Maclaren Art Centre

Barrie, Ontario View map

5.0 out of 5 rating 8 reviews

1 to 150 Guests

1 / 31

About

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, or spirits as well as a champagne toast and the option to create a signature cocktail. 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.

Highlights

Availability

Type

Museum

Style

City, classic, modern, rustic

Event Services

Catering / bar, set up

More information

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor

Uncovered outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony

Reception

What catering services do you offer?

Cocktail reception

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

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

Yes

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Set up

Chairs

Tables

Any other questions?

Request pricing

Rated

5.0

out of 5.0

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

12 User photos

+ 8Photos

Order by:

Featured

Alessandra P. Married on 21/10/2022

5 out of 5 rating
- Quality of service
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Responsiveness
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Professionalism
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Value
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Flexibility
  
  5.0 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!
Sent on 26/10/2022

Maclaren Art Centre's reply:

Thank you, Alessandra, for this amazing review! We are thrilled that you and your new husband enjoyed your big day. It was a pleasure working with you!

- Event Services
Brae M. Married on 28/05/2022

5 out of 5 rating
- Quality of service
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Responsiveness
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Professionalism
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Value
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Flexibility
  
  5.0 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
Sent on 29/05/2022

Maclaren Art Centre's reply:

Hi Brae,

Thank you so much for this incredible review. We are absolutely thrilled we were able to make your big day so special. It was a pleasure hosting your wedding!

- Event Services
Meghan A. Married on 17/08/2019

5 out of 5 rating
- Quality of service
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Responsiveness
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Professionalism
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Value
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Flexibility
  
  5.0 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!
Sent on 24/09/2019

Maclaren Art Centre's reply:

Hi Meghan,

Thank you for your great review! We are very lucky to have the best staff that will make sure your special day is absolutely perfect. It was a pleasure hosting your wedding!

- Event Services

Are you interested?

Request pricing

Sarah L. Married on 26/01/2019

5 out of 5 rating
- Quality of service
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Responsiveness
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Professionalism
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Value
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Flexibility
  
  5.0 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
Sent on 29/01/2019
Jessica G. Married on 06/10/2018

4.8 out of 5 rating
- Quality of service
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Responsiveness
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Professionalism
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Value
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Flexibility
  
  4.0 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!
Sent on 15/11/2018
Amber S. Getting married on 29/07/2023

5 out of 5 rating
- Quality of service
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Responsiveness
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Professionalism
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Value
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Flexibility
  
  5.0 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!
- + 2Photos
Sent on 30/09/2022

Maclaren Art Centre's reply:

Thank you so much for leaving a review! Your kind words are truly so meaningful to me, and my staff! You and your husband were truly so wonderful to work with, always so kind and happy, from the bottom of my heart I thank you!
- Brittany
Tamara H. Married on 23/09/2017

5 out of 5 rating
- Quality of service
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Responsiveness
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Professionalism
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Value
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Flexibility
  
  5.0 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!
Sent on 09/12/2020
Maclaren Art Centre's reply:

Thanks Tamara! It was great working with you and Ian, and I remember that September day well, as it was so incredibly warm outside. I especially enjoyed the addition of the Barrie Town Cryer to your day.
- + 3Photos
Liarra Married on 15/02/2020

4.8 out of 5 rating
- Quality of service
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Responsiveness
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Professionalism
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Value
  
  5.0 out of 5 rating
- Flexibility
  
  4.0 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!
Sent on 18/02/2020

Maclaren Art Centre's reply:

Hi Liarra,

Thank you so much for your lovely review! We are so happy that you and your guests enjoyed yourselves. In addition to your comment, one of the perks of being an art gallery is that we have our beautiful art to act as decorations, which makes the decor planning even easier for brides and grooms! It was a pleasure hosting your wedding!

- Event Services