5 Things to know if you are getting Married on Block Island

The Block Island Ferry as it prepares to leave the dock and travel back to Point Judith, Rhode Island

If you are getting married on Block Island then there are a few things you need to know. This picturesque New England Island with its beautiful beaches, towering bluffs, and quaint colonial architecture is a great choice for couples whether you are local to the north east or Block Island is your wedding destination. Having lived in Rhode Island for most of my life, I can say I’ve been to the Island a few times and honestly, every time I go there, I get excited. Loading onto the ferry and standing on the upper deck as you pass George’s of Gallilee, feeling the boat roll up and over the first waves as you exit the Harbor of Refuge on a Summer morning. Seeing the bluffs getting bigger and bigger as you approach New Harbor. Grabbing that first iced coffee from Persefanis on your way to the town beach to soak in the sun and swim in the Atlantic. Moments like these are what make us fall in love with this little slice of heaven out in the Atlantic. Whether you want a Huge wedding at any one of Block Island’s beautiful venues or you are eloping and want a small quiet ceremony on the bluffs then I say go for it! if you do decide to get married on Block Island than I hope that Kat and I’s experience Photographing weddings on Block Island and my Rhode Island upbringing can help you plan your ideal island wedding.

Logistics

Obviously with getting married on an Island comes a wide variety of challenges. Where will you stay? Where will the wedding party stay? Do you need a car? Will all your vendors travel to the Island? Weather, Waves, Seasons, Hurricanes, the list goes on and may seem daunting but don’t let that stop you. A lot of the venues are hotels or Bread and Breakfasts and can accommodate you and your wedding parties lodging needs. Block Island is a popular wedding destination so there are a lot of wedding coordinators/planners who have tons of experience with weddings on the island and can help you plan for the specifics of a Block Island Wedding.

Bride and Groom on Mohegan Bluffs Beach in Block Island

Bring your car. Or at least make sure someone in your party is bringing one, taxis can be scheduled but are often booked and inevitably someone will forget something and need to go back to the hotel. Unless we are shooting at one specific location then we always bring a car. In my opinion its worth the money, it makes seeing the entire island a breeze, and eliminates having to lug our gear around. Although, it is a small island, traffic in the Summer is a thing, so if you're driving from the hotel to the ceremony or heading to the bluffs for photos between the ceremony and the reception, just make sure to put that into consideration.

2. Seasons

What time of the year will your Block Island Wedding take place? If you ask me, then I say late Summer/early Fall. Aside from holiday weekends, the crowds are slightly smaller and unless there is a hurricane, then the weather is usually perfect. Summer is nice as well but definitely plan on crowds and most likely higher rates. Spring is a great option but being an Island in New England, it can get windy and wet. Winter… I’m honestly not sure what all stays open and well honestly Block Island in February just sounds cold as f*ck! However, winter on the Island is definitely a unique experience and if anyone wants to elope there during the winter, hit us up and we will hook you up because that would be super fun and I think it could make for some really pretty photos.

The front of the Spring House on Block Island during an October Wedding

3. Venues

When it comes down to venues, Block Island has an awesome selection to choose from. Throw in the amazing beaches, scenic overlooks, quaint B&B’s, and for such a small island the selection of places to get married really pretty extensive. It all comes down to what you want and how big your wedding is going to be. Do you want a small private ceremony overlooking the ocean? Do you want to get married in a church followed by a formal reception? The options are endless! The time of year you are considering definitely plays a roll in determining not only the amount of people sunbathing on the beach as you tie the knot but the cost and availability of many of the venues you may consider booking.

4. Local Laws

For the vast majority of people reading this, you probably do not live or own land on Block Island. While the Island may feel like a second home to you in the summer, or take you back to childhood vacations on the beach, keep in mind that New Shoreham does have its own laws, regulations and ordinances. As visitors, we want to treat the island and its locals with respect. If your ceremony is on the beach and you’re celebrating after, remember there are no open containers allowed on the beaches. Maybe you rented an air BnB for your wedding party and plan on inviting all of the guest back to the house to party the night away. Be aware of the limited amount of taxis on the Island able to shuttle partygoers to and from hotels and the noise ordinances in specific areas. Another issue we have faced in the past involves drones. With the built in GPS features of some new drones, the drone will not take off if it determines that it is in a restricted zone. Restricted zones are often due to proximity to airports and Block Island has one small airport in the middle of the island. Some of the venues in town are right underneath the area from which small planes approach the runway and in one of these restricted zones. Not everywhere on the island is a restricted zone and some drones don’t have GPS that will disable them, but it is something to keep in mind and to ask your photography/videography about if aerial imagery is something you want for your wedding.

Downward looking Drone Shot of Mohegan Bluffs on Block Island

5. Cost

Obviously one issue that often is a huge factor when it comes to choosing where you want to get married is the cost. Whether you have a huge budget or a small one, not going over your it is a common issue when it comes to planning your wedding. This is especially true for a destination wedding at a place like Block Island. For some of you who are local to Rhode Island, you may be thinking since Block Island is in your state it’s not really a destination and that is true to an extent. Yet it is an Island and you can plan on everything being more expensive due to that. If you can’t buy it on the the Island, then you have to bring it over on the ferry. This is one of the other reasons why we recommend you or at least someone in your wedding party bringing their car over. If you can buy it on the island… then definitely plan on it being more expensive than it would be on the mainland. Gas, Booze, Food, and anything else you can think of costs much more so make sure to consider that into your budget.

No matter the season, Block Island is a lovely place to get married just make sure not to go into it blinded by that beauty. We are fully confident that your day will be a success no matter what comes your way, but take some of the stress off of yourselves and everyone involved in your wedding by planning accordingly. Your wedding day is just that… your day and we want you to enjoy it to the fullest by making sure the little things are taken care of and nothing except the weather is left to chance. Check out this list below for some additional resources for planning your Block Island Wedding and a few highlights from weddings we’ve photographed there in the past. If you have any questions about our experiences on the island, feel free to reach out via email or on Instagram. We would love to help in any way we can.