For a wedding that is truly monumental, a museum wedding venue is one of our top picks. From age-old buildings full of history to modern museums of art, getting married at a museum wedding venue just gives the day that much more meaning. Browse our list of the best museum wedding venues in your area, and view photos of weddings at each venue to see how couples have made it their own. Then get in touch with your favorites.
There’s something distinctly unique about museum wedding venues. From an art museum wedding to a planetarium wedding, museum weddings certainly score points for their originality. If you’re considering a museum wedding, you might be wondering why they’re so popular, what the different venue options are, how much they cost, what decor you need, and how to start planning. Couples thinking, “Are there any museum wedding venues near me?” will find our searchable directory of wedding venues extremely helpful for filtering by location. Our directory of wedding vendors will also assist couples as they curate the team who will bring their museum weddings to life.
Couples entertain the idea of a museum wedding for many reasons. Museum wedding venues have the “wow” factor because they’re visually stunning and a more unusual location for your special day. And your guests will never forget their behind-the-scenes night at the museum.
Museum weddings can also honor a passion that is important to the couple. Couples who enjoy art might select from a pool of art museum wedding venues, while history buffs might want a natural history museum wedding. Some couples may even honor their heritage at museum weddings. Whichever type you select, the venue can really help dictate your overall aesthetic and theme.
Because museum wedding venues typically offer a variety of spaces to work with, they can easily accommodate small and large parties alike. Another perk that comes with museum weddings? The built-in decor! Museum wedding venues have art installations, priceless exhibits, and more masterpieces that your guests can enjoy.
Museum wedding venues also come with functional must-haves, like restrooms, climate control, and electricity. Some venues may offer a kitchen for your caterers to work from too.
It’s also important to consider the unique museum wedding venues photos that your wedding photographer will capture. Couples can take pictures under the stars at their planetarium wedding, pose next to their favorite works at an art museum wedding, or get candid shots at their local city museum.
Right now, you’re probably wondering, “What are the best museum wedding venues near me?” For starters, it’s helpful to know what type of museums are out there. For creatives, art museum wedding venues could be the ideal fit. Not only will the art serve as decor, but an art museum wedding may also show guests what the couple really cares about. Some couples choose art museum wedding venues where they had a significant moment, such as a first date or their engagement.
If an art museum wedding isn’t for you, there are also city museum wedding venues, which you can find all over the world. Take your time sourcing a museum wedding venue that works for your style and interests. With so many city museum wedding venues, you’re sure to find the right fit.
Historic museum wedding venues are also popular. Some couples dream of a natural history museum wedding where dinosaur exhibits can serve as a jaw-dropping backdrop, while others prefer historical museum wedding venues that pay tribute to their culture.
Another option is to host a celestial-inspired planetarium wedding. These museum weddings allow couples to dance beneath the stars, surrounded by their loved ones. If you’re an astronomy buff, or simply love the great outdoors, a planetarium wedding provides the perfect opportunity to have the best day possible.
If you want to get married at a museum, you might be curious how much a museum wedding generally costs. The average cost of a museum wedding ranges from $4,474 to $14,748. For perspective, the average wedding cost $20,300 in 2020—but prices have been higher since then. There are some unexpected museum wedding costs to remember too. For example, if the venue you’re considering doesn’t have a kitchen, your catering company will need to source a mobile kitchen for you. While some museum wedding venues will offer furniture, such as chairs and tables, you may have to rent these items as well.
The venue is one of the largest wedding expenses. Whether you choose a museum wedding or not, you should allocate approximately 45% of your overall wedding budget for your venue.
Wherever you host your big day—at one of the many art museum wedding venues or another special spot —the amount of decor is up to you. Couples often select museum weddings because they love the existing decor (artwork or historical architecture). However, some modern structures may require extra decorations to elevate your celebration.
A wedding planner can help ensure your decor is cohesive. These pros have years of experience curating decorations and will be able to help guarantee everything works well together while maintaining the overall vision for your wedding.
Keep in mind that while some museum wedding venues may be able to provide furniture, such as tables and chairs, for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, others may ask you to bring them in. Your museum wedding venue will have some form of lighting, but if you want to add ambiance lighting, consider a chandelier, string lights, or some wash lighting. A wedding planner will help you with the logistics of these rentals, which is yet another reason why a planning expert is so valuable.
Whether you’re having a planetarium wedding or celebrating your big day at one of the many city museum wedding venues worldwide, you’ll need to find a floral designer to curate your blooms. Coming up with a floral design plan can help establish your wedding’s color palette and kickstart your ideas for bridal party looks and so much more.
Your floral designer will also help you create tablescapes. Try to match your desired theme with the style of the venue. This ensures the museum wedding venue does the heavy lifting and you can get innovative with smaller decor accents.
If you’re wondering, “Which museum wedding venues near me would be the best for my big day?” you’re ready to start scouting your dream venue. Check out read couples’ museum weddings and head over to our directory of wedding galleries too. From there, get in touch with venues and vendors that catch your eye, and learn more about how they can help you craft the most magical museum wedding day.
