This list includes some of my favorite European-inspired Wedding venues in New England. If you want your wedding to feel like you have just embarked on a trip to Europe without having to get on a plane, these venues feel other-worldy. So many folks dream of a destination wedding but fear the complicated logistics, how to find reliable vendors who actually answer their emails (no shade, Italy, but we are looking at you!), or want to include as many of their friends and family as possible but know it isn’t always easy for some folks to just hop on a plane. As a vendor who has worked at some of these places and traveled extensively across Europe, these venues are really giving the European vibe without having to hop on a plane.
Glen Manor House in Portsmouth, RI
You couldn’t talk about Glen Manor House without first talking about its truly impressive architecture. Glen Manor house was designed after a castle in Versaille France called the Petit Trianon. It was designed by architect John Russel Pope who also designed the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. It feels secluded and private and is away from the hustle and bustle of Newport, RI, a truly private retreat for you and your wedding guests. If you want to learn more about Glen Manor House in detail, I have a blog that I wrote that goes deeper into the specifics of a wedding at the Glen Manor House, all of the different spots on the property that are ideal for photos, but if I were to have a favorite on this list because its so hard to pick Glen Manor House is it without a doubt. The planning team and catering that is exclusive to the venue is Russell Morin Catering, they are incredible.
The photo opportunities at Glen Manor House are endless. The front of the mansion is epic, it has an impressive lawn and garden to its right side, and the ocean views from the top of the hill where the mansion sits is magnificent. There is also the option to head down to the exclusive dock for some sunset photos. Don’t even get me started on the inside of the mansion with its epic staircase, highly European influenced architecture. It is giving Italian Villa mixed with Rhode Island old money vibes, there is also something that I just can’t describe but despite its grandiose nature, something about it is just cozy, you feel at home right away, with all the nooks, windows with natural light spilling into the various rooms highlighting its gorgeous architecture. For more information on their current up-to-date rates check their website here.
Hammond Castle in Gloucester, MA
I would be remiss if I did not mention the lovely Hammond Castle. This still functions as a public museum. Something to keep in mind around some of these spots that are still open to the public is that there is not a lot of flexibility around timing. I would recommend if you are opting or have fallen in love with a venue or location on this list that is a public museum to opt for summer or a time when the days are long. Vendors are often limited on when we can enter for set up, or arrive for a first look so as to not disturb the patrons who may still be visiting during the day.
Hammond Castle is very friendly to elopements, microweddings, and weekday weddings, they have special packages that are really affordable for this kind of thing. One thing to keep in mind is that if you are opting for their elopement package with just one hour, my humble opinion is that truly is not enough time to take advantage of the space and just makes everything feel rushed. You can find their more specific list of packages on their website here. If you are curious about eloping here you can check out my other blog that goes more specifically into eloping at this venue.
Oceancliff Hotel in Newport RI
Oceancliff in Newport, RI is going to give you the full New England idyllic wedding experience. If you are dreaming of hydrangeas, sitting on an Adirondack chair with a sweeping view of the ocean and Newport bridge, look no further. Oceancliff sits on ocean drive in Newport RI overlooking the Narragansett Bay.
While this venue is truly beautiful at any time of the year most love it in the summer as it is really giving that quintessential New England summer vibe of lobsters, hydrangeas, sweeping ocean views and sailboats dancing across the water. If you were on a bit of a budget they offer special winter packages or weekday weddings at a discount, you can see some more information about their different specials for various times of year or for midweek weddings here. Not to mention you could also add on a sailboat experience for your rehearsal dinner if you really wanted to go all out! One other positive to mention about the flow of this venue compared to others, is that there is one giant space so that all of the activities for the reception like toasts, dances, and dancing can all really happen in the same room, this is not true of many of the historic mansions.
Eolia Mansion at Harkness State Park in Waterford, CT
One thing that is SO impressive about this venue is not just the incredible mansion and architecture itself but also the Harkness State Park. It is truly a photographer’s dream and playground. Rows of trees and beautiful leading lines, ocean views behind the ceremony location, gorgeous italian-inspired gardens with stunning fountains and trellises, it even has a beach on site, you can truly have it all. The one or should I say two caveats to the space are that this space while the mansion area is closed to the public during weddings it truly is in the middle of the park so it is truly possible for onlookers to actually witness your wedding if they didn’t have any boundaries. There really is no separating parts of the public part unless you were physically inside of the mansion. The other thing to think about and this isn’t necessarily a bad thing but something about flow of reception to think about that is true of many of the mansions is all of your guests cannot really fit in the same room. Due to their historic nature there are different rooms that guests often sit and eat in so it can feel a bit segregated. This is why most folks opt to do cocktail hour, toasts, and dances in the more common spaces so that everyone can experience those activities together. This brochure has all of the most up-to-date information if you are looking to get married at this stunning venue. Bonus if you get married during spring the daffodils are absolutely unreal, check them out below!
