While not quite recession-proof, bridal receptions are at the forefront of the economic recovery for many venues in the area.
More elegant galas, small intimate gatherings and everything in between are being booked, providing an often-critical revenue stream.
All things related to tying the knot, including rehearsal dinners, receptions, brunches and even ceremonies “are a huge, important piece” of business, said Mark Gervais, general manager of the historic Hotel Viking in Newport. A drop in bookings, from 65 in 2000 to 42 in 2009, has been reversed. “Last year we were up to 55, and the events started getting a little bigger,” he said. “Already this year, about 60 events have been booked.”
The Viking, located in an historic part of the city, has two ballrooms offering up to 13,400 square feet of banquet space, accommodating as many as 250 people in one, 160 in another. The hotel even has its own on-property chapel, built in 1869 with 10 stained-glass windows and handcarved woodwork.
Despite the revenue significance of weddings, “They are not the biggest driver of business – corporate business still is, and that’s seven days a week,” Gervais said.
The Aldrich Mansion in Warwick overlooks Narragansett Bay. The gemstone of this 75-acre estate was built over a 16-year period beginning in 1896. The property was deeded to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence for a nominal sum in 1939.
Wedding ceremonies and receptions “make up a large percentage” of income, said Aldrich Estate Director Paulette Turcotte.
Last year, Turcotte said, “We hosted 45 weddings, and 38 of the ceremonies were in the chapel. This year, there are 18 in the chapel out of 34 weddings booked.”
“Many of the brides are from out-of-state,” Turcotte said, a statistic reflected at other venues as well. “They grew up in Rhode Island but went away to college, and now live elsewhere, but want to return home to get married.”
Bridal events are a “big part of the revenue stream” for the Marriott Providence Downtown. “The economy did have an effect on weddings,” said Donna DiOrio, director of catering and sales. “What normally might have been a reception for 300-400 people was smaller, perhaps 100 to 150. But now we’ve seen a return; there is an increase in numbers this year, along with spending on social events.”
Weddings, she estimated, are “a minimum of 40 percent” of the hotel’s social-events revenue stream. “We’ve been averaging about 50 weddings a year, but right now we’re ahead of that. We’ll maybe see 60 or 70 this year.”
Rhodes on the Pawtuxet on the Cranston-Warwick line is a landmark for many Rhode Islanders, but General Manager Aaron Messina emphasized that yesteryear’s pink walls and massive doors have been renovated and replaced. Located on the Pawtuxet River, Rhodes “used to be the place to go for political events, fundraisers, galas, balls,” Messina said. “But with the construction of other venues, Rhodes slipped back and became a prom house. Now, once again, we want to be your place to have a gala.”
Messina sees an economic uptick in wedding bookings. “We’re moving along with a turnaround. People [had been] less willing to commit contractually to financing a large reception.”
A more intimate experience is offered by the Shelter Harbor Inn in Westerly. Dating to the 1800s, the inn has indoor seating for 70 but can accommodate up to 200 under outdoor tents.
The inn, open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner, will book receptions only from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “We do a lot of second weddings,” Houston said, “sometimes for as few as 12 people.”
Shelter Harbor has seen an increase in numbers recently, including 13 weddings on the calendar.
And even when the economy sours, people “will always get married,” reminded Aldrich Estate’s Turcotte. “Brides will always dream of the best day of their lives.” •
