The Peabody Essex Museum is a modern museum wedding venue located in Salem, MA. As one of America’s most innovative art museums, its goal is to foster relationships between cultures through education. The open-plan Atrium is a breathtaking location to recite your vows.
The museum is spread across more than 500,000 square feet, making it one of the largest art galleries in the country. With the addition of a new wing in September 2019, the museum’s main building expands another 40,000 square feet. The Atrium welcomes guests with its high, arched glass roof, letting in plenty of natural daylight and twinkling starlight. Its open-plan layout can host large parties and banquets.
The Atrium can host celebrations of up to 250 guests, making it the museum’s largest event space. Galleries such as the East India Marine Hall and the Forbes & Copeland Galleries are suitable for intimate gatherings. Weddings held here receive the services of museum staff to help organize vendors on the day of the event. Facilitators ensure the seamless execution of the day’s festivities so couples can enjoy their special day. The maintenance and security teams are also on hand to aid in set-up and preserve the museum’s collections. In order to protect the artwork, open-flame candles are prohibited, although battery-operated votives are permitted.
Natalia was fantastic! As a wedding planner planning her own wedding, my fiance and I were looking for a venue that was unique and spoke to us, but also one that had extensive experience with the intricacies of running a wedding. Natalia and PEM ticked all of these boxes, along with being such an incredibly beautiful building, and an experience that our guests will never forget. Natalia was with us through the whole process, toured us through the space, gave our parents a second tour, and let us come by as much as we needed to plan out our ideas. She was even there overseeing the set up on our day, and made sure to check in with us! Even as a functioning museum having many rules to protect the art, they always worked with us to be as flexible as possible and offered us solutions as needed. We loved our whole experience, and love that we can come back and visit our wedding venue anytime :) Thank you to the whole PEM team, and especially Natalia! Reviewed on 27-12-2023
Choosing the beautiful Peabody Essex Museum was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding! The PEM staff, especially Natalia, were flawlessly organized and professional. No one ever says your wedding will be “stress free”, but ours was largely because of how incredible the PEM team is. The Garden Atrium, East India Maritime Hall, and Main Atrium are gorgeous, spacious, unique spaces that blew our guests away and looked stunning in photos. The acoustics for the band in the Main Atrium were wonderful! Just outside the museum entrance is picturesque Salem with so many wonderful spots for first-look photos and a charming vibrant locale. We can’t say enough positive things about PEM, and have no regrets in choosing PEM for our “I do”s! Reviewed on 19-11-2023
Ariella Honig(other)5 out of 5 Rating
If you are looking for a nontraditional, absolutely stunning wedding venue, please look no further than the PEM. Getting married in an intimate and elegant setting set the tone for our special day. Natalia is the most knowledgeable and easy person to work with. She was always there to answer our questions, hop on a call, or let us tour the venue multiple times. Natalia also has such a calm presence that is so comforting when wedding planning is so stressful. We always felt like everything would be okay after talking to her. The staff and security were also so kind to us and our guests. Everything about this venue was absolutely perfect. Reviewed on 16-11-2023
Zack Wheat(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Our wedding day was absolutely magical beyond what we could've hoped for, and so much of it is thanks to the support and opportunities offered to use by Natalia and the team at large at the PEM. We had a wedding of 80-90 guests and held our ceremony in the Main Atrium, the cocktail hour by the Garden, and the reception in the East India Marine Hall, with every room more beautiful than the last. Full-support coordination made it so that we didn't even need to hire a wedding planner, the PEM team was so totally on the ball and there for us at every turn. Hiring the PEM as your venue is choosing an incredible venue at a beyond reasonable price, managed by kind, generous, supportive staff. If you are considering the PEM: Pick it. You won't regret it. Reviewed on 11-11-2023
Melissa M(other)5 out of 5 Rating
This venue is absolutely stunning. My wedding was here about 6 months ago and my guests still talk about how it was the best wedding they've ever been too. The museum wedding coordinators are also fantastic. 10/10 recommend Reviewed on 06-11-2023
Keizra Mecklai(other)5 out of 5 Rating
What an absolutely wonderful place to host our dream wedding!! The venue is spacious and beautiful (great for larger weddings of 200+), and everything ran so efficiently. One underrated component is how beautiful the lighting is in the evening in the West India Room where our ceremony was held. And Natalia was incredibly helpful in coordinating vendors and everything else. Reviewed on 03-11-2023
Sadie Colcord(other)5 out of 5 Rating
PEM is such a unique and beautiful venue - we absolutely loved allowing our guests to be able to experience the beauty of the space during our wedding. Natalia was the best to work with - very professional and buttoned up, but also incredibly kind, empathetic, and flexible based on our needs. Overall, we would absolutely recommend PEM as a wedding venue.The only thing that was a bit challenging during our experience was the venue's caterer, which provided very high quality food that everyone loved but was also very expensive. It's a good idea to get a sense of the full scale of the cost of the caterer before committing to PEM. Reviewed on 30-10-2023
Sage Lee(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We had our wedding at the Peabody Essex Museum in May 2023 and I couldn't have imagined a better venue. Working with Natalia was amazing - she was incredibly kind, knowledgeable and responsive and made sure everything was perfect for our day. We were surrounded by so much love and care from the Peabody Essex team! So many guests commented on how beautiful the venue was with all of the art and how delicious the food was. I would recommend the Peabody Essex Museum to anyone looking for a wedding venue in Massachusetts - Salem is such a cute area as well for guests to explore. Thank you so much to Natalia and the Peabody team for making everything run smoothly - it was the perfect day! Reviewed on 28-10-2023
Brandon Muir(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We cannot recommend the Peabody Essex Museum enough! My husband and I had the chance to celebrate our big day at the museum this past September, and the entire experience from start to finish was flawless. Natalia, the coordinator for the museum, was the epitome of professionalism and was on top of every single detail and deadline. She took our panicked calls with grace, and her vast experience helped immensely in ensuring a completely flawless execution on the day-of. We cannot thank Natalia and the rest of the staff at the museum enough! Also, while the pictures certainly showcase the beauty of the venue, it must be experienced in person. From the various galleries, halls, garden and atrium, this is truly a unique and beautiful venue unlike any other. Pair that with the perfect location in downtown Salem, with multiple hotels and restaurants within walking distance, makes for an incredibly convenient venue. Overall the Peabody Essex Museum is an amazing spot and we could not recommend it enough! Reviewed on 28-10-2023
Kellie Selinka(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We had our wedding here in June 2023 and it was the most amazing time. The venue is so beautiful, we got wonderful first look photos right outside of the museum next to the trees that are painted blue. The ceremony went wonderfully in the East India Marine Hall and the reception in the Atrium was a blast. Natalia was always very communicative and happy to answer any and all of my questions and she made sure that there were enough high chairs for the toddlers who attended and she made sure that there was no problem with using the lighting selection I wanted.We loved this venue and we plan on visiting the museum every so often because it's just so wonderful. Reviewed on 18-10-2023
Meg Bradley(other)5 out of 5 Rating
The PEM was a fantastic venue. Natalia helped make our vision a reality and was very easy to work with. The whole team there was wonderful from start to finish! Reviewed on 12-10-2023
Meegan Petersen(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Our wedding couldn't have been more perfect and we have Natalia and everyone at the PEM as well as Gourmet Caterers to thank. Prior to the wedding, Natalia and Ana were there to answer any and every question we had. We were also able to schedule multiple visits to go over wedding day logistics. We selected to have our ceremony in the main atrium, cocktails in the garden atrium and reception in the East India Hall. Our guests loved that they were able to view artwork as they walked through. They also commented on how wonderful the dinner service and waitstaff was.I wouldn't change one thing about our wedding and highly recommend the PEM as a venue for anyone looking for a unique experience for the wedding party and guests. Reviewed on 04-08-2023
Keilani Groszyk(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-12-2021 We had our wedding at the Peabody Essex Museum in December 2021 (after 2 reschedules during COVID). We chose PEM because it is a unique and beautiful location (not too stereotypically wedding-y) and also offers a pretty turn-key solution for weddings. We used all of the PEM suggested vendors which made planning relatively simple. Echoing many of the reviews here, Natalia is amazing to work with. She is responsive and patient and she is able to pull from years of experience to provide advice and vendor recommendations. She and the rest of the staff made our wedding night so fun and seamless.In the end, our guests all said they had a great time and a regular comment was how incredible the space was. 10/10 experience at PEM and I recommend it completely! Reviewed on 31-12-2022
