Graduate Providence, formerly Providence Biltmore, is a wedding venue located in downcity Providence, RI. The renovated hotel offers historical glamour and modern elegance. The Biltmore Ballroom on the 17th floor features breathtaking views, and the Capital Ballroom, on the 2nd floor, offers the utmost elegance. Other unique function space showcases an outdoor Parkview Terrace and top-floor salons that are ideal for rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, and post-wedding breakfasts. We offer full catering services with several wedding packages available. We also extend exclusive rates to friends & families traveling for a wedding in the Providence area.
Providence Biltmore - NOW Graduate Providence Reviews
Krysta Ferry(other)5 out of 5 Rating
If you are looking for the most beautiful place to get married with the most incredible staff, look no further. The Graduate was absolutely perfect. It was so beautiful, everything went as we dreamed of and I wish we could go back and relive it over and over again! The venue, staff, food, processes. AMAZING! Reviewed on 02-10-2023
Jenna T(other)5 out of 5 Rating
The Graduate Providence was the most amazing wedding venue! From the staff, food, accommodations, and overall experience, my husband and I could not be happier we chose them for our wedding day. Throughout the planning process, our wedding coordinator was always available and responsive and wanted the absolute best for our day. Especially on our wedding day, she was there making sure everything went smoothly and perfectly. I could not recommend the Graduate Providence enough! We are so grateful. Reviewed on 04-01-2024
Marissa Cicchetti(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We are so glad that we had our wedding at Graduate Providence! Elise was a dream to work with and made the entire process from start to finish seamless and stress-free. She is truly an expert in her industry and is both professional and caring. The venue itself is breathtaking. We did our first look on the 3rd floor terrace and it was perfect! There are some great spots in the area to take pre-ceremony pictures as well, like the park across the street. We then had both our reception and ceremony in the Ballroom, it fit our 170 guests and a band perfectly without feeling crowded. We had a room block at the hotel, and the Graduate hotel staff was very accommodating and helped us with all our questions as well as our welcome bags for guests. We really can't thank Elise and her team enough for making the whole process so easy and fun!! We highly recommend booking the Graduate Providence!! Reviewed on 05-12-2023
Kippy Steeves(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Top Notch all the way! Elise and her team were amazing! No detail was overlooked. 10 out of 10 for sure. I wish we had another wedding to plan. Reviewed on 30-11-2023
Eydie Kasendorf(other)5 out of 5 Rating
As mother of the bride, both my daughter and I (and apparently most of the guests) were wowed by how beautiful this wedding was. I first stopped into the hotel (in 2021) to inquire about rooms for another potential ballroom wedding location. After seeing the 17th floor ballroom - and meeting Elise! - it was clear the wedding had to be here. And we could not be more pleased with the outcome. The venue is beautiful, the service is impeccable, and the quality is excellent. We had a large ballroom wedding, a welcome reception, a breakfast, almost 100 hotel rooms, and used many additional hotel services as well. Everyone we worked with was topnotch. All this was under the general supervision of Elise whose professional expertise, responsiveness, and general demeanor allowed things to go as smoothly as possible throughout the entire process. (Thank you to Michael also for his additional help during the reception.) Having the beautiful Bridal Suite and all the overnight guests stay at the hotel just added another layer to making the whole event so special - thank you to Kristina for all the help with the accommodations. Elise - and all the staff - could not have been easier to work with, or more accommodating - I recommend with no reservation. Reviewed on 26-11-2023
Victoria Nason(other)5 out of 5 Rating
The second I walked into the Graduate i knew this was the place we were getting married and through the entire wedding process I knew I made the best choice. Elise is amazing to work with and is knowledgeable on the wedding industry. Any questions you had she knew the answer and would give you advice. Also the day of our wedding Stephanie was there to help she she was amazing at making sure you had everything you needed and making sure you were having a great time! The wait staff and bartender were absolutely amazing as well. The venue speaks for itself. It is truly gorgeous and they maintain it amazingly. The food is delicious and the drinks are on point! I have no bad works to say about every at the Graduate. Thank you to all! Reviewed on 25-10-2023
Adrianna R(other)5 out of 5 Rating
It was a pleasure working with Elise and the entire Graduate staff! The entire day was perfect and I wouldn’t have changed a thing! Everything went so smooth and the venue was so accommodating. Reviewed on 17-10-2023
Lois Kilsey(other)5 out of 5 Rating
From the first meeting through the final invoicing, the staff led by Elise was so professional. The event was flawless, the food was presented beautifully and was so tasty - and this is saying something because my husband’s family was in the catering business for 45 years!The Graduate was the perfect backdrop for my daughter’s wedding. Reviewed on 26-09-2023
Susan E(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Our experience with the Graduate was outstanding!! From our very first visit to the hotel and ballroom, to our menu tasting and selection, to the guest room block process to the day itself - every interaction with the Graduate team was highly responsive, and thoughtful. The team was happy to accommodate choices and details that were important to make the day special and unforgettable!!! Not only did our family have an amazing experience working with the Graduate to plan this special day, but all of our guests were thrilled with the experience they had as guests at the hotel for the weekend!!!! Reviewed on 26-09-2023
Mary Ann Caouette(other)5 out of 5 Rating
My daughter’s wedding reception was held at The Graduate on December 21, 2022. I can’t say enough about Elise Shatraw and her staff. Everything went smoothly, the food was outstanding and the atmosphere magical. Don’t hesitate to choose The Graduate, Providence! Reviewed on 01-09-2023
Being a native Rhode Islander, I remember when I was a little girl and saw a few ladies in gowns walking into Graduate Providence with the lights of the Biltmore ballroom above and thought how much I would love to get married there one day. Fast forward 20 years and that dream became a reality! To say my husband and I are happy with how our wedding day turned out is an understatement - we wish we could relive the day over and over again and be able to go back to the Biltmore Ballroom. The history and beauty of the hotel and ballroom speaks for itself, but our guests couldn’t say enough good things about the food, accommodations, and the venue itself. During the planning process, Elise and her team were always so responsive and brought so much experience, it made the process so easy. Elise was so helpful and transparent while discussing the cost and fees for the venue, so we always felt reassured that we wouldn’t have any surprises. The whole experience truly made for one of the best days of our lives. Do not hesitate to book the Graduate Providence as your wedding venue - you won’t regret it! Reviewed on 06-06-2023
Kelsey Santurri(bride)5 out of 5 Rating
In my opinion there is no better place to have a wedding. Elise and the team at the Biltmore made sure my day was absolutely perfect. Everyone said how great the food and presentation of everything was. There are no surprise fees it is very straight forward. I wish I could work with them all over again!!! Reviewed on 16-05-2023
Emily DeSantis(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-04-2023 From the moment we started wedding planning the whole process was easy, professional, and to say the least outstanding! From that day forward to the day after our wedding day, the flow went smoothly and we did not notice one hiccup (if there even was any). In addition to our experience, our guests had not one bad thing to say about the hotel and the wedding. From the service, the food, and the environment, they were all so wonderful. The Graduate staff made our wedding day in April of 2023 the best day of our lives and we again couldn't thank them enough. Reviewed on 04-04-2023
Sydney Moyer(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-03-2023 Wow!! Obviously, the hotel is gorgeous - anyone can recognize that. Also, it is located in the center of Providence and is a Rhode Island staple.... but the main perk of this venue is Elise Shatraw. My *husband* and I were constantly joking about how we will just \"do whatever Elise tells us\" because she has been doing events at the Biltmore for 20+ years and let me tell you - it is a well-oiled machine. Not only did she make our wedding weekend incredibly easy for us, but it was shockingly beautiful. All of her preferred vendors were used to working with her and familiar with the hotel which meant we also had to do zero work in terms of ensuring that flowers, DJ, cake, rentals, etc arrived. Elise had it all down. Honestly, if the Biltmore is the wedding vibe that you are going for, I have no clue why you would pick anywhere else. We essentially just pictured the wedding we wanted in our mind and then just showed up to exactly that. It was stunning!!! I have no words. I will be recommending this venue for all Providence based parties / weddings until the end of time simply because I want to go back as a guest LOL. I have ZERO complaints. I am still so shocked that our wedding was so beautiful and seamless despite the fact that we had no idea how to plan one. THANK YOU ELISE and everyone at the Biltmore for making this the best weekend of our lives. I only wish I was able to articulate my feelings better. <3 Reviewed on 09-03-2023
Diana McCool(other)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-12-2022 Diana MOur daughters and son in laws wedding was perfect! Elise and her team’s attention to detail is second to none! Every associate at the hotel was very friendly and helpful from the moment we arrived for rehearsal to the moment we left the day after the wedding! Thank you very much! Reviewed on 11-12-2022
