There’s something magical about fall weddings in Newport, Rhode Island. As a photographer, Newport is always a dream to photograph, but the fall is our personal favorite time. Why? The big summer crowds have thinned out, but the coastal charm remains and cooler temperatures begin. For Janae and Tim, choosing Castle Hill Inn for their autumn celebration was deeply personal. Their love story began a new chapter, with Tim proposing at the iconic lighthouse that would later serve as their ceremony backdrop.
Getting Ready in the Harbor House
A vacation favorite of Grace Kelly, the Harbor House offers a peaceful retreat from the main inn. With stunning views of sailboats gliding past and the Newport Bridge in the background, these moody cabins are the perfect accommodations for any wedding couple.
On this particular day in early October, the air was a crisp 55° with cool breeze coming off the bay. Janae and Tim eased into their wedding day with a fire lit in the fireplace and Halloween movies playing on the TV while they got ready together. Janae only kicked Tim out for the final moments before their first look when she put on her wedding dress, a stunning customized gown by Claire Pettibone.
Exploring Castle Hill Inn
Castle Hill Inn stands as a testament to Newport’s gilded age. The 19th-century mansion and main building commands attention on its 40-acre peninsula. With gardens, beaches, and sweeping views of Narragansett Bay, Janae and Tim knew they wanted to leave plenty of time to exploring the grounds together and taking couple’s portraits.
First Look in the Gardens
Janae and Tim chose Castle Hill’s garden for their first look. They were especially drawn to it because of its European feel combined with an element of seclusion from the rest of the hotel’s guests. And though it was already well into fall at this point, there were still beautiful fall florals and greens mixed with some dried summer blooms throughout the garden.
Despite spending the entire morning together getting ready, they were both still super emotional seeing each other in their wedding attire for the first time. I highly recommend doing this as well if you’re still looking to have an element of surprise for your wedding day while spending as much time together as possible – after all, they are your best friend and favorite person to be around, right?
Couple’s Portraits on the Bay
After their first look, we took Janae and Tim on a little journey around the property, focusing on capturing different views of Narragansett Bay. Another reason they were so drawn to Castle Hill Inn is the cliffs reminiscent of those in places like Scotland and Ireland – without the plane ride to get to them.
We started at the chalet lawn under the pergola with the Newport Bridge as a backdrop. This stunning space is one of the most popular spots for couples to host their wedding ceremonies, but since Janae and Tim opted to have their ceremony at the lighthouse instead, this was the perfect spot to snap a few quick photos before hopping in the golf kart to the beach.
We continued our exploration of Castle Hill Inn’s property with a stop at their private beach. With not another soul in site, we were able to capture stunning wide shots and close ups alike of Janae and Tim. They soaked up the sun and spray from ocean waves as they walked the coastline and climbed on some of the famous giant Newport rocks along the peninsula.
Then, we wrapped up our couple’s session by karting over to the Castle Hill Lighthouse. They grabbed a quick sneak peek of the ceremony space while we snapped some dreamy sunny lighthouse photos. Then, we quickly headed back to the Harbor House to give them a brief rest before guest arrival.
Castle Hill Lighthouse Ceremony
As I mentioned before, Janae and Tim opted to host their ceremony at the Castle Hill Lighthouse rather than on the chalet lawn. This location held special meaning for them as it was where Tim had proposed to Janae. And it couldn’t have been a more perfect spot for them to share their vows. Being that it was in October, the light disappeared faster, but the timing of the ceremony (4:30pm) meant that we were graced with the most stunning golden light streaming over the greenery and onto them the entire time.
Post-Ceremony Toast
Before returning to the main mansion for the wedding reception, Janae and Tim treated their guests to a post-ceremony champagne toast. This allowed them some time to take group photos while giving guests a bit more time to enjoy the lighthouse.
Wedding Reception in the Ocean Room
The Ocean Room proved to be the perfect spot for their intimate wedding reception. Located in the front corner of the mansion, this private dining room fit their 32 guests comfortably. Not only this, but they also had a section of the patio reserved for their guests to enjoy their cocktails and watch the sunset.
They served passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails made to order. Then, their guests took their seats for a 3 course meal, chosen from a custom menu selected by Janae and Tim. Castle Hill Inn’s staff were among some of the best I’ve ever seen in the business – and I’ve seen nearly 100 weddings over the course of my career in the wedding industry.
And of course, no Castle Hill wedding would be complete without sneaking away to grab a few sunset photos on the lawn. The Adirondack chairs are an iconic moment!
