Graduate Providence - Formerly Providence Biltmore
Elise S. Shatraw
MANAGER
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (14X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Graduate Providence, formerly Providence Biltmore, is a full service hotel located in central downtown Providence, RI. Our renovated hotel offers historical glamour and modern sophistication, setting the stage for couples to host a memorable event. From personalized catering menus, sweeping city views, and professional staff, this venue is an ideal destination for every special occasion!
Graduate Providence offers several event spaces featuring breathtaking views, such as the magnificent Biltmore Ballroom on the 17th floor. The Capital Ballroom on the 2nd floor offers the utmost elegance for guests as they celebrate one of life's most important milestones! The property includes other unique function spaces showcasing an outdoor Parkview Terrace and top-floor salons for rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, and post-wedding breakfasts. Couples can also choose from various guest room accommodations to unwind and celebrate their special day to the fullest! Please take a look at our various event spaces with this link: https://graduatehotels.com/providence/meeting-events/venues/
Our hotel's experienced culinary team has the expertise to craft mouthwatering dishes for all kinds of gatherings, big or small! Providing a customizable menu, the chefs will work closely with you and your loved one to design a menu that perfectly suits your celebration. We also offer several wedding packages and exclusive rates to friends and families traveling to the Providence area for a wedding. Be sure to check out the gallery for an exclusive 360° Virtual Tour!
Pricing details
Starting prices
Reception
$2,500
Reception
$2,500
Ceremony
$1,000
Bar services
$25 per person
Catering
Contact for price
- Couples usually spend $30,000
- Starting prices don't include service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees.
- Guest count and seasonality may also affect prices. Peak season for this venue is May-Dec.
Are you interested?
Reach out and share your wedding details.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
On-Site Accommodations
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Guest Capacity
Up to 250
Settings
Ballroom
Historic Venue
Hotel
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Food & Catering
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Meet the team
Elise S. Shatraw
Manager
Elise has worked at Graduate Providence since 2002 planning hundreds of weddings with couples. With over 21 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!
Availability
Reviews
4.9
out of 5.0177 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
The Graduate Providence, specifically the Biltmore location, is highly recommended by numerous reviewers for weddings. Reviewers highlighted the stunning venue, exceptional service, and delicious food, with guests praising the layout, ambiance, and overall experience. Elise, the main contact, received consistent praise for her professionalism and assistance throughout the planning process. Guests appreciated the inclusive packages, seamless execution, and the convenience of having all wedding events housed in one location, making it a top choice for a stress-free and memorable wedding experience.Review photos
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Kayla D
Highlighted review.
5.0
1/11/2025
We had our wedding reception at Graduate Providence in December, and it was an amazing experience from start to finish. The staff was incredibly professional, organized, and responsive. Elise, our main contact, was a joy to work with, bringing both expertise and a calming presence to the planning process. The food was outstanding, served promptly, and the historic charm of the venue, especially with the holiday decorations, made our day feel even more magical. One of the best parts was that we didn’t have to worry about setup or breakdown—the Graduate staff took care of everything, including coordinating with vendors. The whole experience was stress-free and seamless. It truly is a phenomenal venue!
Christopher B
5.0
4/16/2025
We recently had our wedding at The Graduate (Biltmore), and to say it was perfect would be an understatement. From start to finish, the entire experience was nothing short of magical.
As a same-sex couple, finding a venue that was not only gay-friendly but genuinely welcoming was so important to us. The team at [Venue Name] went above and beyond to ensure we felt celebrated, respected, and completely at ease. Their professionalism, warmth, and inclusivity made all the difference.
The venue itself is absolutely stunning—immaculately clean, beautifully designed, and with a natural charm that doesn’t require much dressing up. Every detail was thoughtfully curated, from the lighting to the layout. Whether you're going for elegant, rustic, modern, or romantic, this place is a versatile dream.
The food? Incredible. Our guests are still raving about the meal—everything was fresh, flavorful, and plated to perfection. They were also accommodating with dietary needs, which we deeply appreciated.
And the staff… wow. Every single person we interacted with was kind, attentive, and sincerely invested in making our day flawless. It honestly felt like we had an extended family rooting for us the whole way.
Any questions?
Rebecca F
5.0
1/27/2025
We had our ceremony and reception at the Graduate Providence in January 2025. The experience was amazing from booking the venue to end of the wedding. Elise was our main contact throughout the process. She was wonderful to work with and helped us with details that we were unsure about. Her expertise and professionalism throughout the planning process was unbelievable. The food was fantastic and the hotel was decorated beautifully during our time there. The whole process was seamless. The only issue we ran into was the other wedding occurring that day took up some of our time for photos so we were unable to do all the photos we wanted. This was not an issue with the venue however it is a heads up to those booking to add extra time to their photos in case this happens.
