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Weddings

About

The Canadian Museum of Nature is an Ottawa-based venue that specializes in hosting wedding ceremonies and receptions and other special occasions on its historic museum grounds. The innate elegance of this castle-like venue is the ideal setting for a magical wedding. Its blend of historic charm and modern elegance creates a warm ambiance that will suit your event perfectly.

Facilities and capacity

Its facilities include 6 event spaces which can be decorated in a classic, modern or glamorous fashion. These include:

  • Barrick Salon: This two-storey space has an incredible skylight and oak-panelled walls. It has a capacity for 220 guests for the ceremony and 160 guests for a banquet-style reception.
  • East-Wing Foyer: This 237 square foot space has high ceilings, oak benches and a natural elegance. It has a capacity for 150 guests for the ceremony and 120 guests for a banquet-style reception.
  • Fourth-floor Gallery: This space has a more industrial feel to it and comes complete with high ceilings and glass panels. It has a capacity for 180 guests for the ceremony and 200 guests for a banquet-style reception.
  • PCL Plaza: This outdoor space overlooks the century-old castle and has a capacity for 140 guests for the ceremony and 250 guests for a stand-up reception. A tent can be included.
  • Queens' Lantern: This is the venue's most dramatic space with a century-old mosaic floor and 65-foot glass tower. It has a capacity for 110 guests for the ceremony and you must inquire about the reception capacity.
  • Rotunda: This first floor space which doubles as an exhibition gallery. It has a capacity for 150 guests for the ceremony and 80 guests for a banquet-style reception.

Services offered

The services it offers include the following:

  • Catering / Bar
  • Clean up
  • Event rentals
  • Liability insurance
  • Lighting / Sound
  • Outside vendors
  • Set up

Other services

It also offers services for:

  • Birthday parties
  • Travelling exhibition rentals
  • Photo and film shoots
  • Image and content licensing
  • Services for families
  • Scientific services
  • Corporate events
  • Conferences

History

Originally named the Victoria Memorial Museum Building, this castle-like building was designed by architect David Ewart and is considered Scottish Baronial in its design. This is the first building in Canada to house a national museum.

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Frequently asked questions

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

We have 6 spaces available.

Describe your venue:

Museum

Describe the style of your venue:

Classic
Glamorous
Modern

What kind of settings are available?

Covered outdoor
Indoor
Uncovered outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal shower
Engagement party
Rehearsal dinner

What event services do you offer?

Catering / bar
Event rentals
Liability insurance
Lighting / sound
Outside vendors
Set up

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail reception
Dessert
Family style
French service
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

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?

Lighting
Chairs
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
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?

$1,902

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

$1,532

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?

$963

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

$977

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Set up
Clean up
Chairs
Tables

What is the average catering price per person for plated service?

$74

What is the average catering price per person for buffet service?

$59

What is the average catering price per person for stations?

$40

What is the average catering price per person for hors d'oeurves?

$21

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

Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$18

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

Limited bar
Open bar
House wine
House liquor
Signature drink
Bartenders
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Any other questions?

Reviews for Canadian Museum of Nature

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
5.0 out of 5 rating
5.0 out of 5 rating
7 reviews
100% recommend it
  • 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
    5 out of 5 rating
A
Amy L. Sent on 15/11/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful location, excellent service

The museum did an amazing job with our day, and was very responsive and professional in dealing with COVID related uncertainties and procedures. We really appreciate everything they did for us!
A
Ana G. Sent on 21/04/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Flexible, kind, supportive

Planning to get married in 2020 was stressful to say the least. Our venue, the Museum of Nature, was extremely flexible and supportive of all the changes we had to make. Working with Diane was an absolute delight. We are so lucky to have had vendors like this with us through a stressful time.
D
Dana R. Sent on 08/10/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing Venue!

We had our wedding here this past weekend. Diane and her team were phenomenal and everything went extremely smoothly - Diane and team were very responsive to our questions and concerns. We couldn't be happier without choice!
S
Shayna G. Sent on 16/01/2017
5 out of 5 rating
Wonderful venue for ceremony and reception! Staff were professional and super helpful -- plus the venue is so beautiful that it doesn't even need decorating. I'm also celiac and the in-house caterers made the ENTIRE menu from hors d'oeuvres to dinner to dessert gluten-free and completely celiac-safe. It was AMAZING to be able to eat everything and not worry about whether it was safe for me, and everyone said the food was the best wedding food they'd ever had, without knowing it was all gluten-free. Everyone there was fantastic to work with, and the wedding was absolutely perfect! Everyone loved cocktails with the dinosaurs, too!
S
Sahba Y. Sent on 27/09/2016
5 out of 5 rating
We got 20% (or 25% - can't remember) off the venue because we met the coordinator at the Bridal Show in Shaw Center. If you can make it to one of those shows and Museum of Nature is there, you will save some cash ;)
[Anonymous] Sent on 31/12/2014
5 out of 5 rating
Having my wedding at the Canadian Museum of Nature and they have been awesome! Decided to have ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception there.
Benoit
Benoit Sent on 16/08/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Historic and memorable wedding venue

The Museum of Nature was such an amazing venue. Our venue coordinator, Audrey, was always on top of things. The Queens' lantern made for such a beautiful ceremony space and cocktail hour in the fossil gallery made for an unforgettable space to mingle with guests. The Rotunda accommodated our guests and a massive 7 piece band. We are absolutely overjoyed with our choice of venue and our guests were equally impressed! Moreover, the pricing was the same for corporate events and wedding, no crazy wedding markup which made the venue surprisingly affordable!
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Awards

7

Canadian Museum of Nature Real Weddings

Amy & Nick
7 Photos · 02/Oct/2021

Map

240 McLeod St K2P 2R1 Ottawa (Ontario)
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