Insider’s Guide to Planning Your Belle Mer Wedding
When it comes to planning your wedding day, you are absolutely the expert on what matters most to you. But when it comes to a Belle Mer wedding in Newport, Rhode Island, we like to think we have a little insider knowledge that can help make your day even more spectacular.
Why? Because Belle Mer has become a bit of a second home for us.
When M.Studios was just just a little baby photography studio, we were a preferred photography vendor at the Hyatt on Goat Island (now Newport Harbor Island Resort). The Hyatt sits right next door to Belle Mer. We remember working weddings, doing what we love, but looking across the water at Belle Mer and dreaming about the day we would be photographing there regularly.
Fast forward to today, and that dream has come true. We are proud to say that we are preferred vendors! Thank you, thank you!
Now, as a preferred Belle Mer wedding photographer, we get to work alongside their incredible team all the time. Every time we return to Belle Mer, it feels a little like a family reunion. The staff is amazing, the views are unforgettable, and there’s just something special about the energy of weddings on Goat Island.
It’s one of the many reasons we love photographing weddings here.
The Two Wedding Spaces at Belle Mer
One of the things we love most about Belle Mer is that the property offers two distinct wedding venues, each with its own atmosphere.
The Salon offers a more formal and classic setting. The space features a grand staircase, a stunning chandelier, and a beautiful building that sits back on the lawn overlooking the water.
The Island House, on the other hand, is perfect for couples looking for a slightly more intimate feel. The glass walls allow guests to take in breathtaking ocean views throughout the celebration, creating a light, airy atmosphere that feels uniquely Newport.
Both spaces photograph beautifully, which makes Belle Mer one of our favorite locations for wedding photography.
The Island House Loft: A Beautiful Getting-Ready Space
One of the best hidden gems of an Belle Mer Island House is the loft space located right above the venue.
This is something couples won’t find in the Salon building. The loft can be reserved for an additional fee, but in our opinion, it’s absolutely worth it.
The space is large, comfortable, and filled with beautiful natural light thanks to the oversized windows overlooking the water. There’s plenty of seating for brides and their bridal party, making it the perfect place to relax, sip champagne, and get ready together before the ceremony.
From a photographer’s perspective, the light in this room is incredible. It’s also one of our favorite spots for capturing details like wedding dresses, invitations, and quiet moments before the day begins.
That pony and makeup by Ali Lomazzo Beauty
A Picture-Perfect Spot for Wedding Detail Photos
We love using those windows to take wedding dress photos. Have you ever noticed this dress photo online? Well it was taken it in the loft at Belle Mer! Some of our brides have a hanger made with their new last name on it for this shot, but we don’t think that’s necessary. A plain wooden hanger looks nice, but we can even work with a plastic one! It’s all about the silhouette.
A Beautiful Backup Plan (Just in Case)
Of course, it never—ever—rains on a Belle Mer wedding day (the staff will see to that!). But having access to the loft also gives couples a beautiful backup option if the weather decides to surprise everyone.
The open space and gorgeous light make it the perfect spot for portraits. We’ve even used it for twirling dress photos that feel just as magical indoors as they would outside.
Rain or shine, it’s a space that photographs beautifully.
The island house and the salon both have great places to take detail shots. All we need to take a perfect accessory shot is a little sunshine. These detail shots are so much fun for us to capture! Consider including your perfume, some ribbon from the bouquets or leftover flowers the florist doesn’t need. Below is one of our most memorable detail shots because it included a custom lipstick shade made for the bride. She named it Belle Mer!
The Belle Mer Ceremony Site
One of the most breathtaking parts of a Belle Mer wedding day is the ceremony location. The lawn overlooks the water with sweeping views of Newport Harbor and the iconic Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge in the distance.
It is a ceremony backdrop that is unmistakably Newport.
The view itself is stunning but what we love most is how easily couples can make the space their own. From lush floral arches to simple greenery or minimal beach-inspired décor, the ceremony site can be styled in so many different ways.
We’ve seen couples transform the space into everything from romantic garden ceremonies to clean, modern coastal celebrations.
Photographer Tip: Add Flowers to Frame Your Ceremony
The ocean already creates a beautiful backdrop but we always recommend that couples include some floral elements at the ceremony site.
Since we coming from a photographer’s perspective, hear us out! Flowers add depth and visual interest to the scene. Not only that but they also help frame the couple during the ceremony and that makes a huge difference in photos.
Whether it’s a full floral arch, aisle arrangements, or simple clusters of flowers at the front, those small details help turn an already beautiful ceremony location into something truly unforgettable.
This gorgeous huppah by greenlion
And think beyond the flowers at the end of the aisle. Place some bouquets at the top of the aisle or use flower petals as an aisle runner. Brightly colored flowers add a gorgeous contrasting pop of color against the blue of the ocean and sky and green grass.
Florals by Grace Kim
This is why we love a flower arch! Because it serves as an anchor for ceremony photography and acts as a sun block on those crazy bright summer days.
Sunflower for days by Stoneblossom
Photographer Tip: Ask Guests to Put Away Their Phones
Here’s one of our favorite tips for couples planning a ceremony at Belle Mer.
Savvy couples ask their officiant to make a quick announcement before the processional asking guests to put away their cell phones and enjoy the moment.
Why does this matter? Because if they don’t… an overzealous guest will inevitably hold up a phone right into our shot. Every. Single. Time.
The walk down the aisle lasts about 20 seconds, and that all-important first kiss lasts maybe 5 seconds (for most couples!). Those moments go by quickly, and they’re some of the most meaningful images from your wedding day.
