So You Wanna Get Hitched in a Castle? A Guide to Weddings at The Met Cloisters
Forget the courthouse, ditch the backyard barbecue (unless it's a killer barbecue), because if you're looking for a wedding venue that screams "unique," "romantic," and maybe a touch "medieval," then The Met Cloisters in New York City might be your happily ever after dream come true.
But First, Some Essential Questions (Because Let's Be Real, You Probably Haven't Thought This Through)
- Do you have a thing for knights in shining armor? (Great, because they have suits of armor on display, close enough?)
- Are you okay with your guests potentially jousting for the wedding cake? (The Cloisters doesn't allow jousting...officially. We don't judge your after-party plans though.)
- Does your idea of "open bar" involve goblets of mead? (BYOB mead is not a thing, but hey, the ambiance will be on point for pretending.)
If you answered yes to most of these (or at least chuckled), then keep reading!
Can You Actually Get Married at The Cloisters?
Yes, fair maiden (or valiant knight)! The Cloisters offers event rentals, and weddings are most definitely on the menu. Imagine exchanging vows in a charming courtyard surrounded by medieval architecture or having your reception under the twinkling lights in the stunning Fuentidueña Chapel.
Here's the thing to remember: This ain't your average banquet hall. The Cloisters is a museum, and with that comes some limitations. There's no loud music allowed after a certain time, and forget about smoke machines or flying doves (although a well-trained falcon delivering the rings might be pretty epic).
Okay, I'm Interested. How Do I Make My Medieval Wedding Dreams a Reality?
Step One: Contact The Met Cloisters. Their events team can give you the lowdown on availability, pricing (which can be fit for a king, but hey, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, right?), and any restrictions you might need to know about.
Step Two: Prepare to Be Enchanted (and Maybe a Little Stressed). Planning a wedding is no walk in the park, and adding a historic venue with specific rules throws in a whole new layer of complexity. But hey, with the right amount of planning and a touch of creativity, your wedding at The Cloisters will be a day your guests will be talking about for years to come (hopefully about the good stuff, not your slightly-rogue attempt at a DIY jousting tournament).
Bonus Tip: Hire a vendor who's familiar with the venue. They'll know the ins and outs, like where the best spot for those epic wedding photos is (hint: there are a lot of them!), and how to navigate the logistics of setting up in a historic space.
So, there you have it! Getting married at The Met Cloisters is totally doable, and it's sure to be a wedding that'll be anything but boring. Just remember, practice your royal wave, loosen up your damsel-in-distress act (or your knight-in-shining-armor persona), and get ready to tie the knot in a truly unforgettable setting.