We can hear the wedding bells! Museums aren’t only a great place for a first date, but the biggest date: your wedding! Keeping with the wedding theme in honor of our Co-Founders upcoming nuptials, here’s a roundup of the best museums providing the perfect spaces for everything from vow recitations to killer dance floors.
American Museum of Natural History (New York, NY)
Can’t narrow down the guest list? Don’t worry, the museum can hold over 3,000 people. If feasting in the Hall of Ocean Life, under the Great Blue Whale weren’t enough, you can also book a private space show in the Hayden Planetarium. Or, a private tour of one of the museum halls or a current exhibition. In addition, the Museum carries an in-house caterer that provides sustainably sourced seafood. The only thing limiting the spaces’ possibilities may be your budget.
Milwaukee Art Museum (Milwaukee, WI)
If you’re from the East Coast, getting married in the Midwest might seem out of the picture. But, bringing guests to the postmodern, sculptural Quadracci Pavillion, designed by Santiago Calatrava, makes the trip worth it. The impressive space fills up with light, enhancing the sculptural backdrop and providing the perfect juxtaposition to your soft gown. Plus, on the day of your wedding, the museum books no events other than yours, ensuring that all attention is on you.
Toledo Museum (Toledo, Ohio)
Who wouldn’t want to get married in a room full of Baroque paintings? The art’s drama, exuberance, and passion are perfect for a wedding! At each step in the process, the museum will work with you to make sure that everything from the menu to the choice of gallery reserved is to your liking. In addition, you can hold your rehearsal dinner at the Museum, in the Glass Pavilion or the Peristyle Lobby. Plus, there’s a sculpture garden up for grabs.
Parrish Art Museum (Water Mill, NY)
You can’t go wrong selecting the Parrish Art Museum, one of the most sought after venues in the Hamptons, for your wedding. The beautiful space has hosted parties and receptions for guests ranging from international fashion designers to major financial institutions. Brides Magazine awarded the Museum a spot on the list of the “10 buzziest new wedding spots for 2016.” And you know the place is hot when Art Zealous’ Co-Founders are tying the knot there!
Blanton Museum of Art (Austin, TX)
The Blanton Museum of Art is much more than one of The University of Texas’s gems. The Museum is home to an impressive atrium with a 50-foot ceiling and iridescent blue walls, a space perfect for holding up to 150 guests. Plus, the Museum’s curfew is 2 am, meaning that you can keep the energy up throughout the reception and groove to your band until the wee hours of the night.
The Institue of Contemporary Art (Boston, MA)
Located on the waterfront in Boston, the ICA is an architectural dream, consisting of 65,000 square feet and endless planes of glass that provide breathtaking views of the Boston skyline. The home to a provocative collection of contemporary art also offers food that does not disappoint, as it is provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering. Plus, the nonprofit Institute works closely with couples to make sure that each wedding is as personalized as possible.
The Frick Collection (New York, NY)
If you’re a member of The Frick Collection, think about utilizing the historic space for your wedding’s reception. Ceremonies aren’t allowed to take place on the grounds, but impress your guests by holding a cocktail hour and sit-down dinner at the estate. But, make sure to read the contract’s fine print, as the Collection insists on certain rules, such as only serving red wine at dinner, not during cocktails.
Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
The Windy City might be the perfect location for your nuptials. The Art Institute of Chicago is full of a variety of spectacular spaces; you can celebrate in the Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room, which exudes vintage glamor, or perhaps in the sleekly designed Modern Wing. In addition, a private viewing of the permanent collection or special exhibitions is permitted. Bon Appétit is the exclusive on-site caterer, but it provides “culinary excellence” and prepares enticing menus that provide a variety of options.
Museum van Loon (Amsterdam, NL)
The beautiful European estate is fit for a spread in Vogue. The Museum was originally the home of Willem van Loon and is located on the elegant Keizersgracht canal in Amsterdam. The van Loons co-founded the Dutch East-India Company, during the Golden Age. Take a step back in time on your special day, and celebrate with your guests as if it were the booming 17th century in Amsterdam.
Asian Art Museum (San Francisco, CA)
Built in 1917, the Italian designed building was originally San Francisco’s main library. The museum now contains over 2,500 works of contemporary and ancient Asian art which spans over 6,000 years of history. With four grand stories of marble, columns, and arches, the space is impressive. And at the reception, guests can enjoy three floors of galleries.
Peggy Guggenheim Museum (Venice, IT)
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection not only contains an impressive collection of modern art but is also located on the Grand Canal, in the heart of Venice. Provide guests with a night to remember by also giving them the opportunity to experience the collection in an exclusive atmosphere, under the guide of a private tour leader. Che bella!
Seattle Art Museum (Seattle, WA)
The Seattle Art Museum can host every part of the wedding, from the ceremony to the after-party. Plus, the museum has reasonably priced packages that encourage guests to do so, to hold both their ceremony and reception at the museum. The Museum offers the space for up to eight hours as well as provides musical services for the cocktail reception. Don’t only get married amidst impressive sculptures, but also feel good about your spendings.
Pérez Art Museum (Miami, FL)
Make your wedding unforgettable by holding it in one of the Museum’s beautiful, modern spaces. The location provides breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay and contains outdoor plazas covered in lush vegetation. In addition, the Museum has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and The Knot, so if you do decide on this Florida location, tips and tricks for making the most of the venue have already been outlined!
