Cocktail Reception in Art Museum

NGFUNKY

Hi Everyone! We're planning to just have a small cocktail reception (~50) at the Art Museum front hall lobby. We want to keep this to just close friends and family and really like the Eden Park area and the museum. Has anyone been to a cocktail reception/Art Museum reception? Is the site too big for 50 people? Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

jiml

Are you speaking of the space with the two stair cases that comes down to the marble lobby? If so, I think you will be fine. Maybe have less at each table so you have more? What a beautiful place to have a reception!

kelliebellie2

I would ask to use their smaller tables so that you can have tables of 4-6 instead of 8-10.  That way the room doesn't feel empty.   I know they usually have tables in the 'great hall' during reg. business hours with 4 chairs at each.  There's also the small tables in the cafe.  May be worth inquiring about since you probably wouldn't want a large space with only 5 tables in it??  GL

ellynanddan

I had a good girl friend who worked at the Art Musuem. About a year ago, they had SEVERE issues with sound in the space. In fact, at Christmas they had a staff meeting there and the directors voice echoed and no one could hear the speech. I know that since about a year ago, the museum had been working on the acoustics in the space and had added some sort of system that absorbed the sound. I know that it is a popular space to rent, so perhaps that issue has been fixed since. I priced out the museum when I was planning my wedding. It was a bit on the pricey side of things. I would double check with whomever I spoke to about the sound issues. They also have a nice outdoor area that may be nice to have a little live band outside. I also have seen on their website that they are hiring a new assistant to the events planner that they have. I would ask about staff changes and if that will effect any of your plans. Good luck

NGFUNKY

Thanks for the advice. When we talked to the event coordinator, she said music would be ok in the front hall lobby area (near the receptionist). Since we're just doing a cocktail reception, we're not placing a big emphasis on the music. The price is very reasonable as we got a really good deal for an off-season reception. Has anyone been to a cocktail reception in general? Would a 6:30-10p timeframe be appropriate if we let everyone know it's hor dourves and drinks? The museum closes at 5p so we will not be able to start until 6p at the earliest. Thanks!

ellynanddan

That's great news! I've been to a cocktail/app. reception before. The timing sounds good to me. That is also a beautiful location! When I went to the cocktail reception, I was a bit confused as a wedding goer about how the evening would run, since I had never been to an event like that. It may be nice if somewhere you provide in writing a brief explanation of what you intend on doing when, for instance, 6-8 cocktails and apps. then maybe 8-9 dancing and cake. Something like that to let people know what the plans were. At the reception I was at, no one did that and the food was out the entire time. They were trying to do their first dance and people were up getting food. It was a bit odd. Good luck!