Northern Lights Wedding Surprise
Just as the first course was being cleared, one of the servers let us know that the Northern Lights had arrived a bit early. That’s right – on a Thursday evening in Newport, Rhode Island, THE Northern Lights made an special appearance for Janae and Tim’s wedding day. So we quickly grabbed our cameras and ran outside for a little impromptu photo shoot with the couple and their guests under the magical lights. It was very hard to see the Northern Lights with the naked eye, but our cameras picked up the beautiful red, green and purple hues perfectly! It was an unforgettable moment that we likely will never get a perfect opportunity to photograph like this again.
Newport Sightsailing Send Off
Janae and Tim wanted their celebration to extend beyond just the one day. They chartered the Schooner Aquidneck via Sightsailing of Newport for their guests for a day-after wedding sail along the coast of Newport. It was so important to them to have their guests fall in love with Newport in the same way that they had, and fall in love they did.
The midday sun kept guests warm even as the cool breeze off the bay guided the Aquidneck down from Bowen’s Wharf towards the tip of Newport. Along the way, the crew pointed out historic homes and landscapes along Newport’s coast. But it was just before we turned around that everyone cheered as we sailed past Castle Hill Inn. Making it even more special was the fact that another couple was up at the Castle Hill Lighthouse having their first look at the same time. The guests did not want to depart at the end of the trip, but it left a beautiful impression of Newport and Janae and Tim’s hospitality on that unforgettable fall weekend.
Castle Hill Inn Wedding Cost
Now I know what you might be thinking, Newport weddings are notoriously among the most expensive in the state. Newport is a wedding destination for locals and celebrities alike. But with that higher price tag comes an elevated experience for both you and your guests that’s well worth the investment.
Castle Hill Inn offers various wedding packages. Intimate celebrations like Janae and Tim’s prove luxury doesn’t require large numbers. The Ocean Room suits groups under fifty perfectly! Whereas the chalet terrace, a gorgeous tented option, can accommodate up to 250 of your guests. Obviously, fewer guests means a lower price tag and more money for elevated details such as attire, florals, food and guest experiences.
Wedding costs at Castle Hill Inn vary by day of the week, season, and wedding size. For this reason, costs can vary greatly from wedding to wedding. However, the venue provides comprehensive packages and options catered to each couples’ needs and desires. These typically include:
- Ceremony location
- Reception space
- Catering services
- Service staff
- Basic décor elements and linens
- Tables and chairs
- China and flatware
Newport RI Weddings in the Fall
Having a fall wedding in Newport comes with its unique advantages. First, the summer crowds tend to disperse after Labor Day. This means that Newport RI hotels have better availability, and their rates become a bit lower than in the peak summer months.
Our favorite thing about Newport weddings in the fall though is the much milder weather. Temperatures drop and breezes get a bit cooler, especially on the water, but the sun remains warm. It makes for a much more comfortable experience, in our opinion. Also, the earlier sunsets make for perfect golden ceremony lighting – this photographer’s dream!
And for your guests, they’ll be able to explore Newport’s most popular attractions and restaurants without summer lines. They can enjoy peaceful morning strolls on the Cliff Walk or even shopping down on the wharves and Thames Street with fewer tourists and less sweating!
Castle Hill Inn Wedding Photos
Castle Hill Inn provides countless photo opportunities. The lighthouse creates a dramatic nautical backdrop. You can throw a rock anywhere and hit some water (but don’t actually try that). The mansion’s architecture offers a classically New England and especially Newport feeling. Gardens provide natural frames year-round. Even at night, you can capture moody direct flash portraits (like we did) inside the mansion – at the bar, on the stairs and more. You really can’t go wrong with anywhere on property – so I recommend leaving lots of time to galavant around and soak up all Castle Hill has to offer for photo spots!
If you’re considering your own Castle Hill Inn wedding, let Janae and Tim’s celebration serve as an inspiration for going smaller with your guest count. Beyond that, I think their fall wedding proved that Newport’s magic extends well beyond summer. And most importantly, their celebration showed how Castle Hill Inn makes every wedding feel luxurious and every couple feel important, regardless of size.
And if you’re looking for a photographer who appreciates Castle Hill Inn’s beauty to capture your wedding day, look no further. I’m right here! Come check out even more of our work and reach out to book your wedding day with your two new best friends!
Dream Newport Wedding Vendor Team for Janae and Tim
Photography – Rhode Tripper Photography – that’s us!
Venue – Castle Hill Inn
Florals – Fig & Squill
Makeup – Brushed by Syd
Ceremony Music – Solo Strings by Kelsey
Rentals – Peak Event Services
Signage – Made and True
Dress – Nicole Bridal, designed by Claire Pettibone
Suit – Suit Supply
Rings – Brilliant Earth, The True Gem
Bridal Jewelry – Jennifer Behr
