Weddings at the MCA

Unique, sophisticated, and home to some of the most important art of our time, the MCA also boasts customizable accommodations, perfect for designing a truly contemporary event.

A couple poses for an intimate photo with the MCA facade serving as a backdrop for their luxury Chicago wedding

Capacity

  • Ceremony: 200 (indoors/outdoors)
  • Seated reception: 300 (indoors); 200 (outdoors)
  • Cocktails, etc.: 400 (indoors/outdoors)

As a museum dedicated to contemporary art, the MCA is an unforgettable space for your big day and the ideal venue for a cultured couple. Submit a rental request to host your dream wedding at the MCA using the form on this page. You can also contact us by phone, 312-397-3831, Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm.

Pricing: $9,000

For gallery access:

  • 2nd-Floor Galleries: +$1,800
  • All Galleries (2nd, 3rd & 4th floors): +$3,400

Here are a few reasons your MCA wedding will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Two male-presenting people in suits pose in holes cut into a large concrete circle for their wedding photo.
Two peas in a pod. Andrew and Jason were one of many couples to get creative with the art on view. Installation view, MCA Chicago Plaza Project: Alexandre da Cunha, MCA Chicago, Jul 18, 2015–Jul 24, 2016. Photo: Colin Lyons Photography
A bride and groom embrace inside of a room covered from floor to ceiling in a red, blue, and white fabric.
Inside a hot air balloon makes for a unique photo no other couple will have. Work shown: Kris Martin, T.Y.F.F.S.H., 2011. Hot air balloon, basket, metal ring, and fans; overall dimensions variable. Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, gift of Mary and Earle Ludgin by exchange, 2011.43. © 2011 Kris Martin. Photo: Candice C Cusic Photography

Art-filled wedding photos

From statement pieces to works that highlight thoughtfully considered details, the ever-changing art on view always offers something to catch a photographer’s eye.

A couple is photographed holding hands while running up the iconic MCA staircase
Picture perfect moments are available throughout the museum. Jaclyn Simpson Photography
chairs set up for wedding rental in the sculpture garden overlooking the Chicago skyline
The Chicago skyline provides the perfect backdrop for a wedding ceremony in the Sculpture Garden. Jenna Marie Photography

Jaw-dropping architecture

While it’s true that all venues have that something special, museums of art are sure to have a wow factor. As the only building in the US designed by Josef Paul Kleihues, we have a few special features that will be sure to awe your guests, and make for a picture-perfect backdrop to your special day.

Open galleries

The rotating nature of installations will surprise even the most avid of museum visitors and give your guests something to talk about long after the salad course. Plus, allowing guests to peruse the galleries gives couples more time to take their photos after the ceremony before making their grand entrance.

A bride and groom embrace in front of an artwork, with their backs to the camera.
A couple gazes at Thomas Ruff's zycles 3065, 2008. Ink-jet on canvas; framed: 104 1/4 × 92 1/2 in. (264.8 × 235 cm). Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, gift of Marilyn and Larry Fields 2009.4. Photo: Fandl Photography
A group in elegant attire stand on either side of a eight-paneled artwork in a contemporary gallery setting
Wedding guests view Andy Warhol's Jackie Frieze, 1964. Silkscreen on linen 20 x 128 x 1 1/2 in. (50.8 x 325 x 3.8 cm). Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, gift of Beatrice Cummings Mayer, 2007.32 Photo: Durling Photography

Submit a Wedding Rental Request

FAQs

  • Yes! The MCA would love to serve as the venue for your wedding ceremony and reception. While we have a variety of unique spaces, we recommend the Sculpture Garden or the Lower Terrace, which overlooks Lake Michigan, for an outdoor wedding. For an indoor wedding, we suggest the MCA’s fourth-floor lobby, which is adjacent to our main exhibition galleries and features a panoramic view of the city.

  • Yes! We require all clients to hire a wedding planner so that you and your partner can have the most relaxing experience possible on your wedding day. If you need wedding planner recommendations, we are happy to provide you with a list of professionals who have experience working on events at the MCA.

  • Yes! Please notify us no less than two weeks prior to your wedding date if you would like to have a wedding rehearsal at the MCA. Wedding rehearsals are based on space availability and must be completed by 5 pm.

  • Yes! MCA Catering is our exclusive in-house catering partner. All food and beverage (including alcohol) for your event must be purchased through MCA Catering. Tenting for events must also be provided by our approved tenting vendor, and additional lawn maintenance fees will apply. Please contact us for more details.

  • Yes! In order to place a hold on the MCA for your wedding rental, we ask that you schedule a site visit with a member of our team. After your visit, we are happy to place a complimentary 14-day hold on your preferred event date. At the end of the 14-day window, we can either release the hold or proceed with officially booking your event. Due to high demand, we cannot hold a date for more than 14 days, unless otherwise discussed.