Jillian McCool(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-12-2022 My wedding at The Graduate was an absolute DREAM! I credit pretty much 100% of this to Elise. And the staff at the Graduate. We worked with Elise and her team beginning in January 2021, set our date for January 14, 2022, and TWO WEEKS before our date we decided to postpone due to the recent Covid outbreaks. It was such a tough decision but she was so understanding and put us at ease so quickly. We just recently (finally) had our wedding here on December 2, 2022, and it was the single best night of my life. The Graduate has been updated from top to bottom. The hotel rooms are gorgeous, the lobby is stunning, and the ballroom, of course, is just magical. But what really made this process great is the support you get from the staff themselves. Elise of course helped us every step of the way, gave us great suggestions while Planning, and answered every phone call and email almost immediately. In addition to Elise, Kristina was there to help with all of the details regarding the room block, and man did she go the extra mile. Everything from setting up the block of rooms, to little details she could have easily handed off but didn’t. When my husband and I arrived to the (gorgeous) bridal suite for our stay, there was even a personalized note from Kristina with chocolate and champagne. And after our wedding we had one from Elise as well. Later in the night we had help from Sarah while Elise was gone, and she was also amazing!! All of our vendors were truly great and knew the venue really well, but I really can’t say enough about the support from the team at The Graduate. They go above and beyond. I really can’t recommend this place enough, and I mean, it doesn’t get more beautiful and classic than The Biltmore Ballroom. Reviewed on 09-12-2022
Jenna Zellmer(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-10-2022 Our wedding on 10/08/22 was perfect! Elise, Michael, Dana, and Sarai were all so wonderful to work with - you'd never know that they had a very busy holiday weekend of weddings to organize. I was initially hesitant to get married in a hotel because I didn't want a generic ballroom but am so happy that my husband convinced me to tour The Graduate. The history and decor truly make for a unique and beautiful venue. From the moment we toured, Elise made the whole planning process so easy, answering our questions and providing advice. The bridal suite was a dream to get ready in. Reserving our hotel block was a breeze and the front desk was welcoming and accommodating. Everyone raved about the 17th floor ballroom and the food! Reviewed on 18-10-2022
Sabra Billingsley(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-09-2022 I can not say enough good things about our wedding experience with The Graduate. Elise, Sarai and Kristina went above and beyond throughout the planning process and made our wedding so seamless and stress free. The Biltmore Ballroom and lobby are STUNNING and our head waiter made the reception so fun and entertaining. The hotel was also a fantastic location for all of our out of town guests. I would do it again in a heartbeat, absolutely wonderful! Reviewed on 17-10-2022
Lorin Granger(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-08-2022 We got married at the Graduate in August 2022 (after postponing a year due to the pandemic). We were immediately drawn to the place when we toured back in February 2020. The hotel is beautiful and elegant but also quirky and unique with local artwork and Providence area easter eggs. From the start, our coordinator Elise Shatraw was beyond wonderful. She made the planning process—including our decision to postpone the wedding for a year—easy and stress free. We had our ceremony on the 3rd floor terrace, followed by a reception in the huge ballroom on the 17th floor. The terrace was stunning—great for photos!—and we lucked out with mild weather. The marital suite has a door right onto the terrace, which was super convenient. When day of we realized there was a raucous skateboard fest happening on the street below, Elise was quick to communicate with the event to ensure we got plenty of quiet in time for our ceremony! We are so grateful to have had her! Elise and the rest of the on-site staff were phenomenal. They kept us organized and on schedule and took extra care to make sure we ate, drank, and had everything we needed. The bartenders and waitstaff were super friendly and went beyond to make our guests feel welcome and satisfied. The ballroom is breathtaking, the food and cocktails were exceptional... long story short, we could not have asked for a better wedding experience. we highly recommend Graduate Providence. Reviewed on 16-10-2022
Barb Reilly(other)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-09-2022 The Graduate was an amazing place to host our daughter’s wedding. Elise and her team were very easy to work with. They provided suggestions to help the night go smoother, kept us organized with timelines leading up to the event and all their vendor suggestions were fantastic. The 17th floor of the hotel is where the ballroom is. The view of the city is spectacular. All of our guests loved the food choices too. The wedding was more than we ever expected. One of our guests said when they walked into the ballroom they felt like they were in a fairytale. It was magical! Reviewed on 08-10-2022
Scott Williamson(bride)2 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-08-2022 We stayed here with a block of rooms for our wedding. The hotel is beautiful and conveniently located, but the service fell well below expectations, the hotel is showing its age, and it seems to be poorly managed. My wife's family was treated poorly several times and it felt racially-motivated when compared to how my family was treated. My wife was asked by hotel staff to help clean one of her family's rooms even as she clearly wore part of her bridal outfit. My family was immediately and politely given an extra hour for checking out of our rooms, while my father-in-law was told he would need to speak to the manager to approve the same request, even when he mentioned that they were part of the wedding family. The manager never called him back. In addition, no one explained the very complicated parking situation to him even when he asked, resulting in a much higher bill that the hotel refused to address; meanwhile, my parking bill issue was resolved immediately. The hotel had mistakes on my parents' bill and on my bill, so check carefully. They moved my brother to a suite because of a broken, leaky AC in the original room, and then tried to charge us the higher rate without saying anything. AC did not work well in many of the other rooms, including the bridal suite, and none of our showers drained properly.Consider using the hotel bar for the views of the breathtaking lobby but it's probably worth staying elsewhere.Update: the manager eventually called back and resolved the parking situation with my father-in-law while offering some credit. While appreciated, the frustration remains. Reviewed on 12-08-2022
Lindsay B(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-07-2022 This was the best wedding venue in every possible way from start to finish. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about it. Every person we worked with was incredibly helpful, professional, and nice. Elise, the wedding coordinator was fabulous and incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. I had complete trust in her without the slightest bit of anxiety and everything was absolutely perfect. We had a 200 person wedding with a 14 piece band. The food was delicious and and the service was great. I would highly recommend this venue to anyone and everyone. Reviewed on 27-07-2022
Jane Burrows(other)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-07-2022 Fabulous service and venue. Never had a doubt in my mind about logistics with Elise Shatraw as an advisor. The night was perfect from start to finish. The Providence Graduate provides superb value for your dollar. Reviewed on 27-07-2022
Marissa DeAngelis(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-04-2022 We couldn't have been happier with with our wedding day at The Graduate - it truly was perfectly executed, under the direction of the amazing ELISE! From the decor placement, to the attention of the wait staff, they didn't miss a beat. Our guests are raving about the full experience - from food to aesthetic to service. The professionalism, kindness, and personalization of our wedding planning experience with Elise is unmatched. Thank you for giving us the gift of beautiful memories will will look back on for the rest of our lives! Reviewed on 12-06-2022
Sheena Faiola(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-06-2022 I highly recommend The Graduate!! The service was impeccable!! Elise is the best in the business and was a pleasure to work with!! The staff was very responsive, helpful, professional and pleasant!! The food was outstanding!! Absolutely beautiful and stunning venue!! Reviewed on 07-06-2022
Kennedy T(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-05-2022 My husband and I met at the Ice Rink directly across from Graduate Providence and as we’d skate many nights, we’d glare up at the 17th ballroom with the lights flashing. When we got engaged in 2018, we knew there was no other place we were having our wedding reception than the building we’d over timelessly stare at and dream of dancing in the grand ballroom, Graduate Providence. Our wedding was the fairytale we always dreamed and dancing in the grand ballroom was a truly a dream come true! Working with Elise, made the planning process so easy & smooth as she is so experienced, patient with stressed out brides (like me) and so prompt in her responses. Everything about having our wedding reception at Graduate Providence was PERFECT! Reviewed on 02-06-2022
Emiko Barker(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-03-2022 As soon as we stepped into the lobby of the Graduate, we knew this was where we had to have our wedding weekend. We toured the smaller ballroom first and then the larger one on the 17th floor. Both are beautiful but the 17th floor ballroom is absolutely stunning. The location of the venue and its offerings made the weekend flow so easily - getting ready in the gorgeous suite with terrace access days before and the morning of with my family and bridal party, first looks on the terrace, in the lobby and on the 2nd floor, ceremony at Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul just down the road, cocktail hour on 17th floor with live pianist, flowed right into the reception in the ballroom, after party at Reiners with open bar, late night food, and reserved virtual golf bays, and then finally, the morning after brunch for all guests on the 18th floor. The whole weekend logistically was a dream and we had a lot of guests stay at the hotel as well. Elise, Sarah and their team, went above and beyond. They were true professionals and listened to every detail and request I had. They encouraged us to do what we wanted, not what was just standard. They allowed us to bring components of the centerpieces, followed all the directions on set up and made sure our vision really came to life. Overall, it was the best weekend, with an unforgettable venue and service. Guests could not say enough good things about the cool rooms, design of the lobby and beauty of the ballroom - everyone was truly in awe when they walked into every room. We couldn't imagine getting married anywhere else and we thank Elise and her team for being there every step of the way. Reviewed on 24-05-2022