Chris McKinnon(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-05-2022 When our wedding night finally arrived after two-and-a-half years of planning, there were a lot of emotions -- happy tears from us and the staff who had been on this journey with us through the ups and downs. We were fully taken care of from the moment we stepped inside until the last guest left with Natalia (PEM) and Ann (Gourmet) helping with last-minute to-dos and tweaking the schedule throughout the night to ensure that my husband and I, and all of our guests, had everything we needed to fully enjoy the night without any stress. The venue itself is gorgeous and offers guests an added experience with surprise reveals throughout the space, the food is the highest quality with wide-ranging options, and the staff was both extremely professional and also really fun!Here's our quick story about the absolute gem that is PEM: While it was admittedly not what we were initially looking for, we immediately knew it was right on our first visit: a unique blend of modern and quite literally historic, which impresses each time you turn a corner from one space to the next. The staff, Natalia in particular, gave us the no-pressure tour and walked us through the whole experience. When we went back to sign the contract, I decided to flip everything on its head to make sure our white-tie wedding was exactly how I envisioned it. They worked with us on every detail and we were all set for our 2020 winter wedding until Covid shut it all down. Natalia worked with us to rebook for NYE (even more exciting) the following year without any issues. Then another round of Covid restrictions. Natalia and their catering partner Gourmet jumped on dozens of calls helping us workshop logistics and backup plans, and in the end, they made us extremely comfortable with whatever direction we ended up taking. Ultimately we pulled the plug for a second time just a week before and immediately rescheduled to Memorial Day Weekend 2022. We worked with Natalia and Ann (from Gourmet) to redesign the winter wedding of our dreams into a summer version. We tweaked the menu, played with the flow of the space, and in the end, we pulled off the perfect night. We're smiling from ear to ear in every photo, and the PEM staff was a big part of that. The way PEM and Gourmet treated us through really difficult times showed their true character to be genuinely invested in their clients' experience. If you're looking for a venue that feels both impressive but intimate, fancy but not overstated, and unique, at least go take a tour. I feel like the options to personalize it are endless and the backdrops for photos throughout the museum are an added bonus. Reviewed on 31-12-2022
Angela Cao(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-07-2022 Having our wedding at a museum was such an experience for us and our guests, but especially more so at the PEM. We couldn't get over how beautiful PEM is, and all our guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves, especially in the Chamber of Light and Shadows room. We worked with an amazing team, and Natalia and her team are top tiered - they're all kind, responsive, and are so willing to help make your vision for your dream wedding come true. Definitely recommend them! Reviewed on 29-12-2022
Lisamarie D(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-06-2022 We had the most amazing experience working with Natalia and the rest of the team at PEM. Natalia made planning our wedding an absolutely stress-free and joyful process. Our day came together so perfectly, and it was more than anything we could have imagined. Our guests had the most incredible time, and we would get married there all over again if we could! Reviewed on 07-12-2022
Alma Mahon(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-02-2022 After Natalia helped work out availability for an evening proposal to end 2020, we knew we wanted to plan our wedding at the PEM as well. Although the pandemic threw a number of challenges our way, Natalia kept every step of planning stress-free. Our wedding was exactly what we wanted, thanks to Natalia's expertise and her team's professionalism. We are so glad that the Peabody Essex Museum is part of our story! Reviewed on 06-12-2022
Beth Zaharoff(other)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-01-2022 Not only is the venue a gorgeous and romantic spot for a wedding and reception, it was an absolute pleasure and a joy to work with the Event Director, Natalia Laskaris. We had the misfortune of having to postpone my daughter’s wedding twice because of Covid. Natalia could not have been more kind and accommodating. We had to pivot many times, and the museum made it as stress-free for us as possible. I would enthusiastically recommend the museum for a lovely and memorable event. Reviewed on 01-12-2022
Stephanie M(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-04-2022 The Peabody Essex museum is as close to divinity a wedding can be. You are surrounded by art that is captivating or strikes you with beauty. My wedding photos are truly unique. I am so happy to have gotten married at a museum for many other reasons, like I can go back and visit the rooms I got married in!! The staff was on point and did everything with precision. Natasha, the lady in charge, is so kind and helpful. She made the whole process so smooth! 5 well deserved stars. Reviewed on 01-12-2022
Thomas Drury-Wang(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-09-2022 Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine planning a wedding would be so stress-free, but Natalia at the Peabody Essex Museum knew exactly what we needed before we did. She was a delight to work with, always available to answer our questions or offer her advice. She is both very professional and organized ... as well as sweet and fun.The venue itself ... I mean what can be said?! It's a beautiful museum and so you are surrounded by art and architecture that is breathtaking. The main atrium is the perfect spot for a reception, the East India Marine Hall is open and bright and makes a perfect ceremony location, and the Garden Atrium lends itself to a perfect relaxed cocktail hour.The photos we got at this venue are spectacular and can't be beat!! Book here if you want a gorgeous and stress-free wedding!! Reviewed on 23-09-2022
Alia Massoud(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-06-2022 If you are looking for a beautiful, open concept, unique, easy to work with venue - look no further! From the moment we met Natalia (the event coordinator) we knew Peabody Essex Museum was going to be the right fit for our wedding. Natalia was fun to work with and her knowledge and vendor recommendations helped make the planning process as easy as can be. The wedding weekend itself was made extra special by the tucked away cozy feel of Salem which has plenty to offer guests in the hours leading up to the wedding. We were happy to be able to hold the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all within different rooms of the Peabody Essex Museum which led to an enchanting and uninterrupted experience for all. This is a magical venue and highly recommended. Reviewed on 06-07-2022
Nicole Olivier(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 19-03-2022 The Peabody Essex Museum is a HIDDEN GEM tucked within the cobblestone streets of Salem! And, it’s the PERFECT VENUE for a wedding! Not only is it a unique venue, but the staff is incredibly kind and knowledgeable, especially Natalia Laskaris (Director of Events). My husband and I were absolutely blown away by Natalia’s composure, professionalism and talent throughout every step of the planning process. We were most notably grateful for some advice she shared in the home-stretch; it truly helped us enjoy every moment of the wedding we worked so hard to plan. We couldn’t have picked a better venue for such an important occasion — mainly because of Natalia! Reviewed on 26-04-2022
J M(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-08-2021 Our wedding at PEM was absolutely perfect thanks largely in part to Natalia and the PEM team. Even though we had to reschedule our wedding due to COVID, Natalia helped to make the entire experience completely stress free. We are so thankful to have had such an accommodating and genuine coordinator at such a beautiful and unique venue. The reception went flawlessly, which is a testament to the great leadership and coordination of the PEM staff. Reviewed on 04-10-2021
Samantha Kinhan(bride)5 out of 5 Rating
I can't recommend PEM enough! Natalia was amazing to work with from Day 1. We wanted a unique wedding venue and PEM truly offers it all -- a beautiful outdoor garden, a romantic, windowed ballroom for the ceremony, and a spacious atrium that can transformed into almost any theme imaginable. Plus amazing backdrops for your wedding photos! Our original wedding date was Aug. 1 and while we ended up having to reschedule & then ultimately cancel, Natalia was so supportive from start to finish. For those who want a high-quality venue but also a truly empathetic coordinator, look no further than PEM! Reviewed on 30-12-2020
Katie Sinanan(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-05-2020 We booked with the PEM in the fall of 2019 for a May 2020 wedding date, ultimately we didn't have our wedding here due to COVID-19, but we had such a great experience with PEM & Natalia so we wanted to leave a review. We searched 10+ venues in MA but after touring the PEM, we knew a wedding here would be amazing, pretty much for all the reasons described in the reviews about the space. Natalia was so upfront about everything, she comes up with creative ideas and was not only pleasant to work with on day 1 but all through the planning process, pandemic and multiple reschedules. She was so responsive and was always willing to work through the multiple challenges that stood between us and our perfect day. Part of us feels like we actually had our wedding at PEM because of all the planning and dreaming and we're so happy to say that we still have good memories of this place despite the pandemic. I would highly recommend this venue to a couple or anyone planning a special event! Reviewed on 01-11-2020
June Kazes(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-09-2019 Natalia and The PEM staff should most definitely be in the running for providing a superior wedding experience!When a family begins the process of planning a wedding, and I'm sure that I can speak for most, It's overwhelming! From day one, Natalia's confidence in the PEM venue, staff , and caterers came through as a reassurance for us that this experience would be all we imagined. They did not disappoint! In fact, it was above and beyond what we had imagined. The recommendations for all services such as flowers, musics, cakes, were spot on with respect to quality, and suited our needs and tastes, as you quickly assessed. In addition, the schedule proposed for us for to help the evening flow, was gently and respectfully prompted by Natalia herself, and the friendly and professional staff on hand that evening. I was grateful and somewhat relieved to have some time to speak with Natalia the day before as the wedding. I was a little nervous in wanting to fulfill my responsibilities as a hostess. Her reassurance that day and during the reception was most helpful in helping me work through my feelings. I had such fun in the end!.We felt so special to be the first wedding to be held after the opening of the new wing, that very day. More credit to Natalia, Gourmet Caterers , and your staff for accommodating the 6000 visitors that day, and then setting up for our magical experience in the new wing and main dining room.I will remember this day as one of the most special of my life!.With Appreciation,June Kazes, MOB Reviewed on 31-10-2019
