Newport, RI is home to some of the most exquisite waterfront wedding venues, including Gardiner House. Through the details listed below, we’ve put together a complete guide to help you plan a Gardiner House wedding.

Table of Contents

• Location
• History of the Venue
• Reviews
• Spaces at the Venue for Planning a Wedding
• Gardiner Ballroom
• Harbor Lawn
• Sun Room
• Venue Capacity
• Catering
• Wedding Photography Spaces
• Overnight Accommodations
• Photo Packages for Gardiner House
• Newport Wedding Venues

Location

Gardiner House is located on the very edge of Newport Bay at 24 Lee’s Wharf, Newport, RI 02840. It is situated directly next to the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS).

History of the Venue

Just off the renowned Thames Street in Newport, RI, Gardiner House opened its doors in 2003. The architecture and setting of Gardiner House is directly inspired by the Gilded Age, connecting the venue to the city’s rich history.

Gardiner House derives its name from the proprietors’ great-grandfather, Howard Gardiner Cushing, a celebrated American painter whose artwork graces the walls of the Cushing Gallery at the Newport Art Museum.

In fact, the entryway mural at Gardiner House is a rendering of Howard Gardiner Cushing’s work, which was originally painted in 1905.

What Past Visitors Say About Gardiner House

Gardiner House has been cited in notable publications such as Condé Nast Traveler and Private Newport. Previous guests often reference its stunning beachy architecture, ocean views, and modern amenities.

Spaces Available at Gardiner House RI for Hosting Your Wedding & Pre-Wedding Events

With its connection to the city’s history, art, and culture combined with its idyllic waterfront location, Gardiner House is a magnificent wedding venue for any couple who desires a quintessential Newport wedding.

Through the details below, find more information on the spaces available for hosting each of your Gardiner House wedding and pre-wedding events.

Gardiner Ballroom

Evoking the grandeur of turn-of-the-century style solariums, the Gardiner Ballroom is a sun-soaked space directly overlooking the sparkling waters of Newport, RI. Floral murals cover the walls, with delicate crystal chandeliers adding another layer of depth and warmth to the space. 

In the Gardiner Ballroom, pre-wedding events (welcome and rehearsal dinners) along with wedding receptions unfold with the slow, intentional hospitality that Newport is known for.

Round-style seating is laid out for guests, with rattan accent furniture creating breakout spaces where friends and family can mix and mingle while enjoying a delectable dining experience paired with cocktails.

Harbor Lawn

Steps outside the venue, between the Gardiner House and Newport Harbor, the venue’s on-site Harbor Lawn offers incredible, sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean through a waterfront experience.

This space can be tented for an open-air wedding reception celebration, or used for an outdoor wedding ceremony before moving indoors to the Gardiner Ballroom.

Sun Room

In the Sun Room of Gardiner House RI, you’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors. This space creates a picturesque setting for an indoor wedding reception or an intimate-sized welcome or rehearsal dinner.

Rivaling the atmosphere of the Gardiner Ballroom, the Sun Room is drenched in a golden hue, reflecting off the white-walled interior, which is accented by delicately lit scones.

Total Capacity

All in all, your Gardiner House wedding or pre-wedding event has the ability to host up to 220 guests through multiple seating configurations.

Catering Your Gardiner House Wedding

At Gardiner House RI, catering for weddings and pre-wedding events is offered on-site. The culinary team behind the scenes of this Newport wedding venue work to create a menu based on regional and seasonal selections.

Wedding menus are often created using fresh, local seafood, and farm-sourced protein. They are perhaps best known for their delicious selection of scallops and seared halibut, which are often plated alongside farm-fresh vegetables.

The on-site culinary team also includes a skilled pastry chef, who creates house-made breads, pastries, ice cream, and more. Altogether, your guests will be treated to an unforgettable dining experience on the night of your wedding.

Gardiner House Wedding Photography Spaces

Each of the spaces at Gardiner House works to create an atmosphere where wedding photos come to life with the beauty of the venue that embodies quintessential old-world Newport elegance.

In addition to the event spaces listed above, Gardiner House also provides its couples access to its Front Hall. A quiet corner where wedding photos are captured against the backdrop of cultivated architecture.

The Front Hall featues muraled walls, board and batten, warm earthy tones, and decor details that work to create an inviting presence, drenching Gardiner House wedding photos with the beauty of your day.

The space is ideal for sharing a first look or first touch on the morning of your wedding prior the start of your wedding ceremony. Conversly, the Front Hall of Gardiner House can also be accessed for post ceremony wedding portraits following your vows.

A Newport Wedding Venue with Overnight Accommodations

One of many added amenities of planning a Gardiner House wedding is the ability to offer your guests overnight accommodations.

In addition to its role as a Newport wedding venue, Gardiner House is boutique hotel, with 21 curated suites available. Each of the suites is thoughtfully designed to bring together the bright, welcoming atmosphere of the venue with its hotel-style amenities.

We recommend that couples planning a Gardiner House wedding book an overnight suite for access to a private, on-site getting-ready location.

A selection of suites at the Gardiner House include Juliette Balconies, where the light ocean breeze envelopes the suite, creating additional opportunities for storytelling Newport, RI wedding photos.

Newport Wedding Photos by Sara Zarrella Photography

Sara Zarrella Photography has over two decades of experience photographing weddings in Newport, RI.

Our approach is to capture the candid, memory-making moments of your wedding, while offering the guidance of a trusted friend during your portrait experience.

We offer a variety of wedding photo packages to capture the details and memories of your Gardiner House wedding. You can find more information on cost and experience when you visit this link.

Newport Wedding Venues

Searching for more Newport RI wedding venues? Find information on waterfront, mansion, and tented wedding venues when you explore our guide of 12 Newport wedding venues, at this link.