Event Rentals

What are your wedding packages and what is included? We offer customizable options for your wedding and your Rental includes the following:

Package Amenities include:

• Crystal Bridges Culinary Team to provide exclusive catering

• Onsite Crystal Bridges Event Coordinator

• Menu development consultation

• Complimentary food/beverage tasting

• Customizable seating arrangements/room design

• Bridal ready-room access

• Exclusive private access to the museum’s art galleries

• Access to our grounds and indoor common areas for one of a kind photography

• House selection of tables and chairs

• House selection of china, flatware, glassware

• Party lighting

• Service Staff

• A/V tech and support

• Complimentary Wi-Fi

• Labor (set-up; break-down)

• Cake cutting service

How long can I reserve the event space?

• Our standard event timeframe is from 5:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m., including both ceremony and reception.

• If you would like to extend your event past 11:30 p.m. , we offer ( 1 ) additional hour at the rate of $1,500.00.

What venues are included in your Wedding package?

• Choice of indoor or outdoor ceremony location

• Choice of indoor or outdoor cocktail reception location

• Choice of indoor reception location

• ( 2 ) Day-of ready spaces for the full day

• Ready room for gifts and vendors

• Private gallery viewing time for your guests

• Specific galleries or art pieces are not guaranteed

• Viewing time is based on gallery availability

Is there a bridal ready space?

• Yes, your package includes two ready spaces you have access to all day.

Is there a designated smoking area?

• Yes, on our South Lawn, adjacent to the Great Hall.

Is an outdoor area included for a cocktail reception?

• Yes, you have multiple locations to choose from based on your reception location.

Are your venues accessible for ADA guests?

• Absolutely, all of our spaces are ADA accessible.

Is there a secure area to store the wedding gifts?

• Yes, we offer a ready room included in your wedding package.

Do you have an onsite Wedding Coordinator?

• Your Rental does include a dedicated Wedding Coordinator to assist with logistics and planning.

Do I need an outside wedding planner?

• We do require a licensed, full-service Planner for all weddings hosted at Crystal Bridges. The Planner must be booked within (60) Days of signed contract date and subject to approval.

Can the venue accommodate the ceremony?

• Your choice of indoor or outdoor ceremony location is included in your wedding package.

Do you provide the seating for the ceremony?

• We provide our in-house inventory of chairs for indoor locations. Outdoor Ceremonies will be required to rent chairs. We can provide a Preferred Vendor list for options.

Are you able to have a rehearsal at the venue and a rehearsal dinner?

• Absolutely, we love showing off the museum!

Can rose petals be strewn?

• Yes, in select locations.

Are there decorating restrictions?

The Following items are NOT allowed in the Museum or on our grounds:

• Candles, matches, or flames of any kind

• Glitter and confetti

• Feathers, boas, and/or materials that shed

• Bird seed

• Helium balloons

• Fog or smoke machines

• Aerosol spray string (silly string)

• Water guns

• Bubbles

• Air horns

• Projectiles of any kind

• Dry ice

Decorations, signage, or banners of any type may NOT be attached or fastened to walls, display cases, works of art, doors, floors, shades, ceilings, glass, handrails, or any other surface or structure within the museum.

What decorations does the venue provide?

• We provide use of our in-house inventory of tables, chairs, and tablescape

• We also have limited in-house Linens for an additional rental fee of $14.00/Each

What catering service styles does Crystal Bridges offer?

• We offer a variety of styles including passed or stationed appetizers, plated, buffet, chef stations (with or without an attendant), and more.

Can we create a custom menu?

• Yes, we can create custom menus with consultations from our Chefs. Custom Menu pricing starts at $150.00/Guest and cost can increase depending on final selection.

Can we arrange for a meal tasting?

• Absolutely! A complimentary tasting for (2) guests is included as part of your Wedding Rental. This must be scheduled at least (30) Days prior to your event.

• Up to (2) additional guests can be added to the tasting for an additional fee.

Can we accommodate special diets?

• Yes

Do you have to provide your own place cards?

• Yes, that will be arranged with your Wedding Designer.

• Place cards identifying each guest’s names and choice of entrée will be required.

Are there booster seats or high chairs available for children?

• Yes, we welcome all ages!

Does the venue provide the alcohol and bar service?

• Any and all alcohol is provided exclusively by our in-house Catering Team. Specialty orders will require additional fees.

• Cash Bars are subject to a $250 Minimum Spend.

Do you offer Bar Packages and what is included?

• We do offer per person all-inclusive bar packages.

Do you provide a cash bar or an open bar?

• We can provide a number of bar options, ranging from hosted bar, cash bar, beer & wine bar to all-inclusive bar packages.

• We can also offer custom, signature cocktails for an additional fee.

Can we bring in a band or DJ?

• We do allow bands or DJs as long as they are self-contained.

What does Crystal Bridges have for a sound system?

• Each space offers varying levels of Audio/Visual capabilities. Our Sales Manager or Event Coordinator can clarify those capabilities once preferred space is confirmed.

• We can also supplement Audio/Visual needs through the use of preferred third-party vendors.

What time do you allow the music to play until?

• Our standard event end time is 11:30 p.m. However, we do allow an extension of (1) hour for an additional fee of $1,500.00.

Are there any photograph or video restrictions?

• Flash photography is not permitted in exhibition gallery spaces.

• Commercial use of museum images/photography is not permitted without prior museum approval.

What suggestions do you have for locations to photograph?

• We have amazing locations for unique and one-of-a-kind photography, we encourage you to choose your locations in advance and arrange with your Event Manager.

Where do guests park and how many spots are available?

• You have access to our entire Main Parking with over 175 spaces.

Is there valet?

• There is not a full-time valet, though our Event Managers can source that for you if desired.

Is there a cost to park?

• Parking is open to your guests at no additional cost.

What else is going on that night that may make it difficult for guests to park?

• The Museum closes at 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, so weekend events will have minimum impact from Museum Guests. If you are hosting on a day the Museum closes at 8:00 p.m., your Event Coordinator will ensure an adequate parking plan.

• If other impacts are anticipated, your Event Coordinator will make sure to communicate and plan accordingly.

What is required for a deposit?

• The Deposit Payment is in the amount of the Rental Fee and due upon signature of contract to fully confirm your event.

What is the Payment Schedule?

• Deposit Due at time of signed Agreement to confirm the event

• 2nd Payment – the amount of your Food & Beverage Minimum

• Due (90) Days prior to your event

• 3rd Payment – outstanding Balance

• Due (21) Days prior to your event after approved final details

• Final Payment – any overages or items billed on consumption

• Due (7) days following your event

Are there are any additional fees?

• A 22% Service Charge is applied to the cost for all Rental Fees and Food & Beverage purchases and will be included in the Final Invoice.

• Applicable Tax will also be applied to the Final Invoice.

What is your cancellation policy?

• 6 Months or less (180 days or less) -0-

• 6-9 Months (181-270 days) 50% of Deposit

• 9-12 Months (271-365 days) 75% of Deposit

• One year or more (366+ days) 100% of Deposit

When is my final guest count due:

• The Guaranteed Guest Count is due (30) Days prior to your event.

• The Guaranteed Guest Count may not be decreased within (30) days but may be increased up to 10% within (7) days of the event.

• Additional Increases will be evaluated on capacity and will be subject to additional fees.

What are the insurance requirements for me and our vendors?

• Insurance coverage of the following types will need to be provided 60 days out from the event date.

• Employer’s liability: $1,000,000

• Commercial general liability for bodily injury, personal injury and property damages claims: $1,000,000.