Sylvia Dracott(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-09-2019 My husband and I held our wedding ceremony in East India Marine Hall and our reception in the Atrium, it was just perfect. We stayed in downtown Salem (such a cute town) and walked to the museum. People cheered as we walked to the museum and we felt like everyone was wishing us well. It felt amazing. Once we got to the museum we didn’t have to worry about a thing, Natalia & her team had it covered. The rooms looked beautiful and everything was as we expected, if not better. We used Gourmet Catering and the food was delicious. My friends and family keep telling me it was the best wedding they’ve been to – that says it all. Reviewed on 31-10-2019
Devon O'Neill(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-08-2019 We knew we didn't want our wedding in a hotel or typical wedding venue, and the moment we walked into the Peabody Essex Museum, I knew it was the one! The Atrium has a modern elegance about it with sky-high ceilings and is just so magical at night when the sun sets. We had our ceremony in East India Marine Hall, which was perfect for our larger guest count and then our reception in the Atrium. When our guests walked into the Atrium, they were all in awe and I was so proud that we were able to celebrate our wedding here. Natalia was amazing from start to finish and she really is such a calming force. I also loved the fact that our wedding turned into a \"destination wedding\" as all guests stayed in Salem for the weekend and our guests commented at how great it was to just be able to walk to everything. Perfect perfect perfect from start to finish and I only wish I could relive it over again! Reviewed on 31-10-2019
Samuel Lurie(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-08-2019 This past Summer I got married, and my wife and I selected the Peabody Essex Museum as or reception space. We honestly never looked at another venue. After visiting the PEM, meeting with Natalia, and Henry, we were sold. Throughout the initial conversation, we could really tell how much Natalia cared about delivering our vision. She was present and focused throughout every conversation we had, and always made herself available for questions. Whether it was our first meeting, planning meetings along the way, final meetings a few weeks before, and the night of the event, Natalia was there every time with a smile on, ready to do everything she could to make our wedding perfect. The space is breathtaking already, but working with Henry to tweak the lighting was fantastic. We really can’t say enough about how perfect our day was, and how working with the PEM and their amazing staff made that possible. Everything was truly flawless thanks in part to Natalia, Henry, and the PEM team. Reviewed on 31-10-2019
Linda Pham(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-08-2019 The Space: The Peabody Essex Museum is a wonderful blank canvas that you have unlimited design options to play with. Whatever theme or look you’re going for; the museum will take it to the next level. I had my doubts on how this very white and “clean” space would be able to transform into a magical and romantic space but as soon as the sun starts setting and the way the lights illuminate the high ceilings and sails…it will take your breath away. Words can’t describe what only photos can show! AND it was a cool feeling being able to party surrounded by history and art. You can take really interesting wedding portraits in different areas of the museum as well so if you’re feeling artistic, edgy or classy; there’s a space that will let you express that! Let your imagination run wild and let the museum be your design canvas! The team: Natalia and her team are the most gracious, accommodating and friendliest people you’ll ever work with! They will literally work their butts off to make your special day a truly unique experience. They were always transparent, honest and great with communication throughout the planning process. On the day of the wedding, Natalia was always around to make sure my husband and I were well hydrated or fed, she made sure my family and guests were all doing okay throughout the night. When we were thirsty, she gave us water and drinks IN PAPER STRAWS. WE LOVE AN ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS ORGANIZATION AND ITS COORDINATOR! It made me love her even more, she is the best! This attention to detail only goes to show how much she cares for you, the place and your event so I highly recommend this as one of the most unique and creative venues you’ll ever look at. Reviewed on 31-10-2019
Robert Karasik(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-08-2019 We had our wedding at PEM in late August and could not imagine planning anything better. Salem is the perfect wedding town for guests to visit somewhere unique and fall in love with. Small enough to run into your guests all over town, but large enough to have great restaurants and things to do. The museum is beautiful and we couldn't ask for a better venue for an unforgettable ceremony and party. Natalia allowed us to execute our vision while supplying her expertise to ensure we didn't go wrong in any decision making. Our family and friends have not stopped talking about our wedding and how special it was. Thank you Natalia and PEM! Reviewed on 31-10-2019
Adam Chan(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-09-2019 We had our wedding at the PEM in September and we were BLOWN away with the venue. When we first booked in the winter we could only use our imagination for what the end results would be. The event coordinator Natalia was by far the easiest person to work with. She had genuine interest in our choices and set up leading to the big event. She cares so much for the venue and does her best at guiding you to make the best choices and puts no pressure on anything. Her responsiveness was extremely fast which made planning so easy. I cannot express enough how beautiful the space was and the crew at PEM was extremely professional. All of our friends and family were amazed with how extravagant the ceremony and reception looked. I love PEM! Reviewed on 29-10-2019
Elaina K(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-09-2019 We had the most wonderful wedding reception at the PEM. It's a gorgeous space and offered a unique experience for our guests. Natalia Laskaris is incredibly professional and wonderful to work with. She and her team made wedding planning so much easier. We were lucky to have the cocktail hour in the brand new Garden Atrium, which coincidentally had their grand opening the same day as our wedding. PEM pulled off the events seamlessly! I highly recommend this location! Reviewed on 29-10-2019
Michael Schimley(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-08-2019 While the museum space speaks for itself with beauty and elegance, the PEM staff matches with their level or professionalism and assistance. Natalia took our vision and made it become reality in a gorgeous way. I can't recommend working with Natalia and everyone at PEM to make for a wedding that is exactly matched to your dream. We absolutely loved every minute of our wedding day because it was exactly what we wanted and the space wows every single time. Reviewed on 26-10-2019
Tracy Engels(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-12-2018 Everything was great - food etc! Natalia was so sweet and we love the museum. It felt more comfortable than the other venues we visited which were more like wedding factories and would focus on spending time gushing over ring, engagement etc (so not us!) Natalia kept it real and we felt much more comfortable with her. Reviewed on 24-10-2019
Elissa Stopyra(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-08-2019 When my husband and I got engaged and began discussing locations for our wedding, the Peabody Essex Museum was top of the list from the start. The transformation of the Atrium from a museum gathering place to cocktail and wedding reception space is like no other. Working with Natalia left us with full assurance that when we and our guests entered the venue everything would be perfect, and it was. Henry was also amazing, taking care of all our lighting requests and even offering his own suggestions, which we loved. From the light projection on the wall and dancefloor, to collaborating with the catering company, greeting us at the front door, and ensuring that we got to take pictures in all the best spots around the museum. We truly could not have asked for a more beautiful location, and an amazing team of staff. It is because of Natalia and her team being so strong, that we were able to simply enjoy the wedding with no worries, and for that we are truly grateful. Our guests were all astounded with the venue, and we knew they would be! Reviewed on 07-08-2019
Caitlin Hahn(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-01-2019 The Peabody Essex Museum is an absolute dream venue!! I cannot recommend it more highly. My husband and I got married there in January 2019 and are so pleased that we picked this special and gorgeous venue. We worked closely with Natalia on the details of the wedding and she was so kind, warm, and calm that there is no way you can be anything but relaxed on your wedding day! She was patient with our questions, helped us figure out the best on-site location for our ceremony, and was so helpful day of (she even helped my sister figure out how to bustle my dress!). She really cares about ensuring that your wedding is special and flawless. We loved working with her!Gourmet Caterers is the exclusive caterer for the venue and they are also outstanding. Natalia and the Gourmet specialists (we worked with Jeanne and Courtney who are amazing!) work so well together and were awesome at helping deal with all the details for the big day and making sure that we didn't miss anything. It made things so easy! Plus it doesn't hurt that the food is unbelievably good :)Again, I can't recommend the PEM enough!!! Reviewed on 09-02-2019
Nancy Baker(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-08-2018 We got married at the Peabody Essex Museum in the summer 2018 and it was just perfect!! Not only was the museum the perfect location for our reception but Salem was such a fun city to host all our out-of-state guests!! The hotels were walking distance to our ceremony at Old Town Hall then we all walked to the museum. We had such a great time at our reception at the museum! Natalia had everything set just like we planned so we didn't have to worry about anything! The venue was beautiful!!! At night the Atrium is breathtaking and once you see it set with all the little details you worked so hard on it's perfect!! We had a blast at our reception at the museum - I would definitely recommend it!! Reviewed on 01-11-2018
Tom Marsan-Ryan(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-09-2018 We had a lovely wedding reception at the PEM! The space could not have been more beautiful, we were taken care of when we arrived early for pictures, and our guests absolutely loved that they could take a reprieve and check out the exhibits during the reception. Reviewed on 30-10-2018
