Your wedding doesn’t have to be limited to just a ceremony and reception. Planning a full wedding weekend in Rhode Island gives everyone more time together before and after your big day — especially if you have friends and family traveling to celebrate!
At Galilee Beach Club, couples getting married during the non-member season can bring several parts of their wedding weekend together in one place. From a rehearsal or welcome dinner to the wedding itself and a farewell brunch the following morning, here’s what a full wedding weekend at GBC could look like.
Start With a Rehearsal Dinner or Welcome Party
The night before the wedding is usually the first opportunity to get your guests together. But it doesn’t have to mean a traditional rehearsal dinner if you envision something different.
Choose between the format that works best for your guest list and plans! Options include a seated dinner with a set menu, a more casual buffet, or simply drinks and appetizers as your people arrive.
When the weather cooperates, you can also use our outdoor tiki bar for a rehearsal or welcome gathering. It’s an easy way to kick off the weekend. Plus, it gives guests a chance to catch up before the wedding day festivities.
Celebrate Your Wedding Day at GBC
The next day brings everyone back together for the main event — the ceremony and reception.
Most of our couples (weather permitting) opt to hold their ceremony on the beach before gathering for drinks and small bites at the bar. From there, guests can move inside to the dining room for dinner and the reception.
Menus and other details can be customized based on what you specifically have in mind, allowing the wedding itself to feel different from the gathering the night before.
For those who want to plan a full Narragansett wedding weekend, keeping these events at one location also means guests already know exactly where they’re going. Rather than sending everyone to a new venue for each part of the celebration, GBC becomes your “hub” for the entire weekend.
Get Together Again for a Farewell Brunch
After months of planning, your wedding day will go by surprisingly quickly. A farewell brunch gives you one more opportunity to spend time with your guests before everyone heads home.
Galilee Beach Club can host a next-day brunch with either a set menu or buffet, depending on what you prefer. When the weather allows, brunch can even be held outdoors on the beach. The dining room is also available for an indoor gathering.
Brunch can be as simple or as structured as you want it to be. More importantly, it gives everyone a chance to sit down together, debrief about the night before, and say goodbye to friends and family you may not see often.
One Location Doesn’t Mean Three Identical Events
Hosting several wedding events at one venue doesn’t mean each one has to look or feel the same!
The night before could be casual drinks and appetizers outside at the tiki bar. Your wedding day might include a ceremony on the beach followed by dinner and dancing inside. The following morning, everyone can meet again for brunch. We’re happy to use totally different linens and decor for a different look and feel!
Menus can of course change from one event to the next. GBC’s in-house catering team can work with couples on different options for their rehearsal or welcome gathering, wedding reception, and farewell brunch.
Weather will ultimately determine which outdoor spaces can be used. But having indoor and outdoor options gives you different options for each part of the weekend.
Make Narragansett Part of Your Wedding Weekend
What’s more, hosting your major wedding events at GBC doesn’t mean guests have to spend the entire weekend at the club.
Between gatherings, friends and family can explore Narragansett, visit the beach, grab something to eat locally, or simply enjoy some relaxing downtime. Those who are staying for several days may choose to explore more of Rhode Island while they’re here — Newport is just a few miles away.
Where everyone stays can make a difference too. Have people traveling from out of town? Our guide on where wedding guests should stay in Narragansett covers local hotel room blocks, vacation rentals, and other accommodation options to consider.
Is a Full Wedding Weekend Right for You?
A full wedding weekend can be especially worth considering if you have a lot of guests traveling from out of town. Or you simply want more time with the people coming to celebrate with you!
Keeping your rehearsal or welcome gathering, wedding, and farewell brunch at GBC can also simplify some of the logistics for guests. They’ll know where they’re going for each major event, while you can still change the menu, setup, and atmosphere from one gathering to the next.
If you’re considering a wedding weekend in Rhode Island, contact us today to start the conversation. From welcome drinks to your wedding day and brunch the next morning, we can help you plan the perfect weekend.
Continue Planning Your Rhode Island Wedding
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- Why More Couples Are Choosing Weekday Weddings
- What to Look for in a Wedding Venue in Rhode Island
- How to Compare Wedding Venues in Rhode Island Before You Book
- What Actually Affects Wedding Venue Pricing in Rhode Island
- When to Book an Event Venue in Rhode Island
