Entertaining at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum has been the scene of elegant entertaining since Isabella Gardner opened her Venetian palace in 1903. The most elaborate parties in Boston were given in this beautiful house, with guests surrounded by art and flowers.

Today, we continue this tradition by offering the opportunity to live the experience of Mrs. Gardner and her era within the walls of her Venetian palace while viewing one of Boston's most admired collections of art in a private setting, when the museum is closed to the public.

Weddings
We regret that we cannot host wedding ceremonies or wedding receptions at the museum.

Reception for up to 250 guests
Receptions may be held on the first floor in the Spanish Cloister and the East Cloister. The East Cloister looks out onto the magnificent central courtyard, where floral exhibitions accentuate the changing seasons.

Dinner Party for up to 100 guests
The Spanish Cloister provides an intimate setting for the cocktail hour, with the focus on John Singer Sargent's masterpiece El Jaleo. Dinner is served in the East Cloister, looking out onto the spectacular courtyard, filled with flowering plants and trees.

Breakfast, Luncheon, or Tea for up to 100 guests
The East Cloister, with tables set beside the flower-filled courtyard, provides an elegant setting for breakfast, luncheon, or tea. Luncheons and teas may be arranged most Mondays, when the museum is closed to the public, while breakfasts may be scheduled daily before the museum opens to the public at 11:00 a.m.

Meetings for up to 250 guests with no reception
Meetings, presentations, and special programs may take place in the Tapestry Room, our concert hall decorated with spectacular sixteenth-century tapestries from Brussels. Neither receptions nor dinners may be held in this room.

The museum is happy to arrange a variety of additional services to enhance your visit. Some examples of the a la carte services that we can arrange upon request are: musicians, special lighting, and valet parking. To truly experience the collection we suggest that docents (Museum Educators) be included in your event.