Our wedding at Belle Mer was absolutely beautiful but the didn't live up to all the hype. A bride wants to feel relaxed on her wedding day but instead as soon as I stepped foot into the bridal suite I became so stressed out an hour before my wedding because the staff of Belle Mer wouldn't even let my bridal party all get dressed together (and I only had 6 bridesmaids) stating it was a fire hazard because of only 1 fire exit. Should this have been my problem....no!! The stair case was so wide that 3 people could walk down at the same time. They could have taken the entire winter to just build an emergency exit, or throw a rope ladder out the winter, easy and done. But instead they had their entire staff watching over us, and yelling at us to make people wait down stairs. It was very upsetting and not what I expected. I wanted fun pictures of all of us getting dressed but oh no, not allowed.
If that had been the only downfall I would have gotten over it. But to start my wedding planner was wearing jeans to my wedding! We spent over $40k on a wedding to have the event planner walking around in jeans!! They don't have proper storage for wedding cakes, so beware and make sure they coordinate accordingly with the cake people. An entire tables food was dropped, which happens but they lied about it and then took an hour and a half to get them there food, 70 year old guests didn't eat dinner until 10:30 at night! Then there was the music, we had an awesome band but Belle Mer kept making them go quieter and quieter, stating they couldn't be any louder than 70 decibels (which is the same level at which people talk!) They were walking around all night with a little meter when we asked specifically asked them if they would be measuring the sound outside and they said yes but that wasn't the case. It was so hot out and they insisted on keeping all the plastic down all night which made it unbearably hot. So by 11:30 the band was asked to stop, there was no last dance, no throwing of the bouquet, no last hoorah. People left early because usually when the band stops, the party is over. All because they have 2 rooms so close to one another they don't want the sound to be heard next door, again not my problem!! So after all this 5 of my guests including myself were up sick all night, coincidence, I think not.
I am not saying don't have your wedding at Belle Mer because honestly its the best spot in Newport, but make sure none of this happens to you on the most important night of your life. I had a fabulous wedding despite everything but I can't help but to have a bad taste in my mouth with some of the ridiculous regulations they put on you after you spend so much money with them. Hope this helps anyone looking to have their wedding at Belle Mer.
Pros: Beautiful Location
Cons: They promise you the world until after you pay & sign.
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