Our story

Welcome Pastures began with a deep appreciation for Thoroughbreds and a desire to give retired racehorses the care, time, and opportunity they deserve beyond the racetrack.

Set across 52 acres of Rhode Island countryside, the property has a rich equestrian history. Once a Thoroughbred breeding farm, it still features its original half-mile track and a barn built with repurposed materials from the historic Narragansett Racetrack. Preserving that heritage while creating a meaningful future for the property became the foundation of Welcome Pastures.

Today, Welcome Pastures provides retired Thoroughbreds with a safe and peaceful place to begin their next chapter. Some horses will remain here for retirement, while others receive the care, rehabilitation, and training needed to prepare for a second career.

The Grounds at Welcome Pastures was created to share the beauty of this remarkable property while helping sustain that mission. Weddings, private celebrations, and special gatherings held here directly support the continued care of our horses and the preservation of the land they call home.

When you celebrate at The Grounds, you become part of our story and part of a brighter future for retired Thoroughbreds.

A Celebration Entirely Your Own

Set within 52 acres of picturesque Rhode Island countryside, The Grounds at Welcome Pastures offers a distinctive setting for a wedding that feels timeless, personal, and entirely your own. Open fields, mature trees, and the quiet character of a historic equestrian property create a naturally beautiful backdrop for every part of the day.

Naturally Beautiful. Unmistakably Yours

The Grounds is designed for couples who value beauty, individuality, and the freedom to create a celebration that feels personal to them.

Exchange vows beneath the open sky, welcome your guests to an elegant tented reception, and celebrate against a backdrop of sweeping fields and peaceful countryside. Whether your vision is intimate and romantic or grand and sophisticated, the setting becomes your canvas.

An Entire Weekend to Remember

A wedding is more than a single moment. It’s the anticipation, the gathering of loved ones, the celebration itself, and the memories shared afterward.

Our weekend wedding experience allows you to settle into the property and enjoy your celebration at an unhurried pace. With on-site lodging available through select offerings, The Grounds gives you the opportunity to turn your wedding day into a thoughtfully planned weekend.

The Wedding Experience

The Grounds welcomes celebrations of up to 150 guests, with flexible options designed around each couple’s vision. Your experience may include exclusive use of the property, on-site lodging, an elegant reception tent, tables and chairs, restroom facilities, valet service, parking attendants, and support from our on-site property manager and event team.

Couples are also welcome to work with qualified vendors who complement their style, understand their vision, and meet the professional requirements of The Grounds.

A Beautiful Celebration. A Meaningful Legacy

At the heart of this remarkable property is Welcome Pastures and its commitment to the care, rehabilitation, and future of retired Thoroughbreds.

By choosing The Grounds, your celebration becomes part of something meaningful. Events held here help support the horses and preserve the peaceful surroundings they call home.

It’s a beautiful place to begin your next chapter while helping support theirs.

Your Wedding Begins Here

We invite you to experience The Grounds, explore its possibilities, and imagine your celebration taking shape within the landscape.

Contact us to check availability and arrange a private tour.

Plan your Wedding

Intimate Weddings

For couples who believe the most meaningful celebrations are shared with those closest to them, The Grounds offers an elegant setting for intimate weddings of up to 50 guests.

A smaller guest list creates the freedom to focus on what matters most: beautiful details, an unhurried atmosphere, and genuine time with every person you’ve chosen to include.

Exchange vows surrounded by the peaceful Rhode Island countryside, gather for an intimate dinner, and celebrate in a way that feels personal, refined, and unmistakably yours.

At The Grounds, a smaller wedding never feels like less. It feels intentional.

Private Events at The Grounds

A Beautiful Setting for Every Occasion

Some moments deserve more than an ordinary venue. Set within 52 acres of picturesque Rhode Island countryside, The Grounds at Welcome Pastures offers a distinctive setting for bridal and baby showers, milestone birthdays, retirement celebrations, fundraisers, corporate gatherings, and more.

From intimate occasions to larger celebrations, our flexible indoor and outdoor spaces allow each event to feel personal and entirely its own. Whether you're envisioning a relaxed gathering inside the cabin, an event that flows onto the deck and grounds, or a larger celebration customized to your needs, we'll help create a setting that feels entirely your own.

