Located on the campus of Salve Regina, Ochre Court features Gothic Architecture wrapped in consummate Newport charm. The Salve Regina wedding venue embodies the lavish sophistication of the Gilded Age that has become synonymous with Newport Rhode Island wedding venues. Directly overlooking the horizon of the Atlantic Ocean, Salve Regina wedding venue features dramatic views surrounded by well-maintained gardens. All in all, the enchanting atmosphere curates a space where wedding celebrations unfold through an evening spent in a historic setting surrounded by grandeur. Find more details on planning your Ochre Court wedding at Salve Regina through the information below.

Event Spaces Available for your Salve Regina Wedding

Salve Regina Campus hosts wedding receptions in three distinctive locations. Each space offers an exceptional wedding day experience with customizable layouts and flexibility on your preferred design and decor choices. 

Ochre Court

Ochre Court is the university’s main building. The 50-room château was originally constructed in 1892 and has maintained its original charm and splendor, allowing you to host romantic wedding day celebrations steeped in history. It’s Newport’s second-largest mansion and features French Renaissance revival architecture with details such as Caen limestone walls, soaring slate roofs, gargoyles, and traceried dormers. The interior is opulent, grand, and echoed throughout the château’s three stories. Receptions at Ochre Court are held in the Great Hall, with views of the domed frescos and Holbein-inspired murals.

The Young Building

Rivaling the beauty of Ochre Court is The Young Building. The Young Building is a Queen Anne-style (former) estate home located on Newport’s Bellevue Avenue. The venue also has a rich history from the Gilded Age, with construction being completed in 1853. The three-story brick home features a carved staircase, mosaic tiled floors, porticos, and Tiffany-stained glass windows that were added to the estate in 1881. Reception celebrations in this space are best for intimate-sized weddings and take place in the ballroom.

Cliffside Lawn or Terrace

This outdoor space is situated on Newport’s iconic Cliff Walk, featured in the HBO series The Gilded Age and home to many of the summer homes of the era. The views from this oceanfront space are phenomenal with the jagged shoreline directly below, and the stunning facade of Salve Regina and Ochre Court in the backdrop. This space is best for a tented wedding celebration or weddings that wish to embody the charm of a New England experience with a classic clambake. 

Total Capacity of Wedding at Salve Regina

The total capacity of your Salve Regina wedding will depend on the building that is hosting your event, along with your preferred seating structure.

Oche Court Capacity

To host a wedding in this space, a minimum guest count of 110 is required. However, Ochre Court can accommodate up to 200 seated guests indoors.

The Young Building Capacity

If you wish to host your wedding in The Young Building at Salve Regina, a minimum guest count of 50 attendees is required. In total, this space can accommodate up to 100 seated guests.

Cliffside Lawn Capacity

For tented wedding celebrations outdoors at Salve Regina, the Cliffside Lawn can host up to 350 seated guests.

Wedding Ceremonies held at Salve Regina Wedding Venue

Located on the campus of Salve Regina, wedding ceremonies are offered on site at the Our Lady of Mercy Chapel. This chapel joins couples in marriage through the Catholic faith, and university affiliation is not required in order to host your union here. However, when applying, one of you will need to be a registered parishioner of a Roman Catholic church and will need to provide a letter of permission from your parish priest.

Total Capacity | Ceremonies at Our Lady of Mercy Chapel at Salve Regina can host up to 250 seated guests.

How can we book the Salve Regina chapel for a wedding ceremony?

You can contact Our Lady of Mercy Chapel about your wedding ceremony by emailing them at: mercycenter @ salve.edu or by calling them at 401.341.2326. You can also fill out a chapel reservation request directly through the chapels website. 

Which caterers provide services for weddings at Ochre Court?

Weddings at Ochre Court are catered exclusively by three select catering companies. Each of these providers had the proper insurance & certifications required to work at the venue. They also bring extensive knowledge of the venue setup, along with their culinary expertise, to your wedding reception.

Salve Regina Wedding Cost

There are two distinct sets of pricing associated with hosting your wedding at Salve Regina. Each space offered at the venue brings about its own unique wedding day experience and capacity. Find more details on the total cost below.

Ochre Court Wedding Cost

The total cost for an Ochre Court wedding begins at $31,301. This fee is comprised of your site rental, venue coordinator, security detail, in-house attendant, and insurance policy. This total is not yet inclusive of your catering experience or other wedding vendors such as your planner, photographer, or florist.

The Young Building Wedding Cost

For a more intimate wedding day experience, weddings at The Young Building at Salve Regina begin at a cost of $16,300. This fee is comprised of your venue rental, on-site coordinator, security, attendants, and insurance policy. As with weddings at Ochre Court, the total cost of your Young Building wedding does not yet include culinary needs. Furthermore, you will still need to book your photography and florals separately from this price.

Is Salve Regina an exclusive-use wedding venue?

Yes, hosting your wedding at Ochre Court comes with exclusive use of the space. Along with exclusive use, you will be provided with a total event time of five hours. You and your guests will enjoy a private wedding day experience with unfettered access to the grounds for an all-encompassing experience.

Is it true that Ochre Court only hosts weddings for alumni?

As of 2024, Salve Regina has opened its doors to weddings at Ochre Court for any couple desiring a quintessential Newport RI wedding day experience. However, prior to that, it was true that the Salve Regina wedding venue was only available to previous graduates, but that is no longer the case.

How can I book my wedding at Ochre Court?

To check if your desired wedding date is available, you can fill out the venue’s contact form at this link. If you wish to reach the venue directly, you can email them directly at: conferences.events @ salve.edu. Or call them at you can call them at 401.341.2445. 

Best wedding photographers who specialize in Ochre Court weddings?

Sara Zarrella Photography has extensive experience photographing weddings at Ochre Court and venues throughout Newport RI. We understand that each moment of your elegant Ochre Court wedding is a memory to be recalled for a lifetime. As Rhode Island wedding photographers, we offer a variety of packages to capture every unforgettable moment of your wedding in Newport. You can find more details on how to work with us when you follow this link.