Host an Event
Our award-winning spaces will make the perfect venue for your next unforgettable event.
Weddings
The architecture of the Barnes—both inside and out—provides a stunning backdrop for weddings, as well as engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, and bridal showers. With many spaces and catering options, we can accommodate grand-scale receptions, intimate parties, and anything in between.
Our experienced staff and catering team will help you plan every detail. Other benefits of hosting at the Barnes include:
- Complimentary access to the collection and special exhibitions
- Multiple locations for wedding photos including our private gardens
- Complimentary parking and coat check; valet parking available
- On-site audio-visual support
- Use of Barnes images for invitations and event-related publications
- Circles membership benefits for one year including free admission, exclusive programs and lectures, and invitations to special events
Weddings at the Barnes
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Event Spaces
Annenberg Court and Terrace
Our main event space, the large and beautiful Annenberg Court, can accommodate weddings of up to 320 guests with dancing.
The Annenberg Court opens onto the expansive terrace, one of Philadelphia's largest covered outdoor spaces, creating a unique indoor-outdoor venue. The space may be used for ceremony, cocktails, or dinner. In the evening, your guests can enjoy a cocktail or dessert by the lusterware-tiled fireplace.
• Capacity: 320; seated dinner reception with dancing
Garden Pavilion
Our new Garden Pavilion is a beautiful venue for receptions for up to 100 guests. Perfect for rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, or engagement parties. The floor-to-ceiling window walls open onto the lush garden courtyard.
- Reception (standing): 75–100
- Banquet (seated): 75
Lower Lobby Suite
Perfect for an indoor ceremony, bridal shower, engagement party, or rehearsal dinner, our Lower Lobby Suite is the only space in the Barnes, other than the galleries, that features art from the collection. An open-air atrium planted with sweet gum, ginkgo trees, and a variety of ferns bathes the room in sunlight
- Ceremony: 250
- Reception (standing): 125
- Banquet (seated): 60–80
Garden Restaurant
Our restaurant and adjacent garden provide a lovely setting for arehearsal dinners, engagement parties, bridal showers, and cocktail receptions. With transitional glass walls and an open kitchen, the Garden Restaurant can transform from casual to formal for a relaxed get-together or a black-tie affair. A reflecting pool and surrounding flora create a private, tranquil oasis minutes from Center City.
- Reception (standing): 75
- Banquet (seated): 60
Starr Catering Group
The exclusive caterer of the Barnes Foundation, Starr Catering Group will create an unforgettable culinary experience for you and your guests, with custom menus and an impeccably precise service plan to match the mission of your event. Shaved white truffle served tableside, gueridon-style cheese service, and a choice of cutlery to complement a perfectly aged NY strip steak are just a few of the unexpected touches you’ll enjoy. And you’ll find that our signature approach to creating culinary experiences and our ability to interpret and feature “food as art” align seamlessly with the refined reputation and the world-class collection at the Barnes.
Meet the Team
Melissa Brannon
Melissa is an arts advocate who brings more than 30 years of experience to the Barnes-Starr team. She values creating incredible memories for her clients and is committed to providing excellent customer service. Thrilled to be a part of a team that embodies high standards for service and cuisine, Melissa is inspired and motivated by her colleagues and clients every day.
Matt Brogan
A Philadelphia native, Matt received a BA from La Salle University and an MLA from the University of Pennsylvania. He has more than ten years of experience planning and executing events and programs. Matt enjoys skiing, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Rachel Tait
Rachel brings an ability to manage multiple events with ease and grace. She is excited to provide excellent, thoughtful experiences and service to all clients. Rachel is a multilingual artist, graduate of Temple University, and a Philadelphia resident.
Christian Lindberg
Christian offers 25 years of experience to the Barnes/Starr team. Born and raised just outside of New York City, he began his career after attending Syracuse University. A Level II Certified Sommelier, he enjoys sharing his passion for wine. He is a proud father of two and lives in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Anita Hirsch
With an impressive list of executive and corporate chef appointments, including stints with Neiman Marcus in Dallas and the Myriad Restaurant Group in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, Anita has over 30 years of experience in the culinary arts. She was named “Best Chef Midwest” by Cincinnati Magazine and “Best Chef Cincinnati” twice by Midwest Living, and has published recipes in Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Southern Living, and more.
Heather Burke
Heather seamlessly oversees all catering and event sales at Starr venues and represents the Starr brand at high-profile networking events. She holds a BS from SUNY Plattsburgh and an MS from Drexel University, and is an active member of the National Association for Catering and Events, International Live Events Association, and Wedding International Professionals Association.
Katie Carter
A Temple University graduate with a degree in business administration and marketing, Katie has been working in the hospitality industry for ten years. She loves bringing her creativity and passion for food, art, and music to her position at the Barnes.