Newport, RI has long been synonymous with coastal charm, historic mansions, and elegant soirées. For couples planning their wedding weekend, one of the city’s most iconic and truly unique venues – particularly for rehearsal dinners and welcome parties – is the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
It’s tucked into the heart of Newport on famed Bellevue Avenue, with manicured grass courts and historic architecture, and creates a backdrop that is unexpected yet classic, and polished yet refreshingly distinct. It’s the perfect first destination for a supremely memorable Newport wedding weekend.
Setting the Scene
As guests step through the brick archway off Bellevue Avenue and follow the red brick pathways into the venue, they’re immediately transported from the bustle of downtown into a lush space that signals history and prestige. Sweeping manicured grass courts are surrounded by architecture that exudes Newport’s character, and together create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and celebratory.
Personalized Tennis Twists
Cocktail Hour is a natural place to weave in playful nods to the game, to delight your guests and immerse them in the storied world of tennis. Our wedding couples have welcomed their guests to the grounds with signature drinks like the classic Honey Deuce, inspired by the U.S. Open, a refreshing melon spritz that mirrors a tennis ball’s vibrant hue, a Match Point Margarita, or a gin-based Lemon Ace.
Our culinary team is always thinking creatively about presentation, and we love to see the vendor team play together with custom details like stir sticks engraved with your monogram, cocktails served court-side on vintage tennis rackets, and tennis-inspired signage. You might even suggest a thematic dress code, like all-white, to celebrate the tradition of the sport. These unique, bespoke details spotlight the thought and care that you as a couple have put into your wedding weekend, and set the tone for the celebrations ahead – not to mention becoming photo-worthy moments!
A Menu Full of Seasonal Flavors
For this venue, our chef team recommends a menu that celebrates the flavors of the season, and highlights Newport’s coastal charm. Fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and creative presentation come together to create a dining experience that’s elegant yet approachable. Couples can continue to draw on tennis inspiration in the food presentation, with hors d’oeuvres served on vintage tennis rackets, and food pairings and garnishes that echo the colors of the court. Our team always considers how the menu will play into the overall design story of your event, infusing personality while fostering a seamless experience for your guests.
Event Design To Elevate the Atmosphere
Thoughtful design choices can instantly elevate the dining experience, turning a rehearsal dinner or welcome party into a visually memorable part of the wedding weekend. The tablescape is one of the best places to infuse personality, with thoughtfully chosen linens, textured chargers, and distinctive glassware to uplevel the aesthetic. At the Tennis Hall of Fame, we love to see florals in a palette of greens, whites, and soft yellows to complement the grass courts, and candlelight to add warmth as the evening progresses.
Sweets to Savor the Evening
A dessert display of petite sweets such as French macarons, mini crème brûlée, and delicate éclairs offers variety and allows guests to continue mingling throughout the grass courts rather than returning to their seats – a functional choice we encourage at one-of-a-kind venues like the Tennis Hall of Fame. Our couples have also delighted guests with custom tennis ball shaped cookies – small, playful nods to the theme without overwhelming it.
Game, Set, Match
Picture your friends and family mingling on the grass courts with a Honey Deuce in hand, soaking in the glow of Newport’s history. With thoughtful touches across design, atmosphere, and menu, your rehearsal dinner or welcome party becomes an unforgettable prologue to the wedding itself.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame is more than a venue; it offers a chance to immerse in the story of Newport’s grandeur, in a setting that is meaningful, unique, and delightfully unexpected.
Ready to learn more?
Connect With Our TeamEvent Partners
Planner: SES Event Planning
Event Design: East Made Co.
Venue: International Tennis Hall of Fame
Linen: Reverie Social and Peak Event Services
China, Glassware, Flatware: Peak Event Services
Furniture: Peak Event Services
Music: Elan Artists –Nacim
Photographer: Austin Trenholm Photography
Florist: Michelle Jean Floral
Transportation: Limos of Newport
Event Décor: Exquisite Events
Tennis Ball Cookies: Newport Sweet Shoppe