For $7.99, You Can Get Married in Newport "Like the Kennedys Did...Kinda"

For $7.99, You Can Get Married in Newport "Like the Kennedys Did...Kinda"

Looking for a whimsical, no-frills wedding in Rhode Island?

Newport is known for its lavish, high-end nuptials -- people come from all over the world (like Hollywood actress Jennifer Lawrence) to get married in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. 

If your budget is slightly smaller, you can get legally married, with witnesses, music, a tie rental and a flower — and a shot and a beer for the bride and groom — for $7.99 at the Newport Irish American Athletic Club (IA).

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

“Get married like the Kennedys did…kinda,” says the IA on their website. “We do complete weddings on-site, from mild to wild.”

In 1953, John F. Kennedy married Jaqueline Bouvier at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Newport. 

GoLocal caught up with IA owner Sharon McCarthy to get the back story. 

“We’ve been doing it a couple of years,” said McCarthy, who purchased the building in 2016. “In all honesty — I saw something similar at a pirate bar in Tampa and the captain of the boat did the wedding, and I thought hey, we could do this.”

“Our bartender - he’s legit to marry people. We have the tackiest tie to put on and some sad silk flowers, the bar patrons are witnesses. We use someone’s iPhone as a photographer and the whole place gets involved,” she said.

She said to date, it’s “mainly been marriage vow renewals,” but that people “really get a kick out of it.”

Now, a year into the pandemic, the IA is planning to reopen after undergoing substantial renovations — on St. Patrick’s Day.

To Better Days

Located in Newport’s historic Fifth Ward, the IA is technically a “members-only” bar — but the public is welcome. 

“Our liquor license is unique. The by-laws state we have to be a ‘member’ organization — the Hibernians have the same stipulation, and there are a few other ones,” said McCarthy. “Can the general public come in? They can, we do try and adhere to the bylaws however. Look, if you walk in and you’re not a member, you’re a guest of our bartender. But if you want to become a member it’s $20 for the year.”

On Monday, McCarthy was overseeing the installation of the bar’s new tin ceiling — the original one was a rendering of the Boston Bruins hockey rink. 

“We’re making sure the Bruins logo can still be seen, we’re keeping the Celtics logo on the parquet floor, and we’re adding in some Red Sox and Patriots items,” she said. 

One of the bar’s more unique pieces of Newport history? The ashes of the city’s former police chief. 

“The ashes of former city police chief Frederick Newton are in an urn on one of the shelves inside the bar, according to his wishes,” said McCarthy. 

You can technically have a drink with the deceased Chief — and he will be there to “oversee” your wedding if you wish.