Christina Proulx(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-08-2018 To say we had the most perfect wedding reception at the Peabody Essex Museum would be an understatement. From the first day that we saw the venue, Natalia was super responsive, accommodating, sweet, and flexible with us and what we envisioned for our wedding day. She eased our minds during every step of the way and not only made the planning process easy but enjoyable. When our wedding day arrived, she took care of everything and we were in awe when we walked into the cocktail hour/reception. Everything looked absolutely beautiful and was laid out exactly how we wanted it to be. They did a phenomenal job transforming the space into a stunning room that all of our guests were extremely impressed by. Even three months after the wedding, we are still receiving compliments about how beautiful the venue was and surpassed everyone’s expectations. We are so thankful for everyone at the PEM and highly recommend it! Reviewed on 28-10-2018
David Hoffman(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-06-2018 We got married in June 2018 at P.E.M., and it was WONDERFUL!!! I cannot think of a single thing that Natalia and her crew could have done better. Her many years of experience were SO reassuring, as she helped us navigate the many decisions about music, food, flowers, and other vendors. The space itself is stunning (as one can see in the photos), and the acoustics were great for both chamber music before the ceremony and full-tilt rock n' roll after dinner. We found the time available for our Saturday wedding to be somewhat limited (the Museum cannot open the space until 7 p.m. and it has to close at midnight), and so if that feels like a tight limit, I would suggest holding the ceremony off-site at the Old Town Hall in Salem. We chose not to do that because we had some elderly guests and we thought it might be difficult to move people from one place to the next. But, in retrospect, maybe we would have chosen differently. That said, whether you start at Town Hall, or instead hold the entire event at P.E.M. (which is what we did), you will be very happy with the ambiance, staff support, and beautiful space at P.E.M. Reviewed on 27-10-2018
Karen Guillaume(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-07-2018 We got married in July 2018, and we couldn't be more thrilled with our PEM wedding! The Atrium itself is absolutely stunning and photographs beautifully. Our guests were all very impressed! More importantly, we had an amazing experience working with Natalia. She is incredibly sweet, responsive, attentive and reassuring - especially towards the end when the stress of wedding planning really kicked in! She truly cared about making our day perfect, and always made us feel like she was as excited as we were for the big day. Our wedding was exactly what we wanted (and more!), and we owe that to Natalia for her attention to detail and for going above and beyond to make the planning process as easy as possible for us. We can't say thank you enough!!! Reviewed on 27-10-2018
Emily Holland(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 19-05-2018 My husband and I celebrated our wedding at PEM this past May and it was incredible! We loved the Atrium space from our first visit, but when we saw it decorated and designed for our special day, it was more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. Natalia and the team at PEM kept us so relaxed throughout the entire planning process, and were so kind to us all along. From answering our small questions to helping us lay out our special day, we couldn’t have asked for more. We wholeheartedly recommend this venue for a wedding, and are still receiving comments from happy guests as well! Reviewed on 24-10-2018
Donna Larsson(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-09-2018 Natalia and her staff are amazing! We had our daughters wedding in the atrium in September and from the start of planning to the day of the reception Natalia was extremely helpful and responsive and so easy to work with. The coordination with the Hawthorne Hotel was also seamless! Everyone knew what to do and when to do it which allowed us all to relax and have a great time!The atrium was more beautiful than I could have imagined! Our guest felt as if they were at an elegant \"gala\"!! Thank you PEM for wonderful wedding!! Reviewed on 22-10-2018
Athena Zachariadis(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-05-2018 From the very beginning, Natalia made us feel comfortable and offered her help in any way we needed. Natalia was always there when we needed her and her advice was right on point. I can't say enough about Natalia and the PEM as a wedding venue. Natalie made my daughter's vision come true, and I can truly say that is not an easy task. She listened to exactly what we wanted, and made my daughter's wedding day memorable. I can truly say Natalia is number one in her field, and she deserves a five star rating for patience, her kindness, and most of all her professional and personal touch to every wedding. Thank you PEM and Natalia. Reviewed on 21-10-2018
Christina Cianciarulo(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-06-2018 I can't say enough about how happy we were to have chosen the Peabody Essex to host our wedding reception. From the start, Natalia was so easy to work with, and put my mind at ease many times throughout the process. Natalia and her team are just amazing. The atrium is just stunning, and we still have guests raving to us about what a fantastic venue it was. If we could do it all over again, we wouldn't change a thing! Reviewed on 26-06-2018
Andrea Bell(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-04-2018 Sophisticated but not stuffy is the best way to describe this venue. Our wedding was very elegant but fun and the venue set the exact right tone. Natalia is a pro and worked well with all of the vendors (some of who were on the PEM recommended list, and some who were not) and helped make our night spectacular. It was totally seamless and it exceeded all expectations. Reviewed on 08-05-2018
Mitchell Thomas(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-09-2017 We couldn't be happier about how our wedding reception at the PEM turned out. The space was beautiful, and Natalia and the staff were extremely helpful in making it a beautiful event. The Atruim has a well earned reputation for being a beautiful event space, but until you're in there with the lights down and everything set up, it's hard to fully comprehend how amazing it really is.From our the earliest days of our planning, Natalia helped us stay on track so that by the day of the event, our vendors knew what to do and we just got to focus on our guests. We didn't need a separate wedding planner because the PEM does such a good job with day of coordination.As soon as we arrived at the PEM on the day of, they made sure we ate, and the took us into the museum for pictures which was such a cool experience. And for the rest of the event they handled the schedule of things like the first dances and cake cutting, so that all we had to do was have fun.We highly recommend the PEM and Natalia for your wedding reception (or any event). It was white glove service from start to finish and a spectacular way to celebrate with our friends and family. Reviewed on 27-10-2017
Victoria B(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-10-2017 The Peabody Essex Museum is a phenomenal venue for many reasons: (1) The atrium is a gorgeous, dramatic, unique space that looks stunning in person and in photos. The architecture is amazing, with high ceilings and windows but it is also neutral so you truly make it your own and you have a lot of options and flexibility for how to decorate. (2) Natalia is fantastic to work with. She has great knowledge of the industry and vendors and gave us really good advice throughout the process. She was also very flexible and accommodated our many requests and vendors despite the added complexity. Everything was perfectly executed on the day of despite some of the complicated logistics involved, and it was in no small part due to Natalia’s level of organization and dedication. (3) Having the wedding in the Museum was really special because we were able to take photos in the museum galleries (though galleries are closed to guests during the reception for good reason) and were able to give our guests museum passes in the welcome bags, and everyone really loved being able to explore the museum during the weekend. (4) The PEM is in a great location where guests can stay at one of the many hotels that are in walking distance of the venue and take advantage of the great restaurants and things to do in the area throughout the weekend. It made everything very easy from a logistical standpoint. All in all, I highly recommend the PEM for all of the reasons outlined above. It will make for a truly special venue to celebrate your wedding! Reviewed on 20-10-2017
Douglas Cushing(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-10-2017 My partner and I just hosted our reception at the Peabody Essex Museum, and she and could not be happier with our experience. It was stellar! Working with Natalia was an absolute pleasure, and the space was a stunning setting for our reception. We had quite a few of our guests (many of whom work in the arts, as we do) comment on how wonderful the museum's atrium setting was, and, they were thankful for the opportunity to be in Salem for the day and take advantage of the museum as well. We used the Hawthorne for a caterer and the planning integration between them and the museum was seamless. Moreover, we wanted to have a masquerade reception, it being October, and Natalia worked with us to make that happen. Finally, Natalia worked with our photographer to get us into a few beautiful gallery spaces for photos after hours. If you are looking for elegance and the arts, all with the beauty and quirkiness of Salem as an environment, look no further than the Peabody Essex Museum. Reviewed on 18-10-2017
Kristina Weljkovic(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-09-2017 I cannot not say enough nice things about Natalia Laskaris and the Peabody Essex Museum. The venue has such a high-end, modern feel in the middle of quaint, old New England Salem. It is absolutely gorgeous! Natalia is kind, helpful and more than accomodating. I don't think I could have made it through the planning process without her. Reviewed on 18-10-2017
Takara L(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-08-2017 My husband and I had the best time working with Natalia Laskaris and the Peabody Essex Museum while planning our reception in August. We were looking at museums for our reception, and the PEM was a location that was stunning and unique without needing a lot of extra decoration. Natalia was kind, personable, professional, knowledgeable, and really fun to work with. Any time my husband and I had questions, Natalia responded in a timely manner by phone or email. The reception went off without a hitch, so much of it to do with the hard work Natalia and her staff put in prior to and on the wedding day. We and our guests had an amazing time at the PEM, and we cannot recommend Natalia and the PEM highly enough. Thank you!!! Reviewed on 08-10-2017
