The Westmoreland plans free wedding, special event vendor showcase

If you’re planning a wedding or other special event, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art has a deal for you.

A free wedding and special event vendor showcase is planned for 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the museum at 221 N. Main St., Greensburg.

Information also will be available on renting the museum itself for a wedding, reception, bridal or baby shower, rehearsal dinner, graduation or cocktail party, or other social or celebratory event.

“As long as it fits in our space, you’re welcome to do any kind of event,” said Darrah Resnick, the museum’s events manager.

Opening up the museum in this way helps to further its mission, she noted.

“We do try to be inclusive to everyone, not just your typical art museum visitor,” Resnick said. “We really want to be able to be a creative venue for anything you want to do when you’re celebrating with your friends and family. In doing that, we’re also bringing art to a community that might not have considered it before. We’re very open to having those special experiences in our space because we’re trying to bring new experiences to the public.”

More than 20 vendors will be present, offering bridal party wear and accessories, jewelry, catering, entertainment, florals, photography and photo booth options, ice sculpting, sound systems, tent rentals, decor and balloon decor.

Also on site will be artisans whose work is carried in the museum shop, along with representatives of the Westmoreland County Register of Wills office, with information on marriage licenses.

Open to all

The event is open to anyone planning a special event, not just those looking to rent The Westmoreland for an event.

A cash bar will be available with a free mimosa for all prospective brides and grooms.

All attendees will have the opportunity to enter to win a free shower or ceremony rental at The Westmoreland.

For sit-down events, the museum can accommodate up to 120 guests in its community room, Resnick said. That includes access to the lobby and Robertshaw Gallery on the first floor.

For a whole-museum, cocktail-style party, the capacity is 300 — although food and beverages are restricted to the first floor.

“It’s a unique space — it’s not your typical ballroom,” Resnick said.

Museum rental includes set-up and staffing, furniture, dishware and glassware, along with add-ons such as lawn games and lighting.

For the extras, Resnick said, “We do have a preferred list of local vendors we’ve worked closely with and can give great reviews for, but we’re open to other options and always trying to expand that list. That’s another reason we like to have this showcase — it opens us up to new vendors as well.”

Resnick is present during events to coordinate with the event hosts, planners and vendors.

The grounds also are open to photo shoots at any time, she noted, although large groups should make arrangements beforehand with museum staff.

“We’ve had couples who have gotten engaged at the museum, or maybe it was their first date there, and they end up having their wedding here and maybe their baby shower a couple years later,” Resnick said. “So, we do have those stories that make people a part of our community, and we’re always happy that we can be part of their story.”

Although admission to the showcase is free and walk-ins are welcome, pre-registration is requested at 888-718-4253 or thewestmoreland.org.