An Elegantly Restored Landmark Museum for Your Next Social Affair

The Wedding Library has a partnership with the Museum of the City of New York as their exclusive booking agent and event planner for weddings. We are delighted to make one of the most elegant buildings on Fifth Avenue more accessible to brides.

Please enjoy the images of this wonderful space.

As guests enter the Museum from Fifth Avenue, they step into the newly restored marble rotunda, the highlight of the grand Georgian-style building. The front terrace can be tented for ceremonies, cocktails or dinner.View of the partially covered back terrace.

The front terrace without a tent -- overlooking Fifth Avenue and across from Central Park's Conservatory Gardens.

A magical interior space. For weddings with seated dinner and dancing, up to 250 guests.

The Marble Rotunda, available for dinner, cocktails or an intimate ceremony.

Dining in the Rotunda.

Dining in the galleries.

Photos courtesy of Julie Skarratt and Michael DiVito.

The Spaces

The Marble Rotunda
As you enter the Museum, this space can be used for a ceremony, cocktails or dinner.
Ceremony: 125 capacity
Cocktails: 150-200 (depending on the exhibit schedule)
Dinner with dancing: 110-180 (depending on the exhibit schedule)

The Balcony
Directly above the Marble Rotunda, up the spiral stair, this space has a similar configuration to the Marble Rotunda, with the added charm of a viewing balcony overlooking the trees of Central Park.
Ceremony: 125
Cocktails: 150-200 (depending on the exhibit schedule)
Dinner with dancing: 110-180 (depending on the exhibit schedule)

The Front Terrace
Fronting Fifth Avenue, the stone terrace is elevated above the sidewalk and flanked by two covered archway spaces. This space can be tented.
Covered archway: 40 for dinner or cocktails
Open air or tented cocktails: 300
Open air or tented dinner with dancing: 250

Auditorium
Perfect as a ceremony space or alternative dinner and dancing space, the auditorium has a maximum capacity of 248 guests.

Wedding Space Configurations

Central Park Conservatory Gardens Ceremony
We welcome couples getting married at the lovely Central Park Conservatory Gardens to consider using the Covered Archways of the Terrace or Terrace for their reception. The Terrace can be cordoned off for up to 100 guests for a private reception, even during Museum opening hours. After hours, the full Terrace is available for up to 250 seated with dancing. Some restrictions apply.

The covered archway makes for a cozy and rain-protected space for a small cocktail, champagne or dessert reception for up to 40 guests. Available during the week and weekends.

Ceremony Off-Site
For ceremonies elsewhere, there are several options for the reception.

For Weddings Up to 110 Guests
Cocktails can take place in the Marble Rotunda, The Balcony or The Front Terrace.
Dinner can take place in the Marble Rotunda, The Balcony or The Front Terrace.

For Weddings Up to 180 Guests
Cocktails can take place in the combination of the Marble Rotunda and The Balcony, The Front Terrace or the Auditorium. Dinner and dancing can take place in the combination of the Marble Rotunda and The Balcony, The Front Terrace or the Auditorium. (Tenting of The Front Terrace recommended.)

For Weddings Up to 248 Guests
Cocktails can take place in the combination of the Marble Rotunda and The Balcony, The Front Terrace or the Auditorium. Dinner and dancing can take place in The Front Terrace or the Auditorium.

For Cocktail Receptions Up to 500 Guests
Cocktails, dessert and dancing can take place in the combination of the Marble Rotunda, The Balcony and The Front Terrace.

Ceremony On-Site
For Weddings Up to 110 Guests
Ceremony can take place in the Marble Rotunda, The Balcony or The Front Terrace. Cocktails can take place in the Marble Rotunda, The Balcony or The Front Terrace. Dinner can take place in the Marble Rotunda, The Balcony or The Front Terrace.

For Weddings Up to 180 Guests
Ceremonies can take place in the Auditorium or the Front Terrace. Cocktails can take place in the combination of the Marble Rotunda and The Balcony, The Front Terrace or the Auditorium. Dinner and dancing can take place in the combination of the Marble Rotunda and The Balcony, The Front Terrace or the Auditorium. (Tenting of The Front Terrace recommended.)

For Weddings Up to 248 Guests
Ceremonies can take place in the Auditorium or The Front Terrace. Cocktails can take place in the combination of the Marble Rotunda and The Balcony, The Front Terrace or the Auditorium. Dinner and dancing can take place in The Front Terrace or the Auditorium.

For Cocktail Receptions Up to 400 Guests
Ceremony can take place on the Front Terrace. Cocktails can take place in the combination of the Marble Rotunda, The Balcony and The Front Terrace.

Fee Structure

For Weddings and Private Events Only

Space Rental

• $7,500 Reception only using The Terrace, The Marble Rotunda or The Balcony for up to 7 hours
• $10,000 Ceremony and Reception using The Terrace, The Marble Rotunda or The Balcony for up to 7 hours
• $2,000 For use of the Auditorium for up to 7 hours
  
• For daytime terrace use or events under 60 guests (using only one space), please inquire with the Wedding Library

Additional Costs and Liabilities

A security deposit of $2,500 is required. It will be returned, less direct costs if no damage occurs.

All direct costs for manpower services provided which are directly associated with the contracted event. These costs are separate from the Space Rental fee. Client will be billed for services used during and after events (event break-down). Direct costs average $2,500 but vary by event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When can events load-in or begin?
A. All events can begin at 5:00pm. (The exceptions are small events outside on the Terrace or on Mondays when the Museum is available all day.)
Q. Are open flames allowed in the Museum?
A. No, but the Wedding Library has resources for realistic battery-operated votives.
Q. How can I get married in Central Park?
A. Please consult the Central Park Conservancy web site, it provides all the necessary information you need for a wedding ceremony right across the street from the Museum!
Q. Where are the bathrooms.
A. All bathrooms are on the Ground Floor.
Q. What are the catering facilities?
A. Back of house space varies by event and rooms used but there is no kitchen on site.
Q. Who do you recommend for sound and lighting?
A. Power Posse; Doug at 212.489.5225 or power.posse@snet.net
Q. What about load-out?
A. All rentals and items brought into the Museum should be removed the night of the event.
Q. What are tent costs and preferred vendor?
A. The Museum uses Party Line. A simple outdoor summer tent for the Terrace starts at about $6,000. A heated/air conditioned tent can cost considerably more. Please consider the tenting costs prior to requesting a contract for the Museum.

Floor Plans

This is NOT to scale, but gives you a general sense of the space. The Rotunda is about 32 X 32 feet square without extending north or south into the gallery/hall space.

This is not to scale; the Marble Court is about 32 X 32 feet square, without extending into the gallery/hall spaces.

This is a more detailed version of the first floor. You can also see the Dinan Gallery, the terraces and spaces in-scale. (Please click on image for a larger view.)

This is a detailed plan for the Ground Floor. The most relevant space is the Auditorium. Please note they include changes that will be made in the next phase on construction (ie the café isn’t on the first floor yet and the store will eventually be relocated).