About this vendor
Host your unforgettable wedding celebration at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, where captivating settings range from classic maritime to modern elegance. Linger on the Harbor View terrace or mingle in galleries devoted to whale ecology, history, and science in this unique museum, nestled among historic homes and cobblestone streets in the city's vibrant cultural district. Your guests will enjoy striking views of the waterfront, and easy access to accommodations, cultural attractions, restaurants, and charming shops.
Amenities + details
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Covered Outdoors Space
On-Site Accommodations
Ceremony Types
- Civil Union
- Commitment Ceremony
- Elopement
- Interfaith Ceremony
- Non-Religious Ceremony
- Religious Ceremony
Settings
- Ballroom
- Beach
- Waterfront
- Historic Venue
- Museum
- Park
Venue Service Offerings
- Bar & Drinks
- Cakes & Desserts
- Destination Weddings
- Destination Wedding Packages
- Destination Wedding Planning
- Food & Catering
Reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
you make those big decisions with ease.
5
out of 5.015 reviews
Our experience with the whaling museum and Russell Morin could not have been better. Maggie and the Russell Morin team were wonderful. They were responsive, accommodating, profes...
sional and overall just really pleasant to work with. Maggie went out of her way to make sure everything was exactly as we wanted it to be for the big day, including helping us arrange last minute outdoor tables to help ease COVID-19 concerns for at-risk guests. We received so many compliments on how stunning the venue looked. I expected the cocktail hour in the Lagoda Room to be a big hit (which it was), but Harbor View Gallery room looked even more beautiful than I had expected. Oh and the food was AMAZING. I had heard so many stories from other brides about things going wrong at their weddings that I kept expecting sometime to go wrong, but I honestly can’t think of anything. It was a perfect day thanks to a perfect venue and team. 100/10 would recommend.
Our wedding was 10/13/19 and we could not have had a better experience with the NBWM for our venue and ceremony spot. From the start of the planning process to the day of, we were...
supported every step of the way. Renee, our coordinator was always 2 steps ahead of us the entire night. She kept me calm and stress free entire evening. The food was top notch. We had people coming up to us all night raving about the food. If you are in the market for a venue that is unlike any other place with professional service, look no further!
My now husband and I had our wedding reception here on June 22nd. It was absolutely flawless. They are truly professionals at what they do. We didn't have to stress about anything...
. Our day of coordinator allowed us to drop off all of our linens and decorations the day day before and even help set up our 125 piece puzzle themed guest book. Our personal butler had sparkling mineral water waiting for those of us getting ready in the bridal suite and when we returned from the ceremony. She also made sure we got appetizers from out cocktail hour so their was no chance of a hangry bride and groom. All of our family and friends who came insist that this was the best wedding that they have ever been to with the best wedding food as well! It was simply magical .
When we walked into the museum for our first tour, we knew we had to get married there! We loved how we had 3 very unique and separate spaces for the ceremony (the theatre) the coc...
ktail hour (the Lagoda room) and the rest of the reception (the Harbor View gallery). Our guests were constantly wowed moving from space to space, and commented on how unique the venue was. They all couldn't get enough of the Lagoda (giant ship in the middle of cocktail hour) or the balconies overlooking the harbor at the reception space. The museum staff were on site during the wedding to help make sure the spaces were set up correctly, and Eric was a god send! He met with us before the wedding to go over the options for lighting in the theatre so it was more romantic, and he helped my in laws set up our arch, which involved some string lighting as well. I would highly recommend this venue to anyone looking for a completely nontraditional and unforgettably fun experience for your guests! (some even arrived early and took the tour around the museum before the wedding). We will probably continue to renew our membership each year now because we just love reliving the day every time we go back for a visit.
If you're looking for a unique and beautiful venue, then this is it! Our wedding was so different from any other with theater seating for our ceremony (or you can choose having the...
ceremony outside or at the neighboring Seamen's Bethel). And cocktail hour was in the Lagoda Room which featured a lifesize sailboat that guests can take photos on, along with touring through the museum. And finally, the beautiful reception overlooked New Bedford harbor. We truly couldn't have asked for anything more! It was perfect.
Everything about the museum was amazing! Obviously the museum is beautiful all in itself, but the staff were so helpful and made it so easy for us to enjoy our day. They were thoro...
ugh, reviewed all the contingency plans for weather and last minute hiccups. Our guests raved about how wonderful the event was, we're are so happy that our guests enjoyed the day, although it was our day, making our guests comfortable and memorable for them as well was a top priority! If you ever doubt you couldnt get beautiful photos inside or in a museum, you're wrong. This place has so many little gems to take photos. You wont be disappointed!
We had a few different women helping us along they way but each transition was professional and each of them was helpful and kind.
The caterer associated with the Whaling Museum is to die for! They are just amazing and worth the price. If you want to make sure you guest eat well, trust Morin's! Everyone raved about the food all night. Sadly, our day got a bit off track and missed our cocktail party and tasty bites but they did keep trying to bring us bites, it was hard to enjoy, certainly not their fault. They also kept the drinks flowing, so we weren't behind once we joined the party! See detailed review of Morin's at their vendor page.
Highly recommend the museum if you're looking for something a little different, nautical, historical, beautiful, or an interesting place for guest to enjoy. It's a great place for just a visit as well! CHECK IT OUT!