Lois H
5.0
1/07/2025
We had our daughter’s wedding at The Graduate in Providence RI in October 2024. From the moment we booked with Elise, the wedding coordinator, to the evening of the wedding all emails and questions were answered in a prompt professional manner.
I have very high standards and all my expectations were met. The bridal suite where we got ready was spacious and beautiful. Before the ceremony we took some amazing pictures on the terrace which overlooks the city. Guests at cocktail hour commented that there were plenty of hors d'oeuvres passed and bartenders were exceptionally quick. The reception was in the Biltmore Ballroom which is absolutely gorgeous. The high ceilings, chandeliers and velvet drapery enhanced the room's elegance. The food was delicious, the wait staff professional and when Elise said food service will be done at 8:00 (158 guests) she was right! 7:58 exactly. The guests were wowed when the lights got dim and the wait staff came out together with the flaming Flambe for dessert. We had plenty of time for dancing and socializing. Chinese food as a late night snack was a hit too. Everything was perfect and couldn’t be happier with the service and expertise of staff. I would highly recommend it. First class all the way. Guests kept commenting how beautiful it was to be on the top floor and how grand the room was. It was exactly what I wanted for our daughter’s wedding.
Also- how convenient it was to have our after party at Reiner's without leaving the building- again- all expectations were met. Service and food were great. Guests had fun playing pool, Jenga and the golf simulator. The next morning we hosted a breakfast at Poindexter's Coffee shop- again very convenient and wonderful service.
Lauren P
5.0
12/13/2024
It was so easy to work with the Graduate. Elise was kind, communicative, and professional. She had everything we needed to know available to us from our very first meeting and she answered every question we had - and every email we sent after. Once we booked, she kept an open line of contact that made planning a breeze. The best was the Wedding Prelude event that The Graduate invites every couple to, where we were able to sample all the food, meet different vendors, and be in the main ballroom space. It was so lovely! I felt so seen and heard by Elise and later by Lauren the banquet manager, and as a bride who planned and did all the decor myself, that made all the difference. We even had to change our date after we originally booked, and doing so was no stress! Getting married here was the best decision we made and I will cherish it forever.
Nina P
5.0
12/05/2024
The Graduate Providence is a dream- they will take care of everything and make sure the night will be as seamless as possible. Elise was amazing throughout the planning process and the day of. I feel so lucky to have to benefitted from her expertise and many years of experience. It was reassuring to know she had everything under control. The Ballroom was so gorgeous - guests are still complimenting how much they loved the hotel and how beautiful the space was.
Kristina M
5.0
11/23/2024
Well…where do we begin. Nick and I knew we wanted a fall city wedding in Providence, we had several venues lined up but didn’t even look at them after seeing The Graduate Hotel. Elise and her team were great to work with from the beginning right up until the end of the wedding night! Our guests raved about the venue. Our ceremony took place on the terrace and the cocktail hour/reception took place in the 17th floor ballroom (spectacular room and unbelievable views of Providence). Food was outstanding, service was impeccable and the drinks kept flowing. We had some unique requests and Elise was able to make it happen! Highly recommended for future couples! Kristina and Nick
Pam G
2.0
11/04/2024
My son got married here , last night in the Capital ballroom. This hotel is too old and dirty! The enormous chandelier in the foyer is filthy. The carpets on the stairs are rarely vacuumed. There is lint all over them.
The air quality in the poor!!!!! The air conditioning works for a portion of the year and then it is heat only. So if it’s a warm day in November you can’t ever cool off. The bridal suite is pretty and spacious but Soo uncomfortable because you can’t regulate air.
The draperies in the Capital ballroom can not be drawn because the rods are broken.so draperies can not be uniform. The window screen in this ballroom is replaced with a sheet of ill fitting plexiglass.
The lighting in the Capital ballroom can only be dimmed for a portion of the room. So if guests are seated in the front of the room, it is as if they are seated under a spot light , while the rest of room was darker. I was told the entire room was dimmable.
The premium open bar ran out of Prosecco, early in the night,which the bride requested and Grey Goose vodka that my husband requested.
The parking is a complete nightmare! There is an adjacent parking garage that was supposed to honor validated tickets given out at the wedding.
. However several guests had to pay for parking despite these validation stickers. Something was wrong!
The railing on the enourmous balcony on the second floor is loose and if you lean against it there is movement.
