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Weddings

About

We appreciate your interest in our venue, but we are currently at capacity for 2024. Please check back later in 2024 for potential available booking dates.

The New Children’s Museum is a modern wedding venue in San Diego, California. This smart and sophisticated space offers interactive contemporary culture for you and your guests to enjoy. WIth flexible event options and an amazing, fun and unique feel, this venue is a great choice for your San Diego wedding.

Facilities and Capacity
The New Children’s Museum is a 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art museum that is perfect for events. You have the option of renting out the entire museum, which can hold up to 1,000 people, and gives you access to all three floors. You can also rent out single levels of the museum, whether it is the main level, upper, or lower, depending on the backdrop, view, and amount of space you are looking for.

Services Offered
This venue allows some outside vendors for events, but they do have a list of excellent preferred vendors that you will be able to choose from. There is also event planning assistance offered at The New Children’s Museum, to ensure that all your wedding needs are met and your event is fun, relaxing and enjoyable. The other services at this venue are:

  • Pet friendly
  • Wireless Internet

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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?

$3,500

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

$3,500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

No

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Clean Up
Event Planning
Parking

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

3

Describe your venue:

Art Gallery
Museum
Park

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Engagement Party
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Event Planner
Event Rentals
Outside Vendors
Pet Friendly
Wifi

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

Reviews of The New Children's Museum

Joe
Joe S. Sent on 11/22/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Wedding DJs love this Venue!

We had the pleasure of DJing a wedding at the New Children's Museum a few weeks ago and can report having a wonderful experience. The museum is a fun and unique place for a wedding, and the layout works well for the entire event. We highly recommend it if you are looking for a venue for your upcoming wedding!
McKensey
Mckensey Sent on 05/19/2020
5 out of 5 rating

We love NCM!

We had a very short timeline for flipping the space from museum to reception area, but NCM and their vendors had the process SO dialed-in and efficient. They made it happen!
A
Ashley Sent on 03/09/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Best venue ever.

We loved this venue, by far the funnest and most unique venue. Laura is amazing to work with and super responsive to all the questions. The exhibits and decor in the museum are so unique and colorful that minimal decor is really needed. Needless to say, our photos looked AMAZING. The adults had such a great time because majority of the time, the kids played in the sandbox, so it was really a win win all around. We had such an amazing wedding here and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and different venue.
Michael
Michael Sent on 01/07/2019
5 out of 5 rating

A little imagination goes a long way!

Besides stating the obvious, the NCM provides a backdrop to the best wedding venue ever- you just have to use a little imagination! It's like a blank canvas giving couples a chance to showcase what they can create and brainstorm together! We started out not knowing what we wanted; however, once we stepped into the museum, we just knew this was it! To tell you the truth, out of all the venue inquiries that were sent out, the NCM was the one and only site that we visited!

Minus all the running kids and the artistic platforms, you have free reign as to what that should look like. You can even keep any of the installations in the main room out, but if it's not your cup of tea- they can easily be rolled and stored away. Also note that this is a museum- installations and art will change throughout the year! We booked and singed our contract a little over a year from our wedding date. From the time of signature, two rooms changed on the main floor but this did not affect the look of our wedding.

Laura assisted us in our wedding planning as the on-site coordinator for the NCM, but you will definitely need a wedding coordinator for all your hired vendors and any other facilitation. There is a preferred vendor list for rentals, beverage, and catering- but everything else can be selected yourself. We were able to use a couple vendors outside the list as some did not have things available or weren’t specified- floral, chalk artist, dj, photo+video, lounge, photobooth, games, and desserts+cake. Keep in mind that you need to be transparent with what you want so there is no hidden surprises- read contracts, ask questions, get proposals. We were able to get things that we wanted, but we all know there’s a price tag for everything!

We pretty much utilized a majority of the space, as well as some areas that most don’t think about. We had some DIY, such as marquee lighting, name cards, escort card wall, and all the signage! Our coordinator probably had about 10 containers full of decor.

We had about 130 guests in attendance and used the half main as out space. You can select other options such as the full main and/or include the second floor or bottom level for an additional cost. It is a little costly but just know that the money you paid will help promote the arts for young children! If you pay in full, there is a discounted rate too! Looking into other venues, the cost was as expected- even less than other venues we had in mind. The museum itself housed our cocktail hour and reception, and the covered park across the way held our ceremony (which needs a permit from the city).