A quick unplugged ceremony announcement helps make sure those once-in-a-lifetime moments stay beautifully distraction-free.
Circle Arch by Flower Thyme
And don’t forget to do something unique after you’re officially pronounced married. These wedding photographers can never can resist a shot shot!
Wedding Party Photos at Belle Mer
We always have fun photographing wedding party portraits during a Belle Mer wedding day.
Whether couples have a tight-knit crew of ride-or-dies, a large extended family, or a mother who insists that her college roommate’s daughter’s cousin absolutely must be included in the wedding party (it happens!), the result is often the same: a big group. BUT we can deliver!
The good news? Belle Mer has plenty of space to accommodate wedding parties of all sizes. The lawn, pathways, and waterfront views give us lots of room to create fun, dynamic photos for both small and large groups.
While the ocean views are always a favorite backdrop, we also love using some of our favorite little hidden nooks around the property. Midday sun can be pretty bright, so those tucked-away spots provide beautiful light and a little variety in the final gallery.
It’s one of the reasons Belle Mer is such a great location for wedding photography—there’s always another beautiful corner waiting to be used.
Sometimes, big wedding parties are our favorite because we love a dramatic group picture. It takes time to pose, but the result is super fun and definitely gives ’90s soap opera drama.
You can bring your fur baby!
Good News! Your Belle Mer wedding can be pet friendly! The lawn makes for some fun pet poses and the unpredictability of a happy pet can release some wedding day tension for sure.
Pro tip from us: Hire a puppy handler or find a friend of a friend who wants to help. While pets at the wedding are cute, they usually can’t stay all night.
Belle Mer shifts with the seasons and we love watching the landscape change throughout the year. Fresh spring shoots, summer drama, fall colors–Belle Mer Newport has it all. And the various landscapes at the venue make for lots of unique shots. The ivy wall is killer!
If you can’t decide between the island house or the salon for your wedding, we’re about to make that decision a little bit harder. Like wedding planning isn’t hard enough!
You can’t pick a venue based on your favorite type of landscape because it’s similar on both sides. That killer ivy wall? The ivy grows on both sides of the wall, so you can use it for bridal party or first look pictures no matter which venue you select.
Veil Magic at Belle Mer
There’s something magical that happens with veils during a Belle Mer wedding.
The ocean breezes off the harbor can be our besties when we are photographing a veil. We absolutely love capturing those ethereal moments when the wind catches the fabric just right. It’s one of those simple things that can turn a portrait into something truly dramatic.
A long veil works best for these photos, though we can usually create the effect with anything that’s at least thigh-length. Just make sure it’s secured with plenty of hairpins!
So far, we’ve never had a groom chase a runaway veil into the ocean. The photos would probably be incredible… but wet shoes might put a bit of a damper on the rest of the day.
Sunset Photos with the Newport Bridge
One of the best photography perks of a Belle Mer wedding is the direction the venue faces.
Because the property looks west over the water, couples are treated to some truly epic sunsets. The sky often lights up over the harbor, and the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge becomes an incredible silhouette in the background.
If you’ve listened to our podcast, you already know how much couples love including the Newport Bridge in their photos. When it’s framed against a fiery sunset, it’s hard not to agree.
Those few quiet minutes of sunset portraits often become some of the most romantic images from the entire wedding day.
Couples often ask us how to time their celebration to work with the sun. In the summer, the sun sets so late that we never have a problem. But in the spring and fall, we advise couples have their ceremony 60 to 90 minutes before sunset so that we can get all the posed pictures we want and also capture that gorgeous sunset.
The Ballroom at Belle Mer
The wedding reception room at Belle Mer is a neutral space waiting for a couple’s signature style. Because it’s all white, it can handle anything, and we’ve seen some really creative touches. Some couples have round tables. Others have farm tables. Some go with pastels while others go big and bold. Undone romance or formal drama–it all works!
We love a mix of high and low centerpieces, not only because it looks great, but because it makes for very interesting photos. If your budget allows for only low centerpieces, we can make the decor look luxe in photos. But keep in mind that all high centerpieces tend to make photos look crowded.
If you plan your decor with your wedding photographers in mind–and thank you very much if you do!–think about lighting. Because the room is so neutral, placing a few spotlights that point toward the ceiling adds drama to the reception and gives photos a little pizzazz.
Weddings at Belle Mer in Newport, RI, are limited only by imagination. And our couples’ imaginations are wild! We are always thrilled to photograph something new, different and fun, and we love watching and photographing the faces of happy couples lighting up the night as their dreams come to life.
Why Couples Love Belle Mer Weddings (and so do we)
It’s easy to see why so many couples fall in love with Belle Mer.
Couples love that Belle Mer offers two unique venue spaces—The Salon and The Island House—so weddings can feel tailored to the size and style of each celebration. Whether the vibe is elegant and formal or relaxed and coastal, the setting adapts beautifully.
And then there’s the location. With views of the harbor and the iconic Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge, Belle Mer captures everything couples imagine when they think about a Newport wedding.
Of course, what truly makes a Belle Mer wedding unforgettable is the team behind it. The staff is known for being incredibly organized, attentive, and genuinely invested in making every celebration seamless from start to finish.
For us at M.Studios, photographing weddings at Belle Mer always feels a little like coming home. The views are incredible, the light is beautiful, and every wedding here has its own unique energy.
It’s a venue that never gets old—and one we’re always excited to return to.
