New York City is famous for its incredible line-up of wedding venues. The Beekman Hotel, The Rainbow Room, Casa Cipriani, and many other iconic venues are open to couples looking to get married in the city. But even more impressive, as the stunning NYC Museums that do weddings.
These museums all offer a unique and memorable wedding day experience, surrounded by history and breathtaking architecture.
To help with your wedding venue search, we’ve compiled a list of the top NYC museums that host weddings, including the pricing, what spaces are available for use, and why they each stand out.
1. Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
Location: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, United States
Known for its impressive collection of paintings, antique weapons, sculptures, and decorative arts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art stands tall on Fifth Avenue. Hosting your wedding in this NYC museum means being surrounded by over 5,000 years of arts and crafts from around the world, as you say your vows and celebrate with friends and family.
The Met is one of the most popular NYC museums that hosts weddings and boasts over four amazing spaces for your wedding celebrations. Their event spaces include the Charles Engelhard Court, the Great Hall, and the Great Balcony, which is terrific for a standing reception of up to 1,000 guests. The Temple of Dendur can accommodate up to 550 guests, while The Caroll and Milton Petrie European Sculpture Court can accommodate up to 200 guests. The Met Cloisters, and The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden is also another option, perfect for 200-300 guests.
2. American Museum of Natural History
Location: 200 Central Prk W, New York, NY 10024, United States
If you’ve always wanted to have your first dance under the pectoral fins of a 94-foot blue whale, the American Museum of Natural History is the perfect choice for you.
Your guests will be in awe during the entire event, as the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda sets the mood for a perfect cocktail hour. You’ll get a stunning view of the world’s tallest freestanding dinosaur mount, which can add color to even the most colorful event. In addition, the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life can comfortably accommodate at least 200 wedding guests.
Need Wedding Venue Support?
Contact our team at O’Neil Events for a list of venue tour questions to ask on your next visit.
3. Museum of the City of New York
Location: 220 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029, United States
Founded in 1923 by Henry Collins Brown to safeguard the city’s rich history, the Museum of the City of New York (MCNY) is now celebrated as one of Manhattan’s premier wedding destinations. Couples and guests consistently describe the venue as magnificent, unforgettable, and majestic.
The experience begins the moment you step into the Rotunda of this elegant Georgian-style mansion. From there, your celebration flows seamlessly via a sweeping staircase up to the grand Marble Court on the second floor.
The MCNY offers several spectacular event spaces, including the South Terrace (offering stunning views of Central Park), the Ronay Menschel Hall, and the Marble Court. These spaces are ideal for a seated dinner accommodating up to 225 guests. For more intimate celebrations, the Bruno A. Quinson Room provides a perfect setting for up to 50 guests.
At every turn, the venue offers couples and guests a breathtaking, picturesque view of Central Park, adding a touch of classic New York romance to your day.
4. Merchant’s House Museum
Location: 29 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003, United States
For a wedding steeped in authentic 19th-century elegance, consider the Merchant’s House Museum. This Greek Revival masterpiece, built in 1832, is renowned as one of the most perfectly preserved homes of its era, featuring the original furniture and personal belongings of the Tredwell family.
Specializing in small, intimate weddings (a unique alternative to larger NYC venues), the museum offers a rare glimpse into a bygone era, complete with a charming secret garden and stunning double parlor. Host your historic micro-wedding starting at $1,800 for 10 guests.
Colleen made the wedding planning process easy and manageable! She kept us on track with clear deadlines and helped us prioritize the long to-do list. I didn’t have to worry about a thing on our wedding day because I knew Colleen had it handled. 10/10 recommend!
Lauren Madeira
5. Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
Location: 895 Shore Rd, Bronx, NY 10464, United States
The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, located in the tranquil Pelham Bay Park, offers a stunning historic backdrop for intimate weddings. Dating back to 1836, this meticulously preserved mansion specializes in events for 50 guests or less.
Couples can choose between two exceptional event spaces:
-
The Formal Garden: This space, designed by Delano and Aldrich, seats up to 50 guests (fee: $7,500).
-
The Conservatory: An equally memorable, light-filled option for smaller groups and budgets (fee starting at $3,000).
The museum offers a blend of historical integrity and natural beauty, ensuring a picturesque and memorable celebration.
Have you asked to a wedding planner?
One of the biggest regrets our clients have is often that they didn’t hire us sooner. We don’t want that to be you! If you have questions, just reach out, and we’d be happy to offer our expert advice (at no cost).
6. The New York Historical Society Museum & Library
Location: 170 Central Prk W, New York, NY 10024, United States
Located directly across from Central Park on the Upper West Side, the New-York Historical Society Museum & Library offers a magnificent setting for weddings. This landmark institution blends classic architectural grandeur with exciting contemporary art collections, providing a stunning backdrop for your wedding.
The venue offers flexible pricing based on the space and experience desired:
-
Grand Wedding Package: Rent a primary event space for a starting investment of $20,000.
-
Artistic Ceremony: Host your ceremony in the dramatic room housing the largest Picasso on display in North America for $18,000.
-
Intimate Celebration: For smaller gatherings of 60 guests or less, an elegant space is available for $10,000.
At the New-York Historical Society, both the collections and the atmosphere promise an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.
Conclusion: NYC Museums that do weddings
Imagine exchanging vows next to a masterpiece by Pablo Picasso or hosting your first dance beneath a towering, 94-foot blue whale exhibit. These historic and artistic New York City museums offer experiences that defy the typical ballroom setting.
Furthermore, you can choose to celebrate in rooms steeped in history, or even host your reception at the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art, where the world’s most famous celebrities gather each year for the annual Costume Institute Gala.
From intimate parlors to grand halls of art and science, these NYC museum venues promise an utterly unique, cultured, and unforgettable start to your marriage.
Need help touring any of these museums for your upcoming wedding? Contact our team at O’Neil Events.
What is the typical starting budget for a museum wedding in NYC
The starting budget for renting an NYC museum space for a wedding varies dramatically based on the guest count and the historical nature of the venue.
-
Micro-Weddings (10-60 Guests): For intimate celebrations in smaller, historical venues (like the Merchant’s House Museum or Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum), site rental fees can start as low as $1,800 to $3,000.
-
Mid-to-Large Events (100+ Guests): For access to a grand hall, rotunda, or primary event space in larger institutions (like the Museum of the City of New York or the New-York Historical Society), the starting site rental fee is typically between $10,000 and $20,000.
Do NYC museum venues have guest minimums or maximum capacities?
Yes, capacity is a crucial factor, as museum spaces are often protected landmarks.
Do NYC Museums have restrictions on vendors, setup times, or photography due to the historical or artistic nature of the exhibits??
Yes. Due to the irreplaceable nature of their collections and architecture, museums have the tightest restrictions of any venue type. This is why it’s important to work with your wedding planner or venue to ensure these meet your requirements.