Sarah Milley(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-02-2022 My husband and I got married at The Graduate in Providence, RI this past February 2022. Words cannot begin to describe how happy we are that we had our wedding here! It was better than we ever could have imagined! The hotel is absolutely beautiful and the staff were incredibly accommodating and such a pleasure to work with throughout the planning process. Elise and the entire events team made our day immensely special. Not to mention the amazing food and dining services provided for our wedding day! If you are looking for a place that perfectly blends the charming elements of a historical venue, with all the chic amenities of a modern hotel, look no further! You will not be disappointed! Reviewed on 17-05-2022
Jennifer Sieber(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-03-2022 We had an amazing experience getting married at the Graduate. The team, led by Elise Shatraw, was kind, patient, professional, knowledgable, and a joy to work with. We felt so lucky throughout the whole process that we had their help! Michael Babb led all things food and beverage, and he and Chef Leah were super knowledgeable and flexible in accommodating our religious dietary restrictions, and all the food turned out beautifully. We are extremely grateful to them and the rest of the Graduate team for helping make our wedding better than we could have imagined. We couldn't recommend getting married at the Graduate more highly. Reviewed on 26-04-2022
Allie DiTomasso(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-03-2022 So thankful we chose the Biltmore for our big day! From day one Elise was so friendly, welcoming and responsive to all of our many questions. Her and her team are professional and detail oriented, we did not have a single worry! The food and service were incredible, and the flambe dessert presentation wowed our guests. All of our decorations were set up exactly how we wanted, and were neatly packed and ready for us at checkout the next day. Reiners, the bar attached stayed open late for our guests after the wedding which was super fun and convenient for everyone staying over. The bridal suite is INCREDIBLE, more than enough room for bridesmaids and moms to get ready. Reviewed on 21-03-2022
Chelsea Swan(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-02-2022 It was such a beautiful and amazing experience having my wedding at the Graduate! The Biltmore ballroom is absolutely stunning and so is the Appogee room for cocktail hour. Working with Elise to plan was a dream experience. She is so kind and knowledgeable and she answered questions almost immediately. The food was absolutely fantastic the waitstaff, wonderful! The day went so fast but it was and absolute dream and I couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful venue! Not only did Elise make it so easy to plan. Having my block at the Graduate was easy as well because Kristina was also extremely responsive. If you are getting married in providence and looking for a gorgeous venue with amazing staff look no further! It was worth it every step of the way! Reviewed on 28-02-2022
Trish P(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-01-2022 My husband and I got married at Graduate Providence twice during the pandemic. You read that right - twice. AND we'd gladly do it again.Our initial date of January 9, 2021 was impacted by Covid so our guest list went from 200+ to 12 (which included our officiant and photographers). Because the hotel was closed to the public, we were granted access to the lobby and we had a short ceremony atop the grand staircase. Elise and team were so great to offer that option to us...and they even offered a champagne (or ginger ale) toast to our small group.Our vow renewal and reception was held on January 15, 2022. Again, Covid reared its ugly head with last minute declines and regulations around masking/showing vaccination status. The team was so understanding and flexible with the seating chart until just a few days out.The team was a dream to work with - so accommodating, so responsive, so helpful. The hotel was clean and safe and made folks feel comfortable...not to mention that the hotel is stunningly gorgeous. Our ceremony was in the Capital Ballroom - no added decorations needed! The room is beautiful on its own and full of character that we opted for put those decorations and money elsewhere. Our cocktail hour was in L'Apogee, which provides a stunning view of Providence. Our reception was in the Biltmore Ballroom, which was simply breathtaking. The team set up the room as we had requested - every detail! AND they allowed us to take a peek prior to guests being seated, which allowed us to sneak a few appetizers.Which brings me to the food. You. Cannot. Go. Wrong. Every single thing we tried during tastings was superb. We chose the filet mignon, statler chicken breast, and ratatouille stuffed portobello mushroom. All received rave reviews from our guests.Honestly, it was pretty perfect and we didn't have to worry about anything. I definitely recommend Graduate Providence! Reviewed on 12-02-2022
Stephanie Doherty(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-01-2022 Brace yourself for a bit of a long review. The Graduate Providence is hands-down the most stunning venue I ever have encountered. As a woman who loves jazz and whiskey and the art deco age, I could not have dreamed up a more perfect location. The ballroom reminded me of Beauty and the Beast, and every detail of the hotel, from the ceiling tiles to the carpet, was beautiful. The staff was thorough and attentive, and the Winter Package offered allowed my husband and I to have our dream wedding. I think it's safe to say that the 2020-2022 wedding seasons have been trying times. My husband and I got engaged in December of 2020 and quickly found and fell in love with the Graduate Providence. We booked our wedding for January 2022 and thought we would definitely be in the clear of COVID by then. That looked to be the case up until about 6 weeks before the wedding, when, during the holidays and the omicron variant, COVID numbers surged like never before. My husband and I watched our invite list drop from 193 to 108 with drop-outs daily. It was heartbreaking. The most important thing to us was that the people we loved would be there and it looked like that was slipping through our fingers. A week before our wedding (and the day we had a groomsman drop-out) we dropped off our stuff at the hotel and had our final meeting. We were emotionally drained. Michael, the Food and Beverage Manager (covering for the wonderful Elise who was on a much-deserved vacation) and Dana met with us. Not only did they let us adjust our numbers until the last minute, but they were empathetic and encouraging. They took us to see the ballroom set for a smaller wedding, and put our mind at ease. It was a turning point for us.The wedding weekend was spectacular. Michael, Dana, and Sarai were by our side the entire time and went above and beyond their job description. There was not a single issue all weekend (at least that we heard about), and the staff and venue made us feel like a million bucks. Despite being a popular wedding venue, we felt like we were their only couple. It was pure magic. In case you can't tell, I couldn't say enough about this venue. They made the experience special, even in the most trying times. Booking at this venue was the best decision we made. I highly recommend for others to do the same! Reviewed on 08-02-2022
Lauren Ficurilli(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-12-2021 My husband and I could fill this review and it would never be enough to describe how amazing Elise and her team are. We began our wedding planning in June 2021, and had our wedding on December 31, 2021 at The Graduate. From day 1 we knew we had picked the right venue. Elise was always extremely responsive during the planning process, and more than willing to answer all of our questions (there were many). As we got closer to the wedding and COVID cases begin to rise, Elise was there every step of the way to ensure we still had a magical day and celebrated safely. She helped us prepare for the new COVID restrictions that were put into place 2 weeks before the big day, and was extremely flexible and supportive as our guest count dropped significantly in the 4 days prior to the wedding. Elise met countless times with us that week to help with the seating chart, and even came to our suite to sit with us as we built welcome bags and worked through the challenges of all the changes occurring. The day itself could not have been more perfect. The morning of, Elise visited the bridal suite to check on us. Then, throughout the day, her team was there to support us in whatever we needed (including finding a 6ft ladder for our photographer!). When the reception started, and our host Sarai took over, the great experience continued (make sure you have Roland serving that night as well, he was amazing!) Sarai constantly checked in, made sure we had what we needed, and sent left over food to our suite after the wedding. The next day she had everything we needed to take with us packed up with an itemized list to ensure nothing was missing. It made departing the hotel 100x easier knowing we had someone taking care of this.Overall, we have nothing but great things to say. You cannot go wrong with choosing this venue for your wedding. When the doors opened for the ballroom first look, it was pure magic. The team there truly knows how to make your day special and make you feel like you are part of the family. Go with Elise and her team, you will have the best day ever. Reviewed on 22-01-2022
Danielle Avilla(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-12-2021 We are so grateful to have had Elise & her team help execute our big day. It was perfect in every way. The venue is simply gorgeous, and they make sure you're not worried about anything the day of. We received so many compliments from all of our guests about the venue, and we're so happy we got married here! Reviewed on 07-01-2022
Hailey Walker(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-10-2021 Our wedding this past October was amazing. It was extremely stressful planning a wedding during the pandemic and being unsure what each day could bring. However, Elise, Michael, and Jenny were all very extremely helpful in answering all of the questions that my family had leading up to the wedding and pulled off one of the most amazing days that my husband, Jb, and I had ever. From the night prior, to the day of and the morning after, every minute went flawlessly. I am forever grateful to the staff of the Graduate for their attention to detail and dedication to their profession. Both my husband and I will always remember the moment when the doors opened to the Biltmore Ballroom and we walked in as husband and wife into a room of people that we love all cheering us on. It was truly a special day and I highly recommend the Graduate to host your entire wedding event. Reviewed on 13-12-2021
