Peabody Essex Museum

My husband and I got married at the PEM this spring just after the East India Marine Hall was redesigned. A few things you should know:
1. All of your friends will be jealous they didn't think to get married here. It is the most beautiful venue you can imagine, works indoor and outdoor, and is filled with unique-to-this-world exhibits that will fill guests' instagram feeds
2. You won't have to spend essentially any money on flowers or decor. Every wall and surface is covered in stunning art.
3. The PEM's staff is exceptional, and its coordinator Natalia is a QUEEN. Every step of the way, they checked in with every vendor to make sure the vendor knew how to set up on time, in location, to all of the restrictions of the museum. We had personal attendees that catered to our every whim and it was clear they have run this show a thousand times before.

Could not recommend it more.

Our experience with the Peabody Essex Museum was incredible! Working with Natalia was amazing - she worked with us over almost two years, answering countless questions and requests. She was extremely responsive, helpful, positive, and open to any creative ideas or changes we wanted to explore. She made it extremely easy to feel completely at ease on the day of. During our wedding, she was there, extremely present, and made sure everything was organized and on time. She coordinated with all our vendors to make sure they also felt supported and knowledgeable - I truly cannot say enough fantastic things about partnering with her and her team. The venue itself transforms and is absolutely gorgeous. We did not have the nicest day so were unable to utilize the garden for our cocktail hour, but it didn't matter. We had countless comments from guests about how unique and beautiful the venue was. Thank you thank you!!

Space (5/5) – our wedding package included a reception in the main atrium which was more than enough to fit our wedding of about 110 people. The reception was preceded by a cocktail hour in a large room separate from the atrium as well as the museum’s garden space, weather permitting. After the cocktail hour, guests also walked through exhibits to reach the atrium. For the Couple, we took photos in the garden as well as half-a-dozen of our favorite exhibits. The PEM also had a private room for us and the wedding party to eat and recuperate before the reception. The only downside was the East India Marine hall was under construction so we were unable to use that room.

Staff (5/5) – The staff was a major part of why we were able to focus on just enjoying our wedding on the day. After months of planning, we had zero doubts about the PEM. Everyone we worked with was professional, friendly, and accommodating. Natalia helped us coordinate with staff at the PEM and catering. PEM allowed us to tour the museum to get an idea of the layout for our vendors. They answered all our questions, took us to the loading docks, showed us people’s favorite exhibits for photos. The staff was more than happy to hold onto items for us before and after the reception. And, the PEM had very clear boundaries which they explained. For example, the museum must be open to the public until the day of the wedding, any cash at the wedding cannot be handled staff, no soil in the flowers as it could damage the exhibits, etc. Communication was quick, clear, and friendly. We did not use a wedding planner and the PEM staff were still able to get everything set up just fine.

Budget (4/5) – the PEM venue fee is expensive but not unlike other venues in and around Boston, and the money goes to a museum to help preserve and educate about history. For the space and atmosphere of the museum I think it is worth it. For catering, the PEM allows only their specific partner Gourmet Caterers. Gourmet Caterers had several tiers of catering and alcohol for different budget levels. With the venue fee and only one choice of caterer, much of the budget is set before making any decisions. The PEM also has some additional options such as higher quality chairs which you can forgo to reduce expenses.

Location (5/5) – the PEM is located in the heart of Salem. It was very pedestrian friendly. There are dozens of shops, events, and locations to explore. The PEM’s location made it feel like we rented the entire town of Salem rather than just the PEM.

We had the most beautiful wedding at the PEM! As soon as we had our tour, we knew this was exactly where we wanted to get married. Everything was absolutely perfect from the venue to the staff. Natalia along with all of our vendors, made the day so enjoyable and we’re absolutely wonderful to work with! We love that it’s a place we can always go back to to visit!

