Are you searching for a stunning venue in Indianapolis to host your wedding? The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields offers several spaces for your wedding ceremony and reception. Through the details and information listed below, I have put together a complete wedding venue planning guide to assist you in making your decision to host a Newfields wedding.
You’ll find information on hosting an outdoor ceremony, ballroom spaces for your reception, and space inside the museum for your celebration. With each suggested space, I’ve also inclued the expected total cost and capacity, along with wedding photography packages that capture every memory and cherished emotion on your best day ever. Use the table of contents to click through each section, or scroll through for more.
Table of Contents
- 1. Lilly House & Gardens Engagement Photos
- 1 a. Preparing for Your Engagement Photoshoot
- 2. Planning a Newfields Wedding
- 3. Wedding Ceremonies at Newfields
- 4. Lilly Terrace
- 4 a. Lilly House Capacity & Cost
- 5. Formal Garden
- 5 a. Formal Garden Capacity & Cost
- 6. Indianapolis Museum Of Art Wedding Receptions
- 7. Special Events Pavilion
- 7 a. Events Pavilion Cost & Capacity
- 8. Great Hall
- 8 a. Great Hall Cost & Capacity
- 9. Newfields Wedding Cost
- 10. Indianapolis Museum of Art Wedding Photography
Lilly House and Gardens Engagement Photos
Undeniably, the beauty of Lilly House and Gardens lies in its vast, pastoral landscape. Made all the more idyllic when framed by the all-white architecture of the historical house. While the venue is commonly booked for weddings, couples often seek out the space for engagement photos as well.
I often work with my couples to capture their engagement photos at Lilly House and Gardens, and the landscape of the venue an ever-evolving work of wonder. Having worked at the venue as frequently as two weeks apart, I can say that during each visit, I am delighted to find the landscape completely transformed. Accordingly, freshly potted plants, greenery, and bushes are well cared for and frequently rotated.
In addition to this, throughout the year, the venue hosts numerous seasonal events, often transforming the hedges, shrubs, plants, and flowers to match the theming of their ticketed events. The ‘ber’ months bring about Harvest Nights with fall decor and pumpkins displayed throughout the property. However, during Winterlights, Lilly House and Gardens is brought to life through a vibrant display of illuminations.
Even if you don’t plan on attending one of their ticketed events, these design elements are still on display for the duration of the calendared event. Thus allowing us to take advantage of the seasonally themed backdrops during your engagement session.
Preparing for Your Engagement Photos at Lilly House & Gardens
Do you need a few tips to help you prepare for your engagement photos at Lilly House & Gardens?
As an Indianapolis engagement photographer, here is some of the best advice I can give you when it comes to selecting your attire.
Select Two Outfits
My couples always have time for an outfit change during their engagement session. I encourage them to bring along two outfits to help set the tone for their images. One a bit more fancy and formal, and one that is a little more casual and still feels like you. This approach will leave you with two varying sets of engagement photos.
Accessories
Each of your outfits should have matching accessories, but it’s important to keep it minimal. Items such as scarves, watches, jackets, your engagement ring, and a pair of stud earrings work beautifully in front of the camera.
Neutrals
When selecting a color palette for your attire, it’s best to aim for neutrals, especially for a location such as Lilly House & Gardens. Stay away from clothing with small, busy patterns and heavy logos. Neutrals and solid color clothing photograph elegantly. The attire you both choose should be complementary, but not ‘matchy’.
If you need more tips to help you prepare for your engagement photos at Lilly House & Gardens, you can find a complete guide on preparing for your engagement session at this link.
Or, step inside the engagement sessions I’ve captured at Lilly House and Gardens when you navigate the links below.
- Lauren & Trevor’s summer engagement photos at Lilly House and Gardens
- Nicole & Michael celebrate their fall engagement at Lilly House and Gardens
- Maggi & Kyle’s formal engagement photo shoot at Newfields
Planning a Newfields Wedding
Along with serving as a stunning backddrop for engagement photos, Newfields also hosts weddings. Through the details below, I’ve included all the information needed to plan an Indianapolis Museum of Art wedding at Newfields. You’ll find available spaces for hosting your outdoor wedding ceremony, reception spaces, and total capacity, cost, and seasonality of each space. Scroll through for more.
Wedding Ceremonies at Newfields
Wedding ceremonies held at Lilly House at Newfields take place in the open-air setting of the Lilly Terrace or the Richard D. Wood Formal Garden. Scroll to find further information on the cost and capacity of each space.
Lilly Terrace
The lush, expansive lawn at Lilly Terrace is meticulously manicured, offering a stunning backdrop of greenery with an air of sophistication for hosting your vows. The elevated space is encased by stone balustrades and offers a slight view from above, overlooking the surrounding grounds. Outdoor wedding ceremonies at Lilly Terrace are held during the months of March, April, May, June, July, and August.
Total Capacity of a Wedding Ceremony at Lilly Terrace
Altogether, a wedding ceremony at Lilly Terrace has the ability to host up to 200 seated guests.
Cost
Wedding ceremonies hosted at Lilly Terrace at Newfields are billed at a venue rental cost of $3200.
Richard D. Wood Formal Garden
Located adjacent to Lilly House, the landscape featured in the formal garden was designed in the 1920s by the famed landscape architects, the Olmsted Brothers. During their heyday, they designed Biltmore Estate, Stanford University, and the village of Riverside, Illinois. Likewise, the ethereal garden space at Lilly House is a whimsical setting for a wedding ceremony featuring stone fountains, a white arbor, and a variety of lush topiaries and blooming florals. All in all, providing a romantic setting for your heartfelt vows.
