Whether you’re a bookworm in love or just know someone who would adore getting married in a sea of books, here are the best library wedding venues worldwide.
February’s rolling around and love is in the air—and even if you’re not a bookworm, there are a lot of libraries that make for fantastic wedding venues.
George Peabody Library
This is one of the most legendary libraries in the world, known for its distinctive five tiers of iron balconies and marble floors. It also happens to be a great spot to set up a five-tier cake for a wedding ceremony.
On their website, you can even see some samples of real-life weddings that took place in the library. It’s some great, first-hand evidence of how stunning a reception can look inside this historic building’s hall.
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
Capacity: 170 seated; 200 standing
Trinity College Dublin’s Old Library
Harry Potter fan? The library from the famous series is modeled after Trinity College’s Long Room in their Old Library and is a great place to hold a wedding with an air of mystique and grandeur.
Though the library is currently undergoing renovations, it’s still open to private events and would make a perfect setting for a reception. Meanwhile, the wedding ceremony itself can be held in one of Trinity College’s other spaces, namely the Trinity Chapel, the Public Theatre, and Regent House. Just be sure to check ahead of time for availability because not all are open year-round due to class scheduling.
Location: Dublin, Ireland, UK
Capacity: up to 200
Bodleian Libraries
Of course, Dublin doesn’t offer the only historic venue on this list—far from it. The Bodleian Libraries offers two main rooms where aspiring couples can get married: the Divinity School and the Convocation House.
Both have their own unique charms. The Divinity School is a wonderfully preserved example of 15th-century Gothic architecture, with intricately carved stone walls and a fan-vaulted ceiling. Meanwhile, in the Convocation House, you’re in a dignified, stately space with dark wooden furnishings and tall windows.
Location: Oxford, England, UK
Capacity: 100-150
New York Public Library
If you want a neoclassical wedding, you want to book a spot at the New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. This iconic library is hard to beat in terms of elegance and historic significance. Whether you go with Astor Hall, Celeste Bartos Forum, or the McGraw Rotunda, you’re sure to make a lasting impression with your wedding.
Location: New York City, New York, U.S.A.
Capacity: 110-500, depending on chosen space
State Library Victoria
If you want your choice from a few different flavors of historic library, State Library Victoria offers multiple spaces that would suit a wedding. The three most popular are the iconic La Trobe Reading Room, known for its enormous space and hexagonal structure, bookshelves fanning out from the center; Ian Potter Queen’s Hall, which marks a regal tone with a marble staircase and skylights; and Cowen Gallery, which offers a quiet elegance alongside dozens of art pieces.
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Capacity: 60-520
The Free Library of Philadelphia
For the ornate sculptwork and arched windows characteristic of Beaux Arts, book your wedding at the Free Library of Philadelphia. The main hall provides a majestic, sweeping space for a show-stopping ceremony. After, host your reception on the rooftop terrace for a breath of fresh air against the city skyline.
When it’s time for photos, you’ll find a grand staircase, numerous intricate statues, and a marble landing that all make for unforgettable backdrops.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Capacity: up to 200
Neilson Hays Library
Neilson Hays Library offers couples a charming setting for their special day, combining literary coziness with neoclassic colonial-style architecture.
The library’s Garden Courtyard offers an especially beautiful space for ceremonies, while the main library room is ideal for a reception surrounded by books. (Though of course, you’re always welcome to switch things up—it’s all a matter of taste.)
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Capacity: up to 200
Signet Library
If the white Grecian columns of Neoclassical style aren’t to your taste, why not try the colorful opulence of gold filigree? If so, the Signet Library in Edinburgh fits the bill. Right in the heart of Scotland’s City of Literature, this library offers a sense of timelessness in luxuriant elegance. It’s a place that King George IV once called “the finest drawing room in Europe”—and you know it must be good when even royalty is impressed.
The Lower and Upper Library are available for booking a ceremony, reception, or both. No matter how you go, you’ll have a bookish wedding in style.
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Capacity: 50-220
Harold Washington Library Center
Part of the Chicago Public Library system, the Harold Washington Library Center features three different spaces that make for perfect wedding fodder.
First is the Winter Garden, located on the 9th floor with a 52-foot glass-paneled dome. Next, the Grand Lobby has marble floors practically designed for drinking and dancing the night away. Finally, the South Hall, though a bit smaller than the other two, offers comfortable seating for dinners and receptions.
Location: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
Capacity: 200-400
Dulwich College Old Library
Trinity isn’t the only college on this list, but Dulwich College Old Library is better suited for a more intimate ceremony. This aged red brick building has a gorgeous interior, and like many libraries on this list, it offers quite a few spaces, each with its own style.
One highlight is the college’s Marquee-style weddings, held outside under a white canopy. Indoors, one of its most beautiful rooms is wood-paneled with a barrel-vaulted ceiling and high-arched windows.
Location: London, England, UK
Capacity: 130
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Migz
K Lou
K. Lou is a writer born in the U.S. who found her way to Japan through a spiritual calling—or, more precisely, better access to tea. She writes about travel, culture, and the occasional creative piece, inspired by her enduring love of books. This love began in high school when K. Lou carried books around to avoid seeming odd while lost in thought. Once she started reading, she never stopped. With zero regrets, she continues to explore the written word and invites others to join her in celebrating its varied forms.
