If your ideal wedding involves fresh ocean breezes, nautical culture and classy, elegant décor, then do we have news for you: downtown Newport is now home to a new contender for your heart (aka your reception venue). Here’s everything you need to know about the Bohlin.
By Kaitlyn Murray
The Location 🌅
The Bohlin is the Newport Yachting Center’s distinguished new wedding and special events space. The dockside destination was designed with classic seaside architecture in mind, and as such it’s overall aesthetic just exudes coastal chic. Who needs a DIY photo booth backdrop when you have actual, real life sailboats gliding in to port as the sun sets over the Newport Bridge? And then there’s the fact that the venue is surrounded by charming cobblestone streets, which lead to downtown Newport’s locally-owned, quaint shops, waterfront boutique restaurants and unique art galleries.
The Sperry Tent ⚓️
But the Bohlin’s pièce de résistance is really their Sperry Tent. This 5,000 sq. ft. tent’s sailcloth canvas and rich wood finishes are reminiscent of a classic schooner (seriously, could this place be more nautical?), but it has the modern day comforts of electricity and heat for when things turn chilly (an inevitable setback when it comes to seaside affairs). The tent also gives way to a private, open-air patio outfitted with classy teak furniture.
The Masterminds 🙌
The Bohlin is managed and operated by the fabulous private events team of neighboring Castle Hill Inn in collboration with the Newport Restaurant Group (aka the geniuses behind classic Ocean State eateries like Hemenways, the Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar, Waterman Grille, 22 Bowen’s Wine & Bar Grille and more).
The Culinary Offerings 🍤🍰
You saw who runs this place, so you know it’s gonna be good (especially when you see that local talent, Chef Joseph Melanson, is a regular in their kitchen). Here are our top picks from their extensive menu selections:
- Cocktail hour — An Artisan Cheese Board, Charcuterie Board, Native Shellfish Raw Bar, Farmstand
Tuscan Table, Clam Chowder Bar, and / or Grilled Pizza Station (okay fine we couldn’t pick just one. That’s why you have stationS at your cocktail hour.) - (Butlered!) Hors D’oeuvres — Narragansett Creamery mozzarella-stuffed cherry tomatoes, chorizo empanadas with cilantro sour cream, Rhode Island littleneck stuffies, lemon-thyme sea scallops with Applewood-smoked bacon, and tempura sesame chcken with a spicy hoisin plum sauce (you have to have options here, too!)
- Main course — We’re torn between the half-Maine lobster tail and seared petit filet mignon with pommes puree, asparagus and Bernais sauce (*drools*) and the seared Georges Bank sea scallops with lemon-caper marinade and fresh herbs (…maybe just serve both?)
- Dessert — With plated dishes like flourless dark-chocolate cake with Grand Marnier and dusted with cocoa and berry coulis, and lemon creamsicles featuring vanilla-bean cake with lemon-vanilla mousse and Venetian triple espresso, we wish you the best of luck in making a decision. Or you can opt for a custom dessert station (i.e. a doughnut station, berry shortcake bar or Ben & Jerry’s ice cream sundae bar).
The Accommodations 👰🎉
The Bohlin is able to hold ceremonies right out on their private dock and can host everything from formal, seated events of 250 or more to casual receptions of up to 400 guests.
The Price Range 👌
$89 – $109 a head, depending on which of their three packages you choose. Call (401) 846-2610 or email infobohlin@bohlinnewport.com for more information.
The Perks🍷⛵️
All packages include the services of an experienced personal event planner who will be more than happy to help plan activities beyond your reception, from Rhode Island themed rehearsal dinners (because who doesn’t appreciate a good old fashioned seaside clambake and lobster broil?), to a bridal party excursion out on Newport Bay to a post-wedding day brunch with the whole gang.
Does this quick summary tick off all of your “Venue must have” requirements? Then check out their website and start planning your quintessential Newport wedding experience today: www.bohlinnewport.com