We had our wedding 2 weeks ago and the Museum and absolutely LOVED it!! Nikki + Casey are a great team + they really went above and beyond. Our guests loved the cocktail hour room ...
and thought the food was unbelievable! I would recommend this spot + staff to anyone!!
My husband and I could not recommend the New Bedford Whaling Museum and Russell Mirin catering enough! Guests loved the cocktail hour in the museum; it was such a unique experience...
! Many of our guests (and us included) commented that the food was the best that we had ever tasted at a wedding. We couldn't recommend the venue and Russell Morin in general enough!
We had an amazing experience with the Whaling Museum and its top-notch staff, kudos to all involved. Casey was incredibly responsive, informative, and accommodating, and she and t...
he event/catering staff were more than able to deal with some of our last minute requests, including leading up to and on the day of the wedding. The space was beautifully arranged with all of our planned small touches, and guests raved about the museum experience, as well as the reception itself. It was a night both we and our guests will never forget and we are so glad we picked this venue. One small tip: When booking our date, we were unaware of New Bedford's Annual Folk Festival, which coincided with our wedding day (yikes!) and made parking a little trickier. We ended up hiring a valet service, so all was salvaged, but it would be wise to check in on local events planned on and around your big day.
Thank you Casey for your help and care throughout the wedding planning process. From the tasting (which was a blast) to the night of our wedding you made sure that everything went ...
off without a hitch!
On our wedding day we were treated like royalty. No, really… I was amazed!!! Casey greeted us with champagne the second we arrived at the museum. Janet swooped in and informed us that she was a master as bustles. My train was literally about 2 yards long so my bridesmaids and I were very relieved!! If it were not for the help, we would've spent the better portion of cocktail hour fussing with the train. We were able to get freshened up, buttoned up, and join our guests for most of the cocktail hour. (Janet you are a sweetheart – thank you!) Janet and Casey ensured that my husband, me, our wedding party and parents were all well fed, hydrated and had everything we needed from cocktail hour, on.
Casey was always close by ensuring that everything went smoothly, making adjustments to the night’s line of events if we felt that some things needed to be moved around, etc. The teamwork between Casey and the other vendors at the NBWM that night was impressive! Right up to the very end of the night Casey was working hard to make sure everything was perfect. Casey, you are awesome! Thank you!
Lastly, all of the food that evening was delicious! Hor d’oeuvres were flowing all through cocktail hour with a personal plate following us around. Our guests had a blast checking out the museum and catching up with friends and family. Dinner was delicious as well – and all of the guests we have chatted with have raved about the food. I was so worried that with the day being so busy my husband and I would end up not eating enough, but that did not happen. We were cared for by the staff and allowed to enjoy a relaxing meal in such a busy day. Thank you Janet! Thank you Casey!! & Thank you Russell Morin Catering & Events!!!
This venue is absolutely stunning - gorgeous views of the water and 2 private outdoor decks. The event coordinators are on top of their game and my day went off without a hitch.
We had our June wedding in the new harbor view gallery at the whaling museum and the venue was second to none ! Bethany was attentive and available for all of our needs all the way...
up until the day of the wedding. Food, service, and venue space was spectacular. We had around 160 guests and we fit comfortably with access to balcony overlooking the city and beautiful ocean front. Guests have not stopped talking about our unique choice of venue at the whaling museum ! Guests got to explore the museum during cocktail hour which they thoroughly enjoyed. Having our wedding at the whaling museum made our wedding "the best ever" and a wedding that will leave guests talking for a lifetime !
The Whaling Museum was the perfect setting for our New England / beach inspired wedding. The venue is so beautiful and unique on it's own, no need to spend extra $$ on decorations...
, lighting, etc!
Elizabeth, the wedding coordinator, is amazing and very easy to work with. She had some great ideas (experience from previous weddings) that really added some nice touches to our special day. I would absolutely recommend the New Bedford Whaling Museum to anyone getting married on the South Coast of MA.
I absolutely loved having my wedding in the museum. Initially we were a bit put off by the fact that they work with one catering company exclusively, however it turned out to be th...
e best choice since their partnership is fantastic and it makes the planning so much easier and flawless. Elizabeth is fantastic. Extremely professional and responsive and very friendly and easy to work with. Between her and our caterer they took care of every little detail and answered all of my million questions. And I can't stress enough the beauty and impact that the space offers! all of my guests were flabbergasted with how unique and gorgeous the space is. We had about 100 guests and it was the perfect location. Between the cobblestone streets and red brick buildings of New Bedford and the fantastic terrace and exhibition rooms inside the museum there is plenty of room, amazing views and a lot of incredibly nice spots for taking photographs. Very unique, classic and elegant location! It was the whole package for a very reasonable price!! I would recommend the New Bedford Whaling Museum a thousand times!!
If you love whales and the history of New Bedford fishery, than the whaling museum on johnny cake hill is your location to get married. Your guests get to view the museum for free...
, you can rent out a theater if you like to showcase any movie you like. In the Lagoda room a lifesize boat plays for an amazing backdrop for pictures and memories for a lifetime. In the main reception room (Jacobs Gallery) you have many whale bones suspended above you, high ceilings and amazing windows. Great venue for a wedding. Just an FYI, there max is 200ppl, I recommend 120-150 tops. CHEERS! Happy Planning!
Contact
18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA
New Bedford Whaling Museum