding.
How to Plan a Wedding in Rhode Island Step-by-Step
Ready to start planning a wedding in Rhode Island? It's easy enough to fall in love with the state, but it's just as easy to get swept up in all the logistics involved. We've simplified the process for you with a breakdown of how to get married in RI.
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From setting a budget to choosing your photography style and wedding vibe, here's a step-by-step.
1. Set a Budget
You can't plan a wedding without knowing how much you can spend on it. Before you do anything else, sit down with a calculator, a spreadsheet and The Knot Budget Advisor to get a better idea of how much it costs to get married in Rhode Island. Then, you'll be able to strategically make all your other wedding planning decisions.
3. Pick a Planner
Having a wedding planner is important when it comes to logistics in Rhode Island. Between booking necessary room blocks for out-of-state guests (and understanding the fine print), lining up transportation between locations, providing full guest experiences to enjoy the area like sunset sails and lobster bakes and helping vendors with tight timelines—especially in historic venues when timelines are very strict—"having an experienced, full-service wedding planner on your side is so important," McGinn says.
A local planner will have deep knowledge of the area, vendor recommendations and a network of trusted professionals, Trombetti explains.
3. Book a Venue
Before beginning your Rhode Island wedding venue search, Trombetti recommends defining your ideal wedding style. "Rhode Island boasts a wide variety of venues to suit every wedding vision, from luxurious seaside resorts and rustic barns to historic mansions," she says.
Visiting them in person allows you to visualize the space and see if it aligns with your expectations. This is when having a planner comes in handy. "They bring expertise and insight on what works and what doesn't—knowledge that a venue may not always provide," she says.
She suggests considering your guest count, as some venues are better suited for intimate gatherings while others cater to larger celebrations; inquiring as to what's provided in the venue package; and asking about weather contingencies for any outdoor venues—many Rhode Island venues offer beautiful spaces with indoor backup options.
Think about the guest experience you want to provide and your experience as a couple in addition to the aesthetics of the property, McGinn advises. "What kind of a feeling do you want to have personally and how do you want your guests to feel?"
4. Find Your Vendors
Vendors book fast, so McGinn recommends booking them at least a year in advance. You can browse The Knot Vendor Marketplace to get your search started.
"Our little state is big on talent when it comes to vendors," McGinn says. "You don't need to worry about getting a team to travel to you, we have so many amazing wedding artists to choose from. Being such a small state, we are well connected and can share recommendations for a full team of folks we love working with and our favorite venues, too."
5. Consider the Weather
Rhode Island experiences four distinct seasons, so Trombetti advises considering the time of year and planning accordingly—especially if you're getting married outdoors.
"Weather can change on a dime in Rhode Island, especially during the popular wedding months of June and September," McGinn says. The rugged coastline is prone to very high winds, she adds, which is a dream for sailboats on the horizon but a hazard for everything from your hairstyle and veil to the microphone selection for your ceremony to your outdoor floral containers.