Adam Nash(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-10-2021 Elise and the staff at the Graduate were nothing short of fantastic. We planned our wedding before Covid and had to reschedule the entire event, but Elise worked with us to make sure that we still had our dream wedding. The event was smooth, the venue was gorgeous, the food was delicious and we didn't worry about a thing knowing Elise was at the helm. I would highly recommend the Graduate for any couples who are looking beautiful place to get married. Reviewed on 12-12-2021
Caroline Burns(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-10-2022 FIRST IMPRESSION: My experience so far has been with only planning my wedding block at the Graduate. I was blown away by the customer service shown to me by Paula Rabbitt. Paula took me on a great tour of every suite and every room, giving me history on the building and fun facts too! She answered every question I had. I could not have been happier. I took a lot of tours for hotels in the past handful of weeks in the Providence area and Paul/the Graduate take the cake! I can't wait to work with them in October 2022. I will be back to update my review after the wedding! Reviewed on 06-11-2021
Robert Houston(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-10-2021 The staff at the Graduate was amazing and coordinated with our other vendors flawlessly. Elise was terrific to work with and was prompt with all responses we needed. She worked with us on all changes to our menus to make the planning of the day easy and fun. Every package they offer is 6 hours - 1 for cocktail and 5 for the reception. The food is also amazing and we have received many compliments on how good it was. Day of the Wedding the wait staff took care of anything and everything that we needed. The room was beautiful and was this was the wedding of our dreams and The Graduate and Elise’s team made it a reality. Reviewed on 03-11-2021
Kathleen Eckel(other)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-10-2021 My daughter's wedding at the Graduate was nothing short of spectacular. From planning to event day, Senior catering Sales Manager Elise Shatraw saw to it that every detail was discussed and executed. From the Ballrooms to food to service it was a perfect wedding. Reviewed on 03-11-2021
Valerie F(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-09-2021 Getting married at The Graduate was the best decision me and my husband made! Elise and the rest of the Graduate team were honestly amazing and we did not have to worry about a thing leading up to the wedding (even during Covid) and more importantly week/day of. Navigating getting married during Covid was so stressful but Elise and team made it so much easier for us! They were extremely accommodating to any and all of our requests. The food was excellent, the guest rooms were beautiful, the staff was super friendly (and more importantly helpful)... the list goes on. If you are contemplating getting married here - look no further! You will absolutely not regret it! Reviewed on 02-11-2021
Lori Labonte(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-10-2021 Stayed here the night before and night of our wedding. The suite we chose was great for all the girls and I to get ready, and the large windows allowed a lot of light for some great photos. Staff at front desk was helpful and friendly. Reviewed on 16-10-2021
Amy Zervas(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-10-2021 Ever since I was a little girl I knew I wanted to get married at the Biltmore, now the Graduate. The antique beauty of the hotel and ballroom is simply breathtaking. The coordinators at the hotel were the absolute best and so easy and professional to work with. Our wedding day was everything we could of dreamed of thanks to them! Reviewed on 15-10-2021
HOLLY THOMAS(other)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-09-2021 Elise and her staff were efficient and responsive. They even created some unique hors d oeuvres for us to reflect the bride's background. Without exception every guest said it was the best wedding they had ever attended. The setting is gorgeous. The hotel is convenient and the rooms are all charming. Providence has so much to offer as well I would use them again without even considering someplace else! Reviewed on 16-09-2021
Katie Conley(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-07-2021 I cannot say enough good things about The Graduate, Elise, and her team. We had our cocktail hour in L’Apogee and our reception in the Biltmore Ballroom (both on the 17th floor) and it was even more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. Our guests have not stopped talking about how beautiful it was, how delicious the food was, how attentive and pleasant the staff was, and how awesome the bartenders were (our guests never had to wait for a drink!!). Elise (the wedding coordinator) made all the planning leading up to our special day so simple and stress-free; and both Elise and Sarai (the day-of coordinator) made the day so easy and seamless. I had some last-minute changes the week of and they accommodated without a question. Sarai made sure that we stuck to the timeline- my husband and I didn’t have to worry about anything! I cannot recommend The Graduate enough to all you spouses-to-be! They will NOT disappoint, and you will be sure to have the wedding of your dreams!!! Reviewed on 09-09-2021
Molly Magnuson(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-08-2021 First off, Elise was hands down the best person to help us with our day. Our day was perfect in every way. The attention to detail during the day of allowed for a stress free on time wedding. The Graduate Providence exceeded all my expectations. The accommodations were luxurious. The bridal suite was the most beautiful room I've ever seen. My dream wedding became a reality thanks to Elise and her team at the Graduate. Best never ever. Reviewed on 11-08-2021
Sara Holland Levin(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-07-2021 My husband and I had our welcome reception here (in lieu of a rehearsal dinner). We also hosted all of our out of town guests here, bringing in about 85 people to the hotel. We had a wonderful experience, as exemplified by Kristina Fisher who works here. She brought our experience from great to fantastic. Everything we could possibly need, she helped us with. Someone booked the wrong room type? She switched it on the phone. Stranger booked in the block? She took care of it. We were blown away by what I'd call the best customer service I have ever experienced. In working with us and my parents, she helped make our welcome gathering and weekend truly memorable, and eased some of our general anxieties about the whole process with grace. The hotel itself is beautiful, if slightly non-functional. The rooms are unique and a bit campy, but some rooms had no working drawers or closet space, or tiny bathrooms. This seemed to bother only a handful of our guests, but still is worth mentioning.Nevertheless, the hotel served as a gorgeous backdrop to some incredible wedding photos, and the welcome reception spot on the outdoor Parkview Terrace was perfect. Our family and friends couldn't stop talking about how great it was. Would strongly recommend booking here for a wonderful wedding weekend!! Reviewed on 10-08-2021
Sherley Sidney(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-07-2021 We chose this venue last minute and Elise was very accommodating to us! Despite it being during Covid times Elise was able to make it a magical day. She checked in with us regularly to make sure that we were comfortable with everything and even was there throughout the whole day to make sure everything was perfect! Reviewed on 01-08-2021
Danielle Sciotti(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-07-2021 We were thrilled with our wedding at Graduate Providence. Elise, Michael and the entire staff there are the absolute best wedding professionals you will find in RI. You can tell they love what they do and are passionate about providing the best experience for every couple. We had our ceremony in the smaller Capital ballroom and the reception in the large Biltmore ballroom. Both spaces are beyond stunning - we barely even needed decor since the spaces are so ornate and gorgeous. We had thunderstorms on our wedding day so we were limited to indoor photos but I'm certain they'll turn out beautiful because the hotel is so magnificent. We'd booked the Graduate in January 2019 for a July 2020 wedding. Due to COVID, we had to postpone a year and Elise and the entire Graduate team was so easy to work with to shift our wedding date. They were super accommodating with any request we had, were very organized and were incredibly responsive to every email and phone call. I couldn't have predicted that I'd be planning a wedding during a pandemic but I couldn't have picked a better team to help with it.Our wedding was worth the very long wait due to COVID, due to the impeccable food and service at the Graduate. Everyone was telling us how much they loved the food. Even the salad was a work of art - everything was not only tasty but it was plated beautifully. Also, Graduate was one of the only wedding venues we found that was upfront, honest and transparent about pricing. We'd visited several other venues with a similar look in Providence that seemed more affordable but once you added up all the hidden fees like cake cutting, chair rentals and required uplighting, they quickly became very expensive. The Graduate worked with me to customize a package within our budget and were very accommodating about any changes we wanted to make. Our wedding with them was worth every single penny and then some. You also can't beat the convenience of getting married at a hotel - our guests didn't have the stress of going from place to place and our bridal party all appreciated that we could get ready on site. It really made the day so much easier. We highly recommend that any couple getting married in New England choose the Graduate - you will be so happy with your choice. Reviewed on 19-07-2021
Arianna Colella(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-07-2021 When I think about our wedding day, the first thing that comes to mind is how much of a DREAM it was. We has the pleasure of working with Elise not only once but three times as a COVID bride and groom. Elise is truly amazing at her job. With so much unknown about COVID in March of 2020, Elise made it easy for us to choose additional wedding dates to assist us in rescheduling our dream day. The service at the Graduate Hotel is like no other!!! Their service is better than any 5 star restaurant we have ever eaten in. We have received endless amount of calls/emails/text messages from guests raving about our wedding. For many, it was the best wedding they have ever attended. Our wedding exceeded all expectations. We are extremely pleased with our decision to have our wedding at the Graduate Hotel. We will continue to talk about this day for the rest of our life. The quote of the night was \"this is amazing\". We are still on cloud 9!!!! Thank you to Elise and her incredible team! Shoutout to Roland Jarvis for all his hard work! Everyone in the wedding party always had a dish full of food and a drink in hand. He even knows how to properly adjust the train of your dress :) We will never forget that. We consider you all family now. Reviewed on 09-07-2021
