National Museum Cardiff

The feel

National Museum Cardiff is one of Europe’s finest museums. Situated in the heart of Cardiff’s impressive civic centre it is a sought after and treasured wedding venue.

Housing some of Wales and Europe’s finest art, natural history, geology and archaeology collections it wows every visitor. First opened to the public in 1927 the impressive building is a landmark in Cardiff renowned its large stone pillars and striking staircase that welcome people as they enter. Visitors bask in its high ceilings, ornate balconies and the marbled floors of the Grand Hall.

The Museum includes displays of natural history as well as Wales’s new National Museum of Art. This historic environment lends an atmosphere of real style and sophistication and provides opportunities for photographs that are treasured forever.

Holding a wedding at the Museum allows you to create the wedding of your dreams and the staff are always on hand to help to enhance your day.

Wedding ceremonies are licensed to be held in the Court Room, Art Galleries, Reardon Smith Theatre or Grand Hall.

Intimate wedding ceremonies can be held in the Court Room which can hold up to 50 people. The oak panelled room is nestled under the Museum’s grand domed ceiling has a stately presence. The room is also used for a vintage-style afternoon tea which can be served after a ceremony in the galleries.

Up to 150 people can be seated in the galleries for a ceremony. The galleries, including the Impressionist galleries where the works of Monet, Renoir and Cezane are held can also offer a fantastic space for a drinks reception after a wedding ceremony where guests can enjoy the art whilst being served canapés.

The room with the largest capacity for wedding ceremonies is the Reardon Smith Theatre; a dramatic room which can be accessed from its own entrance and it makes a real impact on any wedding. The theatre can hold up to 340 people and with the stage as its focal point the happy couple can say their vows in clear sight of all their guests.

Wedding receptions can also be held in the Museum’s Grand Hall. The Hall is faultlessly stylish and offer a grand backdrop to a seated reception. It can seat up to 320 guests, however up to 250 guests are recommended to allow enough space for dancing and entertainment.

The Reardon Smith Theatre and Grand Hall can also be used together to provide a dinner for up to 320 guests. The Museum’s award winning caterers, Elior work with an exclusive list of specialist suppliers to ensure they meet any cultural or religious requirements for any ceremony.

Wedding breakfast menus have been developed with Shaun Hill, the Head Chef at Abergavenny’s Michelin starred restaurant, The Walnut Tree, using locally sourced ingredients. Guests can also enjoy a range of canapés to suit all tastes, the innovative selection includes: St Fagans sausage, caramelised black pudding and apple to crispy Pembrokeshire potato, Caerphilly cheese and chive.

Seated dinner dishes can also include: Welsh ham hock rilette with piccalilli and sour dough toast, Haddock with Welsh wholegrain mustard, lemon and crème fraiche, and Belgian waffle with delicious bespoke Bara Brith ice cream.

Elior can also craft a personal wedding menu to suit the tastes of the happy couple. All food includes the freshest ingredients

With thanks for Photography

David Hurst: www.davidhurstphotography.com

Sacha Miller: www.sachamiller.co.uk

Aga Tomaszek: www.agatomaszek.com