A museum wedding venue located in the heart of Detroit, DIA weddings features historic works of art in an unforgettable setting. The museum’s sleek architecture transforms into an iconic space where wedding days unfold through a series of events in a venue that features stunning chronicles of the past.
Through the information below, you’ll find a complete guide to help you plan a Detroit Institute of Arts wedding. We’ve included details such as days of the week the museum venue can be booked, spaces, cost, capacity, photo packages, and the galleries you’ll be allowed to privately explore on the day of your wedding.
Table of Contents
- Location
- Days of the Week to Host a DIA Wedding
- Available Spaces for Your Wedding at DIA
- DIA Wedding Cost
- Exclusive Weekend Wedding Packages at DIA
- Catering DIA Weddings
- DIA Wedding Photos
- Detroit Wedding Photography Packages
Location
The Detroit Institute of Arts Museum is located in Midtown Detroit adjacent to the Main Detroit Public Library. Parking is offered behind the museum on John R Street.
Address: 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
When You Can Host a Wedding at Detroit Institute of Arts
Weddings at Detroit Institute of Arts can be planned on the weekdays of Monday through Thursday; however, Friday weddings are not available. You also have the option of booking the museum wedding venue for a weekend wedding on Saturday or Sunday, as long as your preferred wedding date is available.
DIA Weddings Detroit – Available Spaces
The Great Hall
The Great Hall at the Detroit Institute of Arts lives up to its name. Grand in scale, the interior space features marble flooring throughout, sleek travertine walls, a sky-high arched ceiling, gilded details, and softly lit chandeliers. The entire venue space has an upscale feel and can be configured with long family-style seating or round tables for your reception.
Best for: Reception
Total Capacity: 300 seated guests, or up to 500 guests for a strolling cocktail-style reception
Rivera Court
The couples we’ve photographed for a Detroit Institute of Arts wedding often select a ceremony in Rivera Court. It’s an indoor courtyard space with muraled frescos dating back to 1932. The skylight windows hanging high above flood the space with light, emphasizing the vibrant colors in the surrounding murals. The space is transformational and easily transitions into a ceremony venue with guests lined up on either side of the floor-to-ceiling paintings.
Best for: Ceremony or Intimate reception
Total Capacity: 160 seated guests, or up to 250 guests for a strolling cocktail-style reception
Prentis Court
Prentis Court features sky-high ceilings with open views of the exhibits above, in a space that combines symmetry and artwork. The space is sleek and polished, making it ideal for black-tie DIA weddings in Detroit. This area of the venue can be accessed for your ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception. It can also be combined with Kresge Court as part of your venue package.
Best for: Cocktail Hour, Ceremony, Reception
Total Capacity: 175 guests
Kresge Court
An enclosed brick courtyard that typically serves as the museum’s cafe, Kresge Court can transform for your cocktail hour, ceremony, or reception. The open design of the courtyard provides an outdoor experience that is completely protected from the elements, with an atmosphere that blends cultures and is designed for connections.
Best for: Cocktail Hour, Ceremony, Reception
Total Capacity: 175 guests
DIA Wedding Cost
Your total DIA wedding cost is determined by the day of the week your wedding is held, and the spaces you’ll need to rent from the venue for each of your events. The venue allows couples to book a combined ceremony and reception wedding day experience, or a reception-only experience. Here is a quick breakdown of venue costs for each space to host a wedding at DIA.
Great Hall
- $8,000 – weekday room rental
- $13,500 – weekend room rental
Rivera Court
- $11,000 – weekday room rental
- $16,000 – weekend room rental
Great Hall & Rivera Court Combined Venue Rental Package
- $18,000 – weekday package rental
- $28,500 – weekend package rental
Kresge Court
- $5,000 – weekday room rental
- $7,000 – weekend room rental
Prentis Court
- $3,500 – room rental (weekday or weekend)
Kresge Court & Prentis Court Combined Venue Rental Package
- $7,500 – weekday package rental
- $9,500 – weekend package rental
Exclusive Venue Rental Weekend Wedding Package
The Detroit Institute of Arts offers 15 exclusive full weekend venue rental packages per year. This exclusive package allows you rental of the DIA for Saturday and Sunday, with no other events taking place, and includes access to Great Hall, Rivera Court, Kresge Court, Prentis Court, and Greenroom. The full weekend venue package is best for weddings with up to 300 guests in attendance. The total fee is $35,000.
Pro Tip: If you are remotely considering the DIA wedding venues full weekend rental package, inquire about your preferred wedding date ASAP. DIA weddings book in advance, and the full weekend package is only offered to 15 couples per year.
Catering DIA Weddings Detroit
DIA offers catering services on site for all weddings through their team at Culinaire International. Menus for DIA weddings in Detroit are fully customizable and offered in packages. They include beer, wine, champagne, cocktails, and your meal service. Outside food and drink are not permitted with the exception of your wedding cake, which can be ordered from the baker of your choice along with any pre-packaged food favors. In addition to the total cost of your DIA venue space, food and beverage minimum spends will also be applied to your final cost. Total minimum spends are determined by your wedding date.
DIA Wedding Photos
When you book a DIA wedding in Detroit, part of your venue package will also include what the venue refers to as a ‘photo package’. This part of your venue contract is for you, the couple getting married, and does not require any additional permits to photograph in the museum.
Your photo package includes access to spaces throughout the museum as part of your photography experience, including: Woodward Lobby, South Hallway, Marble Staircase, and the Medieval or Renaissance Gallery.
The photo clause allows you unrestricted access to these spaces with your photographer on the day of your wedding for your documentary-style wedding photography experience throughout your time at the museum. But it does not include the booking of your photographer, who you will need to hire independently of the venue.
Pro Tip: Engagement photography is allowable on the exterior grounds of the DIA. There is no required permit or venue contract, as long as your engagement photos do not disrupt the flow of museum visitors. If you are still considering Detroit wedding venues, planning your engagement photos on the grounds of the museum is a great way to get a sense of the space ahead of time. While leaving you with portraits filled with the iconic structure of the DIA in the background.
Detroit Wedding Photographers
Rosy and Shaun Photography is a husband-and-wife photography duo based in Detroit. We are top-rated photographers who specialize in DIA weddings. We are familiar with the interior & exterior architecture and layout of the museum. This allows us to work with our couples in a way that is mindful of their wedding day timeline while taking advantage of the stunning backdrop the DIA provides.
One of our recommendations is that couples getting married at DIA share a first look and portrait experience before the start of their ceremony. This gives you more time to explore the museum and enjoy unhurried photos while also allowing you to join your guests during cocktail hour.
Our approach to DIA wedding photos considers your overall wedding day experience while taking advantage of the space, which is filled with a number of extraordinary, historic works of art that will serve as the backdrop for your wedding photos. You can find more information on working with us for wedding photos with feeling when you visit this link.
Or, if you still need more information to help you plan your wedding in Detroit, we have additional resources available below.
- The Ultimate Guide to Detroit Wedding Venues
- Book Tower: A Planning Guide to the Historic Wedding Venue
- Planterra Conservatory: Host a Greenhouse Style Wedding in Detroit
- Meadow Brook Hall: Guide to planning a tented wedding at a historic venue