Nora Eshkhanian(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-05-2021 We had our wedding reception at the Graduate on May 30, 2021 and it was the best decision we could have possibly ever made. The hotel is absolutely gorgeous. From the location in historic downtown Providence, terrace, lobby, bridal suite and of course the grand ballroom on the 17th floor. The Graduate is so beautiful with so many picture opportunities.We had the pleasure of working with Elise who was an absolute joy to work with. She knows her stuff and is always willing to go above and beyond and give out recommendations to make your life easier. Words cannot even express how grateful we are to have had such a great, organized and detail-oriented coordinator. Through all of the trials and tribulations during COVID-19, Elise never failed at keeping us calm, excited and informative. She was beyond helpful keeping us up to date and answering all our questions. Elise handled everything so effortlessly and was prompt. She kept the entire wedding on time while also making sure my husband, guests and I had everything we needed.The food and beverage manager, Michael, and the entire staff at the Graduate did everything they could to keep me at ease and my guests happy. All of our guests were so impressed with how everything looked and how delicious the food was. I truly appreciate all of their time, energy and hard work. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for everything the team at the Graduate did to make sure that my husband and I had a perfect wedding day! Reviewed on 18-06-2021
Brooke Fairbrothers(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-05-2021 You are in great hands if you chose to have your wedding at the Graduate Providence. Elise will be your best friend through this entire process - she will quickly answering your emails, find ways to accommodate your requests, and ensure not a single detail is overlooked. Elise made switching wedding dates during the pandemic seamless - something that was simply priceless. We utilized the Summit Room for a welcome party, the Capital Ballroom for the ceremony and reception, and the balcony for cocktail hour. Each spot is unique and beautiful, staffed with fantastic employees, and fit our party of 108 comfortably. All of the food we selected was delicious - flavorful, unique, and filling. The staff assigned to your wedding will be just as great as Elise. They made sure my husband and I had food and drink in our hands all evening while we bounded around to say hello to our guests. They were all professional, pleasant, and on their A game. Getting ready at the Graduate was wonderful as well. The bridal suite is spacious to say the least - coming with two bathrooms, a jacuzzi tub, 2 closets, a wet bar, a separated bedroom, living room, and dining room table. You also have access to the outside balcony off the 3rd floor. You will have more than enough room for your vendors to set up. Our guests also greatly enjoyed their stay in the hotels unique rooms. They had plenty of space to hang out and get ready!A special mention to Michael and Sarah. Michael made sure our welcome party went smoothly. Sarah was there all night with us at our wedding making sure everything went according to plan. I'd do it all over again with the graduate in a heart beat. You won't regret your decision. Reviewed on 08-06-2021
Natalie Libitz(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-12-2019 I cannot say enough about how amazing the Graduate team was for our NYE2019 wedding. From the minute I walked into the lobby, I knew this place was where I needed to have my wedding. The Grand Ballroom exceeded my every expectation and Elise and her team made everything PERFECT all the while calming my every anxiety. From the get-go working with Elise and her team was fun and they made everything a breeze, which I didn't think was possible. Our big day was seamless and I cannot imagine having it anywhere but the Graduate. Our guests are still raving about how great the food was, how unbelievable the ballroom looked and how much they loved their rooms! I cannot recommend the Graduate team enough, you will not regret it :) Reviewed on 19-10-2020
Dorothy Liu(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-08-2019 We cannot say enough good things about our experience with having our wedding at the Graduate Providence. We had our wedding out on the rooftop deck which was able to accommodate our 150 guests. Everything about the day of the wedding went incredibly smoothly and we were so incredibly impressed. Working with Elise to plan our wedding day also made a huge difference. She is so easy to work with and was willing to accommodate many of our requests to make sure that our wedding day was exactly what we wanted. I actually put off wedding planning for many years during our engagement because of how daunting the task seemed but with Elise helping us it made the whole process so painless. All of our guests were so impressed with the venue. Thank you Elise and the Graduate Providence team for making our dream wedding a reality! Reviewed on 30-04-2020
Lauren Morse(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-03-2020 There is so much I could say about our wedding at the Graduate on Saturday, March 14 2020. And fortunately, it will ONLY be good things coming from us. As a wedding gets planned for months, the stress of the last few weeks is always the worst, just making sure everything will be perfect and goes off without a hitch. Well, as time went on everything was perfect, and then we got hit with a Global Pandemic. This on top of just your normal wedding stress is a major burden but also nothing you can do about it but to roll with the punches. I cannot say enough amazing things about this venue, including three major people who played parts in it. Elise, Michael, and Sarai have exceeded all of our expectations, went above and beyond making sure our day went absolutely amazing, and we could not have asked for a better staff to be there with us throughout the whole day/night. With Michael rearranging tables for cancellations we received up until the last hour, Elise sprinting to my room to grab the bouquet that I forgot, and Sarai and her team making our night so memorable in so many ways. It was amazing, and we would do it all over again. After all the crazy stress, worries, and just wedding day jitters, I couldn't have done it without this amazing staff helping us out. From the ceremony to the final song, it was AMAZING, and perfect. Thank you Graduate Team! I will recommend this place forever and ever. Reviewed on 17-03-2020
Brittany Morgan(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-09-2019 We could not have picked a better venue for our wedding reception. We chose the Biltmore/Graduate because it checked off everything on our list. The food was excellent, the service was phenomenal, the space is beautiful and the hotel served as a convenient place for our guests to stay. We had the pleasure of working with Elise, who was thorough and made sure we weren’t overlooking anything in our planning, was always responsive to phone calls and emails and was genuinely kind and supportive through our planning process. Elise was also fantastic at coordinating with and among our outside vendors. We didn’t realize how important this would be at the start of our planning process, but by the week of (and day of) our wedding I was so thankful to know both Elise and Sarai had everything covered. The service staff also deserves their own special shout out. Our guests were well cared for and food was served quickly and efficiently. There were a few things they did that made the experience for everyone really special. The venue is beautiful after the renovations. The ballroom has always been beautiful and was one of the main reasons we picked the Biltmore/Graduate and it has only improved with the renovations. Our guests are still telling us our wedding was the best wedding they’ve been to and the Biltmore/Graduate was a large part of that. We can not recommend this venue enough. Reviewed on 21-01-2020
Nashmin Hojatti(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-11-2019 I knew the moment I walked into the Biltmore/Graduate, that this was on my top 3 for my venue. And then when I walked into the Ballroom, it was settled. The building has so much history and its ballroom is breathtaking, with its high ceilings and intricate details and its views of Downtown Providence. From that very first meeting with Elise to the night of my wedding on 09NOV2019, with the help of Mike and Sarai and the rest of the team, I was blown away. Everyone was so accommodating, so professional and the attention to detail was top-notch. The food, the service and the hotel were out of this world – our guest keep telling us this was the best wedding they had ever been to! It would be remise of me if I didn’t say Thank you to Elise. She is a Rockstar. She was so attentive to emails/calls/requests, it made planning our wedding reception so easy. If you are looking at the Biltmore/Graduate for your wedding, you will not be disappointed. Every detail is designed with making it an amazingly beautiful and stress-free day for you. We are so grateful to the Biltmore/Graduate for making our wedding so special! Reviewed on 17-12-2019
Alyssa Martino(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-09-2019 Everyone knows that the ballroom at the Graduate Providence is absolutely stunning. With its high ceilings and intricate details, it is a breathtaking space. Add to that the amazing staff, great service, and delicious food and you have a recipe for an absolutely perfect wedding! We couldn’t be more thankful that we chose to have our wedding at the Graduate Providence. Elise is extremely responsive to all of your needs and questions and can walk you through the entire wedding planning process. Almost two months later we still have guests telling us that our wedding was the best they had ever been to! We have nothing but positive things to say about the Graduate. If you are even considering booking your wedding there, do it! We wish we could do it all over again! Reviewed on 31-10-2019
Cara Luke(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-09-2019 Elise, Michael, and the entire staff at Graduate Providence made it so easy for us to plan an amazing party for our loved ones. By the time the day of the wedding rolled around, we didn't have to lift a finger. The service was phenomenal. The recent renovation of the hotel is gorgeous. We had a truly special day and the staff at the Graduate made it all possible! 10/10 I would do it again. Reviewed on 30-09-2019