Plan your event

Bride and groom happily interacting with a cow through a wooden fence.

Gather for Something Special

Surrounded by open fields, mature trees, and the timeless character of a historic equestrian property, The Grounds offers a naturally beautiful backdrop for:

Bridal and baby showers
Engagements and anniversary celebrations
Birthday and retirement parties
Family gatherings and reunions
Corporate events and retreats
Fundraisers and community gatherings
Other private celebrations

Whether you’re planning something elegant and formal or relaxed and intimate, The Grounds offers the flexibility to create an experience that feels personal to your occasion.

An Experience Designed Around You

No two celebrations are exactly alike. Our event options are designed to accommodate gatherings of different sizes and styles, from intimate events to larger celebrations of up to 150 guests.

Depending on your event needs, your experience can be customized with options such as tables and chairs, restroom facilities, parking attendants, valet service, on-site lodging, and event support.

Our team will work with you to understand your vision and help you select the setting, services, and details that best complement your event.

A Gathering With Purpose

The Grounds is more than a beautiful place to celebrate. Proceeds from events help support the mission of Welcome Pastures and its commitment to the care, rehabilitation, and future of retired Thoroughbreds.

When you gather here, your occasion becomes part of something meaningful—helping provide a peaceful home and a promising next chapter for the horses of Welcome Pastures.

Welcome Pastures

Sunset through trees with a wooden deck viewed.

Begin Planning Your Event

Tell us about the occasion you’re planning, your preferred date, and your estimated number of guests. We’d be happy to answer your questions, learn more about your vision, and arrange a private tour of The Grounds.

Beautifully Gathered. Meaningfully Celebrated.

INQUIRE ABOUT YOUR EVENT

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at events@thegroundsri.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What types of events can be held at The Grounds?

The Grounds welcomes weddings, showers, milestone celebrations, corporate gatherings, retreats, family events, and other private occasions.

How many guests can The Grounds accommodate?

The property can accommodate intimate gatherings as well as larger events of up to 150 guests. Available spaces and event options will depend on the size, date, and details of your celebration.

When is The Grounds available for events?

Smaller gatherings may be available throughout the year. Larger events and weddings are primarily hosted during September, October, and November. Please contact us to discuss availability for your preferred date.

Can alcohol be served?

Yes. Alcohol may be served by properly licensed and insured vendors using certified bartenders. All required licenses, insurance certificates, and compliance documents must be submitted and approved before the event. Preferred vendors list can be provided.

May we choose our own vendors?

We welcome qualified outside vendors, provided they meet all licensing, insurance, and property requirements. Vendors must receive approval and submit the required documentation before the event. Preferred vendors list can be provided.

Are tables, chairs, restrooms, and valet service available?

These items may be included in selected event packages. Package details vary, so our team will review what is included when preparing your proposal.

Is lodging available?

On-site lodging may be available as part of select weekend wedding packages. Availability and occupancy details will be provided during the planning process.

Are there horses on the property?

Yes. Welcome Pastures is home to retired Thoroughbreds. For the safety and comfort of our horses and guests, access to barns, paddocks, and designated horse areas may be limited during events.

How does my event support Welcome Pastures?

Proceeds from events at The Grounds help support the care, rehabilitation, and future of retired Thoroughbreds while helping preserve the property they call home.

How do we reserve a date?

Begin by submitting an inquiry with your preferred date, estimated guest count, and event details. A date is officially reserved once the rental agreement is signed and the required non-refundable reservation retainer has been received.

Still have questions?

We would love to hear from you. Contact our team to learn more, check availability, or arrange a private tour of The Grounds.

Contact Us

Your Celebration Starts Here

We’d love to hear more about the celebration you’re planning. Whether you’re envisioning a wedding, private gathering, corporate event, or another special occasion, our team is here to help you explore what’s possible at The Grounds.

Contact us to tell us more about your event, ask any questions, and arrange a private tour of the property.

The Grounds at Welcome Pastures

459 Snake Hill Road, North Scituate, RI, USA

401-480-2837 events@thegroundsri.com

A Beautiful Setting for Every Celebration

Our story