RINGLING MUSEUM SARASOTA

The Ringling Museum is a spanning 66 acre estate featuring unique architecture, stunning art displays, and wedding memories to last a lifetime. Nestled right up again Sarasota Bay, this venue offers numerous event space and opportunities to provide for a unique and elegant affair for your wedding day. 

 

Want to see more wedding venues in Tampa Bay for your wedding day? Check out our Top Tampa Wedding Venues post.

HISTORY OF THE RINGLING MUSEUM

The Ringling Museum carries with it over a centuries worth of history. Originally built back in 1924, the Ringling Museum was built to resemble a Venetian Gothic pulling influence from the Sarasota area, Italy as well as numerous pieces of art. The expansive estate was built as a winter home for John Ringling, of the Ringling Bros. Circus company.

With the success of Ringling Bros. Circus, John began acquiring numerous different art pieces eventually resulting in an expansive art collection on display at the Ringling Museum. Upon John’s death, the museum was given to the state of Florida and is currently maintained by Florida State University, making it one of the largest university arts centers in the United States and a coveted wedding destination for lovers of history, art, and even the circus.

 

RECEPTION AND CEREMONY SPACES

With over 66 acres of property, the Ringling Museum Sarasota offers numerous reception and ceremony spaces for your wedding day accommodating both intimate and grand wedding occasions. Evening weddings at the Ringling Museum are available beginning at 6pm, after the museum has closed to the public for the day.

The largest event space is the Museum of Art Courtyard. Join together in wedded bliss on the lawn of the estate, surrounded by elegance and romance. This wide open courtyard also features numerous Greek, Roman, and Baroque replica statues stunning architecture, as well as plenty of space to spread out for up to 400 guests.

On the other side of the property is the Ca’d’Zan Mansion. This space brings with it an unremarkable aesthetic bringing you right up to both the mansion as well as Sarasota Bay. Celebrate in elegance under the stars, alongside a luxurious mansion and a true tropical wonderland. This space can accommodate up to 250 guests. For the most intimate of occasions, you can also use the Ca’dZan’s Belvedere Tower for up to 7 guests. Say ‘I do’ from up above with stunning picturesque views of Sarasota Bay and the surrounding areas.

Imagine your wedding day at the circus. Well, the Ringling Museum has your vision ready to execute in the Historic Circus Galleries. This space includes the Rotunda, the Ringling Family Galleries, and the Wagon Room. Here you and up to 125 guests will enjoy a bit more a whimsical environment surrounded by side show posters, circus wagons, and more. You can even celebrate under the old Big Top in the Tibbais Learning Center. This mini-circus set up allows you and up to 50 guests to celebrate together emulating with it the experience of your wedding day and the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’.

Daytime wedding ceremonies are also available from 10am – 2pm at various locations around the estate. Daytime weddings can accommodate up to 100 guests with the exception of the Rose Garden which can accommodate up to 50 guests. Daytime ceremony spaces include the Museum of Art Courtyard, the Museum of Art Loggia, Ca’d’Zan Terrace, the Bolger Campiello, Marble’s Rose Garden, and underneath the Banyan trees. Reception areas are not available to rent during the day.

PRICING AND PACKAGES

The starting price for ceremonies at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida is $3,500 according to the Ringling Museum’s website. All rentals include the venue space only. In addition to your ceremony and/or reception, your site rental also included a one hour wedding rehearsal and a two hour photo shoot around the property.

Tables, chairs, etc must be provided by outside vendors. The Ringling Museum also has a list of approved vendors for catering, event planning, overnight accommodations, and more. Alcohol may be included in receptions. However, due to liquor licensing, it can only be purchased through Culinary Creations by Metz.  No outside alcohol is allowed.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES

With every wedding package in included a two hour photo shoot to give plenty of extra time to capture the most intimate details of your love story. The Ringling Museum provides space to let your inner child out at the circus. It also allows you to exemplify elegance and refinement under the stars or alongside the bay. Their sprawling property also features both tropical and intimate spaces for the Style and Story team to capture every detail of your love.