Erica Watson(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-08-2019 My wedding day was everything I could have asked for! And the Biltmore/Graduate made that happen. Elise was wonderful to work with and made life much easier. From the food to the staff to the presentation of the Grand Ballroom, all were perfect. I could not start smiling! Reviewed on 29-09-2019
Jo-Ann Passarelli(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-08-2019 Providence Biltmore/Graduate - my daughter had her wedding reception at the Biltmore in August 2019. The evening was fabulous. The food was excellent, the staff was awesome, the renovations were beautiful. The Biltmore's wedding professional, Elise Shatraw, was the best! I could not have asked for anyone better. It was a perfect wedding. Thank you Biltmore. Keep up the great work! Reviewed on 26-09-2019
Erica Pieroni(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-08-2019 My husband and I had our Providence wedding at the Graduate on 08-03-2019. Living in Philadelphia, I thought that planning my wedding from afar was going to be difficult. Elise went above and beyond to answer every one of my (many) questions and made the planning process much easier than I imagined. She is the quickest responder to emails I've ever met!! On the day of, Elise, Michael, Sarai, and the entire staff were professional, helpful, and accommodating. They turned our wedding vision into a real life fairy tale. The food, table settings, atmosphere, ballroom, and hotel accommodations were perfect. Everyone is STILL raving about how amazing the wedding was! We can't thank the Graduate enough for the best day of our lives. We couldn't be more grateful! Reviewed on 08-09-2019
Marissa Tuccelli(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-06-2019 My husband and I were SO happy and impressed with everything leading up to our wedding and especially on the day of. The efforts from Elise, Sarai and the entire staff were accommodating and professional. The attention to detail was incredible. Any question I had was answered and any problem was solved in the matter of minutes. The food was amazing -- from the lunch in the bridal suite, the appetizers at Cocktail Hour and the entrees during the reception and the post-wedding breakfast -- the Graduate did not disappoint. All of the guests enjoyed the venue and the wedding reception immensely. They are still talking about it! Everything the Graduate did to keep the beauty of the Biltmore was perfect. Thank you for the best day of our life! Reviewed on 08-07-2019
Bryan Begin(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-02-2019 The Biltmore was such a great venue for our wedding! Elise Shatraw is the Senior Catering & Sales Manager and she did a fantastic job the entire time helping us plan for the rehearsal, ceremony and reception. She was a pleasure to work with and the entire staff at the Biltmore were so welcoming to us and did an amazing job the day of our wedding! Highly recommend planning your wedding there. Also, we highly recommend the bridal suite - what a great room, balcony & view! We couldn't have asked for anything better! Reviewed on 28-02-2019
Christiana Austin(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-02-2019 Prepping for a wedding is an exciting, yet overwhelming time. Some brides know exactly what they want from start to finish, but it wasn't that simple for me. I needed someone to hold my hand throughout the process. I originally chose the Biltmore for three reasons:1. I didn't want to hire separate catering2. I wanted a venue that could provide hotel rooms, a ceremony, and a reception incased it snowed3. I needed something within my budget I wasn't too keen on the idea of a winter wedding to begin with. However, everything far exceeded my expectations.Elise guided me patiently from start to finish. She helped work with my budget and took care of all the little details I overlooked. She directed our rehearsal and big day from start to finish. I never had to look at the clock or ask someone what was next. She gave us a schedule so we knew what to expect. Her professional and warmth were so reassuring. She is one incredible woman! Our guests raved about the food, and there were even delicious options for my vegan and gluten free friends. My husband is a photographer, and he was nervous about indoor photos. The Biltmore has amazing lighting for photos! The entire day was magical. Everything was perfect from the moment I woke up in the bridal suit, to the end of the night when my husband and I walked into our honeymoon suit to find chocolates, champagne, and other goodies. Overall, the venue was elegant, unique, accommodating, professional, and something that my guests and I will remember for years to come. Reviewed on 23-02-2019
Sharon Johnson(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-12-2018 Thank you Elise for such a great experience... we received so many compliments on how it was such a top notch venue. Everything was so beautiful!!! Reviewed on 22-02-2019
Maria R(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-11-2018 Amazing! I loved working with Elise - she was incredible. Reviewed on 07-01-2019
Sary Vanner(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-11-2018 Our wedding was beyond amazing! We had a Christmas theme wedding on November 25th. We had a guest list of 69. I have always loved the Grand Ballroom. It’s a beautiful room all on its own and it’s also where my husband’s grandparents had their reception 62 years ago! It’s a classic.The hotel decorates for the holidays at the beginning of November so it made for great photos! We took pictures on the grand staircase. We had our ceremony on the 18th floor right by the windows. It was perfect! Our guests were blown away by the views! Cocktail hour on one side of the ballroom and dinner on the other side.Elise is the senior wedding coordinator and she is awesome! Since we had a small guest list we took full advantage of the space. We had a coffee/hot cocoa/dessert station and a candy station and the displays were beautiful. The food was hot and delicious and the staff was on point! The team of Missy, Roland, Carmine, Kim, Meagan, Dan, David took great care of us, our families are still raving about it! It was the perfect day! A lot of my family and friends booked rooms at the hotel for the weekend. They loved the rooms especially the bigger ones with separate sitting area. I highly recommend you consider this gem for your special day or event! Reviewed on 10-12-2018
Erin Fleet(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-11-2018 This Venue is amazing. The Biltmore was soooo beautiful especially for the holiday season. Elise was beyond amazing working with me and my husband for about six months from halfway across the country (we live in TX) and made our wedding night so smooth. All the guests had nothing but positive things to say. The staff were friendly and all of them seemed eager to help out in any way they could. If youre trying to pick between some other venue and the biltmore, then stop and choose this one!!! Reviewed on 25-11-2018
Lauren Monaco(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-10-2018 The Providence Biltmore couldn’t have been a more perfect venue for our wedding! The staff, the service, the food, the scenery….it was beyond! Jennifer Lorenzo was great to work with and helped make it such a magical day for us. We will never forget it! Not to mention, it was a Nor’easter rain storm, but it didn’t even matter! All our pictures had to be taken inside, but with such a beautiful venue they came out amazing. I can’t say enough good things about The Providence Biltmore! Reviewed on 18-11-2018
Sara Fortin(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-11-2018 We had a room block, bridal suite, and post wedding brunch at the Biltmore and everything was just outstanding. The bell hops are extremely helpful and kind and were more than happy to deliver gifts to each guest room for us. The bridal suite was GORGEOUS and honestly our favorite part of our wedding night was coming back and soaking in the huge tub in the bathroom with the bottle of champagne the hotel left in the room for us - such a nice thought!! The brunch was delicious and had such a beautiful view on the 18th floor. More people showed up than expected but the staff didn’t miss a beat and grabbed another table and more chairs to accommodate. I cannot say enough about our experience - our guests were so happy! Thank you to Kristina and all the staff! Such a perfect weekend!!! Reviewed on 12-11-2018
Christina Amaral(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-07-2018 This venue was spectacular and really fulfilled our wedding dreams!! After looking around at other venues we decided on this one because the food is 5 star, the costumer service is 5 star, and the venue itself looks like something out of a fairytale. They provided a grand tasting months before our wedding and we got to try mostly everything which was amazing. We also got to bring our parents along so that helped tremendously. The offer a flambe which is served at dessert time and it basically is dinner and a show. You don't see that at many other wedding venues. It is something our guests still talk about!! We worked with Jennifer Lorenzo and she was absolutely fantastic every step of the way. With providing every piece of information from the very the beginning, to being so responsive with her emails every time I needed her she was there! She is so organized and made me feel calm and so much better in my times of wedding panic. This venue worked so well with our vendors too. Our wedding day ran so smoothly thanks to Jennifer Lorenzo and the Providence Biltmore. Reviewed on 26-10-2018
Arista Pialtos(bride)5 out of 5 Rating
Our wedding was an absolute dream! With guests coming from out of town, near and far, the Biltmore was the perfect “one stop shop” for an elegant, historic, unique wedding experience- and then some! Jennifer Lorenzo was a pleasure to work with, her attention to detail and organization made meetings with her productive yet exciting. She was thorough and insightful, both very important traits when deciding what to include for your wedding day. We quickly grew to trust Jennifer completely throughout the process (which is pretty hard to do as a Type A personality bride like myself).There was no task too big or too small to ask of Jennifer. In fact, Jennifer and Michael organized a champagne toast on the Terrace for us with views of the city before our rehearsal dinner, which they effortlessly put together last minute! Jennifer and Michael truly work with you at every step of the way, no matter what.Andrew, from valet and our bellhop for our stay, carefully handled our bags and was very attentive throughout our whole stay. He helped us gather all of our belongings after the wedding too. He was attentive, even reminding us of some important items we otherwise would have left behind. He was professional and went above and beyond.Our wedding was absolutely stunning from table service to food, 5 stars and top notch. Roland waited on us and was superb. He took care of us from the start of cocktail hour all the way into our breakfast the next morning, constantly checking in and making sure we had everything we needed. Roland treated us like family, and with a big Greek wedding, we would not have had it any other way. He truly made our wedding perfect.Long story short, we are so glad we chose the Biltmore for our wedding and recommend it in a heart beat! Reviewed on 09-10-2018