Aldrich Mansion in Newport RI
A unique thing that stands out right away is that Aldrich Mansion has its own on-site chapel. If that is up your alley the convenience of guests being able to walk from the chapel right to the reception afterwards is incredibly convenient! The mansion is truly immense, on the first floor there is a kind of moody library vibe with a moodier feeling bar and in some of the upper floors the getting ready spaces are brighter & allow much more natural light in. The front and back of the mansion both provide perfect backdrops for photos as well as the immense lawn leading down to the ocean.
Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill in Middletown CT
This venue truly stands out with its epic columns greeting you as you make your way down the long driveway. The getting ready spaces are truly elegant and the downstairs bar area with a bit more of a moody vibe, not unlike Aldrich mansion. Instead of the ocean vibes of the Newport Mansions this is really giving garden party vibes, especially with its cocktail hour space and its checkered reception space outside which feels enclosed among the columns surrounded by greenery. For photos it is the perfect backdrop because you get so many options with both the front and back of the mansion view as well as being immersed in trees you really feel the garden party vibes right away.
Mirbeau Spa in Plymouth MA
So this venue is gorgeous it is actually connected to a luxury spa, bonus points! It is specifically designed for smaller groups as there are some noise ordinances for neighbors so it is best suited for a microwedding with 50 people or less. It has very unique features, a rolls royce that is available always in the front for couples to take photos with and it has a beautiful garden and pond with koy fish in it. It is complete with french-inspired cafe chairs for cocktail hour space with stringed lights and a uniquely shaped reception space that feels like an elegant dinner chapel from the outside with a clean white and modern look on the inside! The most up-to-date information and pricing can be found on their website here.
Shepherd’s Run in South Kingston, RI
Shepherd’s Run is a wellness-focused boutique hotel reminiscent of a European castle set on a winery. The rustic stone and unique architecture for sure set it apart. The ceremony in their special designed garden space is idyllic & the reception space can take place indoors or in their sailcloth tent with a capacity of 300 people.
Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA
Crane Estate is reminiscent of an English Countryside home with Italian-style gardens. The long rolling hill behind the ceremony space leads to the ocean. The Great House also has a rooftop where you can see the surrounding beautiful views of the marsh. The one caveat about the Crane Estate is that during certain seasons the horseflies can be brutal as well as the noseeums. They can really hurt, so check the season and year and make sure you bring bug spray if you are within that season otherwise you will get eaten alive!
Boston Public Library in Boston, MA
The Boston Public Library is inspired by the Italian Renaissance. If you want to be in the middle of the city but still feel like you are dining in a Roman Palazzo the Boston Public Library is for you. As I mentioned with any of these spots that are open to a public just keep in mind that you need to work around public hours & there may be stricter limitations on getting ready spaces, so make sure you also secure a super beautiful getting ready space to match the grandiose beauty of this venue! To see the most up-to-date restrictions, policies, and event information check it out here.
Eustis Estate in Milton, MA
Barely a 15 minute drive from Boston sits Eustis Estate. All sides of this state offer a beautiful vantage point. This property is managed by Historic New England. This from my experience is a lesser known venue, it is slightly better suited for smaller weddings, if you were considering a microwedding or elopement of 15 people or less the price actually starts at just $895. So if you were leaning towards a smaller wedding it could be an affordable option! Here is the most up-to-date information on their website. It also has a bit more of a moodier vibe, but this was a perfect fit for the last couple I photographed here as they were big antique buffs, so this was truly their playground! Convenience and beauty all in one historic estate!
The Evermore at Peirce Farm Estate in Topsfield, MA
This was a historic estate that was independently owned for many years but has been acquired by the folks that also own Oceanview of Nahant. They have made some upgrades but kept the magic of the original home. The estate is a Victorian-era estate that feels very rustic, it also has a barn on it where the receptions are usually held, that is very rustic. The folks on their team are very well-versed in weddings and have it down to a science, it is nice because it gives you a variety of shots with the barn, the estate & around the property there are lots of trees that gives it a very pastoral feel, not to mention the adorable donkeys!
Providence Public Library in Providence, RI
The Providence Public Library in Providence, RI is inspired by the Italian Renaissance and Beaux-Arts traditions. Complete with epic arches and staircases it gives such an elegant feel if you are looking for those European-vibes but with a city backdrop
If you’re planning a wedding in New England and want a photographer who will capture all of the beautiful European vibes and beautiful moments big and small for your wedding in a way that feels candid and brings out your best self, below is where to find me! I am always adding to this list because repeatedly I am realizing the beautiful influence European culture has had on so many venues and historic buildings in New England, so stay tuned!
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