How Much Does a Rosecliff Mansion Wedding Cost?

Last Updated on February 12, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Getting married at the historic Rosecliff Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island is the ultimate dream wedding for those looking for an elegant and luxurious affair. But how much does it cost to host your big day at this iconic Gilded Age venue?

This guide breaks down the various wedding packages, rental fees, and additional expenses to help you plan your Newport mansion wedding on a budget.

Planning a wedding at Rosecliff allows you to celebrate your nuptials amid the ornate ballrooms, manicured gardens, and sweeping ocean views of the Vanderbilt’s former summer estate. As one of the top society venues of the Gilded Age, the mansion brings old-world glamour and sophistication to modern weddings.

While a Rosecliff wedding has an elevated price tag, their all-inclusive packages simplify planning by bundling venue rental, catering, floral décor, and more—taking the stress out of organizing a luxury Newport affair.

How Much Does a Rosecliff Mansion Wedding Cost?

Rosecliff offers customizable wedding packages to fit varying budgets and guest counts. Couples can choose from three packages: Gilded, Elegant, and Opulent.

The Gilded Package

The entry-level Gilded package provides event space for both the ceremony and reception. It includes:

• Ceremony site fee
• 5 hour reception venue rental
• In-house tables, chiavari chairs, china, glassware
• Dance floor
• Buffet dinner reception catering
• Basic centerpiece floral arrangements
• Wedding planning assistance

Starting Cost: $175 per person with a 125 guest minimum

The Elegant Package

The mid-range Elegant package is ideal for 150-200 guests. It comes with:

• Indoor ceremony site
• 5 hour reception venue access
• Plated dinner reception catering
• Upgraded floral centerpieces
• Champagne toast
• Wedding cake
• Bridal suite access
• Complimentary parking

Starting at $195 per person

You might also like our articles about the cost of a wedding hosted at the Rainbow Room, Yale Club, or Jericho Terrace.

The Opulent Package

The premium Opulent package includes luxe details and extended venue time for a guest list over 200. Perks include:

• Outdoor garden ceremony
• 6 hour reception rental
• Plated dinner and open bar reception catering
• Lavish floral arrangements
• Wedding cake
• Bridal suite prep access
• Valet parking
• VIP reception access

Starting at $225 per person

According to BridesPedia, the venue rental cost ranges from $14,000 to $29,000, and catering starts at $250 per person. There is an additional fee of $1,500 for using outside vendors such as caterers, florists, or event planners. The maximum number of guests allowed is 180.

A user on The Knot Forum reported that the rental cost was $15,000 for a Saturday and $8,500 for Sun-Fri in 2010. Additional costs included personnel, police and fire detail, and preparation and cleanup fees.

VenueReport.com notes that the estimated price per head is reported to range from $150 to $500, and the venue does not include catering fees.

NewportMansions.org, which is the official website for Newport Mansions provides information on museum rentals and weddings, but specific pricing details for the Rosecliff Mansion are not provided.

Rosecliff’s experienced on-site wedding team can tailor included amenities to create a custom wedding package for your needs and budget.

Spaces for Your Newport Wedding Celebrations

This historic Newport mansion provides various spaces to host your wedding weekend events.

The Great Hall: The main first-floor ballroom featuring dramatic chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views, and space for up to 500 seated guests. Ideal for ceremonies, receptions, and dancing.

Upper Terrace: An open-air stone terrace overlooking the back gardens and Newport coastline. Perfect for outdoor ceremonies, cocktail hours, and photos.

Fountain Garden: A formal garden flanked by towering fountains and sculptures. Used for outdoor wedding ceremonies or as a cocktail hour space.

East Room/West Room: Elegant salons on the first floor for more intimate wedding ceremonies or dinner receptions up to 100 guests.

Front Lawn or back lawn: Sprawling green lawn along the front driveway overlooking Bellevue Avenue. Suitable for tented receptions or ceremony overflow seating.

Factoring in your Budget Additional Wedding Expenses

Beyond the base wedding package rate, couples should budget for these extra fees:

Service Charge & Tax: A 21% service charge and 8% Rhode Island sales tax applies to the package price.

