When one thinks of weddings in Rhode Island, the marine city of Newport very often comes to mind. Home to the Newport Mansions, Salve Regina University and usually Taylor Swift (she lives in Westport by the way!), Newport Rhode Island is a luxury wedding destination that attracts couples from around the country.

As a Rhode Island resident and wedding photographer, I’ve come to know Newport like that back of my hand. There are few venues left on the island that I have not worked in. Here are five favorites of mine:

1. Belle Mer

2. Gurney’s

3. Regatta Place

4. Hotel Viking

5. Oceancliff Resort

Belle Mer

Set against the sparkling blue waters of the bay, Belle Mer enables me as your photographer to create vibrant and sophisticated images of your wedding day. With it’s manicured lawns and sun-strewn all-white cocktail hall, this venue provides an elegant backdrop all day long. This site prides itself on minimalistic and clean interior décor, which makes photographing all parts of the wedding day easier to shoot. The bright neutral walls enhance the abundance of natural light flooding in from this oceanfront property, light, which makes for gorgeous photographs indoors. When your guests attend your wedding celebration at this glamorous banquet facility, they’re embarking on a luxurious experience of a lifetime, and I work to make images that show it.

Gurney’s

This nautical hotel located at the tip of Newport’s goat island is a perfect location for a wedding celebration with your family and friends. It features a resort-style ambiance that’s perfect for a family vacation, spectacular views of the coastline, and gorgeous garden features that make every photo look unique. Even though it’s usually bustling with activity, you’d never know by the pictures you’ll get to make. The sunset photographs alone make it worth being one of my favorite Newport wedding venue recommendations.

Regatta Place

The third and by no means the least venue on Goat’s Island, Regatta Place is a re

Hotel Viking

Located in the heart of downtown Newport, this historic hotel offers an elegant and glamorous old-world feel to your wedding day. This venue has a beautiful chapel behind the hotel where you can hold your wedding ceremony and offers many settings where we can take your wedding pictures all around the property. I especially love the banister that leads from the hotel to the ballroom as it lends to some great first look pictures and formal portraits.

Ocean Cliff Resort

When I photograph your wedding at The Oceancliff Resort in Newport, RI, it wouldn't be hard work to make you and your wedding guests look simply fabulous. This wedding venue is set along Newport's seemingly unending coastline, that can be viewed from its elegant ballroom windows.

Honorable Mentions

Queen Anne’s Loft, Newport RI

Right in Downtown Newport, right above the Starbucks on Thames Street is the cutest event space (in my humble opinion) in Newport.

Check out more Newport weddings below