The main stairway is very unsafe. The carpet is very thick at the edges which makes it very difficult to get stable footing. One of my guests fell onto another guest. ( not an issue of intoxication)
The stairs outside the Capital ballroom do not have any railings. These stairs are very difficult to navigate if you are wearing heels or are older.
Carolyn F
5.0
10/31/2024
We recently held our daughter’s wedding at the Graduate Hotel Providence, and we can’t speak highly enough about the experience from start to finish. As soon as you walk in the lobby, you will see that this is a special place.
The highlight was undoubtedly the beautiful ballroom, which was elegant and created a magical atmosphere for our celebration. It was the perfect backdrop for such a special occasion. Guests are still talking about the wedding and praising the entire weekend.
One of the greatest advantages of hosting your wedding at The Graduate Hotel Providence is the convenience of having everything in one location. We kicked off the celebrations with a Friday night gathering at Reiners, the lobby bar. The next day, followed by church, was the stunning cocktail party overlooking the city of Providence, on the 18th floor. The food was abundant and service was exceptional! (I am still thinking about the lamb chops!) Afterward, we enjoyed my daughter‘s wedding reception in the Biltmore ballroom. I cannot say enough about the professionalism of the staff and quality of the food. The entire wedding ran so smoothly and our guests were quite impressed! Numerous friends and family members went out of their way to tell me it was the best wedding they had ever attended!
Topping off the amazing dinner, was a flambé dessert presentation which was not only classy and entertaining, but the dessert was absolutely delicious!
After the reception, we hosted a private after party in Reiners Bar. The staff, service, and food were all excellent. Then, the next morning, we had a delightful send-off breakfast with plenty of food and a lovely touch: the wedding cake.
A special shoutout to Elise, the Graduate wedding professional, who was exceptional. Her attention to detail and calm demeanor made the planning process seamless. She was always available to answer questions and provided invaluable support, making the my daughter and me feel truly cared for throughout the entire wedding planning process. Here is one of the many examples of above-and-beyond customer service:
Our family loves a good old-fashioned, so we requested permission from the hotel to bring our own square ice cubes and Italian cherries. Elise didn't hesitate; she approved our request and went above and beyond by ensuring the ice and cherries were served at the cocktail party in special old-fashioned glasses.
We were also lucky to have Lauren as our banquet manager for the evening. She was so patient and kind, and she ensured that everything ran smoothly from start to finish, even taking care to fold the napkins exactly as we wanted. She ensured we could enjoy the night without having to manage any of the details ourselves.
Overall, the combination of excellent service, a stunning venue, and the dedication of staff like Elise made for an unforgettable experience. As a very picky mother-of-the-bride, I highly recommend the Graduate Hotel Providence for any special occasion!
Angelica D
3.0
10/08/2024
* our wedding was absolutely beautiful however extremely disappointed with the valet parking/room block services.
VALET PARKING. We were initially told when we first previewed the venue that Valet Parking was available at $25 per car. We were adamant that we wanted valet parking since the parking garage is not attached to the hotel and we did not want any of our older guests to have to make the walk. We decided we would pay the $25 per car for valet. Four months prior to the wedding we met to finalize details, we were told that the hotel does not provide valet parking and to book Valet would cost $3000 (which contradicts what was initially discussed). Again, we were ok with paying the $3000 because we had already indicated on the invitations that valet parking was available. However, TWO MONTHS before the wedding I informed the sales manager of the anticipated number of guests for Valet and were then advised that valet would be $3200 plus $20 per car and we would need to book within TWO days. This was outrageous as we have been clearly given the run around about parking! Causing unnecessary stress two months before my wedding was extremely disappointing. After discussing the situation with my husband and parents it was decided that anything over $3000 was such a scam! We opted to have our guests park in the garage and we would still validate their parking at $25 a car. Having to scramble to contact guests last minute to inform them of the parking change was very stressful. I hope this alleviates some stress for future brides who chose to book with them because this information would have been useful to know!
ROOM BLOCK. Hosting our wedding at the hotel, we reserved a block of rooms. I would assume that a ROOM BLOCK means that a certain number of rooms are reserved, all located on the same floor and are allowed early check-in due to the fact that they are attending the event. Not in this case. The only rooms reserved were by my mother-in-law, three bridesmaids, and two groomsmen. All being part of the wedding, they were advised upon booking that early check-in would be available if you call the week of the wedding. All parties contacted the hotel the week of the wedding to ensure early check in due to the fact they were all getting ready on site, ceremony was offsite at 2:00 pm followed by photos and would not arrive back to the hotel until 5:30 (the middle of cocktail hour). Every single person was told that the hotel does not offer early check in and their best bet was to contact the hotel at 9:00am the morning of. UNACCEPTABLE. I contacted the sales manager and hotel manager and both told me there was nothing they could do! In the morning all six people contacted the front desk and were told to call back at 12! This resulted in my mother-in-law, three bridesmaids, and two groomsmen having to check into their rooms when we arrived back at the hotel during cocktail hour just before the reception AND all hotels were scattered on different floors, so much for a room block! This was completely negligent on the hotel's part. You are fully aware that people are arriving early to check in for an event and you are completely unprepared. It is also unfair to the people in my party who can't even enjoy cocktail hour because they are rushing to check into their rooms! Extremely disappointing
Response from Providence Biltmore - NOW Graduate Providence on 10/15/2024
Thank you for your comments from your August 2024 wedding. We are thrilled you enjoyed yo...
