FAQs

A. The rental rate is inclusive of our tables and chairs we have in inventory, which includes white garden chairs, 5’ round tables and 6’ and 8’ rectangular tables. Please refer to the Rotunda Ballroom Furniture Inventory for exact figures.

A. Yes, but please do not tape or pin anything on the walls. All candles (wicks) must be a minimum of 2 inches below the top of their hurricane or container.

A. If you plan on serving alcohol with a cash bar, and would like your selected caterer to serve it, they need to have a Class P license. If you are having an open bar, and your caterer is serving the alcohol, they do not need a Class P license. If your caterer is not serving the alcohol, the alternative is to hire and insured, certified bartending service.

A. No. Easton’s Beach is a public beach and there will be general public around, especially during the busier summer months.

A. Yes, but it depends on the time of year. The beach typically begins preparations to be ready for the beach season at the beginning of May and begins to winterize the last Sunday of September. The beach is groomed daily between mid June and Labor Day weekend, and on weekends from Memorial Day to mid June, and weekends in September. Life guard stands go up in Mid May and are taken down in late September, unless a storm is projected, then they are removed from the beach entirely.

A. There will be no rice, birdseed or confetti used or thrown during any event.

A. The use of Sparklers and Chinese Floating Wish Lanterns are prohibited by Rhode Island State law.

A. No.

A. Since Easton’s Beach is a public beach, we do our best in controlling beach foot traffic when having a beach ceremony. When the ceremony begins, we hold back beach foot traffic to allow the wedding party to walk down the sidewalk aisle. 99% of people cooperate when asked to wait a few moments to allow the party to pass. Once the ceremony has begun, beach foot traffic will resume behind you until the ceremony ends, where we will once again stop beach foot traffic.

A. We can only set up to 100 chairs for a beach ceremony. We have to keep an area accessible for emergency vehicles behind the chairs that are set up on the boardwalk.

A. Up to 175 guests are allowed. Old literature suggests 225, but due to a nonexistent fire suppression system, the number had to be lowered to 175.

A. A $500.00 non-refundable deposit is required to hold the date. The remaining balance would be due 90 days prior to the event date.

1. Contract with a catering company to provide your food and alcohol. Catering companies must have a current Class P License and a $1 million liquor liability policy.
2. Hire a professional bartending service that has a current Class P License and a $1 million liquor liability policy.
3. Purchase a Tenant User Liability Insurance Program (TULIP) from the Rhode Island Interlocal Trust. To obtain this policy, please visit www.ebs-ins.com where you will be asked to enter a code. Please enter 0501-A66.
4. Obtain a “day of” insurance rider with your homeowner’s insurance company. If you choose this option, the certificate of insurance must name the City of Newport as the Additional Insured. It must also state coverage for “alcohol” and “the service of alcohol.”

A. Yes. We make sure that there is enough ample parking in our center parking lot (#2), the closest parking area to the Rotunda building.

A. The $750 nonrefundable deposit is applied toward your total reservation cost.

A. As of now, we include a 30 minute ceremony at no additional cost. 

A. There is not an additional fee for a beach wedding ceremony. We add an extra ½ hour to your Rotunda rental to accommodate the ceremony.

A. The restrooms are located on the first level, there is an area located outside of the restrooms that could be used for any last minute touch ups such as hair and make-up. However, we do encourage you do arrive dressed and ready. 

A. We need 3 pieces of information: (1) Food Business License, (2) Caterer Class P License (if selling alcohol) and (3) General and Liquor Liability Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 listing the City of Newport as the Additional Insured.

A. The ballroom is a symmetrical 12 sided room of about 5,000 square feet (approximately 75’ wide in most areas).

A. Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, no events begin at Easton’s Beach until 5:30/6:00 PM (because of beach foot traffic and parking limitations). Prior to Memorial Day weekend and after Labor Day weekend, we allow ceremonies and receptions to begin as early as 4 PM.

A. Yes, there is a rotunda coordinator that will be on site throughout your event who will support and direct the plans you have developed for your function.