Ellias Karwashan(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-06-2018 Simply put, it's the single most jaw dropping room in New England. There is not a more grand hall to hold any event. Our wedding was something out of a magazine. Elise made our big day extremely simple. She eased much of the pressure and cleared up any confusion my wife and I had very quickly. She was a consummate professional. The food was delicious and their list of preferred vendors round out fantastic service. Our guests loved the block of rooms we reserved and our bridal suite was fantastic. Highly recommended. You have nothing to stress over when booking at the Biltmore. Reviewed on 04-10-2018
Lauren Bernstein(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-09-2018 Our recent wedding at the Biltmore couldn’t have been more perfect! After viewing multiple venues in the area, we easily picked the Biltmore as our first choice. The beauty and elegant feel of the Biltmore is like no other. This venue has a large menu selection and the food is excellent. Elise was amazing to work with. She is patient, kind, knowledgeable, and very responsive to questions /emails. My husband I feel very thankful to have worked with Elise to plan our wedding. She made sure our special day was exactly what we wanted and that everything ran smoothly. Reviewed on 16-09-2018
Kimberly MacDonald(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-09-2018 I honestly do not know where to begin! Brendan and I had our dream wedding at the Providence Biltmore. First and foremost, Elise is AMAZING! Every staff member at the Biltmore is amazing! From day 1, Elise made planning mindless and non stressful. She is truly the best in RI and is such a pleasure to work with. I must have asked her millions of questions, all of which she responded to within minutes and always with such grace and ease. She is incredibly organized, patient, kind, humble, experienced and just such a calm and wonderful person! I feel so lucky to have been graced with her expertise and recommend the Biltmore and Elise to anyone on the wedding venue hunt...you willNOT be disappointed! There really aren’t enough words to describe how amazing she is at her job, she truly cares about her brides and grooms and makes their day absolutely perfect!!When we arrived at the Biltmore for our reception, I felt so calm when I saw Elise waiting for us by the door. I have complete confidence in her and trusted her completely. We arrived later than planned due to traffic into Providence, but she very professionally and smoothly changed our photo timelines and blocked off the grand staircase and terrace for photos and made sure Brendan and I had hourderves waiting for us in he grand ballroom for photos. I am truly blown away at her organization and professionalism. Let’s talk about the food, amaaaazing! All of our guests said how much they loved the food and how wonderful of a time they had! Brendan and I found it difficult to eat dinner since we were having too much fun mingling and dancing, and a staff member seeked me out and asked if we wanted to eat our dinners or have them sent to our room when we were ready later. I just loved that and we chose to have or meals later in the evening in our room :) Crystal, Paula and Kristina were super helpful with the room blocks and even extended our room block a few days past the date since we forgot to get on our guests to book their rooms :) Sara was just a pleasure to work with as well on the day of our wedding! She is very attentive and professional and helped our wedding reception flow beautifully and perfectly! There were no hiccups during our wonderful day which goes to show just how amazing the providence Biltmore and it’s staff truly are! If you are looking for the best venue in RI and want the best staff, look no further! The Biltmore far exceeded my expectations and we had the most magical and perfect wedding!!! The only downfall was how quickly the day went due to the amazing amount of fun!! Thank you Providence Biltmore for giving us our dream wedding!!! Reviewed on 14-09-2018
Lindsay Gearheart(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-08-2018 The Providence Biltmore was the perfect venue for our wedding. As soon as I walked into the Grand Ballroom the first time I visited, my eyes got teary and I knew we had found the place for us. We loved the formal, classic ballroom style and historical nature of the hotel in downtown Providence, and the staff (particularly Elise) are absolute experts who handled everything with professionalism and class. We had countless questions which they answered with ease, and coordination on the day of was seamless by Elise and the events manager Michael and his assistant. Our cocktail hour on the third floor terrace was beautiful, and the waitstaff even saved some hors d'ouvres just for the bride and groom so we were sure to eat before we started the reception. Countless guests raved about the food and beauty of the venue. Those considering the Biltmore should note that the hotel has been sold and will be renamed and rebranded as the Providence Graduate in 2019. This did not affect our wedding, but the renovations may impact future couples. The staff was transparent and kept us informed about the future plans (as we had booked before the sale), so do not be afraid to consider the venue and ask the staff any questions you might have. Reviewed on 08-09-2018
Sam O'Donnell(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-07-2018 The hotel itself is a magnificent work of architecture, and the staff are kind, thoughtful, and willing to do anything in their power to help. That alone can make a wedding nice. The people who plan make it magical. Elise made it magical. We must have changed the layout of the reception room a thousand times before we settled on a placement. She took her time and humored us, never once complaining. The final product was something out of a dream. She recommended vendors, all of whom were absolutely perfect for the occasion. We were late to rehearsal, and our officiant had to leave, but she was there to walk us through the ceremony. She printed programs for us on the day of, after my bride-to-be and I stayed up all night trying to figure it out without success. Putting it bluntly, Elise is a miracle worker. Anyone would be lucky to have her assist in planning their day. The Biltmore is a beautiful location, and the staff are all just as kind and helpful as Elise. If you're looking for a place to book your wedding or reception, book it at The Biltmore. Reviewed on 22-08-2018
Sarah Gothers(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-06-2018 We were so pleased with Elise, Mike, Sarai, and the whole Biltmore team. Our bridal suite was perfect for the gals to get ready in the morning, and the hotel was accommodating to our hair, makeup, floral, and food vendors. Every bite of food during cocktail hour and dinner was incredible. The Balcony was such a glamorous spot for cocktail hour. The Garden Room was the PERFECT size for our 100 guest wedding - great dance floor size, not too crowded, room for our dessert table, bar, late night sliders, everything! Valet was perfectly friendly and helpful to all of our guests. They know what they're doing at the Providence Biltmore, and that is all I could ask for. Thank you!! Reviewed on 03-07-2018
Gabrielle Harnois(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-06-2018 I have to say, living in another state and trying to plan a wedding, I was very skeptical and nervous that things would not come out on how I imagined. I worked with Elise and went over all my goals and how I dreamed the day to be. She listened to exactly how I wanted it and the second I got to the venue I realized that it was like a fairy tale. The grand ball room was UNBELIEVABLE. I felt like a princess. She even went out of her way to surprise me with upgraded chairs for a few small hotel room issues, but that was the least of my concerns once I saw how beautifully she set everything up. I can not express how happy I am that I had my wedding reception at the Biltmore. The food was so tasty and displayed very nicely and they did an awesome job setting up my donut table display, I got so many compliments! They did a wonderful job, were very very helpful and friendly throughout the whole night and even into the morning!! I would recommend this hotel 1 million times! Thank you so much to all employees that helped make my day the BEST DAY EVER!! Reviewed on 27-06-2018
Monica Duchesne(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-03-2018 From the beginning, the Biltmore staff provided a concise and clear overview of the space, services and pricing. We did not have any surprises throughout the process. Our coordinator was flexible with requests we had, responded to emails in an extraordinarily quick time, and was always flexible, calm, and extremely articulate and clear with explanations. We enjoyed our time with her and she gave us tremendous confidence for our day. We see the Biltmore as a very special and unique place. It provides a lovely cocktail space and gorgeous, character rich ballroom overlooking Providence with convenience of guest rooms an elevator ride away. But it’s not just the building that makes it special, the service provided by the staff starting with our very first visit through working out details after our wedding day, has made it a real delight. Our guests experienced this and so did we. We are incredibly thankful to the Biltmore for making our day so beautiful, enjoyable, special and fun! All of the staff we worked with were accommodating and went the extra mile. We highly recommend the Biltmore. Reviewed on 19-06-2018
Erin Gilrein(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-01-2018 The Grand Ballroom at the Biltmore sells itself with its 1920s fairytale wedding vibe, and our wedding ceremony and reception were orchestrated flawlessly by the Biltmore staff. All of our friends and family raved about the room, the food, and the ambiance created by such an elegant historical property. Roland, our attendant for the evening, was wonderful- he helped us with formalities timing, made sure we ate, and did everything he could to ensure that we had a wonderful time. Elise, Jennifer, and the entire team helped us to create the best day of our lives. Many thanks to all! Reviewed on 18-02-2018
