The Perfect Venue to a Happily Ever After

By: Kelsey Murray
Posted In: News

NEWPORT, R.I.- Every little girl dreams of her perfect wedding day. The church elegantly dressed in blossoming rose petals. A five- tier cake laced in pearls. The most decadent white gown encrusted in jewels and diamonds. The perfect prince awaits the beautiful princess to pledge their eternal love for each other.

No one could imagine a more perfect venue for that perfect day, than in a mansion. Newport, R.I. is home to numerous manors, once summer getaways for affluent members of New York society. Of these, Ochre Court Mansion, located at 100 Ochre Point Ave., is the perfect setting for “that day” she has always dreamed of.

“It’s gorgeous, it’s really impressive,” Father Kris Maluski, Salve Regina University campus priest since July 1, 2009, said. “I think it is the most beautiful mansion. Even if you look at The Breakers, this mansion has the most amazing art work.”

Since Father Kris joined Salve Regina’s campus, he has only performed two Catholic wedding ceremonies in Ochre Court.

Yet, he has the process down pat. He meets with each couple six months in advance to their nuptials. Before meeting with the couple Father Kris has the bride and groom e-mail him without talking to each other. “They tell me how they met, how they fell in love and details of their engagement,” Father Kris said.

The transition from all weddings to non-denominational weddings will gradually take place over the 2009 – 2010 year. All Catholic weddings will take place in the new chapel being built on Salve Regina University’s scenic campus. “You can get married by a rabbi, justice of the peace, or a protestant minister here, but all Catholic ceremonies will be in the new chapel,” Father Kris said.

Father Kris doesn’t treat every ceremony the same. He explains that there is a rhythm, but the bride and grooms personalities really set the tone for the wedding.

Most brides are ruthless when reserving the mansion for their special day. Father Kris often feels guilty when he cannot give the brides what they want. The brides divulge their dream days to him.”From the very first time I set foot on the Salve campus, I pictured myself coming down the red stairs and getting married,” Father Kris said.

Johanna Macivalano, Event Support Coordinator, who has worked at the University for five years, explains that to rent the facility it is $700 for graduates, current faculty, staff and students and $3,000 for those who have no affiliation with the University.

The Salve events staff only deals with the non-Catholic ceremonies. Macivalano’s job consists of talking with the brides and grooms, checking availability and scheduling the date. “I answer questions, help them get ready for the set up and then I actually attend the rehearsal and ceremony,” Macivalano said.

Salve is responsible for setting up the chairs and tables. Otherwise, the bride and groom are responsible for bringing in their own officiate, florist, photographer, musician and anyone else they consider necessary for the ceremony.

There are specific dates that Ochre Court is open for weddings. “Wedding ceremonies can only take place in Ochre Court when students are not here – so summer months, holiday weekends and academic school breaks,” Macivalano said.

Macivalano got a call from a recent Salve graduate to make dream wedding a reality.

“The mansion is absolutely stunning and created the perfect setting for my new husband and I,” said Kristin DeVeault.

DeVeault and Constantine Totts Amarant were married amidst the French Gothic architecture, with 240 witnesses in attendance, on Oct. 4, 2008. Their gorgeous, sunny day led way to a hassle free traditional Greek wedding officiated by Revered Dr. George Economou.

Constantine proposed to Kristin on her 24th birthday which led to a two year engagement. She recalls planning the whole time and took the process slowly.

Kristin, Constantine and the wedding party had free range of the front lawn and entire first floor of the mansion for photographs. They took pictures on the lawn and in the main ballroom, courtesy of Alexandra Cordts.

DeVeault had Jeff & Co design her flowers, which had also done the Governor’s Ball, located in Ochre Court, for Salve Regina the year before.

The bride chose neutral colors of blush pink, cream, white and silver which were inspired by her Kenneth Poole strapless ball gown, encrusted with Swarovski crystals, embedded upon the bodice and train.

“I chose Ochre Court because of its beauty,” DeVeault said. “It had special meaning to me since I went to school there. I have family ties to the original owner of Ochre Court on my father’s side, so it really was the perfect place.”

Ochre Court was commissioned by Ogden Goelet in 1888 and was completed in 1892. Goelet was an established American dynasty as a gilded age banker and developer.

As one of the 2nd largest land owners in New York, Goelet hired Richard Morris Hunt to design the medieval limestone palace. Hunt drew inspiration from the late French medieval period. By studying Goth chateaux’s and churches he created the Great Hall. The high roofs, gargoyles, tall chimneys, heavy stained glass and lacy ornamentation make up the elaborate décor of the 50 room manor.

Named for its location, Ochre Court sits above jagged cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

The mansion was built as a summer “cottage” for the New York wealthy social class. Only one generation of Goelet’s summered at the mansion. Ogden’s grandson bestowed the masterpiece to the Diocese of Providence, who then turned it over the Sisters of Mercy, in 1947, to house a school.

The second largest mansion in Newport, next to The Breakers, it is presently owned by Salve Regina University.