Are you a fan of Museum of Nature Wedding photos? Check out this real Museum of Nature wedding for information and photography inspiration.
About Museum of Nature Wedding Photos
The Museum of Nature is one of Ottawa’s most recognizable and reputable wedding venues. This blog gallery highlights real Canadian Museum of Nature wedding photography, offering information and inspiration for couples who love the idea of a refined downtown Ottawa celebration surrounded by natural history, beautiful architecture, and unforgettable backdrops.
Getting Ready Spaces and Overnight Accommodations
There are no designated bridal suites or getting ready spaces at the Museum. You’ll have to plan to get ready for your wedding day off-site. However, there are many hotels within a short distance of the museum that can accommodate you and your wedding party. You need to keep the aesthetic of your getting ready spaces in mind as it will impact the feel of your Ottawa wedding photography.
Pre-ceremony, if you’re already on site, there are some meeting rooms in which you and your wedding party can wait while your guests arrive. Or, you can wait in your limo / transportation at the main entrance of the Museum and make your way in at the appropriate time (as you would, for example, with a church wedding). You can use the elevators without having to worry about climbing stairs in gowns and heels. The Museum is fully accessible.
Kelsey chose to get ready at the Andaz hotel. Her suite had a very large bay window with lots of natural light and space. As a result, her bridal and pre-ceremony wedding photography was light and airy.
Justin got ready at the Lord Elgin. The hotel rooms and lobby have a darker feel so his wedding photography was a bit more moody and dramatic than Kelsey’s light and airy captures.
The Grounds and Surrounding Areas for Museum of Nature Wedding Photos
What I love most about Canadian Museum of Nature wedding photography is that you can easily move between both outdoor and indoor locations to create a diverse gallery of wedding images regardless of weather. No weather backup plan needed!
The museum is located in a picturesque neighbourhood with tree-lined streets, gardens, and historic homes. You can use this natural landscape for outdoor portraits depending on the season and weather.
As well, the historic stone exterior makes the Museum look like a Baronial Scottish castle. Your outdoor portraits against this backdrop will be classic and beautiful.
Indoors you can take advantage of the venue’s iconic design and versatile spaces. From the grand staircase to the fossil exhibits, every corner of the venue offers a unique photographic opportunity. You will have dramatic stone staircases, tall ceilings, soaring archways, and glass-walled spaces for dynamic wedding photography locations.
Plan out the key spots in advance so that you can maximize your wedding photography timing and flow as you’ll have to navigate the museum with its many stairs, floors and elevators.
My favourite spots are:
- The entranceway with the stained glass doors
- The main grand staircase
- The soaring ceiling and archways (look up!)
- The Queen’s Lantern
- The Galleries – Fossil and Water for something unique and prehistoric
Whether you wander outdoors or stay tucked inside during the summer heat or winter weddings, there’s always a perfect spot waiting at the Canadian Museum of Nature for your wedding photography.
For Kelsey and Justin’s Canadian Museum of Nature wedding photography, I used the architecture to frame each image with intention and artistry. Also, a quick adventure to Sparks Street was a sweet add-on.
Ceremony Spaces at the Museum
Museum of Nature wedding ceremonies can be held in several incredible spaces in the museum, all of which will impact your wedding images.
Some choices are:
- The Rotunda – With its marble columns, your wedding photography here will look classic and elegant
- The Theatre – Your wedding photography here will look dramatic, dark and moody.
- The Galleries – The Art Gallery will give your wedding photography a cozy feel.
- The Boardroom – This location is best suited for small, pre-signing ceremonies because of its corporate feel.
You can choose the space that best fits your guest count and vibe. Your chosen space will be reflected in your wedding photography for style and mood.
The most popular – and iconic – wedding ceremony space at the Canadian Museum of Nature is the Queen’s Lantern. It has a soaring glass atrium with soft natural light and a breathtaking window backdrop. Your photos in this ceremony space will feel refined, airy, and timeless.
Kelsey and Justin chose to host their ceremony in the Queen’s Lantern. Pre-ceremony, Kelsey was sequestered in the 4th floor boardroom while Justin waited in the Queen’s Lantern for her to make her grand entrance. Take a look at how they personalized their ceremony to include the making of a shaken martini – a favourite hobby of theirs.
The Museum stairs make for varying perspectives and great group photography!
Reception & Details for your Museum Of Nature Wedding
The Canadian Museum of Nature provides a dramatic backdrop that suits both intimate and large celebrations. It has award-winning spaces that can accommodate wedding ceremonies and receptions for up to 250 people.
Depending on your numbers, cocktails are typically in one of the galleries. Your guests will enjoy sipping and mingling in the exhibits! Museum of Nature wedding photos in these rooms will have moody lighting and very interesting backdrops.
Your reception can be in either the Hatch Salon or Rotunda. Both spaces are pretty much neutral and elegant, providing a blank canvas for decor and photography.
Also, you’ll have to use the Museum’s exclusive list of caterers.
The Museum has a professional staff who will make event coordination for your day seamless.
Kelsey and Justin hosted their closest friends and family in the Hatch Salon.
Planning Your Own Museum of Nature Wedding?
Museum of Nature wedding photos can be a dramatic blend of history and modern with endless options. As a photographer, this venue is one of my most inspiring backdrops in Ottawa, and I’m always excited when couples choose it for their celebration.
If you’re drawn to this venue’s refined atmosphere and stunning architecture, reach out on my photography website HERE and I’ll help you plan a photography experience that fits your own Museum of Nature wedding vision!
And, if you want to see another Museum of Nature wedding, check out Holly & AJ’s wedding here: Museum of Nature Weddings | Old World Charm Meets Modern
or an intimate wedding with “Old World Charm” -> Restaurant 18 Weddings – Where Old World Charm Meets Contemporary Sophistication
