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About

On WeddingWire since 2016

Last update: August 2023

The award-winning MacLaren Art Centre acts as a regional public art gallery in Barrie, Ontario that combines modern and traditional charm to deliver a fantastic venue for wedding celebrations. The gallery itself contains a permanent collection of 27,408 artworks and also shows world-class exhibitions throughout the year. By choosing the MacLaren Art Centre as your venue you directly support the establishment’s programming and ensure that the arts community in Barrie continues to thrive. The centre is a cultural hub for business members, families, artists, and community groups and is a community staple in Barrie.

Facilities and Capacity

The architectural landmark building combines a renovated 1917 Carnegie Library with a contemporary addition designed by Siamak Hariri of Hariri Pontarini Architects. For ceremonies, receptions, bridal showers, engagement parties, and rehearsal dinners, the remarkable Carnegie Room offers a warm and elegant background. Wedding guests can revel in the natural light which bounces off the stunning windows and accentuates the high ceilings. In particular, the venue’s main floor is ideal for receptions and parties. This function room can accommodate 150 guests for a seated dining experience or 200 for a cocktail-style reception. Additionally, couples can choose to have their ceremony outdoors, framed by the building’s beautiful exterior and surrounded by trees. The idyllic courtyard offers both unique architectural features and stunning flora to provide a memorable backdrop for nuptial celebrations.

Services Offered

The MacLaren Art Centre provides a bar and set up and clean up of tables and chairs. The bar can be open, cash, or limited and includes house beer, wine, and spirits. Couples are welcome to use the venue’s chairs, tables, dance floor, and barware to enhance the experience. They offer a list of recommended vendors as well as partnered caterers that soon-to-be newlyweds can choose from. Engaged couples who choose this venue can work with the on-site event staff should they require any assistance in coordinating their wedding here.

Catering Services

As the MacLaren Art Centre is an art museum, to protect the artworks on display as well as our permanent collection, we ask that you choose from our list of pre-approved caterers. These caterers know how to best work in the space and have proven on a regular basis to respect and keep our heritage building in good order.

Though we provide a room for caterers to use, we do not have a full-service kitchen onsite and we do not provide any equipment. The caterers listed offer a variety of high quality menu options along with great service.

Cravings Fine Food
705-734-2272
cravingsfinefood.ca

Common Good
705-734-2227
commongood.cafe

Casal Catering

705-735-2727
casalcatering.ca

Wildwood Hospitality & Catering
705-727-3772
wildwoodhospitality.com

Feast Catering & Events
705-309-5337
feastco.ca

Fresh Events from Big Grill Catering
705-790-1622
biggrillcatering.com
rusticcountryweddings.ca

Liberty North
705-728-3877
libertynorth.ca

More information

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

3

Describe your venue:

Historic
Museum

Describe the style of your venue:

City
Classic
Modern
Rustic

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Engagement party

What event services do you offer?

Catering / bar
Set up

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail reception
Hors d'oeuvres
Plated

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash bar
Champagne toast
House beer
House wine
House liquor
Limited bar
Liquor license
Open bar
Premium liquor
Signature drink
Specialty beer
Specialty wine

What event items are available?

Dance floor
Chairs
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware

What transportation and access is available?

Wheelchair access

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$5,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$4,500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$3,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$3,000

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Set up
Chairs
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Server(s)

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Limited bar
House beer
House wine
House liquor
Bartenders
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Any other questions?

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5.0 out of 5 rating
8 reviews
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.8 out of 5 rating
99% Recommended by couples

12 User photos

8 reviews
A
Alessandra P. Married on 21/10/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful venue for a wedding!

Choosing the Maclaren Art Centre for our venue was the best decision we could have made. The venue in itself is so beautiful and accessible. It was important to have a venue that was handicap friendly, and this space truly is. Aside from that, the event staff were so wonderful. They were responsive, easy to plan with, and incredibly helpful and friendly. They made our day so spectacular and I am so happy we choose the Maclaren for our big day!
Brae
Brae M. Married on 28/05/2022
5 out of 5 rating

The perfect place for a beautiful wedding

This was the right choice for our wedding! The art was perfect, the atmosphere was incredible and the whole building is beautiful. The staff is amazing and helped us all the way through. We had so much fun interacting with the amazing staff and incredible bar staff. We would absolutely recommend the MacLaren Art Centre
Meghan
Meghan A. Married on 17/08/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing staff and venue!

