Weddings and Functions 

  Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum is a beautifully landscaped 33-acre historic property situated on Bristol Harbor offering sweeping views of Narragansett Bay. A 45-room mansion, heirloom trees, 11-acre Great Lawn, seven historic gardens, and the sea combine to produce an aesthetic experience that is both exciting and refreshing. 

Wedding Ceremony and Reception

 Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum offers a particularly beautiful and gracious waterfront setting for your wedding ceremony and reception.  The ceremony is held in the exquisite North Garden adjacent to the mansion.  Cocktails are enjoyed within the gracious turn-of-the-century mansion, on the terraces and two covered porches, overlooking the Great Lawn with its sweeping sunset views of Narragansett Bay.

 Blithewold also offers our beautiful North Garden for morning wedding ceremonies Saturdays and Sundays from May through October. Enjoy the natural beauty that is Blithewold with Narragansett Bay as the backdrop for your ceremony. The garden is the perfect choice for gatherings. There is also the option of having your wedding photography done on our 33-acre estate following your ceremony.

Reception

For dinner and dancing, your guests are escorted down to our white 40' X 100' Century Wedding Tent. Our tent accommodates approximately 225 guests.  The wedding tent features a permanent bluestone slate floor. The tent is situated next to our Linden Grove and overlooks the Great Lawn and unsurpassed sunset views across Narragansett Bay.

During the cocktail party and reception, your guests may stroll through the gardens and watch the sailboat races just as guests at Blithewold have done for the past one hundred years.

Friday Night Rehearsal Dinners

Blithewold Mansion is the perfect location for your upcoming rehearsal dinner. Whether you’re planning a small intimate dinner for just family and the wedding party or a clambake on the lawn for a larger crowd, we can make it a raving success.  Contact the Special Events Department at 401.253.2707 ext. 11 to start planning now. You may also email us at events@blithewold.org for pricing and availability.

Gardens: Find out what’s in bloom on your special day.

Photography

Blithewold provides you with memorable photo opportunities.  You and your groom can stroll the water's edge, embrace in our bamboo grove, or pause at the Water Garden for unforgettable photographs of your special day.  Exuberant wedding party photos on the Great Lawn are treasured equally with formal portraits in our enchanting perennial garden.

For the cocktail portion of your reception, the first floor, terrace, and porches of the mansion are available for use. For dinner and dancing, your guests move into the spacious tent, which accommodates approximately 225. To ensure the greatest enjoyment and personalization for your wedding, we allow only one wedding per day.

Opportunities

Please call 401.253.2707 x 11 for availability.

Wedding Packages Include

• Exclusive use of the mansion and 33 acre waterfront gardens and grounds
• The 40' X 100' Wedding Tent with sides, hard surface floor and lighting.
• Bridal Dressing Room available one hour before your event.
• Photo opportunities on the grounds one hour before your event.
• Coordination of your deliveries and services.
• A Wedding Manager and special events staff.
• Rentals, Photography, Services and Catering are the responsibility of the lessee  

 Testimonials ~

Wedding Date: May 29th, 2011

Karen,

I just wanted to take the opportunity to say thanks for everything on the weekend of my wedding and leading up to it. I appreciate all your guidance throughout the process. Especially on the day of the wedding you were a wonderful coordinator not to mention the beautiful grounds and the breath taking atmosphere of Blithewold. When I was 7 I really did say I want to get married at Blithewold. My dream did come true!!!

Thanks for making the day so special for me.

Sarah

Wedding Date: June 18th, 2011

Hi Karen,

Lindsay and Scott's wedding was the best wedding to which we have ever been. It was a sensational celebration! Everyone had a fabulous time in part due to great vendors and the beautiful and elegant venue Blithewold offers. As far as we know everything went off without a hitch. I cannot believe that you ordered up great weather and a sensational sunset, especially given the weather of this spring.
Thank you, thank you, for helping to make the wedding a fantastic event for the bride and groom, our family and friends, all of whom danced their legs off.

Enjoy a wonderful summer season!

With deep gratitude....

Jama 

Wedding Date: June 18th, 2011 

Dear Karen:

The wedding was as perfect as we had hoped! The two young women who facilitated things over the course of the evening were ACES! I can't say enough about them. Joe and I were so impressed and eternally grateful for their attentiveness and flexibility. WOW!

Thanks for everything,

Laurie

 For inquiries and to set up an appointment - Contact Karen Bellavance in the Special Events Office: events@blithewold.org (401) 253-2707 ext. 11 Email: kbellavance@blithewold.org