Total Capacity of a Wedding Ceremony in the Formal Garden
Moreover, wedding ceremonies held at the Richard D. Wood Formal Garden are best suited for those with larger-sized guest lists, as this space has the ability to host up to 300 seated guests.
Cost
Wedding ceremonies hosted at Richard D. Wood Formal Garden are billed at a venue rental cost of $2500.
Indianapolis Museum Of Art Wedding Receptions
There are three distinct venue spaces to host a wedding reception at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. Each space, along with total capacity and cost, is detailed below.
Randolph H. Deer Special Events Pavilion
For ballroom weddings at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the venue offers their Special Events Pavilion. This space features towering floor-to-ceiling windows with a skylight high above. Additionally, it connects to the Bluestone Patio at the garden entrance. Finally, you’ll find the Special Events Pavilion has a private coat room and foyer, along with ample parking for your guests.
The ballroom is a classic space with time-honored details, allowing you to fill the space to suit your wedding day vision, whether classic and elegant or modern and contemporary.
Total Capacity of a Wedding Reception at the Special Events Pavilion
There are three different seating configurations with varying guest capacity at the Special Events Pavilion.
A seated dinner experience on the night of your wedding with a stage or a dance floor has the ability to host up to 300 guests.
A seated dinner, without a stage or dance floor, can accommodate up to 350 guests.
If you wish to host a flowing cocktail reception, this special events pavilion at the Indianapolis Museum of Art can host up to 600 guests.
Cost
Overall, there are two distinct sets of costs associated with hosting a wedding reception at the Indianapolis Museum of Art special events pavilion. Firstly, couples will be charged a fee associated with renting the venue on their preferred wedding date. Secondly, there is a required food and beverage minimum spend. Each of these costs is detailed below.
Jan, Feb, March Venue Fee
- $2500 – weddings held Monday through Thursday
- $3000 – weddings held on Friday and Sunday
- $4100 – weddings held on Saturday
April, August, September Venue Fee
- $2700 – weddings held Monday through Thursday
- $4100 – weddings held on Friday and Sunday
- $5300 – weddings held on Saturday
May, June, July, October Venue Fee
- $3100 – weddings held Monday through Thursday
- $4500 – weddings held on Friday and Sunday
- $5900 – weddings held on Saturday
Food & Beverage Minimums Spend for Receptions at Special Events Pavilion
- $6000 – weddings held Monday through Thursday
- $12,000 – weddings held on Friday and Sunday
- $14,000 – weddings held on Saturday
Wedding Receptions Held at Indianapolis Museum of Art Pulliam Family Great Hall
Directly at the center of the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields is the Pullliam Family Great Hall. This modern, eclectic space is surrounded by the museum’s permanent galleries and special exhibition spaces, making it a short distance from your wedding to exquisite works of art. It has a clear view of some of the gallery’s most notable works of art including including Sol Lewitt’s Wall Drawing No. 652, and Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture.
All in all, this venue space is bright and modern, perfect for any couple who wishes to add a dash of contemporary art to their wedding through this intimate space. Preferred seating configurations are somewhat flexible, with this space being best suited to weddings with a guest list of under 100 attendants.
Total Capacity of a Wedding Reception at the Great Hall
There are three different seating configurations with varying total capacity at the Great Hall.
A seated dinner experience can accommodate up to 80 total guests. A flowing cocktail reception has the ability to host up to 200 guests. If you wish to host a flowing cocktail reception, during the hours that the museum is open, this space can accommodate up to 150 guests.
Cost
Similar to wedding receptions at the Special Events Pavilion, the Great Hall has two distinct costs. Firstly, the total associated with renting the venue on your preferred wedding date. Secondly, the required food and beverage minimum spend. Find further details on each of these costs below.
Jan, Feb, March Venue Fee
- $3900 – weddings held Monday through Thursday
- $4800 – weddings held on Friday and Sunday
- $4500 – weddings held on Saturday
April, August, September Venue Fee
- $4000 – weddings held Monday through Thursday
- $4200 – weddings held on Friday and Sunday
- $4500 – weddings held on Saturday
Food & Beverage Minimums Spend for Receptions at the Great Hall
- $5000 – weddings held Monday through Thursday
- $7000 – weddings held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Estimated Cost of your Newfields Wedding
As you can see, there are a number of factors that determine the total cost of your Newfields wedding. Including your chosen ceremony space and the reception space, along with your preferred wedding date and menu.
For example, an October wedding, held on a Saturday, with a wedding ceremony at Lilly Terrace and a reception at the Special Events Pavilion would begin at a cost of $13,200. This Newfield’s wedding cost does not yet include any menu enhancements, photography, florals, or decor, which would then need to be accounted for in your budget.
Indianapolis Museum of Art Wedding Photography
Undoubtedly, a wedding at the Indianapolis Museum of Art requires photography that evokes the grandeur of the event spaces offered at Newfields.
I adore Newfields, and Lilly House and Gardens for its elegant setting, which serves a stunning the backdrop for engagement and wedding photos. The splendor of Newfields is seen through its unrivaled landscape and the historic architecture, offering a majestic setting for unforgettable outdoor photos on your best day ever.
See more, step inside Alex & Sophia’s wedding at the Indianapolis Museum of Art
If you are planning on hosting a wedding in winter or early spring, Newfields also has several indoor spaces that can be accessed for a comprehensive wedding photography experience, with a variety of settings. As an Indianapolis wedding photographer, I offer couples several packages that capture the moments that mean the most to them, to recall for a lifetime. You can find more details on the wedding photography packages I offer at Newfields and venues throughout Indianapolis when you visit this link.
