Reception: 400 peopleGalleries Reception Area:
Seated meal: 300 people
Reception with tents: 1,000 people
Ceremony Space: 150 peopleReflecting Pool:
Cocktail Reception: 250 people
Dinner and Dancing: 80 people
Ceremony Space: 200 people
Cocktail Reception: 300 people
Ceremonies and receptions may start at 6:30 pm and guests may arrive as early as 6:00 pm. There is space for them to wait should they arrive early.
Our exclusive caterer is Restaurant Associates – one of America's leading restaurant groups, which offers fine dining in museums and cultural centers from Boston to Washington, D.C.
Our Director of Catering or a member of the Winterthur Events Staff will be on hand before and during your wedding to assist you with all of your planning and details. We are happy to recommend wedding planners and professionals that can help to ensure the success of your day by working with you on the details above and beyond what happens at the wedding and reception site.
Outside vendors are welcome at Winterthur and we are also happy to make recommendations for any professional services that you might need. When using a vendor that is not on our recommended list please make sure to share with them when they may begin set-up and what time their clean-up must be finalized. In general, vendors may start setting up at the Reflecting Pool after 4:00pm and at the Galleries reception Area or the Visitor Center after 5:00pm. Clean-up of all sites must be finished no later then one hour after the contracted end time of your event or you may incur additional labor charges. Vendor names and contact phone number must be provided to both Winterthur and Restaurant Associates the week prior to your wedding. For times specific to your event please check with the catering or events office.
The bridal party may take photos the day of the wedding. To have pictures taken before the museum closes at 5:00PM arrangements should be scheduled with the Director of Catering or a member of the Winterthur Events Staff.
There are rental fees at the Visitor's Center as well as the Galleries Reception Area and the Reflecting Pool. The costs are detailed below. You must have an Associate Level Membership to rent the Galleries Reception Space or the Reflecting Pool. The wedding package includes tables, chairs, security personnel, and an AV attendant and microphone.
| Visitor Center | |||||||
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| Galleries Reception Area | $2,000* | ||||||
| Reflecting Pool | $3,000* | ||||||
Membership at Winterthur allows you to take advantage of everything a great American country estate has to offer. Along with the opportunity to host your events at Winterthur, members receive passes for tours and general admission to the museum and garden, passes to regional events such as Point-to-Point and the Delaware Antiques Show, invitations to special events, a discount in our restaurant and shops, and so much more! For a full list of membership benefits and levels, click here.
We include 5 votive candles per seating table, candles for the cocktail tables, uplit trees, and wooden planters in the Visitor Center. Restaurant Associates can also supply Asian Lanterns in the Visitor Center for an additional charge.
We will provide you with bartenders and janitorial staff. Parking is available at the Visitor's Center lot and is free. Valet parking can be arranged for you for an additional cost. Coat Check is available at an additional cost or there are self service coat racks available at no extra cost.
There is not a traditional dance floor provided; instead we utilize the flooring at the Visitor's Center. A dance floor can be rented for an additional cost.
Tents are available at an additional cost and must be planned a minimum of one week in advance.
| Premier Package Tasting | Stations Package Tasting |
| 4 butlered hors d’oeuvres 2 first courses 2 entrees 3 cake combinations |
4 butlered hors d’oeuvres 2 stations 3 cake combinations |
Couples that choose our basic package will enjoy a complimentary cake tasting for the bride and groom. For couples wishing to invite family members, that may be arranged with the Catering Director for an additional cost paid at the time of the tasting. Tastings are generally held 4 to 6 months prior to your wedding date and are held during business hours, Tuesday through Fridays, dependant on other events.
We do rehearsals the day before your ceremony in the anticipated location of your ceremony. Rehearsals must be finished by 5:00pm as we may have other events in that location in the evening. The Director of Catering will be present if the ceremony is to take place at the Visitor's Center and a member of the Winterthur Events Staff will be on hand to assist if the ceremony is at either the Reflecting Pool or the Gallery Reception Area.
A deposit of $2,500 is due to Restaurant Associates at the time you reserve your date and space. Another deposit of $8,000 is due six months prior to the wedding. Final payment and guarantee numbers are due three business days prior to the wedding.
Another contract will be sent from the Winterthur Events Staff as well. Half of the rental fee is due at the time you reserve your date and space. The balance is due two weeks prior to the wedding.
Your initial deposit of $2500 made payable to Restaurant Associates, as well as your initial deposit to Winterthur Museum & Country Estate are non-refundable. If cancellation occurs within 72 hours of the event date; 100% of the total estimated invoice will be billed. If cancellation occurs 72 hours to 30 days prior to the event date; 75% of the estimated invoice. If cancellation occurs 31 days and beyond prior to the event date, the Caterer will refund all monies collected from the Patron less all expenses incurred by the Caterer and less the $2500 non-refundable deposit.
We hold one event in an evening at the Visitor's Center and are able to hold another event at the Reflecting Pool/Gallery Reception Area. Should you rent the Reflecting Pool/Gallery Reception Area for your ceremony or cocktails with dinner and dancing at the Visitor's Center, you will be the only wedding that evening.
Yes! We cater all of the above as well as birthday and anniversary parties. Please contact Nicole Bailey at 302.888.4855 for more information. We also cater Corporate Events and you may find more information on our events web site.