ur wedding celebration and that you note your wedding was absolutely beautiful!
Unfortunately, following COVID, we no longer offer Valet Service at the hotel on a daily basis. This service can be available for events, if needed, and a fee applies. We sincerely apologize this situation caused stress to you within two months prior to your wedding.
Room blocks for weddings are established to confirm a special rate for a set number of guestrooms. Room types vary on each floor of the hotel so rooms are not guaranteed to all be on the same floor. Based on the flow of business being unknown on each day, we cannot offer or guarantee room locations. Early check in is also not a guarantee, and not offered, due to how busy the hotel is on weekends. We have to get other guests checked-out of rooms, clean the rooms, and then get each room inspected before they are ready to welcome the next guests. We also do not allow for late checkout for the same reason- we are trying to get guests checked-in by 4pm. These details are outlined in the group rooms contract. We are sorry for the misunderstanding you had regarding your block of rooms.
Emily G
5.0
8/27/2024
We had our wedding at The Graduate Providence, and it was the best decision we could have made! The venue is absolutely stunning - so many guests commented on how beautiful and elegant the space was. The food was also exceptional, with every dish tasting as delicious as it looked. Our guests couldn't stop raving about it! We offered both the chicken fiore and braised beef.
Working with Elise was a fantastic experience. She was incredibly professional, attentive, and made the entire planning process seamless. From coordinating the details to ensuring everything ran smoothly on the day, Elise and the entire team went above and beyond to make our wedding perfect. We highly recommend The Graduate Providence for anyone looking for an unforgettable wedding venue!
Katie G
5.0
8/18/2024
I held my wedding this summer in the Biltmore room with roughly 200 guests, most being out of towners and I have nothing but great things to see about Elise and team! They were always extremely responsive and flexible. Along with how seamless the day was for all of my out of town guests given everything was done onsite. Even the booking team was a huge help in ensuring we could have families and bridesmaids on the same floors.
Chace H
5.0
7/18/2024
Great location for a wedding. Incredible views from the ballroom.
Alison M
5.0
6/25/2024
My husband and I just got married in June 2024 at the Graduate and it was truly spectacular! We had our ceremony outside on the third floor terrace and our reception inside in the 17th floor ballroom. All of our guests loved that everything was in one place: the ceremony, the reception, and many stayed at the hotel as well!
The venue itself is just so beautiful and unique! And because of its grandeur, my husband and I were able to save a bit on decor since the ballroom really is a work of art itself and the views of the cityscape are unbeatable! And while the third floor terrace is susceptible to noise from the streets and city, it was still so nice to have an outdoor space to enjoy the ceremony and the temperature for our 5pm ceremony could not have been more lovely!
Now, onto the food! The food at The Graduate is absolutely delicious. I had so many guests come up to us throughout the evening and even after the wedding to share how great the food was (which is not always the case at weddings as we all know I’m sure). They also present the food in such a lovely way: the butter for the bread was shaped as flowers, the servers are very attentive, and the best part is the flaming flambé presentation. Our DJ played a fun song and dimmed the lights while the staff performed/presented the flambé! It really was such a special moment and got the whole room excited again!
After the courses ended for the evening, our guests hit the dance floor which is HUGE! My husband is Greek and so finding a floor big enough for the group Greek dances was very important to us during our venue search and boy, did The Graduate deliver.
And finally, Elise and her team is incredible! From our very first tour and on, she was a professional to a T. She was upfront and honest about the pricing model which my husband and I really appreciated after touring so many other places with hidden fees. Her team was on top of everything for us: reminding us of upcoming payments, helping us change our payment methods, coordinating with us on the room block, and answering my many many questions as the date got closer. One of the great things about working with Elise is her tenure at the venue and her reputation in the RI wedding community. She knows everything about the space and everyone knows her! Our vendors all had such wonderful things to say about her which I think speaks volumes about how easy it is for the vendors to work with The Graduate as well.
