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Weddings

Pricing information

Reception
$2,000 starting price
Ceremony
$2,000 starting price
Reception
$2,000 starting price
Ceremony
$2,000 starting price

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Attributes highlighted by couples

Quality catering
Guests comfort
Amenities

About

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts is a historic theater hall that doubles as a special event and wedding venue in the center of Hartford, Connecticut. For over 80 years, the performing arts center has provided a unique space for weddings and events of all sizes. The venue has professional staff who will assist in event planning to help you create the wedding of your dreams. Catering is provided by Hartford’s premier restaurant and catering group, Max Catering. Catering managers will work with you to create a wedding menu that is just right for your occasion. With various elegant and extravagant spaces, The Bushnell provides the perfect setting for your wedding in an ideal location.

Services Offered
The Bushnell Center offers a range of services:

  • Private suites
  • Expert event planning
  • Broadway-level lighting/sound
  • The best catering in Central Connecticut (Max Catering)

Facilities and Capacity
The Bushnell has multiple spaces for your wedding event and can accommodate up to 700 guests. Many of our guests combine multiple sites to create a unique and flowing experience. The William H. Mortensen Hall is a state-of-the-art theater that has 2,799 seats and is perfect for onstage weddings. Maxwell M. & Ruth R. Belding Theater has 908 seats and is ideal for private receptions and events. Autorino Great Hall is a unique space overlooking the courtyard, and Seaverns Room offers traditional elegance with hand-carved wooden walls and an outdoor terrace. The Horace Bushnell Suite overlooks the great hall and the Hillyer Suite is an ideal space for a bridal suite. Mortenson Lobbies and the Belding Theater Lobby both offer perfect spaces for cocktail receptions and more.

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Frequently asked questions

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?

$2,000

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

$2,000

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?

$2,000

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

$2,000

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
Clean Up
Event Planning
Lighting/Sound
Parking
Set Up
Tables

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

Cake Cutting

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

5

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

10

Describe your venue:

Historic Building
Museum

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Wifi

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 Wine
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Chairs
Drapery
Lighting
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Valet
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

May
June
July
August
September
October

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
November
December
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Reviews of The Bushnell

4.9 out of 5 rating
4.9 out of 5 rating
6 Reviews
99% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.9 out of 5 rating
Weddingwire
4.9/5 6 reviews
Google
4.7/5 2728 reviews
Carly
Carly M. Sent on 01/02/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Best Day of Our Lives

We chose the Bushnell Theater for our wedding as it held sentimental value for our family and it was a unique, "not-your-typical" wedding venue. From the multiple beautiful spaces (ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception), to the responsiveness and professionalism of the staff was unparalleled. Our wedding was out of an absolute dream and I wish I could live that day over and over again.
Dalal
Dalal M. Sent on 07/16/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect Venue

Everything about The Bushnell was perfect for our Wedding! We wanted a venue that had perfect acoustics and you can't get much better than a Theater! One of our pet peeves is being at an event and not being able to have a conversation or to pay for a Band that doesn't sound good because of the acoustics - that was not a problem at The Bushnell. We had our ceremony in one room; our cocktail reception in another room and our dinner/dancing reception on the Theater stage. Our guests were absolutely blown away by the venue and the ease of the evening. We can not say enough about the staff - they were there to accommodate anything we needed and they did so with such professionalism and graciousness! Max catering at the venue was wonderful - everyone gushed over the food! We want to thank everyone involved at The Bushnell for helping to make our Wedding simply MAGICAL!
S
Sherry S. Sent on 01/28/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Perfection!

My husband and I held our wedding at The Bushnell in December and it was the best decision we have ever made! Domingo and his team put on a flawless event that appeared to effortlessly pull off a million tiny detailed requests! I'm not sure why there isn't a wedding there every day because it is the perfect place to accommodate events of any size while offering unique backdrops of beautiful historic decor, with all imaginable modern accommodations. I have never worked with a more dedicated group of individuals who genuinely cared about creating some of the happiest memories I will cherish for the rest of my life. The food (Max Catering) was exquisite the team ensured that we actually had a chance to eat! Based on the availability of the theatre the night of our wedding our guests were even able to take a tour behind stage during the cocktail hour while they enjoyed drinks and light refreshments. My only regret is that I haven't come up with a reason to plan another big event with this incredible team again yet.
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Awards

6

Team

Charlie Meyers
Charlie Meyers
Senior Director of Events & Patron Services

With over 30 years of experience in the industry and a commitment to delivering exceptional service, I am fully dedicated to ensuring that your event runs smoothly and seamlessly. Should you have any questions or need assistance at any point during this process, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at cmyers@bushnell.org or (860) 987-6024.

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
Moon River Rituals Moon River Rituals Wedding Officiants

For an exceptional event planned with creativity and executed with the utmost efficiency, say "I do" at The Bushnell. Having worked there myself for thirteen years, I can say with confidence that you'll be in good hands.

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The Bushnell frequently asked questions

The Bushnell includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planning
  • Lighting/Sound
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
The Bushnell includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
The space offered by The Bushnell for wedding events is known for:
  • Historic Building
  • Museum
The Bushnell offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
The Bushnell offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
The Bushnell offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planner
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Wifi
The Bushnell offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Drapery
  • Lighting
  • Tables
The Bushnell is recommended by 99% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.9 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 5 in professionalism, 5 in value, 4.9 in quality of service, 4.9 in flexibility and 4.8 in average response time.

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