The Minimooners

Spring House Hotel, Block Island Tourism Council

After the hubbub of a jam-packed wedding weekend, many couples hit the ground running straight to the airport. Once they make it to their destination, they’re exhausted, both mentally and physically, and by the time relaxation sets in, the honeymoon is over. So, many newlyweds are opting for a three-day “minimoon” immediately after the wedding and waiting it out for the official, and bigger, trip. Another perk is that you will have a few months to save money for that Caribbean adventure in the winter.

“Newport is a great place to spend a minimoon whether you are a destination bride or local,” says Ann Petronio, owner of Annie’s Escapes travel agency. “After all the busyness and buildup to the wedding, it is nice to take some time to decompress.” Petronio, who enjoyed a minimoon of her own, says that to make it feel special, consider changing your location from the wedding venue to something completely different. If you get married in Newport, take a room at a quaint B&B in Tiverton or if you have a rustic beachside celebration in Little Compton, stay in a luxury or boutique hotel in Newport. “There is plenty to do on Aquidneck Island,” she says. Sip local wines at vineyard, nibble your way through a food tour, enjoy a couples’ spa treatment or hop aboard a sailboat tour. “Anything you want to do on a bigger honeymoon, you can do it here.”

If you’d like to get a little more space between you and your entourage, consider a quick ferry ride to Block Island. You can catch one of two trips on the Newport Ferry beginning on the Saturday before July 4 until Labor Day or take a short jaunt over the bridge to the Point Judith Ferry, which runs several trips daily. “You land right in the heart of town and won’t need a car,” explains Jessica Willi, executive director of Block Island Tourism Council, who also took a minimoon. “The beaches are free and open, there are self-guided bike and walking tours and there are little coves where you can find a private space to enjoy a romantic sunset.” By the way, sunsets go really well with a bottle of champagne.

anniesescapes.com; blockislandinfo.com

Written by Tracie Seed

Originally published in the 2018 Newport Wedding Magazine.