The Peabody-Essex Museum 161 Essex Street, East India Square • Salem • Massachusetts 01970
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Why You'll Love This Place
A Here Comes The Guide Wedding Venue Review
- The museum building, designed by world-renowned architect and urban planner Moshe Safdie, is a dramatic backdrop. Using an inspired combination of brick and glass, the structure echoes the shapes and forms of local architecture and its interior layout creates an effortless flow between galleries.
- You’ll love the unique event spaces. The breathtaking Atrium dazzles with its soaring curved glass ceiling and abundant natural light. A pair of galleries can be rented together for your wedding and reception: the octagonal Bartlett showcases decorative porcelain as part of the Chinese export collection, while the Copeland is ideal for cocktails. Both open onto the lovely Moongate Patio in the Asian Garden. And then there’s the elegant East India Marine Hall, which features multiple arched, floor-to-ceiling windows, gleaming wood floors and artwork throughout.
- You and your guests can tour the museum during your wedding weekend. Explore art exhibits from America, China, Japan and India. Visit the Art and Nature Center or walk through Yin Yu Tang, a Chinese house. A Historic Houses tour for nearby sites is included with museum admission, and groups of 10 or more get a discounted rate.
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PRICES: What's this going to cost?
Rental Fee
- $5,500–10,000/event
- Rental fee varies depending on:
- Type of event
Ceremony & reception rentals range $6,500–10,000 depending on the combination of three venues rented (6 hours total):
Ceremony and Reception at PEM:
Ceremony in East India Marine Hall
6 pm guest arrival and 6:30 pm ceremony
Cocktails in Atrium Spine or Garden Atrium 7–8 pm
Dinner & Dancing in the Atrium 8 pm–midnight
Guest count up to 150 people
Rental $10,000Reception only, ceremony off-site:
Cocktails in the Garden Atrium 7–8 pm
Dinner & Dancing in the Atrium 8 pm–midnight
Guest count up to 250 people
Rental $9,000
There is no tax or administrative fee added to the event rental fee.Reception-only rentals range $5,500–9,000 for a 5-hour rental with two spaces (one for cocktails and one for dinner & dancing).
GUEST COUNT: How many people can we have here? What’s the max capacity?
| Indoors | Outdoors | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremony | Seated | 250 | 0 |
| Cocktails, etc. | Standing | 270 | 0 |
| Reception | Seated | 270 | 0 |
| Meetings | Total meeting capacity for this venue is 180. | ||
Venue Info
OPTIONS: What kinds of events can we have here?
- All-Inclusive
- Ceremony
- Wedding Receptions
- LGBTQ+ Friendly
- Small Wedding
- Special Events / Parties
- Business Functions / Meetings
- Late Night
POLICIES: What are the food, alcohol, music, and other rules here?
Price
$ • $$
Catering
In-house
The exclusive caterer is Gourmet Caterers.
Alcohol
In-house
Amplified Music
Indoors
Outdoors
Some restrictions
Wheelchair Access
Wheelchair accessible
Availability
Year-round, daily, 6:30pm–12:30am. Daytime hours may be arranged.
STYLE: What’s the style and overall vibe of this venue?
Buildings & other settings available:
- Museum
- Patio / Deck / Terrace
- Garden
- Art Gallery
- Non-Profit
- Unique
VIEWS: What kind of views does this place have?
Peep the views you’ll enjoy from this venue!
- Cityscape
- Garden
- Landscaped Grounds
The Peabody-Essex Museum
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Alternate Info: PEM