Allison Cohen(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-11-2017 I knew the moment I walked into the grand ballroom that the Biltmore was where we would have our wedding reception. The history and architecture of the Biltmore are so unique to any other reception I had visited. Not only were the aesthetics of this venue beyond our expectations, but Elise and the team at the Biltmore were the most supportive and involved wedding team I could have asked for. I grew up in RI but now live in NY and as you can imagine, planning a wedding living 3 hours away can sometimes be a challenge. I can't tell you how many times I would email Elise with one off questions and she always got back to me timely and knew exactly how to answer my questions. Not only was she incredibly supportive, but she also made sure our vendors were all aligned in making our day perfect. On the day of the wedding, she was with the entire night, and her and her staff really made Justin and I feel like a King and Queen. I had a stress free day knowing the final details and decor was in the hands of Elise. Besides the service and support, the food was OUTSTANDING. I can't express how many compliments my husband and I received over the food from the cocktail hour right down to the flambe presentation (must have). I would choose her and the Biltmore over and over again. Thank you to the staff at the Biltmore and especially Elise, you truly made sure our day PERFECT. Reviewed on 06-02-2018
The Biltmore is not only beautiful but the venue is filled with employees with excellent communication skills! It didn't matter if my wedding was months away, Elise emailed back within an hour or two every time! The food was HOT and EXCELLENT! The servers were so accomodating, they even brought my Husband and I a plate of our passed apps and champagne when we got to the cocktail hour late! They definitely nailed our wedding! Reviewed on 19-10-2017
Richard Saltzman(wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-11-2017 I cannot say enough great accolades about Elise and the entire staff at the Biltmore. They turned what could have been a stressful experience into a wonderful and beautiful one. Every detail , no matter how large or small was taken care of perfectly. The rehearsal was set up so everyone knew what to do. The cocktail hour, all of the food was hot and cooked to perfection and the reception went off without a single mishap. My daughter told me the next day that her entire wedding was beyond her dreams. That, to me, said it all. Thank you for making this a perfect evening. Reviewed on 13-10-2017
Katelyn Carveth(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-03-2018 I just want to say that the Biltmore could not have been a more perfect location for my wedding. Years ago, my husband and I stayed at the Biltmore when we first started dating. He said offhandedly to me that we were going to get married here. Granted, the idea terrified me. But four years later, we wanted to book a place. We started looking two years prior to when we wanted to marry and the Biltmore remained in our minds. Finally, we visited and booked it. Elise and her amazing team were so encouraging throughout the entire day and the planning process. The tables were perfect. The lighting was perfect. My guests are still raving about the food. I ran a restaurant for a few years and all of our industry peers and friends were there. Working at a steakhouse, we know a great steak. And everyone raves about the food to this day. The day went off without a hitch. Not once did they miss a beat. Every allergy was accounted for.Truly, the best day of my life. Reviewed on 21-09-2017
Felicia Refino(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-07-2017 The Biltmore is really the most beautiful venue in RI. The grand ball room is something right out of a movie. It's filled with the most gorgeous architecture and has the most spectacular views of the city. I had my wedding reception at the Biltmore on July 1, 2017 and it truly was the best day of my life. I can't say enough good things about the Biltmore! Elise and the staff are absolutely amazing. Originally my wedding was booked at a DIFFERENT venue (not by choice) which turned into an absolute nightmare and literally 3 months before my wedding I called Elise, basically IN TEARS And explained the situation... and miraculously, she had my date available and literally moved mountains so that we were able to stay within budget and still have our dream wedding! (That is not an exaggeration) she was so patient and accommodating. There was not one flaw the entire day/night And if we needed anything Elise was right there. The food and service was beyond outstanding. The filet was cooked to perfection and everything came out hot and fresh! crystal was so helpful with setting up a block of rooms To accommodate our guests. Everyone at the Biltmore went above and beyond they were even kind enough to save my wedding cake for several days because I left without it lol . I'm so happy we were able to have our wedding at there. It truly was the best day of our lives! We love you Elise!!!!! Reviewed on 18-09-2017
Olivia Nachmany(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-05-2017 We worked with Elise and the Biltmore for 13 months to plan our wedding. Everything was seamless and easy, and the night came together beyond my expectations. Their day-off staff is really exceptional and goes above and beyond, which any bride can appreciate! Reviewed on 09-08-2017
knottie9b7ac9b353494a89 (wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-09-2018 After checking out many venues, my daughter visited the Providence Biltmore. The minute she walked into the door of not only the lobby, but especially the Grand Ballroom, her decision was made. Elise Shatraw, the Senior Catering Sales Manager, walked us through everything with ease. Little did we know how wonderful she would be throughout the wedding planning process from start to finish. Her response to my many emails was super quick with every question answered and every reassurance given. The wedding was held last Friday, during the National Governor's Conference. We would never have known that anything other than our wedding was happening! The Providence Biltmore was an amazing venue for this special day.... the ceremony was held in the Garden Room, which was elegant beyond measure. Cocktails were served in L'Apogee on the 17th floor with an amazing view of the city... the appetizers and drinks were excellent! The reception was held in the Grand Ballroom... and there is a reason they call it \"Grand\". It felt like a fairy tale... there are insufficient words for the atmosphere. Everyone raved about every dinner course and the wait staff was spot on! Thank you Elise and Michael for a wonderful and stress-free experience. Reviewed on 20-07-2017
Rita Vasiliadis(wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-08-2018 Had our daughters wedding here on June 24, 2017 - spectacular !!!!!! Everything was perfect ! Professional and caring staff - everyone was amazing ! Food is delicious , service is spot on, ballroom is breathtaking - from the first appointment with Elise to the event date she made the process very easy ! We can't thank her and the entire staff for a fantastic job !!!!!!!!!!! Reviewed on 27-06-2017
Christopher Birrell(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-04-2017 The Biltmore did an amazing job handling our large wedding on there in April of 2017. Elise, Michael, and the entire staff were kind and helpful. They answered all questions honestly and worked to make sure me and my husband had an absolute worry free day. Everything was absolutely perfect! Thank you!! Reviewed on 02-05-2017
Nicky DeCesare(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-02-2017 Elise, Michael and the team at the Biltmore made our wedding planning process a breeze, from start to execution. Their expertise and experience are clear, the food and service are top notch, and you can not beat the historic beauty of this classic Rhode Island spot. Our guests are still raving about the event, and it was, without questions, the most wonderful day and night of our lives. We cannot say enough good things! Reviewed on 01-03-2017
Lauren Myers(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-04-2016 We had our wedding at the Providence Biltmore last April. If you are looking in the Providence area to have your wedding, you need to check out the Biltmore. We had the best experience working with Elise and her team. They truly go above and beyond to make sure your day is special. We would highly recommend having your wedding reception at the Biltmore. You will not be disappointed! Our guests said the food was the best they have had at a wedding. The ballroom was gorgeous and the staff was super friendly. We could really see how well prepared they were and experienced with planning weddings. Reviewed on 16-01-2017
Donna Beath(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-09-2016 Perfection. There was a snafu with our original venue four weeks before our wedding and we were incredibly lucky the Providence Biltmore not only was able to accommodate us but absolutely WOWED us! Elise was a joy to work with. She is a consummate professional. We were on a tight timeline but her professionalism and calm demeanor kept me calm and I never doubted that we would have a wonderful day. We had the ceremony on the rooftop terrace with the cocktail hour following the ceremony. The passed hors d'oeuvres were delicious and the backdrop of the sunset over Providence was perfect. Our dinner reception for 160 guests was held in the Garden Ballroom. An elegant venue that comfortably held all our guests, dance floor, and band. A perk to having the Garden Ballroom was full access to the mezzanine level of the hotel where guests could have a drink and mingle. The dinner was absolutely delicious and everyone I've spoken with has said the service for their table was impeccable. I recently got the professional photo album and all the photos came out great - the stunning sunset, the elegant chandeliers in the Garden Ballroom, and the classic Art Deco staircase in the main lobby of the hotel were perfect backdrops to capturing our wedding. A bonus to having the wedding at the Providence Biltmore was the full-service spa at the hotel. We had massages the morning of the wedding and were able to get our hair and makeup done right there. If you are looking for a stress-free planning experience for yourself and an elegant and memorable evening for your guests, do not hesitate in booking the Providence Biltmore. My only regret is that I did not book them 18 months in advance and have the pleasure of working with Elise the entire time leading up to my wedding. Reviewed on 09-01-2017
100 Reviews, with a Rating of 4.96 out of 5.0
Contact Info for Providence Biltmore - NOW Graduate Providence
Providence Biltmore - NOW Graduate Providence on the map
Meet the Providence Biltmore - NOW Graduate Providence Team
Elise S. Shatraw (Manager)
Elise has worked at Graduate Providence since 2002 planning hundreds of weddings with couples. With over 20 years of service at the hotel as our Sr. Catering Sales Manager, she can work with you on catering details and wedding plans in various function rooms in the hotel, including the glamorous Capital Ballroom and magnificent Biltmore Ballroom. With over 30 years experience in the wedding industry, she can share many ideas with you!