Michaela Moloney(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-08-2017 My husband and I got married at the Peabody Essex Museum this August in the Atrium. We were over the moon with the location when we first saw it and it lived up to its first impression. We've heard from many family and friends how much they loved the venue and enjoyed the evening. Not only is the location lovely on its own, but Natalia and her team, as well as Hawthorne Catering, were such an amazing team to work with. Natalia proved us with much insight when we probed her with multiple questions and was extremely helpful throughout the entire process. The PEM team was there every step of the way included the night of, where not only did we have a day of coordinator from PEM, but from Hawthorne catering. We had all hands on deck and the night was successful! We are so grateful for the beautiful location and amazing team and would not change a thing about our big day! Reviewed on 04-09-2017
Lisa N(wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-05-2017 My daughter's wedding reception was held at the PEM and it was an incredible evening. The museum's wedding coordinator (Natalia) was very professional, helpful and organized. She was always available throughout the entire planning process and coordinated efficiently with all of the vendors. Her thoroughness was so reassuring. The venue is very striking and spacious allowing for lots of dancing. We were so happy that we chose the the PEM! Reviewed on 10-08-2017
Liza Coburn(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-07-2017 I cannot imagine my wedding reception anywhere other than the Peabody Essex Museum. If you are looking for a gorgeous venue, protected from the elements and flexible for a bigger or smaller crowd, amazing people to work with (Natalia and Liz) and a space that is just totally unique both inside and outside, this is the place.We had our cocktail hour and reception in the Atrium (cocktail hour in the Atrium spine and reception in the main Atrium). Words do not do it justice – go look at the photos online and I will update when I receive my professional ones. The soaring ceilings catch the early evening light and then light up the beautiful sails once it’s dark. The balconies make for amazing photos and my husband and I had fun looking over the cocktail hour while we took a few photos up above – we felt like we were still part of the party. Then you can do your entrance by walking across the balcony and waving down at the whole reception – just awesome! We also took some large group photos with the group on the dance floor looking up at the photographer shooting from the balcony. The space held 230 people very comfortably (we invited 315) and felt like one big party (no separate rooms or partitions).Natalia was amazing from start to finish – she’s super responsive and willing to work with you. We had a kid’s table and she suggested using a table the museum had in their Discovery Center and she even used all blue chairs to match our colors! As we got closer to the wedding, Natalia went over each and every detail with us, entertaining questions from both of us and both of our parents. The day-of, Liz was with us and she was on top of everything.Although there are a few options for food, we went with Hawthorne, who does the museum’s regular catering as well. Separate review on them (they were awesome, food was amazing), but just to say they work seamlessly with Natalia and the museum, it really feels like one team that is working with you. They are completely in sync.My husband and I loved Peabody Essex Museum for our wedding day and we also think it is really special that it is a place we will go back and visit for years to come. Reviewed on 23-07-2017
Drew Shaw(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-05-2017 We had our wedding reception on May 27 2017 at PEM. Absolutely amazing from start to finish. Natalia was great to work with, responsive to questions and receptive to any alternate ideas we had. The venue itself is totally transformed from what it looks like during museum hours to a marvelous open area with spacious room for tables and large dance/band floor. Our reception was at night, so the twilight sky followed by the perfect uplighting made the space absolutely stunning. We went with Hawthorne Catering, and the food and service were outstanding. We were also lucky enough to get some great pictures in the East India room. I have to say, when we started looking for wedding venues, we checked out countless hotels with ballrooms. Guess what? Nobody remembers the ballroom weddings. Everyone will remember our wedding in the Peabody Essex Museum! Reviewed on 23-07-2017
Alison Griffin(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-05-2017 Our reception at the Peabody Essex Museum was incredible-the atrium makes a for a beautiful and unique space for a wedding reception. Natalia was so helpful through the entire planning process and took care of every detail for us. We had an amazing wedding thanks to her and the PEM! Reviewed on 23-07-2017
Claudia CHUBER(wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-02-2018 My daughter and her husband had their wedding at the Peabody Essex Museum in January of 2016. Although the weather outside was dreadful, the wedding and reception went without a hitch! Natalia Laskaris and her team went above and beyond their duties to have a perfectly coordinated event! The venue is spectacular to the point that it almost doesn’t need any decorations. It elevates any reception to the highest level The couple only had special lighting as decor and the place looked sophisticated and classy. The dancing space is plentiful. I highly recommend the Peabody Essex Museum to any couple looking for their perfect place! Reviewed on 29-12-2016
Jill McElligott(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-12-2016 My husband and I had our reception at the PEM in December 2016, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the entire experience. From the moment we toured the facility, through every planning meeting, email and phone call, it was clear that we were in excellent hands throughout the planning process. Natalia was simply incredible in helping us prepare for our big day. She couldn't be more pleasant, calming, and knowledgeable with all aspects of planning and execution. The reception went off without a hitch, and we owe that largely in part to Natalia's amazing efforts and expertise as well as her staff's incomparable level of hospitality. Our guests were absolutely floored with the venue and the compliments haven't stopped! The atrium of the museum offers an unforgettable, unique atmosphere that promises to impress. In addition, it’s located conveniently in downtown Salem which offers a wide array of restaurants, shops, and tourist activities for your guests! This place simply cannot be beat!! Reviewed on 12-12-2016
Kate Laberge(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-07-2016 My husband Dave and I got married at the Peabody Essex Museum in July, and we are still hearing feedback from our guests about how stunning it was! We are confident that the beautiful museum played the biggest role in how highly our family and friends regarded the experience! We took about 15 months to plan our wedding, and Natalia was with us the whole way. She made it a seamless, special and personal experience from our first conversation, allowing us to share my vision and helping us see it to fruition. The staff was very accommodating, friendly, and supportive. We wouldn't change a thing! Reviewed on 30-10-2016
Meghan Zolotas(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 08-10-2016 The BEST! The event coordinator, Natalia, could not have made the process more organized, accomadating, and fun. Such a gorgeous, unique venue for our October wedding! Reviewed on 30-10-2016
David Sirignano(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-08-2016 My wife and I got married this past August and had our reception at PEM. I want to start by saying working Natalia was an absolute pleasure ! She is truly a professional and made me and my wife very comfortable from the start. We couldn't have been happier with the service. PEM itself is the perfect place for a wedding, it's truly one of a kind. All of our guests were blown away. Not to mention the service and food was incredible!! Reviewed on 29-10-2016
Maria Sirignano(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-08-2016 The Peabody Essex Museum was the first venue my hushand and I looked at and nothing else compared. The venue itself is stunning and coordinator Natalia Laskaris is amazing! Thank you Natalia and PEM staff for making my dream wedding come true! Reviewed on 29-10-2016
Jayne Cannava(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-06-2016 The venue is stunning and the staff is exceptional. My wedding was what dreams are made of. Reviewed on 28-10-2016
Tory Sendek(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-12-2015 We got married at the PEM last December and I have nothing but the most wonderful things to say about the entire experience. The wedding venue was an absolute highlight for our guests -- especially those from out of town. I couldn't have asked for a more capable, kind, and thorough contact in Natalia. We chose to host the cocktail reception in the East India Marine Hall and the dinner and dancing in the Atrium. It was spectacular. For some background, I work in national and international event production and I knew going into the process of planning a wedding that I would want the absolute best and demand perfection. That is exactly what I got with the PEM and Natalia and I give them 5 stars... 10 if I could... believe me, you won't be disappointed on one of the most memorable days of your life. Reviewed on 28-10-2016
Elise Mazareas(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-12-2015 Natalia and her staff at the PEM are amazing. Not only was it absolutely stress-free, we felt like VIPs. We have had many guests tell us it was one of the best, most fun weddings they have ever been to. If you are considering the PEM, do it - you will not regret it. Reviewed on 28-10-2016
Anonymous (wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-12-2017 Natalia Laskaris, Manager of Private Functions & Rentals at the Peabody Essex Museum is a class act and was a pleasure to work with. She has the wisdom and imagination to make any event perfect. Reviewed on 22-10-2016
Nina DiCenso(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-07-2016 My husband and I had our cocktail hour in the atrium spine and our reception in the atrium. The Museum is the first place we looked at and were immediately in love with it. It makes for such a unique venue and all of our guests loved the location. Natalia Laskaris is the event coordinator and she is simply amazing, wonderful, and a delight to work with. Natalia is extremely kind and very responsive. She will spend as much time with you as you need. We used the Hawthorne as our caterer and they really work seamlessly together. Natalia and Laura from the Hawthorne were always one step ahead of me and did everything to make sure our day was just how we wanted it. I highly recommend the Peabody Essex Museum to anyone looking for a unique wedding venue in an awesome location! Reviewed on 04-10-2016
