A few weeks ago, I attended an out-of-town Friday evening wedding ~ it was Gatsby-cool with 1920s character from ceiling to floor, out-of-the-box, which is what made it so fun. I tried to imagine venues in Charlotte with edge and modern beauty, and after awhile of sifting through my mental catalogue, a cartoon-like bubble popped up.
– the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art –
“Of course,” I thought to myself. “Where else are you greeted at a wedding by a mirrored Firebird towering overhead tens of feet taller than you as you stand between its feet? And who needs a photo booth with props when you have over 1400 pieces of modern art to browse? For anyone Pinterest-planning or looking for a wedding or event venue, here’s the information what you need to know about hosting at the Bechtler:
Venue Info & Vibe: The Bechtler is a jewel of a museum, only the second in this country designed by the Swiss architect Mario Botta. It is intimate in scale, delightfully arresting in its spaces and vistas, and simple and elegant in its materials. Plus, any licensed caterer of your choice is welcome.
Lead-time: The museum is open to the public until 5:00 PM, so the earliest time an event can begin, given time for setup, is 6:00 PM. Events can be hosted during the daytime on Tuesdays as the museum is closed to the public.
What’s Available?
Lobby: 120 guests seated, 180 standing
Lobby/Plaza: 375 guests standing
Terrace: 30 guests seated, 50 standing
Classroom: 30 seats classroom style, 50 seats theater style
*Note: Layout for additional dance area and DJ/band, room for a stage, etc., does affect the capacity of each space.
Wedding Rental Information:
- Wedding Reception at the Bechtler: The museum’s Lobby/Plaza combination is ideal for a wedding reception and cocktail hour. The museum’s Plaza is an outdoor space, great for Spring through Fall cocktail hours. The Lobby can accommodate 100 guests for a seated dinner reception and 150 guests for a standing cocktail reception. The standard rental rate for the Lobby/Plaza is $2,800.00.
- Wedding, Ceremony and Reception at the Bechtler: Having a full wedding package at the Bechtler, including ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception is $3,500.00. The 4th floor gallery space is primarily used for ceremonies of up to 100 guests pending layout of the exhibition.
Included in the wedding package is the use of the 2nd floor Sculpture Terrace and Classroom.
- For smaller weddings the Bechtler offers an outdoor Sculpture Terrace and smaller galleries for ceremonies. The Terrace can accommodate 30 guests seated and 40 standing for a ceremony. The Terrace can also be utilized for as a small reception space for weddings and as a private cocktail hour and photoshoot space for the new couple. It is one of the most versatile space in the museum.
- The Bechtler can accommodate a range of wedding related events as well, like bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, and wedding photo shoots.
General Special Event Rental Information:
- The Lobby can accommodate 120 guests for a seated dinner or 180 guests for a cocktail style reception. The Lobby is perfect for both social and corporate functions. The standard rental rate for the Lobby is $2,000.00
- For a cocktail style reception with up to 375 guests, the Bechtler Lobby/Plaza combination offers a mix of indoor and outdoor space. The standard rental rate for the Lobby/Plaza combination is $2,800.00
- The 2nd Floor Sculpture Terrace offers a view of Uptown Charlotte and is a great space for a seated dinner for up to 30 guests or a standing cocktail reception for 50 guests max. The standard rental rate is $1,000.00
- The 2nd Floor Classroom can be rented during normal museum hours as well as after museum hours. The classroom can host a range of events from luncheons, to presentations, board meetings, to workshops and trainings. The classroom can seat up to 30 guests classroom style.
How to Book:
To inquire about your next event, call (704) 353-9215 or email events@bechtler.org.
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
at Levine Center for the Arts
420 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
www.bechtler.org
