Delaware Art Museum

The Delaware Art Museum already meant so much to us as artists ourselves. There was something incredibly meaningful about celebrating our marriage in a place dedicated to creativity. It felt like inviting our family and friends into a space that had already been part of our story. One of the biggest surprises was just how little the venue needed to become breathtaking. The soaring ceilings and beautiful architecture do so much of the work for you. We focused almost exclusively on lighting and florals because the museum itself is the décor. If you're using Fusco Hall, I can't recommend it enough: place your sweetheart table in front of the vestibule. The arched doors create a dramatic, timeless backdrop that looks incredible in person and even better in photographs. Speaking of photographs, this venue is an absolute dream. As a photographer, I could immediately see the possibilities. Without ever straying far from the reception, we captured an incredible variety of portraits throughout the sculpture garden, around the benches, and in the labyrinth, which offers an amazing elevated perspective. Of course, the grand staircase in East Court made for a spectacular entrance. We even had access to a conference room on the opposite side of the building from East Court, which became the perfect place for us to hide away before our grand entrance. It gave us a quiet moment together before the celebration began.  One of my favorite details that often gets overlooked is the bridge spanning Fusco Hall. It made for a convenient and hidden path to our grand entrance. It's also the perfect vantage point for your photographer or videographer to capture aerial-style images/video of the reception, speeches, and packed dance floor. Those photographs became some of our favorites because they truly captured the scale and energy of the evening. The museum also shines when it comes to logistics. Having connected—but separate—spaces for cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing allowed the evening to flow naturally while giving each part of the celebration its own atmosphere. In our opinion, opening the galleries for guests is must that makes the experience feel even more elevated and unique. For couples inviting youngsters, the Kids' Corner was an unexpected win. The little ones loved having a dedicated space downstairs where they could play and take a break from the music whenever they needed. It allowed parents to enjoy the evening while giving the kids their own adventure. Don’t miss the nighttime photo opportunities. One of my favorite memories was gathering all of our guests along both sides of the museum's front steps while Rick and I exited the building to cheers and a sea of bubbles. Between the illuminated vestibule, the museum's stately entrance, and the excitement of everyone celebrating around us, it created one of the most magical images from our entire wedding day. Finally, saving the best for last: the staff. Kim and the entire team were so accommodating and willing to try new things. Communication ran smoothly, scheduling was a breeze, and everyone worked so well together. The exhibitions team even worked in overdrive to open Rick’s favorite gallery that happened to be closed for regular maintenance, and getting that amazing news just before the big day was so heartwarming and exciting. It’s fair to say that The Delaware Art Museum gave us far more than a beautiful venue; The place and the people became part of our story. We highly recommend!

The Delaware Art Museum and working with Kim Barnhart for our wedding could not have been a better experience. We felt the entire process was incredibly smooth, and that Kim supported us by answering all of our questions/accommodating changes throughout the entire planning process. Our wedding was incredible, and that was very much in part to the museum's set up and how easy it was to have everything on-site, too. Would recommend!