Three Breathtaking Museum Venues for a Unique Wedding Celebration

Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center / Courtesy photo

CULTURE TRIP

Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center
Mashantucket, Connecticut
Head Count Up to 600 guests seated
Price Starting at $7,500, plus food and drink

Sprinkle I.M. Pei’s Louvre Pyramid with a dose of futuristic fairy dust à la The Jetsons, and you’ve conjured the circular glass-and-steel event space at Connecticut’s Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center—the largest tribally owned museum in the world. A magical reception spot, the room (also known as the Gathering Space) is just one venue option within the grand 308,000-square-foot building, which includes impressive exhibits on Native American culture and a 185-foot-tall observation tower with spectacular views of the reservation. Say “I do” on the 65,000-square-foot Garden Terrace, which doubles as a green roof, then join guests to sip cocktails and nosh on passed apps. After you assemble your nearest and dearest for dinner back in the Gathering Space, treat them to a fireworks display; the colorful explosions are gorgeously visible through the space’s glass roof.

PREWEDDING ADVENTURE

The HighFlyer Zipline provides action hero–style thrills for daredevils, who start their journey atop a 330-foot-high tower at nearby Foxwoods Resort Casino. Then, whoosh, a mere 90 seconds later, they land at the museum, seven-tenths of a mile yonder. Guests afraid of heights can take a spin on the property’s go-karts instead.

Peabody Essex Museum / Photo by Gina Brocker Photography

CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC

Peabody Essex Museum
Salem, Massachusetts
Head Count Up to 270 seated
Price Starting at $5,500, plus food and drink

For urban elegance without the hassle of Boston proper, reserve the Peabody Essex Museum for your wedding. In September 2019, the esteemed Salem institution unveiled a 40,000-square-foot addition that affords new indoor and outdoor event spaces, each more breathtaking than the last. After exchanging vows in the historical East India Marine Hall—a cream-colored room with hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers, and Palladian windows—use the museum’s spiral staircase to access the new 5,000-square-foot formal garden. The landscaped courtyard, complete with a meandering water feature and granite-slab meditation benches, makes a serene spot for cocktails. Then, it’s on to the true pièce de résistance—a soaring atrium with an arched, glass roof. Mimicking the vibe of bygone village greens, it’s a perfect place to bring together loved ones for an evening of revelry.

Peabody Essex Museum / Photo by Bob Packert

UNIQUE VENDOR

Floral designer Keelia Otten debuted Helios Floral in Salem in 2018, winning praise from brides and industry peers for her organic approach. Otten’s current crushes include coral fountain amaranth, labyrinth dahlias, and bearded iris, which she uses to craft wild bouquets, floral arches, centerpieces, and more.

Enfield Shaker Museum / Photo by Coral Compass Photo Co.

HISTORICAL CHARM

Enfield Shaker Museum
Enfield, New Hampshire
Head Count Up to 125 seated (inside); unlimited (outside)
Price Starting at $1,200, plus food and drink

Toast your love with a weekend-long house party on the grounds of the Enfield Shaker Museum in Enfield, New Hampshire. This mountain destination encompasses many aspects of the original Shaker Village, including several historical buildings that can be rented for your celebration. For the ceremony, consider the Mary Keane Chapel, which boasts pink-marble columns, stained-glass windows, and oak pews. The stone walls and 21-foot-high ceilings of the property’s Stone Mill, meanwhile, offer a rustic backdrop for receptions. For an outdoor affair instead, host a tented dinner on the property, replete with wooded clearings and rolling hills. Plus, couples who want to maximize mingling can book the 20 overnight rooms in the Great Stone Dwelling for their favorite 70 guests. The best part? Newlyweds stay in the bridal suite for free.

REHEARSAL DINNER

Take a 25-minute drive over the state line for farm-to-table fare at the Loft at Simon Pearce Restaurant in Quechee, Vermont. Guests will enjoy a view of the Ottauquechee River and falls while tucking into dishes such as roasted duckling with mango chutney in the restaurant’s private dining space, originally the master glassblower’s home.

UPDATE: In an earlier version of this story, we misstated the price for weddings at the Peabody Essex Museum. We regret the error.

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