Peak Season Surcharge: Add $10/person for weekend weddings May-October.

Ceremony Fee: $2,500 to hold the ceremony on-site if not included in package.

Extended Time: $2,500/hour for rental time beyond 5 hours.

Bar Service: From $20/person for premium open bar packages.

Officiant Services: $500+ for a licensed officiant to perform the ceremony.

Wedding Photographer: Starts around $3,000 for full wedding coverage.

Floral Décor: Budget at least $3,000-$5,000 for ceremony and reception florals.

Entertainment: $1,500+ for a wedding DJ or band for 5 hours.

Transportation: $500+ for guest shuttle buses and/or Bentley bridal car service.

Wedding Planner: Optional at $3,000+, but highly recommended for mansion weddings!

Venue Capacity & Accommodations

With its palatial ballrooms and expansive grounds, Rosecliff can accommodate weddings from 100 to 500+ guests.

There is no on-site overnight lodging, but we recommend reserving a room block at nearby luxury hotels like The Chanler at Cliff Walk or Hotel Viking for out-of-town guests.

For larger weddings, off-site nearby parking with shuttle transportation will need to be arranged for guests.

Booking Your Rosecliff Mansion Wedding

Rosecliff books up quickly for peak wedding seasons. Couples should inquire 6-12 months in advance of their preferred wedding date.

A 30% deposit of the package minimum is due upon booking, along with a signed contract. The final balance is due 30 days prior to the wedding day.

Buy-out rental for exclusive use of the mansion is available for $15,000 in addition to the wedding package costs.

Expert Help for Planning Your Rosecliff Wedding

The Rosecliff offers an in-house wedding planning team to assist couples in arranging all the details for their mansion wedding. Their team will coordinate with your vendors, manage setup and logistics, and ensure a flawless event.

Couples are also welcome to hire an outside wedding planner or coordinator to help plan their Rosecliff affair. Having a planner well-versed in mansion weddings can help everything go smoothly.

Rosecliff provides a list of preferred vendors, including caterers, florists, and entertainment familiar with the venue. Couples can choose from this selective list or bring in their own vendors with approval.

A Dream Wedding Venue Steeped in History

Overlooking Newport’s famed Bellevue Avenue, Rosecliff was built in 1902 as a summer home for silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs. Hosting legendary balls modeled after Versailles, the mansion exemplified the excess and grandeur of the Gilded Age.

Couples can channel this history and elegance into their own fairytale wedding at Rosecliff. The extraordinary architecture and romantic oceanside setting create a perfect backdrop for exchanging vows as timeless as this iconic Newport landmark.

While a high-end affair, their all-inclusive packages simplify the daunting task of planning the perfect New England mansion wedding—making Rosecliff an ethereal and magical, if pricey, choice to host your dream “I dos.”

Key Takeaways for a Rosecliff Mansion Wedding:

• All-inclusive packages starting at $175 per person
• Accommodates 100-500 guests
• Luxurious spaces for ceremonies and receptions
• Experienced on-site wedding team
• Requires booking 6-12 months in advance
• Additional costs like florals, photographer, etc.
• Ideal for opulent Newport weddings with a vintage flair

FAQ: Hosting Your Wedding at Rosecliff Mansion

What movies were filmed at the Rosecliff mansion?

Rosecliff has been the filming location for several major motion pictures thanks to its Gilded Age elegance. Most notably, it served as the mansion for Gatsby’s lavish parties in 1974’s The Great Gatsby starring Robert Redford. Rosecliff was also featured in True Lies, Amistad, 27 Dresses, and The Career Opportunities of Heavenly Blue.

What family owned Rosecliff mansion?

Rosecliff was built for Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1902, serving as the centerpiece of the Oelrichs’ luxurious Newport lifestyle. After Theresa’s death in 1926, her son inherited Rosecliff. The mansion ultimately passed through various owners until it was purchased in 1971 by the Preservation Society of Newport County, who maintain it today.

Who lived in Rosecliff mansion?

Theresa Fair Oelrichs and her husband Hermann originally built Rosecliff as their Gilded Age summer home to host their famous parties. The Oelrichs hired renowned architect Stanford White to design the elegant mansion specifically for lavish entertaining.