If you want a stunning moment in your life and one that guests who could not attend your wedding continue to talk about, go with PEM. My husband and I knew pretty soon after being engaged that we wanted to have our wedding at the PEM. Having lived in Salem this place meant a lot to us and we were certain it would be the perfect venue. Perfect does not to it justice! Natalia and her team were able to create the most magical experience for us, our family, and our guests. They transform an already gorgeous venue space into the most stunning and elegant space you can imagine. Natalia is a pro at this and you notice that immediately. She is always there to answer your questions, give you perfect advice, and be your friend during this process. She truly wants what is best for you and does everything to make it happen. To get married in one of the oldest museums in the country is a remarkable experience.

Also, I really love that my husband and I can go back whenever we want to walk the same steps, stand where we said "I do", and transport back to the most special night of our lives. 

We had a great experience at PEM. They were extremely communicative and helpful throughout the planning process and ensured that everything on the day of went smoothly. It was a beautiful space and we are so glad we chose PEM for our wedding!

Natalia and the team at PEM was perfect. We loved working with them so much. They were easy and very professional. The entire wedding was seamless without a single issue, and there were people around at all times willing and happy to help. We would recommend to the PEM to anyone who asks.

As non-wedding people, we couldn't have chosen a better venue. Using PEM was like a venue cheat code.

First, PEM stands on its own as a wedding venue -- it doesn't need a lot of extra decor, lighting, etc. We went pretty minimal on these "extras" for our wedding, but our guests still loved the venue, commenting on how elegant the space was, how much they loved walking through the galleries and seeing the exhibits as part of the wedding experience, and how fun and interesting was the East India Marine Hall in which we had the dinner and dancing.

Second, the on-site staff and in-house/exclusive caterer, Gourmet Catering (GC), handled everything with aplomb day of. Our wedding went super smoothly and PEM and GC really went above-and-beyond in terms of their level of service: (1) We had a beautiful staging room, which was always well-stocked with food and beverages (champagne, among other drinks) as we transitioned from ceremony to cocktail hour to dinner and dancing and made for a great place to take pictures. (2) PEM and GC staff frequently checked in with us to make sure everything was going well, though without at all being overbearing and even helped with some last-minute hair adjustments. (3) PEM staff did all of the setup and breakdown for us -- we didn't have to worry about a thing.

Finally, we love Salem and the area around the museum. PEM is situated in a great place for pre- and post-wedding activities.

People often asked, as they do, whether we were stressed about the wedding. Especially as the date drew near. With PEM as our venue, I can honestly say that the answer was always no. We're so happy with our decision to choose PEM.

We couldn't have chosen a more perfect venue for our wedding than the Peabody Essex Museum. The venue itself is absolutely stunning—elegant, timeless, and breathtaking, and it created the most magical atmosphere for our special day. Our guests were in awe of the beauty and uniqueness of the space, and we received endless compliments!

The staff at the museum truly went above and beyond, making sure everything was flawless from start to finish. A special shout-out to Natalia. She is, without a doubt, one of the kindest and most caring people we have ever met. From the very first meeting, Natalia made us feel supported, understood, and incredibly well taken care of. She ensured that every detail was executed perfectly, and her kindness and professionalism were unmatched.

Thanks to Natalia and the entire team at the Peabody Essex Museum, the wedding planning process was not only seamless but enjoyable! They made what can often be a stressful experience feel easy and fun. We are forever grateful to them for helping make our wedding day as perfect as it was.

If you're looking for a venue that combines beauty, impeccable service, and a team that genuinely cares about your happiness, the Peabody Essex Museum is the place to be!

The team at Peabody Essex Museum was a dream to work with for our wedding. From our very first interaction with Natalia, her communication was speedy, knowledgeable, and incredibly informative, putting us at ease throughout the planning process. On the day of, the venue was transformed into a magical, one-of-a-kind space that perfectly captured the vibe we were going for. Natalia was especially helpful, guiding us through all the decisions, communicating with our vendors, and making us feel completely prepared. The value she provided was truly exceptional, and we're so grateful to have celebrated our special day in such a beautiful and unforgettable setting.