Alexandra Beaumariage(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-09-2016 My husband and I held our cocktail hour and reception at the Peabody Essex museum. It was so amazing! Natalia was so easy to work with and she did a great job making sure everything was how we imagined and discussed! The venue itself is STUNNING! Talk about a serious wow factor, and you can have as much fun as you'd like with the up lighting! The charm of Salem combined with the unique atrium of the museum, you will definitely leave your guests with a lasting impression! Amazing, amazing! We will be suggesting the Peabody Essex Museum to friends/family members that are getting married on the North Shore, hands down. Love it! Reviewed on 19-09-2016
Lea Member(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-09-2016 My husband and I couldn’t be more pleased with our decision to have our wedding at the Peabody Essex Museum! We checked out a few different venues but upon walking into the museum, I knew instantly that this was the place - just a very unique space, with great lighting, and a lot of character. And then we met Natalia (who manages private functions for the museum) and she is just one of the most delightful people I have ever met. I honestly can’t say enough great things about her. Planning and figuring out all the details was not my forte but she was super helpful – answering emails promptly at all hours of the day, putting me at ease, and just there for anything I needed. I told my husband that if she wasn’t already going to be there, I would have wanted to invite her to our wedding! As for the actual wedding day, the museum looked amazing. The lighting in the Atrium was awesome and the dance floor was spacious. So many guests came up to us and commented on how incredible our venue was. We also had access to the Intersections Room and Spiral Staircase for pictures which was just an amazing backdrop and provided us some unique and breath-taking pictures. It was simply perfect! We just loved our wedding! Thanks again to Natalia and PEM! Reviewed on 14-09-2016
Jennifer Brohinsky(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-06-2016 We don’t even know where to begin when explaining just how amazing the museum and Natalia were throughout the planning process, ending in what could only be described as our picture perfect wedding day. From the moment we first stepped in the museum at our initial visit, we knew it was the spot for our June reception. Once we met Natalia, any possible doubts were erased. Natalia is one of those amazing types of people who just set you at ease the minute you meet her, and our appreciation of Natalia only grew as time went on. She is a calming presence, and always made us feel like we were her top priority; even with all the couples she works with throughout the year! We had boxes upon boxes of reception details (not that they were needed with the beautiful backdrop of the museum!) and Natalia and team made sure it all went off without a hitch. Every single detail was carried out to perfection, which meant a lot to this detail-oriented perfectionist bride! From the rooms (East India for cocktail, atrium for dinner and dancing), to the lighting, to the staff, everything was just amazing. Natalia even made sure to extend our cocktail hour so we could get some amazing photos in the museum. Our guests raved about the unique venue, and we will always have such wonderful memories of our wedding night. We also have to extend a shout out to Jenn, who stuck around for the whole reception and made sure everything continued to run smoothly; she was organized, professional, and so much fun! If you are considering PEM for your wedding, or just poking around for a unique venue, don’t hesitate! Email Natalia, schedule a visit, and we are sure you will fall in love just as we did! We would not change a thing about our day, and Natalia and everyone at PEM are a huge reason for that. Thank you ALL again for everything, it was a night we will never forget! And a special thank you to Natalia for always being so graceful when working with my opinionated family :) Reviewed on 08-08-2016
Anonymous (bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-11-2015 We looked as several museums and libraries in the greater Boston area, but when we walked into the Peabody Essex Museum, my fiance and I looked at each other and said YES at the same time. \r\rNot only is the PEM a beautiful space and an amazing musuem, but their wedding coordinator, Natalia, and her PEM colleagues were immensely helpful. We felt that our thoughts were heard, ideas were offered, communication was easy, and the PEM made it easier for us to create our special day. \r\rEnter our wedding day - it could not have been more perfect. We were married in the East India Marine Hall, cocktail hour was in the atrium spine, and our reception was in the atrium. Every detail had been mapped out to maximize flow of people and attention, and time for food, dancing, visiting, and special moments. Our guests had a wonderful time because the PEM took such great care to make it awesome - and everyone commented that the wedding was so \"us\". \r\rWe used the Hawthorne Hotel Caterers who worked seamlessly with the PEM, and the food was fabulous. What an amazing staff they have, too!\r\rI cannot recommend this venue enough - for both ceremony and reception.\r\rThe best part is that when you have a wedding at the PEM, you have to become a member ($100 well spent!). We've already attended special events as members, and since the wedding we've been recognized and congratulated by several of the PEM staff. It feels like \"our\" museum in a way, in that we created a wonderful set of memories and get to walk back through them together every time we visit. \r\rYou can't go wrong with the PEM. Love you guys!\r\r Reviewed on 23-11-2015
Anonymous (wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating
Hosted a fabulous event at the PEM and had a great experience working with Natalia. It’s an amazingly unique venue and the staff made planning our event so easy. Our guests raved about the location and every detail that was handled to perfection. Its also a great value and they work with terrific vendors. Highly recommend! Reviewed on 30-10-2015
Jen Close(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-09-2015 When searching for a wedding venue, my (now) husband and I knew we wanted a location that was unique. We had visited Salem previously and loved the city. It was not too far away from Boston, and provided out of town guests a nice weekend away. Also, we were both huge art fans, having got engaged at another art museum. Holding our wedding at the Peabody Essex Museum was a no brainer. The venue is truly stunning. We had our ceremony, cocktails, and reception all the museum. The ceremony was in the Atrium, cocktails in the Bartlett & Copeland galleries, and the reception in the East India Marine Hall. Each space flowed very well into the other. In addition to the beautiful location, the staff at the Peabody Essex Museum were fantastic. Natalia was great to work with. She was always available for questions, as well as multiple site visits with various family members. Also, we worked with the in-house caterer, Hawthorne Catering. Working with both the Hawthorne and the Peabody Essex Museum, made planning effortless. These two team up so well together, as the bride, I didn’t have to worry about the details. They are a class A act. Thank you to Natalia and the Peabody Essex Museum, for making our wedding a truly memorable amazing event. I couldn’t of dreamed of anything better! Reviewed on 30-10-2015
Emily Evans(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-07-2015 While we only utilized the PEM for the ceremony venue, and that was outside, Natalia and the PEM staff were fantastic in helping to turn our vision into a reality. The experience was completely positive... and included help at 8:30 in the morning on the day of the ceremony wiping the newly fallen rain of the chairs that had just been set up.\rNatalia's calm and positive presence, and her effective collaboration with our other vendors, was a critical component to allowing us to simply enjoy the celebration. Reviewed on 26-10-2015
Imma Messeroux(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-08-2015 My husband and I celebrated our wedding ceremony (in the East Indian Marine Hall) and our cocktail/reception (Atrium Spine/Atrium) at the Peabody Essex Museum . The event coordinator Natalia Laskaris, and the stellar PEM staff were an absolute pleasure to work with. Natalia was so approachable and helpful. She solved any issue we had in a prompt and professional manner, and the PEM and Hawthorne Catering staff together made our dream wedding a reality. Reviewed on 26-10-2015
Kate M(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-07-2015 My husband and I had a wonderful wedding at the PEM this summer. Natalia couldn't have been more accommodating or easy to work with. We planned our wedding from the west coast, and she made it feel like we were planning it from just down the road. She was so knowledgeable about local vendors, and seamlessly brought our day together. I would recommend the PEM to anyone wanting an elegant wedding on the North Shore! Reviewed on 24-10-2015
Katie Kernizan(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-12-2016 The museum and the team worked all year leading up to our wedding to make it the most spectacular night. Natalia was a dedicated and amazing coordinator. She genuinely wanted our night to be perfect. We also received a lot of feedback from our guests. Regarding the museum, we had multiple people remark on how it was the most amazing venue they have ever been in for a wedding - it also captured our personalities perfectly. We used East India Marine Hall for the ceremony, the spine for cocktail hour and the Atrium for our reception. Natalia worked very hard to accommodate our large number and in the end, it seemed a lot more spacious than we had anticipated, including the dance floor. We also worked with the electrician at the museum to make our lighting and projections perfect. Thanks Henry! The caterer/venue relationship was very noticeable because it was seamless. Communication with our photographer and DJ beforehand and during was amazing and helped the outcome to be as great as it was. Reviewed on 22-10-2015
Anonymous (bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-07-2015 We had an amazing wedding at the PEM. Our guests were stunned by the beauty of the East India Marine Hall for the reception. The atrium was equally breathtaking during the ceremony. This is a first class wedding venue at a reasonable cost compared to others like it. We have received so many compliments from our guests; We highly recommend it! Reviewed on 16-10-2015