With everything said and done, we were more than happy with The New Children's Museum!
M
Marvin Sent on 10/25/2016
5 out of 5 rating
Love. Love. Love this venue. The New Children's Museum was one of the best decisions we made for our 10/15/16 wedding. It was actually the only venue we toured. Upon entering it and meeting with Liz Zajd, the museum coordinator, my hubby and I knew this was the perfect venue for us. Liz was awesome to work with, responsive, helpful, accommodating, etc. The venue requires some work and vision as you have to bring in your vendors, but in the end it is so worth it!!
Joy
Joy Sent on 01/16/2015
5 out of 5 rating
The minute we visited the New Children’s Museum, we knew we had to get married there. We worked with Liz, and she was so nice and helpful. I probably emailed her a million times and she was quick to respond each and every time, and let us visit so that I could work out my “vision”. The Museum is extremely accommodating to your needs. We were able to do a sparkler exit and bring in a hot dog cart as an late night snack. Also my sorority sister is an artist, and they let her do a mural of our relationship on the large chalk board. All of my guests were wowed by the museum, and many said they had never been to a wedding like it. Absolutely book your wedding here, it will be unforgettable and you will truly have a magical day thanks to Liz and her staff. Also you’ll have some stunning photos from your day as well!
O
Hope Sent on 08/26/2014
4.9 out of 5 rating
Only 1/2 star off because air conditioning wasn't turned on. We were a little warm. But the venue was everything we could ever want! Liz Zajd that works at the museum is a dream.
L
Lyn Sent on 09/22/2018
4.8 out of 5 rating
I got married at The New Children's Museum and absolutely loved the venue. It's definitely a unique space that allows for a little more fun and creativity than other spaces. Laura was our contact person during the entire wedding planning process and she was a pleasure to work with. She was friendly and professional and was always prompt in replying to any questions or concerns I had.

One thing that I was surprised to learn is that for private events they are pet friendly! It was very important for us to have our dog be present for both ceremony & reception and the museum was willing to accommodate.

The museum stays open to the public until 4pm and they do have a required vendors list, but this is all information they tell you about up front. I had no issues in regards to vendors and was able to adjust my wedding timeline accordingly. The museum is a green building meaning no A/C so it did get a little warm at times during the reception, but I also had my wedding in the middle of summer.

During our wedding we had a really cool exhibit on the main floor that we thought would be open to guests, but unfortunately had to be closed off. The museum is ever changing in exhibits so I would suggest you get clarification on what will be open to your guests to use.

Overall I was very happy with our decision in choosing The New Children's Museum. It was a great day filled with lots of memories and in a venue that completely captured our hearts. I'd highly recommend NCM to anyone.
K
Kayden Sent on 04/02/2018
4.7 out of 5 rating
Laura and the team at The New Children's Museum are wonderful to work with! Laura is responsive, helpful, and facilitates coordination with ease. Wedding planning went more smoothly thanks to the team. Thanks again for an amazing experience!
C
Christina Sent on 09/19/2018
4.6 out of 5 rating
We rented the outside patio on a Sunday afternoon. It was beautiful. The downside was that there were not good options for lunch. We did champagne and cake - and it all worked out. Very kind and professional staff.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

14

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
Bliss Events Bliss Events Wedding Planners

We love the New Children's Museum! Their space is one-of-a-kind... totally unique, modern, and fun. Their staff is extremely accommodating, easy to work with, and professional. They are the perfect venue for a memorable and cool event. We highly recommend them!

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Map

The New Children's Museum frequently asked questions

The New Children's Museum includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planning
  • Parking
The space offered by The New Children's Museum for wedding events is known for:
  • Art Gallery
  • Museum
  • Park
The New Children's Museum offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
The New Children's Museum offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Engagement Party
  • Rehearsal Dinner
The New Children's Museum offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Event Planner
  • Event Rentals
  • Outside Vendors
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wifi
The New Children's Museum offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
The New Children's Museum is recommended by 92% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.6 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.8 in average response time, 4.6 in quality of service, 4.6 in professionalism, 4.6 in value and 4.4 in flexibility.
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