We had our wedding here in August. The staff was easy to work with and the venue was beautiful. We couldn't have asked for a better wedding venue!
Sarah
Sarah L. Married on 26/01/2019
5 out of 5 rating

The Perfect Venue!

The MacLaren Art Centre was the absolute best choice for our wedding!! It was so gorgeous from the giant windows, to the gallery walls, to the exposed brick and the hardwood floors. Jess and the team at the MacLaren were so organized and really helped to make our day fantastic. Our guests kept raving about how beautiful and unique our venue was! I would 100% recommend the MacLaren Art Centre to anyone and I hope I get to go back for more weddings! :D
Jessica
Jessica G. Married on 06/10/2018
4.8 out of 5 rating

Beautiful, unique venue

We booked our wedding with the MacLaren Art Center for Oct 6, 2018. The venue is absolutely beautiful, we received so many compliments on the beautiful and unique location.

Over the course of our planning we worked with a few different event coordinators, however all of our information was passed along each time, all of the coordinators were professional, organized and responsive, and were always happy to answer any questions we had.

For the actual wedding we worked with Jess, who helped us out so much with getting the timeline organized and figuring out how to plan the ceremony.

Overall if you are looking for an interesting venue that won't break the bank, the MacLaren was amazing. Just keep in mind when you look at caterers that there is no kitchen!
A
Amber S. Married on 29/07/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Venue of our dreams!

The MacLaren Art Center is such a gorgeous place to get married. With the architecture of the building, the art, the courtyard, and the GIANT arch windows, it lends itself to a naturally beautiful space. We got married on August 6th of this year (2022), and we could not have been happier! It was a beautiful day, and the light that come in from all around is magical. We had our ceremony outside in their courtyard, cocktail hour in the foyer, and our reception upstairs in the Carnegie Hall. And need not worry about accessibility - they have a large elevator for anyone needing it!
The Carnegie hall was a great space for our reception - it’s large, has the gorgeous windows, and most importantly lots of room for dancing!
Brittany is the wedding coordinator there and she was immensely helpful - I had so many questions, and she never hesitated to answer any of them. She was always available, and on the ball! Our big day could not have happened as smoothly as it did without her and all the support staff there. And not to forget, the bad staff! They were so friendly, and great service! So thank you!!!

All in all, if you’re considering a unique and beautiful place to get married, I would highly HIGHLY recommend the MacLaren Art Center. 11/10!
T
Tamara H. Married on 23/09/2017
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing wedding venue!

We had an amazing experience getting married at the MacLaren. It is such a beautiful location on its own which means we had to add very little decor and didn't even need to leave the property to do photos. The staff were very helpful along the way ensuring all of our needs were met. It was clear they have hosted many weddings before us, because everything flowed smoothly and they had quick answers to any questions we had. The courtyard was the perfect spot for our ceremony to take place. It was a very hot and humid September day so I loved that our guests were able to stay cool indoors until just before the ceremony started and then make their way outside. It was great to be able to have an outdoor ceremony and then easily move everyone indoors for the reception portion. The reception space was large, permitting the caterers room to set-up, easy movement for guests and a large space for dancing. We used many of the vendors (ie. Cravings Fine Food) the MacLaren recommended and this made everything seamless as the vendors were experienced with the space and this meant very little work or planning on our end. Thanks for making it such a memorable day!
Liarra
Liarra Married on 15/02/2020
4.8 out of 5 rating

Best Decision We Could Have Made

We got married at the MacLaren this February and it was the best decision. The Staff was very organized, responsive to any of our questions, professional and willing to help out with anything we needed. They do limit the list of catering companies you can hire as they do not have a full kitchen. But the list caters to a diverse range of budgets and the MacLaren knows that these vendors know how to work with their venue so there won't be any surprises which is great. It is absolutely stunning inside and you don't need a ton of decorations which is nice! Our guests had nothing but good things to say about the venue. I would 10/10 recommend them to any of my family and friends!
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37 Mulcaster Street L4M 3M2 Barrie (Ontario)
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