Maclaren Art Centre
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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 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
Type
Museum
Style
City, classic, modern, rustic
Event Services
Catering / bar, set up
More information
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5 reviews
Write a review6 User photos
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Meghan A. Married on 17/08/2019Amazing 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! -
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Sarah L. Married on 26/01/2019The 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 -
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Jessica G. Married on 06/10/2018Beautiful, 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! -
Tamara H. Married on 23/09/2017
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!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.-
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Liarra Married on 15/02/2020Best 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!
Deals
We are currently offering a reduced rental rate for Micro Weddings in 2022 for up to 50 guests. Micro Weddings are available to book on Fridays and Saturdays in the off peak season (December-February), and Friday evenings during peak season. Based on availability.
Map
37 Mulcaster Street L4M 3M2 Barrie (Ontario)
