Science Museum of Minnesota

Overview:

From DJ Mike H:

I had the opportunity to tour the Science Museum's wedding spaces with one of their venue managers, Kaitlin. There are two different spaces where weddings are held. Discovery Hall and Elements Cafe. 

First, I'll talk about the load-in. It's a little bit of a pain and will be longer than your usual load-in. Give yourself some time. They will email you the directions to the loading dock and you'll be able to use a cart from them. Once you've loaded in from the loading dock, you'll cart your equipment up the elevator to the space. 

Be sure they know when you're arriving. Since the museum is obviously open, they have very specific times on when you need to arrive. Do not show up very early because you won't be able to load-in.

Discovery Hall is much more of a typical ballroom. There is a cocktail hour held outside of the main ballroom and the main ballroom is simply a large rectangle room. They do have a house microphone which you can use for the speeches, because it definitely is a large room. I believe this was located on the fourth floor and only about 20% of weddings take place in this space.

The majority of weddings happen at Elements Cafè. Like Discovery Hall, there is a cocktail hour which takes place in a lobby which is around the corner of the main area. There isn't a specific room which you walk into, but rather a bit of a hallway which turns into the entire reception area. You will be set up on a side by the windows with solar panels outside the windows. Again, this is a pretty simple area with low ceilings. She told me the acoustics are fantastic in this area.

Load In:

Takes a while because you have to go through their loading dock. They will email you instructions. Be specific on when you arrive and make sure that's okay with the venue.

Challenges: 

There really aren't a lot of challenges once you're in. Both spaces are pretty simple, both spaces do have a cocktail hour in a different room, but that shouldn't be very time or work consuming. Most of the challenges will take place before you're even playing music.

Special Considerations:

They do a lot of preparation and coordinating with the DJ before the event takes place. Be sure you understand you have two clients to communicate with before you have ANY show, but especially at the Science Museum.

Extra Venue Call Questions:

Where do I load in?

I'm planning on arriving ___, is that okay?

Do you have a cart I can use?

Am in Discovery Bay or Elements Cafe?

Website:

https://www.smm.org/visit/private-events/weddings

The Knot:

https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/science-museum-of-minnesota-saint-paul-mn-258363