Laura McCormack(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-08-2015 The PEM Is amazing and so is Natalia and her staff at the museum along with the Hawthorne's staff and catering. It was the most perfect night. Everyone was happy and all the details and planning paid off beyond my imagination. The pre wedding meeting was great and so helpful because they knew exactly what I wanted and planned it all perfectly. When I saw the East India Marine room done up for my wedding I was speechless. it was as though I had set it up myself because it was just as perfect as I wanted it to me. Natalia was so accommodating and helpful. I could go on and on but you just need to see the room to know how beautiful it is. My guests all raved about it that it was like being in a time warp and just not having to think about anything because there was so much to see and look at. I am still reliving the night and so happy! Reviewed on 07-10-2015
Leigh O'Neil(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-08-2015 We held our wedding at PEM in August of 2015 (with Hawthorne Catering) and we were so happy with the venue and its team. The museum itself is so unique and we loved that we could have a modern look at cocktail hour in the Atrium and then a more traditional but still interesting look in East India Marine Hall for the Reception. We also took pictures in the Asian Garden which look fantastic. It's such a great venue in that it's sophisticated but not stuffy and there is lots for your guests to look at. Plus there are a number of hotels, b&bs and churches within walking distance. But even more importantly, their team is awesome. Natalia is so friendly, so organized and so helpful - I felt like I was in great hands from the start and she happily put up with my many post-it notes and directions for the day of the wedding. She was always quick to respond to my questions and coordinated everything perfectly the day of so I had nothing to worry about. Jen and the rest of her team also made sure everything ran smoothly all night and even noticed that I left my grandmother's pin on my bouquet and put it aside for me at the end of the night. Once we looked at PEM we knew it was the spot for us and we were thrilled with the way everything turned out! Reviewed on 18-08-2015
Courtney Davis(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-02-2015 Getting married at the Peabody Essex Museum was by far the best wedding-related decision I could have made. Natalia Laskaris, our wedding coordinator, is an absolute dream to work with. She made me feel extremely taken care of and calm about the entire event. Despite MAJOR weather concerns (we're talking blizzard conditions, here!), the PEM was extraordinarily accommodating - Natalia even arranged for our guests to use parking lots normally off-limits to non-PEM employees! All of our guests commented that the venue was elegant and unique. I cannot recommend the PEM enough if you're considering having your wedding there! Reviewed on 06-03-2015
Courtney Meyer(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-08-2014 Trying to find a great venue for our rehearsal dinner in Salem, we stumbled upon the Peabody Essex thanks to word-of-mouth. Depending on the size of the dinner, they have a few options of rooms. We had our dinner in the Bartlett Gallery, which also allowed us to use the garden, which was absolutely beautiful. We did our rehearsal in the Atrium, which is large, bright and was great for the number of people with us. The catering was by the Hawthorne Hotel and let me tell you, this was one of the most delicious catering experiences I have ever had. The appetizers were so good I pretty much just filled up on them before the dinner. The catering and museum staff were friendly, helpful and overall wonderful to work with for our dinner. I would have an event here again in an instant and would not change anything about the experience. I can't speak more highly of how happy we all were with the Peabody Essex. Reviewed on 15-02-2015
Anonymous (bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-01-2016 We had both our wedding ceremony and reception at the museum on new year's eve. It's simply a beautiful, elegant place to get married. We were sold the first time we visited. I can't tell you the number of compliments/comments we got from our guests about our choice of venue. The ceremony, cocktail hour and reception were all in different rooms of the museum which allowed our guests to really feel as if they were exploring the venue and moving through to different rooms without actually having to physical change venues. \r\rWe had the package with the Hawthorne for catering which I thought was reasonably priced. You really just pay a bit more for the museum and the membership. \r\rNatalie is the coordinator there and she was amazing to work with. Anything we needed or had questions on, she was ready and willing to help. \r\rI can't recommend this venue enough. It's so different from the typical country club and it's at an affordable price. Reviewed on 24-01-2015
David Murcko(groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-06-2014 We couldn't have asked for a better venue. It was spectacular. I grew up near The Peabody Essex and so did my bride. We had our reception there after our ceremony at the Old Town Hall. We loved how the architecture from the two venues complimented each other. The staff made the planing and process incredibly easy and Natalia was fantastic! she was attentive, friendly and paid close attention to our details. Our guest continue to compliment the venue choice. They were blown away at how beautiful everything looked when it was set up. The windows in the East India Marine Hall make the whole room light up and can really help with some beautiful pictures. I couldn't recommend this venue enough. Reviewed on 31-10-2014
Anonymous (parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-10-2015 Our rehearsal dinner at the Peabody Essex museum was excellent, from the superb surroundings to the absolutely delicious food provided by Hawthorne caterers. The service provided by Natalia Laskaris as Event Manager, together with her staff, was beyond compare - absolutely of the highest standard. She was unfailingly supportive, never shrinking from any notion or idea, making creative suggestions of her own, all with good humor and good manners. She was quick to respond, efficient and with outstanding and constant attention to detail. She went out of her way to help our florist. I cannot recommend PEM highly enough to anyone considering any event there, but brides should know that they will be in very good hands indeed. Reviewed on 28-10-2014
Anonymous (wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-05-2014 My dear friend was married here last May, and not only is this venue absolutely gorgeous, It was incredibly convenient. There wasn't a single glitch in the program, the space for dining and dancing was awesome, and the staff were unflaggingly friendly and helpful. Highly recommended by an impressed bridesmaid. Reviewed on 25-10-2014
Kelsey Robbins(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-08-2014 My husband and I held our wedding - ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception - at the Peabody Essex Museum in August of 2014, and we are so grateful we did. As we live outside of Massachusetts, we had to plan our wedding from afar. I suspected that long-distance-planning would be very stressful, but thanks to the guidance of the PEM's functions manager, Natalia Laskaris, and her team, the process of planning our wedding was easy and enjoyable. \r\rFirst, a few words on the space itself: the museum is a beautiful and unusual venue. We decided to hold our secular, friend-officiated ceremony in East India Marine Hall; we loved that this \"masthead room\" was beautifully lit - especially at sunset - and that it had an air of solemnity about it. We held our cocktail hour and reception in the Atrium Spine and the Atrium, respectively. These spaces are really interesting architecturally, and we didn't feel that we needed to add much at all to the decor for it to feel glamorous - we had some simple uplighting, but that was it (though there is the option to project really interesting designs on the walls!). \r\rSecond, and most importantly, Natalia and her team were incredible in coordinating our day. We hired a pretty wide array of vendors, some of whom had worked with Natalia and the PEM extensively, some of whom never had. Natalia worked with us and with all of them to ensure that everything was in place when it needed to be. Her taking primary responsibility for the coordination of the vendors lifted a huge load off of our shoulders and enabled me and my husband to really enjoy the day of our wedding, stress-free. We are immensely grateful. \r\rTwo months after the wedding, we are still receiving compliments from our guests about how beautiful the venue was and how seamlessly the day's events unfolded. For that, we have to credit the PEM and especially Natalia. Reviewed on 25-10-2014
Maryam Jillani(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-11-2013 We got married last year in November and were looking for a unique venue that could also accommodate a large guest list indoors keeping in mind the cold weather. The Peabody Essex Museum was perfect! \r\rWe hosted the cocktail hour in the East India Marine hall that provided guests with an opportunity to enjoy the museum, and dinner and dancing at their well lit, spacious atrium. For warmer weather, they can also host cocktail garden in their charming Asian inspired Garden Restaurant. \r \rIn addition to the tasteful, contemporary vibe of the museum, you will also have the pleasure of working with Natalia, the Manager of Private Functions at PEM who is a dream to work with. From start to finish, Natalia was kind, highly accommodating and patient as she answered all our questions and walked with us through the million details. \r\rFor more a customized arrangement, Natalia is more than happy to propose different iterations to help meet your needs and vision for the big day. \r\rHighly recommend it! Reviewed on 24-10-2014
Natasha David-Hays(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-05-2014 I grew up on the northshore of Boston, despite living in NYC for the last 7 years, and I knew New England was the perfect backdrop for my wedding. I planned visits to multiple wedding venue sites. My fiance and happened to schedule our first visit at the Peabody Essex Museum. During the tour with Natalia, my fiance and I agreed that it was either going to be the PEM or city hall and a barbeque, because nothing could top the PEM. We did keep appointments to view a couple of other places but we could not get the PEM out of our minds. It had to be. \rThen the fun began. The process could not have been better, easier or more wonderful. We'd pop-in when we were in town just to see the spaces again and Natalia would drop whatever she was doing and listen to our flights of fancy. As the wedding got closer Natalia thought of every detail we would never have even thought of. Days before the wedding we had a sit-down with Natalia and our Hawthorne Hotel catering staff (who were also fabulous) to take care of every last minute need. Our venue run-through of the cermony, directed by Natalia, reminded us that not only had we made the right choice, but the PEM had it all under control, leaving us without worry. \rWhen the day arrived everything went off without a hitch. Photos were taken along the beautiful historic walk-ways of downtown Salem, in the garden at the PEM and in rooms filled with art and artifacts as the backdrop that would make a NYC artist envious. We danced the night away in the atrium. At the end of the night the staff from the PEM and Hawthorne Hotel collected all our belonging for us to take home, again allowing me my now-husband to say goodbye to guests and take it all in before it was over. \rWe just finished our wedding album and the cover is a picture of us with the towering ceilings and architecture of the PEM behind us. It looks like it could have been a cathedral in Europe. But page after page is filled with images of the bridal party and guests flanked by the beauty of the PEM. \rIf you want a wedding to remember, the Peabody Essex Museum is it. Reviewed on 23-10-2014