  • Yes! The MCA has a convenient public parking garage located at Chicago Avenue and Fairbanks Court. All guests and vendors are offered our flat-rate parking discount during your event. Guests can validate their parking at coat check. Fully paid parking vouchers are also available for purchase. Please contact us for more details. Find additional information and directions to the MCA on our Visit page.

  • Managers from the MCA Rental and MCA Catering teams will be on site from start to finish on your event day—from setup until every vendor leaves the building. The MCA also provides security, housekeeping, and a building engineer on-site during the hours of your event.

  • Galleries can be opened for an additional fee. Food and drink are not permitted inside of the galleries.

  • The MCA is pleased to offer complimentary use of our tables and lounge furniture on site. We have 66-inch-round tables, high boys, café tables, and various lounge furniture pieces. Ceremony and dinner chairs are not included in the rental fee, and will need to be rented via an external vendor. Please contact us for more details.

  • Yes! In our standard rental fee, complimentary coat check services are included.

  • Yes! For an additional fee, the MCA can provide certain AV services for your event. The MCA AV team are experts of the venue and will be with you every step of the way to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

  • Yes! We allow vendors to begin loading one-and-a-half hours prior to the start of your event (ex. 4:30 pm for a 6 pm start). We also include one-and-a-half hours of breakdown once your event ends. If your vendors require an extensive setup or breakdown, please notify us to discuss their specific needs. We will do our best to accommodate.

  • Yes! The MCA has accessible entrances, elevators, and restrooms.

  • The museum requires a 50% nonrefundable deposit with a signed facility rental contract. Your final facility rental balance is due six weeks prior to your event. MCA Catering also requires a signed catering contract and a nonrefundable deposit at the time of booking. Catering must be paid for in full by the week prior to your event.

  • Yes! The MCA is pleased to have preferred hotel partners, such as the Aloft Mag Mile, Hotel 55, and Park Hyatt Chicago. Please contact them directly for rates and availability. Be sure to mention that you are hosting your event at the MCA.

  • Yes! We would be happy to set up a personal site visit with you to show you the museum and discuss your event. Site visits take place Tuesday–Thursday during office hours (10 am–4 pm). Visits typically take 30–45 minutes. Please contact us to set up a time.

Overhead shot of a crowd mingling around a long buffet table in a two story event space lit with purple lights
A wedding group poses in a garden below three yellow figures near a rental tent
Our grounds are great for parties large and small.
Two long tables filled with people outside beneath string lights creating an elegant feel
A woman in a white wedding dress and a man in a navy suit dance in the MCA’s backyard with tall Chciago skyscrapers including the John Hancock building as the backdrop
A couple takes their first spins as husband and wife against a backdrop of the Chicago skyline. Photo: Durling Photography
A couple in wedding attire poses at the corner of a wall near a contemporary artwork consisting of lights that spell out Me and We. Only the We is lit.
Blinking from Me to We, this Glenn Ligon artwork makes for an appropriate couples photo setting. Work shown: Glenn Ligon, Give us a Poem, 2007. Black PVC and white neon; 75 5/8 x 74 1/4 in. (192.1 x 188.6 cm). The Studio Museum in Harlem, gift of the artist. Photo: Candice C Cusic Photography
A view of the MCA's sculpture garden and terrace on sunny day is set with white chairs for what appears to be a wedding ceremony.
Sweeping views of the Chicago skyline provide the perfect backdrop for a wedding ceremony in the sculpture garden. Photo © Artisan Events
A bride and groom pose next to a vintage luxury car on front the MCA’s contemporary front plaza
Two elderly men wearing suits embrace in a kiss while two other men look on smiling and clapping beneath a white fabric tent.
Wedding of James Darby and Patrick Bova, Jun 2, 2014 Photo: Cindy Fandl
A bride and groom cut a black and white wedding cake in a room featuring a black, 3D grid on the ceiling
Lauren and James cut their beautiful cake, inspired by Johnston Marklee: Grid Is a Grid Is a Grid Is a Grid, MCA Chicago, Oct 1, 2015–Nov 18, 2016. Photo: Studio This Is
A wedding couple walking up a spiral staircase as viewed from two floors above
Our iconic staircase always make for a glamour photoshoot.

  • Rental Brochure

    Download the information found on this page.

  • Corporate Events

    Featuring spacious and flexible event spaces, the MCA provides a sophisticated and distinct setting for your company’s next event.

  • Articles

    Married at the Museum

    Our rentals intern Anna culled together some of her favorite awe-inspiring images and ideas from MCA weddings to help you create your own perfect museum wedding.