exterior photo of the crocker museum in Sacramento

The Crocker Museum : The Ultimate Sacramento Wedding Venue

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Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento

A Venue with a Past

Even though you’ll find me all over Napa, Sonoma, and San Francisco, I don’t talk much about our own stomping grounds, Sacramento. If you’re looking for an affordable wedding spot in Northern California, Sacramento fits the bill for many of my clients. One of my favorite spots is the Crocker Art Museum, the first public museum in the Western United States founded in 1885. It has two wings: the beautiful historical victorian that houses classic art, the Crocker family jewelry and portraits, and amazing architecture; and the slick new modern wing, that boasts art from around the world and exciting rotating exhibitions. Amy and Ken’s modern yellow and white wedding was one of my favorites, as was Leticia and Michael’s purple and white romantic wedding.

What I like about this venue is the variety of places there are to shoot! There are opportunities to use art as backgrounds, to take advantage of the antique facades, and utilize the modern structures that make up the new wing of the Crocker. If you had a vintage or antique-era wedding, the older building would have beautiful touches to add authenticity to your theme. A modern event would fit perfectly in the newer, larger wing with limitless possibilities.

Ceremony and Reception Options

There are two very different spots in the Crocker to have your ceremony, and both are equally amazing. The older building has a ballroom downstairs with carved wood architecture where they hold events and dinners, where Ken and Amy tied the knot. It has an old-world elegance, and is perfect for any style of wedding.

From the Crocker Website:

  • The architectural crown jewel of the Crocker’s historic gallery building, the Ballroom is an opulent setting ideal for a VIP dinner or reception
  • Warm, intimate ambience
  • Views into both courtyards, a ceiling view into the gallery space above, and rotating exhibitions provide a visual feast

The second is the courtyard outside the new, modern part of the museum, with two large fountains, and ample space for guests and decor. If you were planning a modern, outdoor wedding this would also be an excellent spot for a reception.

From the Crocker website:

  • Framed by the historic gallery building and the Teel Family Pavilion, the Courtyard’s clean, versatile design is the perfect backdrop to any occasion
  • Clear space for wall and light projection
  • Large water feature enhances ambience
  • Designed for optimum evening shade

Both weddings utilized the indoor Friedman Court in the new museum wing as their reception space.

From the Crocker website:

  • Multi-faceted and sleekly spacious, Friedman Court is a dynamic open canvas ideal for large standing or seated receptions and corporate functions
  • Abundant art and architectural details provide visual interest and help cultivate an interactive atmosphere
  • Flooded with light shimmering through floor-to-ceiling windows that face the historic gallery building

Milou + Olin Crocker Weddings

exterior photo of the crocker museum in Sacramento

The new wing of the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento is a modern, white structure that lets in plenty of light and creates a great backdrop for photos.

wedding portrait in museum

Amy and Ken chose to take some bride and groom portraits in the older section of the museum before their ceremony in the ballroom.
bride and groom silhouette The beautiful wood inlays, antique bannisters, and sculptures are truly unique at the Crocker. Amy and Ken are lit from its second story windows.

bride in soft light

Amy makes a stunning bride! The warm woods in the older section of the museum are perfect for lighting fair skin.

modern wedding bride and groom

The modern art in the museum is perfect for one-of-a-kind photographs. Rotating art exhibits allow for images that no one else will have.

bride and groom in front of art

Amy and Ken goof around in front of a large landscape piece!

crocker bridal party

The white exterior walls of the Crocker are a great canvas for modern wedding shots.

historical building venue

The Crocker’s downstairs ballroom is an elegant space for a ceremony – it’s attention to detail is unmatched in Sacramento.

historical building ceremony

Even though Ken and Amy’s wedding had a modern theme, their ceremony fit perfectly in the Crocker’s antique ballroom!

just married photo

interior of crocker reception

Amy and Ken’s Sacramento Crocker Art Museum wedding palate was white, yellow, and pops of green – all very modern! The Crocker’s stark white architecture worked perfectly with their choices.

yellow and white wedding decor

Decor and cake at Amy and Ken’s Crocker Museum wedding.

yellow and white reception ideasThe Friedman court is so spacious – you could fit a giant wedding in here! The tiled floor is ready-made for dancing! 
purple and white crocker ceremony

Leticia and Michael took a different approach to their wedding decor, and went with purple and white in an outdoor ceremony at the Crocker’s outdoor courtyard.

purple and white wedding inspration

What a gorgeous backdrop! Their ceremony was filled with purple petals.

bridal party photos

The Crocker’s clean architecture makes it the perfect backdrop for any style of photo!

bride and groom kiss

Leticia and Michael made a beautiful couple on their wedding day.

purple and white reception ideas

The Friedman Court was decked out in purple, white and yellow flowers for their colorful reception.

purple wedding lighting ideas
Be sure to incorporate lighting into your Crocker wedding, because you can do spectacular things at night! Those giant windows and sleek spaces look amazing when the right lighting is applied. 

I’m glad to let you in on our Sacramento gem of a venue! Have a fabulous weekend!

xoxo- Caroline

 

 

 

 

Read the Comments +

  1. Matthias says:

    Love everything about this wedding, great details, fun, and beautifully captured.

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