My day of coordinator was Lauren! We met the week before our wedding in our final meeting with Elise where we went over details and logistics for the wedding day! Her and Elise did such a great job of making my vision come to life with the guest book table, our generations of love table, etc. When I saw the space and the set up for the first time, I was truly blown away. But their professionalism didn’t end there, Lauren went above and beyond and even helped me to bustle my dress when my mom and MOH were struggling! She made me feel so special all day and really made the day run so smoothly, taking care of all the behind the scenes work without me even noticing.
I cannot thank the staff at The Graduate enough for making my wedding day truly the best day!! Everyone had such a blast and it genuinely is a day to remember forever. I cannot recommend this venue enough!!
Brittany S
5.0
5/15/2024
We highly recomend having your wedding here. We had such a great experience working with Elise and Michael. They made our day so special and we can't thank them enough. We had the best weekend of our life. From the rehearsal dinner the night before to the day of the wedding, everything ran so smoothly! We had so much fun at our wedding. Our guests are still calling and texting us saying how much they enjoyed the wedding and the food. Everyone's meals were excellent. The late night station was a huge hit. Everyone we worked with at the hotel was so responsive and can't recommend this place enough. Thank you!
Samantha L
5.0
5/07/2024
Working with Elise made wedding planning less stressful! Every single space of our venue was perfect. What we loved most was how different this venue is from most. Guests could not stop talking about the venue, food and history of the hotel. We were so fortunate to have perfect weather to have our ceremony on the terrace. We truly took advantage of the entire hotel. The groomsmen got ready in the boardroom, we did our first look in the summit rooms, cocktail hour on the balcony, reception in one of the ballrooms and even booked Reiners for the after party. So glad we snuck outside for pictures too.
Everyone at the Graduate was a pleasure to work with and extremely responsive. We could go on and on about everything we loved, from the location, staff and food! If you’re thinking about the Graduate as your venue, book! It was the most perfect night. Thank you to Elise and her team!
Barbara W
5.0
5/05/2024
We couldn't be happier with the entire experience at The Graduate-Providence! The attention to detail, professionalism, courteousness of everyone we dealt with in every aspect of our event was exceptional. We definitely made the right choice!! Just awesome!!
Jenna T
5.0
1/04/2024
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.
Marissa C
5.0
12/05/2023
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!!
Kippy S
5.0
11/30/2023
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.
Eydie K
5.0
11/26/2023
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.
Victoria N
5.0
10/25/2023
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!
Adrianna R
5.0
10/17/2023
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.
Krysta F
5.0
10/02/2023
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!
Lois K
5.0
9/26/2023
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.
Susan E
5.0
9/26/2023
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!!!!
Mary Ann C
5.0
8/31/2023
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!
Lindsay G
5.0
6/09/2023
The Graduate Providence was a perfect setting for our wedding. The Biltmore Ballroom is stunning, and the event ran so smoothly all day and night long! Elise makes sure every detail is taken care of. They even made my signature cocktail purple to match the rest of my decorations. The photo spots were great on the second floor balcony and on the grand staircase. Our guests LOVED the flambé presentation as well. I cannot recommend this venue highly enough!
Ariana D
5.0
6/06/2023
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!
Kelsey S
5.0
5/16/2023
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!!!
Emily D
5.0
4/03/2023
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.
Sydney M
5.0
3/09/2023
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
Diana M
5.0
12/11/2022
Diana M
Our 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!
Jillian M
5.0
12/09/2022
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.
Jenna Z
5.0
10/18/2022
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!
Sabra B
5.0
10/17/2022
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!
Lorin G
5.0
10/16/2022
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.
Barb R
5.0
10/07/2022
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!
Scott W
2.0
8/12/2022
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.
Response from Providence Biltmore - NOW Graduate Providence on 08/12/2022
Hello Scott, Our General Manager spoke with your father in law last night and discussed co...
ncerns and offered sincere apologies. He was satisfied after his conversation with General Manager.
Lindsay B
5.0
7/27/2022
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.
Jane B
5.0
7/27/2022
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.
Marissa D
5.0
6/12/2022
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!
Sheena F
5.0
6/07/2022
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!!
Kennedy T
5.0
6/02/2022
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!
Emiko B
5.0
5/24/2022
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.
Sarah M
5.0
5/17/2022
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!
Jennifer S
5.0
4/26/2022
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.
Allie D
5.0
3/21/2022
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.
Chelsea S
5.0
2/28/2022
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!
Trish G
5.0
2/12/2022
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!
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Providence Biltmore - NOW Graduate Providence
Elise S. Shatraw
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