Emma Kronick(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-08-2014 The PEM is an INCREDIBLY beautiful, elegant place to get married. There's a lot of history (it's a museum after all!) and also a lot of architectural beauty -- that very special kind of venue that's worth a visit in and of it itself. (In fact, many of our wedding guests chose to go to the museum on their own over the wedding weekend.) You can do the ceremony, cocktails, and reception in three different spaces, all welcoming in their own way.\r\rAnd then Natalia! Where to start. So many other reviews have spoken to this, but it's worth repeating: working with her was such a pleasure, and really took a lot of the stress out of the process. She is always positive, relaxed, incredibly knowledgeable, and a fun person. We totally trusted that she would tell us what we needed to know and help us make decisions, and she was very flexible when our guest count kept changing in the last few weeks. Plus, she coordinated a lot of details with our other vendors so that we didn't have to. We loved working with Natalia, and are confident you will too. Reviewed on 22-10-2014
Paulina Olivo(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-08-2014 My husband was skeptical of my choice of venue when we were in process of selecting; however, he quickly change his mind after seeing the PEM and talking to Natalia. The venue has character, ambiance and is inviting. Natalia was very good at explaining the process and painting how a night will go. She was absolutely right, our day did not only go smoothly but it was also relaxed. All our guest are still talking about it. The pictures we took came out phenomenal. I will highly recommend if you are looking for relaxing and not cookie cutter venue. Reviewed on 22-10-2014
Irene Lew(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-07-2014 I had my wedding ceremony in the Atrium and reception in East India Marine Hall in the PEM in July. Three months later, my friends and family are still telling me how much they loved our museum wedding and that it was the most fun they’ve ever had at a wedding!\r\rFrom the beginning, my now-husband and I knew that we weren't going to go the hotel ballroom/catering hall/country club route. We wanted something non-traditional. After visiting almost a dozen venues last winter, we were starting to think that a 2014 wedding wasn't in the cards. Last December, I made an appointment with Natalia, the manager of private functions and rentals, to tour the PEM, bracing myself for more disappointment. I was blown away as soon as I stepped into the Atrium of the museum, and was even more impressed when I met with Natalia. She was so sweet, calm and gracious. Even when the front desk called her to let her know that another couple was waiting for her, she didn’t rush us at all and made sure that all of our questions were answered. As Natalia gave us a tour of the gallery space where cocktail hour would be held and of East India Marine Hall, I knew that the PEM would be the one. And I was even more excited when Natalia told us that summer dates were still available due to a renovation that never took place as planned. \r\rI had just five months to plan the wedding, and couldn’t have asked for a better coordinator than Natalia. She was incredibly responsive to all my questions and requests throughout the planning process, working very well with our caterer, Capers, and my other vendors, including a live band, DJ and florist. My only critique is that the choice of PEM’s exclusive caterers is limited and it seems like most brides with reviews here have gone for Hawthorne (in-house catering), but if you are huge foodies like my husband and I, you can’t beat Capers’ food quality and farm-to-table emphasis. \r\rWhen my parents wanted to do a Chinese tea ceremony at the last minute, Natalia didn’t bat an eye and even asked if we needed a pillow for kneeling. One the day of the wedding, Natalia noticed that there was a rip in one of the layers of my dress right before I was supposed to walk down the aisle and ran to grab some scissors to cut it off so I didn’t trip. Thanks for making sure I didn’t wipe out, Natalia! \r\rWe did have an unfortunate incident with our cake that Natalia reimbursed us for on behalf of the museum. Luckily, my husband and I didn't let this incident tarnish an otherwise beautiful night. Aside from our cake mishap, our ceremony, cocktail hour and reception went so well. Highly recommend the PEM (and Natalia) for an unforgettable wedding!\r Reviewed on 22-10-2014
Robert Ercolini(parent)5 out of 5 Rating
October 21, 2014\r\r\rFirst, I want to let others know that I was a very demanding father who wanted to ensure that the wedding day was perfectly orchestrated by the professionals hired. We were pleased that our kids chose the Peabody Essex Museum as their venue, as we had attended a wedding there a number of years ago and remembered it as a lovely place. Well, let me tell you, the venue was simply unbelievably beautiful. Our guests entered through the Chinese Gardens to a grouping of rooms that have spectacular showcases of art and were able to enjoy this fantastic setting during the entire cocktail period. However, that was only a prelude to the magnificent room, with 20 foot high floor to ceiling windows and beautiful carved mastheads (the carved wooden decoration found at the prow of ships) that lined the walls, where the reception was held. The room has a very large hidden ceiling electronic screen, great acoustics and a floor plan with plenty of room for guests at their tables and for dancing.\r\rI also want to say how thankful we are to Natalia Laskari from the Peabody Essex who was without a doubt the most helpful person we worked during the wedding. Given her position she helped us immensely from recommendations to resolving issues with other vendors. \r\rShe was literally there for us during the wedding reception and it was wonderful knowing that she was looking out for us and our guests. Finally, I have to tell you that nearly every one of our guests raved to us about the wedding and the spectacular venue as one of best they ever attended and believe me, most have been to a lot of weddings. \r \rMany of our guests also enjoyed this phenomenal museum over the wedding weekend.\r\r Reviewed on 22-10-2014
Anonymous (parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-07-2014 We held a rehearsal dinner for my son's wedding at the Peabody Essex Museum on the 4th of July, 2014, with a little over 100 people in attendance. Communication and coordination with the museum and, through them, the caterer, was timely and flawless. Truly a pain-free planning experience, and full cooperation on a variety of \"extra\" requests. Natalia Laskaris was wonderful to work with, and the East India Marine Hall was a fantastic room for the event. Highly recommended. Reviewed on 22-10-2014
Anonymous (bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 12-07-2014 I had a wonderful experience working with the staff from the Peabody Essex Museum. I decided to choose this vendor as they were very upfront with their pricing, and had a time line listed as to when the ceremony would begin to when the reception would end. In addition, the staff provided a list of flower vendors, photographers and DJ's which helped to narrow down my choices. The museum's wedding coordinator (Natalia Laskaris) was very professional, helpful and organized. She was consistently available throughout the entire process whether I had to call or email her. The week of the wedding Natalia and the staff from the Hawthorne met with me two times to walk through the venue and to discuss the timeline of the reception. They made me feel very comfortable and less nervous!! I was taken away the night of the wedding in how beautiful the reception room (East India Marina Hall) was decorated. I would highly recommend this venue!!! Reviewed on 16-10-2014
Gianna Dimitrakos(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-05-2014 My wedding reception was held at PEM on May 31, 2014 and it was the best day of my life. The second my husband and I walked into the museum we knew it was \"the place\". The atmosphere and setting is amazing, you can't help but fall in love with it.Natalia Laskaris is expectational, she was always on top of things and very responsive whenever we had questions. She made the process of planning a wedding very easy.She wanted our day to be perfect and stress free and its exactly how things turned out. Everything was perfect, every time I look at our wedding photos it brings a smile to my face. I recommend the PEM to soon to be brides all the time!!! Reviewed on 16-10-2014
Liz Paush(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 26-07-2014 We could not be more thrilled with PEM. Everything from the initial meeting with Natalia to the day after the wedding went smoothly. Here are the highlights:\r1. The venue is stunning and reasonably priced compared to Boston-like places. If you're looking for a unique place with a lot of character and beauty, PEM is it.\r2. Natalia is absolutely amazing. She is sweet, calm, and precise. We felt like she really genuinely cared about our wedding; we weren't just an event that she needed to coordinate. We love her! \r3. Leading up to the wedding, PEM and Hawthorne Catering met with us whenever we wanted and always were enthusiastic and helpful.\r4. On the wedding day, the entire team was on it. They were meticulous in their setting up, and the Hawthorne team was at my side when needed. \r5. They were all understanding and flexible on when we came to pick up all of our stuff the next day. \r\rOverall, to us, our wedding was perfect. There is nothing that we would have wanted to go differently. A BIG thanks to everyone at PEM and Hawthorne Catering, especially Natalia and Lindsay! \r\rWedding was 7/26/14 Reviewed on 16-10-2014
Cassandra Tavares(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-12-2014 My wedding is December 6th, 2014 so just around the corner and I am not stressed at all thanks to Natalia and the staff at the PEM. They have made the experience so far one of a kind. Natalia has gone above and beyond to make my wedding exactly how I want it and is always available to meet or answer questions. The employees at the venue are always welcoming and nice when I visit. I can't wait for December! Thank you Natalia! Reviewed on 16-10-2014