Hidden Gem Venue: Gooseberry Beach in Newport, Rhode Island

Newport has no shortage of iconic wedding venues, but if the mansions and traditional ballrooms aren’t quite your thing, Gooseberry Beach is one of our favorite alternatives.

Located along Ocean Drive, Gooseberry Beach has everything you’d want from a Newport wedding: ocean views, a private beach, and an incredible spot for sunset portraits, but with a much more relaxed, build-it-yourself feel.

A DIY Wedding Venue in Newport

One of the things that makes Gooseberry Beach so unique is that it’s truly a blank canvas. You bring in the catering, music, florals, rentals, and details, which gives you a rare opportunity to build your own venue in Newport. Keep in mind, that does mean a little more planning, especially around logistics, but it also gives you more freedom. This private beach club provides a simple coastal backdrop, and from there, the wedding design can be whatever you decide.

For this wedding, that meant a classic New England celebration with catering by McGrath Clambakes and music from Luke Renchan Entertainment. Julie Rose Beauty handled hair, and makeup services were provided by Mindfully Enhanced. A relative took care of florals and rentals.

Why We Love Photographing Weddings at Gooseberry Beach

From a photography perspective, it’s hard to beat having the beach right outside the reception. There’s no need to leave the venue and spend a big chunk of cocktail hour traveling for portraits. We can sneak outside with our couples for a few minutes as the light changes, photograph along the beach and coastline, and then send them right back into the party.

And because Gooseberry Beach is a little removed from downtown Newport, the whole setting feels more laid-back than many of the city’s better-known venues. It still feels unmistakably Newport - just in a different way.

Is Gooseberry Beach Right for Your Wedding?

We especially recommend Gooseberry Beach to couples who want a coastal Newport wedding but aren’t looking for a historic mansion or Goat Island property. It’s a great choice if you like the idea of bringing in your own vendors, putting your own spin on the space, and having the ocean be a major part of the day.

It takes a little more imagination and elbow grease than walking into a fully-finished venue, but that’s also why it makes events here so special.

Vendors:

Venue: Gooseberry Beach Club
Photo: Atlas + Stone Photography
Music: Luke Renchan Entertainment
Catering: McGrath Clambakes
Hair: Julie Rose Beauty
Makeup: Mindfully Enhanced